Here’s your August Real Estate Update for homes on Siesta Key, reflecting market activity from July 2026.
The July numbers show some encouraging signs for sellers, with pending sales, closed sales, and new listings all higher than they were a year ago. At the same time, the number of active listings has declined significantly, creating a tighter supply of available homes.
July Market Snapshot
Active Listings: 115 — down 26.3% year over year
Pending Sales: 21 — up 23.5% year over year
Closed Sales: 14 — up 21.4% year over year
New Listings: 17 — up 30.8% year over year
Average Sale Price: $1,501,441 — down 4.1% year over year
Median Sale Price: $1,350,000 — up 5.9% year over year
What Do These Numbers Tell Us?
The Siesta Key single-family home market showed increased activity in July, with more homes going under contract and closing compared with the same period last year. New listings were also up, giving buyers more opportunities to choose from.
While the average sale price declined 4.1%, the median sale price increased 5.9%, suggesting that the typical Siesta Key home that sold in July commanded a higher price than it did a year ago.
With active inventory down more than 26% from last year, Siesta Key remains a market worth watching for both buyers and sellers.
I’ll continue to track the numbers each month so you can see how the Siesta Key real estate market is changing.
Thinking about buying or selling on Siesta Key? Let’s talk about what the current market means for you
It’s true that packing for a move usually isn’t a complex process, but if you want your move to go as smoothly as possible (and your belongings to survive intact), there’s a little more to packing than simply loading your stuff into boxes and hoping for the best.
Here are some packing best practices:
Declutter. Do this well before the big day! If you have any belongings you don t need or want anymore, now’s the time to set them aside, donate them or dispose of them. This isn’t a task you’ll want to deal with when you’re in the throes of moving.
Assemble your packing materials. You also don’t want to realize you’ve run out of boxes or tape midway through packing up your kitchen. In addition to boxes, make sure you have packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, foam peanuts, newspapers or other materials handy.
Pack one room at a time. Not only is this more time efficient, but it will also make the process of unpacking much easier.
Allow enough time for disassembly. Remember that you’ll have to unhook electrical appliances, take nails out of the walls and remove lightbulbs from lamps. You may also need to disassemble large pieces of furniture, like your bed frame or bookshelves.
Consider leaving clothing in drawers and on hangers. If your dresser drawers are full of non-breakable clothing, why not leave these items where they are? Secure the drawers in place with tape or straps so that they don t slide open or fall out in transit. You can also leave clothing on hangers.
Label everything. Playing the “what’s in which box” game is not how you want to spend your first few days in your new home. Label each box in detail as you pack it. For example, don’t just write “Kitchen.” Write “Kitchen: toaster, tea kettle, spatulas, immersion blender and oven mitts.”
Save the essentials until last. These are items you’ll want to use while moving out and moving in, as well as belongings you don’t want to take any chances with.
Make sure to rent the right size truck. It’s easy to underestimate how much space your belongings will take up, so if you’re renting a truck or trailer, err on the side of “too big.” This is especially important if you’re moving a long distance.
And don’t forget to include appropriate equipment. Plan to use moving blankets or furniture pads to protect non-boxed items and straps to secure large items so they won’t shift in transit. Don’t forget items like hand trucks, dollies and ramps.
Jonas Bordo is the co-author, along with Hannah Hildebolt, of the book “Everything You Need to Know About Renting But Didn’t Know to Ask: All the Insider Dirt to Help You Get the Best Deal and Avoid Disaster.”
Your bottom line shouldn’t be your only consideration when selling your home. Keep these four factors in mind as well:
FINANCING: Are you looking for an all-cash offer or for a buyer who intends to get a mortgage? There are pros and cons to both.
EARNEST MONEY: The bigger this “good-faith” deposit is, the more likely the offer is coming from a serious buyer.
CONTINGENCIES: Fewer contingencies mean fewer risks of the deal falling through.
CLOSING TIMELINE: Moving is a lot of work and can take a good deal of time, so it’s important to choose an offer with a closing date that suits your needs.
Source: Realtor.com Courtesy of Florida Realtors Magazine
Too Much Scent – Could be masking offensive odors.
Wonky Windows – Can signal issue with foundation or poorly installed. Pricy to fix /repair.
Poor Tiling – Bad DIY tiling can cost a lot to re-do.
Mold – Inspect bathroom and sinks for small black or gray spots.
