John Allen's Blog: Luxury

Located behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club and Resort, L'Ambiance is a paragon of luxurious beachfront living. There are two, 10 story buildings and a total of 136 residences. Many of the condos here have stunning views of the beach and Gulf of Mexico. Residents on the top floors also enjoy vistas of the downtown Sarasota skyline and Bay.

Amenities of this guarded gate condominium include: Lighted Har-Tru Tennis Courts, Clubroom, Elevators, Fitness Center, 175,000 gallon Community Heated Pool, 1000 feet of Private Beach, Guest Suites and Concierge. Pets are permitted as well.  The beautifully maintained grounds at L'Ambiance spans 20 acres. Many residents take advantage of the close proximity to the Longboat Key Club and Resort. The Resort includes…

Read Full Post

Sarasota Florida’s luxury real estate market of high-end properties has suffered just as other parts of the country, however we've found 11 sales in the $3,000,000+ range so far for 2009. From a high-rise condo on Longboat Key, an Indian Beach estate, to a gated mansion on the waterfront of New Pass, the high-end real estate market in Sarasota continues to post some impressive sales.

On the pristinely manicured island of Longboat Key, Florida, an elegant penthouse at the Water Club Longboat Key sold for $3,000,000. The list price was $3,495,000. We often tout the Water Club as the amenities are fabulous. The Clubhouse is approximately 17,000 square feet offering a social room overlooking the pool and beach. Residents can reserve this space for private…

Read Full Post

The designers of Orchid Beach Club didn’t spare anything on amenities when they designed this building. This Lido Key condominium is the epitome of luxury. Completely in 2005, Orchid Beach Club is directly on Lido Key Beach. Add these condos to your search list if you are searching beach properties over $1,000,000.

The Sarasota MLS currently reports 11 condos for sale at Orchid Beach Club Sarasota. Prices range from $1,475,000 to $7,250,000. Two penthouses are available with direct Gulf views. One condo is priced at $3,600,000 and the larger penthouse is priced at $7,250,000 for almost  6,000 square feet of living space.

Orchid Beach Club is one of Sarasota’s newest and nicest condos. These beachfront condos have world-class amenities including:  heated…

Read Full Post

"Beaches" Longboat Key was built in 1984 and was designed with swap-around balconies for maximizing the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico views. Many condominiums at Beaches also offer golf course views as well as city views of Sarasota. Behind the gates of the prestigious Longboat Key Club, owners enjoy ample amenities at these Longboat Key condos including: 24-hour concierge service, 2 tennis courts, heated pool, spa, and an on-site manager. The building has recently undergone an extensive renovation.

Residents of Beaches Longboat Key enjoy the warm Gulf waters and the white sandy beaches of Longboat Key as well as dining and shopping on St. Armands Circle. Downtown Sarasota’s cultural activities are a short drive from Beaches. Condo in the Sarasota MLS currently…

Read Full Post

Living in a Longboat Key condo affords owners at Water Club a resort lifestyle in one of Florida’s most prestigious condominiums. Joggers, rollerbladers and walkers line were sprinkled along the sidewalks on Longboat Key enjoying the balmy Sarasota weather as we visited Water Club Longboat Key this week. Sarasota had some much needed rain on Monday, and residents, vacationers, as well as plants, are sprouting while enjoying Sarasota’s burst into Spring!

In other parts of the country, home sellers are starting to sell their properties and shopping for Longboat Key condos. Buyers can find amazing prices at Water Club, Promenade and Beaches now. These Longboat Key condos are a few of the most popular on the Key and usually highlight our showing…

Read Full Post

Located just south of Siesta Key Florida, Casey Key is an exclusive area that is home to some of Sarasota's most extravagant and luxurious beachfront mansions. There are still some "old Florida" beach cottages that have not been rebuilt. There are no high rise condos or chain hotels on the island. The area is primarily composed of single family homes.

Real estate on Casey Key is quite expensive. Currently, the least expensive Casey Key home for sale is listed for $1,000,000. Prices go all the way up to $18,500,000.

February 2009 Real Estate Data for Casey Key

• Active Listings in the Sarasota MLS System: 52
• Least Expensive Home for Sale: $1,000,000
• Most Expensive Home for Sale: $18,500,000
• Average Listings Price: $3,736,296
…

Read Full Post

Buyers we represented recently closed on the sale of Penthouse B in Hudson Crossing. This downtown Sarasota condominium was recently built in 2007. There are only 12 residences in the building. Each unit has its own deeded boat dock. The 4 penthouse units each have there own private rooftop terraces that can be finished with outdoor kitchens.

The seller took a significant loss on the property. It was purchased in December of 2007 for just over $2.2 million. Less than 1 year later, our buyers were able to pick it up for $1,500,000.

Buyers have a lot of leverage in the current market. If you are considering a permanent move or investment in Sarasota real estate, contact us today or visit our website - BuySarasota.com.

Read Full Post

The Sarasota Association of Realtors just released the latest market statistics for the Sarasota real estate market. All statistics were compiled on properties listed in the MLS as of November 2008. The stats show higher pending sales as we head into our "season." With the slow economy, we will probably see less visitors in our busy season which runs from January to May. The absorption rate for both condos and homes has reduced significantly from the 2007 data.

Click HERE for a PDF of the press release.

Click HERE for the new stats from the December issue of Sarasota Realtor Magazine.

Sarasota Florida is located 60 miles south of Tampa on the Gulf Coast of Florida. If you have any questions or if you would like to explore the Sarasota area further,…

Read Full Post