Snow Dogs Lap It Up In Sarasota! As the lucky companion of three frisky, friendly and lovable Siberian Huskies who are living the high life in Sarasota I can attest to the fact that they all LOVE it here!
In fact, Sarasota is very dog friendly. Many restaurants have outdoor seating areas that welcome your canine buddies, there are people walking their dogs everywhere and there are lots of dog parks and other areas for recreation with your best pals.
My friends have lived most of their lives in the Sunshine State and whenever we are out for our daily walks we are repeatedly inundated with the following recurring questions:
I've been asked these questions literally hundreds of times. I realize that each person posing the question probably thinks it is the first time I've heard it, so I always try to be as patient as possible and answer pleasantly. Who knows, the person asking could be a potential client! Besides, my motto is "it always pays to be nice". Well, almost.
Anyway, my answers are usually along these lines. Siberian Huskies love the heat, their fur insulates them from the heat just like it does from the cold. On hot sunny days, they love nothing better than to loll in the sun on the hot patio soaking up rays. Of course, this lasts about twenty minutes and they come dashing back inside to enjoy the AC just like the rest of us do.
As for the sled, I usually answer that "I am the sled" and leave it at that. When I think about it, I am the sled!
No, it's not the Iditarod, they just think it is.
The fur is a fact of life. Siberian Huskies have a long outer coat and a soft, fluffy, very thick, constantly shedding undercoat. It's part of what makes them so cuddly and lovable, and it's a fact of life that regular brushing, a strong vacuum and a Dustbuster can only help with. You just live with it. If it bothers you, don't live with a Siberian!
Siberian Huskies are known as one of the breeds with blue eyes, but they can have brown eyes, blue eyes and sometimes one of each!
Yes, they are very friendly, they love everybody. If you want a watch dog, don't get a Siberian. They are more likely to show the crooks where you keep the goods. Especially if they think there is a cookie in the bargain. Again, they may smother the crook with kisses.
No, they are not wolves, but all dogs are descended from wolves, even Chihuahuas!
And, finally, they are ALWAYS the ones taking me for a walk! They know it, I can only happily oblige!
TORI AND SUGAR DANCER TORI, DANCER AND SUGAR
New Home Sales Are Exploding In Sarasota Area! Neal Communities, one of Sarasota's premier builders has been busy setting sales records all last year. They celebrated 376 closings in Lakewood Ranch alone for 2011. They have just released February's sales figures and report 54 homes were sold. This is the biggest single month for Neal Communities in the past decade.
Neal Communities is the most successful builder in Lakewood Ranch. They are currently focusing on Central Park which has been key to their success. The homes offered start in the low $100s and are perfect for today's market. From a price standpoint they are competing with the distressed homes on the market.
The appeal to the diverse pool of buyers is a a new home at a price comparable to a bank-owned property. The biggest advantages are the fact that it is a new home, the buyer can choose a floor plan, a home site and the interior colors. In addition, they receive the benefits of a builder's warranty, they are not inheriting the problems associated with bank-owned homes which are typically sold "As-Is", or in other words, buyer beware.
Lakewood Ranch is one of the most vibrant and successful planned communities in the country. It was ranked in the Top 10 in Florida last year.
For more information on new homes from Neal Communities and Lakewood Ranch contact me at keith@keithkropp.com. Lakewood Ranch, one more reason to locate in the magical Sarasota area!
Awesome Orchids Is . . . Well . . . Awesome! What's so awesome about Awesome Orchids? The awesome shop owners and partners who have a passion for people and a passion for what they do. This wonderful oasis in the historic Burns Square district in downtown Sarasota is a shopping experience you do not want to miss.
What began as a hobby ten years ago has blossomed into a vocation. Located at 330 South Pineapple Avenue in downtown Sarasota, Awesome Orchids Plants Pots & More is open from 10am to 6pm Mondays through Saturdays.
Upon entering this delightful shop chances are that you will be pleasantly welcomed by either Alan or Eve Howes or Martha Storey, possibly all three. They are the talented owners and operators of Awesome Orchids. In addition to the store, you will find Alan operating a booth at the Saturday Morning Farmers' Market on Lemon Avenue in downtown Sarasota. Stop by with your canine friends. Alan always has a full bowl of icewater for your thirsty buddies!
