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        <title>Sarasota Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/downtown-sarasota/</link>
        <description>Read the Sarasota real estate blog and news presented by John Allen. View the latest information at our real estate blog for Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key and Casey Key Florida.</description>
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            <guid>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/beau-ciel-hosts-cocktails-at-twilight.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/beau-ciel-hosts-cocktails-at-twilight.html</link>
            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>Beau Ciel Hosts Cocktails at Twilight</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
 &ldquo;Cocktails at Twilight&rdquo; were enjoyed by a select group of Sarasota real estate brokers and&nbsp;residents of Beau Ciel in Sarasota. Barbara Mei, Realtor at Surfside Properties on Siesta Key was the hostess of this elegant event to introduce one of Sarasotas most beautiful buildings. 

Barbara spoke shortly of the outstanding features of Beau Ciel before turning over the podium to the buildings architect, Chuck Jones of Tampa. Chuck took the audience through the beginning concept of Beau Ciel which was originally sketched on a cocktail napkin at a meeting with the building developers. The Manager of the Hyatt Hotel, Beau Ciels neighbor, pointed out the amenities provided to Beau Ciel from the Hyatt, and The President of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce rounded out the program.

Guests mingled with each other while sipping cocktails and visited several food stations with delicious edibles prepared by the Hyatt staff.

Beau Ciel was completed in 2003 and has outstanding views of the downtown Sarasota waterfront. The 17 story contemporary building offers &ldquo;resort amenities and magnificent views to opulent luxury and spectacular convenience.&rdquo; There are 8 condominiums for sale currently in the MLS at Beau Ciel. Prices range from $749,000 to $7,700,000.

Each residence has its own elevator. There is a gorgeous Lobby with a 24 hour concierge service, a social room with large catering kitchen, an outstanding fitness center, swimming pool and spa featuring an outdoor entertainment area. If you would like to know the complete list of Beau Ciels amenities or make an appointment to view one of these distinctive residences, please call the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467.
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            <pubDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:31:39 -0400</pubDate>
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            <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/downtown-sarasota-florida-real-estate-update.html</link>
            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>Downtown Sarasota Florida Real Estate Update</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Residents of downtown Sarasota Florida love the outstanding lifestyle provided in this walking neighborhood. Downtown Sarasota condos have become more popular as the United States turns green and gas prices remain high. Prices are much lower in the downtown Sarasota area and the selection of available condos is still outstanding.

Typical amenities at some of the best buildings such as 100 Central, 1350 Main, and Plaza at Five Points include: 24 hr concierge service, secure elevators, steam rooms, fitness facility, outdoor kitchen, heated pool and spa, two party rooms, plus a catering kitchen. All of the newer condominiums offer excellent public spaces and each buildings extras vary.

Condo buildings in the downtown areas such as the Sarasota Bayfront, central downtown, Golden Gate Point are close to beaches, shopping, restaurants and cultural venues of Sarasota.&nbsp;The Sarasota MLS currently shows over 350 condos listed for sale in central downtown Sarasota and&nbsp;Golden Gate Point. Prices currently range from $90,000 for a tiny one bedroom condo at Renaissance to $7.7 million for an elegant penthouse located at Orchid Beach Club on Lido Key.

Below is a sampling of condos available in downtown and Golden Gate. For a complete listing of all condos, visit our comprehensive downtown Sarasota real estate section. We have detailed information on all of downtown Sarasota's most popular buildings as well as all current MLS listings.

Condo Options in Central Downtown &amp; Bayfront



100 Central (6 condos for sale)



1350 Main (17 condos for sale)



Rivo at Ringling (13 condos for sale)



Plaza at Five Points (9 condos for sale)



Tessera (2 condos for sale)



Ritz Carlton (19 condos for sale)



Condo Options on Golden Gate Point



Grande Riviera (3 condos for sale)



Harbor House West (2 condos for sale)



Pier 550 (7 condos for sale)



If youre on Main Street, stop by and enjoy a warm espresso at Starbucks. Youll see the quaintest of Sarasotas vibrant downtown. Call the John Allen Team for information, prices and listing info for downtown Sarasota real estate. We show condos downtown regularly and will be happy to assist you in the research and purchase of your home or condo. We respond promptly via email or give the team a call direct at 941-544-6467 to schedule an appointment.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:13:50 -0500</pubDate>
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            <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/chill-lounge-night-a-huge-success.html</link>
            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>Chill Lounge Night in Downtown Sarasota A Huge Success</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Highlighting an action packed weekend in downtown Sarasota Florida was the 2nd Annual Chilllounge Night. Residents and visitors of Sarasota filled Palm Avenue for the event. The street was&nbsp;turned in to a huge South Beach Style outdoor lounge. Palm Ave was lined with stylish daybeds and outdoor furniture.


