I sold some properties for a trust I manage in Sarasota this last year. Properties values in Sarasota have been heating up--and there was a bidding war on one of the properties.
My suggestion is to rent at least for 6 months if possible before buying. You can learn a lot about houses and areas during this 6 month interval. Be sure and include some of the time during the "season" In my opinion the traffic really increases when the snow birds come to town.
There are some areas right off the ICW on either side of Sarasota, and I would reconsidering these for a C Dory, rather than Sarasota proper.