Sarasota Real Estate Blog

Each year, Siesta Key real estate activity on our websites and blogs increases dramatically each time Dr. Beach publishes his Top 10 Best Beaches report. Siesta Key, now at the no. 1 spot for 2011, has a new billboard that touts its top spot. Interest rates, single family home and condo real estate inventory are still good on the Key, and buyers are here. 

Many buyers of Siesta Key real estate have been coming to this word-famous beach for decades. These visitors have seen prices jump out of their reach, and now they are trying to get a piece of paradise before prices make another jump. Siesta Key’s weather, gorgeous white sand and the Gulf of Mexico are the big draw. The relaxed atmosphere of Siesta Key Village and the friendliness of the people as

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The Sarasota Association of Realtors® released data yesterday showing Sarasota real estate sales jumped by 8.2 percent to 8,224 in 2011. This is the highest level since 2005. “The surge in sales was accompanied by stabilization in the median sale prices, which now stand at $155,925 for single family homes and $156,800 for condos over the full year, and have not fluctuated much for the past 12 months.”

Real estate is local and the Sarasota, Florida area is the considered the “place to be” by many homebuyers. “For the overall year of 2011, the resurgence in sales was dramatic, and represents a 44 percent increase over the low point of the downturn in 2008, when only 5,820 properties changed hands.”

New SAR President Laura Benson said "This is really…

Bird Key is a Sarasota, Florida neighborhood rich in beauty, luxury, privacy, and history. In the early 1900s, Bird Key was purchased by Thomas Worcester of Cincinnati, Ohio. Worchester built the first expensive home on a Sarasota Bay island. In the 1920s, John Ringling of circus fame bought Bird Key and proceeded with the development of connecting Bird Key, Lido Key and St. Armands to mainland Sarasota. Arvida Corporation bought the Ringling properties and continued development of the 511 single family home sites. Today Bird Key real estate is among the most desirable in all of Sarasota.

Bird Key today is a beautiful boating community with just under 300 waterfront homes facing the bay or on interior canals. The remaining homes on Bird Key are not

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The Sarasota Florida real estate market continues to improve and is “trending toward normalcy” according to a press release issued by the Sarasota Association of Realtors® for August 2011 sales figures.

Inventory of Sarasota MLS listings for sale has steadily dropped. The sales demand has stabilized which points to a more “normal” Sarasota real estate market.

For the past nine months inventories have been dropping and, in August 2011, “hit a decade-low figure of 4,408.” During the last 10 months, Sarasota property sales have exceeded 500 every month. The Board’s release state that sales hit 700 four times. The median sale price for single family homes and condos in August was $165,000. This was a 23 percent better than the lows of February 2011

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Are you looking to enjoy the laid back Siesta Key lifestyle? Do you have a boat, but still want to enjoy the beach? You can have it all in Siesta Isles. This deed restricted neighborhood has nearly four miles of canals and is located only a short walk from world-renowned Siesta Key Beach, voted the Best Beach in the United States for 2011. In addition, downtown Sarasota’s dining, nightlife and cultural events are only about a 15 to 20 minute drive away.

Comprised of two islands that can be accessed by Contento Drive and Azure Way, the majority of Siesta Isles homes are directly on canals that offer quick access to the Intercostal waterway. Most of the homes in Siesta Isles are Florida ranch style homes built in the 1960’s and 1970’s. However, some of

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Real estate in Sarasota, Florida has continued to sell at a brisk pace in 2011. The Sarasota Association of Realtors® recently issued its August a press release reporting 599 properties sold in July 2011, a 14.3 percent increase from the previous year. In the July 2010 Sarasota real estate market, there were 525 property sales.

Single family home closings totaled 445 and 154 condos sold in July of this year. Four months in 2011, sales have hit the 700 level or above. July marked the fourth month in the previous 12 with sales exceeding 700 units. June sales reached 728 and May sales were the highest at 796 during Sarasota’s busiest selling season. Sales in July, of course, cooled as summer arrived. The Federal homebuyer tax credit which was a selling

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Following its annual two-week shutdown, the Lakewood Ranch Country Club is set to reopen with some new features. In addition to completing some routine maintenance, which takes place each year, the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club will now offer a certified personal trainer who offers cooking lessons as well as training sessions.

According to a recent Herald Tribune article, personal trainer Paul Evens will serve as the executive chef at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Within his new capacity, Evans will help country club members achieve a higher level of health through exercise and dietary changes.

“We have already had great feedback about people being able to improve their health and cooking skills in one place, with one person,” said Wayne

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If home sales in Casey Key are any indication, the market for Sarasota luxury homes appears to be moving in the right direction. In fact, a home sold earlier this month was sold with a price tag that is higher than any other home sale in Casey Key since November 2009.

On July 15, a 10,000-square-foot home situated on 1.65 acres on Casey Key was sold for $7.58 million. The home features 200 feet of Gulf of Mexico shoreline as well as an upstairs and downstairs master suite. Other features include a summer kitchen, an eight-car garage, a separate caretaker’s building and a disappearing edge swimming pool and spa. Not only was the home sold at the highest sale price since November 2009, but it is also the second-highest price to be paid for a home within

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The Sapphire Shores and Indian Beach neighborhoods (also referred to as “The Museum Area”) stretch west of Tamiami Trail from Whitaker Bayou to New College. The area contains an eclectic mix of homes with architectural styles ranging from 1920’s Mediterranean Revival to 50’s ranch homes and also includes shining examples of Sarasota's own brand of modern architecture. All of the homes in this area are on or within walking distance to the natural beauty of Sarasota Bay. The neighborhood is a quick five minute drive to downtown Sarasota and a fifteen minute jaunt to the beaches of Lido Key. Cultural highlights of the Indian Beach and Sapphire Shores area include: The John and Mable Ringling Museum, the Asolo Repertory Theatre, USF, New College and the

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It’s official! “Dr. Beach” has confirmed what we’ve known all along: Siesta Beach was just named the #1 beach in the United States for 2011.

Dr. Stephen Leatherman ("Dr. Beach") is the director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. He considers 50 different criteria including sand, water quality, facilities and crowds to rank the nation’s beaches in his annual survey. For the past two years, Siesta Key held the #2 ranking. Dr. Beach cited several factors that helped Siesta Key Beach win the top spot for 2011:

• Siesta Key's sugar white quartz crystal sand is considered by many to be the finest and whitest sand in the world.
• Siesta Key blue and turquoise water is clean and clear.
• The waves are small and

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