Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch Real Estate: What 2025 Taught Us and How to Plan for 2026

Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch Real Estate: What 2025 Taught Us and How to Plan for 2026

2025 was a transition year for the Florida housing market and for our local communities of Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. Instead of the rapid price jumps and bidding wars of prior years, the market moved toward balance, with more inventory and more normal days on market.

Statewide, Florida ended 2025 in better shape than many expected. Sales improved in the second half of the year as mortgage rates began to ease, and early 2026 data shows the market entering this year on firmer ground. Prices largely stabilized rather than spiking, which is healthier for long-term buyers and sellers.

Here in Sarasota, prices have come down from the 2022 peak but remain significantly higher than just a few years ago, reflecting strong long-term demand for our area. Inventory in Sarasota and Manatee counties has risen, giving buyers more choice and reducing some of the intense competition of the pandemic era. At the same time, sellers must now be more strategic, as overpriced homes tend to sit on the market longer.

Lakewood Ranch continues to stand out as one of the top master-planned communities in the country, with strong home values and steady interest across a wide range of price points. The pace in 2025 and into 2026 has been more measured, but demand for new construction and lifestyle communities remains robust.

Looking ahead, most experts describe the 2026 outlook as cautiously optimistic. Forecasts for Florida and our local market call for stable to modest price growth rather than big swings, with continued migration and lifestyle demand supporting values. Buyers can expect more negotiating room and better selection, while sellers can still capitalize on strong equity—if they price and prepare correctly.

If you are thinking about buying, selling, downsizing, or investing in Sarasota or Lakewood Ranch this year, this is the ideal time to plan. Let's meet for a coffee and build a 2026 real estate game plan tailored to your goals, timeline, and budget. 

Click here to book your coffee appointment ☕

Beyond Realty
2170 Main Street, Suite 103
Sarasota, FL 34237
941-204-0493

Darren Dowling is a Sarasota-based real estate broker-owner specializing in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch residential real estate, new construction, and relocation.