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The Sarasota Manatee Realtor Association reports that compared to last year, the market statistics report more closed sales, inventory and a general rise in median prices in October 2018.
Year-over-year, combined closed sales in the two-county area increased by 8 percent. The condo market improved with a 27.3 percent increase in Manatee County and a 10.3 percent increase in Sarasota. Manatee single-family home sales increased by 14 percent, while Sarasota single-family home sales decreased by 2.1 percent.
In Manatee County, pending sales for single-family homes increased by 2.8 percent, while condos decreased by 3.6 percent. Pending sales in Sarasota County decreased by 4.7 percent for condos and by 6.3 percent for single-family homes.
Median prices for Manatee single-family homes increased by 4.2 percent to $298,000, while Sarasota decreased by 3.2 percent to $270,000. Condo prices in Sarasota increased by 4.4 percent to $233,745 and Manatee decreased by 1.9 percent to $191,250.
Aside from a decrease in the Manatee condo market, new listings increased year-over-year. For single-family homes, new listings increased by 12.5 percent in Sarasota and by 5.1 percent in Manatee. Condo new listings increased by 1.7 percent in Sarasota and decreased by 4.9 percent in Manatee.
Inventory is up by 6.1 percent, compared to last year’s two-county area totals. Sarasota single-family home inventory increased by 12.8 percent to 2,866, while Manatee single-family homes increased by 0.5 percent to 2,092. Sarasota condo inventory increased by 6.9 percent to 1,624, while Manatee condo inventory is down by 2.4 percent to 810 available properties.
With month’s supply of inventory falling under 5.5 months, a sellers’ market remains. Single-family homes in Sarasota increased by 10.3 percent from last year to a 4.3-month’s supply. Manatee single-family homes sit at a 3.9-month supply, a 7.1 percent decrease. As for condos, Manatee County decreased by 14.6 percent to a 3.5 month’s supply and Sarasota is at a 4.6 month’s supply, a 6.1 percent decrease from last year.
Monthly reports are provided by Florida REALTORS® with data compiled from My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. To view the full press release and statistical charts, visit www.MyRASM.com/statistics.
With Thanksgiving behind us the holiday season is in full swing in Sarasota. There are many of activities and events to choose from. Here are just a few:
| Date | Event or Activity | Location | Click Link for
More Information |
| Dec. 1st | The Venice Christmas Boat Parade | Venice | Venice Christmas Boat Parade |
| Dec. 1-2nd | Bradenton Blues Festival | Bradenton | Realize Bradenton |
| Dec. 1-2nd | Siesta Key Seafood & Music Festival | Siesta Key | Paragon Events |
| Dec. 1-16th | “A Christmas Carol” | Bradenton | Manatee Performing Arts Center |
| Dec. 1-30th | Holly Days and Mangrove Lights | Osprey | Historic Spanish Point |
| Dec. 2nd | Ybor City Cigar Heritage Festival | Ybor City | Cigar Festival |
| Dec. 3rd | “The Gift of Music” | Venice | Venice Concert Band |
| Dec. 6, 13 & 20th | Celebrate the Season | Lakewood Ranch | LakewoodRanch.com |
| Dec. 6th | Annual Christmas Walk | Venice | City of Venice |
| Dec. 7th | 40th Annual Holiday Night of Lights | Lido Key | St Armands Circle Association |
| Dec. 7th | Music on Main | Lakewood Ranch | Lakewood Ranch |
| Dec. 7-8th | A Village Christmas Artwalk | Bradenton | Village of the Arts |
| Dec. 8th | Annual Sarasota Holiday Parade | Sarasota | Sarasota Holiday Parade |
| Dec. 8th | 33rd Annual Sarasota Christmas
Boat Parade of Lights |
Sarasota | Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade |
| Dec. 8-9th | 3rd Annual Holiday of the Arts | Lido Key | Paragon Events |
| Dec. 13,20,27th | Holiday Nights at Ca’ d’Zan | Sarasota | Ringling Museum |
| Dec. 14th | Holidays Around the Ranch | Lakewood Ranch | Lakewood Ranch Community Activities |
| Dec. 14th | Winter Showcase Concert of the
RHS Kiltie Band |
Sarasota | RHS Kilites |
| Dec. 15th | Porches in the Park | Lido Key | St Armands Circle Association |
| Dec. 15th | Sidewalk Astronomy | Bradenton | Local Group of Deep Sky Observers |
| Dec. 17th | Ringling by the Bay | Sarasota | Ringling Museum |
| Dec. 19-30th | Selby Gardens “Lights in Bloom” | Sarasota | Selby Gardens |
| Dec. 21st | North Port Farmer’s Market | North Port | City of North Port |
| Dec. 27-30th | Sailor Circus Holiday Spectacular | Sarasota | Circus Arts Conservatory |
| Dec. 31st | “Main Street Live” New Year’s Eve | Bradenton | City of Bradenton |
| Dec. 31st | New Year’s Eve at Selby Gardens | Sarasota | Selby Gardens |
Call us when you are ready to make your move! To search for homes in the area go to ViewHomesontheGulfCoast.com. We’re here to help you every step of the way…call us today!
