Lunch on the Water at Bert’s Bar & Grill Matlacha, FL

Melanie Wright called on Thursday and suggested that we go on an adventure to Pine Island. We made the Pine Island trip right after Hurricane Charley and both of us wanted to see the progress the island has made since that devastating hit. Approaching the island on Pine Island Road from I-75, we couldn’t believe all the new strip malls, fitness facilities, professional buildings and new restaurants like Carrabba’s, Outback and Bob Evans.

New is definitely not Pine Island! We stopped at Bert’s Bar & Grill, as we did in 2004 and were taken back in time. Matlacha is one of Florida’s old fishing towns that hasn’t disappeared. You’ll see “cozy cottages, bed & breakfasts, fishermen tending to their nets, bait shops, shrimp boats.” My camera was busy recording the sights and scenes of this coastal wonder.


Two buildings house Bert’s Bar. In the 1930s, the original building was a “sweet shoppe.” This building sits very near the main road. Arrive early to maneuver your car into a spot at this popular restaurant. In 1941, the “hotel” building was built at Bert’s. World War II soldiers used to be the main customers of Bert’s in the war years.

After the war, the bar was known as “Mother’s” and later became “Harry’s Barge Inn. In the 1970s, another name took over: Tri Dill Inn.

Bert Clubb purchased the bar later and as a famous Lee County bar operator, Bert’s became the “bar of choice” for locals. A long-time employee purchased the bar from Bert many years later and sold the bar again in 2000.

Melanie and I feasted on poppers, a shrimp basket with homemade fries and grouper basket while sipping some suds. Oh and we had some fabulous “wings” too. We listened to locals chatting who knew each other, a fisherman describing his morning catch and a couple came by boat planning their 4th of July celebration. Quite a cast of characters: all charming!


In 2006 & 2007 the Pine Island Eagle voted Bert’s Best Bar & Best Burger. Bert’s is approximately 2 hours from Sarasota. You can arrive by car or by boat!

After lunch, we continued our Pine Island adventure.

Contact Annette Smith for Sarasota Florida area information or if you are planning on purchasing property in Sarasota.

Cher's Home in Sarasota, FL

Cher's home in Malibu is for sale so for fun I searched the Sarasota MLS, the Mid-FL Regional MLS, for a 6 bedroom house in the Sarasota area with 7 bathrooms just to see what would be comparable to Cher's $45 million estate in Malibu, CA.

I found two houses searching Longboat Key, Casey Key real estate and Siesta Key. Cher's home also has a pool which these all do and a tennis court, gym, theater and guest house. These two Sarasota homes are priced at $17,500,000 for the one on Siesta Key and $18,500,000 for the Gulf to Bay estate on Casey Key. The Casey Key estate has a gym, with an indoor lap pool, billiard room, staff quarters, a pool house, a covered boat house on the Bay side, tennis court and putting green. Cher should buy a home in Sarasota, FL for a bargain! Stephen King might enjoy a new neighbor on Casey Key.

For more information about Casey Key FL real estate, contact Annette Smith.

Sarasota Florida Film Festival

Hollywood Will Arrive in Sarasota, FL

Residents of Sarasota will get to star gaze soon as limousines roll into town for the star-studded Sarasota Film Festival. This year marks year 10 for our city's gala event and stars such as Charlize Theron, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, Liv Ullmann, Steve Buscemi, and possibly Meg Ryan are the buzz.

For information about the Sarasota, Florida area, Longboat Key real estate, or any of Sarasota's barrier island, send me an email.

Founders Club Showcase of Homes, Sarasota FL

Gates Open to the Public Sunday, August 26 at the Founders Club

View over 25 homes for sales in the gated golf course community of the Founders Club. From 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm this Sunday, tour this private community at your leisure. John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, Pruett Builders, Taylor Woodrow Homes, Todd Johnston Homes, The Founders Club Golf Cottages and other real estate brokers are participating. This is a rare opportunity so you might want to visit this opening on Sunday.

