Housing Market Slows in Sarasota and Manatee Counties Amid Hurricane Impact, But Recovery Outlook Remains Strong
Sarasota & Manatee Counties – The Sarasota and Manatee counties’ housing market experienced a noticeable slowdown, with the number of closed sales hitting their lowest point since January 2024. Sales were down 14.3% from August and 18.2% year-over-year. A key factor behind this decline appears to be Hurricane Debby’s flooding, which disrupted buyer activity and brought uncertainty to the market.
In September, median sale prices saw a slight dip, reaching $440,000 in Sarasota County and $421,625 in Manatee County. This trend indicates a cooling of market demand. At the same time, inventory levels continue to rise year-over-year, with 8,213 active listings marking a 43% increase from September 2023, suggesting a more balanced market is emerging.
While September’s slowdown was largely due to the effects of Hurricane Debby, similar trends are expected through October, especially as the region faced two additional hurricanes. However, the long-term outlook remains positive as the area rebuilds and recovers from these challenges.