Heritage Oaks - A Golfer's Community

Heritage Oaks is a private, gated and moderately-priced Sarasota golf and country club community just East of I-75. The community offers villas, single-family detached homes, and veranda-style condominiums. Very nice condos and villas are available in the $200 and low $300's while larger homes on the most desirable lots are typically priced from the high 300's to the high 400's.

The Heritage Oaks 18 hole golf course is maintained in top condition nestled behind the clubhouse with all the amenities you expect fdrom a first class country club: 5 pools, 4 lighted tennis courts, putting green, aqua driving range, professionally staffed fitness center, meeting rooms, full service dining room, the 19th Hole Grille Room, patio dining. The Heritage Oaks country club community is only about a 20 minute drive to all the action, entertainment and cultural amenities in Downtown Sarasota.

An example of the fine homes available in Heritage Oaks is this single-family pool home that may be just what you're looking for. The Rutenburg "York" model split 4 bedroom, 3 bath floorplan provides plenty of room for the family that wants to be together in the family room and then off to their own private side of the layout.

The open eat-in concept kitchen offers access to the major gathering areas of the home with the pool conveniently located off the coffered ceiling living room. The master suite with tray ceiling, the vaulted ceiling family room and the 4th bedroom with the pool bath. Accordion hurricane shutters on all windows except the front entry and pool lanai which uses the hurricane screen to flex with the wind pressure on the lanai and the front door.

The 3-car garage will accommodate three vehicles or your golf cart in the third bay. The HVAC system was replaced about 3 years ago and the water heater is brand new. This home built in 2000 is available now at the attractive price of $479,000.

If you would like to view this home and other similarly attractive homes in Heritage Oaks or homes in other Sarasota golf course communities, call me today at 941.266.1799 and please mention MLS # A4101622 when you call. I'd be delighted to discuss any facet of the Sarasota real estate market with you when you call.

Preserve at Misty Creek Home Available Now

Here is a stunning, meticulously maintained 3,678 sq ft home on one of the largest, most beautiful waterview lots in the Preserve at Misty Creek.

With 4 generously sized bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, formal living & dining rooms, a gorgeous chef’s kitchen, family room and game room, the layout of the home is sensational. The master bathroom is stunning, the wine cooler and wet bar are perfectly located for entertaining casually or in the formal areas and the full outdoor kitchen with a gas fireplace makes for another lovely entertaining spot as the sun sets over the lake.

Whoever purchases this fine home now priced at $724,900, will receive a free full year’s membership at the Misty Creek Country Club.

Preserve at Misty Creek is located on 730 acres in eastern Sarasota County is a deed-restricted, gated community of 302 single-family homes. Abundant wildlife including deer, sandhill cranes, red-tailed hawks, and others share the live oak hammocks, wetlands and extensive areas of open conservation spaces. Residents may fish and paddle on the many lakes in Misty Creek.

Membership in the Misty Creek Country Club, a private member-owned 18-hole championship golf course within is one of the amenities avasilable to Misty Creek residents. Good shcools including Lakeview Elementary, Sarasota Middle and Riverview High are Sarasota County Schools serve the community but magnet, parochial and private schools are also available.

This outstanding home at 8311 Eagle Crossing in this incredible golf and country club community is truly one you must see if your plans include the possibility of becoming a Sarasota resident. Its amenities both in and out are just too numerous to mention.

The current owners are motivated but not foolish and are willing to consider serious offers from serious buyers. Furnishings are available under a separate contract.

If you'd like to tour this home this week, call me at 941.266.1799. I'd be happy to show you this and other Sarasota golf course homes throughout the Sarasota and Bradenton area. When you call, please mention MLS # A4107262.

Longboat Key - A Touch of Casual Elegance

Longboat Key is the quietest of Sarasota's barrier islands. One single main street, Gulf of Mexico Drive, runs the entire length of the island with short lanes and cul de sacs on each side. Those side streets are lined with everything from a few remaining old Florida-style cottages to maintenance-free luxury villas and high-rise luxury condos. There are also dozens of waterfront mansions with gorgeous views of either Sarasota Bay for those facing east or the Gulf of Mexico for those facing west.

Longboat Key spans two counties; the southern end is in Sarasota County while the northern end extends into Manatee County. Just south of Longboat Key lies St. Armands Circle and Lido Key and to the north, it reaches to Anna Maria Island off the Bradenton, Florida coast. Known for its tasteful luxury, manicured surroundings, excellent private golf courses, and the absolute dearth pf neon signs a gaudy billboards, Longboat Key makes a statement of "casual luxury and elgance."

