Sarasota Florida Real Estate Report for March, 2014

Unlike other parts of the country that have now experienced three months in a row of declining home sales, the Sarasota real estate market in March remained stable, even continuing its steady improvement as time goes by. In January and February, there was some concern that perhaps the Sarasota market was stalling out, but that fear has gone away with the March rebound in both closings and pending sales.

Sarasota County home and condo sales in March, 2014 topped 1,000 for the first time since May 2013. March closings came in at 1,050 (698 single-family and 352 condos) almost the same as the volume a year ago but a substantial uptick from the February 2014 sales volume of 787.

Pending sales at the end of March remained at a healthy level, topping 1,200, a level not seen in the past 3 years. These sales will close in coming months indicating that the months of April and May will show equally healthy closed sales volumes.

Peter Crowley, President of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® said in his monthly report, “This spring has seen very robust sales, just like last year. Agents have been busy and buyers are actively investing in the Sarasota real estate market."

The median sale price for single-family homes stood at just under $189,500. The median condo sale price in March was $170,900, just above the year-ago number of $165,000. The median sale price for the rolling 12-months ending in March, which tends to moderate month-to-month swings, was $188,000 for single-family homes, about 20% higher than the previous 12-month period. For condos, it was just over $166,500, up 9.2% over the previous 12-month period.

The inventory of homes for sale in Sarasota County dropped slightly in March to 4,810 after topping 5,000 in February, a very manageable 3.8% month-over-month drop. Maintaining a healthy inventory of properties available for sale helps to keep prices from rising too fast.

If you would like to know more about the Sarasota real estate market in general, or the cultural, shopping or recreational amenities of Sarasota, call me today at 941-266-1799 or visit my website dedicated to homes for sale in Sarasota Florida. I'd be happy to be of assistance.

Aqua, A Unique Boutique Condo on the Sarasota Waterfront

In the past several months demand for ultra high-end condominiums has come roaring back in Sarasota. In fact it is beginning to look as though the "construction crane" is coming out of hiding after several years and is poised to once again become the unofficial bird of southwestern Florida.

Among the new luxury condo developments breaking ground this year here in Sarasota will be Aqua to be constructed on the waterfront at 280 Golden Gate Point. Aqua will join One88, also being built on Golden Gate Point, the Jewel Residences at Gulfstream Avenue and Main Street, the Vue Sarasota Bay at 100 South Washington Blvd, and the Sansara at 300 South Pineapple Ave. in a recent burst of new luxury condominium developments breaking ground this spring in Sarasota.

Aqua will have only 8 units within a modern 9-story building in the iconic Sarasota School of Architecture style. With a full-time concierge, state-of-the-art security and luxurious amenities, Aqua, in the words of its developers, "will reflect a refined and elegant lifestyle of gracious Downtown Sarasota waterfront living."

The eight residences will each have their own private elevator foyer, two-car garage and a dedicated boat slip. Each opulent residence will feature 10 to 12 foot ceilings, spacious open floor plans for entertaining, gourmet kitchens with granite and stone counter tops and top-of-the-line appliances, master bedroom suites with unique features, and large exterior terraces for breathtaking views of sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

The eight residences will share a state-of-the-art fitness studio, private massage/facial salon, spa with steam shower and sauna, yoga studio, heated waterfront infinity pool and putting green, a temperature-controlled wine room with secure individual cabinets, and a delightful rooftop entertaining and observation area. There will only residence per floor. The 3,800 square foot units, called “Residences,” have pre-construction prices starting at $3,495,000 while the 6,700 square foot units, called “Grand Residences,” will start at $5,695,000.

Located on the prestigious Golden Gate Point, the residences at Aqua will be just steps from Downtown Sarasota with all its restaurants, shops, theaters and galleries and just a short drive across the John Ringling Bridge to the renowned shopping and dining mecca at St. Armand’s Circle and the white sand beaches on Lido Key.

Sarasota Magazine reported, "these new condos on Golden Gate Point have a real Sarasota look, a little bit of Sarasota School of Architecture modernist, a little bit of Miami Tropical, and a whole lot of over-the-top luxury pared down to the most elegant simplicity."

To learn more about Sarasota Florida and this and other luxury waterfront and downtown Sarasota condominium options now available, please call me at 941-266-1799 or visit the Downtown Sarasota condos section of my website. I would be delighted to answer whatever questions you may have.

