via 2011: The Year a House Again Becomes a Home.

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Post tags: home, house, interest rate, money, price, value

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This historic Wallenda feat brings back the memories of growing up in a town where there were backyards with huge rigs of  nets for trapeze artists to practice, wires for walkers and all sorts other stages for performers who lived and practiced here.  Many of the children from these families went to my school, St. Martha’s,  the campus where Sarasota Military Academy now resides.    During the recess between classes, there were kids doing flips and somersaults,  juggling and building human towers upon one sturdy set of shoulders.  It was magical to observe.  These kids were our celebrities from famous European families and most of us were in awe of their talents.   Gus and Remo Loyal from an equestrian act,  Bruno Zachini, and our very own, Vicki Furtner.    Vicky was a gorgeous blond haired, athletic looking girl whose father was “Unus”,  the performer who balanced on one finger on a huge ball.  He was very famous, having appeared on the Ed Sullivan show a number of times.   Vicky became quite famous in her own right as she grew into her own incredible act and a glamorous stage name, La Toria.   Her performance included an amazing athletic  and graceful display of  turning over and over (100 times) on a rope .  It was a thrill to see her on Ed Sullivan’s Sunday evening program, as well.   

The Ringling heritage of the circus in our midst inspired many childhood  back yard circus events as well as the most famous Sarasota High School Sailor Circus.  The brilliant skywalk by Nik Wallenda revives the memories and excites anticipation of the upcoming “Circus Sarasota” events.  Watch the  SNN video of the entire walk at heraldtribune/wallenda.  CIRCUS SARASOTA ,  Feb.12-28 times vary.  Tuttle Avenue and 12th Street, Sarasota.  $10-$42. 355 9335;  www.circussarasota.org

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Post tags: sarasota culture, sarasota lifestyle

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 This blog experience was designed to give meaningful insight to the actual stories behind the statistics and to be a resource created from an insider’s perspective.  The opinions expressed are absolutely mine and are to be taken as such, not a reflection on my affiliations, my family or my Standard Poodle, Gatsby.

 Having arrived in this amazing paradise of Sarasota at the tender age of 7 and one-half years of age, I have always felt that my parents had a pioneer spirit and quite a bit of genius.

Trading my ice skates and the cold white stuff for the warm white sands of the gulf coast was the easiest of transitions.   Think about it, how could you miss on that kind of deal?

 AND NOW MORE ABOUT BEACHES……………………

 WHY  IS SMART  MONEY BUYING UP GULFSIDE ROAD ON LONGBOAT KEY?

 For an island, it has a remarkable split personality, south end beautifully manicured and developed with sophistication by Arvida Corporation and others following in their foot steps, and north end with  a completely different character.  If you like a very relaxed lifestyle, free of convention, the funky, artsy north end of the island will enchant you.  Not to say both do not have exceptional appeal, it is just like the difference between high heels and flip-flops.  The north end does have it’s share of  glorious mansions, however; the fact that there are charming beachy cottages interspersed gives the residents north of the  Sarasota County line credit for more diversity.  Yes, two counties share the key but it has only one zip code.

Beginning with April of 2009, “Smart Money” began buying the individual homes on one very special street, Gulfside Road in the Manatee County part of the key.  This little lane tags west off the main 2 lane road, Gulf of Mexico Drive in sort of a loop before meeting it again.   There is just enough room on the west side of the lane for one line of  beach front homes.  On the east side of the lane are properties which often go from the main road to Gulfside Road.   This arrangement creates cherished privacy for the homes on the beach.  Traffic noise, which is minimal on a two land road with a 45 MPH speed limit, is even less on the lane as the structures to the east provide a sound barrier.   All in all it is a pretty special location and it hasn’t taken long for the well advised to make it their  own place in the sun.

Of the five (5) sales of beachfront homes on Longboat Key in 2009 , four of them were properties on this very special, eclectic street.  The sales ranged from $1,995,000 to $2,400,000.  The next highest sale of a beach front home was a stunning mansion which sold at $7,125,000. Another Gulfside Road sale just closed on January 15th brought $2,200,000 for a charming home of 2384 square feet and a pool.

Most of the lots on Gulfside Road are 100 feet wide by over two hundred feet deep, although various set- back restrictions apply to these locations.  All but one of the structures represents a quite livable home.  While we would expect to see modifications or even completely new construction on one or more of these properties, some had already been updated with quite a flourish.  The trick here is having a swimming pool in place as there may be difficulties in permitting pool construction on the beach side of the dwelling. 

The beach here is wide and dotted with dunes and sea Oats. Sea turtles love it for nesting. This is also one of those sacred rituals of nature that is monitored by a host of devoted volunteers.

The proximity to world class dining is another advantage.   A recent marriage of the Longboat Key Art Center and the famous Ringling College is one made in heaven, so to speak, giving even more credibility and recognition to a long time haven for artists and artisans.  Wonderful gallery events introducing new works and exhibitions are another treasured pursuit.

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Post tags: Longboat Key Florida, Sarasota Beaches, Sarasota Living, Sarasota Real Estate

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