Thinking of Striking it Rich Selling Homes in Sarasota County? You may want to think again.

While the idea of selling homes in sunny Florida might sound like a lucrative venture, the reality might surprise you.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

From 2020 to 2023, more than 10,000 licensed real estate agents in Sarasota County grossed an average of less than $41,000 annually in real estate sales. That figure represents the amount earned by their brokerages for each agent’s sales. Assuming an 85/15 commission split, the agents’ take-home pay before taxes and expenses was less than $36,000 per year.

Here’s a closer look at the data:

Out of 420,000 licensed Florida real estate professionals, 11,605 agents were involved in at least one Sarasota County closing during this period.
Over 10,000 agents averaged six or fewer closings per year.
A staggering 9,000 agents closed three or fewer sales annually.
Shockingly, 7,000 agents averaged just one sale per year, earning less than $17,000 annually from Sarasota County real estate sales.
On the other end of the spectrum, only 120 agents averaged 24 sales per year during this time. Clearly, breaking into the top tier of Sarasota County real estate is no small feat.

Breaking Down the Sarasota County Market

Let’s dive into the data from Stellar MLS for the period between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023:

• Total sales volume: $63,022,713,000
• Number of agents involved: 11,605
• Hypothetical commission rate: 3% per sale

Here’s how the math plays out:

• Total gross commission from ($63,022,713,000 × 3%) = $1,890,681,390
• Total gross commission per agent from  ($1,890,681,390 ÷ 11,605) = $162,928.65
• Average gross commission per agent per year from ( $162,928.65 ÷ 4) = $40,732.16

This means the average agent grossed approximately $40,732.16 per year before expenses and taxes during one of the best real estate sales markets in recent history.

What if you could learn from one of the best without even having to pay REALTOR® fees?

Here’s where things get exciting. Imagine being coached by a real estate professional who ranked in the top 1% of all 11,605 agents during this period. That’s Steve Martin Smith, now the broker/owner of Slice of Florida Realty.

According to Stellar MLS, Steve was the #1 closing agent across all six offices of RE/MAX Platinum Realty from January 1, 2020, to December 6, 2023.

On December 8th, Steve launched Slice of Florida Realty.
His approach is refreshingly different — Steve has never made a cold call, has not relied on purchased leads, and rarely sends out print materials. Instead, he’s developed innovative, relationship-driven strategies that work.

If you’re ready to take a unique approach to real estate and learn from one of the best, give Slice of Florida Realty a call at (941) 894-9800.

The Takeaway

Succeeding in Sarasota County’s competitive real estate market requires more than just a license—it takes mentorship, strategy, and a willingness to stand out. With Steve Martin Smith and Slice of Florida Realty, you’ll have access to the tools, guidance, and expertise you need to thrive.

Are you ready to start or boost your real estate journey? Contact Slice of Florida Realty today at (941) 894-9800 and discover a better way to build your real estate career.