Foundation issues – Tip Offs: Large gaps, sticking doors or windows, cracks, uneven floors.
Water Damage – Musty odor is an indicator. Check walls & ceilings for waterlines.
Poor Maintenance – Can indicate seller ignored other ongoing issues.
Cosmetic Updates – Could have been added to hide deal breakers.
Nearby water – Higher chance of flooding.
Bad Ventilation – Allows moisture to stick around, creating mold.
Source: Realtor.com – Courtesy of Residential Real Estate Council
Have a Great Day!
As always, for all your Real Estate needs in the Sarasota Area Call or Text Larry @ 941-993-3125 or Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com
Top 6 Appliances to Upgrade Before Selling your Home
50% of homeowners surveyed said they would upgrade their current appliances before selling to increase their home’s value. Homeowners believe that replacing their appliances would increase the value of their homes by nearly $14k.
Top 6 appliances to upgrade before selling:
Air conditioner
Dishwasher
Water heater
Oven
Washing machine
Refrigerator
Source: Realtor® Magazine, Cinch Home Services
Have a Great Day!
As always, for all your Real Estate needs in the Sarasota Area Call or Text Larry @ 941-993-3125 or Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com
Ready to Buy? Top expenses to factor into your purchase.
5 Hidden Costs of Homebuying
HIDDEN COSTS OF HOME BUYING
44% OF HOME BUYERS report they weren’t aware of all the costs associated with buying a home. Top expenses that new home buyers sometimes forget to factor in:
CLOSING COSTS These range between 2% to 5% of the loan amount. The national average is about $6,000.
HOME INSPECTIONS These typically run from $300 to upward of $600 depending on the location and size of the home.
TITLE INSURANCE The average cost of title insurance is around $1,000 per policy, but that amount varies widely from state to state and depends on the price of your home.
POTENTIAL RENOVATIONS A 2017 survey found that new homeowners spent an average of $10,601 on furniture, appliances, and home repairs — in the first year.
MOVING COSTS The national average cost of moving is about $1,400 with a range from $800 to $2,150. (That’s for a two-person moving team completing a local move of less than 100 miles. The average cost of a long-distance move: between $2,200 and $5,700.)
SOURCES: Realtor.com, Forbes, National Association of Home builders
Have a Great Day!
As always, for all your Real Estate needs in the Sarasota Area Call or Text Larry @ 941-993-3125 or Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com
You decided to sell your home and the time has come to open you home to potential buyers. Whether it’s an open house or a individual showing appointments, below is a list of to-do’s you can complete to display your home in the best possible light.
Home Showing Checklist
Complete a deep clean of the home, including the floors, baseboards, windows, appliances, bathrooms, counters and more.
Set the temperature to a comfortable level depending on the season and weather.
Open all curtains and blinds to let in light.
Air out the house and ensure there are no lingering odors.
Bake fresh bread or cookies 20-30 minutes before the showing or open house.
Rearrange furniture to improve foot traffic and flow throughout the house, if necessary.
Sweep and power wash your driveway, walkways, and lanai.
Mow the lawn, trim hedges and trees, pull weeds and rake leaves.
Simplify decor and keep it natural.
Declutter bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathrooms to help rooms look larger.
Remove about half the items, like photos, kid’s drawings, notes and mementos from around the house.
Add colorful throws or pillows to furniture to brighten up a room.
Lock up or entirely remove any private effects or valuables.
Check for leaks under all sinks and repair.
Remove personal toiletries and hang fresh hand towels in all bathrooms.
As always, for all your Real Estate needs in the Sarasota Area Call or Text Larry @ 941-993-3125 or Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com
When selling your home, Fido shouldn’t be seen … or smelled. Here are the top recommendations Realtors® make to pet-owning clients putting their house on the market (in order of most-suggested):
Take animal out of home for showings (78%)
Replacing anything damaged by pet (72%)
Cleaning home to remove animal scent (70%)
Having home professionally cleaned (61%)
Removal of pet objects (47%)
Replacing carpet or finishing floors (33%)
SOURCE: National Association of Realtors® report “Animal House: Pets in the Home Buying and Selling Process” (April 2020)
I hope this information keeps you informed and I thank Florida Realtors for allowing us to share this.
Have a Great Day!
As always, for all your Real Estate needs in the Sarasota Area Call or Text Larry @ 941-993-3125 or Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com
Are you a permanent Florida Resident and homeowner?
If you are, have you filed for the Florida Homestead Exemption?
