Downtown Sarasota Real Estate, Burns Court

Burns Court Villas - New Downtown Sarasota Community

Located on Selby Lane and Palm Avenue in the Burns Court area of downtown Sarasota, these colorful Tuscan-styled condominium homes are centered around a courtyard featuring a heated pool/spa and fountain. Like Towels Court, the Burns Court area is charming offering an array of gift shops, ladies apparel, orchids and antique shops as well as some wonderful neighborhood restaurants. If you haven't visited this area lately, take a few hours to check it out.

The Sarasota MLS lists 5 villas for sale in Burn Court Villas. Prices range from a three bedroom, two and one-half baths villa priced at $825,000 to a villa with over 2000 sq.ft. priced at $1,170,000. Live and work in downtown Sarasota or walk to work in downtown from Burns Court. Downtown shopping, the bayfront and cultural attractions of Sarasota are a short walk or drive from the Burns's Court area.


Experience Whole Foods and Starbuck's, in the heart of downtown too. Burns Court's is home to Citrus, one of Sarasota's hot lunch spots. Villas are conveniently located close to beaches and property owners enjoy a Florida lifestyle as part of their downtown Sarasota real estate investment.

Annette Smith offers the highest of Internet exposure for selling your downtown Sarasota condo with multiple websites and a creative marketing strategy for the changing Sarasota real estate market. Email Annette with your questions or call at 941-504-3922 for a buying or listing appointment.

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.

More Positive News for Sarasota Real Estate Recovery

Median Price Declining as Home Sales Rise in Sarasota Florida

In the last few weeks, we've actually had a few positive spins on the Sarasota real estate market. Sarasota's market seems to be one of the markets that is leading the state in a comeback. Homes sales are up as the median price declines. Sellers are becoming more realistic and pricing to sell their properties, and buyers are finally dipping into the waters of Sarasota at a time when home inventory is at its best.

According to released Sarasota MLS statistics, realtors in Sarasota - Bradenton sold 490 homes in January 2008 compared to 472 homes in the same time period in 2007. Pricing declined 14% in the area in January.

Sarasota Real Estate Time To Buy or Not

Timing the Real Estate Market

Just like the stock market, timing is everything, but sometimes you don't hit the bottom quite right and stocks go lower. Over time, the market recovers and stocks rebound. The real estate market will recover too. With the recent rate cuts by the FED, the timing looked very interesting for getting back into the real estate, however, many buyers chose to sit it out and wait for yet another FED cut. Interest rates are hard to time too. Read the entire article about timing the real estate market.

If you've been watching the Sarasota Florida real estate market and trying to make a decision, talk with a realtor about your options. If you've been watching a property, have your realtor present an offer. Sellers are dealing as well as builders. These prices won't last forever and the best properties are available now. Over time Sarasota properties will appreciate.

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

New Incentives for Sarasota Realtors

Creative Selling Incentives Hit Buyer's Market

First it was the builders offering amenities, addons, and now the listing brokerages and agents are offering creative incentives to selling agents. Calling all buyers!!! Wouldn't you like to see me driving a new 2008 BMW 328i Sports Coupe? I get to pick the color too! All I have to do is sell a spectacular Italian villa, Sarasota home in Prestancia offered at $3,495,000. Call me today as there is a time limit on the offer. Bring cash and you can close by the end of the month.

Prestancia is a beautiful TPC golf course community with top amenities located close to restaurants, shopping and cultural amenities of Sarasota, Florida. Search for homes, villas and condominiums on our main website. Prices are from the $300,000s to over $3 million. There are currently over 30 properties listed for sale in this Sarasota neighborhood.

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

Sarasota Real Estate Blog Makes Blogging Book List

Sarasota Realtor Gets Credits in Two Real Estate Books

Earlier this year we mentioned that we were listed in The World of Luxury Real Estate. Paul Chaney and Richard Nacht, real estate blog marketing leaders, also included our blog Sarasota Real Estate News in their book: Realty Blogging which was the best selling weblog book on Amazon.com in 2006. Paul Chaney called me to interview for the book several years ago. These online marketers were the first to explain the benefits of blogging to the real estate industry. Recently, I've seen Paul's name on every active blogging site and internet social media site such as Active Rain. He's been quite busy promoting a successful book as well as a carving a huge presence on the web for his marketing company. Kudos Paul!

Sarasota Real Estate Market Update

December 2007 Sales Up as Sarasota Real Estate Market Rebounds

In our Sarasota real estate market update in November, we were optimistic that our area was stabilizing and new Sarasota stats show signs of a continuing rebound. December 2007 sales were up from November by 22.7 percent. As resort areas are in demand for well-prices properties, Sarasota will be on many buyer's destination list as interest rates are even more enticing after the Fed rate cuts. More buying opportunities are available with a huge inventory of homes and condos. Buyers of luxury waterfront homes on Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Sarasota also enjoy the area's natural beauty, excellent educational system, world-class restaurants, safe and clean environment, cultural venues and good health care.

