Market Stats

Once again, the Sarasota real estate stats moved up. January 2010 sales were up 58% over January 2009 according to a reported presented by the Sarasota Association of Realtors a few weeks ago.

Pending sales gave a strong performance also – at the 800 level. October 2009 was the last time pending sales performed so well.

“In sharp contract to the first month of last year, January 2010 saw 506 overall sales, compared to only 319 sales in January 2009. In addition, pending sales surged by over 10 percent from December 2009 to a total of 815. The statistic is a strong indicator for the next two or three months of sales, as pending sales are an indicator of current buyer activity.”

Many buyers are focusing on buying homes that aren’t in the distressed…

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 building’s extras vary.

Condo buildings in the downtown areas such as the Sarasota Bayfront,…

Luxury homes have lagged in the comeback of Florida real estate, but as we noted in July and October 2009 market reports, Casey Key home sales are on the move. There’s a very nice selection of waterfront Casey Key homes available for sale. Buyers continue to surf and shop for homes that are well priced for the market. Sellers are working with offers and deals are being made. We’ve been showing small beach houses as well as much larger ranch style houses and luxurious waterfront estates. Activity is once again on the rise on this private tropical paradise.

The beauty and privacy of Casey Key are what draw the affluent, entertainers, movie stars and authors to this tropical island. Residents walk the beaches, explore the jetties, and are awed by the vistas…

Bird Key is a private boating community located between St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota. Boaters love the deep water canals winding through the Key to the open water of Sarasota Bay and on to the Gulf of Mexico. Developed by Arvida in the 1950s, many homes have been replaced with luxurious mansions and other homes have been updated to include new features, architectural details and the modern standards demanded by buyers today.

Bird Key residents have privy to their own private yacht club. The Bird Key Yacht Club is a member of the Florida Council of Yacht Club’s and is a great place for residents to socialize.

Bird Key real estate offers buyers privacy behind its gates. The inventory of Bird Key homes for sale stands at 36 currently in the…

Now that we've closed the book on 2009, a year many people would like to forget, many real estate experts are making their predictions for 2010. Will 2010 be a good year for the Sarasota real estate market? Nationally, many economists seem to think things will improve.

Laurence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, recently released his predictions for the year ahead.

• Yun sees a 20 percent increase in sales for the first half of 2010 over 2009 for the same period.
• Yun expects inventory levels to continue to decline and that we will start seeing increases in home values by mid-year. Mr Yun points out that his predictions are based on mortgage rates staying in the 5 - 5.5% range

The Sarasota real estate market sales data…