Right in the heart of Southside Village, Morton’s Market has been a tradition in Sarasota for over 50 years. This full service specialty food store has something for every occasion. From the Gourmet-to-Go with entire meals prepared for you to your everyday grocery items, they have it all.
It’s not a restaurant in the traditional sense but they have many prepared items such as salads, soups, sandwiches, sushi, pizza and even a hot food bar! In addition there is a meat counter, bakery, produce department and cheese shop. If you’re in need of the perfect gift they have gift baskets and gift cards readily available.
The market is open 7 days a week and hours vary by day and department so check their website for the current times. They have an additional location right in the heart of Siesta Key Village as well.
Morton’s Gourmet Market is located at 1924 South Osprey Blvd. in Sarasota and Morton’s Siesta Market is located at 205 Canal Road, Siesta Key
For more information or place an order visit their website at Morton’s Market
When Hurricane Irma made its path toward Sarasota and Manatee County in September 2017, sales stalled in both counties due to limited business days surrounding the storm. After last year’s irregular report, this September showed significant improvement in new listings, pending sales and overall closed sales.
Compared to last year, combined closed sales in the two-county area are up by 7.6 percent. The condo market improved with a 7.5 percent increase in Sarasota sales and a 12.5 percent increase in Manatee County. As for single-family homes, Sarasota sales increased by 3.6 percent and Manatee sales increased by 10.7 percent.
More properties went under contract this month, compared to last year’s stall, with a 31.8 percent combined increase. Condo pending sales in Sarasota county increased by 40.5 percent, while Sarasota single-family homes increased by 28.8 percent. In Manatee County, condo pending sales increased by 32.8 percent, while single-family homes increased by 39.9 percent.
As for new listings, the combined totals increased from last year by 36.5 percent. Single-family home new listings increased by 50.5 percent in Sarasota, while Manatee experienced a 31.7 percent increase. Condo new listings increased by 19.5 percent in Sarasota and by 29.4 percent in Manatee.
Notably, median prices continue to rise. Manatee single-family homes stayed at $295,000, while Sarasota increased by 3.7 percent to $280,000. Condo prices in Sarasota increased by 7.4 percent to $236,248 and Manatee increased by 2.8 percent to $186,575.
Inventory is up by 2.7 percent, compared to last year’s two-county area totals. Sarasota single-family home inventory increased by 6.7 percent to 2,583, while Manatee single-family homes decreased by 0.8 percent to 2,002. Sarasota condo inventory increased by 4.2 percent to 1,463, while Manatee condo inventory is down by 3 percent to 774 available properties.
According to current month’s supply of inventory, the market continues to favor the seller. Single-family homes in Sarasota and Manatee are both at a 3.8-month supply, a 2.7 percent increase in Sarasota and a 5 percent decrease in Manatee. As for condos, Manatee County decreased by 12.8 percent to a 3.4 month’s supply and Sarasota is at a 4.2 month’s supply, a 6.7 percent decrease from last year.
Monthly reports are provided by Florida REALTORS® with data compiled from My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. For comprehensive statistics dating back to 2005, visit www.MyRASM.com/statistics.
