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Sarasota County, FL

Sarasota

Downtown bayfront living alongside historic neighborhoods and a serious arts scene

Overview

Sarasota is the urban core of the region, built around a bayfront downtown, a well-known arts and culture scene, and a collection of historic in-town neighborhoods that give the city a different character from the suburban growth to its east. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, The Ringling museum complex, and a full calendar of opera, ballet, and theater give the city a cultural identity well beyond its size.

Housing ranges from downtown high-rise condominiums with bay views to historic bungalow neighborhoods like Laurel Park, Burns Court, and Gillespie Park, to the waterfront homes west of US 41 commonly referred to locally as West of the Trail. From downtown, the barrier island beaches at Lido Key, Siesta Key, and Longboat Key are all a short drive across the causeways.

Sarasota's market moves differently by neighborhood and property type, so a downtown condominium, a historic bungalow, and a West of Trail waterfront home each call for a different approach to pricing and marketing. Legacy Real Estate Associates, based in Bradenton, represents buyers and sellers throughout Sarasota and the surrounding barrier islands.

Location

Sarasota sits on Sarasota Bay on Florida's Gulf Coast, immediately south of Bradenton and Manatee County. Barrier islands including Lido Key, St. Armands Key, and Siesta Key sit just offshore, connected to the mainland by causeways and bridges.

Sarasota County, FL

Property types

Common property types in Sarasota

  • Downtown high-rise and mid-rise condominiums
  • Historic bungalows in neighborhoods like Laurel Park and Burns Court
  • Waterfront homes west of US 41 (West of the Trail)
  • Mid-century and newer single-family homes in in-town neighborhoods
  • Townhomes and low-rise condominiums near downtown
  • New construction infill in older neighborhoods

Lifestyle

Lifestyle & convenience

  • A downtown arts and culture scene built around The Ringling, Sarasota Opera, and Sarasota Ballet
  • Walkable historic neighborhoods with locally owned restaurants and shops
  • Easy access to barrier island beaches at Lido Key, Siesta Key, and Longboat Key
  • An active bayfront with parks, a marina, and public waterfront space
  • A growing downtown residential population alongside longtime in-town neighborhoods

Nearby

Nearby attractions

The Ringling (John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art) Marie Selby Botanical Gardens St. Armands Circle Siesta Key Beach Downtown Sarasota's bayfront and Marina Jack Sarasota Opera House

Property management

Property management is available in Sarasota

Legacy manages residential rental property throughout Manatee County and Sarasota County, Florida, which includes Sarasota. From tenant placement to full-service management, we handle the day-to-day so your investment works for you.

What we handle

  • Rental-market analysis & pricing
  • Marketing, showings & applicant screening
  • Rent collection & owner reporting
  • Maintenance coordination
  • Lease renewals & move-out coordination

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Questions

Sarasota FAQ

Does Legacy Real Estate Associates have an office in Sarasota?
Legacy is based in Bradenton, in Manatee County, and represents buyers and sellers throughout Sarasota and the surrounding barrier islands as part of our regular service area. A Sarasota-based office is not required for local, well-informed representation.
What is the difference between buying downtown versus in one of Sarasota's historic neighborhoods?
Downtown living generally means a high-rise or mid-rise condominium with association fees, amenities, and building-specific rules to review, while historic neighborhoods like Laurel Park or Burns Court involve older single-family homes with their own maintenance and, sometimes, historic district considerations. Each comes with a different lifestyle and a different set of questions to work through before buying.
How close are Sarasota's beaches to downtown?
Lido Key and St. Armands Circle are a short drive from downtown across the John Ringling Causeway, and Siesta Key is a bit farther south. Actual drive times vary with traffic and season, but the beaches are generally considered convenient from most in-town neighborhoods.
What should sellers know about Sarasota's condo market specifically?
Florida's condominium laws around reserve funding and milestone inspections have become more significant in recent years, particularly for older buildings, so sellers should have their association's financial and inspection records organized before listing. Buyers are asking more detailed questions about these documents than they used to, and being prepared for that helps a sale move smoothly.

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