The Cascades at Sarasota vs University Park Country Club
Two Manatee communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-12.
| Metric | The Cascades at Sarasota | University Park Country Club |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $422K | $832K |
| Price per sq ft | $249 | $325 |
| Avg days on market | 14 days | 78 days |
| Months of supply | 1.5 mo | 3.3 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Buyer-Leaning Market |
| 1-year price change | False | False |
| Recent closings | 32 | 33 |
The verdict
University Park Country Club carries the higher median price — about 97% above The Cascades at Sarasota. Homes in The Cascades at Sarasota sell faster (14 days on market vs 78). The Cascades at Sarasota is the tighter market on inventory (1.5 months of supply).
Where each one is
| The Cascades at Sarasota | University Park Country Club | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Manatee County, FL | Manatee County, FL |
| City / area | Sarasota | University Park |
| ZIP | 34243 | 34201 |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | not enough parcels sampled | all 10 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 | University Park Country Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 4 | 9 |
| Under contract | 3 | 2 |
| Asking prices today | $439K to $539K | $447K to $1.79M |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence, Villa |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: The Cascades at Sarasota homes for sale · University Park Country Club homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| The Cascades at Sarasota | University Park Country Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 606 | 928 |
| Built | 2004–2013 (median 2006) | 1992–2016 (median 1997) |
| Typical living area | 2,045 sq ft | 2,403 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 79% | 66% |
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 | University Park Country Club median |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $290K (11 sales) | $662K (4 sales) |
| 2016 | $282K (10 sales) | $526K (4 sales) |
| 2017 | $309K (11 sales) | $441K (3 sales) |
| 2022 | $485K (17 sales) | $620K (6 sales) |
| 2024 | $536K (12 sales) | $865K (19 sales) |
| 2025 | $465K (9 sales) | $1.02M (27 sales) |
| 2026 | $462K (10 sales) | $900K (27 sales) |
Since 2015, The Cascades at Sarasota's median sale price is +59% and University Park Country Club's is +36% — The Cascades at Sarasota has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| The Cascades at Sarasota | University Park Country Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 94.3% | 89.5% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,927 sq ft | 2,632 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 44 (normal) | 33 (cold) |
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 | University Park Country Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Kinnan Elementary | Robert E Willis Elementary |
| Middle | Braden River Middle | Braden River Middle |
| High school | Southeast High | Braden River 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 $832K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in The Cascades at Sarasota; University Park Country Club trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in The Cascades at Sarasota (14 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 University Park Country Club more expensive than The Cascades at Sarasota?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in University Park Country Club is $832,000 versus $422,000 in The Cascades at Sarasota, about 97% higher.
Which has newer homes, The Cascades at Sarasota or University Park Country Club?
The Cascades at Sarasota: its homes were built 2004–2013 with a median year of 2006, versus a median of 1997 in University Park Country Club (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
University Park Country Club. The typical home there is 2,403 sq ft of living area, versus 2,045 sq ft in The Cascades at Sarasota.
Which has appreciated more, The Cascades at Sarasota or University Park Country Club?
From 2015 to 2026 the median sale price rose 59% in The Cascades at Sarasota and 36% in University Park Country Club (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
The Cascades at Sarasota — sellers there received 94.3% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 89.5% in University Park Country Club.
What high schools serve The Cascades at Sarasota and University Park Country Club?
Listings in The Cascades at Sarasota most often report Southeast High; listings in University Park Country Club report Braden River High. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: The Cascades at Sarasota homes, photos & schools · University Park Country Club homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.