Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over...
CPC executive director Doug Staley, with board directors Scott Anderson of the Gulf Coast Community Center and CPC board chairman Graci MCGillicuddy, are all smiles with the sea of blue envelopes at the dinner in 2013.
In 2012 my wife Alisa and I were asked to be on the advisory board of The Child Protection Center in Sarasota. Once involved we were introduced to statistics that were staggering. We learned that one out of four girls, and one out of six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. Those statistics are completely unacceptable and appalling. Alisa is the chairperson of the Blue Ties and Butterflies fundraiser April 9 this year, working with her committee to get the word out about the evening and what funding would provide for the CPC.
She wanted to get involved to support the event increasing awareness, promoting advocacy and raising funds to support their treatment and prevention programs. Blue Ties and Butterflies is in its second year, a night when we ask the community to help support the CPC financially.
The night will begin at 6 p.m. at Michael’s on East. Dinner will follow before an auction of three great items: a ring donated by John Hardy and Saks Fifth Avenue, Sarasota, a catered dinner for 10 provided by Michael's on East, and artwork created by international artist Sabine Wiedenhofer Specifically for CPC. The CPC program will include a mission moment as well as a financial request for hope.
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over... it became a butterfly” is the fundamental promise of hope for these children. Over 53,000 children were reported to be sexually abused in Florida last year, and Florida is the second most deadly state for children of sexual abuse. These children need our help.
It is important that we all get involved. I hope to see you there so that we can all support this organization in their fight against sexual abuse. Tickets are still available through this link on the CPC website.
The CPC is mission driven. From their website the top statement is true, “Protecting Children is everyone’s job.” The Child Protection Center is a non-profit agency dedicated to the Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment of Child Abuse.
Please take a look at our most recent listings. We welcome these new sellers to our services here at Roger Pettingell, Coldwell Banker Previews International. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (941) 387-1840.
Benefit to Support the Local Forty Carrots Family Center
Haven’t seen the Go-Go's in a while? They are the all-female group that rose to fame in the 1980s from the MTV era with such hits as Vacation, We Got the Beat, and others.
You can catch up with them this Saturday night and support the local Forty Carrots Family Center. The Firefly Gala is presented by The Dart Foundation and is providing this pop-punk band.
You might know about the Forty Carrots Family Center, the local nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families through educational programs for parents, children, and professionals in the field. These services reach over 2,000 families in our community each year, with a high percentage who receive services free of charge. This event is one of their main opportunities in the year for financial support.
A silent auction begins with viewing at 6 p.m. where the gala will be held at the Sarasota Members Golf Club of The Ritz-Carlton. Auction items include a Saks Fifth Avenue shopping spree, Gold Membership to the Ritz-Carlton Members club, Queens’ Wreath Jewels bracelet, signed Go-Go’s guitar, Crystal Cruise, diamond earrings from Carats Fine Jewelry and a team entry into the Fireball Run, an eight-day trivia game with America as your game board. The list of items in the auction and drawing can be seen on the website of the Firefly Gala.
An inspired dinner follows with preparations by the culinary team of The Ritz-Carlton. The cash bar opens at 9:30 and the Go-Go’s follow soon after that. Continue dancing with an after party in the golf club lounge.
The Forty Carrots Family Center partnered with the Sarasota Magazine and Be Creative Studios to help bring the Go-Go’s to town. Support this great organization with this once-in-a-lifetime event. If you can't make it this Saturday, please consider a donation to the Forty Carrots Family Center.
Sponsors of the Firefly Gala
Presenting Sponsor
Dart Foundation
Starlight Sponsors
Celebration Exotic Car Festival
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Moonlight sponsors
Bank of America
Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen, Attorneys at Law
Ashely D. Kozel
Black Bird Home Gallery
2880 Napa Valley
Be Creative Studios
Hautamaki & Horiuchi, Personal Physicians of Sarasota
Everything you need or want to find in the Sarasota and Longboat Key area is in this mobile guide. The 2014 guide includes listings for 629 services in 25 different categories and sub-categories. Find a business you like, just hit the telephone link on your smartphone to dial the number. I've included links to many websites as well. It is that easy.
Comparison of Three Home Markets in the United States
7890 Esperanza Circle, Sarasota, home price of $749,900.
I recently read a Coldwell Banker report of housing price comparisons in the United States. It was a comparison of 1,900 real estate markets and highlighted the difference in home prices. In the report there was a 4 bed/2 bath comparison of a home in Malibu, California, at $2.15 million, compared to a similar home in Cleveland, Ohio, at $63,729.
