Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Season is Upon Us Once Again in Sarasota

In a recent blog, I pointed out several factors which I believe will lead to a very strong season for real estate in Sarasota.  To affirm that belief, I am attaching a recent article that reflects the fact that housing in our area has leveled off and is starting to move up again.  While there are still pressures on the market, I am confident that we are in a recovery mode.

Enjoy the article!!!

Local market enjoys sales, price rise in November 2010
November 2010 saw resurgence in the Sarasota real estate market, with more sales and higher median sale prices indicating a healthy seasonal boost. There were 534 total sales reported last month, compared to 487 in October 2010 and 553 in November 2009. The median sale price for single family homes rose to $160,100, from last month's figure of $147,500, and for condos the price stood at $159,000 - slightly higher than the October 2010 figure of $158,525. The stability in the median sale prices shows signs of improvement.
Overall sales rose by 9.7 percent in November 2010 compared to last month, but about 7 percent lower than last November, when the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit buoyed sales as the initial period was due to expire. Looking at the most recent five months, there has been a fairly steady trend in sales and prices, a sign of recovery.
Pending sales were also strong in November 2010, and at 764 were very near the total in November 2009 (793), when the market was strengthened by the homebuyer tax credit initiative. With no tax credit currently in effect, the high pending sales figure is evidence of a stronger market. This statistic is a strong indicator for the next two or three months of sales, as pending sales reflect current buyer activity.
The property sales breakdown in November 2010 was 369 single family home sales and 165 condos. Condo sales saw the biggest resurgence, growing 21.3 percent from October 2010.
 "There certainly appears to be a solid foundation for consistent, stable sales and prices as we enter the new year," said 2010 SAR President Erick Shumway. "While the foreclosure situation remains a potential barrier to quicker price appreciation, the local market seems to be absorbing that factor and adjusting to the new reality."

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Time is Right

There has been a lot of news that points to a rebound in the market in Sarasota.  Last month pending sales increased by 10% year-over-year.  I had a client recently place an offer on a home that was a bank owned property and we were 1 of 5 offers.  We got the property, but right at the list price.  I have also been holding lots of open houses and the traffic has picked up considerably.

A recent article by Credit Suisse confirmed some of my beliefs.  Here is an excerpt from the article:


“Fear of higher rates”, “specific bargains”, “seasonal improvement”, 
and some “post election confidence” helped traffic:
reasons for the slight bounce in traffic, with some agents surprised and
unsure of the real cause. One clear theme was the attractiveness of low
mortgage rates and the fear of rising rates, which we think led some buyers
to decide to act. In addition, many buyers emerged from their summer/fall
sabbatical to see some of the bargains firsthand. The start of generally
cooler weather brought out buyers in several warmer markets. Finally, there
was a small group motivated by a bit more confidence following the election.
Some of these trends may attract only a shallow buyer pool so we’ll continue
to watch to see if this persists into December. Overall, our traffic index
increased to 22.1 in November, up from 16.3 in October.



I am a strong believer that this season will be an exceptionally great season as the prices are at the bottom and the rates are great.  There are many factors that will lead to a strong buying season in Sarasota.  I also remember when many people were kicking themselves when they thought they had missed out on the top of the market.  Don't be one of those who waits on the bottom only to be kicking themsleves when the prices start to rise.

 Sarasota was one of the very first places to take a beating when the market headed south, but I think it will also be one of the first ones to recover. I think that recover is now!!!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Sarasota Public Boat Launch Facilities

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends. After 30 families members descended upon our house for Thanksgiving, I am ready to get back to work.

Today's topic will center around the several public boat ramps that are available to the Sarasota public.  Not everyone wants some of the headaches of living on the water (insurance, additional taxes and high costs), but there are still lots of residents who love to be on the water in their boats!!!

Since not everyone knows where the public boat access points are located, this article will highlight them and provide a link to view their locations.

