Bird Key, FL - Ultimate in Waterfront Living

Bird Key FL is home to some of the best real estate in the Sarasota area. Homes on this exclusive key mostly focus on waterfront living. Gated mansions and large Mediterranean style structures face Sarasota Bay featuring incredible water views. Many interior homes are sprinkled along canals that wind to the Bay. The impressive entrance to this neighborhood is focused on a large white fountain and reflection pool with a majestic palm tree towering behind.

The location of Bird Key is fabulous -- just minutes between Sarasota, Florida's intriguing downtown area to the east and the famous outdoor shopping center of St Armands Circle to the east. Beachcombers love Lido Key which is within minutes too.

Real Estate Stats on the Key

The Mid-Florida Regional MLS currently report 24 homes for sale on Bird Key. Eight sales are pending and 16 properties have sold in the last six months. Sales prices range from $425,000 to $3,600,000. Contact us for details.

The Bird Key Yacht Club is a major attraction to this neighborhood also. Boaters love having a community center to socialize, dock their boats and chat about yachting adventures. The active club offers an array of amenities. Our neighborhood video below features the beauty of this community.

If you are interested in viewing homes on Bird Key, our website features the 24 current listings. Homes are priced from $699,000 to $8,150,000. The lowest priced home was built in 1975 and offers 2060 square feet of living space while the most expensive home, built in 2006 provides over 7,000 square feet. Featuring a full bay view, the newer home offers incredible architectural details and sits on a location where Lucille Ball once owned a home in Sarasota.

Country Club Living at University Park

Twenty-seven holes of award winning golf await you at University Park Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. This 4-star rated semi-private golf club continues to be one of the area’s most popular choices for golf course living. With a backdrop of native Florida landscaping and a dramatic gated entrance, the beautifully designed course is a challenge to golfers of all skill levels and affordable too.

The University Park Country Club community has been awarded the “Best Community Design in America” award, and offers residents a full country club atmosphere in addition to the golf course. The country club staff is friendly, and the club’s facilities are outstanding.

Homes in the Country Club

There’s quite a selection of homes in various neighborhoods in University Park. You’ll find lakefront single-family homes with spacious lots as well as smaller maintenance free structures. Architectural detailing usually includes crown moldings, tray ceilings and enclosed lanais with private swimming pools.

MLS Sales Activity

The Sarasota MLS currently reports 30 active listings of homes for sale in University Park. Prices now range from $235,700 to $1,499,000. There are 8 pending sales and 40 homes have sold in the last six months.

Country Club Activities

If you are looking for an active golf community in Sarasota, contact the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467. In addition to golf, University Park Country Club offers an outstanding clubhouse, fitness center, multiple dining areas, tennis courts. 

Palm Bay Club Condos for Sale on Siesta Key

Located on beautiful Siesta Key, the Palm Bay Club is on Midnight Pass Road adjacent to Casa Mar. Palm Bay Club condos for sale are very interesting to investors due to the community’s rental program’s allowing weekly rentals and its onsite-rental management. This Gulf to Bay resort was built in 1974 with beach access and boat dockage available on the bayside of Midnight Pass.

Residents at Palm Bay Club enjoy a bounty of amenities including private clubhouse, fitness center, 2 heated swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, tennis court, boat dockage for up to 24 foot boat, fishing pier and more.

Our Siesta Key, FL YouTube video below will give you an idea of the Siesta Key lifestyle.

There are currently 5 condos for sale at Palm Bay Club. One condo is under contract and two condos have sold in the last six months. Recent sales prices were $375,000 and $450,000. Both sales were 2 bedrooms, 2 bath condos.

Siesta Key Village is a short drive for shopping and dining. Downtown Sarasota and the mainland are available for extensive shopping, commercial transactions and outstanding cultural activities. There’s an opera, ballet, symphony and theater in Sarasota, FL as well as an extensive list of art galleries and design studios on Palm Avenue. If you are searching for a condo on Siesta Key that generates potential income, contact the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467 for an agent who knows Siesta Key real estate.

More Siesta Key Info:

Siesta Key YouTube Video

Whispering Sands Condos on Siesta Key

If you want to be in the heart of everything on Siesta Key, Whispering Sands sits right on the beach and Siesta Key Village is a short walk. These Siesta Key condos were built from 1968 to 1973. There are 267 units consisting of condos and villas on well maintained grounds. This community is a 55 and over condominium.

Amenities at Whispering Sands Siesta Key include a beautiful natural lagoon, two swimming pools, a tiki hut grilling area, a fitness center, shuffleboard and more! Watch our Whispering Sands Siesta Key video below to experience this laid-back Siesta Key lifestyle.

Grab a beach chair and stake a claim at one of Siesta Key's most alluring locations. Contact the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467 for your private tour of condos for sale at Whispering Sands Siesta Key.

