Are Sarasota’s Zombie Foreclosures Exorcised Finally?

  SARASOTA, FLORIDA, October 7, 2019 – Property values of communities in the Sarasota-Manatee region now face lesser threat from neighborhood eyesores brought about by abandoned, foreclosed homes. Known in the real estate trade as zombie foreclosures, these properties have shrunk significantly in the region. According to an August report of ATTOM Data Solutions, abandoned […]

Focus: Sarasota’s Public Arts Program

Sarasota’s public art program was started in 1989 as part of a beautification program in the city. At present, there are 86 pieces in the city’s public art collection. Driving north of downtown on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) will soon unveil two more roundabout artworks.

New Flood Maps: What You Need to Know

Updates on the flood zones in Sarasota County are currently underway, and a series of workshops have been initiated starting this September to disseminate not only vital changes in the county’s flood maps. The updates to Sarasota’s flood maps dovetail with FEMA’s nationwide revision of flood maps to assess the flooding risks of properties.

New Condos Set at Phillippi Landings

Sales listings of units are few in the condo community of Phillippi Landings, but more are soon coming as new builds are set at this property in South Sarasota. Taylor Morrison plans to build three-story townhouses with 29 luxury units.

What Sarasota Does to Pursue Affordable Homes

Significant steps are underway to provide more affordable housing for the workforce of Sarasota County. These initiatives, industry observers say, are critically important as the county’s population continues to grow and the local economy gains more steam.

New Manatee County Schools Helps With District Overcapacity

A new middle school, named Dr. Mona Jain Middle School is now serving several communities in Lakewood Ranch starting this school year. Mona Jain will have sixth through eighth grades, and about 637 students will attend in its inaugural year, absorbing the load of other middle schools in the School District of Manatee County. Meanwhile, the Parrish Community High School also opened this August and is expected to ease the load of the Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, and Braden River high schools.

Downtown Sarasota Prepares for e-bikes

In an attempt to help alleviate traffic issues in downtown Sarasota, parking meters have been added and an e-scooter and e-bicycle-sharing service has been approved.

Farmers Market Leads New Bradenton Retailers

Several retail centers are set or are in the pipeline around Manatee County, spurred by the region’s vibrant residential property sector. Among them a farmers market in Oneco, a new Sam’s Club in Bradenton, and an At Home store in Ellenton.

Venice Livability Rated Near Top, Downtown Makeover Complete

A recent ranking of the U.S Chamber of Commerce put Venice as No. 2 among the most livable Florida cities. This stellar rating came just as some major projects were completed in the city’s downtown recently.

The Mark: Downtown Sarasota Condo Nears Sellout

Just four out of the 157 units in The Mark downtown condominium remain unsold as of this July. Completion of The Mark would create what its developer, Kolter Urban, calls “the most comprehensive” live-work-play address.

More Real Estate Projects to Watch in Venice

Blueprints for several real estate developments have been unveiled in Venice recently, providing potential alternatives to the prolific new home construction at the West Villages in south Sarasota County.

Building Boom Echoes in Northeast Lakewood Ranch

Three new communities are set for northeast Lakewood Ranch, part of several approved projects that would bring in over 3,000 new homes in this area east of Lorraine Road and south of State Road 64.

Yes, Nokomis Market Is Alive and Well

Growth in Sarasota continues to spill out south, with the recent approval of a new residential community in Nokomis where several commercial projects were also put in the pipeline last year. Taylor Morrison’s newest bet in the derby of Sarasota homes for sale has been named Sorrento at Palmer Ranch. This new community is approved for a maximum of 320 homes on its parcel of 120 acres. Site development has been underway for a new retail plaza, across U.S. 41 from the new Aldi just north of Laurel Road.

North Port Offers More Park Delights

Living in south Sarasota County is getting even more vibrant, as a new aquatic center is set to open this July at the Butler Park in North Port. In addition, the CoolToday Park, host to the spring training of the Atlanta Braves, opened its baseball field to the public starting this June. Also being anticipated in 2020 is the proposed opening of a Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel.