The most popular public launch area is located at 10th Street and U.S. 41 (N. Tamiami Trail).  Centennial Park has lots of parking, deep water, plenty of mooring space, and it is centrally located if you live further east.  During the summer, and when there are water events, parking for a car and trailer can be a challenge, but not impossible.  This is also a great spot if you are trying to get to the Gulf of Mexico.  You basically head west and through New Pass.  It is about a 10 minute ride. See the link for the location of the boat access at http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=27.345639,-82.548459&spn=0.00467,0.01222&t=h&z=17

Another super location, but one that does not get used as much, is the launch at City Island.  If you can's find parking at Centennial Park, this is the closest location for launching a boat and is right behind Mote Marine.  It is a nice launch with nice facilities.  There is plenty of parking, too.  You are very close to New Pass and the Gulf of Mexico.  See the launch at http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=27.333841,-82.574744&spn=0.002335,0.00611&t=h&z=18

If you live further south of downtown Sarasota and don't want to fight the traffic, there is a nice public boat launch on the south end of Siesta Key at Turtle Beach.  The county has spent a great deal of money purchasing land and creating a master plan for all of Turtle Beach.  The county also purchased the small trailer park to the north of park area. The public boat access is very nice, but parking can be an issue during the high season.  There are not a great number of parking spaces available.  You have to get there early.  It is in the middle of the Key and can make for a long trip to the Gulf, but if fishing or skiing is what you are after, you are only minutes away at this launch which you can see at http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=27.218199,-82.516369&spn=0.004675,0.01222&t=h&z=17

Happy Boating!!! 

Monday, November 15, 2010

Sarasota Marinas

Sarasota is fortunate to have so many excellent boat storage facilities and marinas. This article will focus on some of the nicer marinas and their amenities, along with some of the fine yacht clubs in the area.

 I will start at New Pass and the world class marina, Marinemax.  Located on the south side of the pass and only minutes from the Gulf, this is an excellent facility that offers dry storage for boats up to 32", state-of-the-art service repair center, boat sales, and great amenities for boat lovers. They offer unlimited launches, engine flushes, hull washing and a variety of other services.  They will even start your boat and fill your coolers with ice, if needed or requested.  See there site here for directions and information http://www.marinemaxsarasota.com/.

Our next stop takes us downtown to Marina Jack's located in the center of town.  If you want to have a boat downtown, this is the place to be.  Located at the beginning of Main St., Marina Jack's has a variety of slips to offer, plus fuel, and a fine restaurant.  They are capable of handling boats well over 100 feet in length.  Go to their site and see it from the air www.marinajacks.com/ .  Named Sarasota's first environmentally clean marina.

The Bird Key Yacht Club is directly to the West of Marina Jack's and is a family owned marina.  There are lots of slips, but it can be a challenge to get one.  There is no dry storage for boats, but it is a very protected basin for large boats. You can visit their site at http://www.birdkeyyc.com/.

Going west from there is the brand new Sarasota Yacht Club that was just recently completed and now open for business.  It is a beautiful facility.  Designed by Mark Sultana, the building has a modern beach feel to it.  Clean lines and lots of glass throughout the building offer up stunning views of Bird Key and downtown Sarasota.  They have excellent service and lots of slip storage. Their site offers a great look at the new facility http://www.sarasotayachtclub.org/Home-1.html.

Heading south through the ICW, the Field Club offers a nice storage facility for their members.  No repairs can be handled, but you can get fuel at their main docking area.

The newest facility is on the Phillippi Creek.  It is a brand new state-of-the-art facility that also meets hurricane standards. It is a five minute ride from the ICW.  They offer launches, cleaning, and fuel.  I have also noticed that there are some racks that are for sale at great prices, down from their high during the boom.  Nice facility and centrally located.

Siesta Key Marina is located just south of of the Stickney Point Bridge and has been in service for many years.  They have dry storage, repairs and a parts department that offer excellent service.  They also have a sales department for new boats. 

