October Newsletter
All Things Real Estate
Check out my latest newsletter October 2023 including: October real estate stats and my exclusive listings.
October 2023
September 2023
September Newsletter
All Things Real Estate
Check out my latest newsletter September 2023 including: a Spotlight on Megan Kendrick, my exclusive listings, and rising mortgage rates.
July 2023
July Newsletter
Mid Year Update 2023
Check out the latest edition to my Mid Year Update 2023 newsletter including: mid year reflection, state of the current local market, 3 new exclusive listings, and details on a great new Sarasota accolade!
October – 2020
October Newsletter
Welcoming In Fall
Hello Friends and Happy October!
The Florida real estate market continues to be a coveted place to call home with approx. 1000 people per day moving to the state. Sarasota was recently named the #1 place in the country to retire by U.S. News & World Report. We are seeing an approx. 49 days on market average and an upward trend in Jumbo loan applications as rates continue to sit around the 2.75% – 3% mark.
September 2020 Statistics from Stellar MLS
On a personal note, I have recently added to my list of favorite phrases “Thanks for the push.” Even the most focused and “on it” people sometimes need a push or a nudge to get going on a task that just seems to stay too long on their to do list. I got that push this morning from my Marketing Assistant who sent a gentle nudge text for me to focus on a marketing initiative that I have been working on. I will complete that task today! So now I am passing on that same push to all my clients who are considering the sale of their home. Inventory is down, prices are up and buyer activity is high! Call me to evaluate, get your house ready, and list. You may have just needed that little push!
Here’s to a continued partnership in real estate, friendship and loyalty.
Lenore
Exclusive Listings
TESSERA
500 S. PALM AVENUE, 10th floor, 102 | SARASOTA, FL 34236
3BR/3.5 BA | 3,315 SF | $2,795,000
Spectacular Bay, Gulf of Mexico, New Pass, City, and John Ringling Bridge views are yours in this sophisticated and exclusive Downtown Sarasota residence on the 10th floor. Refinished hardwood floors, a fresh color palette, beautiful limestone surfaces, modern LED Control 4 lighting/music/window treatments, and an updated kitchen package are just some of what makes this home better than new. The feeling of luxury is endless!
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING
MARK SARASOTA
111 S. PINEAPPLE AVENUE, PH6, 1212 | SARASOTA, FL 34236
3BR+DEN/3.5BA | 2,612 SF | $1,899,000
Rarely available in Sarasota’s newest condominium building. Perched on the 12th floor, the three-bedroom plus den residence features over $100,000 in custom upgrades and a floorplan designed for easy living and effortless entertaining. Upon entering through 11′ solid core doors, blue skies, natural light and first-class Sarasota views become the backdrop to the main living space via floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy morning coffee while soaking in views from two terraces, one with summer kitchen with gas grill.
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING.
WINDING OAKS
3427 WINDING OAKS DRIVE, 14 | LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34236
3BR/3BA | 2,678 SF | $845,000
Just Listed! Custom upgrades by LHI Interiors abound in this impeccable 3 bedroom, 3 bath Harbourside Golf Course waterfront residence that lives like a single family home with the convenience of maintenance free living. Panoramic water and 23rd hole course views, this residence with a newly created open floor plan brimming with modern notes, an extremely private courtyard featuring a lovely heated pool and an extensive custom kitchen remodel, boasts countless elevated features. Winding Oaks is a private neighborhood tucked away behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club. Having undergone extensive community updates, owners appreciate newer roofs and paver driveways for each residence, swimming facility with newer infinity pool and lounge areas, walking trails, as well as deeded access to the gated and exclusive Bay Isles Beach Club within biking distance with direct beach access, private pavilion, grills, volleyball, and showers/restrooms. Minutes to upscale St. Armands and the culture and convenience of downtown Sarasota, this inviting home truly has it all.
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING.
Coming Soon!
Laurel Oak Estates
Exciting new and rarely available Siesta Key full bay view home on acre lot with spectacular bay and city views – more information in my next newsletter!
2950 DICK WILSON DRIVE | SARASOTA, FL 34240
4BR/3.5BA | 3,080 SF | $765,000
Pool home on 37,000 sf private and deep lot in the gated golf course community of Laurel Oak Estates. Recent updates include interior/exterior/garage/lanai paint, new plush carpeting, newer roof, extra long and paver driveway, all new landscaping, new electric panel, newly painted and refurbished pool cage, and more!
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING.