Chillounge was a night to remember. A few of the night's highlights included:



    
Brazilian Samba parade 

    
A variety of upscale food vendors and 7 cocktail bars 

    
Tango Performances 

    
Fashion Show 

    
Live Jazz on center stage 

    
and much more! 




If you didnt get there, you missed something special so mark it on your calendar for next year. The chatter in the street was this event should happen more often. Maybe you wont have to wait. Ticket proceeds benefited Wendy Mann Resnick's United Cerebral Palsy.


Restaurants such as Carigulos, one of our favorites, were bustling Saturday night. We stopped in about 8:00 pm to feast on some pasta and a salad before heading back into Palm Avenue. Diners and staff were in an infectious carnival mood.


Another fun gathering this weekend was the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Farmers Market in Sarasota. The Wired Whisk cooked a huge birthday cake for the event with probably zillions of eggs and pounds and pounds of flour. Imagine the sugar fix!


If you are interesting in living close to all of the action, stop by our&nbsp;downtown Sarasota real estate&nbsp;page or contact John Allen directly at 941-544-6467.
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            <pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:42:06 -0400</pubDate>
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            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>Downtown Sarasota Penthouse Sold for $1.5M</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
We recently closed on the sale of Penthouse B at Hudson Crossing.&nbsp; This luxury condominium&nbsp;was originally listed for sale at $2,650,000. The buyers we represented were able to acquire the penthouse for $1,500,000.





&quot;UNBELIEVABLE PRICE $500,000 UNDER OWNER PAID. BRING YOUR CLIENTS NOW! WATERFRONT PENTHOUSE Expansive water views with protected deepwater boat docks, new construction never occupied on Hudson Bayou with waterfront pool and cabana. 3 Bedroom penthouse with en-suite baths 2550 square feet of designer finishes with gourmet kitchen 10 feet ceiling and plantation shutters, private elevator, 2-car garage and private rooftop deck. Surrounded on two sides by Selby Botanical Gardens walk to the Bayfront Park, downtown shops and galleries. Unique opportunity to own a waterfront condo in the city.&quot;


This sales shows the kind of deals that strong buyers can make in the current market. The seller previously purchased the property on&nbsp;December 20, 2007 for $2,233,400.&nbsp; 


Contact us today if you are would like more information on condos for sale in Sarasota FL. BuySarasota.com gives you easy access to thousands of MLS listings. in addition, you will find detailed information on hundreds of Sarasota's most popular condominiums and neighborhoods.
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            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:07:00 -0500</pubDate>
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            <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/warren-buffet-is-buying.html</link>
            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>Warren Buffet is Buying</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Warren Buffet is buying. Of course we are referring to stocks, not real estate. However, I could not help but think of the Sarasota real estate market&nbsp;when I read his&nbsp;recent quote about his investment strategy.


&quot;A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.&nbsp; And most certainly, fear is now widespread, gripping even seasoned investors.&quot; - Warren Buffet


It reminds me of the old saying - &quot;The rich sell when everyone else is buying and buy when everyone is selling.&quot;


The real estate market will rebound eventually. Right now there are tremendous values out there. Financially strong buyers can take advantage of the housing turmoil. The keys to finding the best deal are patience and flexibility. In many cases locally, cash buyers&nbsp;can acquire properties for .50 to .60 on the dollar.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:45:58 -0400</pubDate>
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            <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/how-will-the-bailout-affect-the-sarasota-real-estate-market.html</link>
            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>How will the bailout affect the Sarasota real estate market?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
In case you have not heard yet, today congress passed the $700 billion plus bailout of mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The bill is designed to bolster the struggling economy and open up the credit markets.


Warren Buffett was quoted today as sating the bailout will &quot;not solve all our problems, but it will help.&quot; The truth is that no one know for sure if this will work, but we had to do something to help loosen the credit markets.


The question many locals are wondering is how this will affect the Sarasota real estate market. It will probably be many months before we see significant improvement. The US Treasury will now have the ability to help slow down the rate of foreclosures. The bill is&nbsp;a step in the right direction. According to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Economy.com, &quot;the housing market will receive an important boost via lower mortgage rates and more available mortgage credit.&quot;


One thing is for sure, we are not going to see prices start heading back up until the inventory is cleaned up. Slowing foreclosures, lower mortgage rates and access to credit will help to eventually get things moving back in a positive direction.


Savvy buyers with cash and good credit are taking advantage of market conditions.&nbsp;The old saying that &quot;Cash&quot; is king&quot; is so true today. I've worked with several investors lately that have bought property at 50 cents on the dollar because of the their ability to offer clean deals and quick closes. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:59:10 -0400</pubDate>
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