Great news! There are 871 homes under contract in Sarasota and Siesta Key, Florida, today! These buyers will be thrilled to own a home here because this is truly a fun town to live and it's so easy to get from our homes to downtown Sarasota and our lovely beaches.
But what are our buyers looking for today in a home? For the William Raveis Real Estate listings, here's some selling features of our homes under contract: Buyers want beachfront, bay front, a boat slip, hurricane impact windows, garages or underground parking, home renovations, homes under $400,000 with no HOA fees, Key West style pool home listed at $1,395,000 on the market for JUST 4 days; a Lido Key condo listed at $1,900,000. This information is shared on behalf of my fellow William Raveis agents.
Also in MLS are hundreds of pending sales listed by other brokerages. For Siesta Key condos, buyers are getting great deals on condominiums at Sunrise Cove, Bay Oaks, and Provencial Gardens.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about Sarasota real estate and Siesta Key real estate, so please don't hesitate to call me.
Linda Holley, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, Sarasota and Siesta Key, 941-914-4914
Open House Sunday Aug 18, 2019, 1-4 p.m., 5212 Parisienne Place, Botanica, Palmer Ranch, Sarasota, FL 34238 (photos below).
15 minutes from downtown Sarasota, Siesta Key Beach, Nokomis Beach.
Appropriately named Botanica, homes are surrounded by ponds and a natural preserve area. Catch a glimpse of snowy egrets, osprey, herons, turtles, ducks, hawks, bobcats, and alligators from the lanai. Various species of North American birds, spending their winters by the shore, are known to visit Botanica. Spiritual and earthy, this quiet and exclusive community features just 168 carriage homes that were built in the early 2000’s.
5212 Parisienne Place, listed by Michael Saunders & Company, is a 1798 square foot coveted Jasmine model with three bedrooms and a two-car garage. Listed at $359,900, the price has been reduced to sell. The gated, maintenance-free community is impeccably maintained year-round with seasonal flowers, much like a botanical garden. With two pools, resort-style clubhouse, and very financially healthy homeowners association—this is a community residents proudly call home. Everyone loves Botanica, to include two very happy Buyers of mine who are homeowners today.
Call me if you would like more information about this property or real estate in Sarasota, Siesta Key, or Venice, Florida. If you are in the area, come to my open house Sunday 1-4.
Most sincerely yours,
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, 941-914-4914.
Check out my home page www.LindaHrealtor.com
Blog: www.LindaHrealtor.com/blog
5212 Parisienne Place, Botanica in Palmer Ranch, Sarasota, FL 34238
Gulf View on Siesta Key, JUST LISTED in Building A. 2BR 2BA condo, one of the most sought-after condominium communities on Siesta Key - AND most desirable building in Gulf & Bay. Not yet in MLS, Zillow, or Trulia...awaiting professional photography.
5790 Midnight Pass Road Unit A309, $800K. Unbelievable opportunity, this will sell quickly.
Call Linda Holley, GRI, Team Dunn, Michael Saunders & Co., 941-914-4914.
See my home page at www.LindaHrealtor.com
Good morning, and thanks for reading my blog.
Last fall I had Buyers who wanted to move to Florida but needed to sell their out-of-state home before buying here. We did a lease-purchase giving Seller his asking price for the home and allowing several months for the Buyers to sell their home.
Currently I have a listing for a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo on Siesta Key in Harbor Towers. At one of my open houses, a guest expressed interest in a lease-purchase. The Seller said no but later reconsidered after a few months of getting offers well below what he would accept, The potential Tenant/Buyer made him a full-price offer (gave him his asking price) and put up a good deposit, so this was financially advantageous to the Seller. He's getting market rent for his property, which will meet his expenses. Tenant/Buyer is locking in a sale price and can gain future appreciation on the property over the next two years. He's not ready to buy and won't be for at least 18 months; however, Harbor Towers is perfect because his boat is parked on-site in the community boat slip. He is thrilled that he can sit on the lanai from this unit and watch his boat.
In both of my lease-purchase transactions, Buyers are relocating to be near family members. And a boat. :-)
Lease-purchases are the exception but they can work if the Seller can wait to sell his property. They are much easier for Realtors to negotiate if both parties to the transaction work together to negotiate the terms. Once an agreement has been reached, Buyer should use always an attorney to prepare the document. Buyers will have legal representation through this process but it costs between $500 to $750.
