Sarasota Real Estate News

PRICE REDUCTION!  5302 Cape Leyte Drive, walk to Siesta Beach.  2 BR 2BA with den on large lot, now $619K, Open House Sunday, April 2, 1-4 p.m.

JUST SOLD!  New 4BR pool home in Venice to an Indiana family, very savvy Buyers, a real estate family.  We met at my Open House in 2015 at the Country Club of Sarasota, when they were in town visiting friends.  Their plan was to relocate to Sarasota the summer of 2016.    They did everything right – here’s how:  

1. Found their Realtor (me!) at an Open House in Sarasota and told me their plan.
2. Obtained loan pre-approval from MSC Mortgage so they knew how much they wanted to spend.
3. Thoroughly researched the Sarasota real estate market through MLS listings I sent--plus their own exploring on Zillow, and Trulia.
4. Got their home ready to sell, priced it right, and it sold very quickly.
5. We visited Sarasota and Venice new homes and resales last summer, comparing locations, schools, and amenities.
6. Educated themselves about the area schools.
7. Chose Venice, Florida, a smaller but fast-growing town with a great restaurants, beach, good schools, offering larger homes at affordable prices.
8. Realized that they did not need to live on a golf course.
9. Chose a subdivision with very easy access to I-75, so they could be in Sarasota to work and visit friends in just 20 minutes.
10. Decided to buy a new home during the construction phase; found the floor plan and lot for a pool home.
11. Negotiated and re-negotiated with builder on incentives.
12. Once under contract, immediately obtained a pool sketch from a pool contractor. Oops! Due to a setback, there was not room for a regular size pool, contrary to what we were told by the on-site agent. Cancelled the contract and found a larger lot that would accommodate their desired floor plan with a lap pool.
13. Rented two different furnished homes in Venice until they closed on March 30th.  This was not easy but they followed their intuition and it all worked out for them.  So happy!
14. Kept an eye on the construction progress and discovered that the wrong kitchen back splash was installed. Mistake corrected by the builder.
15. They are in their new home, and husband is on his way from Indiana to Sarasota driving a truck with their furniture that has been in storage since August.

Linda’s List:

A4180498 - 5302 Cape Leyte Drive, in Siesta Isles, Siesta Key, 2BR 2BA den, garage, many updates, newer kitchen cabinets, HVAC, turnkey furnished, approx. 1/3 of an acre, walk to Siesta Beach, impeccably maintained, 1,649 sq ft, reduced to $619,000. 

A4179716 – 4871 Tivoli Ave, off University Parkway, Longwood Villas, near University Town Center Mall and Sarasota Bradenton Airport, 3BR 2BA villa with garden view, updates, 1,990 sq ft, $310,000. 

A4165887 – 800 N. Tamiami Trail #815, Alinari, 2BR 2BA condo overlooking Sarasota Bay downtown, 1,323 sq ft, $525,000.   

Go to my home page www.LindaHrealtor.com and enter the MLS number beginning with “A” in the home search field to see photos and more information. I’m here to help you negotiate the best deal possible, so don’t hesitate to contact me at 941-914-4914 if I can answer any Sarasota real estate questions.  Email me at LindaHRealtor@gmail.com if you would like to be added to my weekly blog posts about Sarasota real estate.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley

Realtor, GRI

Michael Saunders & Company

Here's the hottest areas in Palmer Ranch home sales, south of Sarasota, (zip code 34238) the past 60 days - most are homes with community pools and without private pools--exception Deer Creek--for comparison purposes.

Stoneybrook - condos average sold price $234k built in 1995. Watch out for golf fees!
Villagewalk - villas, single family, town homes -  $264k  built 2003
Isles of Sarasota - villas, single family, town homes $383k built 2006
Sandhill Preserve - single family $555k  new construction
Pinestone - condos - $206k (Michael Saunders & Company dominate broker) built 1999
Deer Creek - single family - $430k (all pool homes) built 1990
Cobblestone - single family - $519k - new construction
Arbor Lakes - single family - $438k  new construction

I really like Deer Creek because there is a 24-hour guard at the gate, not just a call box.  You can get an older pool home in Deer Creek around $430k; pools will cost around $40k to add;  However, it is all about the condition of the home, layout, cost for updating, monthly fees, roof maintenance/replacement and yard maintenance.  Zillow and Trulia are wonderful databases but the value of using a realtor is that we know these important details....it's our job!

Why use a realtor for new construction?  Because we understand builder incentives, amenities, school districts, who is offering the best deals, and the inventory.  AND we can tell you when it's time to cancel the contract if the builder is not keeping his end of the bargain.  We'll help you get that contract terminated legally so you can get your deposit money back.  

My favorite subdivision, Botanica, sold one 3BR lake view condo with elevator for $460k.  There's a new listing coming out Monday for a ground floor condo under $300 so call me at 941-914-4914 if interested.

Have a fabulous weekend and please visit my home page http://www.lindahrealtor.com/Home to search for homes in MLS, find a mortgage calculator, my testimonials, previous blog posts, and tips for buying and selling your home!

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI

In the news today!  See Forbes Magazine's article "Why Sarasota is a Hidden Travel Gem," cites our fabulous restaurants, beaches, the arts, shopping, and our history of the Circus Capital of the World.  Here' the article that features Sarasota, Florida.  

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2016/09/09/why-sarasota-florida-is-a-hidden-travel-gem/#259c100c31ba

Those who stay at the Ritz Carlton downtown catch a shuttle to Lido Key's private Beach Club just 3 miles away.  Lido Beach is no match for Siesta Key's sugary white sandy beach, but the Beach Club is enjoyed by those who prefer a quieter and more private beach.  Also highlighted in the Forbes Magazine article was the Ringling campus, Ringling Circus Museum, the Ringling Art Museum that recently featured a new center for Asian Art last spring; Marie Selby Botanical Gardens--the most beautiful gardens by the bay that you can imagine--with orchids and bromelaids; St Armands Circle with more than 125 fabulous shops as well as fine dining.  Downtown dining: Nancy's southern Bar-B-Que was mentioned by Forbes.

Downtown Sarasota real estate:  there are currently 45 new condos on the market from $385,000 (Courtyard at Citrus, 505 N. Orange Avenue) for a one bedroom, one bath; The Mark at 1400 State Street, listed by Michael Saunders and Company, has two- and three-bedroom condos  from $769,000.  The best you can do at The Vue Sarasota Bay is a 3 bedroom for $1,499,000.   Those who love "The Ritz," amenities are buying at the Grande at Ritz Carlton Residences from $1,900,000.  

The latest sale for a Sarasota downtown condo was a one-bedroom, two-bath at Dolphin Towers, 101 S. Gulfstream Avenue, for $230,000 and  Park Residences on Lido Key sold five condos recently from $1,409,000.  

But there are twelve condos under $500,000 in downtown Sarasota on the market today that are going to sell quickly when our winter residents start coming to town next month.  Don't wait!  The word is out, Sarasota, Florida IS a hidden treasure for tourists, beach lovers, and families who relocate here to raise their children in a small town convenient to all sporting facilities for our youth.

Today, I'm working with three young families with children who have recently relocated to Sarasota for a lifestyle change.  I can tell you where the best schools are in Sarasota County, both public and private.  Here to help you with your Sarasota real estate needs!  Have a great week!

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley
Realtor, GRI
Phone 941-914-4914