Sarasota Real Estate Blog

Once again, the real estate sales data released by the Sarasota Association of REALTORS is excellent as property sales topped the 800 total units for the third consecutive month. We are seeing sales data hitting “levels not seen since the 2003-2005 surge.”

Total singled family homes sales reached 591 and 263 condominiums were sold in May, 7.2 percent higher than in May 2011 sales. April 2012 property sales totaled 886, the highest sales volume in seven years. May 2012 was just a little behind April, which was not a surprise as sales normally slow after Sarasota’s seasonal buyers return to other areas of the country.

The report also indicated that pending sales, properties under contract, for May “remained at the very high level of 1,075,

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Judi Kerzner just sold a wonderful condo at Beachplace. The new owners are anxious to enjoy the beautiful views of the Gulf, Bay and the reflecting pool. The residence is turnkey furnished in light and bright beach hues so they’ll just need to pack a toothbrush. Spacious with over 1500 square feet, the condo provides owners 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.

Beachplace is situated on 32 acres of lush tropical grounds just north of the Longboat Key Club gates, making trips for cultural events and shopping on St Armands Circle easy. You can be at the Van Wezel in just 20 minutes to enjoy a performance or visit Main Street and Palm Avenue for shopping, dining and commercial services.

The amenities at here are numerous. Residents have the use of an Olympic

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It just keeps getting better for Sarasota, Florida. American Style Magazine just ranked our city as the No. 1 Small City for Art. Noting the “impact” John Ringling of the Ringling Brother and Barnum & Bailey Circus had on Sarasota’s history, the article mentions John and Mable Ringling’s’ former estate which is now comprised of the Ringling Museum of Art, two circus museums and a theater.

Of course, St Armands Circle is noted in the article too. Pointing out that even summer on the Circle is filled with “evenings of visual and performing arts.” The Ringling Museum offers “Art After 5” after its regular hours every Thursday until the end of August, and downtown Sarasota’s first Friday is popular with residents and vacationers who

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The Sarasota Association of REALTORS just published our monthly sales data. Once again the Sarasota real estate market sales hit another high in March of 2012. Property sales totaled 831 units. We have not seen that level since September 2005. Pending sales of properties that went under contract during March reached “the highest level in 12 months” which is a good indicator of future sales for the next few months.

SAR President Laura Benson said:

“This is amazing news, and our local brokers and agents should be extremely proud of all their hard work and diligence, helping buyers and sellers make their dreams come true. The strength that the Sarasota market has demonstrated in the past few months has been remarkable, and I'm looking forward…

Once again, Sarasota, Florida earns top honors. Last week Sarasota was named Best Place to Retire in the Country by the website TopRetirements.com.

Several other Florida cities made the Top Ten list including, Naples No. 3, St. Augustine No. 7 and Fort Myers No. 8. and Venice at No. 9. This year Sarasota gets another top spot!

2012 Best Places to Retire

1. Sarasota, Florida
2. San Antonio, Texas
3. Naples, Florida
4. Tucson, Arizona
5. Asheville, North Carolina
6. Beaufort, South Carolina
7. St. Augustine, Florida
8. Ft. Myers, Florida
9. Venice, Florida
10. Prescott, Arizona

Sarasota’s beaches, affordable housing, shopping amenities such as St. Armands Circle were all reasons our city made the list.  Florida also has no state income

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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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