Four miles south of Siesta Key Marina is Turtle Beach Marina.  They are located on the south end of Siesta Key.  In business for many years, they offer dry storage, slips and repairs.  They, too, have a restaurant and bar next to the marina.  They provide all types of storage and have a new dry storage facility.  They can detail you boat and shrink wrap it if you intend to keep it in storage for a lengthy period.  See them at http://www.turtlebeachmarina.net/

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Longboat Key and North for 40 Foot Boats!

This is my last installment on great spots to moor a boat over 40 feet.  In my last two segments, I discussed spots for larger boats in all the areas south of the John Ringling Bridge all the way south to Blackburn Road Bridge.

If you are more interested in areas north of the John Ringling Bridge, look no further.  As you move north past the John Ringling Bridge, many spots are available.  Most of the good water and docks are located along Longboat Key.  On the east side, the closest place to town to store a larger boat are the docks provided by Condo on the Bay.  There are several townhouses that have their own docks.  You are right downtown and access is very good.  From there, you are only 10 minutes to the Gulf.  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.339654,-82.549521&spn=0.001892,0.005665&t=h&z=18

As you move north in the ICW, along the eastern shore, there are a few spots available, but once you pass Whitaker Bayou, it become more challenging.  There are many docks, but the water is not as deep as there are sea grass beds along the shore and the water tends to be very shallow.

The better spots for large boat moorings can be found from New Pass to the north.  In Lido Shores, along Westway Drive, the water is very deep and you are only minutes from the Gulf of Mexico.  The only downside is that you are also vulnerable to storms and wave surge as there is not much protection as you are basically on the open water.  Directly north there is a small enclave of houses in the Longboat Key Club where some of the houses are more protected. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.330581,-82.583016&spn=0.003784,0.01133&t=h&z=17

Moving north along the eastern shoreline of Longboat Key, a boat lover has a myriad of options to choose from when considering mooring spots for their larger boat.  Country Club Shores offers 18 canals that provide plenty of space for larger boats.  Longboat Key Club also offers great water and lots of bayous and harbours to store a large boat.  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.344172,-82.596588&spn=0.015134,0.045319&t=h&z=15

One hidden gem, Emerald Harbour, is located at the north end of LBK.  One of the nice features is that you are only 15 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico.  The canals are very wide and protected.  It is also one of the few places where you live in a nice neighborhood and you have a deeded beach access.  The walk is only a few minutes from any of the homes.  Pricing is also a factor.  This morning, I was able to pull up 3 nice homes priced under $800,000. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.420729,-82.663021&spn=0.007562,0.022659&t=h&z=16

Well, that about covers all the areas you can store large boats from the north end of Longboat Key all the way south to Casy Key.

Next week I will be talking about dry storage facilities for boats.  Should be fun and informative.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

More on 40 Foot Moorings!!!

This is the second part in a 3 part series on places where people can keep 40 foot boats or larger.  In this article, I will be working my way south of the Stickney Point Bridge (southern bridge on Siesta Key) all the way down to Blackburn Point Bridge (Casey Key).

As you head south from the Stickney Point bridge, the western shore is littered with ideal spots for mooring a large boat.  Peacock Road has many estate-like sized properties, most of them nearly an acre in size.  With these large lots, plenty of space is available for large boats.  Most properties have nice docks in place.  Some properties even come with there own boat basins.  They offer great protection from storms and wakes.  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.251835,-82.527323&spn=0.003787,0.01133&t=h&z=17

As you continue down the west side of the ICW, many great places are commonplace. Large boats can be kept all the way down the east side of the Key.  It you want something nice, and unique, there are several parcels on the south end of Siesta Key where you can be on the beach and store a boat without having to go to Casey Key.  The trip to the open water is longer, but you can't touch the price of the land.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.214149,-82.514362&spn=0.000947,0.002832&t=h&z=19

