Now a defining landmark in Sarasota Bay's city line, the Grand Riviera offers everything that the most refined thirteen residents could ever conceptualize. From the views of Sarasota's sapphire blue waters, to Marina Jack and Island Park, and an unrivaled location, Grand Riviera is perhaps Sarasota's most distinctive address. 

This 13-unit $30 million Grand Riviera project offers two 2,860 square foot townhouse units, 8 residences with just under 4000 sf and the ultimate 5,213 and 5,582 square foot penthouses. Prices range from $2.5 million to almost $6 million. Perhaps the greatest amenities are the expansive waterfront terraces and balconies and the private boat docks for most residences.

No detail was spared in designing and building each of the residences, reminiscent of the unique style originally conveyed by Sarasota's opulent and cultured John and Mable Ringling. All residences offer exquisitely refined architectural detailing, divine kitchens, luxurious master suites, and almost all include unique rooms not often designed such as grand salons, media rooms and art galleries. In the heart of downtown, yet secluded at the southern most tip of Golden Gate Point, Grand Riviera is nestled in the middle of the Ritz Carlton, St. Armand's Circle offering unbridled shopping and cuisine, downtown's infamous museums and theaters and Lido and Longboat Beach's white sand and crystal azure waters.

Give us a call at 941-544-6467 is you are interested in Grand Riviera or any other downtown Sarasota condo. We'll be happy to chat with you about the many opportunities in the current buyers market.

If you are searching for a Sarasota home for sale, the selection is still excellent. The real estate market continues to improve as shown by NAR's monthly report.  Existing home sales rose to a 2 year peak last month, and the Sarasota real estate market sales were up 35%. Buyers took advantage of the tax credit for first time homebuyers, and investors took advantage of low prices as well as low interest rates.

Sarasota's beautiful neighborhoods offer homes for sale for all budgets. South Gate and Gulf Gate are neighborhoods where first time home buyers can find affordable housing in communities where owners take care of their properties and the pride of ownership shows.  For the buyer choosing a luxury country club atmosphere, the Oaks is perfect for families who desire a secure gated community with outstanding amenity features. 

Sarasota is the place to start your search if you are looking for a waterfront home.  The barrier islands of Casey Key, Siesta Key, Bird Key, St. Armands and Longboat Key offer homes for sale on canals as well as the open Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

If urban living is your choice, there are many Sarasota homes for sale in the "West of the Trail" neighborhoods near Sarasota Memorial Hospital as well as hundreds of downtown Sarasota condos.  All of these neighborhoods have had price adjustments and sellers are making deals. Make and offer and move into your new Sarasota home!

Village Walk in Sarasota Florida is an award winning gated community of ideally situated off Clark Road, just 10 minutes to I-75 and 15 minutes to the world-renowned white sand beaches of Siesta Key. 

Why is Village Walk so special? The answer to many of its residents is Location, Location, Location.  The premier location of this neighborhood on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota meets all the location requirements many homes buyers seek.

Question: "I am a nature lover and I want to walk safe clean trails for exercise and see beautiful nature preserves, is there a neighborhood like that?"

Answer: "yes, Village Walk has wide concrete walkways the go along the edges of nature preserves, with beautiful bridges over waterways so you are guaranteed to see herons, sand hill cranes, maybe even the American bald eagle that nests in the community.  All the trails lead to the town center so you can get a workout and see a spectacular Florida nature show on your way to get your mail, the newspaper or a blueberry muffin"  

Question: "I am new to Florida and I want to meet people - Is there a community you could recommend?"

Answer: "Yes, Village Walk - they have a Town Center just inside the gates featuring a centralized mail boxes where everyone gets their mail. You can gas up at their private little gas station, get a cup of gourmet coffee at the café or Ruben sandwich at the deli, pick out a card for a relative at the gift shop, get money out of the bank, or get your hair and nails done at the salon. All of these things will put you in contact with people in your neighborhood. Plus there is a full time manager and activities director who posts and runs all sorts of activities in the function rooms"

Question; "I am a swimmer and want a community with a separate lap pool from the family pool, does this exist anywhere or do I have to join a swim or country club?"

Answer: "No you don't have to join a club, Village Walk has a separate lap pool away from their lagoon style family pool."

Question; "I like to work out but I don't want an office sized work out room with a t.v. and a treadmill and universal machine - is there a community with a real nice work out facility?"

Answer: "Village Walk has a great work out facility with low impact flooring, free weights as well as state of the art cardio and resistance equipment in a huge open room with a high ceiling all looking east through a floor to ceiling wall to wall glass overlooking a lake and nature preserve"

Question: "I nervous about hurricanes, what is the strongest built home you know of?"

Answer: "DiVosta made a community called Village Walk and they built all these homes with solid concrete walls - they are like a fortress and every home is equipped with hurricane shutters too."

Question: "I'm a tennis player. Is there a community with more than just 2 courts, I hate to wait for a court?"

Answer: "Village Walk has 6 Har-Tru tennis courts and they are lighted for night play too."

Village Walk in Sarasota has 1,177 homes on 516 acres and is NOT a 55+ (55 years old and up) community, but it does cater to the many needs we all seek at various stages in our lives with 3 distinct types of homes.  There is a section in the north west that is 2 story townhouses that feature rear alley parking which keeps the front area picturesque with a European flair. This section seems to have a demographic of young professionals and young families.  Then there is the section to the south of the town center which is mainly single story maintenance free paired villas, this suits the retirees or people who use it as a vacation home. The last area to mention is to the north of the town center and mostly comprised of larger single family homes for people who need more space for their primary residence.  There is no rule to where anyone lives so there is a mix in each section so you really have age diversity which keeps the neighborhood vibrant and revolving around the town center. 

A key concept of the neighborhood is to increase your enjoyment of life and build in as much free time as the design of a community can. To do that every street has just one style of home, so if you live on a street in a paired villa all the homes on your street are paired villas.  There are no mailboxes at the end of the driveways and all the homes in the community are painted the same sunny yellow. It is a unique concept that takes the one-ups-manship out of the equation, eliminating stress and tension among neighbors and keeps you focused on what really matters - quality of life, fun and leisure.   Are you are ready to live life to the max? Then call me to us your next home in Village Walk.

Regency House touts some of Sarasota Florida's most picturesque vistas of Sarasota Bay and Marina Jack's. All of the public areas at Regency were recently remodeled. 

Amenities include:

• Library
• Club room
• Fitness center
• Swimming pool
• On site staff

The Sarasota MLS currently reports 5 condos for sale at Regency House. One condo sold at the Regency House in the last six months at a selling price of $600,000. Buyers can now choose from condos priced at $339,000-$544,000.

Sandy Whitehead and Annette Smith just listed a condo at Regency House on the second floor. Beautiful Main Cottage furnishings are offered with the unit. With approximately, 1700 sq.ft., buyers will be surprised at the spaciousness of this condo featuring two bedrooms and two baths, a washer/dryer in the unit also. New owners will enjoy a fun, active building where residents mingle with friends and neighbors often. This is the lowest priced Regency House condo and is listed at $339,000. 

Walk to the Bayfront Park, Marina Jack's for sunset or stroll through galleries on Palm Avenue. At Regency House, you are close to cultural venues, Main Street Sarasota and excellent dining and shopping! For a look at Regency House or any other downtown Sarasota real estate, contact the John Alen Team.

Sarasota has a wonderful selection of waterfront neighborhoods. From magnificent luxury estates overlooking Sarasota Bay or the beach, to mainland homes on a canal, there are many options for those interested in the waterfront lifestyle. Prices range from $500,000 or so for a starter canal-front home to over $15,000,000 for a Gulf to Bay home for sale on Casey Key.

Below are some of Sarasota's most popular waterfront neighborhoods and areas.

• Bird Key
• Casey Key
• Cherokee Park
• Coral Cove
• Harbor Acres
• Lido Key
• Longboat Key
• Oyster Bay
• Southpointe Shores

In addition to the areas/neighborhoods listed above, there are many more options. If you are in the market for a waterfront home in Sarasota, we'd be happy to discuss communities that fit you budget and lifestyle. Contact the John Allen Team direct at 941-544-6467 for access to all homes for sale in Sarasota. We have represented buyers and sellers in all of the areas above.

Conveniently located just off of Beneva Rd south of Clark Rd, Beneva Oaks is only minutes away from an abundance of activities and amenities. Shopping, dining, and world famous Siesta Key beaches are only minutes away from home.

Search results in the Sarasota MLS currently show 3 home listings for sale in Beneva Oaks. Two homes are pending (under contract), and in the last six months, there have been 2 sales in Beneva Oaks.  Listing prices range from $259,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath single family home with approximately 2,400 square feet to $1,475,000 for a 4 bedroom, 4 ½ bath estate home which sits on a ¾ acre corner lot.

 If you are searching for a nice family style neighborhood with room for the kids to play, consider Beneva Oaks.  With hundreds of options for Sarasota homes for sale, Beneva Oaks is a must see neighborhood.

