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The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee reports that August 2018 numbers show an increase in closed sales, inventory and new listings in the Sarasota and Manatee housing market. With pressure from rising prices, the median time to contract is down across both counties.
This month, there were 1,898 reported closed sales in Sarasota and Manatee, a 4.3 percent increase from August 2017. The condo market continues to improve with a 10.1 percent increase in Sarasota sales and a 26.9 percent increase in Manatee County. As for single-family homes, Sarasota sales decreased by 1.2 percent and Manatee sales increased by 0.2 percent.
Compared to last year, August 2018 reported fewer pending sales. In the two-county condo market, total pending sales increased by 6.6 percent. Single-family homes showed a decrease of 12.8 percent for total pending sales.
The median time to contract decreased across the two counties. Sarasota condos decreased by 1.3 percent to 76 days on the market, while Manatee condos decreased by 16.1 percent to 47 days on the market. As for single-family homes, both counties reported a median 44 days on the market, a 2.2 percent decrease in Manatee and a 12 percent decrease in Sarasota.
Median sales prices also continue to rise, year-over-year. Sarasota single-family homes increased by 9.9 percent to $283,488, while Manatee increased by 3.2 percent to $296,000. Condo prices in Sarasota increased by 9.1 percent to $232,950 and Manatee increased by 3.8 percent to $190,000.
The condo market continues to shine with a jump in new listings, or the number of properties put on this market this month. Sarasota condo new listings increased by 11.4 percent and Manatee condo new listings increased by 8.2 percent. Single-family home new listings increased by 4.5 percent in Manatee County, while Sarasota single-family home new listings only increased by 0.3 percent.
With more listings comes more inventory. The overall inventory is up by 1.2 percent, compared to last year’s two-county area totals. Sarasota single-family home inventory increased by 3.2 percent to 2,595. Manatee single-family home inventory decreased by 2.7 percent to 2,050. Sarasota condo inventory increased by 5.1 percent to 1,425, while Manatee condo inventory is down by 1.5 percent to 801 available properties.
The Sarasota and Manatee County market favors the seller, as noted by the current month’s supply of inventory. Single-family homes in Sarasota and Manatee are both at a 3.9-month supply, a 2.6 percent increase in Sarasota and a 4.9 percent decrease in Manatee. As for condos, Manatee County decreased by 7.7 percent to a 3.6 month’s supply and Sarasota is at a 4.1 month’s supply, a 4.7 percent decrease from last year.
Monthly reports are provided by Florida REALTORS® with data compiled from My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. For comprehensive statistics dating back to 2005, visit www.MyRASM.com/statistics.
The new Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota is now open and one of the many unique features of the hotel is their rooftop bar, Perspective, which has an upbeat and laid back atmosphere. The bar is adjacent to the hotel’s pool where they were setting up for some live music when we visited recently. We found it to be a great spot for drinks and light bites and perfect for watching the setting sun. They have numerous umbrellas so you can get out of the sun and still enjoy great views of Sarasota.
The service was prompt and super friendly. They have a full bar lineup with several signature crafted cocktails. We had Sunset Through the Skyspace and Flowers on the Wall. Both were unique and tasty. Since we were early in the evening we decided on an appetizer Chicken Quesadilla which was served piping hot and delicious. Check out the full menu here: Perspective Menu
Art Ovation is located at the intersection of Palm Avenue and Cocoanut Avenue. The Palm Avenue Garage is right behind the hotel for convenient parking.
Don’t miss the 13th annual Master Gardener Plant Sale by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension. This is a FREE family-friendly fall gardening event featuring sustainable gardening education, landscape problem diagnosis, and thousands of plants for sale, plus an open house highlighting all UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has to offer.
Date: October 13, 2018
Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Twin Lakes Park, Green Building
6700 Clark Road, Sarasota 34241
Proceeds from the sale benefit the Master Gardeners Chapter of the Friends of Sarasota County Parks, which supports Master Gardener education outreach programs in Sarasota County. Purchases may be made by cash or check.
