Sarasota Real Estate News

Want to know what people are buying today in Sarasota, Florida?  Statistics for "Pending" home sales (homes that just came under contract March 1-5, 2019):    

All companies: Total 115 newly negotiated contracts in past five days.  Averages:  84 days on market, sq. feet 1,636, list price $356,000.

Homes listed by Michael Saunders & Co. that came under contract the past five days:  Averages: 52 days on market, sq. ft. 1,753, list price $402,000.  Note: these listings were on the market 32 days less than the average in Sarasota, indicating that they were correctly priced.

Contracts for Downtown Condos: Averages: 129 days on market, 1,684 sq. ft, list price $687,000.

Contracts for Villas:  All areas, Averages: 79 days on market, 1,571 sq ft, list price $279,000.

Note that we do not know the negotiated sales price today, what is shown in MLS is only the current list price at time of contract.  Negotiated sales price is confidential until closing; after that, it becomes public record.

Top Selling Areas (Location/Location): 

                Condos:  Siesta Key, Downtown, Gulf Gate, Palmer Ranch.

                Single Family Homes:  Gulf Gate, University Town Center Mall area.

   Villas:  All areas.

Harbor Towers - see photos below.

5855 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Florida 34242

Two condominiums came under contract March 1-5th, average list price $367,000 for a one- and a two-bedroom units. 

Team Dunn has two Harbor Towers listings today.  1 BR (Unit 624)  $328,900; and 2BR 2BA(Unit 217)  $375,000--note recent price reduction and room for washer/dryer.  Boat slips available first come, first serve.  Fishing pier and gazebo on the Intracoastal Waterway, large party room, outdoor grills, 2 pools, tennis courts, extra storage, new fitness center, rental office on-site, 24-hour security, on-site laundry facilities on each floor.  Minimum 2- week rentals.  Owners may have small pets.  

Call Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Michael Saunders & Co., for more info on Sarasota home sales and Harbor Towers.  941-914-4914.

Harbor Towers Marina on Siesta Key Beach, FL

Posted by Linda Holley on March 6th, 2019 1:49 PM
Good morning and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!   It's been an interesting week with Hurricane Hermine, but this afternoon, I'll be out  showing waterfront property to prospective investors.  This blog will give you helpful information about buying or selling waterfront homes.  

Hurricane Hermine was much kinder to Sarasota than northern counties on the Florida gulf.  The Herald Tribune today listed the three-day rain fall totals, the highest being the Sarasota International Airport at 10", Siesta Key and South Sarasota 7".  Coastal Manatee County (including Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, and Bradenton Beach) have experienced flooding since Wednesday causing school and business closures. Those areas received about 9" of water.   In Sarasota, we had flooding around Bee Ridge and Highway 41 Thursday, which is a common occurrence here with tropical storms, and I had a few tree limbs down in my neighborhood but nothing major.

Buyers and Sellers:  what do you need to know about waterfront property?  

  1. Was the existing structure built after January 1, 1975? [Note: If so, special flood plain management regulations may apply.]
  2. Is the property located in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) special hazard zone (Zone A or Zone V)?
  3. What is the currently required Base Flood Elevation (“BFE”)?
Attorney David Levin with the law firm of Icard Merrill in Sarasota has lead rountable discussions with Realtors.  Mr. Levin cautions Realtors about trying to answer questions about elevation and environmental issues, and he says that not all attorneys and title companies understand these issues.   

Selling your waterfront home?  Hire a surveyor and get questions answered up front such as:  Can the Buyer add to the structure?  expand? renovate? add a boat dock or swimming pool?   Buying a waterfront home?  If the Seller does not have a current elevation certificate, you need to hire a surveyor and get this done within your due diligence period.  Know that this will cost several hundred dollars in addition to your other inspections.  

Storm surge is caused by winds plowing through causing a bulge of water on the beach and land that pushes into properties.  Storm surge eats away the land around older houses built at ground level and the structure can collapse!   In older construction, concrete was poured on the sand as footers, but this is eaten away over time, and the house will collapse.  Structures built with piles but without the property depth penetration will collapse, meaning that the piles must be driven deep enough.  

FEMA regulations are part of Sarasota's local building code, but this is optional and not required.  It would be interesting to know how many of Florida's northern counties include FEMA regulations in their building codes.

Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is FEMA's prediction of vulnerability - how high the water would be in a Category 3 hurricane, and FEMA puts this information on maps.   We are concerned about Zones A and V and properties in these zones require flood insurance if there is a mortgage.  A surveyor determines if the property is higher than the BFE; if not, there are legal ramifications that must be sorted through by an environmental attorney.  

Buyers must understand if the property they are trying to buy is "conforming or non-conforming," which means that it is or is not in accordance with FEMA guidelines.  Is it legally conforming or non-conforming?  Not for Realtors to give an opinion!   Buyers may be looking at an elevated home that appears to be above the BFE, but if the Seller has made improvements on the ground floor, (such as adding a bathroom) THAT is a problem, because it was probably done without a permit and the County may require that the property be returned to the original condition.  I actually showed a $million home on Siesta like that a few weeks after I attended Attorney David Levin's rountable discussion and I could not believe that the Listing Agent was present telling the Buyers I was working with that the property was legal and conforming and we could see it was not!  The Seller built an office and bathroom about six feet above the foundation in the garage after the original construction!  These are situations where Realtors are sued for misrepresentation.  

I understand that the FEMA maps for Sarasota County are being revised and will be released this fall.  

Visit my home page at www.PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com to search for Sarasota homes or for tips about buying and selling your home.   I'm here to answer any questions you may have about Sarasota real estate.  Again, enjoy your Labor Day weekend and please be safe!  

Most sincerely yours,

Linda
p.s. Please don't text and drive


Posted by Linda Holley on September 3rd, 2016 9:48 AM
Good afternoon!

Here are four of my favorite homes for sale in Sarasota today.   To see photos and learn more about the properties, go to my website PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com and enter the MLS Number in the Home Search box.  

1.  A4162138 - 3941 Spyglass Hill Road, Country Club of Sarasota.  This 4 bedroom pool home is 2,578 square feet, listed at $599k.  Extensively remodeled, this home has a beautiful chef's kitchen, bamboo floors, and touches of luxury in every room.  Country Club of Sarasota is a gated community with a clubhouse, pool, tennis, and golf course views. 

2.  A4160978 - Castel del Mare, 1638 Stickney Point Road, #201, This 3 bedroom condo is just over 1,400 square feet with two private lanais and washer/dryer, listed at $269k.  A five-minute walk to Siesta Key, Castel del Mare is on the Intercoastal Waterway with two heated pools, tennis courts, and a fitness center.  This condo is priced to sell, and won't last long - the perfect place for your visitors to stay when they come to town!  This is a wonderful investment opportunity - and can generate $4,000 per month in rental income during the season.  :-( Sorry it's not pet friendly.  Rental policy: one month minimum, three times per year.

3.  A4136122 -  Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club, Palmer Ranch, 9610 Club South Circle #4202, 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo overlooking Stoneybrook Golf Course, just $197k.  Fees to Golf and Country Club: $4,604 per year plus $2,720 homeowners association which covers grounds maintenance.  

4.  A4161675 -  Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club,  just listed 8913 Olde Hickory Avenue, 3 bedroom single family home for $429k, a real deal in this community.  Fees to Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club: $4,604 per year; exterior maintenance is the responsibility of owner.

These are my team mates' listings at Michael Saunders and Company, Palmer Ranch office, and I am looking for Buyers so we can get these homes SOLD!  Please let me know if you have questions about these or other homes on the market and I'll be happy to assist you!

Most sincerely yours,

LInda
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI
Phone 941-914-4914
Email LindaHolley@MichaelSaunders.com
PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com





Posted by Linda Holley on August 22nd, 2016 2:25 PM
Below shows home sales statistics over the past year for resale and new construction on Siesta Beach (zip code 34242) , in Gulf Gate (34231) , and Palmer Ranch (34238), average sold prices:

July 2015 July 2016
Resale
Siesta Key Beach $497k $543k
Gulf Gate $260k $255k
Palmer Ranch $336k $346k

New Construction
Palmer Ranch $530k $552k

Most of the Siesta Beach condos were built in the 1960-1970's, and the newest are:
Gulf and Bay Club Bayside  built in 1988
Our House at the Beach  1981
Siesta Dunes   1979
Midnight Cove 1979

When you searching for beach condos on Midnight Pass, keep in mind that the street addresses ending in an even number are on the gulf.  

