The Cascades at Sarasota vs Solera at Lakewood Ranch
Two Manatee communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-30.
| Metric | The Cascades at Sarasota | Solera at Lakewood Ranch |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $422K | $481K |
| Price per sq ft | $250 | $177 |
| Avg days on market | 75 days | 79 days |
| Months of supply | 1.5 mo | 1.6 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Seller's Market |
| 1-year price change | False | False |
| Recent closings | 33 | 67 |
The verdict
Solera at Lakewood Ranch carries the higher median price — about 14% above The Cascades at Sarasota. Homes in The Cascades at Sarasota sell faster (75 days on market vs 79). The Cascades at Sarasota is the tighter market on inventory (1.5 months of supply).
Where each one is
| The Cascades at Sarasota | Solera at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Manatee County, FL | Manatee County, FL |
| City / area | Sarasota | Bradenton |
| ZIP | 34243 | 34202, 34211 |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | not enough parcels sampled | all 12 sampled homes outside a flood zone |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| The Cascades at Sarasota | Solera at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 4 | 9 |
| Under contract | 2 | 4 |
| Asking prices today | $439K to $539K | $415K to $599K |
| Listed in the last 7 days | 0 | 1 |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: The Cascades at Sarasota homes for sale · Solera at Lakewood Ranch homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| The Cascades at Sarasota | Solera at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 606 | 586 |
| Built | 2004–2013 (median 2006) | 2021–2024 (median 2022) |
| Typical living area | 2,045 sq ft | 2,537 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 79% | 48% |
| Vacant lots | 0 | 97 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | The Cascades at Sarasota median | Solera at Lakewood Ranch median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $485K (17 sales) | $514K (86 sales) |
| 2024 | $536K (12 sales) | $507K (133 sales) |
| 2025 | $465K (9 sales) | $490K (79 sales) |
| 2026 | $462K (10 sales) | $470K (55 sales) |
Since 2022, The Cascades at Sarasota's median sale price is -5% and Solera at Lakewood Ranch's is -9% — The Cascades at Sarasota has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| The Cascades at Sarasota | Solera at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 94.3% | 96.2% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 98% |
| Typical sold home | 1,927 sq ft | 2,605 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 44 (normal) | 40 (normal) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| The Cascades at Sarasota | Solera at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Kinnan Elementary | Gullett Elementary |
| Middle | Braden River Middle | Dr Mona Jain Middle |
| High school | Southeast High | Lakewood Ranch High |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Which one fits
On budget alone, The Cascades at Sarasota is the lower entry point (median $422K vs $481K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Solera at Lakewood Ranch; The Cascades at Sarasota trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in The Cascades at Sarasota (75 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Solera at Lakewood Ranch more expensive than The Cascades at Sarasota?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Solera at Lakewood Ranch is $481,000 versus $422,000 in The Cascades at Sarasota, about 14% higher.
Which has newer homes, The Cascades at Sarasota or Solera at Lakewood Ranch?
Solera at Lakewood Ranch: its homes were built 2021–2024 with a median year of 2022, versus a median of 2006 in The Cascades at Sarasota (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
Solera at Lakewood Ranch. The typical home there is 2,537 sq ft of living area, versus 2,045 sq ft in The Cascades at Sarasota.
Which has appreciated more, The Cascades at Sarasota or Solera at Lakewood Ranch?
From 2022 to 2026 the median sale price rose -5% in The Cascades at Sarasota and -9% in Solera at Lakewood Ranch (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Solera at Lakewood Ranch — sellers there received 96.2% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 94.3% in The Cascades at Sarasota.
What high schools serve The Cascades at Sarasota and Solera at Lakewood Ranch?
Listings in The Cascades at Sarasota most often report Southeast High; listings in Solera at Lakewood Ranch report Lakewood Ranch High. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: The Cascades at Sarasota homes, photos & schools · Solera at Lakewood Ranch homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.