The Saunders Blog

The Neighborhood Report – Burnt Store Lakes

Discover a range of lifestyle opportunities in Burn Store Lakes.

A deed restricted community established in 1972, which resulted in the creation of 1860 single-family lots and 170 multi-family lots, Burnt Store Lakes is a captivating place to call home. To date, approximately 25 percent of the total properties have been developed and are occupied by year-round and seasonal residents alike. Prior to becoming a residential community, Burnt Store Lakes was operated as a prosperous gladiolus flower farm.

Residential Opportunities – Burnt Store Lakes

Pride of ownership is abundant in Burnt Store Lakes, as displayed by the tasteful new entry to the community and carried out by the individual homeowners throughout the neighborhood. The homes range in size from 1,400 square feet to over 3,000 square feet, and currently are selling from the mid $100,000s to roughly $400,000. Most of the homes in the community generally range from 5- 15 years old.

Convenient Location – Burnt Store Lakes

Residents of Burnt Store Lakes have the opportunity to take advantage of the neighboring 27-hole executive golf course, marina and dining opportunities at Burnt Store Marina. For those desiring to take in Florida’s great outdoors, Burnt Store Lakes is within proximity to Babcock- Web Wildlife Management area, Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve, Peace River Wildlife Center, Ponce De Leon Park and boat ramp, Burnt Store Marina and Pine Island’s Matlacha.
There are several shopping and dining options approximately 15 minutes away in downtown Punta Gorda (to the north) or nearby Cape Coral (to the south). For those sun seekers looking for the beach, Englewood/Venice, Boca Grande, Fort Myers/Lover’s Key/Sanibel are all about a 45-60 minute drive. With I-75 nearby, Fort Myers’s Southwest International Airport is within a 50-minute reach. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Rivendell

Discover the ultimate Florida lifestyle in Rivendell.

A newer community located in the village of Osprey, Rivendell includes almost 500 homes in various neighborhoods spread among 400 acres, which include 14 wetlands and more than 20 lakes and ponds. Located conveniently within walking distance from the Pine View School, this master-planned community is designed to complement your active Florida lifestyle

Rivendell is governed by an active volunteer board of committed residents who are interested in maintaining the beauty of the natural surroundings and upholding the property values.

Market Activity – Rivendell

Home sales have been brisk this year so far, as 15 properties have sold with prices ranging from $200,000 to $585,000 with the time from listing to contract averaging three to five months. There are currently 13 properties actively listed for sale priced from $238,500 to $495,000. There are also eight under contract listed between $220,000 and $519,000.

Sales comparisons for the past few years show that the Rivendell market is “holding its own.”

2008: 23 sales at an average sale price of $393,000, days on market averaged 3-5 months. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Country Club Shores

The homes of Country Club Shores offer a quaint "Old Florida" style. Pictured: 621 Ranger Lane.

Originally developed in five phases in the early 1960s, Country Club Shores has become one of the most sought-after locations on Longboat Key. With its convenient site at the southern end of Longboat Key, the neighborhood is popular with boaters as most homes are set on the open bay or deepwater canals with direct access to Sarasota Bay. Residents also enjoy beach access, just across Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Market Activity – Country Club Shores

There are currently 43 active listings in Country Club Shores ranging in price from $499,000 for a 1,600-square foot home built in 1968 to $3.7 million for a 2010-built bayfront estate. So far year-to-date, 12 properties have sold with prices ranging from $330,000 to $1.7 million. Of these 12 closed properties, four took place in July.

Agents from the Michael Saunders & Company Longboat Key office sold 2 lots on Ranger Lane recently. One was listed by Cathy Meldahl from the company’s mid-Longboat Key office, and sold 53 days later by Susan and Jonathan Fox from the company’s South Longboat Key office. The other was listed by Gail Wittig and Ian Addy and sold by Barbara Dumbaugh, also from Michael Saunders & Company. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – The Loop

Homes in The Loop boast an array of styles and sizes. Pictured: 9625 18th Avenue Nw Cir.

The Loop of Northwest Bradenton is located just minutes from the local beaches and the newly opened Robinson Preserve—over 400 acres of diverse marshlands, open water and nature trails. The Loop has 53 home sites and is the only gated community currently in Northwest Bradenton. What makes this neighborhood so special? The home sites are nice and large, and the varied home styles are surrounded by mature landscaping inside this quaint community.