Annette Smith offers the highest of Internet exposure for selling your downtown Sarasota condo with multiple websites and a creative marketing strategy for the changing Sarasota real estate market. Email Annette with your questions or to ask for a buying or listing appointment.

Sarasota Real Estate Visited by Mississipian

2008 Kicks Off Sarasota Season With Mississippi Visitor

In June, I enjoyed a mini reunion with five childhood girlfriends in Greenville, MS, my hometown. Last weekend, Francine Luckett, one of those friends, called me and said "what are you doing Saturday?" Francine's husband and actor, Morgan Freeman were playing in the fifth annual Derek Jeter Celebrity Golf Classic in Tampa so Francine asked if she could hop aboard their plane for the trip to Tampa. Tampa's Hard Rock Hotel is a quick hour away from Sarasota so it was an easy task to wisk Francine away from the guys and flashbulbs.

Saturday was a rush since Francine had never seen our island paradise. We rushed past the sculptures on the Sarasota Bay and tried to brave it to the Circle. The Arts Festival was in full swing and traffic was crippling so we retreated at the first turnaround after the Ringling Bridge and made our way to Fred's on Osprey for wine and appetizers -- great people watching.

Sunday morning before the festival traffic was in full swing, we rode out to Longboat Key, Lido and St. Armands just for a quick tour before heading south to Casey Key for lunch at the Casey Key Fish House. If you like fresh grouper and stuffed shrimp, it's superb! Back to Tampa to drop Francine at the Hard Rock and back to selling Sarasota real estate.

Be sure to visit Ground Zero in Clarksdale MS owned by Francine's husband Bill Luckett and Morgan Freeman if you are in the area. Tell Francine and Bill you read about the club on my blog! Bill Luckett will give you an autograph, and you can relax and listen to the best of Delta blues. Surely the best of the blues is on your Bucket List and you might even sit next to a star at Ground Zero.

Old Forest Lakes and Forest Lakes Country Club Tour Today

Open House Brokers' Tour in Sarasota

Searching for Sarasota real estate? From 9:30 am until 11:30 am today, you are cordially invited to tour these fabulous properties. These homes are open to Sarasota realtors for viewing after the Sarasota Board of Realtors meeting this morning. The public is welcome too so if you are in the neighborhoods of Old Forest Lakes and Forest Lakes Country Club, drop by these homes in Sarasota.

3313 W. Forest Lake Circle
Hosted by Lynn Robbins, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
Price: $775,000

3019 E. Forest Lake Circle
Glen Brown, Century 21 Advantage
Price: $679,000

3388 Espanola Drive
Hosted by Shirley Rowan, Safety Harbor Realty of Sarasota
Price: $340,000

3243 Pine Valley Drive
Hosted by Annette Ashley Smith, RE/MAX Properties
Price: $459,000

Sarasota Real Estate January Report

Real Estate Market Rebounds in Sarasota

According to statistics released by the Sarasota Board of Realtors, the Sarasota real estate market could be making a comeback. Seasonal buyers are looking at properties and showing schedules are getting tighter. With the Fed lowering the interest rate 75 basis points, high levels of inventory giving buyers a great choice of homes in our resort city, now is possibly the time to consider "jumping off the fence" and purchasing a home in South West Florida, particularly Sarasota. Longtime purchasers of property in Sarasota, watch this area and look for the dips. Don't miss the dip!

Retirement Amenities in Venice Florida Golf Course Community

North Venice Florida Golf Course Home Reduced

Posting no longer available.

If you are looking for golf course communities in Florida, The Venetian Golf & River Club offers its residents a championship golf course, one main and two additional dining rooms, lounge, cabana bar without outdoor grill, day spa, aerobics, fitness center, tennis courts, pro shop, two resort swimming pools, nature park and canoe launch.

Annette Smith is experienced in Sarasota golf course real estate sales and are ready to assist you in finding the perfect golf course home. Email Annette for a list of luxury Sarasota real estate available if Florida is your choice.

Tiki Hut on Lido Key Provides Beautiful Sunsets for Entertaining

Sarasota Real Estate Customers Enjoy Sunset on Lido Key

Last Friday evening was a little breezy on Lido Key and definitely sweater weather, when my good friends and customers, who purchased a condo on Longboat Key at the Water Club last year, entertained guests from their former resident state of Delaware to a beach sunset viewing in our Paradise.

Our group met about 5:00 pm at Lido Key Beach Club where another good friend resides and walked over to the Tiki Hut from the Beach club passing the Ritz-Carlton Beach Residences on our walk.