Wow, what a difference. Of course it is location times three for the home price disparity. I searched for the Coldwell Banker online home listing report program and did my own comparisons. I’m not picking on Cleveland and I suppose Coldwell Banker didn’t consider picking on the city either, but I found the tool to be interesting for comparing housing markets. I used one of the homes I have listed at 7890 Esperanza Circle in Sarasota for comparison. It is the 3 bed/3.5 bath property pictured here.
With the tool I was able to establish a ratio of 5.476:1 comparing homes in Sarasota to Cleveland. There wasn’t a comparison for Longboat Key available. My listing for a $749,900 home would sell for $136,943 in Cleveland. To purchase this great home on Esperanza Circle for that price I would think I might have to time-warp back into the 70s. The home is priced right because the wealthy like living here and some have even just sold their home up north to live here, despite or because of the difference in home prices.
The affluent do visit Sarasota’s boutique shops and dine in our great restaurants. Service workers live here also and most have wages that fall in line with national averages. A cashier here makes an average U.S. wage of $20,020 according to the office of Bill Furst, our Sarasota County Property Appraiser. A construction manager makes roughly the average wage of $90,830 and a restaurant cook here brings home the annual national average of $23,330. The housing market accommodates everyone here in Sarasota, not just the wealthy. Of course home sales on Longboat Key contributes to a healthy portion of average home prices in Sarasota County.
Phoenix Marketing International estimates that nearly 6,000 millionaires live in Sarasota County with another estimate that nearly 900 of those have the benchmark of investable assets over $5 million. Phoenix is a New York state firm that tracks affluent markets and claimed in its report that 17,005 millionaire households were here in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton federal metropolitan statistical area.
There are many reasons why the affluent reside here, and it is not just the great weather we enjoy. Tax rates on capital gains, estates and Homestead Exemptions are so low or non-existent that those protecting their assets find Florida attractive. Sarasota and Longboat Key area is attractive for its proximity to water and its promotion of the arts. There is also tennis, golf and spring professional baseball that allow you to get up close and personal with each of the stars.
I put my thoughts on why I live here in a video. I welcome your thoughts too, as a personal email to me or comment to this blog.
I announced these price changes recently that I feel offer great values. I welcome your inquiries on these properties and others here at Roger Pettingell, Coldwell Banker Previews International. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (941) 387-1840.
See Below for Voting Process, Ends 1 p.m. Thursday
It’s always good to hear that someone locally is making it big in this world. It’s even better when you know that person and his family.
Sam Woolf is one of the 11 finalists in American Idol - he is well-liked by the judges and he is getting good voting from the public. They like his talent. But I knew this a couple years ago, his father Scott started his bragging rights a couple years ago in our offices. Scott would show us YouTube.com videos and have us listen to this amazing talent. We were impressed back then, now it is great to see that Scott was right all along about his son.
And now our whole office is following the hashtag #woolfpack trying to get any insight as to what is up with this kid. These performers can’t provide much information about their upcoming performances, I can only gather that he is enjoying himself but under a great deal of pressure. So I am showing my support in a way I can.
You can help too, by voting for Sam. Now that Idol is in their finalists' shows on Fox 13 you can vote when the show starts at 8 p.m. on the east coast Wednesday night. Google and Facebook is partnering with American Idol and have announced a SuperVote process, where your selection can count as 50 votes. To support Sam with a SuperVote go to http://www.americanidol.com/vote to get the app, or vote on Facebook or Google Search. Voting ends at 1 p.m. the next day in the east. One vote with text and toll-free voting ends two hours after the show ends. Each performer is given a voter code and the results are announced the next night on the show.
Sam attends Braden River High School, can be seen on youtube.com/samwoolfmusic and can be contacted on Twitter @samwoolfmusic.
I know one client who has pledged his support. Vince Plodzien knew Scott and his enthusiasm for Sam when I was involved in the sale of his home on Siesta Key a couple years ago. Vince called here last week wanting to know how he can help support Sam. The enthusiasm is growing.
The residents of this area support their arts. Sam is not the first American Idol contestant from this area to go far in the judging. Syesha Raquel Mercado of Booker High School in Sarasota was second runner-up on the seventh season of American Idol. American Idol finalists Jeremy Rosado and Shannon Magrane claim Tampa Bay as their home.
These are exciting times to support our American Idol finalist. I wish him well as the voting continues on the show.
Vote for Sam on American Idol after each performance, up until 1 p.m. the following day! So Vote, Vote, Vote! Different ways to vote. Up to 50 votes per method
Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested (post to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ and/or forward by EMAIL).
I announced two price reductions last week that I feel offer great values. I welcome your inquiries on these properties and others here at Roger Pettingell, Coldwell Banker Previews International. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (941) 387-1840.
The Lincoln Staircase - Todd Johnston Homes builder displays their home at 1810 Lincoln Drive.