There are lots of super locations for large boats on the East side of Casey Key all the way down to the Blackburn Point Bridge. Again, the trips to the open water are longer.  If Midnight Pass were ever to open, that trip goes from 30-40 minutes down to about 10-15 minutes, but that is a long shot. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.19485,-82.50299&spn=0.007577,0.022659&t=h&z=16

Heading down the ICW from the Stickney Point Bridge, there are lots of spots for mooring large boats on the mainland side.  Thanks to recent dredging efforts, areas that were once off-limits to large boats are now accessible.  There are still some difficult spots to navigate and one would be wise to stay away from them.  One problem area is the basin that services the houses on Roland Street and Captain Kidd.  Small boats can get in and out, but that is about it.  There are also some shallow areas just to the south of that as well.  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.24863,-82.516594&spn=0.003787,0.01133&t=h&z=17

Upper Cove Creek was just dredged in the past year.  For a boat lover who does not want to spend a great deal on a house, this is a good spot to look.  Coral Cove is also home to great water and even better boat storage for the discerning owner.  What I like is the fact that the cove is very wide and getting a boat in and out of that area is very easy.  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.242955,-82.509792&spn=0.007574,0.022659&t=h&z=16

As you move farther south, there are only a few areas left where a large boat can be moored.  One of those spots is in The Oaks.  The homes are expensive, but the water is deep and accessible.

That takes you down to the bridge.  Next week I will explore the canals and waterways heading north out of Sarasota to the end of Longboat Key.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Homes on the Water that can Moor a 40 Foot Boat or Larger.

Many people that arrive in Sarasota, who may have never had any interest in boating, soon discover that they want to have a boat because there is so much to do on the water. Others who are looking at Sarasota, and who love boating, are looking at Sarasota because there are many places you can moor a boat larger than 40 feet. That is the topic of today's article: Finding places where you can keep a large boat in the water. I will discuss locations from St. Armand's Circle down to the south bridge on Siesta Key that are ideal for large boats.

I want to start in the downtown area.  Bird Key is an ideal place for boats that are over 40 feet in length.  The outside of the island, while more expensive, has no problem handling large vessels.  The water is deep and the lots are typically 150' wide, enabling an owner to keep a very large boat moored at their dock.  The interior canals are also very good, too.  The houses are less expensive, but the canals are wide and deep.  The lots are also wide.  There are some canal front homes that are now around $1,000,000.  Houses on the exterior start much higher, usually over $1.7 million.

Moving to the west from Bird Key is the water on the east side of St. Armand's Circle.  Most of the water is very deep and there is no problem getting larger vessels in and out of the coves.  Anywhere on the east portion, whether it is north or south of the Ringling bridge, is good water. Google Map offers a great view of this water http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.315197,-82.562857&spn=0.015138,0.045319&t=h&z=15.

As you move further south, towards the north end of Siesta, 90 percent of the homes that are on open water have excellent water access for a large boat.  As you head out towards the gulf, Bayou Louise, is the last place where docks are allowed for mooring boats.  There are also several canals on the north end of Siesta where a large boat can be stored and is more protected than on the bay.  See link http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=27.304463,-82.552192&spn=0.00757,0.022659&t=h&z=16.

To the east, north of the Siesta Key bridge, you can find protected water on the Hudson Bayou, in Harbour acres and south into Cherokee Park.  Further south gets iffy as the water is quite shallow.  Follow the link http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.318304,-82.542944&spn=0.007569,0.022659&t=h&z=16.

