Friday, April 23, 2010

Siesta Key Florida - Own a Condo in Paradise

Siesta Key Florida has so much to offer, but the most desirable amenity is World famous Siesta Key Beach. Last year Doctor Beach moved Siesta Key up to the no. 2 spot on its Top Ten Best Beaches in the United States List and buyer’s returned to this hot destination, off the coast of Sarasota in Southwest Florida.

Real estate possibilities on Siesta Key Florida are endless from small beach cottages to mid-rise condominiums. If you are looking for newer condos, there are only a few new condominium complexes offering top amenities: Crescent, Summer Cove and Marina del Sol to name a few. A few smaller new buildings were built after 2000 and prices start around $449,000 and go up to over $3 million for these newer buildings. There just isn’t a lot of waterfront land available so many older condo buildings are refurbishing their resident areas and creating outdoor spaces for tropical living. Buyers are making offers and sellers are negotiating Siesta Key real estate. Deals are taking place and the best inventory is selling.

If you have an eye for design, you might consider refurbishing a condo on Siesta Key at Siesta Towers, Siesta Dunes or possibly Casarina. These popular buildings are priced far below their peak prices and negotiations are working. Make an offer and move in before the 2011 winter season. The dream of ownership at the beach just became affordable again.

You can find a canal homes, updated in the $400,000s now. There are approximately 50 homes for sale on the Siesta Key canals. Some of the homes offer boat docks, wide canal views and easy access to the mainland and Siesta Key Village. If you have a large boat, be sure to check the water depth and whether there is a bridge to the Bay. Prices range from $400,000s to over $9 million for these canal front homes.

Siesta Key residents enjoy downtown Sarasota, Florida’s cultural venues as well as the island’s beach, Siesta Key Village and excellent restaurants. Shopping on the mainland is a short drive from the Key also. Paradise is a phone call away.

If you are interested in purchasing Siesta Key real estate, whether it be a single family home or a condo, visit http://www.siestakeycondosforsale.com call John Allen Team at 941-544-6467 to help you in your search.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Siesta Key Homes for Sale - October 2009 Update

Siesta Key Home
Siesta Key homes on canals and on open water are sought after by boaters and retirees wanting a waterfront lifestyle. Gulf front homes are always in short supply as high-rise condominiums line the majority of the coast line. Some of these outstanding beachfront homes are in the prestigious Sanderling Club, Sandy Hook and Beach Road.
Dr. Beach moved Siesta Key Beach up to the number 2 on the Best 10 Beaches in America list and the homes for sale on Siesta Key started getting another look by buyers searching for a second home. Investors have scooped up some of the short sales and foreclosures and inventory has dwindled somewhat. The selection of homes for sale on this Key remains excellent.
If you are a boater, looking for a waterfront homes on Siesta Key, be sure to consider the size of your boat. There are fixed bridges on Siesta Key and some boats and sailboats cannot maneuver the canals under these bridges. Open Bayfront waters are excellent for larger yachts and sailboats.
There are currently 207 Siesta Key homes for sale in the MLS system. Prices are now ranging from the high $200,000s to $15 million for a waterfront estate after a significant correct of prices. Siesta Key homes for sale can be found on popular streets like Roberts Point, Flamingo, and Mangrove Point. Many homes on these areas offer swimming pools, boat docks and gorgeous tropical landscaping. Siesta Key Village and Siesta Key Beach are popular spots for residents to enjoy shopping, beachcombing, colletcing seashells, fishing and swimming.
Siesta Key Real Estate Update - October 2009
  • Single Family Homes for sale: 207

  • Least Expensive Home: $269,000

  • Most Expensive Home: $15,000,000

  • Homes Under Contract: 41

  • Single Family Homes Sold Last Six Months: 75
If you are an out of state buyer interested in a Siesta Key homes for sale on Siesta Key, contact John Allen at 941-544-6467. John is an expert on Siesta Key real estate and shows luxury waterfront homes regularly. For your Sarasota home search, please be sure to contact us in advance of your Sarasota trip.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Financing Your Siesta Key Condo