Earnest Money Deposit. In both of my recent lease-purchases, Sellers wanted a sizeable deposit--non-refundable--to take their home off the market.
Disclosures. Buyers should obtain the Sellers Disclosure and other information about the community such as Lead Based Paint, homeowners association/condo fees, rules, and regulations. Buyers should learn as much as they can about the community and issues they are facing such as future assessments for repairs.
Homeowners Association Approval. Find out if this is a requirement. Most of the time, Board of Directors expect to be kept informed about who ls living there and who is buying. They charge from $50 to $100 for a credit check.
Other considerations: Buyer for the Siesta condo wanted to use the boat slip and install a washer/dryer. Who will pay? Buyer! But this is another gray area that needs to be negotiated and contained in the lease-purchase agreement.
These are the things Sellers and Buyers need to consider if they believe a lease-purchase is a possibility. Both Sellers in this case were willing to do this with a generous/good faith earnest money deposit.
Happy to help you with your real estate needs, whether you are buying a single family home in Venice or a condo in Sarasota or Siesta Key.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Michael Saunders & Co. 941-914-4914
1. Realtor Remarks in Florida MLS today for two new homes: "NEW CONSTRUCTION CUSTOM BUILT HOME. This home is being sold as a Re-Sale, therefore there is no builder warranty." You won't see that on Zillow or Trulia, only private Realtor remarks in MLS.
2. Using the Realtor of the Seller (including new homes) and For Sale by Owner is like using your soon-to-be ex-husband's or wife's attorney when you are divorcing them...think the other party is looking out for you?
3. Use Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com to look at homes online when you are bored at work, but when you are seriously ready to buy, it's essential that you find your own Realtor and stick with him or her if you like them and if they are doing a good job for you. The Seller pays our commission, so let us do the work for you! And I might add, my fellow Realtors agree that this business is getting tougher because so many Buyers watch HGTV and "Google" certain issues, but the limited knowledge they pick up on television and online does not make them knowledgeable real estate professionals. The real estate industry is regulated so we are trained and licensed for many good reasons--to protect consumers and be sure everything is proper and legal.
4. The best Realtors specialize in certain areas and they have their network of local professionals. Experienced Realtors know about certain builders and subdivisions and hear about construction defects. We use the very best inspectors who know EXCACTLY what to look for in certain subdivisions. Mold, moisture problems, windows, and roofs are major areas of concern in Florida due to our weather conditions and a good home inspector looks for these problems at the beginning the inspection.
5. Through specific MLS search criteria, a Realtor can narrow your search to the age restrictions (55+ or not), size of the lot, floor number for condos, the pet policy--down to the size of the pets allowed! We won't waste your time showing you beach condos that don't have inside laundry facilities if that is important to you, or homes with carports if you want a two-car garage. We can find homes for deep water boating on the canal, homes on the lagoon, lake, and condos on with deeded beach access. We can get deed restrictions for you if you don't want to live in a community with boats or commercial vehicles in your neighbor's front yard.
6. Zillow and Trulia can't tell you about the age of the roof, air conditioner, window replacement, and plumbing upgrades, but a good Realtor knows where to find this information and uses it in negotiating the best deal for you. We will also get the Warranty Deed and attach it to the contract to be sure that the Seller has the legal right to convey the property. One Seller brought his girlfriend, not his wife, to closing and the girlfriend signed the closing documents for the wife. The home was illegally sold, but if the Buyer had used a reputable closing company, that would never have happened.
7. Your Realtor is a great source for your mortgage lender, insurance, and closing agent. In short, we can save you time, money, and frustration, and keep you out of trouble. Our network of professionals know how to get your deal closed on time or will help you walk away and get your deposit back if this is not the home for you.
Have a a safe Memorial Day weekend, and call me if I can assist you in your Sarasota, Florida home search!
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, 941-914-4914, Michael Saunders & Co., Siesta Key Beach
My sincere thoughts and prayers for the victims of the earthquakes and Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. It’s been a nail-biting season, but remember that hurricanes are cyclical. We always go through a few years where we see many, and then it stops for several years. This part of west coast Florida has not had a direct hit since hurricane records were kept beginning in the mid-1800’s. Is it because of the 30’ sandbar off the coast, or the old Indian legend that this area is “protected” and that is why early settlers came here? Google “Herald Tribune the Legend of Sarasota Storm Protection.”
Michael Saunders & Company Realtors worked very hard to get furniture moved in at properties we have on the market, and then went back in to check for damages, take photos, and clean up “freezer melt” on the floors. Our Rental Division moved furniture in for 400 homes. On the gulf side of Siesta Key Beach, there was minimal damage—mostly limbs and branches, a true miracle. One former Buyer asked me to check his condo in Peppertree, and there was a little water intrusion above the lanai windows. I have a unit under contract in Excelsior with a direct gulf view, and there was no water intrusion. Hurricane Irma’s winds came in Sarasota from the east, so the properties facing the beach (west) did not have direct hits, so our beautiful white sand beach is still intact.
I evacuated with Burt Reynolds (my cocker spaniel dog--photo below) to north Georgia, but my family stayed here until the last minute. Even though we suffered no damage to our homes, I still know the panic, fearing for the lives of family, teammates, and friends who chose to ride out the storm; grabbing important papers, a few photos, and driving 35 miles an hour for a 16-hour trip that should have taken 8 hours. My family has a cabin on Lake Hartwell in North Georgia, which they offered to me. My first thought was, “Of course, I won’t stay here, I’ll be happy to stay in your beautiful lake cabin.” But the guilt of enjoying their place while they faced the danger of Hurricane Irma got to me, and I cried most of the way to Georgia and the next few days until I knew they were out of Florida and safe. What I fear now is that Sarasotans have a false sense of security and won’t evacuate when the next storm is expected. And I learned a lot about my customers, friends and family who offered their homes and others across the country who were concerned and checked in. Thank you all!
Many people are still without power here; in Cherokee Park, huge trees fell on power lines and need to be removed by cranes before electricity can be restored. New properties on the east coast are built to hurricane standards to withstand winds of 180 mph but the west coast standard for new construction is 160 mph. Our new Edgewater condos are built to east-coast standards. Two days before the storm, we had two new reservations at the new Grand condominiums. A Buyer walked away from a transaction for a gulf-front property, and then came back after the storm and offered $250,000 less, and the Seller accepted it. We are expecting a surge in new construction sales because people who went to shelters for days vow that they will never do that again. Homeowners will be installing hurricane windows and buying hurricane shutters. Will the cost of new homes increase because of building materials needed to repair the homes in Florida?
Here are 11 apps to keep people in the know and help them cope with Hurricane Irma:
Redcross.org/mobile-apps/hurricane-app (alerts, ways to connect with family/friends).
NOAA Radar US (weather radar images).
Weather Underground (weather app).
Waze (traffic and road conditions).
Tracker.gasbuddy.com (finding available gas).
Zello (free walkie-talkie).
Snap Map (Snapchat – sharing your location).
Nextdoor (Neighbors helping neighbors).
WhatsApp (Fast, simple, secure messaging).
Firechat (communicate with people around you).
Headspace (Yoga).
The west coast of Florida is open for business! We are recommending that Sellers get a 4-point inspection of their homes which includes plumbing, electrical, and the roof.
Sarasota’s Palmer Ranch new construction! There are TEN new home communities within a five-mile radius of zip code 34238, and this is inland about 15 miles from Siesta Key Beach and Nokomis Beach.
Linda’s List – Properties listed by Michael Saunders & Company; go to www.LindaHrealtor.com and enter the MLS number below that begins with “A” in the home search field:
A4190275 - 144 N. Casey Key Road. 4BR 5BA $4.5 million “House of Dreams.”
A4195593 – 5772 Ivrea Drive in Village Walk, 2BR 2BA, $325k, kitchen and master updated.
A4194773, 3940 Wilshire Cir E., Lakeshore Village, 2BR 2BA, $262K, immaculate and updated.
Thank you for reading my blog, please don’t text and drive, and remember those whose lives have been torn apart in Texas, Mexico, south Florida, and the Caribbean with the recent storms and earthquakes. I’m at 941-914-4914, www.LindaHrealtor.com, so please call me if I can assist you with your real estate needs in Sarasota, Venice, or Siesta Key on Florida’s west coast.
LindaLinda Holley and Burt Reynolds
Team Dunn’s Siesta Key gulf-side listing in Excelsior Bay has new carpet and new furniture—and the furniture stays (6266 Midnight Pass Road, Unit 404). The beach and gulf-side pool are just a few steps away, and what a fabulous gulf view from the lanai! New pictures are coming (See below photo of Excelsior Bay gulf-side pool). 5302 Cape Leyte in Siesta Isles sold for $580,000, or $352 per sq ft. Comps in this subdivision sold for $343 per sq ft, so we were pleased with this great cash offer. When I was new to real estate in Atlanta, Rick Brinkman, VP of Harry Norman, Realtors in Atlanta, told his new agents that one of the most rewarding benefits of selling real estate would be the friends we make in this business. He was correct. It was truly a pleasure working with this lovely couple. This house was under contract in 74 days, which is average for Siesta Isles. The Sellers did everything right: the kitchen was updated, the roof and HVAC were newer, flooring and paint looked great, and it was in tip-top condition. They also listened. We asked them to get it appraised--and they did. After 30 days, we asked them to reduce the price--and they did. We asked them to give us a list of furniture and furnishings that would stay--and they graciously took the time to do this. We were all frustrated when a couple of lowball offers came in, but we waited for the right offer—and it came! Siesta Isles is a short walk or bike ride to Siesta Key public beach and there are a variety of single family homes on the market today, some of which are on the canal.
Siesta Beach - Excelsior condo under contract! 6266 Midnight Pass, Unit 403, is being sold “As-Is” with no contingencies to a cash buyer, $50,000 below market price. Like many investors, the Buyers put this under contract with their Realtor and THEN flew down to see it. I saw it for the first time on our Michael Saunders & Company tour, called the Buyers and told them what they needed to offer and they should move quickly to get it under contract, and next please book their tickets. And they listened! I knew it was priced to sell and it would not last with the ocean view and updated kitchen, under $800k. The Seller was in the process of negotiating another offer when we came in immediately with a deal they could not refuse. I later learned that the other agent negotiating with the other Buyer works in my office--and he is one of Siesta Key’s top Realtors….Ai-Yi-Yi! However, this is an example of a Buyer overthinking a Seller’s counteroffer; I always tell Buyers not to play around with the last $5,000, and risk losing the property, it’s just not worth it.
If you did not know, Sarasota and Siesta Key had a tornado in January 2016. Excelsior and Crystal Sands on Siesta beach were hit, and nothing sold while the repairs were under way. All repairs at Excelsior were completed expeditiously, and properties are selling once again; but it’s a different story next door in Crystal Sands. Their insurance company questioned liability, so the owners had a fight on their hands. I just don’t understand…a tornado is an “act of God,” right? Last I heard, the insurance may or may not pay for the repairs, and owners could be assessed $18,000 - $24,000 each for balcony repairs, and there may be additional work to be done on the concrete. The homeowner’s association borrowed the money for the repairs and the work is now under way.
Tornado damage in Excelsior was handled with no assessments. In Unit #403, the windows that were broken by the tornado were replaced by the association, and that included the sliding glass door off the lanai. However, the Buyers’ home inspection in #403 this week revealed that the laminate flooring was buckling in front of the sliding glass doors and the Seller agreed to replace the damaged wood; but then I began to wonder what caused the buckling. I remembered that a Buyer and I worked through this issue when I sold a waterfront property in Grand Bay on Longboat Key a few months ago, and Mark Smith from Window Panes came out and offered a free assessment. He poured water in the door track, and the water did not leak into the Grand Bay condo, so the door track was not leaking inside the unit.
Thursday, I called Mark Smith once again and asked him for another free assessment – this time for the Excelsior #403 sliding glass door and…the water leaked from both sides of the door track—outside to the lanai and inside onto the floor. Fortunately, the property manager was there and he saw that the bad calking job on the lanai was allowing the water back into the condo and preventing it from draining to the outside. This issue will be fixed by the homeowner’s association before the Buyers take possession next month. Yes, this was an As-Is deal and the Seller did not have to take care of the floor repair, but they agreed to. I am very impressed with the property management, on-site rental manager, and the homeowner’s association at Excelsior Bay. It is my understanding that the unit next door, #404, did not have broken glass or windows replaced, but anytime a Buyer puts in an offer in on a waterfront property, I recommend that they test the sliding glass door track for leaking – because we do have some strong storms in Sarasota and leaks can lead to mold.