Pending Contracts and Recent Sales
Under Contract – Listings
8330 Sanderling Road
$6,995,000 | Under Contract
401 S. Palm Avenue | 402
$1,895,000 | Under Contract
11 Sunset Drive | 307
$585,000 | Under Contract
7702 Lake Vista Ct | 303
$283,000 | Under Contract
Under Contract – Buyers
370 Gulf of Mexico Drive | 411
$735,000 | Under Contract
149 Harbor House Drive
$625,000 | Under Contract
Palmer Boulevard Lot
$370,000 | Under Contract
711 Mangrove Point
$3,665,000 | Represented Seller
1522 N. Lake Shore Dr
$2,600,000 | Represented Seller
540 N. Tamiami Trail
$2,095,000 | Represented Buyer
1827 Grove Street
$842,500 | Represented Seller
1661 Catalonia Lane
$800,000 | Represented Buyer
8906 Bloomfield Blvd
$799,000 | Represented Seller
4955 Landings Court
$605,000 | Represented Seller
5365 Landings Blvd
$380,000 | Represented Seller
October Real Estate News
Florida Home Sales
Sarasota Tops U.S. News, Fall Markets and Trends
Sarasota tops U.S. News Best Places to Retire List
“SARASOTA COUNTY – The greater Sarasota area ranks as the top place in America to retire and the 16th best place in the country to live, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live & Retire 2020-21 rankings…”
Navigating the Fall Markets | A video message from Michael and Drayton Saunders…
Fall Trends | Fall trends in high-end luxury real estate
September 2020
September Newsletter
Local Gulf Coast Real Estate News
Hello Friends and Happy September! Our local Gulf Coast real estate continues to be very active even during these unprecedented times. Michael Saunders herself recently commented on her employees stating ” this is truly the finest group of associates… even in the most uncertain of times, you have far exceeded my expectations”.
Year to date Michael Saunders & Company® stats as of 9/8/2020 are as follows:
- Closed Volume: $2,121,741,620 up 9.06% over last year (same time period)
- Closed Units: 4,075 up .05% over last year (same time period)
- Avg. Sales Price: $520,667 up 8.26% over last year (same time period)
Inventory does remain low, so if you are considering selling your home, please reach out to me to begin that discussion!
August 2020 Statistics from Stellar MLS
On a personal note… I wanted to touch upon loyalty and what it means to me. Loyalty means different things to each of us. It is most often a cherished value of an important, close relationship, one that has weathered the storm of time or trials. I can tell you, that YOUR loyalty is the reason my business has grown to the point it has. My loyal, repeat clients are multi-generational, spanning 20-90 years of age, first time home buyers to seasoned clients who have owned multiple homes, to investment buyers. When I reflect on what I regard as the most meaningful compliment any client can give me, it is when you entrust me to assist your children, parents or anyone in your circle, the very definition of loyalty in my eyes. Having recently completed a sight unseen purchase for a dear friend’s daughter, I was humbled by the trust in me to guide her through this purchase. It is an absolute joy when a client relationship, because of loyalty, comes full circle.
I am very thankful for all of you and count so many of you not only as clients, but dear friends.
Here’s to a continued partnership in real estate, friendship and loyalty.
Lenore
P.S. – on the subject of loyalty, I wanted to share with you that I recently marked my 20th year anniversary with Michael Saunders & Company®. So humbled to be part of such a wonderful company for so long.
Featured Listings
TESSERA
500 S. PALM AVENUE, 10th floor, 102 | SARASOTA, FL 34236
3BR/3.5 BA | 3,315 SF | $2,795,000
Spectacular Bay, Gulf of Mexico, New Pass, City, and John Ringling Bridge views are yours in this sophisticated and exclusive Downtown Sarasota residence on the 10th floor. Refinished hardwood floors, a fresh color palette, beautiful limestone surfaces, modern LED Control 4 lighting/music/window treatments, and an updated kitchen package are just some of what makes this home better than new. The feeling of luxury is endless!
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING
MARK SARASOTA
111 S. PINEAPPLE AVENUE, PH6, 1212 | SARASOTA, FL 34236
3BR+DEN/3.5BA | 2,612 SF | $1,945,000
Rarely available in Sarasota’s newest condominium building. Perched on the 12th floor, the three-bedroom plus den residence features over $100,000 in custom upgrades and a floorplan designed for easy living and effortless entertaining. Upon entering through 11′ solid core doors, blue skies, natural light and first-class Sarasota views become the backdrop to the main living space via floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy morning coffee while soaking in views from two terraces, one with summer kitchen with gas grill.
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING.