Moving south of Siesta Key bridge, there are many superb places for boat mooring.  Either east of the bridge or west provide spots for large boats.  Roberts Bay is a very protected bay that can easily handle a boat over 40 feet and it is a wide body of water.  There are many good spots along the western shoreline as you move south on Siesta Key.  The house values are also better. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.294681,-82.552257&spn=0.00757,0.022659&t=h&z=16

On the east side, there are many great spots.  Heck, there are even a few condos in Tidewood where a large boat can be kept and the values are great.  There are many canals in Aqualine Estates.  Stanford, Ridgewood, Baywinds and Meadowood are all nice canals.  Only downside is some of the canals are not very wide.  It makes turning around a challenge. Most have been dredged and can handle nice sized vessels in spite of the width challenge. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.265464,-82.538695&spn=0.015144,0.045319&t=h&z=15

One lot, in particular, that is on the bay that has good water is a listing at 1616 Baywinds.  With southern exposure and views of the bay, this 12,000 foot lot has water that is nearly 5 feet deep. it is a perfect lot to build on and is priced at under $645,000.  It is one of the best deals on the bay in Sarasota.  You can view it on my website at http://www.discoversarasotarealestate.com/.  See an aerial view here http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=27.265464,-82.538695&spn=0.015144,0.045319&t=h&z=15.

There are also several nice mooring spots on Hollywood Ave.  Another nice lot is nearly 1/2 an acre and is bank-owned.  It has western exposure in the back and very nice water.  The lot is listed for just under $800,000.

That takes care of Bird Key to the middle of Siesta Key.  Next week I will look at spots from the south Siesta Key bridge down to Blackburn Road bridge.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Rates are Still at Historically Low Levels

Rates on mortages have been falling since the spring as investors have poured money into Treasuries.  It is hard to tell if that trend will continue, but the rates for 30 year loans have been hovering around the 4.2% for some time now.  If you want to read more about how you can take advantage of these historic rates read more at http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=248891.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Nothing Like Fishing in and Around Srasota

One of the many reasons I love Sarasota is not only the beautiful, clear water, and the great weather, but also the fishing.  Having been here for such a long time, you might think that I have been doing it for as long as I have lived in Sarasota.  Not true!  My love for fishing has only truly evolved into a passion over the last three years or so.  I never had time and it always took so much time to get ready and get out on the water.  Heck, even with a boat, I hardly ever made it out to experience some of the great fishing that Sarasota has to offer.

That all changed when my dear friend, Jay Crouse, asked me if I wanted to go down to Boca Grande for the day to fish with Captain Eddie, a guide who is familiar with the waters around Pine Island, Boca Grande, and the mouth of Charlotte Harbor.  I was all in.  I had been tarpon fishing many years ago with John Schaub, but it was at night and there wasn't much to see in the Boca Grande Pass.

We left the dock at 7:30a.m. and for the next 30 minutes I saw some jaw-dropping views of the water around Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island and some of the smaller islands in the harbour.  Our first stop was on a  grass flat where the trout were on our hooks nearly every cast.   From there, Captain Eddie took us to the mouth of the pass where the snook are up near the shoreline where the trees line the water. We caught lots of snook  over the next two hours and took our limit as we pulled anchor and moved to the very eastern portion of the harbour.

On the Pine Island side of the bay, we cut through water about 8 inches deep to reach our destination.  It was there that my excitement reached a fevered pitch as we were about to embark on some real fishing.  Eddie wanted to introduce me to red fish.  For the next 3 hours we got into a mess of red fish.  I had never seen so many fish. I was having a blast!!!!

After that day, I promised myself that I would make it down to fish with Eddie at least 2 times a year and I would also get out on my own boat to do some fishing.  I have failed to live up to the promise on my own boat, but you can beat I have been out at least twice-a-year with Captain Eddie.

If you are interested in fishing with Eddie, he can be reached @ 941.815.0009.  You won't be disappointed.

Next week I will talk about places to fish in Sarasota.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

J.P. Morgan Halts 50,000 Foreclosure Proceedings

NEW YORK (AP) – Sept. 30, 2010 – JPMorgan Chase has temporarily stopped foreclosing on more than 50,000 homes so it can review documents that might contain errors.

JPMorgan’s move Wednesday makes it the second major company to take such action this month, underscoring a growing legal problem. The issue could stall an already overloaded foreclosure process. Read the rest of the article at http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=248150.

