Palm Island offers a relaxed, tropical ambiance accessible only by boat. Pictured: 370 Bocilla Dr.
Spectacular sunsets of the Gulf of Mexico greet you each evening when you arrive by boat or car ferry to the stunning beauty of Palm Island, a gorgeous laidback island paradise located just off the coast of Cape Haze. Comprised of four interconnected islands accessible only by boat, the pace of life is befitting to its calm, tropically elegant ambiance.
A fabulous place to spend your vacation or a lifetime enjoying the beaches, tennis, diving or frequenting fabulous restaurants, authentic island life is epitomized through gliding yachts, golden shores and traditional beach homes. The marina, located on the mainland, offers convenient storage for your boat with easy accessibility to the island. (more…)
Bob brings decades of real estate and complementary business experience to Michael Saunders & Company. Before buying a home here in southwest Florida in 2005, Bob spent most of his life in New England, where he was involved in mass media, marketing and advertising for more than 20 years. He also created a chain of theme-based retail stores and managed them for more than ten years.
Over the years, Bob has bought and sold a number of residential, commercial and vacation properties for his own investment, and has gained experience in transactions involving 1031 exchanges. He has also been involved in condominium and planned unit development projects.
Originally from Minocqua, Wisconsin, Bob and Mary Ellen took homestead in South Gulf Cove in 2009 after 26 years of vacationing in the Venice/Nokomis area. As The Poggemann Team, they specialize in waterfront properties.
Mary Ellen began her real estate career in Wisconsinin 1982, where she specialized in residential properties. Since then, she has earned the Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Residential Network Specialist (RNS) designations to enhance the service she provides her clients.
After 28 years of owning and operating a residential building company, where he built over 250 homes in Northern Wisconsin, Bob transitioned his experience to the real estate industry in 2002. He has earned the Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designations.
Discover a relaxed way of life on Little Gasparilla Island. Photo courtesy of James Royce Photography.
Enjoy a perfect vacation destination with balmy breezes and dazzling sunsets. A barrier island located just north of Boca Grande, Little GasparillaIsland is where you will find peace and tranquility while engaging in your favorite water-based pastimes. This bridgeless tropical respite is a world away from the rush and hurried pace of the mainland, as there are no roads and no traffic. (more…)
Originally from Danville, Illinois, Kevin relocated to Florida in 1989. A sales professional throughout his entire career, Kevin has been a licensed real estate agent since 2000. During that time, he has focused his expertise on waterfront properties in and around Palm Island, and has been named a 2008, 2009 and 2010 “Best in Client Satisfaction” Five-Star Agent.
A veteran of property sales and vacation rentals on Palm Island, Don Pedro Island and the surrounding coastal communities near Englewood, Kevin has developed a reputation for friendly and efficient customer services. Together with his wife, Charlene, the couple established the firm Mackin Realty, specializing in providing a high level of locally focused expertise for their buyers and sellers.
A 30-mile, largely natural peninsula overlooking the Gulf of Mexico on the relaxed southwest Florida coast, Cape Haze sits approximately 45 miles south of cosmopolitan Sarasota. Surrounded by Palm Island, Little Gasparilla, Don Pedro, Cayo Costa and Pine Island, the area offers a relaxed Gulf Coast lifestyle with tropical Caribbean features for those wishing to get away from it all.
The weather for this region is typically dry and crisp from November through April, as Cape Haze is coddled by a pleasant Caribbean Sea climate. May through October tend to get much hotter with more rainfall. With several golf clubs in the area, the weather makes it pleasant year round to indulge in your favorite sport, whether it be golfing or fishing in secret and unmapped inlets, creeks, and waterways. (more…)
Discover a range of home styles in Rotonda West. Pictured: 902 Boundary Blvd.
Perfectly situated near the beautiful Gulf of Mexico—mid-way between Sarasota and Fort Myers—Rotonda West offers its residents a peaceful, planned community embellished by meticulously kept grounds and rolling golf course fairways. There are six golf courses, including four operated by Rotonda Golf & Country Club and two by Pinemoor Golf Club. Clubs, activities, and many volunteer opportunities abound for those who wish to become involved.
Thirty miles of picturesque canals, lakes and ponds wind through the community and offer an abundance of fishing and boating opportunities. Additionally, many exotic and beautiful birds call Rotonda West home, as the community is a designated Bird Sanctuary. Nearby recreation facilities, beaches, theaters, sporting events and fine restaurants are available for all tastes and preferences.
