Nick Herron

Today's homeowners are more conscious of environmental issues than at any other time in history. Concerns that top the list include local environmental issues, global warming, depletable and renewable natural resources, sustainability, and forestry issues. Many educated consumers care deeply about these issues, and carry this concern into home-buying decisions.

We have just put together a Casey Key Broker tour for March 19, 2009 from four to seven. There is still time for agents to add more properties. We have fourteen Gulf front and Bay front properties at this time. Wine & Hors d' oeuvres will be served!

911 Casey Cove Drive A3899982 $1,400,000

2880 Casey Key Road A3902227 $3,995,000

3206 Casey Key Road A3893268 $4,595,000

1000 Gulf Winds Way A331216 $1,595,000

1060 Gulf Winds Way N5763484 $1,499,000

615 South Casey Key Road A3900588 $4,500,000

3820 Cutlass Bayou A3900080 $1,999,000

3716 Sandspur Lane N5763851 $1,000,000

502 South Casey Key Road A3896125 $2,489,000

13 North Casey Key Road A3896451 $3,500,000

1215 Casey Key Road A352579 $3,999,000

927 Casey Cove Drive A3898045 $4,900,000

4000 Casey Key Road A371836 $1,595,000

3744 Sandspur Lane A382225 $2,159,000

Most of these water front properties have had price reductions.

This is open to the public also, so we are hoping for a good crowd of Realtors and buyers.

If you can't make it to view the Gulf front, Bay front or any of the Gulf to Bay homes on

March 19. Please contact Nick Herron or Kathleen Herron with the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group for a private showing. Beach, Bay or Back Nine....Live the Dream

The real estate profession is like any other-it often comes down to networking; being out there; being present when it counts. Building long-term relationships in the community means you must make an effort to support good causes and mingle with the townspeople-especially when it's outstanding fun!

Here in Sarasota and her island neighbors, we live in such a classy, upscale town and every now and then a party comes along that perfectly highlights the strengths of what Sarasota has to offer. We're anticipating one classy party on March 21 at the second annual Chillounge Night. This is a street party full of energy, with South Beach style music, dancing, and fine food and drinks. This unique high season event completely transforms our beautiful downtown Art District and historic Palm Avenue into an outdoor lounge. One of the delights of this beautiful night on the town is that everyone has a great time while benefiting the United Cerebral Palsy of Sarasota-Manatee, an excellent cause.

Trust us-we'll have a great time out there networking. This year's Chillounge Night will prove to be exotic and chic, with a Brazilian Samba parade, a Kelietza, Juno and Jove fashion show presented by Piper Heidsieck, tango performance by Los Listos Lotus Fire, smatterings of opera and smooth jazz, and 40 inviting lounge areas set up with tropical outdoor daybeds and luxury lounge seating. Café L ‘Europe is sponsoring the VIP lounge, where Nick and Kathleen plan to mix and mingle. VIP tickets include complimentary drinks, food, and Cigars at the Maduro Cigar Lounge.

When locals decide to sell and buy, or visitors decide to call Sarasota home (and not just Sarasota-we're talking about Casey Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, St. Armand's, Longboat Key, or any of the spectacular golf course home communities in the area), they might just recall events like these and the great conversations they enjoyed that night. After 20 years in the Sarasota real estate business, we at The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group have many fond memories of good company, great causes, and outstanding business connections.

Coming to our area? Call 800-789-6580 or email Nick Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group. We'd love to schedule an afternoon on the Wild Welshman, our vintage 33 foot boat and the perfect accomplice to viewing waterfront properties in style.

"Brand awareness" is a marketing buzzword; create your brand and make it stand out. In real estate, if you plan to be here for the long haul, the biggest boost to your brand is to create a tradition of excellence.