Obviously the shop is filled with colorful orchids ,but the shop also offers a variety of flowering plants, decorative pots of all sizes and shapes in a rainbow of colors, scented candles, decorative items and more all displayed in such a tempting way you may have a difficult time deciding what to take home with you. That's where the the talented shopkeepers have unlimited expertise in helping you decide what your needs are and can help find that perfect orchid, pot or whatever.
When in downtown Sarasota, be sure to make Awesome Orchids one of your "must see" stops. Even if just to browse. One way or another, you will be back, again and again. Even if just for the serenity you will experience here.
Awesome Orchids really is a special place that adds to the magic of Sarasota. Another reason to live, work and play in the most special little city in Florida.
The Astonishing Founders Club Model Tour Continues. Now open daily from 10am to 5pm, the luxurious models at Founders Club are available for viewing and purchase.
First stop is the Laurel Cottage with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, study, great room, cafe area, dining room and outdoor living with 2,505 square feet of living area. On our visit we were greeted by the affable Kathy White, who graciously answered our questions and let us tour the model freely. The furnished model is available for $1,095,000. The Cottage Collection at Founders Club is a series of maintenance free single family homes on a section of home sites near the Founders Golf Club. Lot prices start at $150,000 and home prices begin at $399,000. All of the home sites have stunning golf course and/or preserve views.
Next on the tour is the Isabella with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, study, great room, cafe area, dining room and outdoor area with 2,879 square feet of living area. The furnished model is available for $1,123,500. The base price of the Isabella model is $587,000 and is one of several models in the Reserve Collection. Kathy Weghorst was staffing the model on our visit, her sunny and pleasant disposition added to our tour.
The third and final model is the Traviata with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, study, great room, cafe area, dining room and outdoor living with 4,040 square feet of living area. Jack Garin met us at the Traviata and was very professional. The furnished model is available for $1,619,000. The base price of the Traviata model is $676,500. The Traviata is another available floor plan in the Reserve Collection. Home sites for the Reserve Collection begin at $129,000 and go up to $598,000.
The remaining 86 home sites in the Founders Club are currently owned by London Bay Homes who are also managing the sales and marketing for Founders Club. London Bay Homes has been building in Southwest Florida for more than 20 years and is also currently building at The Lake Club in Lakewood Ranch.
London Bay Homes is known for their ability to work closely with their clients, masterful design expertise, outstanding construction and dependable warranty service. No wonder 90% of their clients refer their friends. London Bay Homes is also the proud recipient of the 2008 America's Best Builder award.
For more information on London Bay Homes at Founders Club, or a personal tour please contact me. Just one more reason to live and play in Florida's best little city, Sarasota!
Sarasota Named #1 City For Retirement! According to TopRetirements.com, a national website, Sarasota is the best place for retirement in the United States, quite an honor and much deserved. The website is managed by John Brady, a retired executive of a business information publisher. The list was highlighted by MarketWatch, part of Dow Jones & Company.
The top reasons for Sarasota's coveted position are the high quality and variety of cultural amenities, reasonable home prices (especially in today's market), general living costs and the warm winters. This particular winter has been one of the warmest and most pleasant ever!
Mr. Brady rates his choices on a variety of factors including weather, quality of health care, property taxes and a certain "WOW" factor. Sarasota definitely has the "WOW" factor with the wide choice of cultural venues, the sparkling Gulf of Mexico beaches (Siesta Key is rated America's #! beach), the vibrant downtown, educational opportunities, plethora of exciting restaurants in all price categories, the wide range of shopping, the unending list of things to see and do and so much more.
The list of the top ten places to retire includes: 1. Sarasota, FL 2. San Antonio, TX 3. Naples, FL 4. Tucson, AZ 5. Asheville, NC 6. Beaufort, SC 7. St. Augustine, FL 8. Fort Myers, FL 9. Venice, FL 10. Prescott, AZ.
For anyone looking to retire and truly enjoy an "active" retirement, Sarasota is a definite city to look into! For more information on moving to Sarasota please contact me at keith@keithkropp.com !
 |
|
|
FrontGate Realty - The Gateway To Your Dream Home - Over 27 years of professional real estate experience, in Central Florida and now serving the incomparable Sarasota Area!
I specialize in the areas I know, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key and Celebration. I have worked with first time buyers, move up buyers, investors and second home buyers in all price ranges, from all over the world. Distressed properties are leading the market right now are great opportunites to own at unbelievable values!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2012 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