Plant Sale: Find your right plant, for the right price!
EdFest Open House: See all that Extension has to offer you!
For more information visit UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee reports that July inventory fell short, but sales continued to climb year-over-year. The condo market is strong with more pending sales and new listings this month.
In July 2018, Sarasota and Manatee County reported 1,885 closed sales, a 10.3 percent increase from last year. In Sarasota County, condo sales increased by 11.4 percent to 341, and single-family homes increased by 3.1 percent to 704. As for Manatee County, condo sales increased by 10.1 percent to 218 and single-family homes increased by 19.2 percent to 622.
Pending sales represent the number of properties that went under contract this month. Across both counties, pending sales increased in the condo market but decreased for single-family homes. In Manatee County, condo pending sales are up by 18 percent, while Sarasota condo pending sales are up by 6.6 percent. As for single-family homes, Manatee County is down by 1.2 percent, while Sarasota is down by 1.8 percent.
July brought more condo listings, but fewer single-family homes were added to the market when compared to last year. New listings in Sarasota condos increased by 5.6 percent and Manatee condos increased by 18 percent. As for Sarasota single-family homes, new listings decreased by 7.5 percent and Manatee decreased by 14.7 percent.
July’s overall inventory is down from last year. Sarasota single-family homes decreased by 4 percent to 2,605, while Manatee single-family homes decreased by 5.3 percent to 2,045. Sarasota condo inventory decreased by 1.9 percent to 1,431, while Manatee condo inventory is down by 0.2 percent to 849 available properties.
Median sales prices stay on the rise, year-over-year. Sarasota single-family homes increased by 8 percent to $280,750, while Manatee increased by 3.2 percent to $309,500. Condo prices in Sarasota increased by 8.3 percent to $232,000 and Manatee increased by 20.8 percent to $199,250.
Sarasota and Manatee County are both in a seller’s market, a reflection of the current month’s supply of inventory. Single-family homes are depleting the current inventory at an estimated 3.9 months, a 4.9 percent decrease in Sarasota and a 9.3 percent decrease in Manatee County. As for condos, Manatee County decreased by 4.9 percent to a 3.9 month’s supply and Sarasota is at a 4.1 month’s supply, a 10.9 percent decrease from last year.
To read the full press release or to view the statistical charts click here.
This month marks the beginning of the fall season. Here’s just a sampling of the activities happening in the Sarasota area during the month of September:
| Date | Event or Activity | Location | Click Link for
More Information |
| Sept. 1st | 15th Annual Venice Triathlon | Venice | SW Florida YMCA |
| Sept. 1-23rd | “Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged” | Sarasota | Florida Studio Theatre |
| Sept. 1-2nd | 10th Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival | Venice | ArtFestival.com |
| Sept. 1-2nd | 72nd Annual Labor Day Regatta | Sarasota | Sarasota Sailing Squadron |
| Sept. 1-3rd | Englewood Pioneer Days | Englewood | Englewood Pioneer Days |
| Sept. 1-3rd | Tampa Bay Labor Day Soccer Tournament | Lakewood Ranch | Chargers Soccer |
| Sept. 6th | Ringling Underground | Sarasota | Ringling Museum of Art |
| Sept. 7th | First Friday Gallery Walk | Sarasota | PalmAvenue.org |
| Sept. 7th | Music on Main | Lakewood Ranch | Main Street Events |
| Sept. 8th | Sarasota Farmer’s Market | Sarasota | SarasotaFarmersMarket.org |
| Sept. 8-9th | “A Hole In the Head Gang” Wild West Train Robbery | Parrish | Florida Railroad Museum |
| Sept.12-16th | Dennis Blair @ McCurdy’s | Sarasota | McCurdy’s Comedy Theater |
| Sept. 13-30th | “Anne of Green Gables” | Bradenton | Manatee Performing Arts Center |
| Sept. 14th | Friday Fest – Dr. Dave Band | Sarasota | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall |
| Sept. 14-16th | Sarasota Bradenton Fall Home Show | Sarasota | Home Show Florida |
| Sept. 15th | Life’s A Beach Triathlon | Siesta Key | Sarasota Triathlon |
| Sept. 15th | A Taste of Downtown Sarasota | Sarasota | Sarasota Opera |
| Sept. 15th | International Coastal Clean Up | Siesta Key | Sarasota County |
| Sept. 20th | Ladies Night on the Circle | Lido Key | St Armands Circle Assn. |
| Sept. 22nd | Museum Day Live | Sarasota | Ringling Museum |
| Sept. 22nd | Arcadia Antiques Fair | Arcadia | Arcadia Antiques |
| Sept. 22nd | Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby | Ellenton | Bradentucky Bombers |
| Sept. 23rd | Bradenton Blues Brunch | Bradenton | Realize Bradenton |
| Sept. 25th | National Public Lands Day | Various | National Environmental Education Foundation |
| Sept. 28th | Beer Garden Bazaar Night Market | Bradenton | Motorworks Brewing |
Call us when you are ready to make your move! To search for homes in the area go to View Homes On The Gulf Coast. We’re here to help you every step of the way…call us today!