Attractive Home For Sale in Heritage Oaks Golf Community

The Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club community, located East of I-75, is a gated collection of maintenance free condos and villas to single-family homes.

The 18-hole Heritage Oaks golf course, designed by Jed Azinger and Gordon Lewis and open since 1997, has all the hallmarks of great Florida golf. The country club also offers its members 4 lighted tennis courts and a fully-equipped fitness center with regularly scheduled classes, a pitching and putting green, full-service pro shop with teaching pros, both a formal dining room and a casual "19th Hole" Grille Room, large club pool plus four more heated pools around the community. The community also has trails for leisurely walks. Heritage Oaks is a private golfing community entirely owned by the 850 homeowners, all of whom are full golf and country club members.

Within this pleasant moderately priced golf community, there is this wonderful St Charles model pool home with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2 car garage available today. The home, with an extended pool lanai, backs up to an Audobon-rated preserve with abundant wildlife. This home uses the great room concept with the kitchen open to the gathering area of the home. Basically, a 3 bedroom home, the den has a closet and french doors allowing it's use as a 4th bedroom when multiple guests come to visit.

This attractive home, priced at $420,000 has too many amenities to list but its worth noticing the hurricane shutters all around, the security system, the newer HVAC system with surge protector, a water softener serving the entire home, a cartridge water filter in the kitchen, wood flooring, Bose speakers, and mostly new appliances.

If you would like more information on this home as well as others available for sale in Heritage Oaks, I would be happy to introduce you to this moderately-priced community and the delightful lifestyle it offers if you'll call me at 941.266.1799.

Yet Another Luxury Condo to be Built in Downtown Sarasota - One88

    In the past few months demand for high-end Sarasota condominiums has come roaring back in Southwest Florida and particularly, here in Sarasota. Yet another developer has now decided that Sarasota is the place to build new luxury real estate properties. The Vandyk development company of Toronto, Canada was in Sarasota two weeks ago to unveil plans for One88, another limited-size condo development on prestigious Golden Gate Point. The site of this latest new luxury condo development is at 188 Golden Gate Point overlooking Sarasota Bay and the John Ringling Bridge.

    One88 will join AQUA being built nearby at 280 Golden Gate Point and others in this recent burst of new luxury condominium developments getting started in downtown Sarasota. The Jewel Residences, being built at the corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue, with 18 luxury residences ranging from 2,100 to over 4,300 square feet,is still another major development currently underway in the Downtown Sarasota waterfront condos market.

    John Vandyk, president of the company developing One88 said at the unveiling that, having visited Sarasota many times for pleasure, “there is a lot of art and culture here in Sarasota, and the people are very kind. It’s a different lifestyle, a beautiful lifestyle.”

    Like AQUA, One88 will have just eight residences. One88 will have two residences on each floor, each with about 3,000 square feet of air-conditioned space with over sized terraces. The limited size of the development was in part dictated by the small size of the lot on which it will be built. Unlike other developers, Vandkk is not taking reservations for these Sarasota luxury condos. "We're going direct to contract," the developer's spokesperson said.

    Prices range from $2.6 million to $3 million on the first three fours. The two penthouses on the fourth floor, which have rooftop terraces are currently priced at $3.9 million. A unique feature of these luxury boutique condos is that buyers of each residence will receive a social membership at the Sarasota Yacht Club. The Sarasota Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in Sarasota offers the benefits of a member-owned private social club with extraordinary services and facilities regardless of whether the member owns a boat or not. The docks at the yacht club can accommodate boats up to 100 feet and drafts of up to 10 feet.

    Explaining why the Vandyk group chose Sarasota for their first investment in the United States, Karin Silver, Vandyk USA VP of Marketing & Sales said, culturally, we like Sarasota better than Naples or Miami. There is the right balance of culture and amenities here. To us, Sarasota is a diamond in the rough, a hidden jewel. There is pent-up demand here."

    Your home at One88 on prestigious Golden Gate Point wil be just a few steps away from downtown Sarasota with all its restaurants, shops and galleries and only a short drive across the John Ringling Bridge to St. Armand’s Circle and the beaches of Lido Key.

    Vandyk plans to develop another downtown Sarasota property at 635 S. Orange Avenue in Burns Court, though it’s not yet decided exactly what form that project will be.

    Call me at 941.266.1799 to learn more about One88, AQUA or other attractive Downtown Sarasota luxury residences.