Things Buyers must not overlook when buying a resale: Roofs, HVAC, old pipes, and leaking windows and sliding glass doors. Concrete block homes built in the 1950’s and 1960’s can be purchased at a good price here in Sarasota, but unless the roof, HVAC, and pipes have been replaced, beware: these are big ticket items. Should you have the septic system checked and plumbing lines scoped in older homes? Absolutely! Buyers need to know about the potential of upcoming repairs and that may affect the amount they are willing to offer for the property. I like to use Addendum L (Right to Inspect and Right to Cancel) to the Florida FR/BAR contract, because if the age of the roof, plumbing, and HVAC are of concern, this Addendum gives Buyers the right to cancel. Without Addendum L, a Buyer can terminate the contract for repair issues only if there are items that are not in “Working Condition,” which is defined as “operating in the manner in which the item was designed to operate.” In other words, if the HVAC is 35 years old/rusty and dusty, but it’s still cooling the property, the Buyer does not have the right to cancel unless Addendum L is part of the contract.
Realtors know to remind Buyers of future repairs that can affect the value of a home…and we can refer you to excellent companies who can inspect and re-inspect during due diligence until the Buyer is satisfied that they have all the facts to proceed with the sale. But if you try to purchase a home that is advertised “For Sale by Owner,” and you are not using a Realtor to remind you of these things, it could cost you big bucks down the road. Like my accountant says, “Pay me now or pay me later.”
Linda’s List – offered by Michael Saunders and Team Dunn:
Excelsior Bay, 6266 Midnight Pass Road, #404, 2BR 2BA, 1,253 sq ft, washer/dryer, $749,000. Gulf view, two heated pools, fishing pier, fitness center, tennis courts. A4189950.
Siesta Towers, 4822 Ocean Blvd, 2BR 2BA, 1440 sq ft, eleventh floor, price to be determined. Gulf and Big Pass view of Sarasota Bay, extensive remodel equivalent to new construction.
Longboat Key – Listed by Michael Saunders & Company:
1770 Ben Franklin Drive, #104, Lido Harbour Towers, 1BR 1BA, $395,000 A4192418.
411 Pheasant Drive, Bird Key, 5BR 4-1/2 BA $2,250,000. A4190335 (See Photo).
1750 Ben Franklin Drive #5G, Key Towers South, 2BR 2BA, $580,000. A4192160 (See Photo).
Go to LindaHrealtor.com and enter the MLS number that begins with “A” to see more information about these properties.
Thanks for reading my blog! A total of 13,386 people have read my blog the past 30 days according to Google Analytics, and if it’s on the internet, it must be true, right? Please don’t text and drive, and call me at 941-914-4914 if I can assist you with your Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Venice real estate needs. Ready to sell? I have worldwide connections to the very best Realtors, and I also do business by referral. Let me find the best agent in your city to assist you with your real estate needs!
Linda Holley. Realtor, GRI, Michael Saunders & Company
411 Pheasant Drive, Bird Key1750 Ben Franklin Dr. #5G, Key Towers South
Good morning,
Thank you! According to Google Analytics this morning, a total of 9,738 people read my blog the past 30 days, and 622 entered my website, LindaHrealtor.com, through my blog posts (under Home tab). There are many pages with helpful real estate information, but my blogs are, by far, the most popular. It shows what I’ve been up to in real estate the past 3 years, good or bad.
Good news! I have joined Team Dunn with Siesta Key’s Michael Saunders and Co. My teammates, Lin and Maurice, are among our company’s top agents and are THE BEST in marketing and negotiating; they have received the 5-Star Client Satisfaction Award for 8 years. Together, Team Dunn offers of 50 years’ real estate expertise to the Sarasota community. I’m very excited!
Team Dunn and I worked together to market and sell 5302 Cape Leyte Drive in Siesta Isles, just a short walk to Siesta Key’s public beach. That home is under contract today, and we close next month. Friday, I pulled the neighborhood statistics for Siesta Isles, and here’s what I found: This home was under contract in 76 days, and the average days on the market is 74 days. It has some very nice updates, a newer roof and HVAC, plus it was very clean and clutter-free. The Seller listened: they got an appraisal, and we had a range for negotiating purposes. Buyers saw this home at one of my open houses. BUT current listings in Siesta Isles have been on the market 167 days, and if I were one of those Realtors, I would be very worried and talking to Sellers about price reductions, because most of these homes are much farther from the beach than our Cape Leyte listing. My marketing material going out to that neighborhood this week will recommend getting an appraisal if a resident is thinking about selling. It’s about location, location, location, and on Siesta, “How far do I have to walk before my tired toes are in that beautiful, warm white sand?”