New Developments on a Roll in Parrish

Two new residential communities in Parrish have been launched on the market recently. This pair of neighborhoods echoed the surge of new property developments in the North River area of Manatee County.

Resale Homes Need the Extra Push as New Builds Propagate

Aspiring sellers of pre-owned residences in Southwest Florida, at current market conditions, would need to go the extra mile with their Realtor in crafting a marketing plan for their listing. This imperative comes from recent industry data suggesting that sales of new home builds in the region are taking a bite out of existing single family residences.

Sarasota Tops More National and State Rankings

Recent high ratings for Sarasota real estate involve not only its drawing power amongst home buyers but also amongst business investors. Go.Verizon, ranked Sarasota second on its list of 300 “Best Small Cities to Start a Small Business.” U.S. News and World Report, ranked the city 20th in its 25 most desirable places to live in the U.S. for 2019.

University Park Property Values Get Stronger

The homeowners in the University Park Country Club have taken a critical step recently to preserve this golf community’s green space and thus protect the values of their residential properties. An overwhelming majority of the University Park property owners approved in a referendum a $24 million bond for the purchase of the country club and its assets.

Sarasota in Motion: A City Master Plan for Transportation

The city of Sarasota is laying the springboards for its first citywide transportation master plan. Dubbed as “Sarasota in Motion,” the plan will serve as a 25-year roadmap on how the city invests in transportation infrastructures to help achieve the quality-of-life goals for local communities.

The Springs Is Coming to Sabal Trace

The North Port City Commission has started deliberations on a plan to redevelop the former Sabal Trace golf course into a mixed-use community called “The Springs.” The Sabal Trace redevelopment plan now rolling through the North Port City Commission approval processes presents The Springs as primarily a residential community with a maximum of 500 dwellings.

New FEMA Flood Map: Where Does Your Manatee Home Stand?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released its new FEMA preliminary flood insurance rate maps (FIRM). The insurance rates for many Manatee homes for sale would be impacted by the new FIRM and its elevation requirements, since this is the first time in over 30 years that the FEMA maps are being redrawn.

Braden River Bridge Construction Set

  SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 30, 2019 – Work is expected to start late this year on a bridge over the Braden River as part of the ongoing eastward extension of 44th Avenue East form Cortez Road. When completed, this project would create an east-to-west connector between Lakewood Ranch and the Gulf Coast beaches. The benefit […]

New Venice Hospitals, Will Be Meeting More Needs

Construction of a campus of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) has begun near these communities which could be expected to bring added demand in Venice homes for sale in the area. In addition, the Sarasota County Commission approved zoning changes that pave the way for the construction of a new home for the Venice Regional Bayfront Hospital (VRBH) on East Venice Avenue about one-fourth mile east of Jacaranda Boulevard.

Taylor Morrison Spreads Esplanade Brand’s Presence Further

National homebuilder Taylor Morrison is again raising the banner of its signature Esplanade brand this 2019 in two new residential property developments—The Heights in Bradenton and Skye Ranch in Sarasota.

Sarasota and its Rich Sports Mix

The growth momentum on amateur and recreational sports in Sarasota accelerated more so with the city reinstating its parks department in 2016. This department has since acquired several parks from the county and upgraded their sports facilities to further spur the surge of recreational sports activities.

Medallion Home Hauls 2019 POH Medals

Builds by Medallion Home are poised to draw more attention from prospective buyers of Bradenton‒Sarasota homes for sale. Bringing on this market strength, Medallion took the most awards in the 2019 Sarasota Manatee Parade of Homes this year.

Parrish Hotspots Sizzle as North River Ranch Plan Moves Forward

Already recommended for approval by county planners, Morgan’s Glen is located on a 138-acre parcel on Moccasin Wallow Road. It is set for 380 residences plus 175,000 square feet of commercial space. This square footage is set on the property’s northwest corner and is reserved for neighborhood businesses, such as a grocery store or day care.

WCI Beefs Up Home Inventory in Sanctuary Cove

Market interest looms to increase higher for real estate for sale in Palmetto, as the WCI unit of national homebuilder Lennar Corp. has completed several move-in ready inventory homes in the new boating community of Sanctuary Cove.

KB Home Forwards Avaunce in East Bradenton Debut

National builder KB Home has launched its fourth community in Southwest Florida, providing yet another indication that there is steam left on the market growth of Bradenton and Sarasota homes for sale. Opened to buyers in February, this new real estate development called Avaunce is located in east Bradenton near the northwest corner of Lorraine Road and State Road 70.

Sarasota Luxury Condos for Sale Tease Florida Buyers

Sarasota should be looking brighter on the radar screen of buyers searching for luxury condos in Florida. High-end units from at least a dozen local condominium construction projects, most of which are rising in downtown Sarasota, have begun pre-selling on the market just recently.

The Ranch Knocks at No. 1 as More Neighborhoods Rise

Already ranked as the No. 2 best-selling master development in 2018, Lakewood Ranch may very well be on its way to becoming the nation’s tops. Two more new neighborhoods have been added recently as platforms to its sales growth in the Ranch: Woodleaf Hammock east of Bradenton and Genoa in the upscale community of Lake Club.

What’s Driving Ellenton’s Real Estate Market?

Residents of Ellenton, can look forward to a new amenity rising soon in their locale in north Manatee. These area, which feature a wide selection of Ellenton homes for sale, stands to become neighbors with a movie theater and hotel. Road improvement projects likewise bode well for the Florida International Tradeport, an industrial complex now rising off Interstate 75 and U.S. 301 across west of the Ellenton Premium Outlets.

Neal Communities Beefing Up Some More with New Market Entries

Neal Communities is girding to add more neighborhoods to its 15 new-home projects in the Manatee-Sarasota real estate market this 2019. These additions include Poinciana in Bradenton, and Vicenza and Cielo in Sarasota. Another two are set for launching during the first quarter of 2020, Neal Communities also announced recently.

Legacy Trail North Extension Blazes Forward

Neighborhoods soon-to-be adjacent to Legacy Trail include Bahia Vista Heights, Tamaron, Old Forest Lakes, Meadowland Circle, and McIntosh Lake. Completion is expected in 2023, which in effect would stretch the Legacy Trail a total distance of 18.1 miles.

Sarasota Property Market in the Pink of Health, Says Economist

Dr. Hank Fishkind, a noted Florida economist, said the Sarasota‒Manatee region will continue to attract new residents. This local influx, Fishkind added, shall be more than many other regions in the state which experienced a slowdown in population growth overall recently.

Smarter Tools to Buy and Sell Homes

It’s never been so easy to engage the real estate market these days, given the new smart technologies now available both to prospective sellers and buyers of Sarasota homes for sale. Improvements with smartphones, Google street view, drones, and virtual tours all help buyers and sellers.

Perks of Lakewood Ranch Living Sustaining Surge in Home Sales

New magnets to potential home buyers in this master development are steadily coming off the blueprint stage into the implementation phase particularly at its new Waterside community in Sarasota. The town center will include restaurants, retail shops, professional offices, a marina and seven park areas.

West Villages Flexes Muscle Onwards Into 2019

The West Villages continues to display remarkable market strength which should enable this master development in South Sarasota to remain amongst the hotspots of Southwest Florida’s real estate trade in 2019.

Moving into 2019: Sarasota Home Market Trends Upwards

Growth momentum is on the side of the Manatee-Sarasota real estate market entering into the 2019 post-holiday selling season. A good omen can likewise be drawn from the November uptick in new listings and inventory that allow more picks for buyers of Manatee‒Sarasota homes for sale.

Downtown Sarasota Grooms Walkability Advantage

A multi-million dollar downtown improvement project expected to begin in 2019 is a makeover of South Lemon Avenue between 1st Street and Pineapple Avenue.

EDC’s Bid for More Skilled Workers Bodes Well for Home Market

The EDC is launching a workforce initiative amongst its marketing efforts for Sarasota. Its marketing plan to draw skilled workers or professionals to fill occupation gaps could likewise serve as an opportunity to present the merits of Sarasota real estate properties.

Auteur Enters Downtown Sarasota Condo Derby

Auteur is planned as an 18-story tower with 55 luxury residences priced at between $1.75 million and $3.5 million. Retail space including square footage for a restaurant plus two ground-floor units which will be offered on the market as affordable rental housing.

Net-Zero Energy Community Debuts 2019 in Cortez

A Bradenton-based developer is set to start marketing the residences of its new project in Cortez in January 2019. Hunters Point & Marina is touted as the first net zero-energy community in Manatee County and only the second of its kind in the U.S.

Watercolor Place on Medallion Drawing Board

Medallion Home is scheduled to start construction sometime in April 2019 with its newest project‒Watercolor Place in east Bradenton. Central to this vision is the extension of Port Harbour Parkway eastward to the Upper Manatee Road.

M/I Homes Unveils More Buying Choices

Four new Southwest Florida communities have been lined up in recent months by national home builder M/I Homes, as demand for new builds of Bradenton and Sarasota homes for sale remain on an upward trend.

Revised Rental Rules Eyed

The Sarasota City Commission is considering a proposal to allow short-term rental regulations in single-family residential neighborhoods. Although there is support for such a plan, there are many who oppose so it’s an uphill battle.

Babcock Ranch Development Tempo Revs Up Further

Momentum continues to build for the development of the master-planned community of Babcock Ranch. Sales recently broke the 200-home mark and a new plan was announced for a golf and country club.

Home Bargain Hunting, Anyone?

Bargain-hunters prowling the Sarasota-Manatee real estate market may find more pockets of opportunities moving forward in 2018 and 2019. Recent research from ATTOM Data Solutions indicated that filing of foreclosures in the two-county region sustained an uptick in the 2018 third quarter, a trend seen since the beginning of this year.

Lakewood Ranch Opens Grand Tour of Homes

Over 70 new home models and move-in ready residences are set in Lakewood Ranch’s annual Tour of Homes. The showcase this 2018 easily stands out from the previous editions, with several new communities added to the touring list, offering wide-ranging price points to prospective home buyers.

M/I Homes Launches Home Models for Rivo Lakes

National builder M/I Homes has unveiled four move-in ready home builds in its new community Rivo Lakes.

Founders Club Looks Headed towards Buildout

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, October 9, 2018 – The Founders Club, one of the high-end golf communities in Sarasota, appears moving closer to complete buildout.

August Market Report: More Homes Listed for Sale, Building as Prices Rise

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, October 2, 2018 – Towards the end of 2018, residential property buyers in Sarasota can look forward to more choices on the market.

Premier Park Shaping Up in East Manatee County

SARASOTA, FL, Sept 25, 2018 – Plans have been firmed up for the development of new county facilities in East Manatee, with purchase of 75 acres north of the Lakewood Ranch Premier Sports Campus.

Fruitville Adds New Community: Fox Trace

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, September 17, 2018 – An infill of residential development is set to further enrich market choices of Sarasota homes for sale in the area west of Interstate 75 historically known as Fruitville.

Lake Club Is Priming Up for LWR Home Tour

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, September 10, 2018 – Lake View Estates, the newest neighborhood in the Lake Club community in Lakewood Ranch (LWR), is set to unveil several new luxury home builds this fall in time for the master development’s annual Tour of Homes.

New Perks Coming in Osprey with US 41 Makeover

SARASOTA, FL, Sept 4, 2018 – Some transportation infrastructures improvements in the pipeline in Osprey loom as added factors to consider for prospective home buyers in this area. One project calls for major improvements on a 2.5 mile-stretch of U.S. 41

Rosemary District Revitalization Rolls Forward

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, August 29, 2018 – The revitalization of the Rosemary District north of downtown Sarasota continues to move forward, with an application for a boutique condominium project at 1469 5th Street filed with the city around mid-August.

Resort Sets Makeover as More Projects Gain Steam

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, August 23, 2018 – The plan is moving forward for a makeover and expansion of the Siesta Key Palms Resort. This is but one indication that there is still much to expect in terms of growth for the Sarasota real estate market, with at least three other projects put in the pipeline in recent months.

Allure Gives Way to Evolution as Condo Market Sizzles

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, August 22, 2018 – One of the latest property development moves to tap opportunities in the resurgent Sarasota condo market includes Evolution which calls for the construction of a nine-story, 20-unit condominium with under building parking.

The Isles at Lakewood Ranch Previews Soon

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, August 9, 2018 – The annual Tour of Homes in Lakewood Ranch traditionally held each fall adds yet another destination this year in a new community located on the easternmost stretch of University Parkway. This development, named The Isles at Lakewood Ranch, is a project of national homebuilder Toll Brothers which is specialized in constructing luxury homes.

North Manatee: The Sweet Spots to Watch

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, August 31, 2018 – Expect home buying interest to rev up some more around the Palmetto‒Parrish area, already a blooming submarket of Bradenton and Sarasota homes for sale. Some of the planned real estate development projects in this North Manatee area have started to come into play, especially east of Interstate 75 between 69th Street East/Erie Road and Moccasin Wallow Road.

Are We into a Housing Bubble?

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, July 25, 2018 – Some market analysts have been warning since the start of this year that the U.S. housing market looks heading towards a bubble similar to what happened prior to (and one of the triggers of) the 18-month 2007‒2009 Great Recession. What bothers these industry observers most is the recent home price acceleration which has propelled residential property prices in some U.S. markets already at pre-recession levels.

Sarasota Luxury Home Sales Sizzle

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, July 20, 2018 – It pays to be a luxury home specialist in Sarasota County these days, as the sales uptrend of single family homes priced from around $1 million and above continue to surge at double-digit monthly percentage gains. In May, 38 luxury homes were reported sold in Sarasota, up 26.7 percent from a year earlier. This uptick is by no means just a fluke, with monthly sales increases in the high-end segment of Sarasota homes for sale rose within the 17.2‒27.3 percent range between January and April this year.

Palmer Ranch Neighborhoods Bare New Amenities

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, July 17, 2018 – Sales of new home builds in Hammock Preserve at Palmer Ranch and in Esplanade on Palmer Ranch have been strong since the start of the year, and there are reasons to believe that this uptick could pick up some more steam. This possibility looms as prospective buyers soon will have a first-hand look at the lineup of brand new amenities in these two upscale developments.

Here’s How Sarasota Preserves Its Bay Heritage

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, July 13, 2018 – The waters of Sarasota Bay are part of the factors that shaped the fortunes of many residential developments in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and ways to preserve and cultivate these valued economic and cultural assets are all very well in place. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is at the spearhead of various initiatives to safeguard the bay’s heritage and contribution to the quality of life in the two-county region.

Sarasota: A Leader in Countering Sea Level Rise

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, July 10, 2018 – Purchases of coastal homes and waterfront residences necessarily require weighing the capability of communities to meet the challenge of rising sea levels as a result of climate change. On this note, prospective buyers of Sarasota homes for sale on the water have a head start as the city is a leader in adopting measures addressing climate change-induced sea level rise.

North Port Books First City Hotel

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, July 5, 2018 – The scheduled 2019 opening of Atlanta Braves’ spring training stadium in North Port has started sending positive economic ripple effects to this city, as plans to set up the first local hotel appears finally taking off. Lodgco has proposed to develop a Hilton-flagged hotel in North Port on U.S. 41, just west of Sumter Boulevard and south of the Sabal Trace Golf & Country Club.

No Let Up in Lakewood Ranch Homebuilding

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, July 3, 2018 – Expectations that Lakewood Ranch would eventually have more households than Sarasota and Manatee counties may happen sooner than later, as two more communities have been approved recently in this master development.

New Ellenton Business Park: A New Driver for Growth in North Manatee

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 27, 2018 – North Manatee looms onwards this year as a prime source of real estate market excitement, both in the residential and commercial sectors, with a large warehouse and light-industrial park rising in Ellenton. The park spreads on 132-acre site at the northwest quadrant of the intersection of U.S. 301 and Interstate 75, around which new homes for sale in Ellenton have been launched in several communities.

Neal Communities Girds for Canoe Creek Launch

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 25, 2018 – Lakewood Ranch-based developer Neal Communities has begun compiling an interest list for Canoe Creek, a new residential project in Parrish, north Manatee County, which it plans to open late 2018. This scheduled launch follows the market debut early this year of Neal’s island-style community, Tides End, which has further diversified buying choices on Bradenton homes for sale west of the county.

Infra Projects Rev Up West Villages Development

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 21, 2018 – Two infrastructure projects—a $45 million wastewater treatment plant and a $41 million road project—augur well for the continuing development of the West Villages, one of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in the Sarasota real estate market.

New Park Adds Zip to West Bradenton Homes

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 19, 2018 – Bradenton real estate properties around Ware’s Creek just west of the Bradenton downtown area now have an added plus factor on their values, following the opening of the new John & Rebecca Neal Park in early May. This new park is located off north of 9th Street West across the Ballard Elementary School and backing up to Ware’s Creek.

Arts Growing Presence in Lakewood Ranch

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 13, 2018 – Arts and culture in Lakewood Ranch looks well on its way of matching such delights found in downtown Sarasota. One by one, platforms are being established for cultural events and venues in this master-planned development which has also continued to add choices on Bradenton and Sarasota homes for sale.

Prospects Looking Sharp for Downtown Bradenton Homes

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 11, 2018 – Market listings of downtown Bradenton homes for sale are getting some added sheen nowadays, as previously planned new attractions in the city center are close to completion and more are set to be established. One project set for a December opening this year—the Marriott Springhill Suites hotel on Old Main Street—promises to help reshape the downtown Bradenton entertainment scene.

Amberly: Bradenton Beachhead for M/I Homes

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 6, 2018 – M/I Homes, a national builder based in Columbus, Ohio, is setting up Amberly, its first foray into the Bradenton real estate market. This new housing project is planned as a gated neighborhood for 124 paired villas on a 33-acre parcel off Morgan Johnson Road about a quarter mile south of State Road 64.

Fruitville Road Property Values Bumping Up?

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, June 4, 2018 – Two projects in the pipeline, which include a road expansion and a new mixed property development, bode well for home values and residents of Pine Valley Ranches, Fox Creek Acres, Tatum Ridge, and Founders Club, all located near Fruitville Road. Also geared at creating a new gateway for Sarasota, the Fruitville Initiative likewise adopted its special zoning in order to foster a walkable community environment revolving around land-use diversity and street connectivity to spread traffic.

Airbnb Hosting is Lucrative for Seniors

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 31, 2018 – Rather than downsize, some senior citizens moving to Sarasota may opt to upsize and consider Sarasota homes for sale with in-law suites or apartments which could be rented profitably to vacationers. There’s strong ground for this possibility, as recent figures from the online home-sharing facility Airbnb show that its hosts in the Southwest Florida region is dominated by homeowners aged 55 and up.

Foreign Home Buying Drifts towards Condos

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 29, 2018 – Sarasota condos for sale in the mold of units of the Strand currently under construction off the North Tamiami Trail got a heads-up amongst international homebuyers, based on a recent industry survey. This sixth annual survey on Florida’s international home buying trends indicated that 55 percent of foreigners buying South Florida residences prefer condominiums, a match with many other local properties aside from the residential units in the pipeline at the Strand.

Rising Prices, Low Supply Inspire Home Sellers

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 24, 2018 – Home sellers now appear gung-ho on the market, based on the 2018 first quarter Home Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) survey of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This poll showed that during the first three months of the year, 74 percent of the people that NAR surveyed believe that now is a good time to sell a residence.

What’s New in Lakewood Ranch?

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 22, 2018 – As more new homes in Lakewood Ranch are being built, more amenities are being made available too for its residents. This master development, already with over 10,000 acres of parks, preserves and lakes, has recently added three new parks interconnected with 25 miles of trail. A new retail hub and a culinary center are also rising as added attractions for buyers of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale.

Rolling Green Golf Links Looms as North Sarasota Game-changer

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 15, 2018 – Some real estate agents and prospective buyers of Sarasota homes for sale, for good reason, must have now marked as an area of interest the neighborhoods around the sprawling northwest quadrant of Tuttle Avenue and Myrtle Street in north Sarasota. Valuations of residential properties in this locality are likely to undergo significant fluctuations as plans pan out for a large housing project taking over the 139-acre Rolling Green Golf Course at 4501 North Tuttle Avenue.

Hunt Gets Harder for Affordably Priced Homes

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 14, 2018 – Home prices rising so much faster than wage increases is the challenge that low-income buyers in 37 percent of U.S. metro areas continue to face, a March report of real estate data cruncher CoreLogic indicated. This Irvine, California-based research company called these markets as “overvalued” after a comparison of their home prices to their long-run, sustainable levels as dictated by local market factors including disposable incomes.

Payne Park Village Comes Knocking on the Market

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 10, 2018 – David Weekley Homes has started its marketing efforts for Payne Park Village east of downtown, just one of several projects that this Houston-based builder is pursuing in the Sarasota area. Site development is already well underway at this community’s 9.6-acre parcel off School Avenue, which now looms as a potent search destination for Sarasota homes for sale.

It’s in Bloom: $67-M Makeover for Selby Gardens

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 8, 2018 – A $67 million plan to renovate the popular downtown Sarasota attraction Marie Selby Gardens moved a step closer to its implementation, with recent reports that $15 million in grants have already been raised for this project and more pledges of support are expected. Located at the southern edge of the “Marina Row” which teems with high-end bayfront Sarasota condos for sale, the Gardens, itself was a former residential property—the circa 1930s home of prominent Sarasota couple William and Marie Selby.

Is It Time to Dig in North Port’s “Golden Mile?”

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 4, 2018 – Two major property developments are poised on the north side of U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) on a T-bone with Sumter Boulevard in North Port. This area is notably touted as this city’s “golden mile” and one of North Port’s drivers as a fast-rising submarket of Sarasota real estate.

Downtown Sarasota Condo Projects Go High-End

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 2, 2018 – Much steam remains in the building boom in the city center of Sarasota, with developers now shifting more towards high-end residential condominium projects at the main downtown area. Builders, moreover, are driven to focus on luxury condominium projects because the city allows a maximum density of just 50 units per acre. While a new zoning code is being drafted, residents allowed to participate in the exercise are urging city authorities to focus on keeping Sarasota’s small-town charm and character.

More Homes Set at West Villages

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 29, 2018 – The developers of West Villages now has the opportunity to increase its density to 16,400 homes from the current 16,000 approved for this burgeoning improvement district in North Port. Building activity in this West Villages area is already humming, particularly at the site of the future spring training facility of the Atlanta Braves. Construction workers in March began laying the foundation of the $100 million ballpark complex and have erected clubhouse walls and stadium columns.

Sarasota Gets Top School Rating Anew

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 24, 2018 – Prospective home buyers with quality schools as a prime factor in their buying criteria would be well-advised to pursue their residential search in the Sarasota region, particularly South County. Florida Department of Education shows that the Sarasota County School District is one of just two of Florida’s 67 school districts to have maintained an A grade since 2004.

Watch How the Neals Reshape Parrish

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 19, 2018 – A radical change looms around the traditional village of Parrish, with plans of merging two large development projects—the Villages of Amazon South and the North River Ranch—in this area in north Manatee County. According to Neal, the pricing of new home builds in North River Ranch will start under the $200s. Besides single-family homes, its residential types would include townhomes and patio homes all with an emphasis on family life.

M/I Homes Ups Stakes in Sarasota

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 17, 2018 – Columbus, Ohio-based national builder M/I Homes continues to expand its presence in Sarasota. It has recently lined up two projects in the county, both of which are east of Interstate 75: Hidden Creek on Fruitville Road and Rivo Lakes on Clark Road. In addition to these initiatives sure to boost the stock of Sarasota homes for sale, M/I hopes to open three more local housing projects in 2018.

