THE LAKES
Homes for Sale in SARASOTA, FL
True comps, carrying-cost math, and listings before the portals.
Market Heat
Photo via Stellar MLS
THE LAKES right now
🔴 Off the recent peak. The trailing-12-month median ($222K) is down 9.9% from the prior 12 months ($246K) and up 383% since 2012.Momentum Research, record-level Stellar MLS closed sales, 12-month windows ending August 2. Confidence: Very High (51 and 66 sales in the two windows).
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Updated August 2, 2026 · Live data: Stellar MLS, refreshed twice daily · MLS facts carry their source; interpretation lines are Momentum Research · Data sources & freshness
The 60-Second Overview
THE LAKES market snapshot (as of August 2, 2026): the median sale price is about $222K ($208 per sq ft over the trailing 12 months of closed sales), and a median 15 days on market for closed sales. The trailing-12-month median is down 10% from the prior 12 months and up 383% since 2012, computed from record-level Stellar MLS closed sales (51 closings in the current window).
THE LAKES is a community of 233 homes in SARASOTA, Sarasota County, built between 1955 and 2006 (median 1982.0), with a median living area of about 2,116 square feet. 76% of parcels are homesteaded, the owner-occupancy proxy in the Florida DOR assessment roll (2025 roll, public records).
The setting & the homes.
Aerial and on-site photos of THE LAKES. Swipe to explore the community.
Swipe or use the arrows → tap any photo to enlarge
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THE LAKESPhotos from Stellar MLS listings in THE LAKES; content deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Price History: What Homes Here Have Actually Sold For
Median sale price over the trailing 12 months ending August 2 of each year, from record-level Stellar MLS closed sales. Same methodology as every appreciation figure on this page: the 2026 point ($222K) IS the median in the snapshot above, and the move from 2025 ($246K) IS the -9.9% one-year change.
Windows contain 1 to 95 sales each (51 in the current window); every figure carries its sample size. Based on Stellar MLS data distributed by MLS GRID for the period 2003 through 2026. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
14% of homes for sale in ZIP 32304 are already under contract (under contract ÷ under contract + active listings) — a read on how much of the available inventory buyers have already claimed. Source: MLS data (2026-08-01).
THE LAKES Market Scorecard
THE LAKES is currently a balanced market., a median asking price of $375,000, and homes go under contract in about 28 days.
Go deeper: ZIP market scorecard · county scorecard · true cost calculator · affordability calculator.
Live data: Stellar MLS, refreshed twice daily. Market metrics only; these describe homes for sale and recent sales, not residents.
Homes For Sale Right Now in THE LAKES
Live MLS inventory for THE LAKES. Every active listing, what is under contract right now, and the last 12 months of closed sales, refreshed twice a day. Closed comps beat an algorithm's guess every time.
Active and pending THE LAKES listings as of 2026-08-02, priced high to low. Based on Stellar MLS data distributed by MLS GRID for the period 2003 through 2026. Tap any home to ask about it.
The THE LAKES buying strategy.
If we were buying in THE LAKES today, this is the order of operations we would run for our clients.
Underwrite the condition first. Price the roof, HVAC, and systems honestly before judging any list price; condition swings value here more than square footage alone.
Match the home to real comps. Recent sales of similar condition and lot, not the asking price, tell you what a home is worth.
Move deliberately, not desperately. Neither side has a decisive edge, so a well-prepared, fairly-priced offer wins without overpaying.
Line up financing and inspection early. A pre-approval and an inspection plan let you act fast and negotiate from evidence.
Keep an agent in your corner. The listing agent works for the seller; we represent you and prepare a hand-built valuation before any offer in THE LAKES.
A closer look at the THE LAKES market
At a median of $208 per square foot, THE LAKES prices sit in a fairly defined band, so condition and updates — more than the list price — tend to separate one home from the next.
The trailing-12-month median down 10% year over year. Homes that do trade take a median 15 days on market, useful leverage on any listing that has lingered.
The housing stock is 233 homes built between 1955 and 2006, and 76% of parcels are homesteaded — the owner-occupancy proxy in the Florida DOR assessment roll.
The location and the amenities are priced into every listing in THE LAKES. The deal is won or lost on condition, the comps, and the renovation math.
Momentum Buy Score.
Our proprietary 0 to 10 read across the factors that decide how a home in THE LAKES buys, holds, and resells. Momentum Research; not an appraisal.
Momentum Intelligence Scores are our proprietary, qualitative assessment on a 0 to 10 scale, built from the record-level market data on this page. They are a framework for comparing communities, not a guarantee of future value and not advice on a specific home; unlike an automated value estimate they do not price your home, they grade the community on evidence you can inspect. Composite is the plain average of the 4 factors (7.4). Basis: Long-Term Appreciation +383% since 2012; Recent Direction -9.9% year-over-year; Owner Commitment 76% owner-occupied; Pricing Power 97.9% sale-to-list. Refreshed with each data update.
HOA, CDD & Fees
- Mandatory HOA — confirm current dues
- Any club/amenity membership is billed separately
Confirm the current HOA dues, exactly what they cover, and any CDD bond or special assessment for a specific address before you offer.
Tools for a THE LAKES buy.
Free calculators to pressure-test the real cost before you tour.
Selling here is won on condition and pricing to real comps, not an automated estimate. The right number comes from closed THE LAKES sales matched to your home.
Price it to the comps and condition, not an automated estimate.
If you are thinking about selling in THE LAKES, the right list price comes from recent comparable sales matched to your home's condition and location, not an automated estimate.
What is your THE LAKES home worth?
Get a no-obligation home value based on real comparable sales in THE LAKES, not an automated guess. Tell us about your home and we will personally prepare your numbers and a pricing strategy. No obligation, no spam.
See homes for sale in THE LAKES on the map →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in THE LAKES?
How long do homes in THE LAKES take to sell?
How many homes are in THE LAKES?
What share of THE LAKES is owner-occupied?
When were the homes in THE LAKES built?
Do cash buyers compete in THE LAKES?
Have THE LAKES home prices gone up?
Who is the best real estate agent for THE LAKES?
How do I find a top SARASOTA real estate agent who knows THE LAKES?
Can Momentum Realty connect me with an agent for THE LAKES?
Data sources & freshness
| Live listings | Stellar MLS, refreshed twice daily (last: August 2, 2026) |
| Community market stats | Stellar MLS closed sales, 12-month windows ending August 2, 2026 |
| Housing stock & ownership | Florida DOR 2025 assessment roll (street-list match (5 streets, ZIP 32304/32605/32693/33543/33544/33572/33762/33782/33850/34209/34232/34667/34668/34688/34786)) |
| Under-contract shares | Stellar MLS records, as of 2026-08-01 |
| Historical depth | Closed-sale records back to 2003 (533 transactions analyzed) |
Verify the primary sources yourself: Florida DOR · U.S. Census · FEMA flood maps · Citizens Property Insurance.
Momentum Research figures are our own analysis of Stellar MLS records; MLS data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Methodology: how Momentum market scores are computed. Market metrics describe homes for sale and recent sales, not residents.
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The numbers on this page move markets in the aggregate. The number that matters to you is what a buyer pays for your address. Momentum sells for 1.25% above the Stellar MLS member average and 8 days faster, and we’ll price yours against live your area comps.
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