This is an interesting article on the state of the legal process when it comes to foreclosures.

I would not be surprised if we see more banks temporarily stop foreclosures as the banks review their procedures.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Grateful for Sarasota's Pristine Beaches!!!!

As someone who loves the beach and loves to be in the water, I wondered about the impact that the Deepwater Horizon disaster might have on our pristine coast.  I thought about that long and hard when I entered the Gulf of Mexico this morning for my morning swim (2,500 yards) along the shoreline.  I have been in the same blue green water at least 3-4 times a week since I returned in early August.  Each time I enter the water, I look out on the horizon to see if any tar balls have made their way to the magnificent beaches that surround Sarasota. I look in the water to see if there is a hidden disaster that lurks beneath our waters To my surprise, I have seen none.  Zero. Not one tar ball, or anything that resembles oil has come near Siesta Key Beach, Longboat Key or Casey Key, and I do not think any will at this point. 

I say this because some people still seem skeptical about buying Sarasota real estate. Potential home buyers remain unsure about the effects the oil might have on our stunning beaches, fishing, and home values.  I know, first hand, that potential buyers feared housing prices would come down even more once the oil hit the beaches in early August.

Here is the other side of that equation. I believe that there are others out there that see the oil spill as an opportunity to buy a great Sarasota home situated on, or near a beautiful beach, at a bargain price.  Those people see the value, and are confident that they will be able to enjoy all that the Sarasota beaches have to offer in Sarasota.

If people are worried that the rental market has been adversly affected, I would suggest taking a look at the bookings for this coming season.  Everyone I have talked to, in the business, is telling me that bookings are very strong for the upcoming season. I have had a hard time finding suitable rentals for customers planning to visit.  There are few accommodations available for rent on Siesta Key or Longboat Key.

As the oil threat fades, I am certain we will experience a healthy season of visitors and potential home buyers. With housing prices where they are (rock bottom), interest rates still hovering near historic lows, and the rebound of the euro, Sarasota, Florida is still an extremely attractive place to own real estate.  It won't last long before we start to see prices rebound.

The beach is OPEN and absolutely pristine!  The fish are still biting!  The water is still beautiful! Lots of walkers are on the sandy beaches and I will be swimming and enjoying all that our beaches have to offer around sunrise tomorrow.  Make some plans to visit and see how special Sarasota really is.  You won't be disappointed. View our live BEACH CAM

Monday, September 27, 2010

Sarasota Waterfront Dining Experiences

Waterfront dining in Sarsota can be a great experience.  There are many great restaurants on the water, but only a handful can be reached by both land and water. If you like boating, here are my picks for dining by water travel.

In today's blog, I will be taking you to five restaurants that I believe offer a great dining exerience. Not only are the views great, but the food is super.  I start with the Drydock restaurant on the south end of Longboat Key and work my way south to Blackburn Point Road.

Our first stop is the Drydock Waterfront Grill (http://www.drydockwaterfrontgrill.com/) on the south end of Longboat Key. Heading east through New Pass, head left and follow the markers past Duck Point Preserve.  The restaurant is about 1/2 north on the left. You can pull up to the grill and dine outside or head upstairs for a great meal.  Prices are reasonable and the food is good.  Their grouper is super!!!

The Old Salty Dog (www.theoldsaltyddog.com/cityisland )  is on the south side of New Pass and is very easy to get to by boat.  You can pull right up to the dock, jump off, and have a cold beer and grouper sandwich, at the bar, in about 30 minutes.  Fun place to have good seafood!!! I enjoy going there at sunset as the views are beautiful.

If you like to be downtown, Marina Jacks (http://www.marinajacks.com/) offers both causal and formal dining.  What I like about the causal dining is there is always great music, and a place to dance, after you have had a bite to eat.  The food is good and the service is super.  The upstairs exerience offers stunning views of Sarasota Bay and even better sunset views.  I love the food!