Market Activity – The Loop

Homes in The Loop currently on the market at priced from $650,000 to $747,000. These properties range in size from 3,000 square feet to just over 5,000 square feet, and are mostly newer with the oldest being built in 1998.

The most recent home sold in The Loop was listed by Sandy Drapala of Michael Saunders & Company and sold for $647,000. Built in 1997, this home featured four bedrooms and approximately 3,800 square feet of living area. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Summerfield in Lakewood Ranch

Discover your ideal lifestyle in Summerfield in Lakewood Ranch.

One of the original villages in Lakewood Ranch, Summerfield is located just south of State Road 70 off Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Braden River runs along the southern border and connects to many lakes and two community parks that the residents enjoy. This is a family-oriented neighborhood with abundant recreational activities and community events. The winding streets are lined with mature trees that lead you to the five different Summerfield neighborhoods. Parents love the top-rated elementary and middle schools located with within walking distance of their homes.

The homes are single-family, with one maintenance-free community and one condominium complex. Only re-sales are available in this sold-out community from the high $100,000’s to the $400,000’s. The homes range in size from 1,300 to 2,500 square feet and were built from 1995 through 2002.

Market Activity – Summerfield in Lakewood Ranch

Of the 41 properties currently on the market, 35 are single-family homes and 6 are condominium residences. In the last 30 days, 7 single-family and one condominium have sold. There are 24 homes in the pending status right now! We are definitely seeing a lot of movement in the right direction for this desirable community.

Most recently, Elsa Roth’s REO listing on 12015 Winding Woods Way closed after just 21 days on the market. This property sold for $151,000, which was $6,100 over list price.

Why Choose Summerfield in Lakewood Ranch?

Buyers are drawn to Summerfield in Lakewood Ranch because everyone enjoys the sense of small town community that exists here. Lakewood Ranch is an award-winning, 8,500-acre master-planned community, and Summerfield residents take advantage of the shops, restaurants and movie theaters of Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. They use the business parks, hospital and medical center, and the golf courses. There are over 150 miles of sidewalks and trails, and the beautiful lakes, wetlands and nature preserves are abundant with wildlife. Summerfield in Lakewood Ranch is now more affordable than ever and you are within proximity to the culture of Sarasota and the best beaches in the world.

The Neighborhood Report – Bird Key

Surrounded by sparkling waters, Bird Key is considered the jewel of Sarasota Bay.

Considered the jewel of Sarasota Bay, Bird Key is perfectly located in the middle of Sarasota Bay between St Armands Circle/Lido Key Beach and downtown Sarasota. This manmade island is made up of 511 lots, or approximately 460 single-family homes, with the only other occupant being the Bird Key Yacht Club. The original island had a large home built on it in 1914, which was owned by a couple from Cincinnati. Since then, John Ringling bought the island, which then became home for his sister. In 1950, Arvida Development Corp—with the assistance of the Corp of Engineers—designed and built the current island.
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Market Activity – Bird Key

There are presently 39 active listings in Bird Key. Of these, 11 are off-water—known as Garden homes—15 are canal homes, and 13 are set on Sarasota Bay.

Garden homes range from $515,000 to $1,399,000; Canal homes range from $1,195,000 to $2,695,000; Sarasota Bay homes range from $1,499,000 to $9,490,000. There are five pending homes, in which two are Garden homes, two canal homes and one bay front home. In the last thirty days, one home has sold for $495,000. Year-to-date, fifteen homes have sold—ten of these were off-water; four were canal homes and one bay home. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Stoneybrook at Venice

Discover a number of gorgeous homes in Stoneybrook at Venice. Pictured: 11355 Dancing River Dr.

A Lennar community that opened in 2004, Stoneybrook at Venice is one of the newest family-oriented neighborhoods in Sarasota County. A master-planned, gated community, Stoneybrook at Venice is nestled within 640 acres with 55 percent of the area being preserve and lakes, with an array of amenities for everyone to enjoy. There are a variety of home floor plans available for retirees to growing families. Located off Center Road or River Road in Venice, it is minutes from I-75, shopping, medical facilities, schools, golf courses, downtown Venice, and, of course, our fabulous beaches.

Market Activity – Stoneybrook at Venice

Stoneybrook at Venice is enjoying robust activity in this challenging real estate market with 620 homes currently built out of an estimated 900 total. Lennar posted six new home sales in the first three weeks of June and are in the process of beginning their next phase of new construction homes. There were nine closed re-sales in the last 30+ days, and there are 12 pending re-sales. Homes prices range from the mid $100s to $300s for new and re-sale homes with square footage ranging from 1,300 to 3,000+.

