Sarasota FL Real Estate Blog

Why is Summer in Sarasota So Incredible?

Summer CoveThe summers in Florida are known for their intense heat which makes it more of an off-season to residents. There are so many reasons to appreciate the summers here and ways to use the heat to your advantage.

Beauty

Thunderstorms are short and sweet in the afternoons in the summer, but they are perfect for a quick cool off, nourish the ground, and you can't beat the sound of rain. After the rain passes, the clouds can form some beautiful looking skies.

The evenings bring gorgeous sunsets that provide the best photographs of a Florida beach. The colors always vary and they never get tiring to look at. What is great is that you can enjoy the days longer in the summer since the daylight hours are closer to 14 hours (instead of the typical 12 hours) between June and September.

Food

Every year the...

How does Sarasota Plan to Improve the Downtown Culture District?

Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/crobj/5002167228Florida has been undergoing a transformation to make cities more tourist friendly. West Palm Beach has sunk 30 million into their renovations. These included a mile long landscaping project that lines the Intracoastal area, which was part of the Waterfront and City Commons project. Bradenton has added a 1.25 mile Riverwalk that has quickly become a popular attraction. This walkway alone has drawn a half of a million individuals since its opening in 2012.

Many of these waterfront parts have museums, cultural shops or restaurants, concerts and festivals. There is talk that there could be a culture park built on the 42 acre lot in-between Boulevard of the Arts and Centennial Park. This has been up...

What You Might Not know About Longboat Key, FL?

Beach Club, Longboat Key, FLThere are so many interesting areas in the world, and we take little time to really get to know what has made these areas come to life. Longboat Key in Florida is an area with lots of interesting facts, some of which may surprise you. Here are some things that you may have never known about the Longboat Key area.

  1. A 20 foot Great White Shark was caught in the Gulf just off the North end of Longboat Key by Edgar Green in 1937. This was just shy of beating the record holder, which was a 21.8 foot Great White Shark.
  2. There was a study conducted in the 1990s on shoplifting at the Longboat Publix Super Market. During a six month study, the average age of a shoplifter was 71. The average product cost that they shoplifted was $1.61. This study was done in the late 1990s.
  3. The 1848 hurricane called...

Where are the Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Sarasota?

Ritz CarltonSometimes, you need a family-friendly hotel for out-of-town guests. Sarasota has plenty of great choices for you to recommend when you don’t have the room or simply don’t want family taking over your home for a week or longer. Here are some of the top choices.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota - 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota

This hotel is surrounded by some of the most popular destinations and attractions in Sarasota. It offers convenient and central location for all sorts of excursions. The Hyatt Regency is one of the most preferred locations for those moving to the area and in search of a new home, as well.

This hotel is within walking distance from white sandy beaches. Several recreational opportunities are also available nearby....

Neighborhood Spotlight: Calusa Lakes in Nokomis

2048 Tocobaga Ln, NokomisA deed-restricted golf community, Calusa Lakes is a very popular community. It provides 575 single-family homes, over 460 acres of wooded area and 28 different lakes. The community is found between Venice and Sarasota in a town called Nokomis.

With Interstate 75 just a few minutes away, residents enjoy convenient access to the entire area. Plenty of shopping, boating, beaches, golf courses and restaurants are just a short drive away.

Community Features

Many features are present in the neighborhood of Calusa Lakes. Some of the most si-highlight--primary include:

  • Tennis Courts
  • 18-hole Semi-Private Golf Course
  • Guard house
  • 28 Lakes
  • And More!

Along with these features, the community provides plenty of natural surroundings with...

What is the Best New Arts and Entertainment in Sarasota for 2014?

The arts and entertainment scene in Sarasota is a very exciting thing to invest an interest in because it changes every single year. Every year there are new noticeable arts, a new art leader, a new gallery, and new places for families with children to go to have a little fun. You work your way through this list of new additions to the art and entertainment scene in Sarasota and before you know it there will be even more options for you to consider.

New Place to Take Your Children

The Ann Goldstein Children's Rainforest Garden is the newest place to take your children in Sarasota when you are in need of a little entertainment. You can enjoy the epiphyte caverns, the 16 foot waterfall, the boardwalk, and the swinging bridge. The rainforest garden also offers tons of hands-on activities that you and your children can enjoy together.

New Reason to Head to the Beach

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Fun Things You Might Not Know About Sarasota

SarasotaSarasota is the name of a comfortable little town in Florida. It is not, however, a town that people really know a lot about. There are a lot of fun facts about this little town that you should take the time to learn. Here are some of the more interesting things you probably did not know.

The Lido Casino

Did you know Lido used to be the home of a casino? In 1940, Lido Casino was constructed. Unfortunately, it did not last very long as it was demolished in 1969.

The South Trail Theater on 41

There used to be an adult theater called South Trail Theater located just south of Clark Road. What most people do not know about this adult theater is the fact that it had a very specific target audience. It was geared towards the seniors of the southwest portion of Florida.

It Has Snowed...

Discover the Mall at University Town Center

A new commercial center is opening in Sarasota and it has over 888,000 square footage of retail space for all your shopping needs. Just head on down Interstate 75 and discover the newly built Mall at University Town Center.

It’s scheduled to open in October of 2014. The mall is looking to house over one hundred fashion stores as well as multiple sit down restaurants and of course a children’s play area.

The mall is going to be anchored by three flagship companies that will be more than reason enough to venture to University Town Center. These flagship stores are expected to be Dillard’s, Macy’s and Sacks Fifth Avenue. All of your upscale shopping needs will be taken care of with these fantastic retailers calling the Mall at University Town Center home.

For you foodies out there, the mall will feature some great restaurants for all of your cravings and likings. Brio Tuscan Grille will take you a continent away with their upscale dining experience with authentic Italian cuisine....

Neighborhood Spotlight: Misty Creek

Misty CreekA new up and coming neighborhood only three miles east of Interstate 75 has everyone talking in the area. Misty Creek Country Club, the gated golf community is the talk of the town and for good reason. As a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary of natural preserves, the 730 acre club has beautiful scenic lakes and large oak hammocks. The community is based on a Mediterranean style oversized homes with many properties including a three car garage, and over 3,000 square feet of air conditioned heaven.

The club has an array of recreation activities available. The main attraction is the Misty Creek Golf Course. The course is a challenging par 72 that winds through large oaks and beautiful lakes. Along with the course, there is a driving range, locker rooms and a putting green.

Membership is not required, but with membership you will receive...