When prospective buyers browse online or drive by in person, the first thing they notice is your home’s curb appeal. It immediately signals how well the property has been maintained and shapes their expectations before they ever step inside. That’s why investing in thoughtful outdoor updates before listing is essential. Here are five impactful improvements to prioritize.
Sarasota County’s single‑family home market in January 2026 showed mixed activity: closed sales were essentially flat, rising 0.6% to 523 transactions, while new pending sales jumped 16% to 803, suggesting renewed buyer interest coming prior to the end of our busy season. At the same time, new listings fell sharply 20% to 1,166 and active inventory declined 14% to 3,444, indicating fewer homes coming to market and tighter available supply. The share of cash sales eased to 45.5% from 49.4% a year earlier, pointing to a modest reduction in all‑cash purchases.
Pricing dynamics diverged from activity: the median sale price slipped 7.5% year over year to $490,000, a notable softening that contrasts with the uptick in pending transactions. Taken together, the data paint a market with constrained supply and fewer new listings, some renewed buyer momentum as shown by pending sales, but downward pressure on prices, conditions that could give buyers more negotiating room even as demand shows signs of recovery. The infographic below from Florida Realtors contains more.
Manatee County’s single‑family home market softened in January 2026, with several key indicators pointing to reduced activity compared to the previous year. Closed sales fell 11% to 444 transactions, and new listings dropped 9.2%, suggesting fewer homeowners are bringing properties to market. Active inventory also edged down 2.2%, indicating that supply remains relatively tight despite slower sales. Cash purchases made up 32.4% of all closings, slightly lower than last year’s 33.9%, showing a modest shift away from cash‑heavy buying.
Despite the cooling in sales volume, pricing remained essentially stable. The median sale price in January was $480,495, a slight 0.1% increase year over year, signaling that demand is still strong enough to support current price levels. One standout metric was new pending sales, which rose 17%, hinting at a potential rebound in buyer activity prior to the end of our busy season. Overall, the market reflects a mix of constrained supply, steady pricing, and early signs of renewed buyer engagement. The infographic below from Florida Realtors contains more.
Many economists expect the housing market to improve in 2026, though not enough to constitute a full rebound, but a new survey indicates that a growing number of real estate professionals are feeling more confident about what’s ahead. According to The Real Brokerage’s latest agent survey, conducted through January 9, agent optimism rose sharply at the end of 2025. Affordability remains the biggest obstacle, yet there are early signs that pressure is beginning to ease. That shift is essential for a broader recovery to take shape in 2026.
Florida Realtors has put together the infographic below showing insights from buyers on what they are looking for in homes.