Buyers are still finding 2BR 2BA Siesta investment properties with rental income of $30,000 minimum at a price under $500k.  You need to know that the percentage of units that are owner-occupied vs. rentals can affect financing if you are planning to get a mortgage.  I can refer you to a lender who knows the "ins and outs" of financing beach properties.

In Palmer Ranch, my favorite Botanica community has maintenance-free condos from the high $200's.  Maintenance-free in Botanica means that everything outside is included in the maintenance fees, even the roofs!

Have an awesome week and don't hesitate to call me at 941-914-4914 if I can answer any Sarasota real estate questions for you.

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley
Realtor, GRI
Michael Saunders & Company


Posted by Linda Holley on August 9th, 2016 1:52 PM
Sarasota's Palmer Ranch community has it all from new homes to great schools and just a few minutes to Siesta Beach!  Here are the hottest selling communities over the past six months in Palmer Ranch.  #1 is VillageWalk, built in 2004, $200-$500's.  #2 Stoneybrook, built in the 1990's, $200-300's. #3 Isles of Sarasota, built 2006+, $200's-400's, and #4 Deer Creek, built in early 1990's, $300-$600's.  What's so appealing about many of these communities?  Many have single family homes and villas, and most have a 24/7 gate guard for security.  NEW CONSTRUCTION!  Arbor Lakes is outselling Sandhill Preserve three to one because of pricing and builder incentives.  Give me a call...I'll take you there, I'm happy to say that one couple who just relocated here with their family found everything they wanted and needed at Arbor Lakes and I was their referring realtor! Thank you Gary and Patty!!!  

Recipes!  I'm updating my recipes regularly thanks to my awesome food-loving southwestern family and southern Facebook Friends.  See my Recipe tab at www.PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com and visit me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lindaholleyllc

Have a great weekend!  
Linda
Posted by Linda Holley on October 10th, 2015 9:27 AM
Good morning, and thanks for reading my blog.  Please see www.PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com for many home-buying tips and information on new construction.    

Many of my customers are looking for maintenance-free communities in Palmer Ranch.  Some quarterly maintenance fees are low because the owners are responsible for repairing and replacing their roofs--and that can cost $30,000+.   My accountant has a favorite saying, "Pay me now or pay me later."  One of my favorite developments in Palmer Ranch was built in 1996 and quarterly fees are $844, but that includes only grounds maintenance without roof.  All of the homes sold the past six months have the original roofs (from the Seller's Disclosure posted on MLS) and of course, with the rain we have had in Sarasota, many homeowners are dealing with leaks.  At some point a homeowner decides to repair/replace...or sell and stick the new owners with the roof replacement, which may be right around the corner!  Buyers beware!

If you go to a new maintenance-free community, first of all, let me go with you!  We will discuss how long the roof is guaranteed, and I will be sure an attorney looks over the contract and we'll be with you if things are not looking just right during the buying process.  All developers and contractors are not reputable, and if you don't believe me, just check out my website and the button "About Linda"  and my first testimonial from my Expert Witness in a legal battle.   If you buy an older "maintenance free" property, I urge you to consider the cost of roof replacement.  The comps may or may not include sales where the owners replaced the roofs.  The good news for the owners is that they have enjoyed years of the lowest fees in the area without the Homeowners Association budgeting for roof replacement.  The bad news for buyers is that they will pay the cost to repair/replace roofs in the next few years.  Depending on your lifestyle and future plans, new construction makes a lot of sense!  You can pay $370,000 for an old home in Sarasota--with or without the upgrades--or a new home in Palmer Ranch with standard upgrades (granite and stainless steel appliances).  Thinking about security?  Some older maintenance-free communities have a gate with a code for entry--that every pizza delivery man and landscaping company has--and some have a guard gate with an individual to deal with before getting in.  While the listing says "security," there is a big difference.  It's true, I am still using a gate code for a "gated community" that I used to hold open houses there two years ago.  

Each day there are more new homes being built in Sarasota--Palmer Ranch, east of I-75, and also near University Town Center Mall...I'd love to take you to see them!