With a average year-round temperature of 73 degrees, Longboat Key, with its almost constant soft breezes, is the perfect place for all sorts of relaxing activities from golfing and biking to tennis, fishing and sailing or even just leisurely strolls through boutique shops and elegant dining in 5-star restaurants.

Golfers especially like Longboat Key, it being the only barrier island in the Sarasota Florida area with a 45-hole golf course at the private Longboat Key Club. The Longboat Key Club Harbourside course is a 27-hole layout of three 9-hole courses. Bordering Sarasota Bay, this course plays through stands of oak, palm, fig, palmetto and southern pine trees. But, the almost constant wind puts a premium on accurate shot-making. The more gentle breezes off the Gulf of Mexico keep Harbourside a refreshing challenge year round. The 6,792-yard Islandside golf course, set in a protected bird sanctuary, borders the Gulf of Mexico and features water hazards on all 18 holes making accuracy off the tee essential.

Those who own a yacht or a large sailboat will appreciate the 291 protected deep-water slips at the Longboat Key Club Moorings Marina with no obstructions between their slip and Gulf of Mexico waters.

Those who appreciate the arts will enjoy not only the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, with its permanent collection and changing exhibits of invitational shows, art classes and workshops, and cultural events year round. A brief drive across a bridge to Lido Key and then the Ringling Bridge and Causeway brings you to the heart of the Downtown Sarasota Arts & Cultural District.

If you are considering purchasing a Sarasota Florida luxury home or condo, especially if a waterfront location is on your mind, it would be a mistake not to let me introduce you to the "Longboat Key Lifestyle" before you make a final decision. I assure you that you will definitely be impressed by this "Little Sliver or Paradise".

Call me at 941.266.1799 for answers to all your questions about Longboat Key. I would be delighted to show you this wonderful place.

Elegant Sarasota Luxury Waterfront Condo For Sale on Lido Key

  In a luxurious building directly on Lido Beach with walls of windows and a glass balcony railing, this spacious and magnificent end-unit, 2 bedroom, 2 bath condominium at L'Elegance has wide views of Sarasota Bay and the Sarasota city skyline together with gulf views from the master terrace. The Brighton floor plan was altered to create a generous master suite with office/sitting room and enormous walk-in closet. The expansive terrace off the living room provides amazing outdoor living space and the split bedroom floorplan gives you and your guests privacy. Large ceramic tile covers the floors in the main living areas with carpeting in the bedrooms. There are wonderful built-ins in the den and in the living room. The A/C system has been recently replaced.

  L'Elegance is a well-maintained beachfront Sarasota condo complex near the eclectic shopping and dining at St. Armands Circle. There is a heated pool, tennis courts, on-site management, fitness room and pets are allowed! has been professionally decorated and being sold turn key-furnished.

L'Elegance, on the southern end of Lido Key, contains 105 units and includes 24/7 secured lobby, interior hallways and elevators, assigned parking spaces, a 50-foot lap-lane swimming pool and spa, a children’s wading pool, 2 tennis courts, dry saunas, fitness center/gym, library and a meeting room with wireless Internet access. It is an active community with a busy social calendar for its residents including things like monthly sunset parties, catered brunches and dinners.

Once you see it, it will be hard not to fall in love with this truly attractive and spacious condo at 1800 Ben Franklin Drive Unit # 407. You can own this L'Elegance waterfront condo for $1,099,000.

Vist my Sarasota real estate website for more information on L'Elegance and other attractive Sarasota waterfront condos or, if you prefer, just call me at 941-266-1799 and mention MLS # A3998072. I'd be happy to answer your questions about this and many other attractive Sarasota waterfront real estate offerings.

Broadway Promenade - Enjoy "The Good Life" in Sarasota Florida

  A grand condominium built to offer the "good life" to it's residents, Broadway Promenade offers a luxurious lifestyle including concierge and valet service, a Publix grocery store, plus retail & office space right within the complex. Other amenities include a gathering room, a library, a billiards room, a fully-equipped athletic center, a resort-style heated pool and sundeck, saunas, and an outdoor grilling area.

  Broadway Promenade is one of the most affordable, newer downtown Sarasota condos and yet it is located right in the Arts and Cultural District of Sarasota across the street from Sarasota Bay. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Players Theatre are within a comfortable walking distance as are numerous other theaters, concert venues, fine restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shopping venues.

  The eclectic shopping and dining at St. Armands Circle is a short trip across the Ringling Bridge while the Lido Key's beaches and warm waters are just a hop and a skip beyond St Armands. For those who own a boat, marinas and mooring areas are also nearby. And, for your convenience and security, underground parking is available.

