April in Sarasota

Hello Friends,

Overall, the latest market data suggests a cooling phase for the real estate sector in Sarasota and Manatee counties. While demand remains steady, increasing inventory and longer time-to-contract trends indicate a shift away from the highly competitive conditions of recent years.

Across all property types, sales activity slowed compared to the previous year, while inventory levels grew, creating more options for buyers. Home prices showed signs of softening, with declines in median and average sale prices across most segments. Cash sales remained a significant portion of transactions but trended downward, reflecting changing market dynamics. Additionally, homes are staying on the market longer, signaling a shift in buyer demand and seller expectations. With interest rates holding steady, buyers are conceding you can’t pause your life for what rates are going to do, as economists aren’t forecasting a big drop in mortgage rates this year. The market is normalizing around the current mortgage rates.

Having a trusted real estate professional by your side will be essential for making smart, informed decisions.

Debbie McHardy

FEATURED LISTINGS

CONTACT ME FOR MORE DETAILS ON ANY OF THESE PROPERTIES.

GREENBROOK VILLAGE

14213 Sundial Place • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

4BR/3BA | 2,324 SF | $725,000

Don’t miss the opportunity to own this beautifully maintained home in the highly sought-after community of The Ravines at Greenbrook Village. Perfectly positioned on a serene lake, this home offers the ideal blend of elegance, comfort, and Florida lifestyle. Contact me for more information.

FAIRWAY BAY

1930 Harbourside Dr., #136 • Longboat Key, FL 34228

2BR/2BA | 1,270 SF | $695,000

Welcome to this upgraded and partially furnished condo on the coveted third floor, where breathtaking Bay views greet you as soon as you step inside. No storm damage! Contact me for more information.

PENDING IN 3 DAYS

5806 New Paris Way

Ellenton, FL 34222

3BR/2BA • 1,994 SF

Offered for $369,000

Representing Seller

PENDING IN 15 DAYS

11019 Water Lily Way

Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

3BR/2.5BA • 1,966 SF

Offered for $549,000

Representing Buyer

NOW SOLD

14 Tidy Island Blvd.

Bradenton, FL 34210

3BR/2.5BA • 2,476 SF

Sold for $849,000

Representing Buyer

• New Listings: UP 9%
• Sold Listing: UP 30%
• Average Sale Price: $455,889 UP 1%
• Average Days on Market: 70 Days
• Inventory: 5.1 Months supply

This report represents all residential listings in the Stellar MLS coverage area for March 2025

Champagne Anyone?

The highly-anticipated Sugar Champagne Bar is now accepting reservations. Downtown commuters have watched as the bar’s historic building on the corner of Pineapple and Lemon Avenue received a facelift in preparation for the new space, which includes a bubbly pink exterior that carries through into the Art Nouveau dining room via lush curtains, upholstery, and other pink flourishes. Reservations for Sugar Champagne Bar are split into patio dining or interior dining, each with its own set of requirements—but all guests must be 21 years or older. Interior dining reservations from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. encourage cocktail attire and require a $150 per person minimum spend and a 36-hour minimum cancellation window before dining to avoid a $150 per person cancellation charge.

L.L. Bean Coming to Sarasota

Outdoor retailer L.L. Bean announced it will open a 17,000-square-foot store at 111 N. Cattlemen Road this spring. The store — near the town center’s Target, Best Buy and Old Navy — plans to hire more than 30 employees as it nears opening, and its Bootmobile will make stops around the area from March 29 to April 5, according to a news release. The University Town Center location is L.L. Bean’s first in Florida and the southeast U.S., with stores predominantly located in northeastern states like Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The 111 N. Cattlemen Road unit was previously a Bed Bath & Beyond. L.L. Bean’s Bootmobile — its signature boot-shaped vehicle — will make stops around Sarasota in the lead-up to a future opening date.

Longboat Key Goes Live with GIS Mapping Tools

The town of Longboat Key recently unveiled new public-facing geographic databases for residents and town employees. Residents can navigate the town’s website to access the databases made available through geographic information systems software. he software displays information like the property’s flood zone, base flood elevation, design flood elevation and if the property is within a coastal barrier resources system. This software available to the public could be useful for residents currently looking to make improvements to their properties following the impacts of hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well. Both the GIS dashboard and Forerunner are available to the public through the town’s website. To get there, head to the Longboat Key website home page and click “Popular Links.” There, users can access the links to “GIS Online” and “Forerunner (Flood Risk & Elevation Certificate Search).”

Sarasota Airport is the fastest growing airport in Florida by both seats and onboards? To accommodate the growth screening checkpoint has expanded to six lanes. In addition, a new 5 gate terminal opened in January 2025. Plus, the new observation area is now open.

NOW OPEN!

131 MAIN is an upscale casual restaurant offering authentic American cuisine always fresh with no freezers and a live hickory wood fire grill. All menu items are prepared from scratch daily to provide the freshest food possible. 131 MAIN is located at 6608 University Parkway, Lakewood Ranch. Give them a try! Click here for reservations and menus.

April 17-19

It’s the PAL Sailor Circus Spring Show, “Victorious!” Acrobats, clowns, and a copious cast of colorful characters will dazzle! The Greatest “Little Show on Earth” celebrates the tradition of the circus arts with more than 100 young circus artists. Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL. (941) 355-9335.

April 25

Arbor Day at The Bay with City Tree Giveaway (9am-4pm) (No registration necessary, while supplies last & with proof of City residency), Put Park Plants in Pots (9-10am), Learn From An Arborist (11:30am-12:30pm). The Nest at The Bay Park, 1005 Blvd of the Arts Sarasota