Real Estate Blog

One Region, Two Very Different Markets: Sarasota Homes vs. Condos in 2026

One Region, Two Very Different Markets: Sarasota Homes vs. Condos in 2026

One of the questions I hear most often is, “How is the real estate market?”

After more than five decades in Sarasota real estate, I can tell you that the answer has never been as simple as the headlines make it sound. Today, it depends heavily on where the property is located, its price range and, perhaps most importantly, whether we are talking about a single-family home or a condominium.

The latest available June 2026 statistics from the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee make that distinction especially clear.

Florida Buyers Are Moving Forward

The statewide market provides some helpful context. According to Florida Realtors®, closed sales of…

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Does My Tenant Impact the Value of My Property?

Does My Tenant Impact the Value of My Property?

The short answer is absolutely.

When most people think about commercial real estate value, they focus on the building itself—its location, size, condition, or curb appeal. While those factors certainly matter, income-producing commercial properties are often worth far more because of who occupies them and how the lease is structured.

Simply put, a tenant can either enhance the value of a property or significantly reduce it.

A Lease Is More Than Just Rent

When a landlord signs a lease, they are granting a tenant the right to occupy and control the property under the agreed-upon terms. As long as the tenant fulfills their obligations, those lease provisions become one of the primary factors…

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Relationships First: Why Great Communication Is Still Our Greatest Competitive Advantage

Relationships First: Why Great Communication Is Still Our Greatest Competitive Advantage

In an industry filled with new technology, artificial intelligence, and constantly changing market conditions, one thing hasn’t changed: people remember how we made them feel.

BUILDING TRUST THROUGH EVERY INTERACTION
Whether I’m working with buyers, sellers, another REALTOR®, a lender, inspector, title company, or contractor, successful transactions rarely come down to one big moment. They are built through dozens of small interactions that create confidence and trust. Communication is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can elevate the experience for everyone involved.

COMMUNICATION CREATES CONFIDENCE
People don’t necessarily expect us to have…

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Are Commercial Real Estate Values Going Up or Down?

Are Commercial Real Estate Values Going Up or Down?

It’s hard to go very long without hearing a financial talking head predict the next real estate crash. Whether it’s vacant office buildings in major cities, retailers closing stores, or concerns about interest rates, attention-grabbing headlines often leave commercial property owners wondering: “Is the value of my property going up or down?”

During my 53 years in the real estate business, I’ve seen several major market cycles. Historically, significant declines in Florida commercial real estate values have usually been caused by events outside our local market. The oil embargo of the 1970s, the Savings & Loan crisis of the 1980s, and the Great Recession of 2007-2009 are just a few examples. The…

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Southwest Florida Industrial Market Has Plenty of Space —But is it the Right Kind?

Southwest Florida Industrial Market Has Plenty of Space —But is it the Right Kind?

Commercial real estate is cyclical by nature, and the industrial market throughout Southwest and the surrounding areas is proving that once again. Over the past several years, developers from around the country responded aggressively to pandemic-era demand for warehouses and distribution space. Larger industrial users were expanding rapidly, supply chains were shifting, and developers raced to build bigger facilities to meet the moment. Today, we’re seeing the effects of that wave of construction settle into the market.

In the 10,000+ square foot range, there is noticeably more availability than we saw just a few years ago. Much of that product was developed…

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Thinking About Building A Commercial Project?

Thinking About Building a Commercial Project?

Developing a commercial project—whether retail, industrial, office, or multifamily—comes with many moving parts. Before anyone puts a shovel in the ground, there are numerous factors that need to be carefully evaluated. Zoning, setback requirements, utility availability and capacity, traffic studies, fill requirements, and construction costs are just a few of the items that can influence whether a project ultimately succeeds or struggles.

In my opinion, however, one of the most important considerations is understanding the market.

Over my 50+ years in the Southwest Florida real estate industry, I have seen many projects where developers had great plans and built impressive buildings, but…

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What's My Land Worth?

What’s My Land Worth?

That is a question I hear all the time from landowners: “What’s my land worth?”

Early in my career in Southwest Florida real estate, I was quick to answer. I would say, “your land is worth so much per unit for residential, or so much per square foot for commercial or industrial land.” I am not sure if times were simpler back then, or if I simply did not yet understand all the pieces of the puzzle that go into evaluating vacant land.

After more than 50 years in the business, my answer has changed to:” without a lot of research, I really do not know what your land is worth.”

As Southwest Florida has grown from sleepy seasonal towns into large, year-round communities, the cost and complexity of development have grown…

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What Business Owners Don't Say Out Loud About Selling

What Business Owners Don’t Say Out Loud About Selling

Most business owners don’t begin with the words, “I’m ready to sell.” The conversation usually starts somewhere else: retirement, health concerns, family priorities, burnout, or simply wondering what the next chapter looks like. These are weighty life events. When you’ve spent decades building a company, the decision to sell is never just financial. It’s personal.

For many owners, their business represents years of sacrifice, risk, and identity. Before we ever talk about putting a company on the market, I believe it’s critical to understand what’s really driving the conversation. Owners are often wrestling with questions like: Is this the right time? Am I too early or too late? Will I receive…

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Not a Market to Sit Out: What Southwest Florida’s Economy Signals for 2026

2025 is in the rearview mirror, and many of us are trying to make sense of where the economy is headed in 2026. I spent the past several weeks attending economic outlook events across Southwest Florida, listening to a wide range of voices tied to development, finance, and market activity.

In mid-December, I attended the SWFL Commercial Real Estate State of the Market in Fort Myers, where developers in multifamily, industrial, office, and retail shared insights from Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties. In early January, I attended the Tampa Bay Economic Outlook, hearing from Mayor Jane Castor, Chief Economist for Fifth Third Bank, and Andrew Wright of Franklin Street. Most recently, I attended an event at my local association featuring Dr. Lawrence…

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From Homes to Heavy Industrial: How Loyd Robbins & Co Shapes Southwest Florida Real Estate

I founded Loyd Robbins & Co. as an independent real estate firm in Sarasota, Florida, with one simple goal: to provide honest, knowledgeable, and personalized guidance to people navigating the Southwest Florida real estate market. Over the years, we have grown into a full-service firm offering both commercial and residential real estate services throughout the region.

At Loyd Robbins & Co., we represent buyers, sellers, investors, business owners, landlords, tenants, and developers in a wide range of transactions. Our work includes commercial sales and leasing, residential home sales, business acquisitions, investment properties, and land development opportunities. Whether someone is purchasing their first home, selling an office building,…

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