In 1910 the wealthy socialite and business women from Chicago, Bertha Honore Palmer, purchased over 80,000 acres of land in Florida. 10,000 acres of those where in Sarasota County. Bertha Palmer used this land to winter in Florida and to become a cattle and citrus farmer. What was once farming and cattle land for Mrs. Palmer has now become home to the master planned community of Palmer Ranch.

Now this area has over 21 different communities and neighborhoods, featuring 2 top quality country clubs; TPC at Prestancia and the Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club along with the Private Tennis Club of Serendipity which is located inside the gated community of The Country Club of Sarasota.

Home ownership opportunities vary from gated communities such as Turtle Rock, Deer Creek, and Silver Oak to standing villa living such as Mira Lago and Marbella to condominiums such as Serenade and Vintage Grand to a combo of single family homes and villas with a variety of outdoor amenities in the gated community of Village Walk.

What I like best about Palmer Ranch besides the variety of homes is the conveniences of shopping, entertainment and recreation. The Westfield Shopping Mall has a 12 screen movie theatre along with a large selection of stores from J.C. Penny, Macy’s, American Eagle, and Hollister.

The YMCA and the Legacy Bike Trail are both in the heart of Palmer Ranch and the World Famous Siesta Key Beach is a close 10-15 minute drive. Click Palmer Ranch Real Estate to view all available properties by sub-division. Having lived and worked in this area for over 10 years I would be happy to help you find your next home for either year round living or for wintering in Florida like Bertha Palmer did in 1910.

You can reach me at SaraLeicht@MichaelSaunders.com or (941) 586-4790.

Come join us in paradise where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota, Florida.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

I remember Halloween as a kid in New England and planning where my friends and I could go to collect the most candy.

Turtle Rock in Palmer Ranch of Sarasota, FL is a very popular family neighborhood offering 610 single family homes and 148 maintenance free homes. Within this community, Turtle Rock has two gated and guarded entrances. One on the north side off of Palmer Ranch Parkway and the other is from the south side off of Central Sarasota Parkway. This family community is located in the Palmer Ranch area of Sarasota. The community amenities include 2 hard surface tennis courts and a basketball court both having night lighting, a recreational facility for family parties, and a swimming pool. There is also a walking nature trail and there are 17 lakes and ponds which can be used for canoeing by any of the Turtle Rock residents.

To view the current homes that are available click to view all Turtle Rock Homes for Sale.

This is a fantastic neighborhood for raising your family, about an 8 minute drive to the world famous Siesta Key Beach, 5 minutes to the local YMCA and it borders the Legacy Bike Trail that runs from Sarasota to Venice. And of Course lots of candy on Halloween night!

Posted by:Sara Leicht

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

Hosting two 18 hole golf courses and located in the Palmer Ranch area of Sarasota, Florida is the world class TPC Prestancia Country Club and gated community. TPC Prestancia is a private, non-equity club which is owned and operated by the Heritage Golf Group. The club house at TPC Prestancia is a 35,000 sq. ft. facility which features a professional golf shop, locker rooms, dining and bar services. The club house sits in the center of the gated community of 12 neighborhoods, on a hill overlooking the two 18 hole championship courses. The club opened in 1985 and is a member of the TPC network of clubs across the country. Since opening the club has hosted 5 American Express Invitationals and 8 Chrysler Cup Tournaments.

TPC Prestancia is home to 2 very distinct courses. The stadium course was fashioned after the TPC course at Sawgrass. This course has been built for galley crowds. The Stadium course was designed as a par 72 course by Ron Garl with PGA Tour Pro Mike Souchack as a consultant. The Club course has been designed by Robert Von Hagge with PGA Tout Pro Bruce Devin as a consultant. The Club course has a more traditional Florida style with many doglegs.

TPC Prestancia also shares tennis, swimming, and fitness facilities with a reciprocal agreement with the Sarasota Country Club of Serendipity which is intertwined with the courses of Prestancia.

If you are a seasoned golfer or a beginner, Prestancia offers professional instructions and excellent practice facilities. The clubhouse plays host to you for lunch or special functions from corporate parties to weddings.

If you are looking for a private club, with first class service, with the quality of golf and tennis facilities that you deserve, then come to Sarasota and make Prestancia your next home. If you would like to view homes that are available or link to the TPC Prestancia club house for more information view Prestancia Homes for Sale. If I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at saraleicht@michaelsaunders.com or call me at (941) 586-4790.

Come join us in paradise, where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

“A Community is only as strong as the education of its youth.”

The Sarasota County School System is comprised of over 40,000 students with an annual operating budget of over $403 million dollars. Two independent rating firms have rated Sarasota County Public Schools as one of the top in the state and the nation, citing sound financial management practices. Rated by the state as an “A” District, Sarasota County Schools is one of the leaders in the State of Florida for educating its students.

With a strong commitment to educating her youth, the 5 member school board, administration, and the tax paying community has consistently invested in hiring the best teachers and building the best facilities for the students of Sarasota. The newest addition to this commitment is the opening of the newly constructed “New” Riverview High School. The grand opening is on schedule for the opening of school this August. Let me share with you a little flavor of the size of this new $100 million dollar facility that has been years in the planning. Total square footage of the new school is 532,000 square feet, that will house seven small learning communities, six in building 5 (two on each floor) and one for the International Baccalaureate program in building 1.

• 72 classrooms for English, Math, Social Studies, World Languages, average size 860 sq. ft. which includes four classrooms to be utilized by the Cyesis program for pregnant teens/young parents.
• One day-care facility of 11,370 sq. feet.
• 19 Science classrooms of 1,320 sq. feet
• 12 Career & Technical Educational classrooms of 1,315 sq. feet
• 5 Art classrooms
• 7 Music classrooms
• 2 Drama classrooms
• 2 Junior Reserve Officers Training corps classrooms
• 6 Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classrooms
• 1 English for speakers of other Languages (ESOL) classroom
• 2 READ 180 (reading program) classrooms
• 1 Newspaper and English classroom
• 1 Yearbook and English classroom
• 5 Physical Education classrooms
• One auditorium with seating for 1,100
• One gymnasium with seating for 2,200 (18,000 sq. feet, can be divided into two sections)

Having world class teaching facilities like Riverview High School makes moving to Sarasota a wise decision for your family. Having had 2 of my sons graduate from Riverview High School I can tell you personally that the administration, teaching, and coaching staff really care about their students. Now with this new facility, Sarasota has gone from great to greater!

If I can be of any assistance in helping you find a home to raise your family, please contact me at saraleicht@michaelsaunders.com or if you would like to preview homes please go to my web site, SaraSellsSarasota.com to view properties by areas and neighborhoods .

For more information on the Sarasota County School System please click on SarasotaCountySchools.net.

Posted by:Sara Leicht

One of my favorite places to sell in Sarasota is Palmer Ranch. This area almost sells itself with ample access to best in healthcare, education, beaches, fitness facilities, and shopping in the area. Couple these features with excellent newer communities and pristine natural surroundings and it is not difficult to understand how many Sarasotans and part time residents choose to live here.

While Palmer Ranch traditionally has a very healthy sales market, it has as a whole, weathered this recession better than a lot of other micro-markets in the area. Prices have declined that is for certain- but the numbers tell a very positive story. In the last 15 months, Palmer Ranch single family homes are down 44% in availability. Sales levels have remained fairly level over the last 15 months. What I am most excited about is that months of inventory based on closed sales has dropped from 15.1 months in April of 2008 to 9.3 in May of 2009. Approaching six months is a sign of a more balanced and healthy market.

For more detailed analysis of the Palmer Ranch Market and its many and varied communities, check out my interactive Palmer Ranch Map Guide. Palmer Ranch is a special pocket of Sarasota, and I am happy to answer any questions about it- email me at DrewRussell@MichaelSaunders.com with questions.

Posted by:Drew Russell

Located in the heart of the Palmer Ranch area of Sarasota, Florida is the exclusive gated community of Prestancia. This community is host to the world golfing at the TPC Prestancia Country Club. This is a 24 hour guard attended gated community that features 12 different neighborhoods with over 495 full and part time residences. Prestancia homes vary from large prestigious single family homes such as this home at 4005 Las Palmas Way which is on the market for $2,599,000, to spacious villas such as the one located at 8057 Via Fiore Way, which is on the market for $375,000. Prestancia is a great area for your primary or your second home.

If you are looking for a golf course view or a view of a natural preserve, a maintenance free condo, a free standing villa, or a home with a pool, Prestancia on Palmer Ranch has a home to fit your lifestyle. Currently there are 34 homes for sale ranging from $300,000 to over $2 million. To view the current homes that are for sale please visit

Prestancia Homes for Sale on my web site. If you would like more information on these or any new homes that are becoming available please contact me either by email at saraleicht@michaelsaunders.com or call me directly at 941-586-4790.

Come join us in paradise, where the sun spends the winter, on the beaches and golf courses of Sarasota.

Posted by:Sara Leicht