Learn what we - the locals - of Sarasota love about our city by the bay.

This week in Sarasota gives you an insider’s view of the best places to dine, shop, live and play.

Stay up to date with weekly happening in and around Sarasota. New to the area? Go to the insiders guide for nifty videos of attractions and neighborhoods - it is the perfect introduction to Sarasota.

Posted by:Maureen & Pat Doherty

Marbella is one of the most enchanting neighborhoods nestled in the heart of Palmer Ranch. With its manicured lawns, lush landscaping, Mediterranean architecture, and central locale to fine dining, shopping, championship golf, and of course the world’s finest Siesta Key Beach, this neighborhood has something for everyone. This charming gated community consists of 139 single-family homes and villas in a variety of floor plans and sizes ranging from 1600 to 3300 square feet and prices ranging from the low $200,000s to the low $300,000s.

Currently, there are four homes for sale, 1 pending, and 8 solds in the past six months. Please see chart below:

4 Active Listings:

1 Pending Listing:

8 Sold Listings:

My listing at 4160 Via Mirada sold in 12 days:


Having recently sold 4160 Via Mirada in less than two weeks, I have extensive knowledge on this neighborhood and the Palmer Ranch area. If you would like more information about this community or any others in Palmer Ranch, please contact me at 941-387-5676 or e-mail me at VictoriaStultz@michaelsaunders.com.

Posted by:Victoria Stultz

Record breaking month for the largest closed sale to date in the Lakewood Ranch luxury arena. A record breaking sale made the charts in June.

One of my exclusive listings, 7028 Portmarnock Place, a French inspired, custom Anchor built masterpiece poised on the 15th fairway with over 7600 square feet and situated in an exclusive enclave of estate homes. Exquisitely infused with the finest finishes & designs. . Wet bar featuring a mirrored television screen, luxurious master suite, four inviting suites & two spacious libraries. Ample outdoor space complete with loggia, full summer kitchen, resort–style pool & spa…..and wired with a State-of the-art Vantage Home Automation System. Listed for $4.7m in March 2008 contracted after 336 days and sold at $3.6m on 6/15/2008.

July closings in the Lakewood Ranch luxury market continued to show promise…..with 2 properties sold…..

7018 Portmarnock Place, award winning John Cannon Nariah model majestically set and intriguing from the moment you step through the front doors. With over 6300 square feet, dramatic twenty-four foot ceilings, two story dining room and family room. Gourmet Chef’s arena complete with state-of-the-art appliances and chizzled edge island. The outdoor offers a resort-style lifestyle complete with kitchen and fireplace. Previously sold in April 2007 at $2.5m and after 539 days on the market, recently sold at $1.350m on 7/24/09.

6935 Winners Circle, a Pruett built home with nearly 6000 square feet exclusively set in a private enclave of homes is a show stopper. Exudes a sense of style and is appointed with a majestic 2-story Palladian windows overlooking the fairway and daily “sunset show”, gourmet kitchen and five bedrooms. The upstairs billiard room has its own terrace with yet another cozy gathering place and outdoor fireplace. Resort living at its finest. First time on the market, originally priced at $2.1m, reduced to $1.995m and contracted after 154 days. Sold at $1.7m on 7/31/09.

Our area offers a tapestry of lifestyles. So when you are seeking the perfect one…you can visit my web site to preview my listings or search by neighborhoods. Or simply contact me at 941.705.1158, and I will be ready to discuss your goals and opportunities.

Posted by:Barbara Najmy

After a long and difficult negotiation, many Sarasotans were deeply relieved to learn that Sarasota County finally struck a deal with the Baltimore Orioles. It seems we were destined to have a Rays divisional opponent no matter what happened, and the cost of losing baseball in the Sarasota area would have been exceedingly dramatic. One of the best memories I have as a kid are the days that my Dad would come and get me out of school early to take in an afternoon game at the ball park when the Chicago White Sox were in town. Besides the intangible impact that losing baseball would have had on the county, the numbers the local economy would have felt are staggering. According to the linked report, the average impact on each local economy is about $47 million dollars. This makes the reported $31 million cost to get the Orioles here seem like a paltry sum. When contemplating all of the best reasons to live in Sarasota- spring baseball is at the top of my list. I believe that keeping baseball in town in the spring will far reaching and lasting effects on the local economy and housing market. For comments or questions about this post or the Sarasota real estate market, you can contact me at DrewRussell@MichaelSaunders.com.

Posted by:Drew Russell

Why move to Sarasota? Outdoor Amenities.

One of the many reasons that our family decided on Sarasota, Florida was the great outdoor lifestyle. I remember before we moved in 1999, I spoke with a friend who had moved to Florida from New England a few years before we did. Andrea told me, “You will love living in Florida, there is always something to do outside during your time off from work. Moving from the Boston area you really appreciate the year round sunshine and warm weather.” Thanks to Sarasota County some of that “off from work” time can be spent biking, walking or rollerblading on “The Legacy Trail”.

This is a 12.4 mile long section of railroad track that was purchased from the CSX Transportation Railroad for $11.75 million in December of 2004. The railroad line was the method of transportation and discovery for the early inhabitants of Southwest Florida. Most notably the U.S. Army during World War II, the Kentucky Military Institute and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which wintered in Sarasota and Venice from 1962-1992.

Starting in 2006, the first phase was to remove the old railroad tracks and to clear a 12 foot wide path. The trail was raised up and asphalt was laid down. They have installed railroad looking crossings at the different street intersections. The trail starts to the north at McIntosh Road near Clarke Road and moves south through Palmer Ranch. The trail crosses Palmer Ranch Parkway, Central Sarasota Parkway, and continues through the back end of Oscar Scherer State Park and into Venice. Trail Heads for parking and access to the trail are located at, McIntosh Road near the Central County Water Reclamation Facility, Potter Park off of Central Sarasota Parkway, Oscar Scherer State Park, Laurel Park, Nokomis Community Park, Patriot’s Park and the Venice Train Depot.

The final phase to be completed will be the bridge trestles over the waters of Donna Bay and Roberts Bay. These trestles when completed will be 12 feet wide and have vertical clearances of 12 feet and 8 feet over the channel areas for boats. At this time you can enjoy about 10 continuous miles of trail and another 2 miles south of Donna Bay and Roberts Bay.

So on your “off from work time” head to the Legacy Trail and enjoy the outside recreation of the south. Come join us in paradise, where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of sunny Sarasota. If you need help in finding a home in Sarasota please do not hesitate to call me at 941-586-4790 or email me at SaraLeicht@michaelsaunders.com.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

I have been coming across a strange problem in the last couple months, a problem that I have not had since 2005. I cannot find the properties that my buyers are looking for- especially if they are not willing to go through the inevitable hassle and heartache of a short sale!

At a recent meeting, our company President brought to light some very encouraging information. If you look at this graph, for single family homes under $500,000 in Sarasota County, you will be shocked to learn that there is only 6.5% months of inventory based on closed sales. Year over year our inventory is down 45.7% and pending sales are up 71% percent over this time last year.

While I am no where near insinuating that we are now in a perfectly balanced market with no troubles, I do stand behind the fact that we are clearly on the road to recovery. We all know that windows of opportunity are finite- if you are looking for the opportunity to own a piece of Sarasota while the market is still heavily favoring the buyer, contact me at DrewRussell@MichaelSaunders.com.

Posted by:Drew Russell