  If your plans don't support the notion of buying one of the much more expensive Downtown Sarasota condos, a Broadway Promenade condo might be perfect for you. The 187 residences at Broadway Promenade range from cozy 860 sq.ft. units to some with over 2,050 sq.ft. Units have from 1 to 3 bedrooms and all have private balconies facing Sarasota Bay, Downtown, the park or the central courtyard of the complex. Broadway Promenade condos are priced from the $200's to the mid $300's although there are a few 1 bedroom units that sell for less than $200,000.

  I would be delighted to show you Sarasota condos for sale at Broadway Promenade or any of the several other Downtown Sarasota living opportunities.

  If you'd like more information on Broadway Promenade or other reasonably priced Sarasota condos, call me today at 941.266.1799. If Broadway Promenade doesn't seem to be exactly what you want, I invite you to visit my Sarasota real estate website where you'll be able to review to the full range of residential options available to you in Sunny Sarasota Florida.

Do You Know About the Sarasota Luxury Condos at the Alinari Complex

  The Alinari luxury condominium complex located at 800 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota consists of two buildings, the Renaissance Alinari andthe Alinari at Rosemary Place, next door. Both are located across the street from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Centennial Park. Among all Sarasota condos, the Alinari rates as one of the most attractive and most attractively priced Downtown Sarasota condos for the amenities offered.

  Alinari at the Renaissance is a 16-story tower with 244 one, two and three-bedroom floor plans as well as unique terrace and garden lofts, plus penthouse choices including a 2-story floor plan, all with spectacular views of Sarasota Bay and the Arts and Cultural District. Alinari at Rosemary Place, completed in 2007, includes 205 one, two and three bedroom residences with equally appealing views.

  Both Alinari towers are within walking distance of the acclaimed Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the Players Theatre, and only minutes from the Sarasota Opera House, Sarasota Orchestra, Asolo Theatre, Ringling Museum of Art, Selby Botanical Gardens and Sarasota's beautiful beaches on Lido Key.

  Amenities at the Alinari luxury condominiums include:

• Concierge service, Billiard room, Fitness center, and Poolside cabanas
• Lap pool, Spa and Saunas
• Movie theater
• Guest Suites
• Temperature-controlled Wine cellar
• High Speed Internet and Business Center
• Controlled Access Parking
• Climate-controlled storage

  Alimari luxury condominium residences are typically available from the lowto mid $300s to $1.3 million for the penthouse units. These spacious Sarasota condo living spaces range from 1,070 to 2,595 square feet

  Here's an example of what's available at Alinari. This is the view from the terrace of your turnkey-furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit with 1,323 sq feet of air conditioned space. It is tastefully decorated and just waiting for your arrival.

  You will enjoy the Downtown Sarasota condo lifestyle at its best here at Alinari, or if you choose, use it as a rental income investment for the attractive price of $380,000.

  If you'd like to tour this attractive Alinari condo for sale this week, call me at 941.266.1799 and please mention MLS Listing # A3997867. Id at his point you'[d just like to know more about your Sarasota real estate options available to you, visit my Sarasota real estate website.

Truly Unique Longboat Key Penthouse Residence Now Available at Tangerine Bay Club

  If you have been seeking a truly unique Longboat Key luxury condominium residence, here it is - a stunning penthouse residence sitting atop the Tangerine Bay Club with magnificent views of Sarasota Bay and the Sarasota skyline.

  Tangerine Bay Club is a complex of 90 luxury condos in 10 Mediterranean architectural style buildings behind the security and privacy of a 24/7 manned gate. Two-story penthouses like this one sit atop each building. Laid out in a horseshoe formation around an attractive lagoon, these Longboat key luxury condos overlook an island with a resort-size, heated swimming pool with waterfalls and spa. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and a well-equipped club house.

  You'll enjoy 3,010 square feet of spacious living featuring three bedrooms, four and one-half baths as well as an office or den area on the second level. Soaring ceilings, skylights, a gas fireplace in the great room and stunning marble floors are just a few of the wonderful details that make this condominium residence so special. All three bedrooms are en-suite, perfect for accommodating family and friends. A huge, private two-car garage offers lots of additional storage.

You will also enjoy morning or evening strolls through the lushly landscaped property, over the bridge to the fabulous waterfall pool or to the fishing pier and day dock.

  This is a perfect location across the street from the Longboat Key Club Islandside golf courses, just minutes from the St. Armand's Circle shopping and dining mecca and just another 5 minutes across the Ringling Bridge to all the arts, cultural, shopping, dining and entertainment venues of Downtown Sarasota.

  This unit is available to you for $1,164,900. Furniture in the unit is available for purchase under a separate bill of sale for $15,000, but the oil painting over the sofa in living room is excluded.