Organizers of the Parade of Homes in Sarasota and Manatee counties are counting on high turnout for their event that is going on now through March 8. So far, there is little disappointment.
Sure they want to sell any, or all, of the 77 homes on the 2014 list. But their main goal is to put their talents on display and show the quality of the homes that they can build. The two builders with homes West of Trail nearest the Bay shoreline in Sarasota particularly announced their goals this past weekend.
They would like to sell, but they are also willing to lease back the home for a year so they can continue to use these particular homes as models for all of 2014. It is a good deal for the buyers, they receive a high quality home. For the sellers, they have a home that is staged for use as a model.
Each builder will have their homes judged in several categories with the results presented on Thursday. Builders can receive an award in each of the following categories: Development / Community, Multi-Family Awards - Less Than 4 Units, Multi-Family Awards - More Than 4 Units, Single Family Awards, Interior Design Awards, Pools Awards and Landscaping Awards. Other awards include those for best kitchen, master suite and architectural detail.
Todd Johnston Home - Lincoln - 1810 Lincoln Drive, Sarasota, is a bargain at $1,290,000 during the show. It increases $100,000 after the Parade of Homes on Saturday.
The homes for viewing are scattered around these two counties with a high concentration in and around the Lakewood Ranch area. Builders pay a fee to the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association for each home to help with advertising costs and to produce a Parade of Homes magazine.
It’s been a good formula for over two decades and with one week until the end of this year’s tour the turnout has been good. The homes in this year’s parade start at just under $200,000 and continue upward over the $2 million mark. The two West of Trail pictured here were priced around $1,290,000 each. The builder agent for Todd Johnston Homes at 1810 Lincoln said the price of their home will increase to $1,390,000 after the show. This week's lower price offers an extra incentive above their lease-back proposal.
The Sonoma at 3218 South Osprey Avenue, Sarasota is a 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath residence on the Parade of Homes presented by Duane Clayton with Classic Homes by Clayton, Inc.
Now through the end of the parade on Saturday the homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Neal Communities has the most homes represented by builder, in Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. Their 10 homes on the parade represent prices that are consistently in the $200,000 range.
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There is no obligation for the builder to list these homes on the Multiple Listing Service, but I welcome the opportunity to show them to clients. Click on the link for more information on the 2014 Parade of Homes presented by the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association. If you are looking to buy or sell your property in the Longboat Key and Sarasota area please call me at (941) 387-1840.
These residences are pending or have sold in February. Due to my client's confidence in my abilities to successfully sell luxury waterfront properties, I was able to close over $61 million in sales in 2013.
1233 N. Gulfstream, #304
$ 1,300,000
2425 Gulf of Mexico Dr, #6 Seagate
$ 785,000
535 Sanctuary, #203
$ 637,500
777 Jungle Queen Way
$ 750,000
3060 Grand Bay, #166
$ 1,395,000
1975 Gulf of Mexico Dr, #G4-109 - Seaplace
$ 410,000
455 Longboat Club, #602, Pierre
Pending
415 L'Ambiance, #301
Pending
415 L'Ambiance, #D606
Pending
Award Winners
Category 1
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Neal Communities, Liberty 2 at Forest Creek.
Category 2
Best kitchen: Neal Communities: Freshwater 2 at Grand Palm.
Best floor plan: Neal Communities, White Sand 2 at Eagle Trace.
Best curb appeal, master suite, architectural detail and best overall: Neal Communities, Eventide 2 at Central Park.
Category 3
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Taylor Morrison, Roma at Esplanade.
Category 4
Best master suite: Heritage Builders, The Valencia at Grand Oaks.
Best curb appeal, kitchen, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Heritage Builders, The Sabal at Grand Oaks.
Category 5
Best kitchen: Neal Communities, Starlight at Woodbrook.
Best curb appeal, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Neal Communities, Windsong at Boca Royale Golf & Country Club.
Category 6
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Lennar Homes: Trevi at Gran Paradiso.
Category 7
Best curb appeal: Lennar Homes: Oakmont at Gran Paradiso.
Best kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Taylor Morrison, Kentwood III at Arbor Reserve.
Category 8
Best kitchen and architectural detail: John Neal Homes, Palmavera at Haddington.
Best floor plan: Neal Signature Homes, Bellevista at Highlands.
Best master suite (tie): Neal Signature Homes, Bellevista at Highlands; Lee Wetherington Homes, Baypointe at Central Park.
Best curb appeal and best overall: Lee Wetherington Homes: Baypointe at Central Park.
Category 9
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan and architectural detail and best overall: John Neal Homes: Savoy at University Park Country Club.
Category 10
Best curb appeal and master suite: Medallion Home, The Aruba at Gamble Creek.
Best architectural detail (tie): Medallion Home, The Aruba at Gamble Creek; Homes by Towne, Sawgrass at GreyHawk Landing.
Best kitchen, floor plan and best overall: Homes by Towne, Sawgrass at GreyHawk Landing.
Category 11
Best curb appeal: Lennar Homes, The Cambridge Grande at Bridgewater.
Best kitchen: M/I Homes, Marbella “C” at Twin Rivers.
Best master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Lee Wetherington Homes, Solivita at Haddington.
Category 12
Best kitchen: Bruce Williams Homes, Blue Cypress at Winding River.
Best curb appeal, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: John Cannon Homes, The Caaren at Rosedale.
Category 13
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: John Cannon Homes, The Baylin at Haddington.
Category 14
Best architectural detail: Allegra Homes: J Bird
Best curb appeal and kitchen: Todd Johnston Homes: The Montego at The Vineyards.
Best master suite, floor plan: Lee Wetherington Homes, Verona at The Concession.
Best overall (tie): Allegra Homes, J Bird; Todd Johnston Homes, The Montego at The Vineyards.
Category 15
Best curb appeal (tie): John Cannon Homes, The Akarra II at The Vineyards; Todd Johnston Homes, The Lincoln at Avondale.
Best floor plan and architectural detail: Todd Johnston Homes, The Lincoln at Avondale.
Best kitchen, master suite and best overall: John Cannon Homes, The Akarra II at The Vineyards.
Category 16
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Nutter Custom Construction, The Windward at The Vineyards.
Category 17
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: John Neal Homes, Barbados II at Highfield.
Category 18
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Arthur Rutenberg/Nelson Homes: Marbella at The Vineyards.
Category 19
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Medallion Home, The Catalina at The Inlets.
Category 20
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: London Bay Homes, Avena at The Lake Club.
CONDOMINIUMS - MULTI-FAMILY LESS THAN 4 UNITS
Category 1
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Neal Communities, Tidewater at Fairfield.
Category 2
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Lennar Homes, Oleander at Heritage Harbour.
Category 3
Best Curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Minto Communities, Harbour Grand Retreat at Harbour Isle.
MULTI-FAMILY MORE THAN 4 UNITS
Category 1
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Taylor Morrison, Carlisle at Palma Sola Trace.
Category 2
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: Lennar Homes, Dogwood at Heritage Harbour.
Category 3
Best curb appeal, kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail and best overall: The Palms at Riviera Dunes, Sago II at The Palms at Riviera Dunes.
DEVELOPMENTS
Communities with 200 homesites or fewer
Best entranceway, amenities and best overall: Minto Communities, Harbour Isle on Anna Maria Sound.
Communities with 1,000 homesites or more
Best entranceway, amenities and best overall: LWR Communities, Lakewood Ranch.
SUBCONTRACTORS - POOLS
Category 1
Coast to Coast Pools: The Sheffield by Ashton Woods Homes.
Category 2
Bluwater Pool Designs: Casa De Piedra by Legacy Builders.
Category 3
Coast to Coast Pools: Sonoma by Classic Homes by Clayton.
Category 4
Coast to Coast Pools: Pristine VI by Rosedale Construction.
Category 5
Coast to Coast Pools: Sawgrass by Homes by Towne.
Category 6
Coast to Coast Pools: The Casey by Ashton Woods Homes.
Category 7
LeeSure Water Pools: Solivita by Lee Wetherington Homes.
Category 8
Coast to Coast Pools: Hemingway III by Taylor Morrison.
Category 9
Waterscapes Pools & Spas: Barbados II by John Neal Homes.
Category 10
LeeSure Water Pools: Verona by Lee Wetherington Homes.
Category 11
Waterscapes Pools & Spas: Palazzo by Cardel Homes.
LANDSCAPING
Category 1
Trent Culleny Landscape Contractor: Sonoma by Classic Homes by Clayton.
Category 2
Trent Culleny Landscape Contractor: The Windward by Nutter Custom Construction.
Category 3
ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design: Verona by Lee Wetherington Homes.
Category 4
Trent Culleny Landscape Contractor: Palazzo by Cardel Homes.
GREEN BUILDING
Green houses: Florida Green Building Coalition, 1,900 square feet or larger.
Roger Pettingell of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is your Longboat Key, Florida Luxury Real Estate Specialist. Roger provides his real estate expertise to sellers, investors, developers, and buyers in the Sarasota area including Anna Maria, Bird Key, Bradenton Beach, Casey Key, Cortez, Grand Bay, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Marina Bay, Osprey and Siesta Key. Search for homes, luxury homes, condominiums, investment property, development property, and vacant land and lots on the Longboat Key, Florida and the surrounding area.
It’s always good to hear that someone locally is making it big in this world. It’s even better when you know that person and his family.
