Smooches for Pooches in Sarasota

There is always something "fun" going on in Southside Village. Friday night Sandy Whitehead and I went to Knick's Tavern to grab a quick burger and enjoyed a nice surprise. Southside Village hosted the Smooches for Pooches Stroll, and we had a ringside seat.

Have you ever wanted to go to the Westminster Dog show? Well, we felt like we were there. Dog breeds represented that we spotted were: Poodles, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Water Spaniels, Great Danes, Pugs, Chihuahuas, Austraian labradoodle, Yorkies, Irish Setters, Portuguese Water Dog, Weimaraners and even Newfoundlands and St. Bernards.

Sandy fell in love with Ollie, the goldendoodle, only 7 months old and rescued by the nice lady at Jeanine's Professional Dog Training's booth. Our table was right next to the booth, and we became instant admirers of beautiful Ollie. Snuffy, Sarasota's famous pooch, didn't attend. He was so heartbroken that I assured him he will be on next year's guest list.

Booths were set up all along Hillview and Osprey streets, and the turnout was superb! The Adoption Van and Pet Therapy Smooch a Pooch booth were onsite. This was the second annual stroll with proceeds going to the Sarasota Humane Society.

A good time was had by all and we were treated to meeting two llamas named Pete and Batman. The pictures didn't turn out too great as they were taken with my Blackberry but I'm posting them anyway.

Contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 or Sandy Whitehead at 941-928-3435 if you are interested in homes West of the Trail near Southside Village and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. We show homes for sale in the area regularly.

Financing Options for Buying a Sarasota Home

Need some financing options for buying a Sarasota home?

Bruce Garlitz of Countrywide Home Loans stopped by our office with some interesting options for financing your real estate purchase. If you are thinking of buying a Sarasota home and are short on cash for a down payment, you might consider an FHA loan as a solution to your mortgage needs. Bruce explained the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit to us too while we munched on a delicious lunch. Thanks Bruce -- lunch and the information were excellent.

FHA loans were popular many years ago, and now they making a comeback for primary homeowners and first time buyers. Give Bruce a call for the Guidelines or shoot us an email. You can contact Bruce at bruce_garlitz@countrywide.com.

For information on Sarasota homes for sale, email Annette for detailed sheets from the Sarasota MLS on homes that match your criteria. Search our IDX database for any Sarasota County home.

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!

Positve Real Estate News for Sarasota

Nothing but the positive in 2009! Warm weather, sunshine and sensational sunsets!

Looking for some good real estate news? Check out these four communities - Sarasota, Florida; Greenville, South Carolina; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Los Angeles, California and read more about: Sarasota real estate news. Could be a turn in the works for some real estate markets. Send us your positive news about real estate in your city, let us know what's happening in your area!

Google Gadgets for Sarasota Real Estate

It seems like every day I log into my Google account and find another gadget. I've used the maps for driving directions for quite awhile although I never put the Google driving directions to my office on my website. Enjoy playing with the Google gadgets and get busy making your life and the driving of your friends and customers a lot easier.

Type in your start point below and then hit the "G" for directions to Allen Real Estate Services, Inc.



For more information on Sarasota real estate, contact Annette Smith at 9441-504-5035 or send me an email. I answer promptly!

Sarasota Condos Sale - Phillippi Landings

If you're looking for a deal on a Sarasota condo, the developers at Phillippi Landing in Sarasota, Florida sent out an email this week that they are offering 30-40% savings on remaining developer inventory. The ad said savings of "$200,000-$830,000." Park your boat at the docks behind these waterfront condos located on the Phillippi River near the gated community of the Landings and the Landings Shopping Center. Easy access to the Intracoastal.

The Sarasota MLS currently reports 18 active listings at Phillippi Landings with prices from $299,000 to $1,799,000. You can look at a two bedroom, two bath Sarasota condo with over 1,700 sq.ft or a designer ready penthouse with over 2,500 sq.ft. With 18 listings available, there are plenty of choices of feature in between. *There have been four sales in the last six months at prices from $240,000-$540,000.