Agent Kudos – Stoneybrook at Venice

Michael Saunders & Company agents have worked together to list and sell homes in Stoneybrook at Venice with a recent collaborative by Theresa Brown, listing agent from the Venice office, and selling agent Jody Skapyak of the Palmer Ranch office. The home was a lovely three-bedroom, two-bath with den, and was sited with a preserve in the back and green space on one side offering privacy and a lush setting. This home went under contract in less than 30 days and sold for an affordable $162,000. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Harbor Acres

A range of home styles in Harbor Acres sure to please any taste. Pictured: 1535 Hillview Drive.

Harbor Acres is a special and unique waterfront community noted for its convenience and interesting blend of homes. Residents of this well-manicured neighborhood enjoy proximity to both the cultural, shopping and dining amenities of downtown Sarasota and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Renowned for its ideal location for boaters, many of the homes are set directly on Sarasota Bay or a navigable inlet with deep sailboat water and no bridges to the bay.

Market Activity – Harbor Acres

There are currently nine homes on the market ranging in price from $675,000 (lot value only) to $8,500,000 for a new 7,600-square-foot home on a double point lot. Among the listed properties is 1535 Hillview Drive, a gorgeous 3,700-square-foot home priced at $1,595,000 by Stacy Hanan and Kristen Srur of the Main Street office of Michael Saunders & Company.

Sales activity in Harbor Acres has been steady, with recent sales ranging from $1.7 million to $2.4 million. The residence located at 1357 Harbor Drive sold in May for $1.7 million, and the buyers were brought to the property and purchased it through Maria Beck and Anja Deichmann from the Main Street office. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Heron Creek

Enjoy an exceptional lifestyle among perfectly manicured fairways and greens. Photo courtesy of golfcoursehome.net.

Nothing compares to the Heron Creek Country Club lifestyle. With 27 holes of Arthur Hills designed championship golf, elegant clubhouse, beautiful homes, and wondrous views, Heron Creek Country Club has the best of everything.

Exceptional Location and Amenities – Heron Creek

Located in southern Sarasota County in the city of North Port, this gated community is surrounded by natural tranquility. Heron Creek strives to preserve and enhance the natural habitat for the enjoyment of its residents, which is evident in its endless natural beauty. Imagine a community so environmentally sensitive, the surrounding wildlife habitat has not only been preserved, it has been improved. More than 430 acres of the 676-acre community have been set aside as the golf course or as permanent, environmentally protected nature preserves, creating lakes and green space for residents and providing natural habitat to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. The neighborhood homes and the Arthur Hills golf course wind lazily through the native landscape, bordered by natural buffers, stands of native trees, and sparkling lakes, all of which serve as quiet retreats for the native wildlife. (more…)

The Neighborhood Report – Sanderling Club

Enjoy beachfront living in the Sanderling Club. Pictured: 7808 Sanderling Road.

The Sanderling Club had its beginnings as Siesta Properties, Inc. Its developer was Elbridge Boyd, originally from Atlanta, who was also responsible for developing Hidden Harbor, Cedar Park Circle and Cocoanut Bayou. Gulf-front lots sold for $10,000 and waterway lots for $8,000. An integral part of the plan was dredging on the east side of Midnight Pass Road to create bay access and a tidal flow for Heron Lagoon. Between 1946 and 1958, 67 houses were built in Siesta Properties. The homes built during this period were basically three-month beach houses which were furnished with wicker and had bathroom doors on the beach. As the number of property owners increased—now numbering 100—the need for a homeowners association became apparent. It was around that time, in 1951, that Sanderling Beach Club was founded in order to give non-Gulf front owners access to the beach. Paul Rudolph was commissioned to design the original cabanas, and his designs later won the grand prize at the Brussels World Fair and launched his career. He went on to become dean of the Yale School of Architecture. The Sanderling Beach House, also designed by Rudolph, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Three tennis courts and a 15-slip marina were added in later years.

A Closer Look – Sanderling Club

Powder-white beaches, a Paul Rudolph-designed cabana club exclusively for the use of residents, acre-plus lots, deed restrictions that protect the natural—what’s not to love about the very private Sanderling Club on the south end of Siesta Key? (more…)