Cash buyers are continuing to rule Florida’s real estate market. The Sunshine State dominates national rankings for all-cash home purchases, claiming six of the top 10 cities in the country, including three in Southwest Florida. While no cities in Manatee and Sarasota counties are on that list, cities in both markets still outpace national averages by a wide margin.
Buyers are seeing steady improvements in the real estate market across the U.S., but demand remains weak despite more favorable conditions. Mortgage rates continue to decline, and both new listings and builder confidence are on the rise, according to the latest data. However, high home prices and ongoing economic uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on prospective buyers, slowing mortgage applications. Buyers remain hesitant, with concerns about job security and affordability playing a major role. Overall mortgage applications fell 1.8% for the week ending October 10, while purchase applications dropped 3%.
Florida Realtors has put together the infographic below to help you consider all of the costs of your next home purchase.
In August 2025, Sarasota County’s single-family home market showed modest positive movement. Closed sales rose slightly by 1.3% year-over-year, while the median sale price held steady at $475,000. Active inventory increased by 14%, which may indicate more choices for buyers. Cash sales made up 36.3% of closed transactions, suggesting continued interest from cash buyers despite broader market shifts.
New listings dipped slightly by 0.4%, but new pending sales surged 14%, pointing to strong buyer engagement heading into fall. The combination of stable pricing, rising inventory, and increased pending activity suggests a resilient market with potential for growth. Buyers may benefit from greater selection, while sellers can take advantage of sustained demand. The infographic below from Florida Realtors contains more.
In August 2025, the single-family home market in Manatee County, Florida showed signs of improving. Closed sales increased by 5.7% compared to the previous year, totaling 650 transactions. However, the median sale price declined by 5.3%, suggesting that the lower end of the market is outperforming the upper end. Active inventory rose 13% YoY, suggesting that supply is still outpacing demand. Cash sales made up just 28.5% of closed transactions, a sharp 30.7% decrease year-over-year, indicating a possible shift in buyer type.
On the listing side, new listings were down 4.3% from last year, while new pending sales jumped 17%. This uptick in pending sales could signal renewed buyer interest ahead of our busy season. Overall, the market appears to still be slowly rebalancing, which can be good for both sides of transactions. The infographic below from Florida Realtors contains more.