We regularly show clients listings at the Water Club on Longboat Key. Many "in the know" feel that the Water Club is one of the finest communities and most beautiful gulf front developments on the beach. The amenities are fabulous as well.

The Water Club's Mediterranean Clubhouse features 17,000 square feet of luxury with a large and luxurious social room that can be reserved for private parties, a private bar with liquor lockers, a state of the art exercise room with his and hers locker rooms, a card and billiards club room, and oak paneled library. Those who prefer outdoor activities can choose from play tennis on lighted Har-Tru courts, swim in the Olympic-sized pool, relaxing in the gazebo, or enjoying the private beaches and azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Residents also have peace of mind knowing that the community has 24 hour security.

Breathtaking Views at the Water Club Longboat Key

If you would like more information on Water Club, give us a call direct at 941-544-6467 or visit the Longboat Key real estate section at BuySarasota.com. We can help you will all you real estate needs. Other luxurious condos her include L'Ambiance, Pierre, Positano, La Firenza and the Sanctuary.

If you are considering a waterfront home on Longboat Key Florida, Country Club Shores should be on your short list of neighborhoods to visit. Located at the desirable south end of Longboat Key, residents have quick access to world-famous St Armands Circles and all of the amenities of downtown Sarasota.

Listing prices currently range from $449,000 for a simple ranch home built in 1968 to $4.9 million for 6,000 square foot luxurious bayfront estate. Many of the homes in Country Club Shores are directly on the water, either canal-front or on the Sarasota Bay. Boaters love the neighborhood because of the quick access to the Intercoastal waterway and Gulf of Mexico. Golf, tennis, spa, dining and beach access are just across the street as well.

Give me a call direct at 941-544-6467 if you are interested in exploring Longboat Key homes for sale. We'll be happy to give you an overview of the market or send you listing that meet you parameters.

For several months, we’ve been giving you examples of “walkable neighborhoods” in Sarasota Florida. McClellan Park is another west-of-the-trail neighborhoosd offering its residents walking options. As gas prices continue to rise, urbanization is on the rise in this country. Americans are choosing these “walkable” neighborhoods to economize during our nation’s economic recovery.

As reported in an earlier post, a group of CEOs for Cities recently commissioned a study of homes in walkable neighborhoods. The study reported “higher values” as well as a shorter selling period than traditional suburban real estate markets. McClellan Park is just one of these neighborhoods.

McClellan Park Real Estate Activity

The Sarasota MLS currently reports 5 single family homes in this West of the Trail neighborhood. There is one pending sale in McClellan Park and two homes have sold in the last six months. Prices currently range from $324,900 to $1,395,000.

If you are considering getting back into the Sarasota real estate market and think now might be the time to start your search, you might want to take a look at single family homes West of the Trail. Amenities and advantages are abundant. Give me a call to make an appointment or email me any questions about Sarasota homes for sale in McClellan park.

P.S. Yesterday morning Barbara Corcoran, famed real estate expert and star of the ABC hit "Shark Tank," announced on the Today Show that Sarasota Florida is the Best Market in the US to buy a home.

Sunrise Cove was built on the south end of Siesta Key Florida in 1973 and 1974. These Siesta Key condos recently got a facelift with some outside painting, newly tiled walkways and railings as well as tropical landscaping. The condos offer residents spacious floor plans and boat docks. Sitting right on Sarasota Bay, the views are incredible from each unit. As you can see from the picture, sitting on your lanai is like sailing the high seas! If you are searching for condos with docks, Sunrise Cove on Siesta Key could be your spot in Paradise.

Sunrise Cove’s amenities include tennis courts, two swimming pools, billiard room and club house. The Sarasota MLS currently lists 4 condos for sale at Sunrise Cove.

Most of the condos in each of the Sunrise Cove buildings feature two bedrooms and two baths but a ground floor unit recently sold offering 4 bedrooms and 4 baths and a private deeded side patio.

Sunrise Cove’s on Siesta Key MLS Activity

• Active Listings: 4
• Pending Sales: 3
• Sales Last Six Months: 5
• Current Price range: $287,000 to $629,000

If you are interesting in purchasing a condo at Sunrise Cove or any other condo on Siesta Key, contact John Allen at 941-544-6467. John regularly shows condos on the world famous Siesta Key beaches as well as the Bay including condos at Summer Cove, Beach Villas, Crescent and many more. Send us an email for a prompt reply to any of your Siesta Key condominium questions.