Luxury Homes Launched at Waterside

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 15, 2018 – Luxury home choices were launched recently at LakeHouse Cove at Waterside in a debut that looks well-timed with the increasing presence of well-to-do homebuyers in the Sarasota real estate market. These high-end builds were brought into the Waterside neighborhood by Lee Wetherington and Norman Homes, an independent franchise of Arthur Rutenberg Homes. Each of these builders has unveiled a pair of luxury home choices in this extension of the Lakewood Ranch master development in Sarasota.

Parrish Crafts a More Business-friendly Environment

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 13, 2018 – Parrish, which holds some of the last large rural pieces of developable land in north Manatee County, is now drawing not only homebuilders. As a consequence of more Parrish homes for sale moving on the market, this area is also shaping up as a magnet for commercial developers.

Braden River Nature Sanctuary Gets County Funding

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 11, 2018 – Permanent protection has been extended to an acreage of pristine forests by the Braden River in Manatee County at the intersection of Pine Meadow Way and Club House Drive. This development has been hailed as a victory especially for residents of communities flanking this nature’s oasis named as Braden River Preserve, which add to the values of nearby Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton homes for sale.

Population Growth Spurs More Homebuilding Projects

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, April 4, 2018 – Amidst significant growth of population in Manatee County, local residential development continues to step up with two more projects lined up recently—one in Parrish and another in the northern part of Lakewood Ranch. The Parrish project, called Coventry Park, is a planned development by Woodlands of Manatee LLC on a 105-acre site west of Erie Road.

Neal Communities Villas: Showcase of a Submarket’s Growth

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, March 29, 2018 – Sales of condos in Sarasota and Manatee have touched record levels during the past two years, and anecdotal evidence suggests that the submarket of villas and carriage homes significantly contributed to this banner performance. The current strategic thrust of Neal Communities is one good indicator of villas providing a lift on the condo market segment’s growth.

Bradenton Riverwalk Expansion Plan Gains Momentum

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, March 27, 2018 – Prospective home buyers eying properties east of downtown Bradenton can chalk up another reason to pursue sales listings in this area which stands to directly benefit from the plan to extend eastward the city’s popular park, Riverwalk. The blueprint for this project is expected to be submitted this summer by the Raleigh, North Carolina-based planning and design consulting firm Kimley-Horn.

West Villages Sustains Home Sales Run

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, March 22, 2018 – More new listings at West Villages have been added to the MLS of Sarasota homes for sale in recent weeks, as demand appears to continue rising in this master development straddling the boundary lines of Venice and North Port. In 2017, sales in its five existing communities rose 17 percent to 992 units, thereby installing West Villages as fifth in the top 50 master-planned developments in the U.S.

Who Has a Heads-up on Baby Boomers?

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, March 20, 2018 – Scottsdale, Arizona-based Taylor Morrison sure is one developer keen on Florida’s continuing dominance as a buying destination for retiring baby boomers in spite of a strong challenge from other U.S. markets. Taylor Morrison, for instance, caters to buyers seeking to downsize and live in affordable, low-maintenance homes in amenity-rich communities near fine restaurants, cultural centers, museums and beaches.

Sales of New Homes Revving Up in South Gulf Cove

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, March 15, 2018 – Sales turnover of newly built residences looks to be tracking an upwards trajectory in the expansive residential development of South Gulf Cove in Port Charlotte. In the last 12 months ending February 2018, data from the MLS of Sarasota homes for sale indicated that there were some 20 homes recorded sold in this community, three-fourths of which were builds onwards from 2015.

More Roofs Set at Park Forest as Buildout Nears

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, March 12, 2018 – The residential development of Park Forest in Englewood is building out fast. Its developer has started working on the sixth and final phase of this popular neighborhood offering Sarasota homes for sale for age 55-plus residents. The residents of this community enjoy a maintenance-free living. Their HOA fees cover lawn care and irrigation, Wi-Fi internet and cable TV as well as the upkeep of the community’s landscaping and amenities.