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Sarasota County

Buying a home in Sarasota

City taxes run higher than the county around it, and the county's $75,000 down payment help stops at the city line.

Median sale, all homes

$580,000

Median house

$605,000

House $/sq ft

$386

That house, a month

$5,197

634 sales, Apr 2026 to Sep 2026, county property appraiser records. Monthly cost: 3.5% down at 7.24%, with Sarasota taxes and insurance.

My monthly cost in SarasotaWhat sold in Sarasota

Buying a first home in the City of Sarasota: tax rate, down payment help, title costs and recent prices, each checked against official sources.

Prices by home type

  • Houses$605,000 · 285 sold
  • Condos$650,000 · 320 sold
  • Manufactured$153,000 · 29 sold

What buyers should know

  • Property tax rate

    14.88 mills

    County and schools 11.47 plus city 3.41. On a $400,000 home with homestead, about $5,350 a year.

    2025 tax year · Sarasota Tax Collector, Fla. Dept. of Revenue, Homestead amount (Fla. DOR)

  • Recent median sale

    $580,000

    City of Sarasota, 634 recorded sales, all home types: condos $650,000, houses $605,000. The Census puts the typical owner's home value at $463,000 (2020-24).

    Apr-Sep 2026 · Sarasota County Property Appraiser, U.S. Census

  • Down payment help

    Not the county's

    Sarasota County's SHIP loan of up to $75,000 excludes City of Sarasota addresses, and the city says it has no down payment funds right now. Check which side of the line a home is on before you count on help.

    Oct 2026 · Sarasota County SHIP, WWSB

  • Title insurance

    Buyer usually pays

    In Sarasota County the buyer customarily pays for the owner's title policy and picks the title company. It's custom, not law, so it can be negotiated in the contract.

    Local custom · Fla. Dept. of Financial Services, Barnes Walker

  • Public schools

    Sarasota County Schools: A

    The district has earned the state's A grade; check the zoned schools for a specific address.

    2025-26 school year · Fla. Dept. of Education, SRQ Daily

Worth knowing before you offer

  • City of Sarasota addresses can't use the county's $75,000 SHIP down payment loan, and the city says it has no down payment funds right now. Check the address before counting on help. Sarasota County HERO
  • In Sarasota County the buyer usually pays for the owner's title policy and picks the title company. The premium is set by the state, about $1,825 on a $350K home. Fla. Admin. Code 69O-186.003

Down payment help that can apply in Sarasota

  • Florida Hometown Heroes: 5% of your loan, $10,000 to $35,000
  • FL Assist: Up to $10,000
  • FL HLP second mortgage: $12,500
  • HFA Preferred PLUS: 3%, 4% or 5% of your loan
Who qualifies and how to apply

Facts last checked Oct 23, 2026.