Sarasota Real Estate News

Tomorrow, I am holding an Open House at 7434 Botanica Parkway in Palmer Ranch, Sarasota, FL, from 1-4 p.m. This blog compares the Botanica subdivision to new home communities in Palmer Ranch. 

Botanica has 168 French-country condominiums in a totally maintenance-free, gated community.   Built in the early 2000’s on 28 acres of wetlands with sparkling fountains and natural preserves, it is lushly landscaped year around.  A beautiful resort-style, 4,000 square foot clubhouse beckons to an active community with a well-equipped fitness center, library, catering kitchen, conference room, and two heated pools with paver patios and gas grills.  It’s a short drive to Siesta Key beaches, great shopping, Legacy bike trail, and restaurants. 

Here are the homes for sale in Botanica and to see the photos, go to my home page http://www.LindaHrealtor.com and enter the MLS number beginning with an “A” in the home search box. 

You can still buy a home in Botanica today for under $200k per square foot. 

My Open House tomorrow - A4174790, 7434 Botanica Parkway

Priced to sell, Cypress model 2BR 2.5 BA plus den, ground floor, 1-car garage with private entry to the home, preserve view, new carpet and tile, 1,621 sq ft, $299k or $184/sq ft.  

A4168773, 5208 Parisienne Place

Wisteria model 3 BR 2.5 BA 2-car garage, elevator, wood flooring, lake and preserve view, 2,288 sq ft, $495k or $216/sq ft.

A4168609, 5261 Bouchard Circle

Wisteria model 3 BR 2.5 BA 2-car garage, elevator, lake view, hardwoods, glass-front cabinets, 2,288 sq ft, $475k or $207/sq ft

A4171674, 5242 Parisienne Place

Wisteria model 3BR 2.5 baths, 2-car garage, elevator, lake view, end of cul-de-sac, lake view, 2,288 sq ft, $470k. or $205/sq ft

A4170584, 5278 Descanso Court

Sandalwood model 3BR 2 BA 1-car garage, elevator, lake and pool views, ceramic tile and wood flooring, 1,969 sq ft  $374k or $190 sq ft

A4174376, 5233 Parisienne Place

Sandalwood model 3BR 2BA 1-car garage, shaft for elevator, lake view, updated, carpet and tile 1,969 sq ft, $359k or $182/sq ft

I think that the homes in Botanica are a much better value than the new homes in Palmer Ranch today.  Across Sarasota, new home sales are great, and over the past six months, 39 new homes have sold in Palmer Ranch. (I sold one in Arbor Lakes in December and another the end of 2015.)   Since I know the Botanica community and have visited all of the new home communities, I can see the advantages of buying into an established community vs. new construction.  

Botanica is a place that you really need to visit to appreciate.  From the moment you pull up to the iron gates, you know you have arrived at a very special place.  It’s a condominium community, so the owners do not have to worry about maintenance, not even for the roofs.  The homeowners association is financially solvent and well managed, so owners are not paying out-of-pocket for routine maintenance and repairs, even down to the walls and roofs, and that is very important. Landscapers and gardeners are continuously working hard on the property to keep it in pristine condition.  

New Homes:

Here is a summary of the new homes that have sold in Palmer Ranch the past six months.   Caution!  If you purchase a new single family home, you may get a roof warranty and you may not--I'm guessing you won't-- but be assured that you will absorb the cost of maintenance, repair and replacement. 

Arbor Lakes – 6 single family homes sold, most Buyers obtained conventional financing.  
Average 2,055-3039 square feet, sold for $365k (three bedroom) - $472k (four bedroom) or $156-$178 per sq ft.

Cobblestone – 9 single family homes sold; conventional and cash Buyers. Size: 1,963-2,300 sq ft, average sold price of $462k for a two bedroom or $529k for a three bedroom, or $230 per sq ft.

Hammock Preserve – 1 villa sold, cash BuyerSize 1,542 square foot, 2 bedroom, $334k, $217 per sq ft

Palmer Oaks – 7 condominiums sold, equal amount of new conventional and cash Buyers; Size: 1,407 to 1,600 sq ft, from $257k (two bedroom) - $280K (three bedroom), $175 per sq ft

Sandhill Preserves – 16 single family homes sold, mostly to cash Buyers; Size: 1,861 to 2,200 sq ft, $410k (two bedroom) to low $500’s (3 bedroom), $232 per sq ft.

So in conclusion, Sandhill Preserve attracts cash buyers who are willing to pay more per square foot than homes in Arbor Lakes.  My sales in Arbor Lakes were to families with both spouses employed full-time, 2 children, and the area was chosen because it is in the Riverview High School district.    Palmer Oaks is a condo community that is smaller and less expensive than the new villas going up at Hammock Preserve.    

Getting into a community like beautiful Botanica for under $200 per square foot is a great buy if you are looking for a smaller gated community with less noise, fewer people, privacy, great landscaping and views, and totally maintenance free.   

Do you need a realtor for new construction?  Yes and that's because when you walk into the new home sales office without your own Realtor, the on-site agent looks out for his or her boss (the developer) and not you!  So ask me or your own Realtor to be on your side to help you negotiate, keep up with the deadlines, and we can refer you to the right companies for lending, inspections, and legal review of your contract. 

Call me at 941-914-4914 if you have real estate questions, and do visit my home page http://www.LindaHrealtor.com for more information about me/home buying/selling tips or http://www.LindaHrealtor.com/blog to see my previous blog posts.  To subscribe to this blog, please email me at LindaHrealtor@gmail.com.

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley
Realtor, Michael Saunders & Company
Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL