Downtown Sarasota Condos Update

In our December, 2008 report on downtown Sarasota condos, we shared information we pulled for a customer from current MLS listings in 1350 Main, Tessera, Beau Ciel, Plaza at Five Points, and Grande Riviera. Downtown Sarasota remains one of the areas we are asked about each day. Buyers moving into Sarasota want to economize by living, working and playing in the same locale.

In this report, we have added One Hundred Central and Sarabande as we have had many calls in the last two months for these downtown Sarasota condos too.

Downtown Sarasota Condos UPDATE - February 27, 2008

1350 Main

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2007
Active: 21
Pending: None
*Sold: 3
Price Ranges: $339,900-$1,595,000
**Pets Permitted: Yes

Beau Ciel

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2003
Active: 10
Pending: None
*Sold: 2
Price Range: $1,095,000-$8,500,000
Pets Permitted: Yes

Grande Riviera:

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2005
Active: 2
Pending: None
*Sold: None
Price Range: $3,750,000-$5,950,000
**Pets Permitted: Yes

One Hundered Central

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2005
Active: 5
Pending: 1
*Sold: None
Price Range: $389,000-$995,000
Pets Permitted: Yes

Plaza at Five Points

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2005
Active: 5
Pending: None
Price Range: $749,000-$2,999,999
*Sold: None
**Pets Permitted: Yes

Sarabande

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 1998
Active: 2
Pending: None
*Sold: 1
Price Range: $1,495,000-$1,600,000
Pets Permitted: Yes

Tessera

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2000
Active: 5
Pending: None
*Sold: 2
Price Range: $993,000-$4,995,000
Pets Permitted: Yes

All of these downtown Sarasota condos buildings are within walking distance to shopping, restaurants, galleries, downtown bayfront and many cultural activities of Sarasota Florida.

If you are searching for a condo downtown or any other Sarasota real estate, contact Annette Smith for listings, photo galleries, showings, and virtual tours. These sellers are wanting offers on these listings. If you think the market is going down another 25%, write your offer and factor in a reduction in the market -- just write the offer. You might be surprised to find a seller who will work with you.

*Sold data is pulled MLS report of the last six months. Appraisers use comparables of properties sold in the last six months. See our downtown Sarasota condo report for December 2008.
**Check with your Sarasota real estate agent regarding pet restrictions

Siesta Key's Blase Cafe Fun Dining Scene

Bring Your Camera to Blasé Café on Siesta Key

For a fun night of dining amid a fun atmosphere, try Siesta Key's Blasé Café. The Blasé Café has been around since 1997. Cindy, the owner, has created an eclectic fun atmosphere in this hot island spot. My first visit was in 2000 with friends who live on Siesta Key. At that time, the Blasé was a tiny 2 room establishment with an outdoor deck with extra seating.

Through the years, Blasé Cafe has added a bar and then took over an adjoining business and knocked out some walls to add a larger bar and additional seating inside. Cindy’s love of flare has added to a unique atmosphere and her love of fine food and service has provided an excellent dining opportunity for Siesta Key residents and visitors.

Last Friday, my friend and former customer, Claudia Eklund called me to meet her and her friend Gayle at the Blasé. Since the weather was a little nippy, we were seated at a wonderful corner table where we could leisurely sip our wine, chat about their visit to Siesta Key and, of course, talk about what’s for sale in the Siesta Key real estate market, our kids and the Pinot Noir.

Gayle had the featured grouper with garlic, tomatoes, olives and capers. She said it was excellent. The garlic certainly smelled delicious. Claudia and I opted for the filet mignon with gorgonzola. It’s my favorite at the Blasé and comes with mashed potatoes and fresh sautéed spinach. I order the filet every time!

Ralph, the chef stopped by our table for a second and posed for a picture with Claudia and Gayle. I reminded Ralph that I met him and Cindy many years ago with other friends when he and Cindy were beginning to expand the restaurant. He gallantly pointed to Cindy working elegantly across the room at the bar with pride.

If you’re looking for a fun dining experience along with beautifully prepared food on Siesta Key, try the Blasé Café. Blasé Café is located at 5263 Ocean Blvd., Suite 9, Sarasota, FL 34242. There is an extensive list of Designer Martinis.

Tell Cindy and Ralph that Annette sent you for a Blasé evening! Or let’s look at some Siesta Key real estate. Give me a call at 941-504-3922.

Currently the Sarasota MLS reports over 200 homes on Siesta Key FL for sale priced from $239,000 to $17.5 million for a luxurious Siesta Key waterfront home. Some of the smaller “tear down” beach houses have been purchased for the land value alone. New owners quickly replace with updated homes or mini mansions. We can show you real estate in all Sarasota County or visit our websites and enter your parameters in our MLS search.

Sarasota Golf Course Community - Homes at the Oaks

The elegant Sarasota Golf Course Community of the Oaks is located on Hwy 41 in Osprey. Residents experience a sophisticated resort lifestyle in this golf course community in Sarasota County. Prices begin at $249,000 for a two bedroom, two bath single family townhouse with 1,890 sq.ft. The Sarasota MLS reports over 50 homes available currently in the community of the Oaks. A $1,092,000 Oaks' home built in 2000 could be perfect if you need at least 3800 sq.ft.. With 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 baths, this golf course home is just might catch your eye. Call or email Annette Smith to send listings in the Oaks directly to you if you are frustrated with searching on your own for a home in the Oaks.

The Oaks' amenities include: Gated community, golf course community, heated swimming pool and tennis courts.

If a Sarasota golf course home isn't your dream, maybe it's a Longboat Key condo for under $1 million at Seaplace. Call for more information on Longboat Key condos for sale or visit our websites and blogs for video tours of Sarasota, virtual tours of property, photo galleries and Sarasota community information.

Snuffy Smith Awaits the Super Bowl in Tampa

Got my seat for the game tonight, do you?


Well Snuffy Smith's heard about the Super Bowl in Tampa from all the TV he's been watching this week. It's on every channel and even Jeopardy, one of his favorite shows was cut on Friday night for Super Bowl coverage. Now I'm sure you are saying that this doggie doesn't watch TV -- yes, he does. Even my son noticed a few weeks ago. "Mom, I think Snuffy watches TV." I've been leaving the TV on for him when I go out to sell Sarasota real estate since he was a puppy. He watches CNBC all day so he is very in the know!

As you can see, Snuffy, Sarasota's famous pooch, has his spot and is ready for the kickoff. He's already previewed the commercials on Friday night. Sarasota's streets and restaurants have been very busy this week -- some due to regular seasonal visitors, snowbirds and also Super Bowlers!

Next week we'll be searching the Sarasota MLS and showing Sarasota real estate to our customers who have booked their appointments early. If you want us to show you property in Sarasota, please call us or email us as soon as you have made your travel plans. We get really busy this time of year. When it's cold where you live, is much warmer here. We will do our best to handle last minute calls. Send us an email for a prompt reply and enjoy the Super Bowl along with Snuffy Smith!