Find the right Halloween event for your family this weekend.
For those of you who tuned in to last week’s Top Ten blog, we uncovered and discussed the top pumpkin patches and festivals setting the stage for this weekend’s Halloween celebration. From the spooky to the family-friendly, our area has a bit of everything to entertain children and parent’s alike on this horror-based holiday.
So, get your costumes and candy bags ready and take a trip to one of these top Sarasota-area Halloween events:
Haunted Theatre & Walking Ghost – Meet at the Players Theatre on Saturday, October 30 at 9:30pm to begin the ghost walking tour through Sarasota’s Historic Theatre District, with a stop along the way at the Rosemary Cemetery. Return to the Players Theatre at 11:00pm and enjoy finger foods and refreshments provided by Sundance Catering. Ghost Hunters of SRQ will begin the inside tour of the theatre at 11:30pm. Lead by local Ghost Author Kim Cool. $15 per person (includes complimentary finger foods)
Sarasota’s Largest Pumpkin Carving Contest – This Saturday, October 30, Sarasota’s Largest Pumpkin Carving Contest starts at 8am and all pumpkins must be submitted by 3pm. You can purchase and carve a pumpkin on-site or bring your already carved pumpkin. $5 entrance fee per pumpkin. $500 Cash Award to overall winner, $100 to Student overall winner, $100 to Child overall winner and dozens of prizes! Find out more HERE. (more…)
Get out and enjoy this Labor Day weekend. You earned it.
Celebrated since September of 1882, Labor Day is a longstanding observance dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the American workforce and the contributions they have made to the prosperity and well-being of our country. It also signifies a long weekend for many to ring in the unofficial end of summer, complete with family outings, barbecues and more.
As with all holidays and special occasions, the greater Sarasota area is filled with events and activities to entertain residents and visitors–and you deserve it. Here are our top 10 Labor Day weekend activities taking place in the Sarasota area:
1. Labor Day Family Picnic at the Point – Bring the whole family for a day of fun at Historic Spanish Point, the premier outdoor museum. This Monday, September 6, starting at 9:00 am, just $10 per car load gives your family access to 30 acres of shady nature trails, scenic boardwalks, historic buildings, rich gardens, bay breezes and more, with plenty of picnic tables at a variety of interesting locations throughout the museum. Bring a Frisbee or baseball bat and balls and play on the Lychee Field near one of the largest butterfly gardens in the area, or take in some sunshine right next to the cool waters of Little Sarasota Bay overlooking Casey Key. Sorry no grills or pets. Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with no site admittance after 4:00pm. Visit HERE for more information.
2. Labor Day All Day Celebration – Looking for a delicious brunch complemented with live music on your extra weekend day? Blu Smoke Island Grill and Bar is offering an all-you-can-eat-and-drink Holiday Weekend Brunch starting at 9am and ending at noon on Monday, September 7. Stay for the pig roast from noon – 4 pm and live reggae on the from 2-6 pm. Go HERE for more information.
3. 5th Annual Selby Instructors’ Summer Showcase – This Monday, September 6, enjoy an annual exhibit and sale showcasing the work of many of Selby’s talented art instructors, giving you a preview of the fun and interesting experiences waiting at the Gardens every week. Come see this exhibit and be inspired to sign up for classes taught by these talented artists and instructors. Many of the works will also be available for sale. Cost: Included in admission to Gardens. More information is HERE. (more…)
The city of Englewood offers a warm, welcoming feeling with an “off the beaten path” casualness. The desire for natural conservation is paramount. The city has passed on the over-development of tall buildings in favor of a natural waterfront landscape.
The homes range from small bungalows to large estates. Much of the Old Florida architecture has remained. Many existing homes have direct water access, ranging from small single-family homes to expansive luxury homes. There are also a number of condominiums and townhouses. Many historic homes are located in the Dearborn Street District, an area being revitalized as an environmentally-redesigned Green neighborhood.
Does refinancing fit your situation?
Whether you're buying a home or refinancing, MSC Mortgage provides valuable online tools
and resources to help you make the decisions that are right for you.
For the best service with any of your home financing needs,
talk to one of our private mortgage bankers today.
