941-586-4790

Sandcastles on Siesta Key Beach

This past Saturday on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida was the annual sandcastles contest.  Every year they have an organized contest. 

sand_castles_on_siesta_key_beach_055_400 


As you can see from these pictures this is no ordinary beach sand.  Siesta Key Beach is consistently ranked among the best beaches in America year after year by Dr. Beach.  The sand on Siesta Key is 99% quartz which makes it very white – very smooth – very fine and very cool even on the hottest of summer days.  Because of the quartz make up of the sand it is very fine and stays together making it the optimum conditions for building any sort of sand design. 






Siesta Key beach is on the west side of the barrier island of Siesta Key located in Sarasota, Florida.  The beach faces the Gulf…

11291 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Sarasota Public School System – A Quality Education 

The Sarasota County School District is one of the highest performing school districts in the state of Florida.  The district has been designated as an “A” district by the Florida Department of Education, with 95 percent of the elementary schools and 84 percent of the high schools receiving “A” or “B” grades in 2009.  It is among 15 percent of the U.S. districts to receive the “What Parents Want” award. It has been recognized for outstanding arts  education by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  

When we were thinking of moving to Florida our number one concern was educating our boys. 
The Sarasota School System had what we wanted making Sarasota our #1 choice to raise our family.  The following…

3226 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Sarasota Market Report Update for the Month of March

The following report is taken from the Sarasota Association of Realtors, in Sarasota, Florida.  Just released information to the public today April 14, 2010.   This is a good news report.  I just met with a buyer who is moving from Tampa, he told me that he wants to move to Sarasota because you can get much more house for your money than you can in Tampa. 


“Sales skyrocket in March 2010; real estate market appears strong”
“Overall property sales reached 753 in the Sarasota market in March 2010, the highest total since December 2005 and more than 56 percent higher than March 2009. Pending sales were also robust, standing at 1,060 - the highest total in the past four years. But perhaps the most telling…

1544 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Where are the interest rates going to do in the future? 
  
A look into the crystal ball.........

Let me give you some insights as to what the real estate field is hearing.
Currently interest rates are hovering in the low 5% range.  

db335f5c-9089-4c63-86c3-92e39f7e8b38_200

In a recent article written by Michael Pollick of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune dated March 30, 2010,   Michael wrote,

” Signs are pointing to the end of the era of 5 percent mortgages, one that already has lasted longer than most thought it would.  It is clear that the combination play used by the government and Federal Reserve to stimulate the residential real estate market in 2009 and 2010 -- artificially cheap mortgage rates coupled with lucrative federal tax credits and easily available Federal Housing Administration loans --…

2453 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Where I grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts there was only one way to shop for real estate.  Usually which town you wanted to live in.  Up north towns had different flavors and price ranges.  There might be some differences between the east side of town and the west side but by and large that is how you decided where to buy.  


88f2aa66-32df-4d5d-9453-dd7bc3953c30_200


What I quickly learned after moving to Sarasota is that you shop for real estate based on a neighborhood or area.  Different parts of the country have their own lingo but it really means the same thing.  Some would call it Neighborhoods others Communities and still others may refer to it as Subdivisions.  All and all it comes down to the same thing, where would you like to live?             

Then the big question is:  How can I shop…

4986 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Prestancia is one of the most desirable areas to live in Sarasota, Florida.  This home has just come on the market for $575,000.  A 4 bedroom 3 bath home at the world famous TPC Prestancia on Palmer Ranch.  This home sits next to the 12th tee a par 5 hole on the Stadium Course.  6d4r6733a_400

Gated golf community of Prestancia.  Sunny and bright 4 bedroom home with 3 full baths  on 1/2 acre lot on the 12th tee of the stadium course overlooking beautiful lake views. Enjoy relaxing on the large lanai, southerly exposure, built-in dining table and outdoor kitchen area. Both pool and spa refinished with crystal crete in the past 2 years. Lots of kitchen cabinetry for the cook along with a kitchen island. Plenty of rooms for entertaining including the family room with wood…

1846 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Bird Key Canal Home Sells for $1,600,000.

This beautiful 2 story home on Bird Key located at 444 Meadow Lark Drive just sold on March 15, 2010 for $1,600,000.  This 4,267 sq foot home has 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths on a canal.  This home was listed at $1,800,000 and was on the market for 281 days.
a3899353_101_12_400
Built in 2003 by John Cannon, this 2 story, move-in ready home has hardly been lived in. With over $100,000 in upgrades, custom features and details abound. Relax while enjoying spectacular canal views. Entertain in style with a stunning kitchen featuring black granite countertops & stainless steel appliances, formal & casual dining & living areas.

For your convenience, the 2nd floor features a large bonus room (26x19), a bedroom & a balcony with partial bay…

1922 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 Riverview High School - Sarasota, Florida

riverview_high_school_141_400

These past several years have been very busy for Riverview High School on Proctor Road in Sarasota.  A landmark school for Sarasota, the original buildings built in 1959, have seen thousands of students graduate over these past 50 years.

As students graduated from Riverview over the years the original buildings began to show their wear and tear and unfortunately needed much repair.  With some very tough decisions facing the school board and community the decision was made to build new modern day buildings rather than renovating the original buildings. 

               

With a strong commitment to educating her youth, the 5 member school board, administration, and the tax paying community has…

15758 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Gator Creek in Sarasota, Florida  

Sold for $350,000

This home at 7700 S. Gator Creek Blvd in Gator Creek  sits on almost 7 acres of land and has just been sold for $350,000.

I am happy to say that I was the listing agent and was able to find the buyer for this country property home. Gator Creek is one of those very unique neighborhoods in Sarasota. Gator Creek is located east of I-75 near where Clarke Road and Bee Ridge Extension meet. You enter into the neighborhood through entrance gates that come off of Bee Ridge Extension.  This is also the entrance that takes you to the Gator Creek Country Club, which is an exclusive mens only golf club. 

All the homes in this neighborhood are unique and typically sit on 5+ acres of land.  As you drive through…

1906 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Price to Sell This Large Bentree-Woodlands II Home
5001 Coco Plum Way, Sarasota, FL

$535,000.

coco_plum_way_5001_002_400

Gorgeous lake view lot with over ½ acre.  Stately curb appeal and grand entrance way.  Enjoy over 4,100 square feet of living area, 2 fireplaces, 2 swimming pools and 4 bedroom suites for all your out of town guests.  Travertine flooring in main areas, updated kitchen with granite countertops, upstairs loft/office and separate exercise room.  Light and bright with soaring ceilings.  A wonderful home for entertaining.

This home has now been sold for $480,000 on July 15,2010

To View other properties that are for sale click onto Bent Tree Homes for Sale.

1694 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post