Traveling south towards Siesta Key offers lots of opportunites to see wildlife (I saw six manatee and several dolphin last week). As you make your way toward marker 48, you can enjoy two different kinds of dining experiences. The first is Turtle Restaurant (http://www.turtlesrestaurant.com/). It is a fun and relaxing atmosphere.  Food is good and the service is fine.  What I like is that you can walk across the street and take a stroll on Turle Beach so that you can take in the sunset, if you like.  The other restaurant, Ophelias, is about 400 yards south of Turtle's.  Ophelias, in business for over 22 years, is a wonderful dining experience.  The food is superb and the service is excellent.  It is a great place for a romantic dinner.  There is outdoor waterfront dining and very nice indoor accommodations. You won't be disappointed.  See their site at http://www.opheliasonthebay.net/.

Looking for a funky, fun restaurant?  Look no further than Casey Key Fish House (http://www.caseykeyfishhouse.com/) located just south of the Blackburn Point swing bridge. The bridge is one of the few swing bridges left in all of Florida.  It is quite a boat ride from the downtown Sarasota area, but it will be worth it.  They serve both lunch and dinner and you will always find something there that you will like.  Their grouper is always superb!! Food is great and the prices are spot on.

I hope you can make it to one of these spots the next time you are out on the water.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Sarasota Lifestyles and Waterfront Interests

As a resident of Sarasota for over 20 years (except for a small detour to Dallas, TX), I have come to admire and respect all that Sarasota has to offer.  My family returned from Dallas in 2004 and arrived just in time to experience the wrath of Hurricane Charley, and three more that followed on its heals.  But not to be deterred by a little rain and wind, we settled in and promised ourselves that we would never leave again, if at all possible. I told my wife that I would be a garbage man if needed so that we could stay and reap the benefits of all that Sarasota has to offer.

With the rise and fall of the Sarasota real estate market, in the middle part of this century, I think we have come full circle.  Recently, there have been several articles about where Sarasota ranks in terms of places to live in the U.S.  I am sure there is lots of data that they take into account when determining the rankings (schools, arts, community, jobs, quality of life, etc.), but one of the top criteria in the recent report was home value.  Sarasota ranked #2 recently of places to go where you could get a great deal on a home or condo. Heck, even if we were in the TOP 10, we would still be an attractive to live!!!!

It is with that ranking in mind, I want to set out over the next near to write articles about real estate on the waterways around Bird Key, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Casey Key, boating opportunities, places where you can eat dinner on the water and arrive by boat or car. I will review marina's and storage facilities. Since fishing is such a big part of Sarasota life, I will make recommendations regarding some of the best fishing guides from Sarasota to Boca Grande.  Sites to see will also be high on my list.  From Eggmont to Caya Costa, there are many interesting landmarks and places of interest that should be visited if you have access to the water. With my dear friend and writer, Rebecca Robinson, we will indulge your senses with articles about wines and meals that can be eaten on your boat, on the beach, or on your dock!!! Check Back Often for great information on living Sarasota Style.

My newsletter will also be up and running in short order.  You will be able to join at http://www.discoversarasotarealestate.com/ and receive a newsletter once-a-month.  It should be fun and interesting!!!!  See ya soon!

Housing starts up 10.5% nationally

RISMEDIA, September 23, 2010—(MCT)—New housing starts surged 10.5% in August 2010 to the highest level since spring, but the activity was driven by a sharp spike in apartment construction, government data showed. Housing starts rose in August to an annualized rate of 598,000, compared with a revised 0.4% increase in July, the Commerce Department reported. Read the entire article at http://rismedia.com/2010-09-22/housing-starts-jump-10-5-percent-in-august-2010/.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Sarasota's Newest Real Estate Resource on the Web

I am excited to launch a new website location http://www.discoversarasotarealestate.com/ where you can find an abundance of information regarding the Sarasota lifestyle, including valuable resources for relocation, Sarasota beaches, boating and more.

You can also follow me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1189091481