Longboat Key Real Estate

Last Sunday, my friend, Melanie Wright, who owns The Wright Look, in downtown Sarasota and I went for lunch at the Monkey Room at the Colony Beach and Tennis Resort on Longboat Key. You probably see listings in the Sarasota MLS regarding condos at this Gulf of Mexico Resort for under $200,000. Don't get excited -- the units at the Colony are timeshares, not for investors but if you like to vacation at the same place every year, this could be your destination. Waterfront condos with full-Gulf views start in the best resort on Longboat Key at almost a million, so remember when you see the Colony, these units can only be used by their owners for a few weeks out of the year for around $200,000.

Melanie and I decided to skip the fabulous brunch that the Colony offers every Sunday and opted for the "almost famous grouper" sandwiches. Lunch was easy. Picking a refreshing "rum" drink was a problem. The Monkey Room, which is the outdoor beach restaurant at the Colony, has a bar for the rum lovers! Melanie counted over 18 varieties of rum. Seriously, if you are driving, one is the limit.

After lunch, Melanie and I drove by Sandy's open house on Golden Gate Point. To make an appointment to view this Sarasota Bay listing, call Sandy at 941-928-3435. This Golden Bay Penthouse has all the bells and whistles and the high-tech media room is definitely top-of-the-line! Views on Golden Gate Point are outstanding and some complexes provide boat docks, a rareity these days.

The Marina and Bayfront Park are steps away from this beautiful waterfront community, and a short drive past Bird Key to the beaches of Lido Key and Longboat Key. Of course, there's St. Armands Circle too.