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  • The Neighborhood Report - Venice Island

    John Butzko 2:14 am on March 11, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
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    A stroll along the storefronts along Venice Avenue on Venice Island.

    People love to live on and visit downtown Venice—located on Venice Island—where they find a small town atmosphere with plenty to see and do. Here, there is an active center of town where you can stroll down Venice Avenue and enjoy the shops and outside cafes, just a breath away from beautiful area beaches. Convenience is key, as one can ride a bike or walk to most places of interest on Venice Island.

    Market Activity – Venice Island

    In the past 30 days, 17 properties sold and 58 have gone under contract on Venice Island, according to Venice office branch manager Kathy Wood. Recently, Venice office agents Jo-Anne Sckowska and Nell Taylor worked with a vacationing couple who wanted a condominium to use as a vacation place for now and eventually move into. All the properties that met their criteria were in different areas off the island, and Jo-Anne and Nell could tell the homebuyers weren’t very enthusiastic about them. So, the team suggested they view a listing across from the beach with a nice side Gulf view. This listing was a bit dated and needed updating, but was near where they were staying and convenient to all of downtown’s charms. As they walked in and looked out the window at the wonderful view, they were able to overlook the updating needs. They wrote a contract for cash on this island condominium and will go to closing very soon. (More …)

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  • The Neighborhood Report – Turtle Rock

    John Butzko 5:00 pm on February 10, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
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    Turtle Rock offers a variety of residential options to suit any taste.

    Turtle Rock is a gated residential community located in the heart of Palmer Ranch. The community is comprised of 751 properties, including single-family homes and maintenance-free villas set within a lovely background of serene beauty. Most of the homes enjoy views of the pristine lakes and natural preserves. Residents enjoy an assortment of great amenities, such as tennis, basketball, swimming, walking, biking and even canoeing. In Turtle Rock, you are just steps away from the ever-popular Legacy Trail, where you can bike, jog or rollerblade 11 miles to Venice. Whether you are an active adult, early retiree or have a young family, there is a home that is right for you. (More …)

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  • The Neighborhood Report – Plantation Golf & Country Club

    John Butzko 2:49 pm on January 5, 2010 | Comments:2 Permalink | Reply
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    Our Plantation office is ready to assist homebuyers and sellers throughout the area.

    Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice was open for business with the completion of the Bobcat golf course in 1981. The Plantation added the second 18-hole Panther golf course in 1991 to complete the Ron Garl-designed 36 holes of championship golf. The courses feature two distinctively different layouts, providing challenging play and a rewarding golf experience at every level.

    The Plantation community consists of 1,300 acres and is approaching its build-out plan of 2,800 homes. Club membership is not restricted to residents of the community. Plantation offers a friendly yet refined atmosphere of comfortable elegance and first-class amenities, which include 13 Har-Tru lighted tennis courts, a heated junior-Olympic size swimming pool, a spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a grand clubhouse with the ambiance and charm of “Old Florida.” Plantation was voted “Best Private Country Club,” “Best Banquet Facilities” and “Best Tennis Facilities” by the Herald Tribune’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Plantation Golf & Country Club is very proud to have been selected to host the LPGA Annual Tour Qualifying School since 1987, one of only two qualifying schools in the nation. And, the Bobcat and Panther courses are included in the Golf Digest’s Places to Play Directory. (More …)

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  • Retirement Rocks

    Michael Saunders & Company 3:44 pm on November 4, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: baby boomers, , CNNMoney.com, , Gulf Coast, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, retirement, , , TripAdvisor, venice

    retirement

    At first blush, being singled-out as one of America’s best places to retire might seem like a dubious distinction in a culture that celebrates youth and scorns aging.  Stereotyped to the max on TV shows like Seinfeld and The Golden Girls—and in films like Cocoon—the typical Florida retiree is usually depicted as a curmudgeonly old man or loopy old woman—or vice versa—who get their kicks tossing off salty one-liners at a dithering spouse, roommate or long-suffering offspring.

    Now, just as they’ve redefined every phase of their lives, Baby Boomers have taken society’s idea of retirement and turned it on its ear.  Don’t expect Boomers to dodder quietly over to their porch rockers; for even in retirement, they’re completely re-ordering the way communities perceive their worth and cater to their needs.  They’re healthy, active, adventurous, and fit; and able to consume and contribute as much as ever.  Moreover, they are very demanding of where they live and expect in retirement the same sort of recreational, cultural and health-related amenities they’ve grown accustomed to over the years.

    Nowadays, if your town is named one of America’s ten best places to retire it clearly has its act together and is poised for even greater prosperity down the road.  It takes much more than warm weather and clear skies to satisfy Boomers and the larger generations of retirees to follow.  For this reason we heartily congratulate Venice, Port Charlotte, Englewood and Punta Gorda for consistently receiving top recognition as four of America’s foremost places to retire and live well.

    This year Port Charlotte was named best place to retire by CNNMoney.com. Last year, Punta Gorda was named one of the healthiest places to retire by U.S. News & World Report. The year before Venice topped the U.S. News list. Meanwhile, with five natural beaches, world-class fishing, unusual boutiques, and ample golfing it is no surprise that nearby Englewood has been listed as the number two U.S. destination to visit in 2009 by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community.

    (More …)

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  • Ask Michael - Why the West Coast Of Florida?

    Holli Schleicher 2:40 pm on October 29, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
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    Florida’s west coast attracts many visitors and new residents from all over the world. Company CEO and Founder Michael Saunders talks about many special things that make our area so compelling.

    What is so compelling about the west coast of Florida?

    If you have questions for Michael Saunders, email AskMichael@michaelsaunders.com.