Thinking about relocating to Sarasota? I recommend it! My family relocated here from Atlanta, and it’s simply an awesome place to raise a family. The schools are excellent, and there are wonderful recreational facilities, parks, and performing arts. Most of the jobs here are in education, the service industry or medical field. When I first came to Sarasota, I could not sell real estate (because I was involved in a 3-year lawsuits, with contractors and realtors in the southwest over some ski condos that I invested in), so I did a variety of things until we settled the cases. I was a Kelly Girl and had some cool assignments all over town, and in between, I “drove Miss Daisy” to medical appointments and did home health care at some very nice rehabilitation centers. People should not tell me that they can’t find a job, because I worked during the recession in a new town. Some of this will be in my book about my lawsuits, Motion to Intervene, that will be available in Barnes and Noble and Amazon this fall. Thinking about buying a new home? Wait for my book and you’ll know how to check out the contractors and Realtors and why I recommend using an attorney to review contracts and for closing.
Millennials are 34% of home buyers and over 66% plan to purchase a new home within the next 5 years. They are better informed about their options than any other generation before them. They will buy a $200 pair of jeans after they try on 67 different pairs. The way that they shop for homes is no different--and they prefer to work with real estate agents.
Getting your home ready to sell? Here’s how to make your home more attractive to Millennials:
Make all necessary repairs and upgrades before listing.
Consider updating kitchens and baths - these have always sold homes, but now they are more important than ever.
Do an energy efficiency audit and make upgrades anywhere you can, including solar panels.
Consider upgrading any old appliances.
Install smart home features like programmable thermostats.
They prefer open floor plans, home offices, and good internet/cell services.
Since more than three-quarters of Millennial home buyers find the listings online, good photography is everything. They drive by first, and then contact a realtor to make an appointment.
Most get their down payments from their parents, so negotiating a Seller credit to Buyers at closing will appeal to Mom and Dad—who will probably come along on the showings.
(How Millennials Are Changing the Housing Market by John White, Founder and CMO, Social Marketing Solutions@juanblanco76)
Linda’s List!
Below are my picks for this week – to see photos, go to LindaHrealtor.com and enter the MLS number beginning with “A” in the Home Search field. Call me if you are in town and want to see!
A4189950, Siesta condo – 6266 Midnight Pass Road, #404, Excelsior Condominiums, gulf view, 2 BR 2BA, $749,000, 1,253 sq ft, pet-friendly, furnished with washer/dryer. Great rental! Listed by Team Dunn.
A4169402, Whitfield Estates community near Sarasota Bradenton Airport – European charm: 1198 Longfellow Way, Shadybrook Village, 3 BR 2.5 BA, 1408 sq ft, price reduced to $139,000, updates, landscaped front entry, gated outdoor living area, furnished, new HVAC, pet-friendly (up to 100 pounds). Listed by Team Dunn.
Thinking about listing your home? Now is an excellent time! I hold Open Houses all year, but I meet local Sarasota residents this time of the year. A local friend and customer pointed out that locals don’t get out as much during the winter when our seasonal residents are here. We wait until there is less traffic and there’s a shorter wait time at restaurants. So don’t be afraid to put your home on the market this summer or fall, because there’s a good chance your Buyer is already here.