The ocean supplies the food we eat, the air we breath, the water we drink. It’s our planet’s life support system. And it’s at risk. Pollution is changing the basic chemistry of the ocean. Overfishing is damaging fish stocks. The trickle down effect is huge: people’s livelihoods, the food on our plates, the health of our planet, and the entire eco-system, all in danger. But you can make a difference.
Join volunteers from around Sarasota County to collect trash polluting our waterways. This is an Ocean Conservancy initiative which began in 1986. More than 18 million pounds of trash was collected by nearly 500,000 volunteers during the 2016 International Coastal Cleanup.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Registration will open in August 2018.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer visit Sarasota County Government
Whole Foods just opened recently at University Parkway and Honore Avenue (near UTC) in Sarasota. The grocery part of the store is set up like you would expect but in the front corner they have a café named Brasserie Honore. It is a French themed menu and a very casual space. There are quite a few tables and a bar with beer and wine service. All of the food is prepared behind the bar.
We checked it out and were able to take advantage of their Happy Hour (4-7 pm) which offers a $2 discount on beer, wine, personal pizzas and burgers if you sit at the bar. They feature several beers from local breweries. The menu has selections that would be good any time of day from Toast & Egg in the morning to Main Courses for dinner. I ordered the Moules-Frites (mussels served with black truffle fries) and my husband ordered a Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich.
I wouldn’t call this fine dining but it was certainly good food and convenient to grab a bite before shopping…you don’t want to grocery shop hungry!
Summer is in full swing and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall continues to host Friday Fest which is a free outdoor concert series. On August 17th from 5-9pm the band Rebel Heart will be performing. This is a fun event on the south bayside lawn where you can bring a chair, blanket or whatever to sit on. Many vendors are available for food and drink purchase. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
Rebel Heart’s music features some of today’s most popular country songs, mixed with a healthy dose of hits from pop, rock, dance, and the blues. Rebel Heart’s 5-piece band puts on a high-energy, powerful and melodic country rock act that is a must-see!
The bayside lawn is the perfect spot to enjoy a Sarasota sunset so come out and join in the fun!
For more information visit: http://www.vanwezel.org/boxoffice/rebel-heart/
The Sarasota and Manatee market stays on trend with increasing home sales, rising median prices and low inventory in June 2018. Sarasota County and Manatee County reported a total of 2,097 closed sales in June 2018, a 5.2 percent increase from last year. In the condo market, Sarasota sales increased by 3.8 percent to 384, while Manatee condo sales increased by 20.9 percent to 278. As for single-family homes, Manatee sales increased by 4.8 percent to 637, while Sarasota increased by 1.7 percent to 798.
Combined pending sales, or the number properties that went under contract this month, increased by 3 percent from June of 2017. In Manatee County, condo pending sales are up by 7.3 percent, while single-family pending sales are up by 9.9 percent. As for Sarasota County, there was no change in the condo market and a 2.3 percent decrease in single-family home pending sales.