  Longboat Key luxury condos like this one are seldom available at this price point, so call me now at 941-266-1799 to tour this uniquely stunning penthouse. Please mention MLS # A3982935 when you call. I'd be delighted to show you this property this weekend.

August Real Estate Report for Sarasota Florida

  The National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced this month that existing home sales climbed nationwide by 2.4% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.15 million. On the bright side, the pressures that caused home sales to stall last year seem to have eased. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has dropped back to just over 4.1% and home prices are no longer rising at double-digit annual rates.

  Unfortunately, all that positive news aside, the outlook for real estate sales nationwide is also showing some weaknesses. Viewed regionally, July home sales in the Northeast were flat while Midwestern home sales increased by only 1.7% and remain 4.7% below the July, 2013 level. Home sale in the South did rise by 3.4% although the increases were not evenly spread across the whole region and in the West, sales climbed by only 2.6%, still 8.6% below the rate of sales in 2013.

  The S&P/Case Shiller index of 20 metropolitan areas reported in August that single-family home prices in those markets actually declined slightly in the first half of 2014. Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, warned that in upcoming months, the affordability of homes will most likely decline as median household incomes continue to lag inflation and the job market, while improving, is doing so only slowly and not evenly across the nation.

  A reputable economic agency reported that across all income levels, incomes have actually lost ground to inflation in the first half of 2014. According to a Rutgers University report, 41% of those surveyed reported that they have less pay and savings now than before the recession began in 2007. Only 7% of respondents say they're better off now. Adding to the downbeat outlook, as the Fed starts allowing interest rates rise in 2015, mortgage rates will inevitably rise making home affordability an even bigger issue. None of these factors bodes well for the housing industry across the United States.

  But then there's the Sarasota Florida “Sun Coast” area including Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and the barrier islands, Longboat, Lido, Bird and Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island. Here, you'd never know there that the housing market is facing headwinds. To date this year, Sarasota real estate sales volumes have been running at a near record breaking rate. The Sarasota Association of Realtors (SAR), reported that property sales in Sarasota County reached almost the 1,000 level for the fifth straight month in July. The year-to-date pace remains at or close to the near-historic level of sales rate in 2013. August sales, while a bit slower because this is the slowest time of the year for home sales, still look healthier than they have in years.

  In Sarasota County, the median sale price for the 12-month period ending in July, a statistic that moderates the effect of monthly swings, was up 11.2% for single-family homes and up 10.6% for condos over last year; a far different scenario than one sees on a nationwide basis. The inventory of homes and condos available for purchase dropped in July by a fairly significant one month decline of 6.7% as buying keep snapping up homes. The month’s supply of inventory for single family homes stood at a 4.4 month supply and for condos only a 3.8 month supply. “The Sarasota real estate market remains a seller’s market, with low inventory and rising prices,” said SAR® President, Peter Crowley. “All the numbers point to a very healthy 2014 for Sarasota County real estate.”

  Part of the reason the Sarasota real estate market is doing so well is clearly the affluence of the area and the real estate market. A higher than normal rate of home sales here are done as all-cash transactions especially for reasonably affluent folks at or approaching retirement.

  But the affluence of the area, alone, doesn't explain why, quite the opposite of the nationwide situation, the Sarasota real estate market continues to grow at a robust rate. Clearly something else is at work here. In fact, the reason so many people of all ages and incomes choose to live, work and retire in Sarasota Florida is not difficult to understand.

  Those who love sunshine and a year-round warm climate who enjoy lounging on the beach, there are 35 miles of beaches in Sarasota County, Florida including world-famous Siesta Key with the softest, whitest sand in the world. And nowhere will you find more gorgeous sunsets to view as you sip a cocktail next to your country club or high rise condo pool than here on Florida's West Coast jewel.

  It's been said that “Sarasota offers all the amenities of a big city with the charm and casual lifestyle of a much smaller community.” With literally scores of galleries, theaters, boutique shops, casual and fine dining restaurants and entertainment venues in downtown Sarasota, at world-famous St Armands Circle and many other spots, there’s always something to do and see. There's a constant flow of public events including live music, art festivals, shows and parades.

  Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Osprey and Venice offer over 80 public, semi-public and private golf courses which will challenge every level of player and those courses are surrounded by communities of golf course homes, villas, and condos in all price ranges.

  Boaters, day-sailors, scuba divers and fishermen love the wide variety Sarasota of private docking facilities, marinas, yacht clubs and the warm, crystal clear waters of Sarasota Bay, the Gulf of Mexico the Manatee River and many smaller lakes and ponds.

