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Buying your first home in Sarasota

City taxes run higher than the county around it, and the county's $75,000 down payment help stops at the city line.

What changes the math in Sarasota

Each fact links to the sources we checked it against.

Property tax rate
14.88 mills
County and schools 11.47 plus city 3.41. On a $400,000 home with homestead, about $5,350 a year.
As of 2025 tax yearSarasota Tax Collector ↗Fla. Dept. of Revenue ↗Homestead amount (Fla. DOR) ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026
Recent median sale
$580,000
City of Sarasota, 634 recorded sales, all home types: condos $650,000, houses $605,000. The Census puts the typical owner's home value at $463,000 (2020-24).
As of Apr-Sep 2026Sarasota County Property Appraiser ↗U.S. Census ↗Checked Oct 18, 2026
Down payment help
Not the county's
Sarasota County's SHIP loan of up to $75,000 excludes City of Sarasota addresses; the city runs its own program. Check which side of the line a home is on before you count on help.
As of Oct 2026Sarasota County SHIP ↗WWSB ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026
Title insurance
Buyer usually pays
In Sarasota County the buyer customarily pays for the owner's title policy and picks the title company. It's custom, not law, so it can be negotiated in the contract.
Local customFla. Dept. of Financial Services ↗Barnes Walker ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026
Public schools
Sarasota County Schools: A
The district has earned the state's A grade; check the zoned schools for a specific address.
As of 2025-26 school yearFla. Dept. of Education ↗SRQ Daily ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026

Down payment help

Checked against official sources this month. Income and price limits apply, and most can’t all be combined.

Flood zone, evacuation level and the exact tax bill change street by street. These official Sarasota County tools give the answer for one address.

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