Sarasota and Manatee Q3 2026 Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

The REALTOR Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) released its Q3 2026 market report covering July through September, and it shows a market with real momentum: closed sales are up, median prices rose in every major segment, and condos and townhomes led the way. I am Michael Hart, a Realtor with eXp Realty serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities, and every figure below comes directly from the report and the verified reporting around it.

Key Numbers: Q3 2026 at a Glance

The quarter tells a consistent story across both counties. Sales volume climbed, pricing moved up in every segment, and the market absorbed homes faster and closer to list price. The headline numbers:

• 5,699 combined closed sales across the four major market segments (single-family and townhouse/condo in both Sarasota and Manatee counties), an increase of 8.0% compared to the third quarter of 2025.
• Condo and townhome sales jumped 20.9% across the two counties, compared to 3.6% for single-family homes. By county, Sarasota condo and townhome sales rose 26.8% and Manatee rose 13.9%, while single-family sales rose about 3% in Sarasota and 4.2% in Manatee, per RASM data reported by the Business Observer.
• Median sale prices increased across all four major market segments.
• Inventory tightened during the quarter, and homes generally sold faster and closer to asking price.

Luxury Market Momentum

Luxury momentum was especially strong in Sarasota County, where nine single-family homes sold for $10 million or more in Q3 2026, up from one in the same quarter a year earlier, and 11 homes sold between $5 million and $10 million, up from four. Manatee County recorded two sales above $10 million after none in Q3 2025. (Source: Business Observer, citing RASM.)

What It Means for Buyers

With inventory tight and condos and townhomes moving quickly, buyers should be pre-approved and ready to act when the right home comes on the market. Homes are selling closer to asking price, so a well-prepared offer matters. Have your financing in order, know your budget including insurance and taxes, and work with an agent who can move quickly when the right property appears.

What It Means for Sellers

Tight inventory means well-priced homes in good condition are attracting attention quickly. Pricing right and presenting the home well from day one gives you the best shot at a fast sale at a strong price. With buyers competing for a smaller pool of homes, a sharp list price and strong first impression matter more than ever.

Read the Full Report

These figures are a summary of the verified data. The full REALTOR Association of Sarasota and Manatee Q3 2026 market report is available online:

Read the full report at myrasm.com