Archive for the ‘Neighborhood Reports’ Category
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Posted by Michael Saunders on February 1, 2013
The housing market in Southwest Florida has successfully finished rebooting itself. In fully refreshing its fundamentals, it has given back as much as 40% of the exaggerated price appreciation that occurred at the peak of the housing bubble.
The number of homes for sale throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties is currently at its lowest level in seven years, which has sparked competition among buyers that has led to 12 straight months of year-over-year median price increases. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve did its part by lowering interest rates to historic, fire-sale levels—and has kept them there for quite some time. So while the pundits split hairs trying to decide whether real estate markets everywhere have truly hit bottom—which clearly happened in Southwest Florida at least a year ago—the cost of borrowing to buy a home has never been cheaper. (more…)
Posted by Tom Heatherman on February 1, 2013
From the look and feel of today’s Punta Gorda, you would never suspect that this beautiful and magnificently-planned waterfront community on the southern edge of Charlotte Harbor grew and prospered despite very hardscrabble beginnings.
Those days are chronicled in “Punta Gorda: In the Beginning, 1865-1900” a new book by Vernon Peeples, a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and a resident of Punta Gorda since 1933.
The painstaking research that went into the book’s telling of Punta Gorda’s early history was substantially augmented when Peeples was handed the daily journal of an 1874 Charlotte Harbor homesteader, Jarvis Howard, by one of Howard’s descendants who was visiting the area.
Read more about early Punta Gorda—and how Peeple’s book came to be—in this recent article from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, penned by Thomas Becnel. Entitled “Punta Gorda’s history, warts and all“ it will give you a new appreciation of how this wonderful and welcoming community sprang to life.
Posted by Michael Saunders on January 24, 2013
Ours is a brand new real estate market. The old market—the one with too much inventory at overheated prices—is history. Corrected pricing, record-low interest rates and a rejuvenating U.S. economy took care of that.
Today’s market is one in which architects and home builders are back at the table; creating homes for buyers who want to put their own personal stamp on a property while taking full advantage of all the latest innovations in residential design and construction. (more…)
Posted by John Butzko on January 11, 2013
Recently sold by Deborah Beacham in Lido Shores: 1219 Westway Drive.
Regarded as one of Sarasota’s most prestigious neighborhoods, Lido Shores is a quaint community with an eclectic mix of approximately 100 homes—many of which are contemporary creations designed by accomplished and distinguished Sarasota School of Architecture scholars.
The waterfront properties have frontage on Pansy Bayou, New Pass, Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, all of which offer direct, deepwater boating access to open water. Residents of Lido Shores enjoy the convenience of walking distance to St. Armands Circle and Mote Marine, and are just a short drive from the amenities of downtown Sarasota.
Real Estate Market Activity – Lido Shores
Of the eight sales on Lido Shores in 2012, five of them involved Michael Saunders & Company’s agents. Selling prices have ranged from $1,425,000 for a two-bedroom/two-bath home up to $7,100,000 for a five-bedroom/six-bath estate. (more…)
Posted by John Butzko on December 14, 2012
Pictured: 603 Baronet Lane, listed by Kathy Valente.
Holmes Beach, on Anna Maria Island, is the setting for Key Royale, a private membership golf community with a beautiful waterfront location. Extremely tranquil and upscale, the site is perfect for the avid boater, fisherman, yachtsman or golfer.
Properties in Key Royale are situated on both the bay and canals, with old-Florida styles that also pay homage to the best Mediterranean designs. Extremely popular among discerning homebuyers, there is still a limited choice of beautifully situated home sites. (more…)
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Posted by John Butzko on August 9, 2012
Siesta Key Real Estate Report: Dolphin Bay
An Owner’s View of Dolphin Bay on Siesta Key…
as told by Sara Chester, Sarasota real estate agent and Dolphin Bay resident:
Many of us remember a wonderful restaurant and night club on Siesta Key called Magic Moments. This is now the location for Dolphin Bay, a condominium complex containing three buildings with a total of only 50 units—and certainly a community with its share of “magic moments!”
Built between 1997 and 1998, Dolphin Bay boasts three Har-Tru tennis courts, an exercise room, a beautiful clubhouse and a pool—along with 50 sets of friendly owners, making this a paradise within a paradise. There are weekly barbeques, clubhouse activities and parties that are enjoyed by all. The grounds and buildings are kept to perfection, and the day dock and fishing pier are set right on Little Sarasota Bay for an additional attraction. A short walk takes the owners to world-famous Siesta Key Beach, recently voted the #1 beach in the nation.
Those who own here are happy and proud to be a part of each “magic moment” at Dolphin Bay. (more…)
Posted by John Butzko on July 26, 2012
Sarasota homes for sale. Pictured: 2219 Brookhaven Drive.
If you were to look for the exact center of activities and amenities on the Sarasota real estate map, you would find Forest Lakes. With a very convenient location, Forest Lakes Country Club Estates is just minutes to everything—downtown Sarasota, Siesta and Lido beaches, shopping at Westfield Southgate Shopping Center, corner markets within a mile, and an assortment of popular restaurants. Once an active golf community—and may be once again—most homes back to the green space that was formerly home to the golf course, creating a feeling of openness and expansive living. But what really distinguishes this community of homes in Sarasota is its established, cohesive neighborhood, where mandatory deed restrictions ensure it maintains its special character. (more…)
Posted by John Butzko on June 28, 2012
Pictured: 6607 Chickadee Lane.
Where is Greenbrook? Located east of I-75 and accessible from University Parkway, north on Lorraine Road with communities east and west, or south of SR-70 accessible from Greenbrook Blvd, Greenbrook boasts convenience to a wealth of area amenities.
Lifestyle options are plentiful in condominiums and varying-size homes—available in both existing and new construction. Perfect for any taste, the prices in the community range from condominium residences offered at $70,000 to four and five-bedroom homes offered at $625,000—and all price points in between. The neighborhoods in Greenbrook are well planned and amble around a number of tranquil lakes with a natural old Florida backdrop. (more…)
Posted by John Butzko on June 21, 2012
Discover challenging golf and luxurious lifestyles in The Concession.
Unmatched and unique, rare and wonderful, The Concession presents its residents with an unparalleled golf course lifestyle framed by panoramic views and lush tropical landscaping. Named in the “Top 100 Courses in the U.S. 2009″ by Golf Magazine, the 18-hole, par 72 golf course is located on the border of the beautiful Lakewood Ranch community in Bradenton, Florida. The 520 acres of ruggedly pristine property is graced with massive oak trees and Florida wildlife, as meticulous attention to detail is evident for the Old Florida feeling throughout the entire community. Few rooflines are visible from the golf course, and its core design bestows a natural and uninterrupted golf experience coupled with scenic water features and breathtaking vistas. (more…)
Posted by John Butzko on June 7, 2012
For those searching for a full-time residence or an exceptional getaway home on Siesta Key, the remarkable Coquille community is the perfect destination. Built in 1983, these townhomes live more like single-family homes as they have spacious, well-designed floor plans with generously sized lofts. Units offer two-car garages under the building with additional storage.
Residents of the 27 residences enjoy the property’s lush landscaping, pool and beach access, as well as the joy of having the grounds and building maintained at the direction of the well-run association. The community is exclusive and private, and pets are allowed. (more…)