With cooler fall temperatures, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy all that the Sarasota area has to offer. Here are just a few of the many events going on around town during November:
| Date | Event or Activity | Location | Click Link for
More Information |
| Nov. 2nd | Day of the Dead Festival | Bradenton | Realize Bradenton |
| Nov. 2-4th | Sarasota Boat Expo | Sarasota | SarasotaBoatExpo.com |
| Nov. 2-11th | Cine-World Film Festival | Sarasota | Sarasota Film Society |
| Nov. 3rd | Music on Main | Lakewood Ranch | Lakewood Ranch Main Street |
| Nov. 3rd | 2018 Wild About Nature Festival | Osprey | Conservation Foundation |
| Nov. 3rd | 16th Annual Ferrari’s on the Circle | Lido Key | St. Armands Circle Association |
| Nov. 3rd | 19th Annual Original Mullet Smoke-Off | Terra Ceia Island | Terra Ceia Village Improvement Assn. |
| Nov. 3-4th | 31st Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival | Venice | ArtFestival.com |
| Nov. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18th | Sarasota Medieval Fair | Sarasota | Sarasota Medieval Fair |
| Nov. 9-12th | Sarasota Chalk Festival | Venice | Chalk Festival |
| Nov. 9-12th | Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition | Siesta Key | Siesta Key Crystal Classic |
| Nov. 9-18th | Englewood Beach Water Fest | Englewood | Englewood Beach Water Fest |
| Nov. 10th | 8th Annual Beer, Boats & Bacon | Sarasota | Beer, Boats & Bacon |
| Nov. 10th | 17th Annual Suncoast Food & Wine Festival | Lakewood Ranch | SuncoastFoodandWineFest.com |
| Nov. 10th | Symphony on the Sand | Anna Maria Island | Symphony on the Sand |
| Nov. 10-11th | 30th Annual St. Armands Circle Fall Art Festival | Lido Key | St. Armands Circle Association |
| Nov. 11th | Sarasota Veterans’ Day Parade | Sarasota | VetFriends.com |
| Nov. 15th | Riverview High School
Kilties Band Concert |
Sarasota | RHS Kiltie Band |
| Nov. 17th | 17th Annual Art Show and Sale | Lakewood Ranch | Creative Arts Association |
| Nov. 17-18th | Sarasota Fine Arts Festival | Sarasota | Festival.net |
| Nov. 17th | Sidewalk Astronomy at Riverview High School | Sarasota | Local Group of Deep Sky Observers |
| Nov. 18th | 27th Annual Ponies Under the Palms | Lakewood Ranch | EventBrite.com |
| Nov. 18th | Sarasota Suncoast Concert Band | Sarasota | SuncoastConcertBand.org |
| Nov. 19th | Ringling by the Bay | Sarasota | Ringling Museum of Art |
| Nov. 24th | Sarasota Farmer’s Market | Sarasota | Sarasota Farmer’s Market |
| Nov. 24-25 | Seafood & Music Festival | Lakewood Ranch | SeafoodFestivals.com |
| Nov. 30th-Dec. 2nd | Bradenton Blues Festival | Bradenton | Realize Bradenton |
Call us when you are ready to make your move! To search for homes in the area go to View Homes on the Gulf Coast. We’re here to help you every step of the way…call us today!
If there’s one great thing for a Mustang fan living in the southern parts of the country it is many car shows are planned through the fall and winter months that keep the hobby going while the northern states have everything buttoned up in the garage for the winter. One of Florida’s popular shows is the annual Ponies Under the Palms Mustang & Ford Show in held on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. This year marks the 27th annual event and it will be held on Sunday, November 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The show features Mustangs of all years and Ford-powered vehicles like Falcons, Thunderbirds, Fairlanes, and even a Ford GT supercar or two. Ford car and truck owners can enter their vehicles for popular vote-style judging, awards, and prizes. Details are available at www.mustangclubofwestcentralflorida.org. The event is open to the public for viewing and there are multiple stores, restaurants, and more for show attendees and visitors to shop or grab a bite to eat.
Millie’s has been a staple in Sarasota for over 20 years serving the after-church, and daily business crowds. They are open 7 days a week from 7am to 2:30pm. On Wednesdays they are open from 3-5pm for afternoon tea (reservations required) and also available for private tea parties for special events (birthdays, showers, book clubs, etc.). In addition to all this they offer catering as well.
We have been there for breakfast and lunch at various times over the years and you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. The food is always fresh and delicious! To view the menu click here.
Millie’s is located at 3900 Clark Road. For more information or to make a reservation give them a call at 941-923-4054.
The weather is great and our fall season is in full swing. There are a myriad of festivals and fun events going on in the Sarasota area during the month of October. Here are just a few to check out:
| Date | Event or Activity | Location | Click Link for
More Information |
| Oct. 3rd | Phillippi Farmhouse Market | Sarasota | Farmhouse Market |
| Oct. 4th | Ringling Underground | Sarasota | Ringling Museum of Art |
| Oct. 5th | Music on Main | Lakewood Ranch | Lakewood Ranch Main Street |
| Oct. 5th | First Friday Gallery Art Walk | Sarasota | Downtown Sarasota Alliance |
| Oct. 5-7th | Gem & Jewelry Show | Sarasota | Sarasota Auditorium |
| Oct. 6th | 4th Annual Beer, Bands & BBQ | Lakewood Ranch | Music Compound |
| Oct. 6th | 24th Annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival | Sarasota | ArtFestival.com |
| Oct. 6-28th | 30th Annual Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Fest | Sarasota | Fruitville Grove |
| Oct. 7th | Top Dog Show @ Van Wezel | Sarasota | Top Dog SRQ |
| Oct. 13th | Jaguar Concours de Elegance | Lido Key | St. Armands Circle Association |
| Oct. 13th | Flower Show | Sarasota | Sarasota Garden Club |
| Oct. 13th | Sidewalk Astronomy | Bradenton | Sidewalk Astronomy |
| Oct. 13th | 13th Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale | Sarasota | UF Extension |
| Oct. 13-14th | Hungarian Festival | Sarasota | Sarasota Hungarian Festival |
| Oct. 13-28th | 27th Annual Hunsader Farms
Pumpkin Festival |
Bradenton | Hunsader Farms |
| Oct. 14th | 19th Annual Firehouse
Chili Cook Off |
Sarasota | Morton’s |
| Oct. 19-21st | Sun Fiesta | Venice | Women’s Sertoma Club |
| Oct. 19-21st | Coin Show | Sarasota | Sarasota Manatee Coin Clubs |
| Oct. 20th | 21st Annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market | Cortez | Florida Maritime Museum |
| Oct. 20-21st | St. Armands Boat Show | Lido Key | St. Armands Circle Association |
| Oct. 20-21st | Arcadia Fall Rodeo | Arcadia | ArcadiaRodeo.com |
| Oct. 20, 21, 27 & 28th | Pumpkin Patch Express | Parrish | Florida Railroad Museum |
| Oct. 26th | Lakewood Ranch Boo Fest | Lakewood Ranch | Lakewood Ranch Main Street |
| Oct. 26-27th | Sarasota Celtic Music Fest | Sarasota | CeltoberFest.org |
| Oct. 27-28th | UTC Fine Art Fair | Sarasota | ArtFestival.com |
| Oct. 31st | Fright Night on St. Armands Circle | Lido Key | St. Armands Circle Association |
Call us when you are ready to make your move! To search for homes in the area go to ViewHomesOnTheGulfCoast. We’re here to help you every step of the way…call us today!
The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee reports that August 2018 numbers show an increase in closed sales, inventory and new listings in the Sarasota and Manatee housing market. With pressure from rising prices, the median time to contract is down across both counties.
This month, there were 1,898 reported closed sales in Sarasota and Manatee, a 4.3 percent increase from August 2017. The condo market continues to improve with a 10.1 percent increase in Sarasota sales and a 26.9 percent increase in Manatee County. As for single-family homes, Sarasota sales decreased by 1.2 percent and Manatee sales increased by 0.2 percent.
Compared to last year, August 2018 reported fewer pending sales. In the two-county condo market, total pending sales increased by 6.6 percent. Single-family homes showed a decrease of 12.8 percent for total pending sales.
The median time to contract decreased across the two counties. Sarasota condos decreased by 1.3 percent to 76 days on the market, while Manatee condos decreased by 16.1 percent to 47 days on the market. As for single-family homes, both counties reported a median 44 days on the market, a 2.2 percent decrease in Manatee and a 12 percent decrease in Sarasota.
Median sales prices also continue to rise, year-over-year. Sarasota single-family homes increased by 9.9 percent to $283,488, while Manatee increased by 3.2 percent to $296,000. Condo prices in Sarasota increased by 9.1 percent to $232,950 and Manatee increased by 3.8 percent to $190,000.
The condo market continues to shine with a jump in new listings, or the number of properties put on this market this month. Sarasota condo new listings increased by 11.4 percent and Manatee condo new listings increased by 8.2 percent. Single-family home new listings increased by 4.5 percent in Manatee County, while Sarasota single-family home new listings only increased by 0.3 percent.
With more listings comes more inventory. The overall inventory is up by 1.2 percent, compared to last year’s two-county area totals. Sarasota single-family home inventory increased by 3.2 percent to 2,595. Manatee single-family home inventory decreased by 2.7 percent to 2,050. Sarasota condo inventory increased by 5.1 percent to 1,425, while Manatee condo inventory is down by 1.5 percent to 801 available properties.
The Sarasota and Manatee County market favors the seller, as noted by the current month’s supply of inventory. Single-family homes in Sarasota and Manatee are both at a 3.9-month supply, a 2.6 percent increase in Sarasota and a 4.9 percent decrease in Manatee. As for condos, Manatee County decreased by 7.7 percent to a 3.6 month’s supply and Sarasota is at a 4.1 month’s supply, a 4.7 percent decrease from last year.
Monthly reports are provided by Florida REALTORS® with data compiled from My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. For comprehensive statistics dating back to 2005, visit www.MyRASM.com/statistics.
The new Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota is now open and one of the many unique features of the hotel is their rooftop bar, Perspective, which has an upbeat and laid back atmosphere. The bar is adjacent to the hotel’s pool where they were setting up for some live music when we visited recently. We found it to be a great spot for drinks and light bites and perfect for watching the setting sun. They have numerous umbrellas so you can get out of the sun and still enjoy great views of Sarasota.
The service was prompt and super friendly. They have a full bar lineup with several signature crafted cocktails. We had Sunset Through the Skyspace and Flowers on the Wall. Both were unique and tasty. Since we were early in the evening we decided on an appetizer Chicken Quesadilla which was served piping hot and delicious. Check out the full menu here: Perspective Menu
Art Ovation is located at the intersection of Palm Avenue and Cocoanut Avenue. The Palm Avenue Garage is right behind the hotel for convenient parking.
