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All Blog Entries by John Allen

Found 78 blog entries published by John Allen.

beach homeHave you ever thought about owning a home on a beautiful island surrounded by water? If so, you might want to set your sights upon the exclusive island of Longboat Key. This breathtaking 12 mile stretch of land is characterized by beautiful beaches and privacy. Considering all that the island has to offer, it should come as no surprise to learn that many people from around the world are interested in learning more about owning a home on this beautiful slice of paradise.

It doesn't take long for visitors to the island to realize that there is a diverse selection of homes on Longboat Key. While there are still some older single family homes on the island, many have been torn down and replaced by larger, more ornate and luxurious homes.

Single Family

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Aerial view of 1350 Main condominiumWith a wide variety of shops, restaurants, art galleries, special events and entertainment, Downtown Sarasota is a happening place and popular with residents who enjoy an active urban lifestyle. While there is an excellent selection of downtown condos, there are only a handful of buildings that allow pets.

1350 Main is one of the most pet friendly downtown condos. If you have a pet and are looking for a luxury condominium community with exceptional amenities, 1350 Main may be the perfect option. Located in the center of everything, this condominium offers an entire floor of amenities. There is a theater room, outdoor grilling area, beautiful swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center and meeting rooms.

Popular attractions such as St Armands

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In the previous month's market statistics released by the Sarasota Association of Realtors (SAR) for November 2013, total property sales "continued to moderate." In Sarasota County, sales totaled 760 with 531 single family homes and 229 condos closing in November 2013. October 2013 sales totaled 818 with 582 single family homes selling and 236 condos. In the previous year, 552 single family homes and 278 condos were sold.

Median sale prices for single family homes sold were up 20.6 percent over last year at the same time. The market here clearly is continuing price appreciation. The figures show single family home prices were at $187,000 this November compared to $155,000 for November 2012. "The median sale price for single family for the 12 month

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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, almost the

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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 size

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Ringling Art MuseumIt 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 enjoy visiting the many

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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 to a…
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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 which

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Siesta Key Best BeachEach 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…
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