Everyone had a glass of wine or pina colada in hand to enjoy the spectacular January sunset on the Key as the drums beat to the final minutes of the sunset. We toasted to new and old friends and many years of the good life in Sarasota and her Keys. Some of us posed with the Ritz-Carlton's beach flags as the chefs of the Ritz prepared a fantastic dinner on the beach.

Ritz-Carlton Sarasota guests have access to the Beach Club amenities so keep that in mind for your next trip to Sarasota.

What a great evening and a clever way to entertain your friends and family when they visit this hot Florida destination!

New IDX Tools for Sarasota Real Estate Searching

Take a tour of breathtaking Sarasota real estate with our site's upgraded IDX search tools. Our customers can now freely access featured listings and benefit from gaining viewing thousands of properties listed online in the Sarasota Multiple Listing Service (Sarasota MLS). Enter your specific property specifications and search the entire database of approximately 15,000 homes and condos for sale, as well as waterfront, golf course or country club homes on Siesta Key, Casey Key, Bird Key, St. Armands, Lido Key and Longboat Key areas. Receive automatic email updates, use advanced search options and save your listings and searches. Use new Florida map and price chart, additional free tools to facilitate your real estate search in Sarasota.

Better News for Sarasota Real Estate Market

Real Estate Stabilizing in Sarasota

Back in forth conversation daily on CNBC and in newspapers around the country about the subprime crisis and its broad impact on the US economy can be read or heard every day. Short sales are becoming normal as sellers who need to sell due to a relocation, etc. market their homes for sale. The Sarasota MLS even has a new rule in place of short sale/foreclosure searches. Real estate sales are challenging.

Some economists and forecasters are starting to mention that the market in some areas shows signs of stabilizing. In Sarasota, buyers are definitely coming back into the market. It is likely that the Miami real estate market will take longer to recover, but South West Florida, particularly Sarasota is a special community. Buyers still watch this area and look for the dips. Don't miss the dip!

Geaux Tigers - Congrats on National Championship

LSU Wins National Title in Season Like no Other

This past football season has been like none that I remember in 40 years of watching football. Greenville, MS is my home town and you are either an Ole Miss fan or a Mississippi State fan when it comes to rooting for college sport teams. In 1958, I remember sitting with Mary Ezell, mother of Billy Ezell (Captain Easy) LSU quarterback in the 1960s, in my driveway, listening to the Tigers beat Ole Miss on Halloween night. Billy Cannon pulled the Tigers out of a tight spot that night and that Paul Dietzell team went on to win the National Title. A year later I attended my first LSU game with my aunt and uncle as guests of our close friend Carl Maddox, former LSU Athletic Director. The University of Louisiana hooked me from the minute I stepped into Tiger Stadium.

Through the years I've stayed in touch with Mrs. Ezell touching base with her every LSU game night. In 2003, we cheered Nick Saban's team to a National Championship. This year was to be good too, but I would have been happy just beating Alabama and "everything after that would be gravy." Every weekend during this season was a nail-biting, down to the wire experience leading to a National tile. I'll be wearing my LSU rhinestone pin proudly in the next week. Way to geaux Tigers. I love gravy, by the way!

Back to showing Sarasota real estate today. I'm showing waterfront property on Siesta Key to customers who are big Florida fans. They were pulling for an SEC victory last night and emailed me a good luck during last night's game. Today we are searching for good buys on canalfront property with boat docks. There are plenty to view and short sales are on the up now so buyers are slowly entering the real estate market in Sarasota.

The Sarasota MLS reports over 200 waterfront homes for sale on Siesta Key and over 450 condos currently listed on Siesta Key, FL. Prices range from the low $300,000s to over $19 million for homes and condos are currently priced from the $200,000s to over $3 million.

If you are looking for a home for your boat or a newly constructed mansion on the Gulf of Mexico, Annette Smith and Nick Herron are experienced in waterfront real estate sales and are ready to assist you in the Siesta Key real estate market. Email Annette for a list of luxury Sarasota properties available if Florida luxury real estate is your choice.

Grand Lifestyle in Venice, FL

Sarasota Golf Course Home Sold

There's something for everyone at Venetian Golf & River Club . . . resort style heated pool, lighted tennis courts, exercise facility, 5-star dining, 70-acre nature park with one mile of boardwalk, picnic areas, private canoe launch with access to Myakka River, and 18-hole championship golf.

Our Tennessee buyers recently purchased a Grand Estate in the Venetian with over 4900 sq. ft. and fabulous lake views. These new Florida residents are looking forward to living in their home in Venetian Golf & River Club in Venice. This will be a second home for years prior to their retirement. This new home was built in 2007, has 4 bedrooms, den and 5 1/2 baths. The listed price was $1,175,000.