More Siesta Key Condo Info:

Whispering Sand Siesta Key Video

Siesta Key Real Estate Sales Update 2011



No 1 Beach - Siesta Key

Siesta Key Florida real estate was already improving when Dr. Beach named Siesta Key Beach placed Siesta Key Beach in the no. 1 spot on his Top 10 Beaches in America list.  Residential and condo sales got another look from buyers in colder areas of the country ready to dip into Florida's warm sunny climate as soon as the list was announced earlier this year and Siesta Key real estate took off again.

Siesta Key Activities

Bring your boat to Siesta Key. You'll find Sarasota real estate with homes for sale on winding canals.  be sure to ask about the bridges to the Bay if you have a large boat. Homes with boat docks on canals with "no bridges to the Bay" are in demand for larger boats and yachts. Siesta Key Florida's activities and entertainment for retirees, families and young singles include fishing, boating, and tennis along with beach activities like volleyball, sunbathing and shell collecting. Golfers delight in over 80 golf courses on the Sarasota mainland.

Siesta Key Village

Siesta Key Village provides residents and seasonal visitors shopping, restaurants and markets. Check out our Siesta Key Florida video on YouTube.  Click on the picture below to experience a little of Siesta Key life.



Currently, the Sarasota MLS data shows 487 properties for sale on Siesta Key. Buyers can choose from 155 single family homes for sale and 297 condos for sale on Siesta Key. Pending sales now total 75; 42 of those pending sales are condos on Siesta Key.

Siesta Key Homes Sales 2011

Highest Priced Home: $14,500,
Lowest Priced Home: $239,000
Pending Sales: 29
Sold in 2011: 143
2011 Sales Price Range: $165,000-$5,900,000

Siesta Key Condos Sales Activity 2011 

Highest Priced Condo: $2,499,999
Lowest Priced Condo: $112,000
Pending Sales: 42
Sold in 2011: 257
2011 Sales Price Range: $130,000-$2,300,000

In addition to Siesta Key real estate, the Sarasota area offers even more than the no. 1 beach's real estate choices. Sarasota with its culture such as the opera, ballet, art galleries offers urban living and convenience in a gorgeous tropical atmosphere with a small town feel.

If you need more information on Siesta Key real estate, contact the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467 for an agent who knows Siesta Key waterfront homes and condo sales.

More Siesta Key Info

Siesta Key Real Estate FL Video

Sarasota FL Interior Designer

Erin Blosser
Sarasota Interior Designer

For over 10 years, Erin Blosser has provided her clients with exceptional interior design in Sarasota, FL. Erin has experience in residential design and model home merchandising. Her customers love her “fresh perspective” and elegant easy manner.

As an experienced Sarasota interior designer, Erin is an Allied Member of the ASID Florida West Coast Chapter and graduated with a BS in Interior Design from Highpoint University. She contributes to the Sarasota community by working on several projects and activities throughout the year in addition to her regular design business.

Erin's video (below) will give you an idea of her creative talents in residential design. She has also worked on impressive projects in many of Sarasota's most exclusive communities, from the mainland to its barrier islands.


If you are searching for an experienced designer with a “fresh perspective,” give Erin a call to schedule a consultation.

Contact Erin

Erin Blosser Interiors, Inc.
242 S. Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 302-1750
www.DesignSarasota.com

Sarasota Real Estate Market October 2011 Update

The Sarasota Association of Realtors just released property sales for October 2011. The Sarasota real estate market beat last October, with 577 sales this year compared to only 487 sales in October of last year. With the busy winter season approaching and an 18.4 percent increase in October, sales should continue to rise. If sales continue at a nice clip in 2011, they should exceed 2010 sales which “were at the highest level since 2005.”

 

Inventory of available properties for sale in Sarasota, was up a little bit in October to 4,525. Last October available inventory totaled 4,430 available properties for sale.

 

SAR President Michael Bruno noted "There is no doubt that agents are reporting a very active marketplace, with many showings, good foot traffic and high interest in Sarasota properties."

 

Sarasota remains a great place to live, work and play. We expect an outstanding winter season for the Sarasota real estate market. If you would like more information about Sarasota, FL, please contact the John Allen Team directly at 941-544-6467.

 

 

Sarasota Golf Communities & Golf Course Homes

Active retirees and baby boomers are usually interested in an overview of Sarasota golf communities when they visit our area. Avid golfers or tennis enthusiasts searching for a second home often visit for an overview of these communities prior to purchasing their Sarasota homes. Top amenities are a key issue with many of these buyers. Many of our golfing communities offer a complete resort lifestyle including swimming, golf, tennis, social activities, and dining.

Sarasota Golf Communities Video

If you would like an overview of Sarasota golf communities, check out the video below to explore the amenities available for your golfing lifestyle!