If you’ve in the market now for a Siesta Key condo and want to finance the unit, there is no doubt that you may experience some challenging obstacles. The lender guidelines have changed considerably. If you need to rent the unit to make ends meet, you’ll find even more obstacles.
We spoke with Bruce Garlitz with HomeBanc this week. Bruce pointed out that financing condominiums in Florida can be very difficult right now if the condo project isn’t Fannie Mae or FHA approved.
HomeBanc can currently do condo financing if the borrower has a 20% down payment on a limited review basis. This limited review requires that 3 questions be answered:

  1. Are there any pending litigations?
  2. Are there 15% or more home owners currently delinquent in their HOA dues?
  3. Is there 25% or more commercial space within the complex?

The condominium can’t be considered ineligible for Fannie Mae financing (such as a condotel and it cannot have a short term rental desk). The limited review is for existing projects where the HOA has been turned over to the home owners by the developer.
If you would like search current condo inventory, start at our Siesta Key Florida page where you can view condos in all price ranges. We show Siesta Key condos regularly and are available to help guide you to a smooth closing.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Siesta Key Condos Update

Data from the Sarasota MLS system indicates that Siesta Key condos are on the move. There are 413 condos on Siesta Key that are currently available. 43 condos, townhouses or villas are under contract and the sales for the last six months total 114 units. Dr. Beach recently added to Siesta Key’s allure when he bumped Siesta Key Beach up a notch to #2 on his 10 Best Beaches in America list in May.

Siesta Key condos range from tiny motel type condominiums, duplexes to contemporary newer high-rise condos that mingle with the older condos, many in the midst of remodeling their lobbies and amenities to provide buyers with the activities and surroundings they desire. Gulf front condos are the most popular and command a higher price if the view is extraordinary. Bayside condos are popular too as boaters seek condominiums providing boat dockage and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Siesta Key’s condo selection is still excellent and prices have adjusted considerably. Prices currently range from $150,000 to $4,250,000 for a condo, townhouse or villa. Prices do not include time share or fractional ownership buildings which start as low as $30,000 for a few weeks' use.

Residents of Siesta Key sit on their balconies and take in the sites of the surf, wildlife, beachcombers, swaying palm trees and bask in the warm weather. Walks to the Village are popular as well as dining in cafes and restaurants of Siesta Key Village. Surf shops, specialty shops and restaurants are busy with travelers from around the world.

Siesta Key Condo Market Update (Including Townhouses & Villas):

  • Least Expensive Condo: $150,000
  • Most Expensive Condo: $4,250,000
  • Condos Under Contract: 43
  • Condos Sold Last Six Months: 114

If you are searching for real estate on Siesta Key Florida, contact John Allen at 941-544-6467. John shows Siesta Key condominiums as well as all of Sarasota's other barrier islands. Contact a professional with experience in waterfront properties necessary to guide you to a successful purchase of a Siesta Key condo.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Sandy Cove - Siesta Key Florida Condos

If you’ve had your eye on a Siesta Key condo for the past 10 years and just haven’t been able to get into the market, you might want to take a second look at this area. More popular than ever with its recent nudge to the no. 2 spot on Dr. Beach’s 10 Best Beaches in America list, Siesta Key condominiums are getting plenty of attention.
Sandy Cove Beach
Sandy Cove, on Siesta Key’s northern end has its own fishing pier, private beach and a freshwater lake. Built in 1968, they won Frank Folsom Smith a FAAIA Honor Award in 1970. Designed with high ceilings, skylights, and courtyards, units offer creative floor plans. This tropical complex is tucked away in its on relaxed environment yet walking distance to Siesta Key Village. View all of the current listings at our Sandy Cove section.
Siesta Key Village offers residents and visitors casual and fine dining, beach shops as well as specialty shops, grocery store, pharmacy and professional services. The Village is filled with spots of local interest such as the Broken Egg known for its specialty breakfasts. Celebrities are known to visit the Broken Egg from time to time on their visits to Siesta Key.
Sandy Cove Condos for Sale
  • Active Listings: 12
  • Sales Last Six Months
  • 1/1 condo $215,000 with 561 sq.ft.
  • 2/2 condo $250,000 with 1200 sq.ft.
Call us for an appointment to view any of the condos on Siesta Key beach. Other condos on Siesta Key with Gulf view and sandy beach are available at Crystal Sands, Crescent, The Terrace, Terrace East and many others. Currently Siesta Key condo prices range from around $200,000 up to the millions.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Siesta Key Homes for Sale