That’s all for today, please don’t text and drive, and do call me at 941-914-4914 if I can answer your questions about Sarasota real estate, Siesta condos, or homes in Venice, Florida. “Check me out on Facebook”
https://www.facebook.com/LindaHolleyLLC/
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Team Dunn, 5100 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, Florida 34242, Michael Saunders & Company
Linda’s List:
5302 Cape Leyte Drive, Siesta Key Beach, a Siesta Isles tropical gem and the place to make memories of your family reunions and neighborhood gatherings. Your day begins on the east-facing patio with coffee, Wall Street Journal, and the morning sun. Walk or bike to Siesta Key public beach, just ten minutes away, letting the waves pull in your toes, sinking deeper in the sand as your face and shoulders soak up the warm sun.With a grateful heart, you think about the other people trying to get to work, those in corporate America caught in rush-hour traffic but today, your job is to relax and take care of YOU, without conflicting deadlines, and projects. Board meetings are meaningless in paradise, because this place is designed to take the stress away. You found your own private oasis, and now you finally have it all on the white sands of the Florida gulf, and Siesta Key Beach. Meet your friends for a delicious lunch in Siesta Key Village, and invite them over to your home for afternoon cocktails and grilling. Everyone marvels at the painted canvas of colors of the gulf coast sunset in your back yard, views that are yours alone to share with the special people who have brought so much joy to your life. 5302 Cape Leyte Drive is nestled among homes priced over $1 million, but this home is available today, turnkey furnished, for $619,000, appraised and priced to sell. Call or text Linda Holley, Realtor, 941-914-4914 for more details.
This morning, I took Burt Reynolds, my chocolate cocker spaniel, to walk with me across the Ringling Bridge. Driving up Fruitville Road towards Highway 41, I counted at least seven new buildings going up. SEVEN! As Burt and I started our walk, I noticed how things have changed in Sarasota since I moved here in 2009. Once called “God’s waiting room,” today all I saw was active people out biking, walking, and enjoying the outdoors. And it was only 7:15 a.m.! You may have seen the news segment this week about Colorado offering healthy lifestyles. I’ve been to Denver and everyone is outdoors, hiking, biking, walking, and now that’s what I am seeing in Sarasota. People are flocking here for this healthy lifestyle where they can enjoy the arts, theater, and still get around town in 30 minutes or less. Schools are the best, it’s a great place for families, so downtown Sarasota is where things are happening!Speaking of downtown real estate, at Sansara, 300 S. Pineapple Avenue downtown, eleven condos have recently sold and two are currently on the market. Sansara features 17 residences on 10 floors, located at the gateway to Sarasota’s historic Burns Court area. This boutique community is within walking distance of the farmer’s market, restaurants, theaters, organic markets, night life, and more. Unit 201 has soring 10’ ceilings, 30’ retractable window wall featuring indoor and outdoor living. Over 2,600 square feet inside and 2,600 square feet outside for this 3BR 3BA offering private outdoor grill, 2 car garage, spa, gym, and yoga room. Listed at $2.5 million.
Unit 401 boasts panoramic views of the city, Sarasota bay and marina. Upgrades include wood flooring, square recessed LED lighting, Lube Italian cabinetry, listed at $2.3 million.
Michael Saunders and Company’s annual meeting was held May 12, 2017 at the Hyatt in downtown Sarasota. Our company is #70 in the country, and this company is comprised of people who have come together over the past 41 years with passion and core values—who are committed to the business propositions and value for our customers. Our company is known across the globe for having a high regard for values. I can attest that the right people have been put in the leadership positions, plus it’s great to see that Michael’s Realtors are committed to helping other fellow Realtors succeed. It's true, I'm here to tell you!
Mike Staver, keynote speaker and executive coach, shared that changing our physiology can change our day; giving clarity to our boundaries—discover what zaps our energy; finding an accountability partner (no one we live with), and living in alignment consistently with our core values. Those who have a profoundly grateful heart can change their lives; submerging ourselves 3 minutes a day in full gratitude for six weeks makes a difference in our business productivity. Matthew Ferrara, key note speaker, philosopher, photographer, writer, and former realtor, spoke about marketing: in 2014-15, people were rushing to buy, creating low inventory. 2017 has seen a shift, and a higher inventory has reset Sellers’ expectations in this correcting market. People now have choices so they are taking their time. Sellers must price their homes correctly in this market; for example, they are now competing with new homes. In Sarasota, we are in the center of the Florida market—Florida lead the recession and we also lead the nation out of it. Long-term growth includes funding amenities as we grow. Selfie marketing with our IPhone is over…people won’t see our selfies because they are busy taking their own! Look up from cell phones and tap into creativity, discovering what we REALLY do will set us apart from our competition. Our customers expect us to be unique!
Thank you for reading my blog, and I’m here to help you in Sarasota and Venice, Florida, with your real estate needs. Please visit my home page at www.LindaHrealtor.com for helpful real estate information. I’m at 941-914-4914. Please don’t text and drive!
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