If you've been contemplating putting your Sarasota home on the market, you've probably been asking yourself the same question countless other homeowners are wrestling with right now: Should I sell now or wait?

It's a valid concern—timing can significantly impact your bottom line. But the year-end 2025 data tells a story that might surprise you. Let's dig into what's really happening in Sarasota's real estate market.

Sales Activity Finished Strong

For single-family homes, closed sales increased 9.3% for the full year—that's 8,183 sales versus 7,486 in 2024. Even more telling, November and December showed powerful momentum with sales jumping 28.5% and 17.7% respectively. What does this tell us? Buyers are active, and properties are moving.

Inventory has decreased to 3,211 single-family homes (down 5.7% from 2024), with 4.7 months of supply—down from 5.5 months last year. For context, a balanced market typically sits around 5.5 months. We've actually moved slightly into seller-favorable territory.

Pricing Realities Worth Considering

Single-family home median prices settled at $474,700 for 2025—about 6% below 2024's $505,000. Is this cause for panic? Not necessarily.

After the unsustainable price surge of 2021-2022, the market needed to find a more realistic equilibrium. That modest 6% adjustment brought something valuable—buyers who had been sitting on the sidelines.

Think of it this way: would you rather sell at 2024's slightly higher prices in a market where homes took longer to sell, or sell at today's prices where properties are moving 9.3% faster and buyer activity is up double digits?

The condo and townhouse market tells a different story, with median prices down 15.3% to $325,000. However, this segment faces unique challenges including new Florida building safety laws and rising HOA costs.

How Long Are Homes Taking to Sell?

For single-family homes, the median time to sale reached 99 days at year-end—up from 91 days in 2024. That's roughly three months from listing to closing. Is that slow? Not really. It's actually a return to more normal, pre-pandemic timelines.

During the 2021-2022 frenzy, homes sold in days. That wasn't sustainable. The current timeline gives buyers adequate time to do their due diligence while maintaining reasonable momentum.

Negotiation Dynamics Have Shifted

Sellers received a median of 93% of their original list price in 2025, down from 94.4% in 2024. What does this mean? Pricing your home accurately from the start matters more than ever.

That said, receiving 93% of list price means the market still has integrity. Buyers aren't lowballing by 20-30%. They're negotiating reasonably within a few percentage points of asking price—exactly what happens in a balanced, healthy market.

What About Waiting for Spring?

I know what you're thinking: "But spring is when the market heats up! Shouldn't I wait for peak season?"

Here's the reality: Florida typically sees stronger activity during snowbird season (roughly January through April). But listing in late winter—right now—positions you to catch both the tail end of snowbird season AND the spring buyers before the market floods with inventory.

By March and April, everyone else will be executing the same "wait for spring" strategy. More competition means buyers have more choices and less urgency.

Plus, homes are taking about three months from listing to closing. List now, and you're likely closing in April or May—right when families with school-age children are most motivated to settle before summer.

The Bottom Line

Based on 2025's year-end data, we're in a market that offers solid opportunities for sellers who approach it strategically. Sales momentum is strong, inventory is controlled, and while prices have adjusted modestly, they've stabilized at levels that are attracting active buyers.

If you've been thinking about selling, now might be your window. Not because the market is going to crash if you wait, but because the current conditions favor sellers who price right, present well, and work with professionals who understand our local market.

Every month you wait is another month of property taxes, insurance premiums (and if you've been following Florida's insurance market, those aren't decreasing), maintenance, and utilities. For a $500,000 home, that's roughly $3,000-5,000 in monthly carrying costs.

Want to know what your home might sell for in today's market? We'd be happy to provide you with a complimentary market evaluation. No obligation—just honest conversation about your options and what makes sense for your situation.

Because the best time to sell isn't about perfect market conditions—it's about making an informed decision that supports your goals and gives you confidence as you move forward.

Market data sourced from Florida Realtors® and REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee Year-End 2025 Market Report.

Learn more about selling with The Pope Team: https://ownsarasota.com/sell-with-the-pope-team/

Read testimonials from sellers like you: https://ownsarasota.com/success-stories/ 

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