Sarasota FL Real Estate Blog

Where can you get an Amazing Water View in Sarasota?

Sarasota Waterfront Home


Sarasota is known for its beautiful beaches and several locations offering water views. For the best views, you will want to take a look at one of these locations in Sarasota. Their views can’t be beat, and they offer several amenities to the residents, as well. Here are the top residences in Sarasota for amazing water views.

Esplanade by Siesta Key

Just a short drive away from Siesta Key Beach, Esplanade by Siesta Key is a very popular location to live. It’s located off Stickney Point Drive and many people enjoy riding their bike over the white sands of Siesta Key Beach.

You can enjoy the water views of the Gulf of Mexico from your home in Esplanade. You’ll get to use their heated lagoon pool, fitness center and sports courts. They also offer a clubhouse with a spa, a gathering...

Should You Visit the Big Cat Habitat?

Lion - Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/joeross/10136644373Sarasota is home to the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. It’s a safe place for all animals to live and the public can experience tours and watch training.

The sanctuary is home to tigers, lions and other animals including bears, primates, birds and tortoises. Their mission is to care for exotic animals by rescuing those in need of a permanent home, as well as educating the public through demonstrations and discussions. Here is why you should visit the big cat habitat in Sarasota, Florida.

Their Mission

The Big Cat Habitat is a non-profit organization that rescues and offers a safe haven for animals. They take in mistreated or unwanted animals.

It was founded by Kay Rosaire who...

Golf Course Spotlight: The Highlands Golf Course

Golf ClubThe green, gently slopes upward. You tee up and take a straight shot on a moderately long par 4. You skillfully avoid the fairway bunker. You sink the birdie which makes your day. For any player’s skill set – you can experience that feeling at The Highlands Golf Course.

The Highlands Golf Course is located at 3400 Longmeadow Sarasota, FL. When here you’d probably mistake it for a serene, nature painted portrait. Though with the experience of the challenging par 72 championship course and that picturesque view, you’ll gladly find out it’s not just a portrait.

Even more, the golf carts have GPS with 3D image modeling so you can virtually view the course. The GPS system gives you yardage information and is available on all of their golf carts.

Their pricing is as follows:

  • Before 11am $40.19*
  • 11am to 3pm...

Market Spotlight: Venice Farmers’ Market

Farmer's MarketSarasota’s downtown has a Farmers Market in Venice. Every Saturday, you can head to the Farmers Market from 8am-noon and check out their fresh selections. Whether you’re looking for fruits, vegetables, seafood or breads, the Farmers Market has a ton of great options for shoppers. Rain or shine, the Farmers Market is available every Saturday.

What Can I Buy at the Market?

The Farmers Market has a huge selections and great options. You could come every weekend and find something new or stock up your home with fresh selections. The types of foods and items you’ll get at the Farmers Market include:

  • Seasonal fruits and vegetables of Florida
  • Fresh seafood and shrimp
  • Homemade baked breads
  • Locally roasted coffee
  • Flowers
  • Plants
  • Trinkets
  • Soaps
  • ...

Patriot Plaza Filled with Works of Art Saluting Veterans

The new Patriot Plaza of Sarasota is now open and featuring works of art that are saluting our veterans. The original planning of Patriot Plaza intended on incorporating photographs into the design. The design and experience of the plaza was planned out by the Patterson Foundation as well as the National Cemetery Association. Let’s look at the details of the new Patriot Plaza.

Remember Veterans

The Patriot Plaza was intended to be a way to remember veterans and their families. Coming up with the best way to do this was a challenge, but it’s finally come together. The 1.83 acre plaza contains $2 million in art, funded by the Patterson Foundation.  It was dedicated last June at Sarasota’s National Cemetery after a long time of careful planning.

Photos

The lead artist of for the veteran artwork was Larry Kirkland who worked directly with The Patterson Foundation to make their vision come to life.  The first decision made was to incorporate photography somehow...

Realtor vs. For Sale By Owner

Selling your house with or without a realtor can be both advantageous or hindrance. So between hiring a realtor and selling the house yourself, here is but a few pros and cons for you to weigh.

Bear in mind that selling a house will probably be the largest transaction a lot of people will make in a lifetime. Since there can be a lot of stake involved like getting the appropriate value for your home, then you might want to ensure it gets done properly.

If you hire an agent, they will allow you the personal time you may require like attending to your career or to your family, while they deal with the turbulences of your home sale. On the other hand, hiring a realtor will undoubtedly cost you something.

Here is a list of some of the things a realtor will do for you:

  • Evaluate the market and compare home values.
  • Recommend appropriate listing prices.
  • Staging your home for the best possible showings.
  • Open houses....

Golf Course Spotlight: Sarasota National

Golf Club


If you are a golf enthusiast, you should definitely check out the Sarasota National Golf Course. Call your golfing buddies and reserve your tee time for a relaxing round of golf on this beautiful golf course. You can plan special golf events here. You can also take golf lessons to improve your game.

WCI Communities and Troon Golf have combined forces to bring you the best of both world in service and golf community management. The Sarasota National Golf Club is located in Venice Florida. WCI has recently purchased this amazingly gorgeous property. WCI Communities will be adding its own special touch to this vibrant, up and coming golfing community.

Information about the Golf Course

The golf course itself is a 2200 acre development. It has 110 bunkers. The greens are always professionally groomed and maintained. This...

Will the Seller Always Pay for the Pest Inspection?

A pest inspection is the process of thoroughly checking high-risk areas of the home for pests. They will check under porches, crawlspaces, attics, and areas where conditions are typically damp. They are checking for termites, ants, mice, rats, and any other pests.

When you are going to be buying or selling your home, you need to know, who pays for the pest inspection? They are usually needed before a house can be sold, so who has to pay for this?

It could go either way

Sometimes the seller doesn’t pay for the pest inspection, but they are losing out on quality control. Since these inspections are not required by law, the seller doesn’t have to purchase this so it could go either way. So how do you know if a pest inspection is required? This would be based on the state guidelines and the type of loan the buyer is getting. If the buyer’s appraiser thinks it could be an issue then the lender may require it.

Pest Inspection Results

Even if the pest inspection results...

Should You Stage the Living Room Before Selling Your Home?

If you are selling a home for the first time, it is normal for you to have no idea on the best approach. One of the biggest questions that first time sellers have is how they should stage the living room. There are a lot of first time sellers who wonder whether or not staging the living room is really a good idea. What people really want to know is if buyers prefer to look at an empty house or a furnished house.

Living Room


What Do the Buyers Really Want?

Unfortunately, buyers are not all created equally. There are some buyers who would rather view a home as a big empty space. This allows them to see exactly how much space they have to work with. There are other buyers who really need to see a home that has furniture in place.

The furniture makes it easy for them to get an idea on how the house would look if they started moving their things...