The Saunders Blog

Punta Gorda Real Estate – Pirate Harbor

Find a unique range of home styles and opportunities in Pirate Harbor. Pictured: 24217 Treasure Island Blvd.

Situated on the banks of Charlotte Harbor is Punta Gorda’s best-kept secret, Pirate Harbor. Pirate Harbor is a quiet eclectic waterfront community with charms not seen or experienced anywhere else in Charlotte County. Amenities such as fine dining, excellent golf courses and shopping are all nearby. But the real charm of Pirate Harbor is nature. Whether it just relaxing on your lanai watching the tropical wildlife or sitting on your dock enjoying sunsets, you will become immersed in the peaceful natural beauty found in this unique enclave. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – South Gulf Cove

South Gulf Cove is a deed restricted, waterfront community located on the Cape Haze Peninsula with over 55 miles of canals that all lead to the Charlotte Harbor and Gulf of Mexico. The depth of the canals typically ranges from five to seven feet or more, and is maintained by a lock system that has recently been updated to feature remote control operation. The lock is located at the north end of the community. There are approximately 62,000 acres and 126 canals that comprise one third of all canals in Charlotte County. South Gulf Cove also features a boat ramp for boaters and fishermen alike. (more…)

Port Charlotte Neighborhood Video

Port Charlotte is located between Sarasota and Fort Myers. It sits right at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, where the Peace River and Myakka River meet. Residents refer to it as the “Jewel on the Harbor,” with a charming personality and beautiful waterfront living. Bayshore Park runs along the whole waterway with fishing piers, kayaking, walking trails, restaurants and picnic pavilions.

The homes in Port Charlotte range from smaller 2-bedroom bungalows to larger Tudor homes and even Mediterranean estate homes. There are also waterfront communities offering carriage homes, single-family homes and estate villas.

The Neighborhood Report – Downtown Punta Gorda

Revitalized and Refreshed: Discover the charms of downtown Punta Gorda. Image courtesy of tampabay.com.

The City of Punta Gorda was founded in 1882 by Colonel Isaac Trabue on 30 acres of land on the southern shore of Charlotte Harbor. A fire downtown destroyed almost all of Punta Gorda in 1905. After this disaster, the city council mandated all new businesses and homes be constructed of brick or concrete. After the completion of the first bridge across Charlotte Harbor in 1921, the great Florida boom reached the fishing village of Punta Gorda, and several key structures were built including City Hall, the Old Courthouse, Charlotte High School and the Punta Gorda Ice Plant

An Area of Revitalization – Downtown Punta Gorda

In 2004, the damage Hurricane Charley inflicted on the Punta Gorda area included many homes, structures and historical landmarks. A number of revitalization projects took place in the following years involving federal grants for restorations and amenities throughout the downtown corridor. Laishley Park Municipal Marina was constructed along Charlotte Harbor, the second largest harbor in the State of Florida with world-class fishing and access to the Gulf of Mexico. The marina has 85 boat slips and a boat launch for public use. A newly constructed Boat and Sail Club at Alice Park offers a kayak and canoe launch, along with powerboat dockage. The new construction of the Charlotte Event Center on Charlotte Harbor will bring culture and special events to the downtown corridor, and 800 new hotel rooms and restaurants add charm to the historic and downtown feel of the city. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Englewood Areas

The Englewood area offers an assortment of lifestyle options. From soaring condominium residences to quaint beach cottages, there is something to suit every taste.

The old adage “location, location, location” is an apt description of the undiscovered Englewood, Placida, Punta Gorda area. It is a Mecca for water lovers; from world-class fishing and boating to its uncrowded beaches, there is always a water sport or recreational activity to enjoy. This area is perfect for those who want a quiet and laidback lifestyle, but also want to be within proximity to fine dining, cultural activities and night life, as downtown Sarasota offers many amenities and is an easy drive.
 
Market Update

Barbara Saputo, branch manager of Michael Saunders & Company’s Englewood office, reports a significant increase in property showings in the last few weeks for listings priced according to current conditions. Those that are priced to the market are going to get shown, from the high-end, beachfront condominiums to the moderately priced single-family homes. Buyers will also find new construction properties throughout the area—of particular interest are the single-family units in Pennington Place and paired villas in Stillwater. Both neighborhoods are conveniently located, gated, and offer a host of community amenities. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – South County Communities

Well-Manicured Courses Attract Golfers to Rotonda

The real estate market in southern Sarasota County and beyond to Charlotte County is very active, with two main driving factors: waterfront options and reasonable prices. The many available properties fronting waterways, canals and the Gulf of Mexico are cherished by those who enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking or even sunbathing along the miles of beautiful sandy beaches.

Areas of Interest

Home buyers looking for waterfront opportunities have an abundance of properties to choose from throughout Englewood, Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. Here, we have it all for a fisherman’s dream or a boater’s delight, all surrounded by scenic enchantment. In the Stillwater and Rotonda communities, there has been a notable increase in sales activity. Both communities offer newer construction and offer a variety of housing types. The golf courses of Rotonda provide challenging, well-manicured playing grounds for enthusiasts of the game. (more…)