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  • Spooky Sarasota – Top 10 Sarasota Area Haunts

    John Butzko 2:54 pm on October 22, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
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    Sarasota's past comes alive for Halloween. Pictured is an artist's representation of a spooky Sarasota.

    Sarasota's past comes alive for Halloween. Pictured is an artist's rendition of a spooky Sarasota.

    The mere mention of the name Sarasota is enough to cast fear into the minds of those who are aware of its terrifying past. No other place in the world is home to a more gruesome, bone-chilling history of blood-curdling horror and shocking tales of ghastly fright sunken deep within… 

    Ok, I apologize. None of that is even remotely true. But with Halloween just around the corner, I would be remiss to let this moment pass without researching and digging up the scary tales and spooky celebrations found throughout the Sarasota area. Turns out, our sleepy waterfront destination is more sun drenched than blood drenched, which is fine by me. 

    While we may not boast the macabre notoriety of places like Salem or Transylvania, you can rest assured that Sarasota does have some skeletons hiding in its tropical closet. Here are the top 10 most horrifying stories and scary places of Halloween celebration throughout the Gulf Coast area. Beware—some of these may cause nightmares. Probably not, though.  (More …)

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  • Neighborhood Report – Venice Stories of Success

    John Butzko 3:12 pm on October 20, 2009 | Comments:1 Permalink | Reply
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    Venice Beach is just one of the area's many wonderful charms. Photo courtesy of coastalliving.com.

    Venice Beach is just one of the area's many wonderful charms. Photo courtesy of coastalliving.com.

    Venice office branch manager Kathy Wood enthusiastically reports a strong market in the Venice area; and she’s right to be excited. According to the Florida Regional Venice MLS, sales of single-family homes in August rose 49.12 percent compared to August of 2008, and condominiums sales for the month of August rose 40 percent compared to August of 2008. 

    Just how important is it to know your market?

    As one of our Venice agents recently learned, it is very important to be familiar with the market you serve. You will hear the same response from any number of Michael Saunders & Company agents, in any number of our offices, because they are all consummate professionals who have made it their business to know their area of expertise. They make a point to actually see the inventory on caravans each week, prepare comparative market analyses (CMA) for potential listings, and familiarize themselves with the surrounding area. (More …)

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  • Well-Known and Well-Hidden – Top 10 Best Sarasota-Area Beaches

    John Butzko 2:49 pm on September 17, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
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    The End of Summer Doesn't Mean the End of Beach Days on Florida's Gulf Coast

    The end of summer never indicates the end of beach days on Florida's Gulf Coast

    As the summer season winds to an end, we find it perfectly fitting to boast the beautiful weather that defines Florida’s Gulf Coast. While those up north are readying their snow shovels, winter coats and heating systems, we here can continue donning our bathing attire to enjoy a few more months of frolicking on our favorite area beaches—some of which are renowned as among the world’s very best.

    To send a taste of our tropical splendor to our cold weather friends, we present the top 10 beaches on Florida’s Southwest Coast. To help guide travelers on their journey down, these spots are listed from north to south. (More …)

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  • The Neighborhood Report - Venice Communities

    John Butzko 4:16 pm on August 27, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
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    2223 Lakewood Drive in Sorrento East

    2223 Lakewood Drive in Sorrento East

    To meet the demands and realities of the real estate market on Florida’s Gulf Coast, our agents place a strong emphasis on correctly pricing the properties they represent. Homebuyers are taking notice of these exceptional opportunities, resulting in increased activity throughout the area. Within the last 60 days, our Venice offices have noticed marked activity in Sorrento East, one of mid-Sarasota County’s most sought-after neighborhoods.

    Sorrento East Stats and Successes

    In the $150,000 to $250,000 price range, there currently are seven active listings, three pending, and three that sold in the last 60 days. Located in Sorrento East, 472 Rubens Drive East was listed by Drew Russell of the Palmer Ranch office and sold by Bonnie Morley of the Venice office. Priced at $180,000, the property went under contract in just six days and closed at $170,000—within 94 percent of the list price.

    Also under contract is a listing of Venice agent Laura Kovac, just three houses away at 478 Rubens Drive East, priced at $239,000. This home went under contract on August 6 and is due to close on September 21.

    Buyers have been searching for quite some time, and when a well-priced property is shown to them, they recognize not only the value, but the need to move quickly in this price range.

    Other Active Areas

    Another neighborhood that is not distressed and where prices are holding relatively well is Laurel Hollow in Nokomis, where two homes sold within a week of each other in May. While distressed homes are definitely having an impact on our market and getting most of the media attention, buyers prefer those that are correctly priced in more established communities and are moving quickly to buy at today’s prices. Convenient to both Sarasota and Venice, Sorrento East and Laurel Hollow are within minutes of the beach on Casey Key, have easy access to I-75 and Route 41, and have excellent schools, shopping, and restaurants at hand. Oscar Scherer State Park and the new Legacy Trail are just a mile away. This area is a quiet gem in the greater beauty of Sarasota County.

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  • The Neighborhood Report - Venice

    John Butzko 11:42 am on July 16, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
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    Venice Office

    Venice Office

    Known as both the City on the Gulf and the Sharks’ Tooth Capital of the WorldVenice is a meticulously planned city, with sweeping tree-lined boulevards leading to beaches, parks, greenways and residential areas. With three Venice locations—Venice Beach, Venice Island and Venice Mainland—Michael Saunders & Company provides the most knowledgeable area experts around for the best in real estate services.

    How’s the Market in Venice?

    Located just off Venice Island’s storied stretch of dining, shopping and entertainment venues on Venice Avenue, our Venice office at 110 Nokomis Avenue is stirring with activity from interested homebuyers. Branch Manager Kathy Wood has noticed stabilizing prices in some areas, leading to a significant decrease in property inventory. (More …)

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