Emerald Landing at Waterside vs Windward at Lakewood Ranch
Two Sarasota communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-09-18.
| Metric | Emerald Landing at Waterside | Windward at Lakewood Ranch |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $677K | $704K |
| Price per sq ft | $300 | $315 |
| Avg days on market | 34 days | 21 days |
| Months of supply | 2.2 mo | 3.1 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Seller's Market |
| 1-year price change | False | False |
| Recent closings | 38 | 51 |
The verdict
Windward at Lakewood Ranch carries the higher median price — about 4% above Emerald Landing at Waterside. Homes in Windward at Lakewood Ranch sell faster (21 days on market vs 34). Emerald Landing at Waterside is the tighter market on inventory (2.2 months of supply).
What is for sale today
| Emerald Landing at Waterside | Windward at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 7 | 13 |
| Under contract | 5 | 8 |
| Asking prices today | $540K to $980K | $447K to $1.48M |
| Listed in the last 7 days | 6 | 6 |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence, Townhouse | Single Family Residence, Villa |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Emerald Landing at Waterside homes for sale · Windward at Lakewood Ranch homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Emerald Landing at Waterside | Windward at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 55 | 369 |
| Built | 2023–2024 (median 2024) | 2020–2024 (median 2023) |
| Typical living area | 2,395 sq ft | 2,316 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 9% | 44% |
| Vacant lots | 122 | 164 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Emerald Landing at Waterside median | Windward at Lakewood Ranch median |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $769K (9 sales) | $1.1M (41 sales) |
| 2025 | $677K (26 sales) | $684K (26 sales) |
| 2026 | $695K (30 sales) | $616K (26 sales) |
Since 2024, Emerald Landing at Waterside's median sale price is -10% and Windward at Lakewood Ranch's is -44% — Emerald Landing at Waterside has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Emerald Landing at Waterside | Windward at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 93.7% | 100.0% |
| New-construction share of sales | 93% | 85% |
| Typical sold home | 2,301 sq ft | 2,088 sq ft |
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
| Emerald Landing at Waterside | Windward at Lakewood Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Tatum Ridge Elementary | Tatum Ridge Elementary |
| Middle | Mcintosh Middle | Mcintosh Middle |
| High school | Booker High | Booker 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, Emerald Landing at Waterside is the lower entry point (median $677K vs $704K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Emerald Landing at Waterside; Windward at Lakewood Ranch trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Windward at Lakewood Ranch (21 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 Windward at Lakewood Ranch more expensive than Emerald Landing at Waterside?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Windward at Lakewood Ranch is $704,000 versus $677,000 in Emerald Landing at Waterside, about 4% higher.
Which has newer homes, Emerald Landing at Waterside or Windward at Lakewood Ranch?
Emerald Landing at Waterside: its homes were built 2023–2024 with a median year of 2024, versus a median of 2023 in Windward at Lakewood Ranch (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has appreciated more, Emerald Landing at Waterside or Windward at Lakewood Ranch?
From 2024 to 2026 the median sale price rose -10% in Emerald Landing at Waterside and -44% in Windward at Lakewood Ranch (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Windward at Lakewood Ranch — sellers there received 100.0% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 93.7% in Emerald Landing at Waterside.
What high schools serve Emerald Landing at Waterside and Windward at Lakewood Ranch?
Listings in Emerald Landing at Waterside most often report Booker High; listings in Windward at Lakewood Ranch report Booker High. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Emerald Landing at Waterside homes, photos & schools · Windward at Lakewood Ranch homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.