July 2025 REAL ESTATE NEWS Brought to you by Mary & Ray Westbrook
Eventually, Everything Needs an Update… Even Us
Roofs wear out. HVAC systems call it quits. Kitchen cabinets go out of style. And yes—profile pictures age too.
I started my real estate business in Florida over a dozen years ago. Back then, Ray was jetting around the country for his corporate job while I worked building my real estate business which included working weekends—because Realtors work weekends. In a twist of practicality (and maybe a little romance), Ray decided to get his real estate license, joking that it was just so he could see me on the weekends.
But it turned out, he had a knack for it. With his background in construction and his natural ability to connect with people, showing homes just fit. Meanwhile, my business was growing. I began nudging him—half-serious at first: "Why don’t you quit that corporate job and join me full-time?" Now, I know some of you just thought, "Work with my spouse? Absolutely not." But Ray and I complement each other’s strengths. Seven years ago, we took the leap, Ray joined me full-time, and we officially became “Mary & Ray Westbrook, Your West Coast Agents,” with our mission: Making Real Estate Dreams a Reality.
We had a dear friend take our first official photos—our marketing look was fresh and fun. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of incredible people at every life stage. We have shared in families upsizing because of a new baby on the way, combining homes because of love and marriage, life-long retirement goals of owning a second home along the Gulf Coast, investment properties, and walking with families as they say goodbye to their parents’ home. It’s never just about the property. Homes have people. People have stories. And we’re grateful to be a small part of so many of them.
Now, seven years later looking through the pictures from that first photo shoot… Well, it became obvious that it was time. A few more laugh lines, a sprinkle of gray, and an even stronger partnership called for a new look. So here we are—updated and upgraded. And no, of course none of you caused those gray hairs and wrinkles. (Well, maybe just one or two of you…)
Stats and Data July 2025
The real estate market is always on the move. Just when you think you've figured it out, trends shift. Remember when tile and laminate were the go-to floors in Florida? Then along came Luxury Vinyl Flooring and suddenly everyone was redoing their flooring. Styles evolve. Some folks walk into a mid-century modern and say, “This is it!” Others say, “This is... my parents’ house—and it needs updating.”
In that same spirit of change, let’s rewind the clock to 2022—peak frenzy mode for our local market—and compare it to where we are now in 2025 and a year ago in 2024. We're digging into second quarter numbers (Q2), which typically marks the wrap-up of our high real estate season as our snowbirds head north.
As usual, we’re using our basic model: a 3+-bedrooms, 2-bath home with a garage, a pool, and somewhere between 1,500 and 2,200 square feet. This time, we’re focusing on three key Gulf Coast hotspots: Sarasota, Bradenton, and Punta Gorda. Let’s see what the numbers reveal—and what they might be whispering about where we’re headed next.
Sarasota:
click HERE to see this midcentury totally cool home in Siesta Key.
Active listings: 168 Price range: $325,000- $2.5million Pending Sales: 52
2025 Sold homes: 122 Price Range: $300,000- $1.7Million
DOM (days on Market) 33
2025 Median List price: $597,000 Median Sold Price: $575,000
2024 number of sold homes: 135 DOM: 36
2024 Median List Price: $600,000 Median Sold Price: $600,000
2022 number of Sold homes: 137 DOM: 4
2022 Median List Price: $594,000 Median Sold Price: $621,000
Bradenton:
click the pic to see this amazing home in Bradenton.
Active listings: 139 Price range: $379,000- $1.2million Pending Sales: 37
2025 Sold homes: 114 Price Range: $328,000- $1.4Million
DOM (days on Market) 33
2025 Median List price: $559,000 Median Sold Price: $547,000
2024 number of sold homes: 96 DOM: 25
2024 Median List Price: $638,000 Median Sold Price: $611,000
2022 number of Sold homes: 115 DOM: 5
2022 Median List Price: $550,000 Median Sold Price: $678,000
Punta Gorda:
Click the pic to see this water access beauty in Punta Gorda
Active listings: 188 Price range: $275,000- $1.1million Pending Sales: 51
2025 Sold homes: 129 Price Range: $225,000- $1.1Million
DOM (days on Market) 68
2025 Median List price: $499,000 Median Sold Price: $485,000
2024 number of sold homes: 113 DOM: 50
2024 Median List Price: $550,000 Median Sold Price: $527,000
2022 number of Sold homes: 91 DOM: 7
2022 Median List Price: $525,000 Median Sold Price: $525,000
Let’s see what nuggets we can find in this look at Q2 numbers of 2022, 2024, and 2025.
· Each year in all three cities the number of sold homes were about the same
· In 2024 shows the highest median list price. But Sellers were selling for about 97% of list price.
· Days on market (DOM) was crazy low in 2022 and now much more normal
· Each town’s list-to-sold price tells its own story—just like the towns themselves. It’s a great reminder that real estate isn’t one-size-fits-all. National headlines might grab attention, but they don’t always reflect what’s really happening on your street or in your neighborhood. When it comes to buying or selling, local insight isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Take a peek at a few of our listings...
click here to see :Pool home in sought after home in The Lakes of Jacaranda
ckick here to see: Beautifully updated ground floor end unit in Plantation Golf & Country Club
click HERE to see: Stunning villa with private pool just 3 miles from the Gulf
click HERE to see: Furnished condo overlooking the golf course
Thanks for spending a few minutes with us and letting us share our updated look—wrinkles, wisdom, and all. We are excited to keep our real estate journey going, and grateful every time you let us be a part of your life story.
with warmest regards,
Mary & Ray Westbrook
Making Real Estate Dreams a Reality
Oh who took our photos? Kim Lewis https://www.kimlewisphoto.com/gallery
She is fun and easy to work with--highly recommend her for your photos
You know I love classic rock (the best music ever) so when I saw this funny I knew I would have to share it here:
