Hey, I'm Luke — a realtor here in Sarasota, and this is Salt & Capital.
Every Thursday, I'm going to send you one email with the stuff that actually matters if you live on the Gulf Coast: what's happening in the real estate market, a money move worth knowing, a local business to check out, and a handful of jobs.
No fluff, no spam. Just the things I'd tell you if we were grabbing coffee at O&A Coffee Supply.
I'm building this for you, so hit reply and tell me — what do you actually want to see in here? Seriously. I read every reply.
Welcome aboard. Let's get into it.
Market Pulse
Sarasota's median single-family home price hit $475,000 in February — down 5% from last year.
Here’s what that means:
If you're buying: This is the friendliest market we've seen since before 2020. Sellers are accepting 93.7% of their list price, and about 1 in 5 listings have had price cuts. You have leverage.
If you're selling: Homes are sitting for 45-50 days on average. Price it right from the start — buyers are shopping, but they're not overpaying.
If you're watching: Transaction volume is actually up 6.1% even as prices fall. That usually means the market is finding its floor, not falling off a cliff.
One more number worth knowing: 45.5% of sales are all-cash. There's real money coming into this market — just not at last year's prices.
Source: REALTOR Association of Sarasota and Manatee, February 2026
Money Moves
Did you miss the homestead exemption deadline?
If you bought a home in Florida and haven't filed your homestead exemption, the standard deadline was March 1, and yes, it's passed. But you're not out of luck.
Here's what the homestead exemption does:
Knocks up to $50,000 off your taxable value — saving you roughly $850-900/year in Sarasota County
Caps your assessed value increase at 3% per year (the “Save Our Homes” benefit) — this compounds over time and can save you tens of thousands
What to do right now:
Florida allows late filing up through September when TRIM notices go out. Call the Sarasota County Property Appraiser at (941) 861-8200 or file online at sc-pa.com. Bring your Florida driver's license and proof of ownership.
If you can't get it applied to 2026, filing now locks it in for 2027. Either way — don't leave this money on the table.
Local Spotlight
Hob Nob Drive-In is coming back.
If you've lived in Sarasota for any amount of time, you probably have a Hob Nob memory. The drive-in opened in 1957 on US-301 and became a local institution — smash burgers, crinkle-cut fries, milkshakes, the whole deal.
When longtime operator Cary Spicuzza retired in 2024, the community felt it. "Everybody missed it."
Now it's reopening under new ownership. Demitri Syros (owner of The Breakfast Company in Bradenton) and his stepfather Troy King — a retired law enforcement officer who grew up eating there and later brought his own kids — are bringing it back this spring.
Same classic menu. Same community spirit. Classic car nights and bike nights are planned. Keep an eye on US-301 for the reopening.
Job Board
Sarasota County Government — Business Analyst
Sarasota, FL | Full-time $59k-$80k
Apply here
The Westin Sarasota (Marriott) — Front Desk Agent
Sarasota, FL | Full-time | ~$15.50/hr
Apply here
Sarasota County Government — IT Project Manager
Sarasota, FL | Full-time | $65k-$95k
Apply here
Sarasota Memorial Health — Clinical & Non-Clinical Roles
Sarasota, FL | Full-time | $40k-$100k+
Apply here
Remote — Customer Service Representative
Remote (Sarasota area) | Full-time | $14-$43/hr
Browse roles
Quick Bites
Things worth knowing this week:
Gas just crossed $4/gallon nationally — first time in four years. Your wallet feels it at the pump and the grocery store.
Mortgage rates dipped to 6.22% — still above 6%, but the direction finally flipped. Worth watching.
Home listings up 10-38% in 43 of the 50 biggest metros. Buyers finally have options.
Southwest Florida's economy is caught between hurricanes and inflation. Tourism is back but visitors are spending less.
The S&P 500 had its best day since May — up 3.4% for the week. Recession talk is loud, but stocks aren't listening yet.
Your Turn
Quick poll — what's your top priority right now?
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