Speaking of traditions..."Stand by for news!" was the trademark call that Paul Harvey announced on his popular radio broadcasts. Here's a nod to this treasured American icon, who passed away this weekend at age 90. Harvey worked for ABC Radio Networks for more than 50 years, telling tales of American living with that distinctive voice. Paul Harvey led a long, creative, productive life and his story is now woven into our history-an American tradition.

Another American tradition popping up all over town are Girl Scout Cookies! Heading onto Lido Key on the way to Longboat Key in our part of Florida the other day, we turned right onto N. Adams Drive and there was a mom and daughter with a Girl Scout Cookie stand set up, selling to passers-by. We had to get several boxes of Thin Mints, partly because they taste so good and partly to promote old-fashioned hard work on the part of the Girl Scout selling her cookies.

Nothing says "American tradition" quite like baseball, and Sunday's Grapefruit League game at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium saw the Reds win over the Yankees 13-11. It was a bit windy for baseball, but a great day to be outside nonetheless. Spring training in Florida attracts all kinds of visitors, and local baseball fans get a chance to see their favorite players in our own backyard.

American Traditions-media icons, Girl Scout Cookies, baseball...and now for the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey liked to say. What kind of tradition are you creating in your real estate business?

Are you known around town for giving back to the community?

Do you have a reputation for accuracy and workability with the real estate attorneys in your area?

Is your business-and your staff-cultivating a reputation for excellent customer service?

Are you building a reputation of character? Do you leave good tips and treat the wait staff with respect when you dine out? Your reputation around town will help build a tradition of excellence. And word does get around.

Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron of The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group have created quite the tradition of excellence when it comes to matching up sellers with buyers-and buyers with the island home or golf course retreat that suits their style to perfection. Nick can be reached at 800-789-6580 for tours of waterfront homes that will wow the senses...beach, bay, or back nine. The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group has several exquisite Casey Key homes to offer, and there's never been a better time to buy.

Herron's real estate tip of the day: make it memorable!

Think of new ways you can impress your clients...here's an example of how we do things at The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group.

Beyond its beaches, Florida is known for its fine fruits, especially oranges-and this time of year-strawberries. Plant City, Florida is once again the strawberry capital of the world as it celebrates another year of bounty in the strawberry fields. The annual Strawberry Festival is home to headline entertainment, (mostly country music), a midway, and more strawberry dishes than you can imagine. According to Strawberry Festival history, this celebration began in 1930 when the new Plant City Lions Club decided to celebrate a bountiful harvest. This taste of Americana starts Feb. 6 and runs through March 8.

Inspired by the season, we've created our own idea of a strawberry festival...and it can happen any day on the Wild Welshman-our vintage boat we take up and down the waters off of Casey Key, Florida. The Wild Welshman is our favorite method of showing waterfront real estate in Casey Key, and you're cordially invited! To make it memorable, we've discovered an easy recipe for strawberry daiquiris-only four ingredients, which makes it easy to take on the boat.

HERRON'S EASY STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRIS

•· 1 sm. box frozen strawberries or a 12 oz. bag (add fresh strawberries in season)

•· 1 6 oz. can frozen lemonade

•· 1 can water

•· 1 can rum

Blend, serve, and preview Casey Key real estate in style. These portions fit nicely in one blender, and we can always double the recipe as we coast along the Intracoastal with prospective buyers.

When clients are deciding on a seasonal home or permanent residence, we take time to smell the strawberries. Our clients enjoy a waterfront excursion as we help them find the right place to call home. Casey Key, one of Florida's barrier islands near Nokomis and Osprey, Florida, is just 8 miles long and 300 yards wide, one of the few places where properties can literally reach from bay to beach. We help clients picture docking their boat on the sheltered Intracoastal and walking the Gulf of Mexico beaches at sunset-without ever leaving home.

For information on Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, and all of the fine Sarasota area communities around the barrier islands of Sarasota, call 800-789-6580 or email Nick Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group. Whether beach, bay, or back nine, Nick Herron helps buyers find Casey Key real estate, waterfront homes, and golf course communities.