In May 2009, when Dr. Beach published his 10 Best Beaches report, Siesta Key Beach moved up a notch to the number 2 spot on Dr. Beach’s 10 Best List, Our "Siesta Key" emails and telephone calls have increased considerably. Showing appointments have been steadily climbing as well.
Many visitors know Siesta Key as the famous beach has been their chosen vacation destination for years. Home prices jumped out of their reach in the past, and now they are watching the selection of Siesta Key homes for sale for a chance get their spot in Paradise. Siesta Key’s sugary white sand and sunshine are the attractions. Siesta Key’s beachy Village, with surf shops, specialty shops and casual dining attract families and vacationers, many who eventually become full-time residents.

Siesta Real Estate Market
Listed single family homes and Siesta Key condominiums for sale are down in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. June’s buyers took advantage of low prices and low interest rates. Inventory of Siesta Key homes for sale is expected to continue to drop as the best properties are scooped up while selection is good. Prices for condos start at $162,500 and go up to $4,250,000. Single family homes for sale start at $215,000.

Real Estate Activity on Siesta Key Last 3 Months
  • Single family homes for sale: 217
  • Pending Single Family Homes: 53
  • Single family home sold: 40

Siesta Key offers an abundance of outdoor actives: beachcombing, shell collecting, boating, walking, swimming. Shopping in the Village is popular and downtown Sarasota’s is the place to be seen at the opera, ballet or the theater. Excellent restaurants are available downtown if you need a break from beach life!
Don’t’ try to time the Siesta Key real estate market. Check out Siesta Key homes for sale while the selection is great and interest rates are low. You might miss a good buy while searching for a short sale too. Ask us to explain the short sale process. Short sales are not “short.” In any market, the best properties on Siesta Key go first. Contact us to help you sort through the selection of Siesta Key home for sale with a good value. We can help to expedite a smooth purchase of your dream home by year’s end. Low interest rates won’t last and neither will low prices of Siesta Key real estate.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Siesta Key Waterfront Neighborhood Profile: Riegels Landing

If you are driving down Midnight Pass on Siesta Key, you might just miss the Siesta Key neighborhood of Riegels Landing. Residents enter this small enclave of waterfront homes through a card coded gate. Lush tropical foliage abounds. Beautiful oaks draped with Spanish moss, palms and flowering hibiscus greet each owner and visitor. Stunning waterfront views of the Intracoastal are the vocal points of many of these Siesta Key homes.

Riegels Landing
Residents in this Siesta Key neighborhood enjoy fishing, taking a short walk to Siesta Key’s world famous beach and driving to Siesta Key Village for shopping and restaurants.

The Sarasota MLS currently reports only 3 homes actively listed in Riegels Landing. Home prices range from $1,100,000 for a 4,034 sq.ft. home to $1,300,000 for a home with 4,600 sq.ft. Both homes have water access. In addition to two boat basins, some homes in Riegels Landing offer private boat docks and are on sailboat water with no bridges to Sarasota Bay.

Other Popular Siesta Key Waterfront Neighborhoods


  • Bay Island

  • Cocoanut Bayou

  • Hidden Harbor

  • Sanderling Club

  • Sandy Hook

If you are interested in purchasing a waterfront home with a boat dock on Siesta Key, contact John Allen at 941-544-6467. John regularly shows Siesta Key homes for sale in waterfront neighborhoods on Siesta Key. Send us an email for a prompt reply to your questions about Riegels Landing.