RENAISSANCE
750 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL, 819 | SARASOTA, FL 34236
3BR/2BA | 1,460 SF | $660,000
New price and new look! Rarely available 3 bedroom Downtown condo with breathtaking bay and city views which create an extraordinary backdrop from this 8th floor end unit in the amenity-rich Renaissance. Just updated with complete interior painting, new kitchen tile floor, and new carpeting. The residence boasts a foyer/entrance hall that leads directly to the bright and open main living space featuring beautiful wood floors and a wealth of windows which flood the living and dining rooms with light and open to the waterside balcony. The spacious master suite with all wood floors offers an en-suite sitting area, large dual closets/dressing area and master bath with soaking tub and glass shower. Two guest suites are located on the opposite side of the unit, affording your guests privacy.
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING.
Pending Contracts and Recent Sales
401 S Palm Avenue | 402
$1,895,000 | Under Contract
11 Sunset Drive | 307
$585,000 | Under Contract
5365 Landings Blvd | 204
$389,000 | Under Contract
711 Mangrove Point
$3,665,000 | Represented Seller
1827 Grove Street
$842,500 | Represented Seller
1661 Catalonia Lane
$800,000 | Represented Buyer
8906 Bloomfield Blvd
$799,000 | Represented Seller
4955 Landings Court
$605,000 | Represented Seller
August Real Estate News
Florida Home Sales
Increased Home Sales, Demand and New Residents
Sarasota – Manatee Real Estate Market see increased home sales, demand
“The Sarasota and Manatee housing market showed renewed demand in July with a rise in sales, new listings, pending sales and pending inventory, according to reports compiled by Florida Realtors and provided by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.”
Florida sees nearly 1,000 people move there daily as high-tax residents seek shelter: report
“Home sales have doubled in some parts of Florida, and the state is bringing 950 new residents in per day.”
August – 2020 Update
August Newsletter
Housing Market, July MLS Numbers, Around SRQ
Hello Friends – Buyers outnumber sellers in our housing market as inventory remains at a historical low, and all indications are that Florida will continue to see home sales surge through the end of the summer, with our biggest near-term issue being a severe lack of single-family inventory.
We have even seen a valuation increase in areas where prices had stabilized or even dropped a bit pre-COVID-19 – they have now jumped up again. The high demand from buyers and week-over-week sales continue to outpace even our early 2020 numbers. With sales exceeding new listings, inventory will stay low and prices will stay steady. Listing your home for sale now holds little downside with inventory at these number. Selling may be the best move to make this year.
July 2020 Statistics from Stellar MLS
On a personal note… This has been an incredibly busy and successful first 9 months of 2020, with extra challenges due to global events as well as the customary challenges of many real estate transactions…while those who know me well know that I generally do not cook, I was recently inspired by the words of well-known restaurateur Danny Meyer regarding one of the greatest pieces of advice that he received from his late Grandfather which is applicable to any business:
“He heard me complaining one day… and he said stop complaining about problems… problems is the definition of business… the people who do best in business are not the ones with the least problems, they are the people who solve their problems better and have more fun doing it with better people… we are all solving problems all day… the question is who do you want to be solving your problems with… I was able to identify in my top performers that there were 6 emotional skills present at a very high level: kind optimism, curious intelligence, work ethic, empathy, self-awareness and integrity… now you have someone who is really good at what they do and who is motivated to do that thing because they are happier themselves when they are making you feel better.”
I hope that you find that I possess those characteristics that Danny looks for and that you know that I am happier when I make you feel better/successful.
Sincerely,
Lenore
News Briefs…
In and Around Sarasota
Farmers Market, Parks, Beaches, and More
Real estate has outranked stocks, savings accounts, and gold as the best long-term investment among Americans for the past 7 years. The belief in the stability of housing as a long-term investment remains strong, despite the many challenges our economy faces today. While the pandemic has been on the uptick in Florida, we in Sarasota are blessed to be living in an area that is seeing only a small increase. Our beautiful beaches, over 50,000 acres of parks and boundless boatable waterways lend us the opportunity to enjoy countless outdoor activities while social distancing. No wonder our real estate market has been so active – it’s a highly desirable place to live!
Saturdays got a little bit more normal with the Sarasota Farmers Market back in business. After a five-month shutdown, the market reopened Aug. 1 with a configuration to accommodate social distancing. More than 60 vendors are participating. A mask or face covering is required while walking through the market.
May – 2020
May Newsletter
Choices, Virtual Open House Event and Michael Saunders Moving Forward
As always, I hope this message finds you all healthy and well. I wanted to take a moment to share with you the most recent company update from Michael and Drayton Saunders. You will find the video below.
