Ending the Summer Season in Style

Bashes, Festivals and Live Theater this Weekend from Englewood to Tampa

There are some people that like to spend their Labor Day holiday weekend relaxing at home with a barbecue for family and friends. There are others who like to explore the area and find fun events around the area. This article is for those people.

We can start with local festivals that may be of interest. The Reggae Pon di Lake Party and Music Festival is a pre-Labor Day party on Sunday at Nathan Benderson Park. Former lead singer for the Black Uhuru band, MyKal Rose, headlines this festival that starts at 2 PM. MyKal Rose will be joined by other local bands and DJs of the reggae genre until closing at 9 PM, including the popular band Jah Movement. There is a lot going on at the park during this party, something for the entire family. Rentals of pontoon pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks will be available for this first-time event. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Chairs and blankets are welcome. Admission is $30, free admission for those under 12 if accompanied by an adult. There is a special VIP area in the tower and balcony to enjoy the music. For your $70 VIP ticket also enjoy Jamaican catered cuisine, official Pon Di Lake t-shirt with lanyard and sponsor swag bag. Advance tickets are available through the Osfest Music sponsor website.

The Beach Club on Siesta Key is celebrating the holiday on Sunday with beer pong, flip cup and corn hole Beerlympics tournaments. The Pre-Labor Day Beach Club Bash starting at 3 PM will feature live music from NoFilter and John DJ Xtreme until closing at 2 AM Monday. The tournaments will be displayed on their 180 degree projection screen. Winners will receive $100 for first, with $50 and $25 awards for second and third place finishes.

Rain forced the cancellation of the Woodstock Revival earlier this month with a notice of redo for this weekend to be celebrated with the downtown Farmer’s Market that will open at its regular hours from 7 AM to 1 PM. Paisley Craze will be the main retro band playing hits from the 60s on the main stage within three blocks of ceremonial area. Get involved by dressing as a hippie flower child for prizes in the single, couples and dog categories. Local celebrities will be announcing for the contest to start at 11 AM. Prizes in several categories will be awarded during the Vintage VW Show. The Farmers Market has plans for children with a rock climbing wall, photo booth, peace sign painting and water slide. The first 50 children under 16 with a bike accompanied by an adult will receive a free bicycle helmet from Friends of The Legacy Trail.

The 10th Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival scheduled for Saturday and Sunday offers plenty of craft goods and plants for purchase. Free parking downtown will be available in the historic district of Venice. The festival will be open both days from 10 AM to 4 PM.

A little further south, the 62nd Annual Pioneer Days Festival in Englewood concludes its weeks of celebrations this weekend with many events Saturday through Monday. The cardboard boat race is a fun event for team participants and spectators on Saturday. The race was moved to its new location at Ann Dever Memorial Park. Registration is at 8:30 AM with the race start at 9 AM. Visit the Pioneer Days boat race website for registration and more information. The popular local band Kettle of Fish will take the Pioneer Park stage during the Shipwreck Dance Party on Saturday from 5 to 11 PM. The festivities continue on Sunday with the Diaper Derby, where babies will crawl to glory for trophies to the quickest baby in the area. The crawl takes place at the Lemon Bay Women’s Club, celebrating 100 years as an organization. On Monday, the 62nd Annual Pioneer Days parade will run its course down Dearborn Street of Englewood starting at 9 AM. The Festival and Car Show will be held in Pioneer Park all hours of the festival on Sunday and Monday. Prizes for the open class of cars will be awarded at 6 PM on Sunday before the Corvettes come into town on Monday, with cash awards at the 3 PM closing.

On Labor Day Monday, the Birdrock Taco Shack in Bradenton will throw its Labor Day Music, Food and Art Bash. Local musical talents Emily Roff and Paul Fournier will be on stage during this event that runs from noon to 5PM. Enjoy the favorites dishes of the Bash that includes lobster quesadillas, wood grilled skirt steak and its own guacamole while sipping on cold beer during this event celebrating its third year.

If you happen to be in Tampa Saturday and Sunday the Summer of Rum Festival featuring Sugar Ray will be going on both days in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Other bands include The Wailers, Ballyhoo!, UNRB, Tribal Style and includes DJs Fresh and Cardinal. Sample a different variety of rums or imbibe on popular summertime rum drinks during this festival that begins at noon on Saturday. Purchase single, two-day and VIP advance tickets of $85 for Saturday and $75 for Sunday through the Summer of Rum Festival website. Fireworks are planned after dark.

Interested in live theater instead? Gilbert & Sullivan Unplugged presents a modern twist to popular songs of the famous writing duo. The show runs through September 23 in the John C. Cabaret of the Florida Studio Theatre. Now through September 9 catch the one-woman solo performance, Becoming Dr. Ruth, in the Kiwanis Studio of the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton. Actress Susan Greenhill portrays Dr. Ruth Westheimer who converses with the audience while packing her New York apartment following the death of her husband.

The biggest event of the year for the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island was to take place this holiday weekend. Now in its 72nd year, the Labor Day Regatta was cancelled over the weekend due to an environmental advisory put out by Sarasota County. The same advisory forced the cancellation of the Great Scallop Search and Clam Jam scheduled for this past weekend.

a complete line-up of holiday events this weekend is on our upcoming events web page. There is plenty to do this holiday weekend, I hope you are able to make the best of it. Please contact me at (941) 387-1840 if you have a property to sell or buy.

Call us at (941) 387-1840 for an exclusive showing

Comparing the Big Three to local agents

Offerpad, Knock and Opendoor may have their places in real estate sales

Considering selling your home by owner, either through a website or just by hanging a sign near the street? There are many obstacles to consider before you travel down this route, especially if you are serious about the sale of your home or residence. It seems lately there are new websites offering alternatives, claiming to save you thousands of dollars and with a quick sale.

Are these claims real? Let’s examine how websites such as Offerpad, Knock and Opendoor operate. They may be the Big Three of this new technology. We’ll see how others are getting into the game. RP Funding is bundling there services with a Listed.com agent and offer to pay your closing costs. I’m not knocking their services. But as in other transactions, shop around for the best terms and interest rates. You could find yourself saving a little at closing but end up paying thousands more in interest.

As for the Big Three, let’s start with the fair market value of your home. Although Zillow is not in this market of selling your home, they do have a process of evaluating your home value called their Zestimate. Zillow has received a lot of criticism and even lawsuits for their Zestimate pricing structure. The company based in Seattle may not have a clue what a home on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key is worth. They base their estimates on an intelligent algorithm, pulling from comps, tax records and possibly price per square foot.

What they don’t do is walk into your home, look at upgrades made to the home and give value to the little things that current buyers are looking for on Longboat Key. In contrast, the Big Three provide their valuations similar to Zillow, and offer their bid on your home at a value much less than the current market. Offerpad and Opendoor will offer to purchase your home based on their estimate. Knock will place your home on the market for six to eight weeks and offer to purchase it at the end of that listing period. By undervaluing the price of the home all three are assured of a profit.

Maybe you think that your savings in the sale will present itself with the fact that you do not have to pay a commission. The Big Three each charge a commission but may call it something else. Opendoor calls it a service charge of 6.5 percent. Their buyer-centric platform is openly admitted by these companies.

Consider the cost of repairs. In the process a qualified independent inspector will provide a list of expected repairs. A professional agent working on the seller’s behalf is certainly acquainted with this process and will negotiate which repairs the seller is willing to make or will recommend a credit, if necessary. It is part of the negotiations. The Big Three are very rigid on these costs. If you are in a situation that you can not make the repairs, a mandatory credit is issued at closing.

Other fees with these online companies have terms such as customer experience fees, closing costs, market risk fees and holding fees. Knock does have unique programs to trade-in or trade-up your home, but interest can be as high as 8 percent while living in the home waiting for the sale.

Another concern about the Big Three is that they don’t take all homes offered to them for purchase. Each has restrictions on what they will take based on price, age of the home, clear title provided, occupied or the community has age restrictions. They may not make an offer on a home that has significant damage, they want a quick turnaround.

Also, they do not sell in many areas of the country. Offerpad listed six cities on its website, two of which were in Florida. Through the Tampa link I found four homes for sale in Sarasota and no homes for sale on the barrier islands. Opendoor had 10 cities listed with Minneapolis and Houston coming soon. The Tampa link did not have any homes for sale in Manatee or Sarasota counties. Buyers on Knock go through a free pre-approval process before gaining access to its inventory. These are hit-and-miss strategies for buyers, especially since they may know they have free access to hundreds of homes in these areas through the Multiple Listing Service.

These services may have a future in some markets and for some home sellers. Sellers that need to move on quickly may want to use these services. Inexperienced sellers, owners that want little to do with the process or homeowners in default and facing foreclosure may be good candidates. This doesn’t sound like the seller of a waterfront luxury property in a second-home market. Those sellers want the experience of a professional real estate agent in the market they have their home.

You can use some of those same arguments to justify using a professional versus hanging a sign alongside the road as FSBO. Those sellers lose out on the exposure of the MLS, the negotiating experience to get the best price and the knowledge of the closing process so the sale is seamless. It reduces the stress in selling a home. We have seen it many times, one year with a sign out front before they visit our office.

Last week I listed an Inn on the Beach community resort residence on Longboat Key at 225 Sands Point Rd, #6105. It is a unique furnished home behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club. This is an income-producing property, listed in the rental program there. The owner has 30 days of access per year and all the Longboat Key Club privileges while in residence. We discussed the property and announced in REALTALK™ #176 that the proceeds from the sale benefit the Southeastern Guide Dogs program in Palmetto. Please contact me at (941) 387-1840 for an exclusive showing or if you have a property to sell or buy.

Call us at (941) 387-1840 for an exclusive showing

Relax on the Gulf or bay open waters

Great opportunities for owning, renting, booking a charter or dinner cruise

We love our water here in Sarasota. We can travel the intracoastal, Sarasota Bay and Gulf of Mexico to fish, explore or just enjoy the open water. You can own your boat or you can join a club to avoid the maintenance. Or you can take advantage of the many charter operations with captains that seem to know exactly where the fish are hitting. And last, but not least, you can book a dinner cruise out of Marina Jack. There are advantages to each.

Are you prepared to enjoy the open waters safely? Being confident on the rules of the road and the waterway channels of Sarasota can make the trip more enjoyable. Having the proper safety equipment onboard and knowing how to use each can save your life or pass a U.S. Coast Guard inspection with ease.

The Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron can help with an American Boating Class (ABC) that teaches the basics of boating safety. ABC certification is not required to operate a boat in Florida waters unless you were born after January 1, 1988 and operate a boat of 10 HP or more. No one under the age of 14 can legally operate a craft, and the Personal Water Craft owner can be charged by allowing an under-age boat driver. Certification is also required in several states so you may already have the proper training. Even though not required, consult your insurance agent for reduced premiums. The squadron also provides boat inspections for free. This is an inspection that is recognized by the state and the Coast Guard to certify that the boat has the proper safety equipment and EPA notifications.

So it is up to you to take advantages of these opportunities. If you are traveling from another state and consider yourself an experienced boater you are well ahead of the game. But Florida has its own laws to abide by. In addition to those above, there are laws to protect swimmers, divers and marine animals. Some of it is just common sense. Operating a boat inside an area marked for swimming doesn’t make much sense. Markers, such as those on Coquina Beach are there to warn swimmers of the danger imposed by swimming outside the markers and boaters to signal them there are swimmers on the beach.

Watch out for red flags with a diagonal white patch, these signify divers are in the area. There are laws to protect divers and three boating restrictions are important to remember. If operating on a river, through a channel or inlets you must maintain a distance of 100 feet from the dive flag. It may be flown from the boat or float that have divers in the water or may be tethered to the diver below. In open water you are required to keep a distance of 300 feet from the dive flag. The third requirement is that you slow down when approaching a dive flag.

Save the manatees. These graceful behemoths of the seas are in the open waters of the area in summer months but head to inland waterways October through April. At these times they are in inland areas such as Crystal River in the north and make a magnificent sight when they gather by the hundreds in the warm waters near the Tampa Electric Big Bend Power Station. Their slow movements prevent them from escaping a fast moving power boat. So boaters must be aware of their presence, the most visible sign of a submerged manatee is a large swirl of water on the surface. They surface at regular intervals where the show is a wonderful display of nature but they can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes.

As manatee are protected by law, so are dolphins. They don’t migrate as manatees do and will play around your boat with a show of their own. They are either dining on small fish or entertaining you and your boat guests. Remember that it is illegal to harass or feed dolphins and manatees.

Many anglers visit Florida for its rich supply of game fish. Fishing licenses are easy to obtain through many outlets and department stores that sell tackle such as Walmart. The licenses are divided into saltwater or freshwater designations. Florida residents may qualify for a free license if you plan to fish from a shoreline or structure attached to the land such as a fishing pier. Your children under the age of 16, residents over 65 and active duty members of U.S. armed forces do not require a license. There are more exemptions for freshwater fishing, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife website for more information.

Consult current regulations on the type and size of fish, violation of these rules can be devastating. Invasive species such as lionfish or tilapia are exempt from most of these rules. You’re doing a good thing by catching these species of fish. Tarpon are very large saltwater fish but produce heavy fines if you are in possession of one. A tarpon must be released once caught and tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water to be released. You may purchase a tag to catch and possess if you are going after an International Game Fish Association record. The state record is 243 pounds caught near Key West. Although larger tarpon have been witnessed, the official world record is one caught in 2003 off the coast of Africa at 286 pounds, nine ounces. A list of  saltwater fish and their regulations is available online at MyFWC.com.