Sold by Larry Brzostek
Hi, I’m Larry Brzostek with RE/MAX Alliance Group. I can walk you through what the Homestead Exemption is and why it matters to you.
What is the Florida Homestead Exemption?
As a permanent Florida Resident and homeowner, you are entitled to get a homestead exemption on your primary residence. The exemption is a $50,000 reduction of the assessed value of your home which determines your property taxes.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Homestead Exemption?
To be eligible for the Homestead Exemption your home must be your primary residence as of January 1 in the year you are filing. If you rented the property in the previous year, you only could have done so for a maximum of 30 days.
When should I file an application for a homestead exemption?
Your application must be filed between January 1 and March 1. The March 1st deadline is in year you are filing. You can file online in Sarasota County using the Sarasota Appraiser’s site https://www.sc-pa.com and look under Exemptions. If the property you are homesteading is in another county, look under that county’s appraiser site.
What documentation do I need to file for the homestead exemption?
All documentation must show your permanent residence address. You will need: • Valid Florida Driver License or Valid Florida Identification card with the ID number and issue date. • Florida Vehicle registration (if vehicle owner) with tag number and issue date. • Voter registration (if registered voter) with ID number and issue date.
If you are not a citizen, you will need your Permanent Resident Alien Card with ID number and issue date. (Also, you must submit a copy will be as part of the exemption application).
What other information is on the exemption application?
You will also have to provide the following: • Date of birth • Social Security Number (if you are married, you will also be required to provide your spouse’s SSN) • Date you purchased the property • Date you occupied the property • Address of previous residence • Address of other property or properties owned • Telephone number • Employment information (if applicable) • Mailing address listed in last IRS tax return
Married couples filing for homestead exemption must complete the application during the same application session. If you are married AND your spouse is NOT filing for homestead exemption, you will be asked to provide the following information:
• Name of spouse • Spouse’s Social Security Number • Spouse’s Date of birth • Spouse’s Florida Driver License or Florida Identification Card number (if applicable) • Spouse’s primary residence address & residency-based exemptions/discount information
In addition to the homestead benefit the Save Our Homes (SOH) cap was established in 1995 according to Florida Statutes. The SOH cap is placed on the Assessed Value the year after the property receives a Homestead Exemption and is based on the lower of the following:
Three percent of the Assessed Value of the property for the prior year, or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means your taxes will not increase by more than 3% in any given year.
In 2008 a constitutional amendment was passed adding portability of the exemption; allowing some or all of the exemption to be transferred to another home. Very beneficial to a homeowner who trades up to a larger home or one who downsizes to a smaller one.
Do you qualify for additional homestead exemptions in Sarasota?
To find out if you qualify for additional homestead exemptions, Contact the Property Appraiser’s office in the county that your property is located.
Hopefully this information will help you. Happy homesteading!
For more information Call or Text me @941-993-3125 And Checkout my Website LarrySellsSarasota.com
To earn top dollar and sell your home more quickly, you need to make it stand out from the competition. And one of the best ways to do that is through staging.
4 Reasons to stage 1. Your home will shine online. Buyers first found 92% of the homes they visited on the internet. Good staging can make your home stand out before buyers even visit. 2. It shows off the potential. 77% of agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home. 3. It spurs walk-throughs. Clients are more willing to walk through a home that has been staged, according to 40% of agents. 4. Your home will sell faster. Nearly two-thirds of agents say staging decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market.
6 most important rooms to stage 1. Living Room 2. Master bedroom 3. Kitchen 4. Outdoor space 5. Dining room 6. Bathroom
“Staging is preparing a home for sale so the buyer can mentally move in.” Barb Schwarz, California Realtor and chairwoman of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.
Simple fixes agents recommend Declutter – 93% (“Clutter eats equity.” says Barb Schwarz.) Full home cleaning – 89% Carpet cleaning – 81% Remove pets before showings – 80% Make minor repairs – 75% Depersonalize the home – 72% Paint walls – 68%
Cost of professional staging Most stagers charge $300 to $600 for an initial consultation, then $500 to $600 per room per month.
Sources: NAR 2017 Profile of Home Staging, Househunt.com, realtor.com, Barb Schwarz
I hope this information keeps you informed and I thank Florida Realtors for allowing us to share this.
Have a Great Day!
As always, for all your Real Estate needs in the Sarasota Area Call or Text Larry @ 941-993-3125 or Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com