**Pet allowed at Phillippi Landings.

Phillippi Landings is close to shopping, restaurants and professional services as well as the cultural amenities of downtown Sarasota.

Search for Sarasota condos or any other Sarasota Florida real estate on our sites or contact Annette Smith for info or to make an appointment to view Phillippi Landings.

*Sold data for condominiums is pulled from the Sarasota MLS report of the last six months. Appraisers use comparables of properties sold for the last six months.
**Check with your Sarasota real estate agent regarding pet restrictions

Lido Key Real Estate

Last week on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, a lovely couple from Orlando previewed some Lido Key real estate. It was the most beautiful day, and we scheduled showings from Southpoint Shores to the south end of Longboat Key zeroing in on several homes and condos on Lido Key, Florida.

Popular Condo Buildings on Lido Key

Orchid Beach Club
Lido Beach Club
The Beach Residences
St. Armands Towers

The Circle (St. Armands) was bustling with vacationers on holiday probably visiting families over the Christmas vacation or taking a break from the northern cold weather. The Colombia was just getting busy as we passed about 11:00 am. Returning from Longboat Key about 2:00 pm, you couldn't find a table.

St. Armands Circle is a shopping mecca with specialty shops, restaurants and cafes. You can find seashells, garden items as well as shoes and jewelry. Dine casual or fancy! St. Armands has it all.

If you are searching for Lido Key real estate, Annette Smith can be reached at 941-504-3922 and will return your call or email promptly!

Sarasota Video Tour Seen More Than 1000 Times on YouTube

Originally, posted on Sarasota Real Estate Blog by Annette Smith

I mentioned on my Active Rain blog this morning that I revamped a video CD that was an old slide show prepared by my graphic designer, Debbie Zaroba. The original CD was done about four years ago and four months ago, I took it apart, shortened the tour and now the short version has been seen more than 1000 times on YouTube. The Sarasota video tour is about 4 minutes and the longer version on my website and Active Rain blog is about 6 minutes.



If you aren't familiar with Sarasota, take our video tour and enjoy and discover Sarasota's barrier island of Siesta Key, Bird Key, Casey Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key Florida. You'll see why buyers plan to make South West Florida home.

For more information about Sarasota Florida real estate, contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 or send an email. You'll get a prompt answer!

Ever Heard of the Embers, the Tams?

Yesterday, I wrote an article on my Active Rain blog about favorite beaches and the music of the Embers, the Drifters and the Tams asking what's your favorite beach music. It was fun to walk down memory lane and get comments from other bloggers about their favorite artists singing beach music through the years. Jan Chilton of Myrtle Beach, wrote how she was a real Embers groupie:

My little group of 60's hippies always went to North Myrtle Beach and Ocean Drive. There was shag music all around and I love it to this day, but none of us ever learned to shag...:-( In the 70's and early 80's I became an Embers groupie. I went all over the place in NC...). The Embers broke up, and now the only good part left is the Craig Woolard Band. He received the best male singer award in the National Beach Music Awards this year!
There's a new Embers group, which sounds nothing like the real ones. Jackie Gore just started a new band called the Legends of Beach. What a phenomenal voice he has!
Johnny Hopkins, who was my real crush back then,
is with some other band I wasn't even aware of till I just looked!
Anyway, much as I still love them, it makes me feel SOOOO old to see them now...

I told Jan, we are never too old to dance! Fran Vernon of California, of course, loved the Beach Boys.

On MySpace I added my favorite beach music a few days ago and now I can turn up the speakers and do a little shagging every day.

So do you like the music of The Embers, the Beach Boys, Buffett, or is there another group that comes to mind.

If you go to Siesta Key beach, what's your favorite beach music? Maybe you like Longboat better so what's on your Ipod? The self-portrait toes in the sand are mine on some Casey Key real estate.

