Planning to Sell Your Sarasota Home in 2025? Start Prepping Now

Bev Murray Home Buying

If you’re thinking about selling your Sarasota home in 2025, now is the perfect time to start getting it ready. While it may seem like there’s plenty of time between now and the new year, starting early will help you tackle any necessary updates and repairs with ease. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:

Now is the time to start thinking about what you need for your next home and then taking those steps to prepare to list... We have survey data that says 47 percent of sellers are taking longer than a month to get their home ready to sell, so getting them to start that process early can mean more flexibility.;

By getting a head start, you’ll give yourself plenty of time to get your home market-ready by the end of the year, ensuring you can sell it quickly and for the best possible price. It’s also important to connect with a local real estate agent who can offer expert insight into which updates will bring the most value based on Sarasota’s current market trends.

Why You Should Start Prepping Now

To attract buyers and get top dollar for your home, it’s essential that your property is in great shape. That means addressing any repairs, decluttering, and even making strategic updates that could increase its value.

By starting now, you can take a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to these tasks. Whether it’s fixing a leaky faucet, refreshing your landscaping, or repainting a room, getting an early start allows you to complete these projects with less stress. Waiting until the last minute can cause tasks to pile up and become overwhelming. As Realtor.com puts it:

There are some important repairs to make before selling a house, so don’t be in too much of a hurry to get your home listed... if you move too fast, buyers see right through the fact that you skipped important home renovations. And this... might end up costing you time and money.;

What Should You Focus On?

Feeling motivated but not sure where to begin? Here are a few of the most common improvements sellers are making right now to help their homes stand out in today’s market (see graph below):

But remember, the most impactful improvements vary by location. What buyers are looking for in Sarasota could be different from other areas, and that’s where working with a local agent becomes key.

The Value of Partnering with a Sarasota Real Estate Expert

While national trends offer a starting point, only a local agent truly understands what buyers in Sarasota are looking for. For example, if updated kitchens are a major selling point in the area, your agent may recommend focusing on minor kitchen improvements. On the other hand, certain projects, like replacing the roof or upgrading your HVAC system, might not always yield a high return on investment depending on the local market.

Your agent will help you prioritize the updates that offer the most value and guide you through both big-ticket projects and smaller details, like cleaning up your yard, adding fresh mulch, or painting your front door. These seemingly minor touches can make a significant difference in how buyers perceive your home and ultimately impact how quickly it sells.

Bottom Line

If you’re planning to sell your Sarasota home next year, don’t wait until the last minute to get it ready. By starting now, you can ensure your home is in top shape when the new year arrives.

Need help deciding where to start? Let’s connect today to discuss which improvements will give you the best return on your investment.

1523 Bayshore Rd Nokomis

$3.9M 1523 Bayshore Rd Nokomis FL 34275

5 beds
3 baths
4616 sqft
0.97 acres
1989 year built

One or more photo(s) has been virtually staged. This custom-built, one-owner, four-bedroom, 4,600 square foot home is located above the base flood elevation on a wide one-acre parcel, offering privacy, space, and over 130 linear feet of private water frontage on a wide stretch of the intracoastal waterway. A huge bonus: it is not in a flood zone and sits at 13’ elevation. There was zero flood/surge damage from Helene or Milton. The home has wonderful curb appeal and is set back from the street with a circular driveway and a brick pathway flanked by a well-stocked koi pond. You enter the two-story foyer which opens up onto a large, light filled living room with soaring 19’ ceilings, rich wood floors, a wood-burning fireplace with floor to ceiling coralstone surround, and sliders out to the sun-soaked pool deck. There is a formal dining room, a separate family room with wet bar and ice maker, a large kitchen with an adjacent breakfast room, a butler's pantry and an antechamber that is set up to be a wine storage room. The kitchen has a double oven, huge subzero freezer, separate refrigerator and plenty of countertop space, and a handy passthrough to the family room. There are two bedrooms on the first floor and a bathroom which serves as a pool bath if you don’t want to rinse off in the outdoor shower. In addition to the four bedrooms and office in the main house, there are two additional air-conditioned work/hobby spaces in the garage, which is accessed via a covered walkway. One of the rooms faces north and was used as an art room. The other is sound-proofed and could work well as an office, dark room or gym. The oversized garage has a workbench. The second floor has two sections connected via a walkway overlooking the main living area. To the right is a nice sized bedroom and ensuite bathroom and to the left is the primary suite with a beautiful wood-paneled office with rich wooded cabinetry and a wood burning fireplace. A screened balcony off the bedroom and office offers unparalleled views of the intracoastal waterway and some of the Gulf coast’s finest sunset skies. These wide-open west-facing views are part of what makes this home an incredible opportunity for its new owner. There is a covered screened lanai as well as uncovered outdoor living and dining space. The pool is huge and has a max depth of 8’. There is a 100’ long dock and a navigable route out to the main channel. Take this incredible .97-acre waterfront property, make it your own, and enjoy endless sunsets and all that the Florida lifestyle has to offer!