  Arts and culture buffs know Sarasota as "Florida's Cultural Coast," home to the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, the Van Wezel and Asolo theaters, the Ringling Museum and mansion and many other local venues.

  As for housing options, Sarasota has the widest range of housing styles, prices and locations you can imagine from wonderful golf course and waterfront homes and condos, to historic neighborhoods and more than its share of Sarasota luxury homes and condos.

  And, Sarasota County offers some of the best health care, long term care, and active living facilities for seniors in the nation.

  Perhaps the question you should be asking isn’t "why is the Sarasota Florida area doing so well when other regions of the country are not", but rather "why aren't you living here? "

  My goal as your Sarasota Realtor is to help you find and buy the perfect home or condo in the Sarasota Florida real estate market in the right neighborhood at a right price with a minium of hassle and frustration. I'd be delighted to answer your questions Sarasota itself or about the homes and condos options that might best suit you in Sarasota, itself, or in next door communities of Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton, Osprey and Venice. You may wish to peruse my website dedicated to homes for sale in Sarasota Florida. For an immediate response, though, call me today at 941.266-1799

Sarasota Florida Home and Condo Sales Continue at a Strong Pace in April

With a a total of 1,195 transactions closed in Sarasota County in April, 2014, the Sarasota Florida real estate market saw the second highest level of sales in its long history.

The median sale price for a single-family home continued to reflect a stable Sarasota real estate market with a moderate increase of only 3.8% in April. The median price of a condo, however, was up 8% from last month indicating growing interest in the maintenance-free lifestyle afforded by condominium living.

The median sale price for the 12-months ending in April, which tends to moderate monthly swings, for single-family homes was $189,900, about 15% higher than the previous 12-month period. For condos, it was $169,000, up 8.8% over the previous 12-month period.

Pending sales ( transactions were have been signed and agreed to but not yet closed) maintained a high level in April, at or close to the previous several months. Economists consider pending sales a good indicator of potential future closed sales. If this holds true, as it almost always does, May and June closed sales volumes should also be very strong. Pending sales in April were at 1,040 after peaking at 1,248 in March 2014 - a highly unusual level not seen for three years.

Sarasota Association of Realtors® President Peter Crowley said this week, “Activity has been robust, and clearly there continues to be tremendous interest in buying properties in Sarasota County. Last year, June and July also showed a high level of sales and activity in the Sarasota real estate market, and we are hoping for a repeat in 2014.”

As the final piece of good news, the inventory of homes for sale in Sarasota Florida dropped only slightly in April to 4,728 from the March figure of 4,810. A good supply of homes for sale on the market helps to keep prices from rising too rapidly.

If you can foresee a Sarasota home or condo in your future, please contact me at 941.266.1799 or E-Mail Me. It would be a pleasure to help you find the Sarasota home or condo that perfectly matches for your every need and wish.

Siesta Key Condo Right on Crescent Beach For Sale

At Jamaica Royale Towers at 5830 Midnight Pass Road on beautiful Siesta Key, this 8th floor condominium unit, which is being sold "as is", has fantastic views of the Gulf of Mexico as well as a panoramic view of the City of Sarasota. It has great potential as a rental unit, as your permanent home or just a place to enjoy your time away from the harsh weather up North.

Yes, there are newer condominium developments than Jamaica Royale that contains 175 condominium units, but how many of them are right on Siesta Key's famous Crescent Beach, rated the "#1 Beach in Florida." -- and how many of them have the panoramic views that this Siesta Key condo offers along with three heated pools and lighted shuffleboard courts.

The entire building was totally renovated about 9 years ago reinforcing its structure, adding new balconies, and balconies. At the same time, all walkways were renovated. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit with 1,285 sq ft of living space also has new hurricane code impact windows and doors.

An important consideration in buying a condo, this condo development has a strong Association that is well run.

Siesta Key is a barrier island just off the coast of Sarasota Florida and is for its famous soft, white, powdery beach which unsurpassed in beauty anywhere in Florida. Accessed by two drawbridges across the Intra-coastal Waterway, this 8-mile long island is distinctly set apart from downtown Sarasota Florida. But at the same time, Siesta Key condos like this one put you just minutes away from everything on both Siesta Key and in downtown Sarasota.

Siesta Key and Sarasota also offers another attractive attribute for those considering buying either a home, a condo or an investment property. Sarasota real estate prices are still lower than they have been in over a decade.

If you would like to know more about Siesta Key or the Sarasota and Bradenton real estate market in general, or the cultural, shopping or recreational amenities of the Sarasota Florida area, Contact Me today. For an even faster response, call me on my cellphone at 941-266-1799. I'd be happy to be of assistance.