If you are looking for a golf retreat, Annette Smith is experienced in golf course real estate sales and are ready to assist you in the Sarasota real estate market. Email Annette for a list of luxury Sarasota properties available if Florida is your choice.

Sellers of Sarasota Real Estate May Offer Buyer Incentives

Sarasota Home Buyers Doing Well on More Than Lowered Prices

If you need to sell your home and can't wait for the Sarasota real estate market to make its turn, consider enticing buyers with incentives.

Some sellers need to relocate due to a job placement. Elderly homeowners need to move closer to their kids due to illness. There are many reasons why a seller might be very motivated to move on with their life. Thus, buyers can now capitalize on more than price reductions. Home builders started offering incentives first, now homeowners are doing the same. Ask for the moon if you are buying, but get off the fence and take a look at the "pick'ns"

In downtown Sarasota, our showing schedule this week included one waterfront condo listed for $545,000 with a full bay view. The unit has marble floors, two bedrooms and two baths, open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a balcony overlooking downtown and the bay in one of downtown's newest buildings. Walk to the bookstore across the street, stroll down to First Watch for breakfast or get a quick cub of java at Starbuck's. Shop for groceries at Whole Foods. Everything is within walking distance. Prices are down, interest rates remain at historic lows, and many sellers in downtown Sarasota are dealing.

If you are thinking of buying a condo in Sarasota, Florida in this cultural waterfront community, contact Annette Smith for listings in the Sarasota MLS. Email Annette for an appointment to view properties for sale or give us at call at 941-504-3922.

Siesta Key Gulf and Bay Property Report

Real Estate Market News for Gulffront and Bayfront Properties

July 2007

Gulf and Bayfront Homes on Siesta Key Report

Siesta Key's Gulf and Bay reports some great buys. From the Sarasota MLS statistics, there were 2 Gulfront or Bayfront homes sold in July. Both homes are located on Freeling Drive selling for $1,950,000 and $2,600,000. Three homes are currently under contract and over 50 Gulf & Bay homes are still on the market ranging in price from a two bedroom, two bath free-standing villa at $699,000 to a $19,000,000 "yachtman estate" on a sprawling deep water lot on Sarasota Bay's Big Pass.

Condo Report for Siesta Key

Again, from the MLS stats, there were 2 Gulf or Bay Siesta Key condos sold in July. Ten condos are under contract and currently there are over 500 actively listed condos in the Sarasota MLS ranging in price from $259,000 for a one bedroom, one bath 600 sq.ft. condo at Casa Siesta to a $3,595,000, 3824 sq.ft three-level residence built in 2006 with full Gulf views.

Spend your day on Siesta Key shopping in Siesta Key Village, enjoying the beach and after sunset, drive to Sarasota for an evening at the the ballet and dine at world class restaurants. To search Siesta Key real estate listings, click the link.

If you are looking for a Gulf Coast home on Siesta Key, FL, Annette Smith is experienced in Sarasota waterfront real estate sales and are ready to assist you in the changing Sarasota real estate market. Email Annette for a list of luxury Sarasota properties available if Florida luxury real estate is your choice.

Gulf to Bay Properties on Casey Key

Private Island Paradise, Casey Key, Florida

South of Sarasota, FL, west of I-75 is a private tropical island community providing its residents privacy behind wrought iron gates of their luxurious estates. Choice oceanfront lots are available with older homes prime to be raised for new mini-mansions. On Casey Key, enjoy a fabulous Florida lifestyle.

If you won the lottery or are one of the baby boomers who inherited your pot of gold, this could be your spot for carefree living: biking, tennis, beach-walking and experiencing spectacular sunsets at the end of your perfect day.

After sunset, drive to Sarasota for an evening at the ballet and dine at world class restaurants.

Currently, there are over 40 properties for sale on Casey Key FL. If you are looking for a Gulf Coast home, Annette Smith is experienced in Sarasota waterfront real estate sales and are ready to assist you in the changing Sarasota real estate market. Email Annette for a list of luxury Sarasota properties available if Florida luxury real estate is your choice.