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All Blog Entries by John Allen

Found 78 blog entries published by John Allen.

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 real estate

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

6,489 Views, 2 Comments

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 when

7,419 Views, 7 Comments

Siesta Isles HomeAre 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

9,510 Views, 3 Comments

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

6,701 Views, 3 Comments

Casey Key Florida SunsetIf 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

7,693 Views, 2 Comments

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
9,640 Views, 9 Comments

Sea turtle nesting season has begun with a record on Anna Maria Island! A volunteer for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch discovered the first loggerhead nest of the season on April 27th. It is the earliest discovery of a nest since record keeping began. Once the nests are discovered, they are staked off and marked with the date, location of the nest and an estimated hatch date. Did you know that a sea turtles lay an average of 100 eggs per nest?

Sea Turtle NestIt is important to keep some things in mind while enjoying the beaches during nesting season (May 1st- Oct 31st):

  • Remove all trash, toys and beach furniture from the shore at the end of the day. Turtles and their hatchlings can easily lose their way by bumping into debris.
  • Avoid using patio lights and shield
6,347 Views, 3 Comments

If you are in the market for a newer luxury home in a gated golf community, Lakewood Ranch Country Club should be on your list to consider. This luxurious gated community is one of our premiere addresses for those who demand only the best. Those with a passion for golf will revel in the 54-holes at the Country Club. The 3 courses at the private Lakewood Ranch Country Club are designed to challenge every skill level. There are also excellent practice facilities and a beautiful clubhouse along with dining and special events. In addition, members also have access to the 13,000 square foot athletic center, junior Olympic pool and 18 lighted clay tennis courts.

The amenities offered in the Country Club are plentiful. There are miles of sidewalks and trails

17,143 Views, 4 Comments