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Buying your first home in Venice

Venice's tax rate edges out the City of Sarasota's, but its buyers can still use the county's $75,000 down payment help.

What changes the math in Venice

Each fact links to the sources we checked it against.

Property tax rate
14.93 mills
County and schools 10.74 plus city 4.19, a touch above the City of Sarasota's 14.88. On a $400,000 home with homestead, about $5,350 a year.
As of 2025 tax yearSarasota Tax Collector ↗Fla. Dept. of Revenue ↗Homestead amount (Fla. DOR) ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026
Recent median sale
$420,000
City of Venice, 553 recorded sales, all home types: houses $510,500, condos $250,000. The Census puts the typical owner's home value at $434,700 (2020-24).
As of Apr-Sep 2026Sarasota County Property Appraiser ↗U.S. Census ↗Checked Oct 18, 2026
Down payment help
Up to $75,000
Venice qualifies for Sarasota County's SHIP loan for low-income first-time buyers: 0% interest, forgiven over 20 years if you live there. Your lender applies for you.
Open Oct 2026Sarasota County SHIP ↗WWSB ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026
Title insurance
Buyer usually pays
In Sarasota County the buyer customarily pays for the owner's title policy and picks the title company. It's custom, not law, so it can be negotiated in the contract.
Local customFla. Dept. of Financial Services ↗Barnes Walker ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026
Public schools
Sarasota County Schools: A
The district has earned the state's A grade; check the zoned schools for a specific address.
As of 2025-26 school yearFla. Dept. of Education ↗SRQ Daily ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026

Down payment help

Checked against official sources this month. Income and price limits apply, and most can’t all be combined.

Flood zone, evacuation level and the exact tax bill change street by street. These official Sarasota County tools give the answer for one address.

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