Sarasota is Florida's Arts and Cultural Epicenter

  It will come as no surprise to most people that Sarasota Florida, recently named the "#1 Small City in the Nation for the Arts", is the center of Arts and Culture of Florida. The arts scene in Sarasota rivals the arts environments of much bigger cities in other parts of the country.

  The genesis of involvement in the arts in Sarasota began with John and Mable Ringling who built their magnificent 56-room Venetian Gothic mansion, Cà d’Zan. Having amassed a significant collection of art and art objects, the Ringlings built the 21-gallery Ringling Museum of Art to house their collection in 1931. John Ringling bequeathed his collection and the Cà d’Zan mansion to the people of Florida at his death in 1936. After a tumultuous decade, the Cà d’Zan mansion and the Ringling Museum were taken over by the State of Florida in 1946, rehabilitated and eventually opened to the public.

  Performing arts of all kinds thrive in Sarasota. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall presents travelling shows ranging from musical acts to Broadway revivals. The Asolo Repertoire Theater, which opened in 1960 as a summer acting studio is now a full repertoire theater where more than 100,000 people attend its diverse repertoire of theater experiences. The Sarasota Orchestra, the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, has been entertaining music lovers for over 60 years. The Sarasota Ballet has featured several world-premieres under the direction of internationally-recognized Ian Webb and a half-dozen smaller theater companies perform comedies, dramas and the like on a variety of stages. Live music from contemporary to jazz emanates from Downtown Sarasota pubs and clubs virtually every night.

  The Ringling College of Art & Design hosts a thriving community of visual artists who display their craft at many school-sponsored exhibits. S/aRt/Q is a non-profit group of Sarasota artists who engage the community with unique visual and print art experiences in numerous galleries around Sarasota.

  Sarasota's rich artistic atmosphere has spawned a host of festivals. Film arts are highlighted at the Sarasota Film Festival in April and the Sarasota Film Society Cine-World Festival in November. The Sarasota Music Festival brings together the best young musicians from around the globe for three weeks each June. Ringling Museum, in conjunction with the New York-based Baryshnikov Arts Center presents the Ringling International Arts Festival which brings together performers from around the world for a celebration of art in all forms. The Sarasota Blues Fest in September and funky arts and crafts highlighted at the annual Atomic Holiday Bazaar in December are two more popular events while the St Armands Arts Festival in Janaury and the Siesta Fiesta in April bring top-notch arts and crafts talents to Sarasota.

  In next-door Bradenton, the Village of the Arts is a vibrant community of artists living and working together in Florida’s largest art community. Over 30 galleries, studios, cafes, and jewelry, fashion and book stores fill a charming neighborhood of restored 1920's and 30's cottages.

  Whether the arts and cultural aspects of your life have been mainstream or a passing fancy you've just never quite had the time to pursue, Sarasota has something to awaken your interest and provide the atmosphere in which your artistic side can blossom and expand. If a lifestyle steeped in the arts is something you would enjoy, there no better warm and sunny place to live than Sarasota Florida.

  Contact Me at your convenience for more information, or for a more immediate response, call me at 941-266-1799.

Siesta Key's Secret, Some of Sarasota's Most Luxurious Homes

    Siesta Key is one of the major barrier islands off the Sarasota Florida mainland.  It is separated from the mainland by Sarasota Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway and toward its southern end by Roberts Bay.

    On the Gulf side of this 8-mile long island, Siesta Key has some of the whitest and softest beaches in America.  Dr. Beach (aka Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research) who has rated America's beaches for 23 years, declared Siesta Beach the "#1 Beach in America" for, he said, " its world-famous soft, white, powdery quartz sand, unsurpassed anywhere in America in its beauty."

On the inland side, Siesta Key is bordered by dense mangrove forests where residents and visitors enjoy boating and fishing om protected waters.

    Mid-island, Siesta Village is a funky sort of place where artists and crafters operate galleries, dining spots and boutique shops featuring all sorts of casual fashions, beach accessories and souvenirs.   With all these casual, fun-provoking amenities, it is sometimes overlooked that Siesta Key also has some of the most exclusive and opulent homes in the Sarasota Florida area.

    As examples of the luxurious homes on Siesta Key, here are just three of the opulent homes currently available.

    $10,900,000 will bring you a home poised along shimmering Gulf of Mexico waters. This 6,300+ sqft, 5 bedroom with 4 1/2 bath residence invokes distinctive Asian-inspired aesthetics achieving a unique harmony with nature. A feeling of tranquility prevails as this private sanctuary rests on two acres from the white sands of the beach to a calm lagoon.