Overall, inventory is down compared to June 2017. Sarasota single-family homes decreased by 3.4 percent, while Manatee single-family homes decreased by 1.1 percent. Sarasota condo inventory increased by 1.9 percent, while Manatee condo inventory is down by 2.8 percent in the two-county area.
Median sales prices continue to rise. Sarasota single-family homes increased by 1.6 percent to $279,500, while Manatee increased by 0.8 percent to $300,000. Condo prices in Sarasota increased by 2.7 percent to $221,250 and Manatee increased by 4.9 percent to $191,500.
At less than 5 months to deplete the current inventory, the two counties represent a seller’s market in June 2018. Manatee condos are at a 4.1-month supply, a 6.8 percent decrease from last year. Sarasota condos are at a 4.5 month-supply, a 6.3 percent decrease. Both Manatee and Sarasota single-family homes decreased to a 4.1-month supply of inventory.
To view the full press release or to view the statistical charts visit: Sarasota Manatee Realtors
There are so many things to do in paradise this month. It’s a great time to get out and enjoy all that our area has to offer. Here’s just a few of the activities happening in the area during the month of August:
| Date | Event or Activity | Location | Click Link for
More Information |
| Aug. 1-4th | Sarasota Slam Fishing Tournament | Sarasota | SarasotaSlam.com |
| Aug. 1-5th | Florida State DanceSport Championships | Sarasota | Florida State Dance |
| Aug. 2-4th | 6th Annual Summer Cabaret Festival | Venice | Venice Theatre |
| Aug. 3rd | Palm Avenue Art Walk | Sarasota | Palm Avenue |
| Aug. 3rd | Music on Main | Lakewood Ranch | LakewoodRanch.com |
| Aug. 3rd | Live Music in the Park | Sarasota | Cafe in the Park |
| Aug. 3-5th | Tampa Bay Comic Con | Tampa | Tampa Bay Comic Con |
| Aug. 4th | Art Making at the Children’s Welcome Center | Sarasota | Ringling Museum of Art |
| Aug. 4th | Aquapalooza | Sarasota | MarineMax |
| Aug. 4th | Venice Farmers Market | Venice | Venice Farmers Market |
| Aug. 4-5th | Sarasota Swap Meet | Sarasota | Sarasota Swap Meet |
| August 4th | 4th Annual Manatee County-Wide
Pet Adopt-A-Palooza |
Palmetto | VolunteerMatch.org |
| Aug. 4-5th | ReptiCon | Sarasota | ReptiCon.com |
| Aug. 5th | Very Merry Jerry Day | Sarasota | WSLR Sarasota |
| Aug. 7th | Final Kids Summer Beach Run | Siesta Key | Manasota Track Club |
| Aug. 8-19th | “On Golden Pond” | Sarasota | The Players Theater |
| Aug. 9-26th | “Newsies” | Bradenton | Manatee Performing Arts Center |
| Aug. 11th | Tiki Fest | Punta Gorda | Fisherman’s Village |
| Aug. 16th | Venice Wine Walk | Venice | Venice Calendar |
| Aug. 17th | Rebel Heart @ Friday Fest | Sarasota | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall |
| Aug. 17-19th | Gem, Jewelry & Bead Show | Sarasota | Sarasota Municipal Auditorium |
| Aug. 18-28th | 62nd Annual Englewood Pioneer Festival | Englewood | Englewood Pioneer Days |
| Aug. 21-31st | “Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged” | Sarasota | Florida Studio Theatre |
| Aug. 21-26th | Bradenton Marauders Home Games | Bradenton | Bradenton Marauders |
| Aug. 25th | Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby | Bradenton | Bradentucky Bombers |
| Aug. 25th | Historic Venice Train Depot Tour | Venice | Venice Historical Society |
Call us when you are ready to make your move! To search for homes in the area go to View Homes On The Gulf Coast. We’re here to help you every step of the way…call us today!
