Casey Key Beach, Siesta Key Beach, Longboat Key Beach and Lido Beach

Almost as much as my first cup of coffee each morning, I love to wander on the beach and collect seashells. Right after sunrise is the perfect time to explore the beaches for shells. At least that's my favorite time to stroll the beach or just before sundown. Kathleen and Nick Herron with Kisses and Snuffy enjoy the seashell search on Casey Key.

Sarasota FL - approximately 90 minutes from Tampa International Airport

If Casey Key, is a little too far south of Sarasota for you, stop by World Famous Siesta Key Beach for a little collecting. The white sand is cool to the touch and on most summer mornings, there's a nice assortment of seashells. You can find shells everywhere in my house from the dining room table around silver candlesticks, clear glass vases loaded with shells to serving dishes for dips and canapés. A prepared dip in a seashells provides a wonderful gift too!

Longboat Key's beach is harder to access since most condos' beaches are privately owned. If you are staying at one of the resorts or visiting a friend on the Key, sunset is a big deal and a great time to pick up a few sand dollars while you are waiting for a spectacular sight.

Try your luck at Lido Beach, steps from world-class shopping on St. Armands Circle or St. Armands Circle has the most divine seashell shop. If you're not a sand person, this is a stop on the Circle where you can find anything seashell. The idea of the shop came from someone else's love of the sea and years of investigating shells from around the globe. It seems a little like cheating to me, but if you don't like sun, the heat or the water, but the call of the seashell beckons you, visit Fanta Sea. Fanta Sea offers an array of beautiful shells designed as furniture, jewelry, mirrors or purchase an assortment of individual shells.

Seashells have been a wonder for hundreds of years. For the best beach collecting, be sure to find a decorator sand bucket, light and bright to add to the experience, of course. A decorator shell bucket is also a conversation piece for any Sarasota beach bum.

For photos, history of shells, books, jewelry, home decor, purses and more information than you can imagine about seashells, shop Fanta Sea in Sarasota on St. Armands Circle.

Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!

Nick & Kathleen Herron, the Herron Group with RE/MAX Alliance Group and my colleagues, hosted a fun celebration at one of our Casey Key Beach listings on the 4th of July. Guests contributed by bringing an appetizer or desert, and Mother Nature brought a sensational Casey Key sunset. Chocolate lovers were happy and everyone enjoyed the fireworks of Venice Florida to the South and Siesta Key to the North. I'm sure all Active Rainers enjoyed their 4th!

Redbird Visits Casey Key Home for Sale

Our waterfront Casey Key home just listed at 4024 Casey Key Road has a special visitor. Posted on our Casey Key real estate blog this morning, read about this special feathered friend who is a temporary tenant, visitor or protector. Nick and Kathleen Herron, my colleagues with the Herron Group in Sarasota, vacation at this Casey Key home in the summers to enjoy the water, beach, walking and a relaxed lifestyle from their hectic real estate lives. This year Mr. Redbird feels right at home on Casey Key and has spiced up their vacation. In addition, to multiple showings of this Sarasota waterfront property, the Herrons are hoping Mr. Redbird is checking out other Casey Key homes for sale.

Have you had any special visitors to your listings lately?

For photos, virtual tours and area information on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key, and Sarasota Florida real estate visit The Herron Group listings.

Click here for information about Casey Key Real Estate. The Herron Group offers the highest of Internet exposure for Sarasota properties with multiple websites and a creative marketing strategy for your Florida home. Email Annette Smith with your questions or to ask the Herron Group for a buying or listing appointment.

Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!

Sarasota Real Estate Market Update

Sales of Sarasota Florida Homes Total 567

The Sarasota Board of Realtors issued a press release on May 23 indicating month over month improvement in Sarasota's real estate market continuing what looks like a trend.

Statistics pulled from the Sarasota MLS system reported overall property sales in the local market for April 2008. In March, home sales in Sarasota topped 500 for the first time in eight months and in April homes sales stood at 567. Read article in its entirety on our Sarasota Real Estate News Blog.

Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream in Sarasota!