    Embellished with walls of glass and a dramatic open floor plan to accentuate its extraordinary beachfront placement, a calming impression permeates this estate home adorned with a modern French motif and striking Polynesian touches.

    The property includes the main residence plus a 2-story guest house and a lush Japanese garden.  Floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the huge master suite offer panoramic views of Gulf waters.  The home with its open courtyard pool and summer kitchen enveloped by wood decking is perfect for undisturbed reflection or entertaining with a sense of seclusion and quiet elegance.

    Priced at $8,990,000, this 9,200 sqft home with 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 4 half-baths makes a stunning statement of refinement and comfort on nearly an acre at the north end of Siesta Key directly on the water.  Spectacular living quarters, exquisite finishes, state-of-the-art systems and resort-like amenities; all within a private, walled and gated property.

    Venetian Gothic fuses with Mediterranean flair to create a gulffront haven that is distinctively stylish and tastefully eclectic.  Built in 2007, this gem is perfect for indulgent relaxing or entertaining.  An extraordinary master suite, expansive living/dining quarters, an exquisite kitchen, a home theater and a 2-story office with elegant stone, stained glass and painted murals throughout.  Outdoors there's 8 porches/patios with incredible views, a rooftop garden-terrace accessed by elevator, and a glamorous pool and cabana with a waterfall, spa, slide, and stage for entertainment.

    $ At $6,650,000 on a heavily treed 2.8 acre bayfront lot, this 7 bedroom home with 5 full and 2 half-baths is on one of the most wonderful locations possible.  This is truly "Old Florida" from the architecture to the ancient oaks.   Concrete block construction and solid poured floors make this an especially well-built home by renowned builder B.W. Saba.

    The 8,600 sqft of interior space melds casual and formal living spaces with its several outdoor terraces where you'll enjoy evenings by the fire and incredible Little Sarasota Bay views.  Interior appointments include intricate moldings, 4 fireplaces, elevator, wine room, a private master suite, and his & her offices/dens.  The grounds have century-old oaks, a lagoon style pool with a water fall. With a private dock and extensive grounds, there's still room for a tennis court. You must see this fine home.

If you're looking for an elegant Sarasota luxury home, Siesta Key is clearly a location you should see as you consider where to buy that "Little Piece of Paradise" you’ve been dreaming about. Call me at 941.266.1799 for an appointment to view these or other luxury homes for sale in Sarasota Florida.  I'd be plesed to be of service to you.

Introducing the Rosedale Golf & Country Club Community in Bradenton Florida

By Rich Stover

The beautifully landscaped entryway and manned gatehouse welcome you to a master planned golf and country club community which, while spacious, is small enough to feel neighborly.

Rosedale's signature boulevard of 80-foot tall pines and ancient oaks leads to captivating homes overlooking lakes and fairways and the magnificent country club clubhouse, which is the heart of the Rosedale golfing community.

Winding its way among sparkling lakes and woodlands, the 18-hole championship Rosdale golf course offers both challenge and breathtaking scenery to the lucky few who get to call Rosedale their home community.

The community offers:

• Just minutes from I-75 and convenient to Bradenton, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota
• Gated entrance manned 24 hours/day
• Detached single family homes
• Maintenance-free neighborhoods
• A challenging and well-maintained 18-Hole championship golf course
• Elegant clubhouse with a full-service restaurant
• Fitness center, tennis courts, junior Olympic pool and bocci courts

If you would like to know more about the Rosedale golf course, the maintenance-free golf course homes available, or its many other amenities, I would be delighted to show you around this cozy Bradenton Florida golf course community. Providing you with Manatee County and Bradenton FL real estate information on golf course homes and condos in all price ranges is my goal.

I invite you to learn more about the several great Bradenton FL golf course homes and communities on my website. Contact Me today. or for an immediate response, call me on my cellphone at 941-266-1799.

Anna Maria Island - An Unnoticed Island Paradise

If you've ever dreamed about life in a secluded and peaceful island paradise where the average temperature year-round is in the 70’s, you’re surrounded by soft, white beaches and warm waters and where the natives are as friendly as any you’ll ever meet, you should definitely get to know about Anna Maria Island.

Anna Maria Island is one of several barrier islands on the west coast of Florida; this one off the coast of Bradenton, in Manatee County. The island has only less than 9,000 permanent residents although it's population grows considerably during winter months. The strangest thing about this delightful little island may be how few Americans know about it. Europeans and Canadians, however, have certainly noticed it.

Anna Maria Island is a narrow strip of land about 7 miles long, stretching from the waters of Tampa Bay on the north, the Gulf of Mexico on the west, by Longboat Key to the south and Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay on the east. Anna Maria Island is comprised on three cities; Anna Maria to the north, Holmes Beach in the center and Bradenton Beach on the southern end. Each of its three cities boasts spectacular beaches and great areas for fishing and scuba diving but each city also strives to preserve the “Old Florida beachcomber lifestyle.” They do it by limiting the size and height of buildings that can be built. You’ll find no high-rise condo developments on this island. In fact you'll see nothing more than three stories high.

Whether you would like a multi-million dollar waterfront estate, a restored older beach cottage, a maintenance-free condo, or, yes, an upscale home in an golf and country club community, Anna Maria Island can fulfill your fantasy so long as you want to fulfill your dream in a secluded place where the term “laid back” really means something very special; where even the giant sea turtles choose to come ashore to build their nests and give birth to the next generation of baby sea turtles.

That golf course community we mentioned is called Key Royale. Within the city limits of Holmes Beach, Key Royale is one of Florida’s most prestigious waterfront golf country club communities. Actually a small island of its own attached to Anna Maria Island proper by the small bridge, Key Royale is something you'd never expect to find on a placid barrier island. If, in addition to enjoying a round of golf on a 9-hole par 32 course and its lovely clubhouse, you are also an avid power boater or sailor, this may your paradise. Virtually every home in Key Royale is either directly on the waterfront or has canal access to open waters.

The city of Holmes Beach, itself, is the largest of the 3 communities on Anna Maria Island and boasts three miles of gorgeous white, sandy beaches. While there's been serious pressure in recent years to take advantage of tourism, the city works to maintain its rustic flavor through attention to the types of buildings and homes permitted to be built. Home types in Holmes Beach include single-family homes, maintenance-free condos and villas offered in architectural styles from Old Key West to Bimini and Grand Cayman.

At the other end of the island, Bradenton Beach is ideal if you want the casual ambiance of a secluded waterfront village. Gulfside homes enjoy gorgeous Gulf of Mexico sunsets while those facing onto Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay are separated from the waters by natural mangroves. Between is a charming village famous for its ultra-casual "beachcomber" lifestyle.

On the northern end of the island, the city of Anna Maria is a quiet, serene place most of the year with narrow roads and almost no street traffic beyond the local trolley. The entire city of Anna Maria is a protected bird sanctuary. While swimming or scuba diving in the waters off Anna Maria, you are as likely to run into a manatee as another swimmer.

For transportation, most locals get around Anna Maria Island on the trolley that runs the length of the island with connections to the bus service on both Longboat Key and across the causeway to Bradenton. Should you wish to leave the island, there are three bridges to the mainland; one at the southern end of the island connects to Longboat Key, another connects Bradenton Beach to the mainland at Cortez and the third connects Holmes Beach to the mainland in the Palma Sola section of Bradenton.

When you wish to liven up your days or evenings, you are a short bridge and causeway drive from the mainland city of Bradenton Florida, the largest city in Manatee County. In addition to being home to several of the best golf courses in Florida, Bradenton also offers every type of boating, fishing and sailing activity imaginable. There is also a constant flow of activities and events going on that will entertain the youngest to the oldest members of your family. Bradenton is as bustling and vibrant as Anna Maria Island is serene and laid back. Bradenton is also home to two major health care facilities, Blake Medical Center and Manatee Memorial Hospital.

We believe that after a single visit to Anna Maria Island, you, too, will refer to Anna Maria Island as "that Little Island Paradise in the Sun.”

My goal as a Sarasota real estate professional is to help you find that one home or condo here in the Sarasota - Bradenton area that fits your needs and desires perfectly whether its on the mainland, on Longboat, Lido, Bird, Siesta or Casey Key or on Anna Maria Island. Please call me with your questions or inquiries at 941.266.1799.

Misty Creek Golf Course Home For Sale Now

By Rich Stover

This 2,788 sq. ft home in the gated community of Misty Creek is a nature lover's retreat complete with lakes, wildlife, mature trees, and sidewalks throughout the community. Golf and tennis are optional. This community has no CDD fees.