Five Popular Sarasota Golf Communities

Lakewood Ranch – a Certified Green, master-planned community which offers a Town Center, an extraordinary Club House providing members a bar, dining room, banquet facilities, meeting rooms and smaller intimate dining areas. Lakewood Ranch’s active residents enjoy: two golf courses, a Pro Shop, a tennis facility, a fitness center, and more! Lakewood Ranch Country Club real estate is available in a variety of price ranges.

Prestancia – A popular gated community with 24 hour security, the amenities at this outstanding country club community are mainly limited to golf. However, residents who enjoy swimming and tennis take a short drive to neighboring Country Club of Sarasota. There are single family homes, villas, and condos in Prestancia.

Laurel Oak Estates – east of I-75, you’ll find Laurel Oak Estates, a guard gated Sarasota golf community that is beautifully landscaped. The Club House at Laurel Oak was redecorated a few years ago. Activities at Laurel Oak Estates include golf, tennis, swimming and walking trails.

University Park – tropically landscaped and guard gated, University Park is home to retirees, baby boomers and incredible wildlife. The entrance drive of this Club is breathtaking. University Park’s Club House features a banquet size dining room and also smaller dining areas. The outdoor terrace is also a popular dining spot for members as well as the members’ only grill. Activities include: Golf, tennis and swimming. There are currently 46 University Park homes for sale.

The Oaks - Located in Osprey, FL, the Oaks Club is convenient to downtown Sarasota’s shopping and cultural venues as well as world-famous Siesta Key Beach. This privately owned club’s members enjoy two championship golf courses, a tennis facility with 12 Har-Tru tennis courts, a grass croquet court, and exceptional dining. The Oaks is comprised of three guard gated communities: The Oaks Clubside, the Oaks Bayside and the Oaks Preserve. This is an active golf community as well as an active social club. For more information and to view current MLS listings, visit our Oaks Club real estate in Sarasota page.

Call the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467 for more information about the Sarasota golf communities. Our agents can help you with a select a home and assist you to smooth closing.

More Sarasota Golf Community Info

• Sarasota Golf Communities Video

Harbour Towne Condos with Boat Docks on Siesta Key

Harbour Towne Yacht Club is a must see if you are looking for a gated condo community of 50 condos on Siesta Key with deep water dockage for your boat.  The deep water marina offers dockage with no bridges to the Bay, necessary for large boats and yachts.  Some of the docks at Harbour Towne will accommodate a 50 ft. vessel.  These Siesta Key condos are also just across from world-famous Siesta Key Beach increasing their popularity.  In fact, Dr. Beach has Siesta Key listed at the #1 Beach in the US for 2011. 
Amenities at Harbour Towne Siesta Key

Residents and visitors at Harbour Towne Siesta Key enjoy a Club House, heated swimming pool & spa, tennis court in addition to Siesta Key Beach and access to the intracoastal and the Gulf of Mexico.  There is also a covered pavilion for grilling.
Watch our Harbour Towne video and experience the laid back island atmosphere of Siesta Key.



Sales Activity at Harbour Towne

There are currently only 2 Harbour Towne Siesta Key condos for sale in the Sarasota MLS.  Each condominium at Harbour Towne has a private garage.  Prices for the two condos available are $379,000 and $625,000.  There is one larger townhouse at Harbour Towne under contract with a list price of $659,000 and 4 condos have sold since the beginning of 2011.  Selling prices range from $370,000 to $450,000.

If you are interested in Harbour Towne Siesta Key or any other Siesta Key condos, contact the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467 for an agent experienced in showing and selling Siesta Key real estate.

Sapphire Shores Sarasota

Sapphire Shores is one of Sarasota's West of the Trail neighborhoods referred to as the Museum Area.  Located close to the airport and within walking distance to Sun Circle Park, the John and Mable Ringling Museums and the Asolo Theater of Performing Arts, the homes for sale in Sapphire Shores range from old Florida bungalows to newer homes with Sarasota School of Architecture features as well as a couple of old Florida mansions built in the 1920s. This historic Sarasota neighborhood is a short drive to Interstate 75 with easy access to Tampa International Airport. Downtown Sarasota and the beaches are easily accessible too.

The Sarasota MLS currently reports 13 single family homes for sale in Sapphire Shores Sarasota. Prices range from $179,000 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow built in 1949 to a $1,975,000 mansion built in 1924. There is one sale pending in Sapphire Shores and 4 homes have sold in this popular neighborhood in the last six months.

If you are searching for a home in Sarasota in a convenient location and would like to view homes in Sapphire Shores, call the John Allen Team at 941-544-6467 for an agent experienced in this neighborhood.  We respond quickly to your emails and telephone calls.