Sarasota Real Estate News

Linda Holley's Blog July 30 - TIME MAGAZINE has named Sarasota and The Bay in their recent publication, "World's 100 Greatest Places 2021."  

THE BAY PROJECT: Construction begins next month on the first phase of Sarasota's The Bay project.  A total of 53 acres on a mile of shore land will feature many amenities for residents and visitors to Sarasota. A portion of the Mangrove Walkway has already opened with a new pedestrian and bicycle path, benches, and landscaping. $10 million is in the bank and $24 million has been raised for this $200 million project. (map below)

SARASOTA REAL ESTATE: There are currently 71 condominiums in downtown Sarasota on the market, 97 are under contract, and 506 sold from February to July 2021. Price points: $180,000 to $9.7 million.

Your experienced Sarasota real estate expert is Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, HomeSmart - Real Estate Made Easy - phone 941-914-4914  

For more information about Sarasota real estate, click this link: See Linda's Website

This week there are 1,040 pending sales in Sarasota, Florida, up from 931 last week. There are 32 homes under contract at Mark Sarasota, the new condominium development one block south of Main Street. Mark Sarasota is marketed and sold by Michael Saunders and Company. Floor plans are sleek and modern. The all-embracing terraces are perfect for entertaining and relishing in the excitement of all that downtown Sarasota has to offer. Perhaps you would enjoy an elevated resort-style lap pool with your own private cabana and fire pit lounge? Get ready to host your own  private party in The Club Room!

Mark Sarasota also has an internet café, secured parking, 24-hour Concierge, and a lobby that is access-controlled. Downtown Sarasota amenities WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE are the bayfront marina, John Ringling Bridge, Marina Jack’s restaurant, Bayfront Park, the outdoor waterfront Oleary’s Tiki Bar and Grill (dog-friendly), Freedom Boat Club, Pineapple Yoga and Cycle Studio, Caragiulo’s Italian restaurant, First Watch restaurant, Sarasota Opera House, Burns Court, Owens Fish Camp, art galleries galore, post office, Smokin’ Joe’s Pub, Mattison’s City Grill, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, and Catholic churches, Florida Studio Theatre, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Just to name a few conveniences!

The one-bedroom condominium under contract is listed for $649k, and the three-bedroom, 3-bath under contract is listed at $2,499k. Go to LindaHrealtor.com and enter this MLS number in the home search field A4459050. 

Interested? I’ll take you there!  Call Linda Holley, Realtor, Michael Saunders & Co., 941-914-4914. See LindaHrealtor.com for more information about me, home search, blogs, my testimonials, mortgage calculator, and more.

With gratitude,

Linda Holley

Today's blog is about cash transactions in real estate; window replacement, and two lovely properties on the market today in Sarasota:  Alinari condo community downtown (I'll be there Sunday 1-4) and a single-family home in south Sarasota, in the Oakleaf subdivision built by Todd Johnson.  Both homes are listed by Michael Saunders & Co.

At Tuesday's sales meeting, our MSC Mortgage rep discussed what we are seeing today when Buyers choose to pay cash for their homes.  Pay attention folks.... mortgages are not volatile, but the stock market IS if we have learned nothing else this week.  Cash does not always play well today in real estate transactions, and it will likely be that way for the next year.  People are liquidating their stock to purchase a home--and that's ok, but some use their statement on account as proof of funds to show the Seller that they have the means to purchase the home.  At the time of contract, there was enough to buy that particular home, but it may be different 60 days out.  Buyers can walk away from cash deals if their money is tied to the stock market.  They will walk away from a $50,000 cash deposit before they lose more money, and they could have lost $200K or more in the stock market from the time they signed their purchase agreement.  Buyers can't delay the closing due to the stock market.  They should run the numbers and prepare their cash - move it from stocks to their checking accounts soon after they are under contract. 