This meticulously well kept and recently updated home is move in ready featuring an amazing master bedroom and bath and walk-in closet plus dual shower and sinks with a lovely garden tub. You'll entertain in the beautiful dining room and living room or, as you cook in the comfy gourmet kitchen. Stainless steel appliances, granite, tile, and tons of cabinets. A large laundry room has plenty of storage space.

The family room has a wood-burning fireplace with built in bookshelf and glass shelves. The two guest bedrooms and bath have a pocket door for privacy and there's even a fourth bedroom which could be used as a study or in-laws quarters with it's own private bath and exit to the lanai and pool. Crown mouldings and tray ceiling add a touch of class to this home.

Enjoy swimming in the heated pool and relaxing in the hot tub with amazing lake views during the sunset hours while deer and sand cranes wander by.

The oversized garage has room for your own private golf cart and the price includes a one-year free golf membership . Available turnkey furnished on a separate bill of sale. Siesta Key beach is just a short drive as are shopping, restaurants, doctors, hospitals and St. Armand's Circle.

The Misty Creek 18-hole golf course and country club offers an endless array of activities for its members. For those few who need a break from golf, the social amenities at this active country club include dances, parties, dining facilities, bar and lounge, snack bar, and 4 tennis courts.

Come see this one an fall in love with it today for $569,000 today. Call me today at 941-266-1799 for an appointment to see this gem!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

By Rich Stover

    It was back in 2009 that the Baltimore Orioles made the decision to relocate their Spring Training baseball camp from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota Florida.  A lot has happened since then.  This year will mark the fifth year the Baltimore Orioles have been here and their fourth year in the renovated Ed Smith stadium.

   Today, the Ed Smith Stadium, located at 2700 12th Street at the corner of 12th and Tuttle in the northeastern part of Downtown Sarasota, is a facility the city of Sarasota can be proud of and it has been drawing large crowds to the Orioles home games.  During the 2013 Spring Training season last Spring, the Orioles set an all-time record with 120,455 attendees.  The Orioles also set a franchise record in 2013 with 9 sellouts, including an Ed Smith Stadium single-game record of 8,797 fans.

    Ed Smith Stadium is a great place for baseball enthusiasts to catch a few pre-season games.   Unlike some spring training camps, there's plenty of parking available right at the stadium.  There are lots of concession stands, an on-site team shop, and, for those so inclined, a several suites that can be purchased by celebrities and businesses to watch games with friends or business associates.  While there are some who complain about the small size of the Ed Smith stadium, it is just about the right size if you're one of those who likes to get "up close and personal" with the team's players.   You can almost touch them from the front row seats.

    Today, February 14th, marks the first official day of spring training workouts for Orioles pitchers and catchers.  Baseball fans who've been waiting for this can watch the team work out on the back fields of the complex for free every day until home games begin.  The first full-team workout will be on Wednesday, February 19th.  Thereafter, the team will work out from about 9:15 a.m. to noon each day until the first home game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, March 1st.

    For security reasons, no umbrellas, hard-sided coolers, thermoses, glass bottles, cans or alcoholic beverages are permitted in the stadium.  Non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles are permitted in the park although all items will be checked at the gates and any beverage which has been opened or partially consumed prior to entry is subject to confiscation if it is thought to contain alcohol.

    So, what if you're not a big Orioles fan.  Come on out anyway. You can watch the Orioles play against visiting teams including the Tigers, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and, of course, the local favorites, the Tampa Bay Rays.  Individual game tickets have been on sale since the end of January, but tickets can often be purchased on the day of the game as well.

    The Orioles have been very charitable toward Sarasota.  Since moving year-round operations to Sarasota from Fort Lauderdale in 2010, the Orioles have donated more than $1.3 million in cash and in-kind contributions to our community. And, the team has on-going out-reach programs in place year round.

    Whether you are a seasonal visitor or a permanent resident of the Sarasota Florida area, you may want to take in a Baltimore Orioles spring training camp game.  Like other sporting venues being developed all around the Sarasota area, like the Competitive Rowing Facility being built at Nathan Benderson Park, spring training baseball games provide yet another truly pleasant way to enjoy the sunny Sarasota Florida lifestyle.

    If you are in the market for a home or condo here in the Sarasota real estate market, call me today at 941.266-1799.  I’d be delighted to answer your questions and offer suggestions on where we can find the property that best matches your needs and desires here in sunny Sarasota Florida.