Gulf front Longboat Key Condos Update

Beach Condo Communities - Over 100 Currently Available on Longboat Key

Longboat Key Condominium Report Posted on Longboat Key Luxury Condos Blog

Sea Oats, offering the lowest priced Gulf condo on this key, is a small 8 unit beachside complex allowing rentals "52" times per year. In this buyer's market, take advantage of the incredible inventory of condos on Longboat Key, many with Gulf views. No frills at Sea Oats -- enjoy the beach! Longboat Key FL - approximately 90 minutes from Tampa International Airport

Water Club is a beautiful beachfront complex right on the beach providing an elegant resort lifestyle. These luxury Water Club units start in the high $1 millions!

Drive to St. Armands Circle to shop or dine or sit and watch the sites at your oceanfront complex. Downtown Sarasota is a short drive for events such as the opera, ballet and theater.

Have your Sarasota real estate agent check on pet policies at the Longboat Key condos that interest you. Policies regarding pets are different in each condo community. Water Club allows pets and Sea Oats does not.

Call for more information on Sarasota Florida condos or check our websites for daily updates on listings. For photos, virtual tours and area information or information on Longboat Key or Casey Key, visit our blogs. Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!

Three Sarasota Waterfront Homes for Sale

927 Casey Key Road, Open House Sunday, June 22, 2008

Casey Key, Nokomis, Florida

Posted on Sarasota Real Estate News Blog

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

927 Casey Cove Drive, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Hosted by: Annette Smith

5 bedrooms plus office/library, 5 1/2 Baths Single Family Home

Year Built 2007

Square Footage 5,337 $ 5,600,000.00

Incredible views of Bay in this Sarasota area waterfront home -- watch the boat parade! Exquisite architectural details and a flowing floor plan accent the easy livability of this new luxury residence that presents elegance with an Old Florida flair. This two-story estate home offers the finest in fits, finishes and appliances . . . and is a boater's paradise for the large yacht owner. In addition to the beautiful bay views, this home offers exceptional living space and includes 5 bedroom and 5 1/2 baths, office/library, large dining room with Brazilian cherry floors, wine closet, gas fireplace, great room with wet bar, gourmet kitchen with breakfast room, outdoor kitchen, elevator, bayside pool and spa, and open airy verandas.

325 Casey Key Road (Not open June 22, call for an appointment)

2 bedrooms, Family Room, 1 Bath Single Family Home

Year Built 1947

Square Footage 892 $ 1,599,000.00

Yes, old Florida beach houses still exists. Although they are very hard to find now, Casey Key has a few of these old Sarasota waterfront homes left. With real estate investors and developers pouring Florida in the boom, the little beach houses were demolished to make way for the mega mansions and estates. Want a get-away spot from your job in Tampa. This is perfect. Tampa International Airport is 2 hours away. Maybe you live in New York, take a flight from JFK on Jet Blue directly to Tampa and drive to your beach house for the weekend. This one has two bedrooms and one bath. Direct view of the Gulf of Mexico is spectacular from the family room's wall of windows!

2821 Casey Key Road (Not Open June 22, call for an appointment)

3 bedrooms, Family Room, 2 Bath Single Family Home

Year Built 1979

Square Footage 1124 $ 2,800,000.00

This Casey Key beach house is adorable and has a great Florida room. One of the cutest Sarasota waterfront homes to vacation on Casey Key or just live there while you plan to build your dream home. This is one of the few Casey Key old Sarasota waterfront cottages. Beat the investors and developers and enjoy it yourself. The lot is great -- tear it down and build your dream house at the beach!

Listed by the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group and hosted by Nick and Kathleen Herron and Annette Smith. Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!

Click HERE for MLS more details and also enjoy our 927 Casey Cove virtual tour.

Hundreds of Condos Available in Downtown Sarasota

Reported on Downtown Sarasota Condos Blog

The downtown Sarasota real estate market continues to adjust and inventory is still high. With a superior selection of condos, buyers have a great opportunity to own a downtown Sarasota condos in the heart of one of South West Florida's most vibrant cities.