Window replacement: I had lunch with some friends this week and they told me that they are getting hurricane impact windows installed and the company doing the work was the only licensed window contractor in the area.  That sounded pretty fishy, so I did some research and that is just not true.  Additionally, this company has a lousy reputation with the Better Business Bureau, and they have been in business only a year and a half and operate in a town an hour from here.  To make matters worse, they are not a licensed contractor. 

Homeowners need to be very cautious of window replacement companies that may not be licensed professionals.  Sarasota County recognizes that this is a problem and they are busting some of these scammers.   Fortunately, my friends paid their deposit with a credit card and their bank is reversing out the $33,000 transaction.   If you have questions about windows in general, call Mark Smith with Window Panes, 941-465-7813.  For hurricane impact windows, call Sarasota Glass and Mirror 941-921-4633, a licensed contractor.  Why is that important?  Because contractors are required pull permits for window installation, and only licensed contractors can pull permits.  The County approves the permit and then comes out and inspects the work before the permit can be closed. 

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY!  I'll be at 800 N. Tamiami Trail, #311, in downtown Sarasota, Sunday from 1-4 p.m.  Alinari is a very amenity-rich community across from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center.  This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo has been lightly used and has tropical views.  The pool is the largest in any downtown Sarasota condo community, and there are several meeting rooms, fitness center—and a wine cellar!   

4721 Old Stone Road in Oakleaf subdivision is a four-bedroom 2 bath Todd Johnson home listed for $400k.  It features wood-scraped maple flooring and a screened and glassed Florida room. 

I'd like to post photos but my computer is not cooperating today!

Condominiums in downtown Sarasota are smoking hot, and so are Todd Johnson homes in this area.  I'm here to answer any questions you may have about Sarasota real estate.  Remember, be careful of cash transactions when buying real estate - and do your homework before choosing a company to install new windows. 

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, 941-914-4914

1723 Bay Street is the most reasonably priced 4-bedroom large single family pool home on the market today in downtown Sarasota.  At $775,000, it's a great deal in an amazing neighborhood "west of the trail."  Comparable homes in Hudson Bayou are listed at $899,000 and $1 million.  (more photos below). 

Walk to Selby Gardens, Burns Court, Towles Court Art District, the post office, downtown shops and restaurants, and Island Park.  Located just 15 minutes from Siesta Key and Lido Beach, and in the Southside Elementary School district. 

This 1925 Gadsby-era home has a new roof, modern kitchen and new bathrooms; yet, the charm of heart of pine floors, wood ceilings, beautiful plate glass windows, fireplace in the foyer, claw bathtub, and courtyard surrounded by a brick wall show the best features of new home construction of the roaring 20's.  It was built by Leon Picket, the advance agent for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, a construction engineer for John Ringling.  Leon's brother, Charles, the Sarasota City Engineer, built his own home next door. 

The heated pool and spa are surrounded by a tropical garden setting and large areas for outdoor entertaining.  Such a beautiful, fun home, with its own history.  It is zoned for multi-family...so was it once a bed and breakfast?  Who knows? 

Call me if I can answer questions about this home, listed by Team Dunn.

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, 941-914-4914, Michael Saunders & Co.

The International Sarasota Chalk Festival will take place Friday - Sunday, April 5-7, 2019, in the Burns Court area, downtown Sarasota, for a three-day spectacle in the streets.  This event brings in world-renowned artists and features Kurt Wenner's latest 3D pavement creation.  

You won't want to miss seeing our blacktop streets changed into a colorful tapestry.  Wenner also debuts his patented “illusion environment,” which takes his art illusions into 3D space.

This year's theme, is “Museum in Motion."  While many treat this as a charming craft, the many Chalk artists have their work in museums.   They put as much time and skill into their chalk art as they do their museum pieces.  The cool thing is that you can meet the artists and watch while they are creating their masterpieces.    

Staged by volunteers and free to the public, but $10 donations are requested.

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Michael Saunders & Co., Siesta Key, Florida, 941-914-4914

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!