Tampa, FL — November 3, 2026 — Written by Nick Cannella
The Sarasota County land market is one of the most active in Florida, driven by nationally ranked master-planned communities, steady population growth, and builders competing hard for well-located land. From Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park to newer projects like Star Farms Village, demand for development-ready land across the county remains strong — and that shapes what your land may be worth and who is most likely to buy it.
For landowners, the question isn’t just whether Sarasota County is growing. It is where the growth is heading, which buyers are active, and whether your property sits in the path of it.
Why the Sarasota County land market is growing
Sarasota County has become a magnet for residential development because it pairs strong population growth with communities that sell at a national scale. Lakewood Ranch — which straddles the Manatee and Sarasota county line — has ranked as the best-selling multigenerational master-planned community in the United States for several consecutive years, and nearby Wellen Park in North Port has repeatedly placed among the top-selling communities in the country. When communities sell that quickly, builders need more land to feed them, and that demand pushes outward into the surrounding county.
The master-planned communities driving demand
Recent activity shows just how much land is being absorbed across the county:
- Star Farms Village — The former Toledo Village in the North Port area is planned for roughly 3,498 residential units and about 40,000 square feet of commercial space across 2,086 acres, with an early phase of around 798 single-family homes. It’s a clear signal that large-scale growth is moving south and east.
- Lakewood Ranch — Neal Communities recently filed plans for 499 single-family homes and townhomes, with future plans pointing toward roughly 1,000 residential units, after purchasing the land for about $35.35 million. Neal is also planning around 300 luxury single-family homes in a Lakewood Ranch community called Fieldstone.
- National builders — DR Horton (through its land affiliate Forestar), Pulte, and others continue to pursue large positions here, which keeps competition — and pricing — firm for the right parcels.
The takeaway for landowners: the buyers in this market are sophisticated and well-capitalized, and they are looking for land with a realistic path to development.
Where builders are competing — and where they aren’t
This is where the Sarasota County land market splits in two. As our team describes it, today’s market is “feast or famine.” Well-located properties with road frontage, supportive future land use, and a clear path to entitlements still draw multiple buyers and competitive pricing. Properties that need significant entitlement work, off-site improvements, or sit in slower-growth pockets are seeing far less interest — scarcity of development-ready land is exactly what developers prioritize when they shop for sites.
What it means for Sarasota County landowners
If you own land anywhere near this growth path — a pasture, a grove, or acreage you’ve held for years — the market around you may have changed even if the property hasn’t. That can create opportunities you didn’t plan for. Before deciding anything, it’s worth understanding three things: what your land is realistically worth today, which type of buyer is most likely to want it, and whether now or later is the better time to go to market. That starts with a market-based valuation — not a neighbor’s rumor or an unsolicited offer. It also helps to know where demand is strongest across the state and how multifamily growth is reshaping which parcels builders chase.
For the national rankings behind Sarasota County’s master-planned communities, see RCLCO’s top-selling communities report.
Own land in Sarasota County and wondering what it’s worth in today’s market? Request a confidential Broker Opinion of Value at https://www.thedirtdog.com/contact/.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sarasota County a good place to own land right now?
For most landowners near a growth corridor, yes. Sarasota County has strong population growth and nationally ranked master-planned communities absorbing land quickly, which keeps builder demand high for well-located, development-ready parcels.
What’s driving growth in the Sarasota County land market?
Population in-migration, top-selling master-planned communities like Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park, and national builders needing more land to feed those communities.
Which master-planned communities are growing in Sarasota County?
Lakewood Ranch (the nation’s best-selling multigenerational community), Wellen Park in North Port, and newer large-scale projects such as Star Farms Village, along with Neal Communities’ Fieldstone.
How do I find out what my Sarasota County land is worth?
Start with a Broker Opinion of Value from a land-focused broker. It evaluates your parcel against real market activity, zoning and future land use, access, and the likely buyer pool.
Who is buying land in Sarasota County?
Primarily national and regional homebuilders and their land affiliates (such as DR Horton/Forestar, Pulte, and Neal Communities), plus investors positioning for future development.