Moving to Sarasota with kids? Explore Sarasota’s top-rated public, private, and charter schools—plus local education insights every family should know before buying a home.Because Great
Buyer Activity Is Up Despite Higher Mortgage Rates
Dated: May 3 2023
Views: 65
If you’re a homeowner thinking about making a move, you may wonder if it’s still a good time to sell your Sarasota house. Here’s the good news. Even with higher mortgage rates, buyer traffic is actually picking up speed.
Data from the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring homes, helps paint the picture of how much buyer demand has increased in recent months (see graph below):
As the graph shows, the first two months of 2023 saw a noticeable increase in buyer traffic. That’s likely because the limited number of homes for sale kept shoppers looking for homes even during colder months.
To help tell the story of why the latest report is significant, let’s compare foot traffic this February with each February for the last six years (see graph below). It shows this was one of the best Februarys for buyer activity we’ve seen in recent memory.
In the last six years, we saw the most February buyer traffic in 2021 and 2022 (shown in green above), but those years were highly unusual for the housing market. So, if we compare February 2023 with the more normal, pre-pandemic years, data shows this year still marks a clear rise in buyer activity.
The uptick in Sarasota buyer traffic is even more noteworthy considering the increase in mortgage rates this February. The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose from 6.09% during the week of February 2nd to 6.50% in the week of February 23rd. But even with higher rates, more buyers were looking for a home.
Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist at Zillow, says the increased buyer activity could continue:
“More buyers will keep coming out of the woodwork. We always see a seasonal uptick in home shoppers in March and April . . .”
If you’re looking to sell your Sarasota house, seeing buyers still active in the market this year should be encouraging. It’s a sign buyers are out there and could be looking for a home just like yours. Working with a real estate professional to list your house now will help you get your home in front of eager buyers today.
Bottom Line
Rising foot traffic is a bright spot for this year’s housing market and indicates that buyers are looking to purchase this year, even with higher mortgage rates. If you’re ready to sell your house, let’s connect.
#SarasotaRealEstate #SarasotaHomesForSale #SarasotaCondosForSale #SiestaKeyForSale #LongboatKeyForSale #LakewoodRanchForSale #RobertPaulRealtor #SarasotaRealtor #SarasotaRealEstateAgent
The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Robert Paul, PA. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Robert Paul, PA will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.
Robert Paul, PA
"I'm here to empower YOU to make confident and impactful decisions." Serving both buyers and sellers, I specialize in assisting those relocating to the Sarasota area or those seeking a second home in ....
Latest Blog Posts
Sarasota’s healthcare system ranks among Florida’s best. Discover top hospitals, local specialists, senior care options, and what makes Sarasota a healthy place to call home.Healthy
Thinking about moving to Sarasota? Here’s your insider guide to getting around—commute times, traffic tips, public transit, parking, and what locals know about navigating paradise
From property taxes to insurance and HOA fees, here’s what Sarasota homeowners actually pay—and how to plan smart before buying your Gulf Coast home.Welcome to Sarasota Homeownership
Copyright © MFRMLS.com All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated Last updated on September 20, 2026 9:30 PM UTC The listing information on this page last changed on Last updated on September 20, 2026 9:30 PM UTCd. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of MFR MLS.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Updated on September 20, 2026 9:30 PM UTC
All information regarding a property for sale, rental or financing, school information and public tax records is from sources deemed reliable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that representations and warranties are not made about the accuracy thereof, and such information is subject to errors, omissions, updates, modifications, changes of price, rent rates, commissions, prior sales, leases or financing, changes in school boundaries, or withdrawal without notice. All information displayed on this Website should
© 2026 Florida Gulf Coast MLS (FGCMLS) Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. The IDX data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Florida Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