For more information about Sarasota FL real estate and its beaches of Siesta Key and Longboat Key, contact Annette Smith.

Downtown Sarasota Condos Update

A customer from up North called yesterday about downtown Sarasota condos. He wanted me to send him the current MLS listings in Tessera, Beau Ciel, Plaza at Five Points, 1350 Main and Grande Riviera specifically. Since I pulled the information, I thought I would share it.

Downtown Sarasota Condos UPDATE

Tessera

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2000
Active: 4
Pending: None
*Sold: 1
Price Range: $1,180,000-$5,950,000
Pets Permitted: Yes

Beau Ciel

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2003
Active: 10
Pending: None
*Sold: 3
Price Range: $1,295,000-$8,500,000
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: 1
**Pets Permitted: Yes

1350 Main

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2007
Active: 19
Pending: 1
*Sold: 4
Price Ranges: $349,900-$1,695,000
**Pets Permitted: Yes

Grande Riviera:

Building Type: Highrise
Built in: 2005
Active: 2
Pending: None
*Sold: None
Price Range: $2,595,000-$3,950,000
**Pets Permitted: Yes

All of these downtown Sarasota condos buildings are located close to shopping, restaurants, galleries, downtown bayfront and the cultural venues of Sarasota Florida.

If you are searching for downtown or any other Sarasota Florida real estate, contact Annette Smith for photo galleries, listings, and virtual tours.

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

Sarasota Real Estate Just Reduced

If you're in the market for Sarasota real estate and want a Gulf to Bay property, there are great reductions on Casey Key. The value is in the land for some of these properties.

New owners can possibly enjoy a beach cabanas on the Gulf and on the Bay side a boat dock on some of the area's best boating water.

Take a break from football today and search Sarasota FL real estate before seasonal buyers arrive. Call Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 for a listing appointment or with help searching real estate in Sarasota.

Shopping in Sarasota FL

In our blog article yesterday, we mentioned Sarasota's best shopping spot, St. Armands Circle. Coastal Living Magazine's online site, points to Sarasota shopping hot spots on the Circle citing "paths lead to stores with rare jewelry, designer clothing, and gourmet treats. Shoppers find familiar names such as Lilly Pulitzer, and surprising boutiques such as Cuddlebugs, which sells children’s clothing and toys."

Coastal Living's Favorite Stores on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Gifts and Winery

Scoopdaddy's

Optional Fine Art Jewelry

Dream Weaver Collection

Sports Edition Gallery

Wet Noses


If you are interested in Sarasota shopping, check out our recommendations. Excellent cafes and restaurants are plentiful on St. Armands Circle and hotel accommodations on Lido Key or mainland Sarasota are located close to the Circle.

Contact Annette Smith for all Sarasota FL real estate.

Lido Key Home Sold

Lido Key Home Sold within walking distance to St. Armands Circle

This tiny beach cottage listed at 181 Whittier is one house back from the beach and just blocks from famous St. Armands Circle. The new owners are anxious to move into this two bedroom, two bath cottage and enjoy the beach, walks to St. Armands and the cultural activities of Sarasota, FL.


This Lido Key real estate sold for $575,000 and is adjacent to many muli-million dollar homes and waterfront estates. The new owners will eventually tear it down and build their dream home. Lido Key is a wonderful location which is close to shopping, restaurants, parks, the beach and mainland Sarasota. Most of the cottages on Lido Key have made way for larger houses, but some cottages similar to the one on Whittier remain in the area and are available for purchase. Many homes on Lido Key are on canals with easy access to Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Homes Available on Lido Key and St Armands:

There are over 40 homes for sale listed in the Mid-FL Regional MLS (formerly Sarasota MLS) and prices start at $449,000 for a 1220 sq.ft. house with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths and go up to $11,900,000 for a newer waterfront homes on Westway Drive.