Selection of Inventory in the Hundreds for Downtown Sarasota Condos

As reported on our downtown Sarasota condos blog in February, 2008, there are hundreds of available condominiums listed in the Sarasota MLS. If the urban living in downtown Sarasota appeals to you for its convenience to other venues of Sarasota, here are some buildings where you might want to book showings:

New Downtown Sarasota Condos

Plaza at Five Points
1350 Main
Burns Court Villas
100 Central
Kanaya
Marquee on the Bay
Cityscape at Courthouse Centre

Established Condominium Buildings

Sarabande
Tessera
Marina Tower
Library Mews

Top of the market amenities are available for residents in these buildings who want to experience the urban lifestyle: such as resort style pools and top of the line services provided in the newer buildings: 24 hour concierge, heated pools and spa, club/billiard/library/media rooms, fitness/yoga rooms and more for your resort living enjoyment. Check with you real estate agent in Sarasota if you have a pet. Each building has its own rules for pets and many do not allow Fido or Felix.

You can make an offer on a condo at the 100 Central with approximately 1180 sq.ft. priced at $429,900 or if you want the fabulous bay and city views and beyond to the Gulf, make an offer on a unit at Plaza at Five Points priced at $4.5 million. This downtown penthouse is advertised with over 4,000 sq.ft and extraordinary Bay and Gulf views.

The Herron Group with RE/MAX Alliance Groups offers the highest of Internet exposure for selling your downtown Sarasota condo with multiple websites and a creative marketing strategy for the changing Sarasota Florida real estate market. Email Annette with your questions or to ask for a buying or listing appointment.

American Idol Returns Home to Sarasota Florida

Hometown Visit for Syesha Mercado

Posted on Sarasota Real Estate News Blog

American Idol contestants returned to their hometowns on Friday. Crowds gathered in Tampa, Bradenton and Sarasota to see our American Idol: Syesha Mercado. Syesha blitzed through interviews, radio shows, visits to Bradenton High School where she graduated and sang at multiple concerts including one at the Ringling Museum's waterfront Ca d'Zan Mansion. Sarasota is pulling for Syesha Mercado on Tuesday night as one of the final three contestants on American Idol.

Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream in Sarasota!

Postcards from Siesta Key Florida

Bring a Camera when searching for Siesta Key homes

Posted on Sarasota Real Estate News Blog

Beach Road and Midnight Pass have nice sidewalks and Snuffy Smith and I take our camera on all our walks. This Key provides ample opportunity for photo clicks. Postcard scenes of children playing on the beach, the Siesta Key drum circle on Sundays and dolphin dipping in the Gulf are typical sights for shutter bugs. Residents of Siesta Key enjoy walking, biking, beach activities, fishing, painting, and just relaxing on this tropical paradise.

Current Sarasota ML data reports almost 300 homes for sale on Siesta Key FL priced from the low millions to $17,500,000. Condos line the beach and range from the high $100s for one bedroom, one baths condos to almost $3 million with inventory levels at over 500 units. Search Siesta Key homes.

Call Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 for more information about Siesta Key real estate or check the Herron Group websites for daily updates on real estate on Siesta Key. For photos, virtual tours and area information about the Sarasota area, visit our multiple websites and blogs to search the Sarasota MLS database. Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!

Casey Key Island Scenes

Bring a Camera when searching for Casey Key homes

Posted on Casey Key Real Estate News

Casey Key's tropical foliage along with magnificent mansions and gated estates provide ample photographic scenes for the camera buff. Take a walk or a drive on this Florida Key and you are snapping away. Flowering plants, bushes and trees such as bougainvillea, hibiscus and magnolia are abundant. Providing the perfect background for beautiful blossoms are towering palms and historic oaks draped with Spanish moss. Your shutter will have to be ready for herons, egret and seagulls too.

Current Sarasota ML report over 40 homes on Casey Key FL for sale priced from the low millions to $20 million. Some of the smaller beach cottages have been purchased for the land value alone. New owners quickly replace with mega mansions. Click here to view Casey Key homes.

Beach cottages on the Gulf of Mexico are rare and are priced for the land value. Build a new home on private Casey Key Beach.

Call Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 for more information about Casey Key real estate or check the Herron Group websites for daily updates on downtown real estate in Sarasota. For photos, virtual tours and area information about the Sarasota area, visit our multiple websites and blogs to search the Sarasota MLS database. Beach, bay or Back Nine . . . Live the Dream!