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Tag: Home Selling

September Real Estate Update: Siesta Key Condos

Welcome to the September Real Estate Update for condos on Siesta Key, reflecting market activity from August 2026.

August showed increased activity in the Siesta Key condo market compared with a year ago. Pending sales, closed sales, and new listings were all higher, while the number of active listings was slightly lower. Both the average and median sale prices also increased compared with August 2025.

August Market Snapshot

Active Listings: 181 — August 2025: 195 | down 7.2%
Pending Sales: 32 — August 2025: 23 | up 39.1%
Closed Sales: 20 — August 2025: 18 | up 11.1%
New Listings: 31 — August 2025: 25 | up 24.0%
Average Sale Price: $1,000,450 — August 2025: $677,550 | up 47.7%
Median Sale Price: $759,500 — August 2025: $609,950 | up 24.5%

What Do These Numbers Tell Us?

The Siesta Key condo market showed increased activity in August, with pending sales up 39.1% and closed sales up 11.1% compared with August 2025. New listings were also higher, increasing 24.0%, giving buyers more new opportunities in the market.

At the same time, active inventory was down 7.2%, with 181 condos available compared with 195 a year ago.

Sale prices were also higher. The average sale price increased 47.7%, from $677,550 to $1,000,450, while the median sale price increased 24.5%, from $609,950 to $759,500.

Overall, August was an active month for Siesta Key condos, with more properties going under contract and closing, along with higher sale prices compared with the same month last year.

I’ll continue tracking these numbers each month to give you a clearer picture of the Siesta Key condo market over time.

Thinking about buying or selling a condo on Siesta Key? Let’s talk about what the current market numbers mean for you.

September Real Estate Update: Siesta Key Homes

Welcome to the September Real Estate Update for homes on Siesta Key, reflecting market activity from August 2026.

August showed a mix of changes in the Siesta Key single-family home market. Active listings and new listings were lower than they were a year ago, while pending sales increased. Sale prices showed some of the biggest changes, with both the average and median sale prices higher than August 2025.

August Market Snapshot

Active Listings: 104 — August 2025: 144 | down 27.8%
Pending Sales: 22 — August 2025: 18 | up 22.2%
Closed Sales: 11 — August 2025: 11 | no change
New Listings: 15 — August 2025: 20 | down 25.0%
Average Sale Price: $2,348,582 — August 2025: $1,716,364 | up 36.8%
Median Sale Price: $2,250,000 — August 2025: $1,100,000 | up 104.5%

What Do These Numbers Tell Us?

The number of homes available for sale on Siesta Key was 27.8% lower than a year ago, while new listings were also down 25%. Pending sales showed an increase as well, with 22 homes going under contract compared with 18 in August 2025.

The most noticeable changes were in the sale prices. The average sale price increased 36.8%, while the median sale price more than doubled, increasing 104.5% from $1.1 million to $2.25 million.

With only 11 closed sales during the month, the mix of homes that sold can have a significant impact on the average and median prices. A single month’s statistics don’t necessarily reflect a broad change in property values, but they do provide an interesting snapshot of the market’s activity.

I’ll continue tracking these numbers each month to give you a clearer picture of the Siesta Key real estate market over time.

Thinking about buying or selling a home on Siesta Key? Let’s talk about what the current market numbers mean for you.

Do you know the difference between Average and Median sale prices?

When you’re looking at real estate statistics, you may see both average and median sale prices. But what’s the difference?

Average Sale Price

The average is calculated by adding the sale prices of all the homes sold and dividing by the number of homes sold.

Median Sale Price

The median is the middle sale price. Half of the homes sold for more, and half sold for less.

Why Do Both Numbers Matter?

The average price can be influenced by a few very high- or low-priced sales. For example, a handful of luxury home sales can push the average higher.

The median price is less affected by those extremes and can provide a better picture of the price of a typical home sold in that market.

So, which number should you look at?

Both! Average and median prices tell you different things about the market, and looking at them together can give you a better understanding of what is happening.

And remember, real estate statistics can vary significantly by location, property type and price range. That’s why local market data matters.

Curious about what’s happening in the Sarasota market?

Call or text me at 941.993.3125
Larry Brzostek, CRS, CLHMS, ABR
RE/MAX Alliance Group, Sarasota, FL

Sarasota & Manatee Housing Market Shows More Activity as Inventory Tightens

The August 2026 housing market reinforced the shift toward tighter and more active conditions across Sarasota and Manatee counties. Sales and pending activity improved across every major segment while available inventory continued to decline, helping homes move through the market more quickly and giving well-positioned sellers somewhat more leverage.

Even with the broader improvement, conditions remain highly dependent on location, property type and price point. Buyers continue to evaluate value carefully, while sellers benefit most when homes are priced and positioned for current conditions. Buyers and sellers should work with a REALTOR® who can interpret hyper-local data, assess current competition and develop a strategy based on the factors affecting a specific property.

Monthly reports are provided by Florida Realtors® with data compiled from Stellar MLS

Presented by: Larry Brzostek, CRS, CLHMS, ABR
RE/MAX Alliance Group, Sarasota, FL

Top 6 Appliances to Upgrade Before Selling Your Home

Appliances to Upgrade Before Selling
Appliances to Upgrade Before Selling

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:

  1. Air conditioner
  2. Dishwasher
  3. Water heater
  4. Oven
  5. Washing machine
  6. 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

Home Showing Checklist

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.
  • Close all toiles lids.
  • Arrange for pets to be out of the house.

Download PDF Version of this Checklist

Source: Courtesy of Breakthrough Broker

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

Tips for Pet Owners Selling Their Home

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Tips for Pet Owners Selling Their Homes

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):

  1. Take animal out of home for showings (78%)
  2. Replacing anything damaged by pet (72%)
  3. Cleaning home to remove animal scent (70%)
  4. Having home professionally cleaned (61%)
  5. Removal of pet objects (47%)
  6. 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

Stage Your Home to Sell

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Stage Your Home to Sell

Stage Your Home to Sell

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

Home Selling Process – Explained

The Home Selling Process – Explained

Right now, there are not enough houses for sale, with many buyers looking at a small inventory.
So, if you’re thinking about selling your home, now is the ideal time to put your house on the market. Many houses are selling above their asking price, which means more money in your pocket.

But how do you sell your home?

First you meet with a real estate professional.
There is no commitment required on your part for an initial meeting. It will be educational and help you identify your next steps.

I’m Larry Brzostek a Broker/Associate with Re/MAX Alliance Group and I will guide you through the process.

Establish a Price
As your agent I will provide a market analysis, which will help you set an asking price.

Tips on Strategic Pricing
It’s important to review the market analysis and consider your home price objectively.

Prepare Your Home
View your home through the eyes of the buyer and ask yourself what you’d expect. I will offer some useful suggestions.

List It For Sale
When everything is in place, I will put your home in the Multiple Listing System. It’s critical for potential buyers to view your home.

I will also create a virtual tour of your home along with a youtube video.
Social media is another important tool and your home will be posted regularly.

Getting your home the most exposure:

I use Adwerx a web company that places your home on Facebook as well as throughout the web on both desktop and mobile devices.

Open Houses are scheduled at your convenience (usually on weekends) but are not always necessary to sell you home.

Tips on Showings
I like to give my seller’s at least 24 hours notice for a showing

However, Potential buyers may ask to see your home on short notice.
It’s best if you can accommodate these requests. You never want to miss a potential sale.

Offers and Negotiation
If everything goes well, a buyer (and most often the agent who represents them) will present me, your agent, with an offer.

I will present the benefits and risks of each offer. You will have the opportunity to either accept or counter any offer based on its merits.

Under Contract
At this point, you and the buyer have agreed to all of the terms and conditions of the offer and both parties have signed the agreements.

Final Details
While under contract the buyer will work with their mortgage provider to finalize the loan and perform other due diligence.

Inspection Tips
The buyer will usually perform a physical inspection of the home. They may even ask you to make certain repairs. I will explain all your options regarding the inspection.

Closing
This is the transfer of funds and ownership. Depending on when the buyer moves into the home, you will need to be all packed up and ready to move.

CONGRATUALTIONS!
You’ve successfully sold your home.

Thinking of Selling?
I can help! Contact me and let’s talk!
Call or Text me @ 941.993.3125

Have a Great Day!
Larry

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
or
Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com

What to Repair Before You List Your Home

What to Repair Before You List Your Home

Home Repairs

When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top four recommended repairs to make before selling your home.

Repaint walls:
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. Make sure cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.

Repair floors:
Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!

Refresh the landscaping:
Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and fill in mulch and gravel.

Have a Great Day
Larry and Ann

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text 941-993-3125.
Larry’s RE/MAX Site:
(link opens in a new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com  

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