Firethorn vs Waterlefe Golf & River Club
Two Manatee communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-02.
| Metric | Firethorn | Waterlefe Golf & River Club |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $338K | $912K |
| Price per sq ft | $186 | $273 |
| Avg days on market | 151 days | 69 days |
| Months of supply | 3.4 mo | 2.9 mo |
| Market | Buyer-Leaning Market | Seller's Market |
| 1-year price change | False | False |
| Recent closings | 39 | 33 |
The verdict
Waterlefe Golf & River Club carries the higher median price — about 170% above Firethorn. Homes in Waterlefe Golf & River Club sell faster (69 days on market vs 151). Waterlefe Golf & River Club is the tighter market on inventory (2.9 months of supply).
Where each one is
| Firethorn | Waterlefe Golf & River Club | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Manatee County, FL | Manatee County, FL |
| City / area | Parrish | Bradenton |
| ZIP | 34219 | 34202, 34212 |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | all 19 sampled homes outside a flood zone | 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
| Firethorn | Waterlefe Golf & River Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 11 | 8 |
| Under contract | 5 | 7 |
| Asking prices today | $300K to $852K | $350K to $2.4M |
| Listed in the last 7 days | 11 | 0 |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Condominium, Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Firethorn homes for sale · Waterlefe Golf & River Club homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Firethorn | Waterlefe Golf & River Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | n/a | 545 |
| Built | n/a | 2000–2012 (median 2002) |
| Typical living area | n/a | 2,604 sq ft |
| Vacant lots | 0 | 3 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
How each one trades
| Firethorn | Waterlefe Golf & River Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 95.0% | 94.6% |
| New-construction share of sales | 100% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 2,287 sq ft | 2,214 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
| Firethorn | Waterlefe Golf & River Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Barbara A. Harvey Elementary | Freedom Elementary |
| Middle | Buffalo Creek Middle | Carlos E. Haile Middle |
| High school | Parrish Community High | Parrish Community 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, Firethorn is the lower entry point (median $338K vs $912K). Sellers get a faster sale in Waterlefe Golf & River Club (69 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 Waterlefe Golf & River Club more expensive than Firethorn?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Waterlefe Golf & River Club is $912,000 versus $338,000 in Firethorn, about 170% higher.
What high schools serve Firethorn and Waterlefe Golf & River Club?
Listings in Firethorn most often report Parrish Community High; listings in Waterlefe Golf & River Club report Parrish Community High. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Firethorn homes, photos & schools · Waterlefe Golf & River Club homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.