A few key takeaways are as follows:
Open for Business: Beginning Monday, May 18th, all Michael Saunders & Company locations will once again be open to the public. That said, protocols & guidelines will be closely adhered to in an effort to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
Choices: I’m grateful to work for a company that during these unprecedented times, is nimble enough to offer our clients a number of ways to effectively and safely meet your real estate goals. If you would like to schedule an in person showing or meeting, we can meet your needs. If you’d prefer to arrange a virtual walk through tour, we can accommodate that too. And lastly, several of my listings now feature 3-D Matterport tours that are accessible online under my Properties. We are here to assist and guide you in whatever capacity you are most comfortable with.
Company Wide Virtual Open House Event: With social distancing in mind, Michael Saunders & Company has moved fully digital to better serve our customers. On May 17th, my colleagues and I will be utilizing live streaming technology to bring buyers into homes for sale in our second-ever virtual open house event.
Details:
When: Sunday, May 17th 2:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Live on social media
Michael Saunders & Company Team
May Update, 5/15
Updates from Michael & Drayton
May – 2020
May Prospective
May Market Sense
All – As we close out the first week in May, I hope this communication finds you all safe and healthy. Given the current global circumstances, I can confidently say the real estate market, specific to Sarasota, remains steady with a slight upward trend. MLS is reporting for Sarasota/Manatee counties, 354 Active Listings, 411 Pending Listings and 406 Sold Listings. That’s up 95 Actives, 29 Pendings and 153 Solds from one week prior.
Regarding my own book of business, I have seen an uptick in showing requests as well as buyers interested in purchasing properties in many areas of Sarasota. In person as well as virtual showings are two options available if you are interested in seeing a particular residence. That said, several of my listings now have an added layer of functionality in the form of a Matterport 3-D virtual tour. This particular technology allows the user to essentially be “in” the residence without actually being on site. A big thanks to the www.hoverbureau.com for producing the tours for us. You can access the Matterports by going to my website, choose a specific property and then click the virtual tour icon.
Lastly, please take a moment to listen to the following weekly address from Michael and Drayton.
Michael Saunders & Company Team
Market Update 5/5 – Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Counties
Michael & Drayton Saunders
I am always here to continue the conversation regarding your own personal real estate needs. Please feel free to reach out to me regarding real estate or to let me know how you are doing!
April – 2020
April Local Market Update
Keeping In Touch, Be Well
Clients and Friends,
I hope that this post finds each of you healthy and safe. For my colleagues and I, this time in which the market is understandably slower, affords us the opportunity to help guide and advise clients on a variety of potential next steps, and “what ifs” with regards to purchasing or selling a residence. For some, that will be a new home either by way of desire or necessity, and for others that may be determining whether to sell or remain. That said, real estate transactions are still happening throughout our area and the Sarasota/Manatee market is open for business.
Secondly, as you know, we live in a highly technical/digital world, and in these current times I have to say I’m so grateful! With the use of 3D walk-through video tours, virtual showings and Matterport/IGuide functionality, we have the ability to showcase any listing or home of interest while keeping everyone’s health and safety top of mind. Stay tuned for this enhancement on many of my listings.
Lastly, take a moment to listen to the latest market information and guidance from our Founder and CEO, Michael Saunders, and President, Drayton Saunders.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly to discuss any thoughts or concerns.
– Lenore
Michael Saunders & Company team
Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties
Michael & Drayton Saunders
March – 2020 Special Edition
March Special Edition
Uplifting
Hope this newsletter finds everyone healthy and safe.
This month is a two-fold “Special Edition”…my On a Personal Note shares something uplifting and positive in a difficult and stressful time – some of my favorite photos from recent morning walks are below.
Inspiration, Sunrise to Sunset
View my most recent images below, see my morning walks, afternoon and evening inspiration from sunrise to sunset.
Hope these put a smile on your face as we reach out to each other to gain strength from the important people in our lives.
Michael Saunders & Company team
The 2nd part of this Newsletter shares a video link to Michael and Drayton Saunders 3/30/20 message: A Look at the Local Real Estate Market. I am proud to be part of the Michael Saunders & Company team, with incredible leadership and guidance from our Founder and CEO, Michael Saunders, and President, Drayton Saunders.
A Look At The Local Real Estate Market
Michael & Drayton Saunders
Please reach out to me to discuss any of your real estate questions, or just to say hello…I would love to hear from you!
Wishing everyone good health now and in the coming years!
Sincerely,
Lenore