Most sincerely yours,
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI
Sarasota, FL
Posted by Linda Holley on September 13th, 2015 8:31 AM

It has been my experience that often there is a "love-hate" relationship between Buyers and Sellers in a real estate transaction.  It starts in the negotiation process, through the inspection period, all the way to the closing table--and sometimes afterwards.  Legal battles are costly, and you are better off buying a Florida Lottery ticket rather than depending on the civil courts to handle your complaint quickly and to your satisfaction. 

Realtors are trained to assist Buyers and Sellers by staying on top of the deadlines specified in the contract.  Buyers and Sellers can be in default, and that's why it's important to find an experienced real estate brokerage to assist you.  If you think you may buy a home "For Sale by Owner," (FSBO), it may be in your best interest to notify your realtor and let him or her assist; if you do it in the beginning, you can get assistance and the Seller will pay the 3% commission.   IKnow when you can terminate your contract and get your deposit back, and missing the mark by a day can cost you thousands of dollars if you need to get out of the deal.

There are many horror stories about Buyers not getting the deed restrictions, not receiving or reading the condo docs, being outside the timeframe of inspection, seller deflecting responsibilities about repairs, rental and pet restrictions, special assessments, and the overall reputation of the builder or community.  Also, some real estate brokers--even in this town--don't carry Errors and Omissions insurance to protect their agents.  If your realtor drops the ball, do they have a broker who will back them up or shrug their shoulders and walk away?

In Florida, there are 5,000 applications each month for new realtors and brokers.  About half don't pass the test, but those who do are depending on their brokers and other realtors to know the laws and help them through their transactions.  Don't become a casualty, get the right help in the beginning.

Have a great day!

Linda

Posted by Linda Holley on April 19th, 2015 10:01 AM

Our best months for Sarasota home sales last year were March-May.  During that time, we sold more homes each month and the average price of homes sold was $284k.  The rest of the year, total volume sales and prices varied each month.  In January 2015, the average price of homes sold was $277k.  Does that mean that prices are dropping?  No, by comparison, Jan '14 to Jan '15, we sold six percent fewer homes this year (most foreclosures were sold by last year), AND the average price increased by $11k.  Since the stronger months for home sales are March-May, using the January trend increase, then one can predict that the average price may be as high as $295 ($284+11) this spring.

If you are waiting to buy or sell your home in Sarasota, now is the time.  So call me at 941-914-4914...I'm excited to work for you!

Linda 

Data supplied by Trendgraphix 2/21/2015, * All reports are published February 2015, based on data available at the end of January 2015, except for the today stats. All reports presented are based on data supplied by the Mid-Florida MLS. The Mid-Florida MLS does not guarantee or is not in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Mid-Florida MLS may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

 

Posted by Linda Holley on February 24th, 2015 7:24 AM
Turtle Rock is a Palmer Ranch subdivision with over 750 homes, most of which were built in the mid '90's.  The average square footage of these homes is 2,500.  There are currently 11 listings and 17 sold the past six months.  Homes are listing from $329-$689k, selling from $319-629k.  See www.heraldtribune.com for more information about new homes in Sarasota or call Linda Holley, Realtor, Michael Saunders & Co., 8660 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34238 Phone 941-914-4914  www.michaelsaunders.com
Posted by Linda Holley on January 19th, 2015 10:24 PM

In Sarasota real estate today, we are seeing multiple offers and backup offers to purchase homes.   Sellers can make costly mistakes when there are multiple offers...so Realtors and Sellers should exercise caution.  In Florida, there is no contract until it is signed and delivered to all parties.  A Seller with multiple offers should not make counteroffers on more than one contract at a time.  Realtor should let their Sellers know about all offers, even after a contract has been executed.  Why?  Seller may receive a higher offer and there may be an opportunity to terminate and move on to the higher offer.   This blog is intended as a "recap" of the information that I gleaned in the January 16, 2015 round-table discussion at the Board of Realtors. In no way does it reflect the details that Attorney Greenberg discussed on these issues.   For more information about real estate in Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Palmer Ranch, contact Linda Holley, Realtor, Michael Saunders and Company, 8660 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida, 34238  Phone 941-914-4914   PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com

Posted by Linda Holley on January 16th, 2015 11:03 PM

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