Manatee Flaunts Affordable Homes


 

Manatee County looks an enticing destination for prospective buyers of affordably priced homes in the Suncoast, based on recent data from the local realtors’ organization. In May of 2014, the county’s new listings of single family residences at the $150,000–$199,999 price range advanced 21.3%. This gain is in marked contrast with the 1.1% decline in overall new listings in Manatee during April and May.

Notably, more choices in the market have also appeared in mid-priced homes as new listings increased by 17.4% in the $200,000–$249,999 bracket in May 2014. For the month, the median sales price for single family homes in Manatee was estimated to have risen by 3.7% to $225,000 from $217,000 a year earlier.

Buying competition easing?

It is also encouraging to note that competition among home buyers appears on the wane at price points under the mid-$200s. Closed sales at these price ranges in May have all declined by an average of 17.7% compared to their year-earlier levels. Overall, May sales of single family homes in Manatee retreated by 6.3%.

Notably, the share of cash buyers in the market has also been on a downtrend in the county since November. For May a drop of 23.3% in cash purchases was registered, the biggest decline so far this year. This followed a 19% drop in April.

A rich mix of choices from three neighborhoods

A search for affordably priced and mid-priced homes in Manatee can very well start at the Heritage Harbour. Besides single family homes, this community also features sales-listed townhomes at its Lighthouse Cove and Riverstrand neighborhoods. The units here are priced starting from the low $100s and have floor areas from 1,200 square feet to 1,400+ square feet.

For single family homes, the golf community of Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour has several sales-listed properties priced from in the low and mid-$200s. These residences have floor areas of between 1,800 square feet and 2,200+ square feet, featuring two to three bedrooms. Many of the homes at Heritage Harbour were constructed by Lennar, one of the top homebuilders in the U.S.

A master planned development, Heritage Harbour’s amenities include the 27-hole Stoneybrook golf course and an impressive clubhouse. Its facilities for socials, dining, sports and recreation are comparable to most of the exclusive golf and country clubs in the Suncoast area.

Mid-priced alternative at Manatee Oaks

The deed-restricted community of Manatee Oaks in East Manatee is also a potential destination in searching for attractively priced properties under the $200s.For this community, the current MLS of Sarasota homes for sale feature several listings of available three-bedroom residences with floor areas ranging from 1,500 square feet to 1,800+ square feet.

This community, comprised of 315 homes, is located half a mile north of State Road 70. Among its features are 26 acres of lakes and nature preserves managed and maintained by an active homeowners association.

Manatee Oaks’ neighboring communities are Candlewood, Oakmont, Wallingford and Plantation. Schools serving this area include Tara Elementary, Braden River High, and Johnson Middle School.