Siesta Key Real Estate Update June 30, 2010

Sarasota Barrier Islands

Who hasn’t dreamed of watching the sunset from their deck; of taking an early morning walk along a quiet beach, searching for shells; of swimming in warm waters in front of your home or along glorious white sand beaches; of taking a boat out to deep water to sail or do battle with the big fish; of playing a round of golf with the gulf as your backdrop. That’s what life is like on Sarasota’s barrier islands. Beach, Bay or Back Nine...Live the Dream

Sarasota Barrier Island: Siesta Key

Siesta Key is located on an eight mile long barrier island known for it's powdery white sands. The moment you step onto just one of the many beaches, Siesta Key will captivate you. From sunrise to sunset, Siesta Key's world-famous beaches display their unsurpassed beauty.
From its beach cottages and mid-rise condos to its elegant waterfront homes, this Sarasota barrier island exudes that “old Florida” feeling of friendly neighbors, soft sand between your toes and a cool breeze blowing in off the Gulf. It’s white sand beaches are consistently ranked among the best in the nation and its two villages offer shopping that runs from chic to funky and dining that ranges from family friendly to elegant.

Population: Less than 8000 permanent residents

Current Listings data from the My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service:

Single Family Homes:

There are currently 170 Single Family Siesta Key homes active on the market for sale priced from $269,000 to $15,000,000.

There are currently 39 Single Family Siesta Key homes under contract (sale pending) priced from $235,000 to $ 3,945,000.

So far this year 77 Single Family homes have sold on Siesta Key selling for $232,000 to $6,425,000.

Condos on Siesta key:

There are currently 366 Condos on Siesta Key active on the market for sale priced from $150,000 to $3,200,000.

There are currently 44 Condos on Siesta Key under contract (sale pending) priced from $140,000 to $1,299,000.

So far this year 132 Condos have sold on Siesta Key selling for $148,000 to $2,450,000.

The Herron Group / Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron with RE/MAX Alliance Group would be glad to show you any of these properties. We can be reached at 941.350.5035 or Nickherron@comcast.net


Beach, Bay or Back Nine...Live the Dream

Siesta Key one of the Better Known Sarasota Florida Barrier Islands

Siesta Key one of the Better Known Sarasota Florida Barrier Islands

A good description of Siesta Key from the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

Sunny beaches with crystal-white, powdery sand that stretch for miles. Shops from the chic and elegant to the hip and funky, with all sorts of fashion, beach accessories and souvenirs. Restaurants where you can go to grab a quick breakfast or lunch in your flip-flops and sandy toes, or to relax in style over an extraordinary dinner.

Balmy breezes. Dolphins and manatees. Pelicans, egrets, osprey, seagulls and a variety of shorebirds. Walk the beach or stretch out in the sun. Play a game of tennis or volleyball, ride a bike, fly a kite…whatever you want to do. Our tropical climate makes every sort of outdoor activity available and enjoyable nearly year-round.Siesta Key has a full array of accommodations you can choose from: hotels and cottages perfect for a weekend getaway or fun vacation, condos and beach clubs you can rent for a week, a month, a season, or a year. And of course, there are always fantastic places to purchase for a full-time or second home.

We believe that once you discover how wonderful Siesta Key is, you'll want to be here as much as you possibly can. And we'll be here to welcome you!

Siesta Village north of the public beach is a mostly pedestrian village areaideal for “People Watching” from sidewalk cafes. Here, as on the south end, stores, shops, boutiques and restaurants thrive in the midst of commercial and residential activities. You'll also find a drug store and post office in this village area. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is conveniently located in Davidson’s Plaza – in the center of the village. Please stop by our visitor center office for maps, brochures and information.

There are two shopping/restaurant districts on Siesta Key: The Crescent Beach area, south of where Stickney Point Road connects to Midnight Pass Road, showcases boutiques shops and restaurants comfortably mixed in with attractions and commercial businesses. You’ll find a full service grocery store, nearby drug store and post office all convenient to surrounding accommodations and beach access areas.

From one end of the island to the other, you experience a vibrant islandlifestyle.
Wherever you go and whatever you do you’ll experience the warm welcome and island hospitality that brings people to Siesta Key and calls them back year after year.

Current data from My Florida Regional MLS for Siesta Key Real Estate:

Single Family ----------------------------------------Condos

Single Family homes for sale 189 ----------------Condos currently for sale 370

Priced from $269,000 to $15,000,000-----------$162,500 to $2,799,000

Single Family homes sale pending 39 -----------Condos currently sale pending 43

Priced from $243,500 to $2,799,000-------------$140,000 to $2,799,000

Single Family homes sold this year 130----------Condos sold this year 196

Sold Price from $180,000 to $2,350,000--------$140,553 to $3,150,000

The Herron Group 941-350-5035, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with RE/MAX Alliance Group would be happy to introduce you to the Beautiful Beaches of Siesta Key.

Take your shoes off and feel the sand between your toes. You will want to join us in Paradise.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

Siesta Properties Inc. subdivision know as the Sanderling Club

Imagine a lifestyle of endless sunshine and swaying palm trees. Welcome to Siesta Key one of Sarasota, Florida’s Barrier Islands. Almost perfect year round weather, nationally ranked beaches and spectacular sunsets are only a part of the attraction.

What ever your lifestyle, or passion Sarasota, Florida’s Barrier Islands offer endless reasons to call this perfect piece of paradise home.

Toward the South end of Siesta Key on Midnight Pass Road just pass Crescent Beach and Point of Rocks and North of Turtle Beach is the Sanderling Club.

It is one of the older areas of Siesta Key founded after the first modern settlers came to Siesta Key. It is the only twenty-four hour guard gated community on Siesta Key. All the property owners of the Siesta Properties Inc. belong to the Sanderling Club which is required when they purchase a home here.

As part of the Sanderling Club you have several homes on the Gulf of Mexico with white powdery sand beaches and some run back to Heron Lagoon. The homes on Heron Lagoon have docks where they can launch a canoe or kayak. There are a few homes not on the water and there are some on the Bay side of Midnight Pass Road on the boat basin and Bay.

As part of the membership you have all types of recreational choices of boat slips, boating, tennis courts deeded Gulf access and there are several beach front cabanas. These cabanas were designed by one of the Sarasota School of Architecture founders Paul Rudolph.

At present there are seven active listings in the Sanderling Club, priced from $875,000 up to $9,995,000. There is one sale pending and there has been one sold so far this year.

The Herron Group, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-350-5035 would be glad to show you any of these Sanderling Club properties or any other Sarasota Barrier Island homes.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

The Art of Being Frugal

We are all budget conscious these days and every week there are totally free events for you and your family. Yes happening right here in Sarasota and on the Barrier Islands. Saturday mornings there is a great Farmers Market Downtown where you can stroll around and check out all the different vendor’s merchandise, people watch, or just bring your dog and walk around. On Sundays you can go to the one on Siesta Key in the Village.

This weekend was also the Avenida de Colores (Avenue of Colors) Chalk Festival. Several artists from around the country spent the weekend making masterpieces using pastel chalk on the streets of Burns Square. Yes on the pavement and when the streets reopen Sunday night motorist will be driving over the temporary masterpieces.

While on Siesta Key as well as on any of Sarasota’s Barrier Islands, Manasota Key, Casey Key, Longboat key or Lido Key the beaches offer hours of free fun and relaxation. Take a splash in the aqua blue gulf waters, build sandcastles, search for shells, or take a leisurely stroll. All to enjoy for free and it is Paradise at its best.

Maybe the time is right now for you to buy a piece of Paradise, while the prices are the best they have been in years. Now you can be living your dream of a Sarasota waterfront home.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream with the Herron Group, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron, RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-350-5035. Nick and Kathleen would be glad to show you your dream home.

What are you waiting for? Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

Old-World Charm—Right Here in Sarasota

In 1930, ten acres of a swampy Sarasota banana grove were purchased by a man named David Lindsay, who hoped to create a botanical garden. With help from a friend who owned a plant nursery, he began transforming the land. Together they planted thousands of tropical plants and dug out waterways, creating an incredible landscape. People started showing up to walk through the gardens, and David began charging 10 cents admission.

In 1940, Sarasota Jungle Gardens was officially opened to the public and has been a popular attraction ever since. Now a home to exotic animals, the park features a tropical bird show, reptile show, the chance to mingle among bright pink flamingos, and so much more. If you’ve never been, you’ve got to make the time. Jungle Gardens is particularly popular for the ages on either end of the human spectrum—young children who haven’t been tainted by visits to bigger and flashier parks and older folks who take the time to smell the flowers. Its old-Florida charm is a rare and treasured experience. You can’t even put Jungle Gardens and other amusement parks in the same sentence—this place has absolutely nothing in common with the polished and crowded likes of Busch Gardens or Disney.

The old-world delight of Sarasota Jungle Gardens is just one of the reasons our area is such a delight. If you live in Sarasota, Osprey, Venice, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, or Longboat Key, treat yourself to some of the unique natural beauty of our town. You can never get enough of walking the pristine beaches, but if you add in visits to places like Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and the Ringling Museum and grounds, you’ll fall in love with Sarasota and her islands all over again.

Visitors, are you ready to relocate? Call Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group. This rare team is ready to help you find the perfect place to call home on Florida’s west coast and Sarasota’s barrier islands including Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, and anywhere in between!

Sandhill cranes, herons…and the Herron Group

“This is birding season, when some birds flock to West Florida for the winter and many more will pass through, in coming months, on their way to their summer haunts,” wrote Cathy Zollo of the Sarasota Herald Tribune in a recent article. “Along with them come the bird lovers, who must eat and stay in hotels and spend money with the region's local businesses. Florida is second only to California in the revenue it collects from the bird-loving public.”

I wonder how many bird lovers came to vacation in Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key, and the rest of the greater Sarasota area—and ended up buying homes here?

I’d like to take a roll call of all of the homeowners who have arrived in the last ten years. I can imagine filling an auditorium with them and having them raise their hands or shout “here!” when they hear their category. (I wonder if we can borrow the Van Wezel?) Anyway, It might sound something like this:

“Ahem…attention please. We will now take roll. Please respond with a loud “here!” when you hear your category.”

1. Golfers. Here! Here! Here! (You get the idea.)
2. Beach lovers. Here!
3. Tired-of-shoveling-snow-ers. Here! (Note: this is an imaginary roll call so we can use imaginary words.)
4. Suntanners. Here!
5. World travelers who have been everywhere and realize there’s no place like Siesta Key and Sarasota. Here!
6. Birders. Here! Here!

By the way, according to the article, you bird watchers really are called “birders.” Enjoy your Sarasota bird season!

Speaking of birds, I overheard in my gym this morning that when humans feed sandhill cranes, the birds become overly aggressive. The storyteller said that one gentlemen—on the golf course—was severely bitten on his backside by a hungry (but disappointed) bird! The birds were hovering about and the man waved them away, but when he turned his back and bent over toward his golf ball…ouch! It’s never a good idea to feed the wildlife.

While we’re on the subject, I looked up characteristics of the heron—since we are The Herron Group, after all. I was pleased at some of our similarities. Here goes:

1. Water, water, everywhere.

The heron: “The white form of the Great Blue Heron, known as the "great white heron," is found nearly exclusively in shallow marine waters along the coast of southern Florida, the Yucatan Peninsula, and in the Caribbean.”*

The Herron Group: We specialize in distinctive waterfront properties in Sarasota, Florida and adjacent barrier island communities including Sarasota, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Manasota Key, Nokomis, Osprey, Venice, Englewood, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Lido Key & St. Armands, and Bird Key.

2. Adaptable to its environment.

The heron: “Although the Great Blue Heron eats primarily fish, it is adaptable and willing to eat other animals as well.”*

The Herron Group: With over 20 years experience in Sarasota and Siesta Key area real estate, we’ve adapted to shifting winds and subtle or drastic changes in the real estate markets. We can help you navigate the waters of today’s unusual circumstances.

3. Specializes in nest-building.

The heron: “Nests in colonies, sometimes as lone pair. Nest a large platform of sticks, lined with pine needles, moss, reeds, dry grass, or twigs. Placed high in trees, occasionally on ground.”*

The Herron Group: Buying a home is a lot like building a nest. The right tree—or neighborhood—makes all the difference in the world. Choosing the right Realtor® is the first step, and Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group are poised to help you find just the right home on Florida’s west coast and Sarasota’s barrier islands of Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lido Key, and Longboat Key.


*Source: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Siesta Key Real Estate Update

Siesta Key Real Estate Sales Report

Our last Siesta Key real estate market report was in July at the end of the 2nd quarter of 2008 when we reported 264 active single family homes for sale on Siesta Key Florida. Condos are reported on our Siesta Key condos blog.

Current stats from the Sarasota MLS Report:

265 active single family homes on Siesta Key

22 homes are in escrow (pending or backups needed)

106 single family homes have sold year to date

Closed properties (solds) ranged in price from $252,500 to $8,000,000.

For more Siesta Key and Casey Key Florida homes for sale, click to Casey Key real estate, our main website to search all properties for sale. The Herron Group markets Sarasota's finest waterfront and country club communities including Longboat Key.

Search all Florida real Estate on our RE/MAX site. Statistical information, virtual tours, photos and neighborhood info on this national site.

Siesta Key Real Estate in Waterfront Neighborhoods

A short drive from Saraosta's mainland is the waterfront community of Siesta Cove on Siesta Key. Siesta Key real estate in this boating community is home to single family homes, many with outstanding water views. Dock your boat at a deep water dock and cruise to the intracoastal and open waters of the Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Take a short walk to Siesta Key Beach to enjoy the sun or visit the Beach to people watch, swim or just take a walk in world-famous sand!

Siesta Key FL is approximately 85 minutes from Tampa International Airport.

Enjoy a relaxed island lifestyle with a purchase of real estate on Siesta Key. Siesta Cove prices are currently in a range of $499,900 to $2,499,000. The Sarasota MLS currently reports Siesta Key real estate available for sale at Siesta Cove with 7 homes currently listed. There's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with over 2353 sq.ft. built in 1978 available at $499,900. This home is not on the water, but at $2,499,000 you can live right on the intracoastal waterway and enjoy outstanding view. Park your boat at your private dock and hope aboard any time you like.

Sit on your lanai or balcony year round on Siesta Key and enjoy children splashing in the pool or if you're an empty nester, spash yourself. Watch pelicans play from marina or your own boat dock and throw in a line and do some fishing. Sarasota is a short drive to cultural amenities of Sarasota including opera, ballet and theater.

Call for more information on Sarasota Florida homes if the beach is not your pleasure and we'll send you info on other areas. Check our websites for daily updates. You can visit Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key real estate, and all Sarasota Fl homes on our blogs too. We talk about lifestyles, properties and fun stuff as we search the web every day.

Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!

Click here for information if you are interested in Siesta Key Condos.

Siesta Key Real Estate Update

Siesta Key Houses for Sale and Sold

June 30 closed the second quarter for Siesta Key real estate sales. Our last Siesta Key market report was in April when we reported 231 active single family homes for sale. We don't report condo stats on this blog.

Current stats from the Sarasota MLS Report:

264 active single family homes on Siesta Key

16 homes are in escrow (pending or backups needed)

67 single family homes have sold year to date

Closed properties (solds) ranged in price from $252,000 to $8,000,000.

For more Siesta Key and Casey Key Florida real estate information, click to Casey Key homes, our main website to search real estate. The Herron Group markets Sarasota's finest waterfront and country club communities including Longboat Key.

Search all Florida real Estate on our RE/MAX site. Statistical information, virtual tours, photos and neighborhood info on this national site.

Siesta Key Real Estate Update

Siesta Key Real Estate Update

Siesta Key Homes for Sale and Sold (Homes Reported Only)

Good news has been reported for the Sarasota-Bradenton area as once again homes sales were more than most areas of the state including Miami.

At the end of March our stats from the Sarasota MLS Reported:

231 active single family homes on Siesta Key

13 homes are in escrow (pending or backups needed)

18 single family homes have sold year to date

Closed properties (solds) ranged in price from $395,000 to $3,900,000.

After just one month, check out the changes on Siesta Key's stats:

300 active single family homes listed on Siesta Key FL (up 69)

33 homes are pending or with backup contracts needed (up 22)

10 single family homes have sold since March 31, making the total sold year to date: 28

Prices of sold properties ranged from $370,000 to $5,150,000.

Search Siesta Key FL real estate, or click to Casey Key homes, our main website to search real estate on Casey Key. The Herron Group markets Sarasota's finest waterfront and country club communities including Longboat Key homes for sale.

Search all Florida real Estate on our RE/MAX site. Statistical information, virtual tours, photos and neighborhood info on this new site.

Siesta Key Real Estate in Gated Neighborhoods

Siesta Key Real Estate in Gated Neighborhoods

Ocean Front Community of Sanderling Club

A private guard gated entrance greets you at Sanderling Club. Siesta Key real estate in this prestigious community is home to some of the most beautiful properties of Siesta Key. Ocean Front properties, some with tennis courts and access to the tranquil waters of Heron Lagoon are all part of the lifestyle at Sanderling Club.

Siesta Key FL - approximately 75 minutes from Tampa International Airport

Enjoy a relaxed island lifestyle with a purchase of real estate on famed Siesta Key beach. The Sanderling Club prices are currently in a range of $897,000-$10 million! There is only one property under $1 million.

The Sarasota MLS currently reports Siesta Key real estate available for sale at Sanderling Club as 11 homes for sale. Home prices range from $897,000 for a 5 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath home with over 3000 sq.ft. to $10,000,000 for over 5,000 sq.ft for an ocean front luxury home.

Drive to the Siesta Key Village to shop or dine or sit on your balcony and enjoy children splashing in the pool year-round. Watch the pelicans play from the fishing pier and maybe even throw in your line. Sarasota is a short drive to cultural amenities including opera, ballet and theater.

Call for more information on Sarasota Florida golf course homes if the beach is not your pleasure. Check our websites for daily updates on real estate on Siesta Key. For photos, virtual tours and area information on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key, and also Sarasota Fl golf course homes visit our Sarasota blogs. Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!

Click here for information if you are interested in Sarasota Golf Course Homes.

Siesta Key Real Estate Market Update

Siesta Key Homes for Sale and Sold

March 31 the first quarter of 2008 closes. stats from the Sarasota MLS Report:

231 active single family homes on Siesta Key

13 homes are in escrow (pending or backups needed)

18 single family homes have sold year to date

Closed properties (solds) ranged in price from $395,000 to $3,900,000.

For more Siesta Key and Casey Key Florida real estate information, click to Casey Key homes, our main website to search real estate. The Herron Group markets Sarasota's finest waterfront and country club communities including Longboat Key.

Search all Florida real Estate on our RE/MAX site. Statistical information, virtual tours, photos and neighborhood info on this new site.

Siesta Key Real Estate Report December 2007

Siesta Key Homes for Sale Total 280 in December

In October, there were 258 Siesta Key homes for sale listed in the MLS database. As of today, December 11,2007, there are 280 homes currently listed. Sales prices in all areas range from the $200,000s to over $19 million.

Siesta Key Real Estate Choices from the Sarasota MLS

Area 81 (Siesta Beach, Bay Island, Sara Sands, Siesta Manor, Sarasota Beach, Siesta Isles, Sandy Hook, Harmony, Mira-Mar Beach, Banyan Club) from a $379,000 "tear down" to a $19,500,000 Sarasota waterfront estate.

Area 82 (Sanderling Club, Point of Rocks, Tortoise Estates, Ocean View, Cedars of Siesta Key, Ocean View, Bay Island, Siesta Rev, Royal Palm Harbor, Cocoanut Bayou, Hidden Harbor, Siesta Cover) from another "tear down" at $349,900 to a Gulf front estate in Sanderling Club priced at $11,500,000.

Area 83 (Siesta Rev, South Cocoanut Bayou, Bay Island, Royal Palm Harbor, Siesta Bayside, Hidden Harbor, Bay Island Shores, Somerset Cove, Hamilton Club) from $549,900 for a beautiful family home built in 1976 to $7,400,000 for a magnificent new bayfront estate built in 2006.

Area 84 (Ocean View, Princess Gate, Midnight Harbor, Mira-Mar, Tortoise Estates, Stevens, Mangroves, Sabal Palms) features a new $9,700,000 Midnight Pass Road oceanfront estate with all the bells and whistles expected in this price range.

For more Sarasota real estate information or other Sarasota neighborhoods, click to our main website. The Herron Group markets Siesta Key's finest waterfront homes and condos, as well as Casey Key real estate.

Siesta Key Waterfront Neighborhood, Bay Island

Siesta Key Homes for Sale - Bay Island Waterfront Estates

Out of 254 homes currently listed in the Sarasota MLS, there are 18 homes listed in the Bay Island section of Siesta Key. Prices range from $560,000 to over $19 million for a gated waterfront estate in this special area of the Key. Some of the best island views sweep the coastline of these majestic properties. It's all about the water!!

Siesta Key Village is a short drive, as well as the world famous Beach. Have an early morning breakfast at Broken Egg and then walk it off.

For more Siesta Key real estate information or other Sarasota neighborhoods, click to our main website. The Herron Group markets Siesta Key's finest waterfront communities, including Casey Key real estate.

Siesta Key Real Estate at Solymar

Siesta Key Homes for Sale in Solymar, Gated Community

On the north end of Siesta Key, behind towering wrought iron gates and positioned on the Gulf of Mexico, is the private beach community of Solymar. This community was developed by Laughlin's Luxury Lifestyles and personifies luxury on Siesta Key. All of the residences feature extensive use of crown moldings, various marbles, custom woodworking and top of the line fixtures and appliances.

Currently the Sarasota MLS lists 3 homes for sale in Solymar. Prices range from $4,225,000 to $5,250,000. All of the homes are custom and are over 4,000 sq.ft.

Happenings and the Village of Siesta Key are a short drive away.


For more Siesta Key real estate information or other Sarasota neighborhoods, click to our main website. The Herron Group markets Siesta Key's finest waterfront communities, including Casey Key real estate.