If you are searching for a home for sale on Lido Key, whether it's on the water or close to St. Armands Circle, call Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 to be added to our showing schedule. We know Sarasota and the Keys!

Contact us for all Sarasota Florida real estate.

Longboat Key Real Estate

Every week Snuffy Smith and I head out to Longboat Key to check on a property at Bay Isles for one of my Longboat Key real estate customers. We take the locals short cut before going into St. Armands Circle and enjoy the beautiful homes on Washington St. along the way. Since it is very cold up North, Sarasota's streets are getting busier. I noticed the same thing on the Circle yesterday as well as Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.

My security card for gate entrance to Bay Isles comes in handy now with the added traffic. Snuffy and I don't have to wait at the gate to be admitted, however, Snuffy and one of the Bay Isles security guards are quite friendly and no more cookies for the Snufster!

If you are looking for a secure gated community, call us to show you some homes or condos in Bay Isles. The grounds are lush and tropical and there is a beach club with security coded entrance. Shopping, salons and restaurants are a short drive from Longboat Key at St. Armands Circle. You can check out Bay Isles on our website and search for properties for sale.

Annette Smith is available to show you homes and condos, market your Longboat Key real estate or help you prepare a plan for your next Sarasota real estate move.

Voting and Living in Sarasota

Posted on Active Rain Real Estate Blog


If you are a Sarasota resident, you know how wonderful it is to vote and live in Sarasota. The entire process took me approximately 25 minutes from "door to door". When you live in a Sarasota home that is centrally located most of your daily routine can be accomplished in minutes.

The poll workers yesterday were polite and helpful. Everything was very organized and nothing like the reports I heard on television about long lines. It's nice to live where a huge percentage of the population votes and not be stressed!

For Sarasota FL real estate information, give us a call.

Recap of Sarasota Real Estate

With over 10 Sarasota real estate marketing blogs and an additional number of websites, October tends to get a little hectic as Sarasota real estate agents prepare for our winter season. Traffic on all our Internet sites is building each day and more and more questions come from your emails and telephone calls -- keep them coming. Although we can't give you that oceanfront condo on the beach for $200,000, there are some nice prices in the Sarasota real estate market.

Sold:
Sandy Whitehead of 41 West Realty sold the home in South Gate that I mentioned a week or so ago. What a quick sale, and I'm sure the seller is pleased that her house was priced correctly. This South Gate house was completely redone, and the new owners got a beauty for under $300,000.

We're currently working with buyers from New York, Delaware, Maine, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, England, France and the Sarasota area just to name a few areas. Our phones and Internet lines are busy, but we get back to you quickly and that's a promise.

For more Sarasota Florida MLS features on homes listed in this article, visit our website or email us your preferences. To make an appointment to view any of our listings, contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922. We can show you any property in our area listed in the Mid-Florida Regional MLS. View all Sarasota real estate on our sites.

South Gate Home for Sale, Close to Downtown Sarasota

Looking for a Sarasota affordable home for sale in South Gate? Sandy Whitehead with 41 West Realty just listed a jewel of a redo! Sandy called me a few weeks ago and asked to check out the house with her. The owner took us on a tour and for a house under $300,000 completely redone, this is a must see.

On popular Sunnyside Street, this home, reduced to $265,000, is just east of Tuttle and is only 20 minutes to downtown Sarasota. The house offers 2 bedrooms and two and 1/2 baths and a third room off the garage that would be a fabulous space for your college student or a mother-in-law. There isn't a closet in this room so technically it can't be called a bedroom. A closet would be an easy addition.

Across the back of the house is a huge family room with a wall of windows looking out to a peaceful quiet setting. Go make an offer! The owner has painstakingly redone everything, and the house features include wood floors, tile and granite kitchen countertops. Oh yes, there is also a two-car garage!

For more Sarasota Florida MLS features on this South Gate Home, visit our website or email us your preferences. To make an appointment to view this South Gate listing, contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 or call Sandy directly at 941-928-3435.