Currently, the Sarasota MLS lists over 80 homes for sale in this Sarasota golf course neighborhood. Prices range from $249,900 for a two bedroom, two bath villa to over $1 million for an estate home with over 3,000 sq.ft.

For more Sarasota real estate information on homes at Venetian Golf & River Club, contact Annette Smith

Venetian Golf & River Club Home for Sale

Venetian Golf & River Club Home

Posting no longer available. Email Annette with your questions or to ask for showings of Sarasota real estate.

Longboat Key Luxury Condos Update

Longboat Key Beach Condos Report


Longboat Key's real estate market has adjusted along with Sarasota. Inventory levels for condos on Longboat Key now total over 400 according to the Sarasota MLS data. Longboat Key's manicured landscaping is still a big draw for our customers who want a luxury waterfront lifestyle. Some of our favorite buildings are listed:

New Condos Longboat Key Florida

Bleu Claire
Positano

Established Condominium Buildings

Water Club
En Provence
Vizcaya
Promenade
Sanctuary
Westchester

Amenities lure the buyers as our customers want the best of luxury services. Beach residents in these buildings enjoy resort style pools and top of the line services provided in the newer buildings: 24 hour concierge, heated pools and spa, club/billiard/library/media rooms, fitness/yoga rooms and more for your resort living enjoyment.

The MLS listing database currently reports over 400 condos in the Longboat Key area. Longboat Key waterfront condos are priced from the $300,000s for approximately 500 sq.ft. to the high millions for additional square footage, top amenities, extraordinary Bay and Gulf views.

Annette Smith offers the highest of Internet exposure for selling your Longboat Key luxury condo with multiple websites and a creative marketing strategy for the changing Sarasota real estate market. Email Annette with your questions or to ask for a buying or listing appointment.

West of the Trail - Sarasota Neighborhood Report

Homes West of the Trail, Sarasota Florida
West of the Trail are the Sarasota neighborhoods "west" of Hwy 41 or the Tamiami Trail. Morton's Plaza area continues to be the most popular community in this area since it is centrally located around the Morton's Plaza anchored by Morton's Gourmet Market. Stroll to the Market from your home or lunch at the "new" Fred's Restaurant, Sam Sneed's and Knick's Tavern. Single-family homes are of mixed architectural styles in this Sarasota subdivision. Many old Florida homes and the properties are exquisite with tropical landscaping and huge banyan trees. Older homes are still being updated with designer touches in kitchens, bathrooms. New homes are replacing some of the older homes to make way for a new look for this Sarasota area. This beautiful community is a "must see" for location, location, location.
Tis the season for holiday lights and you will see unusual displays in this area as well as traditional adornment. Since we don't get much snow in our area, residents go all out for lighting display during the holidays. Shop or dine in this area from Thanksgiving through New Year's and enjoy the clever arrangements presented by the shops, restaurants, and be sure to stop by and have your hair done at Snuffy's favorite hairdresser, Salon Posh on Hillview. Ask for Laurie Tiner, owner, 941-350-0384 for appointments.
On weekends, Snuffy and I make time for a visit to Morton's, stroll through the quiet streets to view new Sarasota real estate, walk around the Plaza and indulge in yummy pastries or a warm cup of flavored coffee.

Evening dining at Knick's is Snuffy's favorite or Sam Snead's, both allow doggies on their patios. We respect their rules though. All West of the Trail restaurants, Hillview Grille, or Chutney's are often on our calendar.
Searching area 41 in the Sarasota MLS data, 144 homes are currently available for sale. Prices range from $236,050 to over $11 million to enjoy this Sarasota lifestyle.

Siesta Key Waterfront Condos for Sale

Gulf Front Condos with Views on Siesta Key

It's often said that Sarasota is all about the water. Currently there are over 100 Siesta Key condos on the Sarasota real estate market with waterfront views of the Gulf of Mexico. In the recent real estate boom, condos on Siesta Key skyrocketed in price as Sarasota and Siesta Key made very destination list on the Internet. Prices have dropped, inventory is up and interest rates are down. The Sarasota MLS data when searching Siesta Key FL condos, full Gulf view, reports condos available for sale in these popular Siesta Key beachfront condominiums:

Sandy Cove
Our House at the Beach
Crescent
Casarina
Crystal Sands
Gulf and Bay Club
Sarasota Surf & Racquet
Siesta Dunes
Crescent Arms
Jamaica Royale

Prices start at $489,000 for a two bedroom and two bath unit. For best views, expect to pay over $1 million. Click the highlighted link for the more information about the area amenities and search for Siesta Key luxury condos homes, villas and waterfront properties.

Annette Smith offers the highest of Internet exposure for properties on Siesta Key with multiple websites and a creative marketing strategy for the changing Sarasota real estate market. Email Annette with your questions or to ask for a buying or listing appointment.