Homes are selling in Sarasota and the inventory is declining. Recent statistics released from the Sarasota Association of Realtors for August 2009 show that markets do what markets are good at. They adjust, and the Sarasota market has adjusted and is on the mend. Let me share with you the information from the Sarasota Association of Realtors that was just recently released. Total sales for the month of August 2008 was 415, Sales for the month of August 2009 was 496. Total Inventories for single family homes and condos for the month of August 2008 was 6,461, August 2009 was 3,949 This is a drastic reduction in inventory available.

The number of months of inventory which is the theoretical time that it would take to sell all of the current inventory at the current rate of sale is now 10.34 months as compared to a year ago when it was 19.64 months.

So what has happened to turn this around in Sarasota? Realtors at Michael Saunders & Company have educated their sellers about the realities of the market place. And the sellers have responded. No need for a government bail out here. When a market slows – prices adjust – when prices adjust buyers buy. Have prices adjusted in our market? Yep! And that is why homes are selling. According to the most recent statistics the median home price for the past 12 months is $165,000 as compared to $235,000 for the previous 12 months ending in September 2008. I recently wrote about this spacious Villa at 8057 Via Fiore in Prestancia that was for sale. The villa started out on the market at $439,000 was reduced to $375,000 and sold in September for $360,000. A great price for a great home in paradise! These are the numbers for the general Sarasota Area. In areas such as Palmer Ranch the months of inventory is better at just 6.6 months. As always I encourage you, that if you have been thinking of buying a home in paradise now may be a great time to visit that decision. If you would like to view properties for sale in the Palmer Ranch area like this villa that was recently sold go to Palmer Ranch Homes For Sale and enjoy looking at your next home. If you would prefer something on the beach or one of our Keys please click onto the Waterfront Homes area.

Either way I can promise you that Sarasota has a home for you. But just don’t wait. If you would like more information on these or any other homes that are available please contact me at 941-586-4790 or email me at saraleicht@michaelsaunders.com.

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

Posted by:Sara Leicht

Bayfront Park is located on the Bay at the end of Ringling Boulevard with ample parking and an easy walk from the center of downtown.






Boat rentals and good food and drink are just part of the action.

Great for an evening stroll or picnic, letting the children run around or use the fenced play ground while you relax, walking your dog, or just watching the sunset. Plenty of benches and swings here and there.






Children’s play area and swimming fountain.

There is a fountain at the end of the Park looking back at Sarasota with Marina Jack’s Restaurant, Plaza at Five Points Condominium, Orange Blossom Condominium, 1350 Main Street Condominium, and Gulfstream Towers Condominium just to the right of the fountain in the distance. At night the fountain is bathed in beautiful colors and can be seen from the city.

A little about us …
Robert and Nancy Lindeman are proud to be affiliated with Michael Saunders & Co.

They live in downtown Sarasota and enjoy the proximity of so many wonderful activities.

They have listed and sold many upscale residences in downtown Sarasota (including Ritz-Carlton, Orange Blossom, Plaza at Five Points, 1350 Main, The Savoy on Palm, City Place at Pineapple Square, Alinari, Royal Saint Andrew), Longboat Key (including L’Ambiance, Tangerine Bay Club), Lido Key (including Ritz-Carlton Beach Residences, L’Elegance), golf communities (such as The Oaks, The Founders Club, Waterlefe), St Armand’s Circle, the Landings, and many other areas.

Please contact us for more about living in Sarasota. Nancy can be reached at 941-400-2656, nancylindeman@michaelsaunders.com. Robert can be reached at 941-504-2123, robertlindeman@michaelsaunders.com. Or, contact our St Armand’s Circle office, 61 S Blvd of Presidents, 941-388-4447.

Posted by:Robert Lindeman

The Palmer Ranch real estate market has always been traditionally healthy. Beautifully manicured roadways, parks, upscale fitness centers, shopping and medical care are all part of this great location. A great variety of neighborhoods exist in Palmer Ranch which will likely have a product for any buyer in any price point. From $100,000 condominiums to multi-million dollar estates, Palmer Ranch has it all. I have made learning about this area very simple for buyers with my interactive Palmer Ranch map guide.

Feel free to contact me at DrewRussell@MichaelSaunders.com with any and all questions relating to Palmer Ranch real estate.

As evidenced by the graph below, it becomes clear that the Palmer Ranch market is indeed looking healthier by the month. Starting in January of 2009, we have seen a steady decline in months of inventory based on pended sales. Most real estate experts agree that a balanced market occurs when there is five to seven months of supply actively for sale. The graph shows that in June, Palmer Ranch had 6.4 months of inventory. In July the figure was an astounding 5.8 months, and for August the number was 6.6 months. I am encouraged by the decrease in homes on the market and thoroughly pleased to see some pockets of our local market regaining a semblance on balance.

Posted by:Drew Russell

Completed in 2006, The Savoy on Palm Avenue is one of the newest luxury condominiums in downtown Sarasota. Below is the view from the balconies to the west over the Sarasota Marina, Bayfront Park, Golden Gate Point, Bird Key and the John Ringling Bridge out to Sarasota Bay.

A beautiful Art Deco building with a total of 24 luxury residences. Every amenity one could wish for: on site concierge, full security, state of the art fitness center, massage room, his and her saunas, lovely pool with adjoining summer kitchen and dining area, 2 room guest suite with balcony, roof top terrace with complete facilities for entertaining, library, large community room with catering kitchen, 2 car individual garages, excellent reserves and management. All owners are fulltime residents.

The second resale has just become available. At 3600 square feet with 3 bedrooms, front and back balconies, a media room, and many custom additions, this is one of downtown Sarasota’s most desirable units. This is especially appropriate for someone who would like to move from a residence on Longboat Key, Lido Key, or Siesta Key to enjoy the downtown Sarasota life style.


Posted by:Robert Lindeman

First in a Series of “Answers to Your Prayers”

It’s mid-November in Frederick County, Maryland. It’s your birthday, and here you are riding in the death seat with your son in his 4-wheel drive monster on the way to work on Connecticut Avenue in DC. He forgot your birthday, sure, but that’s OK, for it was the first “early for the season” snow and it was bound to be a killer of a commuting day, so forget the birthday stuff already. You’d been sick enough of taking the train from Brunswick….the Metro from Gaithersburg….the bus from Mt. Airy….and even driving your own little Honda station wagon, that you agreed weeks ago to accept your well-meaning son’s offer to share the commute. How much worse could it be? So you close your eyes (this helps when your bumper is kissing the tailpipe in front of you) and blessedly doze off……to a reverie of when Junior was a kid pedaling his souped-up Schwinn down the bike path, under the banyans, on his way home from school for an afternoon of fishing in Coconut Grove, Florida.

And the rest is history.

Fourteen years later, all that now seems like a different type of dream, one you left behind, with nary a regret. Your first drive into a little enclave in Osprey, just south of Sarasota, totally lost, where the incredibly lush vegetation—so much like “the Grove” and equally close to saltwater—provided the real clue—you knew you’d found your spot. It didn’t matter that you were not to actually live in that setting for another two years—you knew you’d be back. It took you a long time to find where to plant your roots. But they’re there to stay.

Posted by:Carolyn Kenney