With the buzz about potentially increasing the term of the 30-year mortgage, I think it’s important that we keep our eye on ball of the more critical factor – interest rates. Personally, 10 to 20 more years of payments to keep a monthly payment down is not as attractive as downward movement in interest rates. The infographic below from Florida Realtors shows how your monthly payment can improve with a 1% improvement in interest rates.
In September 2025, Sarasota County’s single-family home market experienced a mix of growth and resilience. Closed sales totaled 646, marking a 26% increase from the previous year, while the median sale price dropped 8.2% to $450,000, suggesting more activity at the bottom end of the market. Active inventory rose to 3,137 homes, a 10% increase year-over-year, indicating more choices for buyers and potentially longer selling times for sellers.
New pending sales reached 637, up 23% from last year, pointing to renewed buyer interest heading into our peak season. Cash purchases made up 40.4% of closed sales, nearly unchanged from the prior year, showing continued strength among cash buyers. New listings held steady at 754, with only a slight 0.7% increase, suggesting sellers are cautiously entering the market. Overall, the data reflects a continuing transitional period, with pricing adjustments and shifting buyer activity shaping the landscape. The infographic below from Florida Realtors contains more information from September.
In September 2025, the single-family home market in Manatee County showed notable activity and subtle shifts in buyer behavior. Closed sales surged by 24% year-over-year, reaching 662 transactions, while the median sale price held steady at $470,000, indicating price stability despite increased volume. Active inventory rose by 7.9%, suggesting more options for buyers, though new listings dipped slightly by 3.9% to 681. This mix of rising inventory and fewer new listings points to a market balancing supply and demand.
Cash buyers made up 29.9% of closed sales, a slight increase from 26.5% the previous year, hinting at a modest shift for cash purchases. Meanwhile, new pending sales totaled 580, reflecting continued buyer interest even as listing activity softened. Overall, the data suggests a resilient market with steady pricing, increased sales momentum, and evolving buyer dynamics heading into our peak transaction season. The infographic below from Florida Realtors contains more information from September.
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%.