LUXURY SARASOTA HOMES SELLING

This week, two ultra-luxury homes went under contract! Both on water, both incurred dramatic price reductions and both had been on the market for quite some time. We have said it many times before, we never know when the buyer will come and " it only takes one"...one buyer who has to have it!

One buyer is swooping up 1538 N. Casey Key Road listed at $8,295,000. This Gulf-to-bay stone manse was originally listed with a smaller property next door for $20,035,000 in March 2007. The second home to go under contract is a lovely $8,999,000 Lido Shores residence directly on New Pass originally listed for $11,000,000 in October 2006.

There are some terrific opportunities in the luxury waterfront home selections in Sarasota. The SalkinSoublis listing at 1204 Hillview Drive is a perfect example of a gorgeous home with a great address and awe-inspiring water views. This never lived-in Bayfront six bedroom home in exclusive Harbor Acres is on the market for $8,500,000 (reduced from $11,400,000).

For more information on this property and more luxury waterfront homes, please visit our website at http://www.sarasotabestproperties.com/.

ART DECO MASTERPIECE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

From the moment you open the solid glass and bronze front doors, you instinctively know that this is "no ordinary home". You are about to discover a newly built Art Deco treasure warmed by precious woods and magnificient stones.

Custom built for sophisticated world travelers, the light-filled residence becomes a museum-like backdrop for prized possessions and walls of art. Accented by the Calacatta Gold marble floors and original 1930's Art Deco pendants and fixtures, the home speaks to you as "any great piece of art" should...inviting you to relax, have a glass of wine and unwind in the privacy of your own home.

And, private, it is. There are no other homes in sight. Instead, you gaze upon the magnificent sunsets over the bird-filled nature preserve and enjoy the water views from the roof top terrace and master suite sanctuary.

Inspired by nature, experience the art of luxury living at 162 Osprey Point Drive in the exclusive Bayside community of The Oaks Golf and Country Club.

SARASOTA LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Thursday 6-18-2009

SRQ DAILY (info@srqmagazine.com)


[Real Estate] Is Luxury Real Estate Back on Track?Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqmediagroup.com
Realtors specializing in high-priced homes say stability seems more elusive on high-end properties, but that sales are happening in greater numbers. So far this year, 83 homes have sold for more than $1 million in Sarasota County and 49 sales are pending for homes of that value or higher, according to the Sarasota Association of Realtors. Judy Kepecz-Hays, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, made headlines this year when she sold a home on Spoonbill Drive on Bird Key for $4.75 million. Along with a couple major sales by Michael Saunders and Company this year, optimism seems to again be returning to the local market. Marcia Salkin, who helps run the website sarasotabestproperties.com, says there is even renewed interest in the uber-luxury homes. She has showings scheduled for a $15 million Flamingo Drive property, an $8.5 million property of Hillview Drive and $6.8-million home on MeadowLark Drive. “We are showing our ulta-luxury homes once again,” she said. But it could still be a couple months before Realtors know they are in a real market again, Salkin said.

DOES ANYONE KNOW TIM McGRAW AND FAITH HILL? If so, let them know that we have the perfect home for them!

Sometimes, you just can't shake a feeling...something that you know is "just right" deep down into your core. That's the feeling that I have had ever since we first put Snook Inn on the market. I remember laughingly brainstorming with the owners that Tim McGraw and Faith Hill would be the perfect buyers for their special property. Refined yet comfortable where "it's all about the water".

Not that I profess to be an expert on the likes and dislikes of the McGraw/Hill family clan, I can only imagine that Faith Hill would be "at home" in this wonderfully balanced, exquisitly detailed Coastal home while Tim McGraw would be one happy man with the one-of-a-kind deepwater boat house on 500' of the most beautiful waterfront on the West Coast of Florida.

Located on the North end of Siesta Key overlooking the bright blue waters of Big Pass and the skyline of Downtown Sarasota, this gated, nearly two-acre estate was fashioned after the Old Florida Inns of yesterday with six en-suites, resort-like pool, covered shuffleboard court and oversized watefront verandahs. In my mind's eye, I can see them, their family and friends living, playing and loving the property. (There's even a perfect spot for a recording studio!)

Now, I am not going to stalk the couple and this will probably be my one and only outreach to the mega-stars. I've said what's on my mind but I willl ask one more time "if any knows Tim McGraw and Faith Hill", please let them know we have a home for them in Sarasota, Florida.

To view the virtual tour of this great property, click on 3410 Flamingo Avenue, Sarasota, FL

ALOHA FROM SUNNY SARASOTA

Sited high above the waves with forever bright blue waters, our value priced GULF FRONT property in The Sanderling Club on the south end of Siesta Key is reminiscent of the panoramic scenes in From Here to Eternity.

Picture point property jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico giving you magnificent crescent coastal views as you look north and south. There are no other houses in sight, only your very own fishing cabana feet away from our area's only natural reef. Known as "Tarpon Point", an angler's delight as you catch Snook, Cobia and, of course, Tarpon right in your own backyard.

The inspirational setting beckons the book writers in all of us. It's been 50 years since Michener's Hawaii was written and surely this property is suited for the sequel. On nearly two acres this one-of-a-kind estate off the coast of Sarasota is fine as it is, although a new, luxury home would truly enhance a property of this magnitude....An unrivaled waterfront estate in paradise.

REALTORS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In a recent and very insightful Michael Saunders & Company Conference titled "ReInvent Yourself", real estate trend guru Steve Harney was one of the featured speakers. Putting political persuasions aside, he spoke candidly about the economy and the important role that we Realtors have in today's economic recovery.

"The World is counting on the U.S. economy to solve the global economic crisis.
The U.S. economy will not recover until the housing industry recovers".

This CALL TO ACTION reverberating in many of our hearts and souls as his words echoed

"If not us, who"?

Our jobs as Realtors is tougher than ever...we are battling daily with a rapidly changing market compounded by more stringent insurance, appraisal and mortgage guidelines. The "order-taking" Realtor of yesterday is dead and those of us still standing should applaud ourselves, go out, and change the world...by selling one house at a time.