Despite huge increases in prices, Sarasota, Florida, homebuyers are undeterred from wanting to buy homes, say local Realtors.

"Close to I-75 for access to Tampa, St. Pete, Bradenton, Sarasota offers access to many beaches, fine dining, major professional sports, live theater productions, golf courses, fishing, and it's located between two international airports," says Realtor BJBurnside. "With lower real estate taxes than nearby counties, Sarasota is the closest place to paradise with average temperature of 73 degrees year-round. The property values have increased up to 45 percent in the past 12 months. This is a very fast growing area for many reasons. The average price is $300,000 and there is very little inventory available. It is more important than ever to have a Realtor who specializes in the areas you are considering and may know of homes coming on the market not yet in the MLS."

Says Realtor Midge McCarthy, "The beauty of Sarasota will get your attention within moments upon your first visit! You can enjoy breathtaking sunsets, pristine beaches, educational museums, operas, ballets, plays, golf tournaments, and boat races. Residents from any neighborhood can enjoy the wide range of activities available throughout Sarasota. Whether your taste in art leans more toward circus posters, Rubens and Poussin, seashell creations, sand sculptures, or the new art of the Ringling School of Art students, it's here."

She continues, "Your hunger for theatre can be filled by the Foreign Film Festival, the Asolo Theatre Company, Florida Studio Theatre, Island Players, Lemon Bay Playhouse, or Theatre Works, for a start. If you want to add music to your diet, you could begin with the Florida West Coast Symphony, Key Chorale, Gloria Musicae, the Jazz Club of Sarasota, Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Sarasota Blues Society, Sarasota Opera Association, or the Sarasota Concert Band. You also have a large number of choices when you look for educational opportunities, spectator or participant sports, boating and other water activities, restaurant styles, museums, state parks, or fresh citrus."

McCarthy advises, "Where are your investments? Sarasota is continuing to maintain a very aggressive market at this time, properties are appreciating at historic proportions. In 2004 properties appreciated at 33 percent! Inventory is low and sellers are reaping the rewards. Sarasota, together with its neighbors to the north and south, Manatee County and Charlotte County, form the 7th-largest market in Florida. It is also Florida's third-fastest growing major market."

She continues, "With over 600,000 people, the Sarasota/Manatee/Charlotte area is one of the largest, most affluent markets in Florida. In the last 5 years, it has grown 4 times faster than the national average. The per capita retail sales are almost 20 percent above the national average. It has a strong base of retirement age people, about a third of the population, but the fastest-growing segment of the market is middle-aged adults and their children."

"Resale inventory is low so if you're thinking about selling now is a good time," suggests Realtor Glenda Franklin. "There are plenty of buyers as interest rates continue to be favorable. I'm seeing good buys available for first-time homebuyers, something that's been scarce in the past. There's lots of new construction in both condo and single-family homes. The market is hot, so don't wait to invest in your future. Sarasota is alive with activity, and there are good opportunities in downtown for pre-construction."

Published: June 30, 2005

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.