There are many good marinas in the area from which to dock your boat. Super-sized yacht dockage is available at the Longboat Key Club Marina and Marina Jack in Sarasota. There are many boat owners who trailer their vessels so they can be more mobile and avoid dockage fees. Nearly every city in the area has a marina park with a public boat ramp. In the Sarasota area there are boat ramps in Centennial Park downtown, on City Island in Ken Thompson Park and Turtle Beach, south of Siesta Key. There are a number of boat launches on the Manatee River in Bradenton. In Manatee County there is the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach and Palma Sola Causeway Boat Ramp. The Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp was recently resurfaced with more parking and ramps.

Sailboating can be rewarding and relaxing. Still care should be exercised. Sarasota Bay has some very shallow open waters that can easily be seen on a nautical chart. Download a two-week free trial of the popular Navionics Boating SmartPhone app, available for Apple or Android phones. This app provides a wealth of information for boaters including depth charts. Boats with large drafts should be concerned when navigating Big Pass south of Lido Key or New Pass on the south end of Longboat Key. The Coast Guard has issued warnings for these two inlets and have announced in March they will no longer maintain the channel markers as the shoals shift with different storms. For access to the Gulf of Mexico by sailboat, the Longboat Pass between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island at maker 85 is consistently deeper, but still may be shallow in areas with depths of 4.5 feet. The draw-bridge there is maintained 24 hours a day and accessed on VHF channel 9.

You may be familiar with the phrase, red-right returning. This refers to the red triangular markers that show the channels, they should be on your right. The green square markers that are even numbered should be on your left when returning from the open water. But what about the intracoastal that runs from New Jersey to the Mexican border? The marker numbers will be in increasing order and the red will be on the side of largest land mass, the continental United States. Intercoastal markers should also have a yellow symbol on the marker for easier navigation. Red will be on the right when returning from a large body of water to a smaller body of water such as a marina channel.

If you don’t own a boat and still want the pleasure of open water boating there a few options for you. We can start with Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota, one of the country’s best marinas. Not to mention they have outstanding dining, they have full service for boaters. From rentals to charters, these independent contractors are experienced in the ways of boating. Reserve a relaxing sunset on the water with a dinner cruise aboard the Marina Jack II. Cannons Marina on Longboat Key also provide rental boats. There are other marinas on Anna Maria Island, Sarasota and Bradenton that offer similar services.

The Freedom Boat Club has an office at Marina Jack. Membership will get you access to a good supply of boats for pleasure or fishing. A basic boat safety class and on-water training is provided with an initial membership application. There are locations all over the United States, where members can reserve a boat at each location. A free sailing class for members is offered and each location has one sail boat on hand. Once a member, take advantage of their area locations in Nokomis, Venice, Gulf Gate Estates and Palmetto.

Enjoy the open waters in our little slice of paradise. Please contact me at (941) 387-1840 for an exclusive showing or if you have a property to sell or buy.

Unique combination of Showcase Homes

Three Coldwell Banker residences in Sarasota, Englewood and Longboat Key

In our home showcase series, we highlight the communities of three new listings that meet the criteria of the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury brand. These are residences in the Savoy on Palm in downtown Sarasota, Galleons Reach in Englewood and on the Gulf of Mexico in the Sands Point community of Longboat Key. Coldwell Banker has established minimum criteria for its Global Luxury brand based on price and features and posts those residences on the website ColdwellBankerLuxury.com.

I highlighted the Savoy on Palm in my REALTALK™ #164 video. The residences here were designed to replace single-property homes in the heart of downtown. Only 24 homes on 11 stories here create a good sense of close community within a luxury lifestyle. Constructed with the storm-tolerant building codes of 2006, these residences start with several three-bedrooms at 2,975, 3,172 and 3,600 square feet. The two penthouse suites of 4,385 and 5,708 square feet offer a great view of the bay, Ringling Bridge and downtown Sarasota.

Walk through the grand lobby to everything that Sarasota has to offer. It is a short walk to the magnificent Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where the study of epiphyte plants is known throughout the world. Epiphytes do not rely on soil for its nutrients but rely on other plants or from rain or air in marine environments. In the Burns Court district of Sarasota, the Savoy on Palm is in the center of shopping, fine restaurants and the Burns Court Cinema in the next block. It is a short drive to the theatres and the beaches over the Ringling Bridge. But, if you just want to stay home and relax, you can take advantage of the heated swimming pool or exercise in the fitness center.

The fourth-floor residence I have for sale in #402 is a rarely-available opportunity to enjoy a spacious, 3,600 square-foot layout. The customized three-bedroom floor plan was tweaked during its original construction and offers Travertine flooring throughout, cook’s kitchen and two generous terraces that overlooks the bay and downtown. Perfect for entertaining, the Butler’s pantry, equipped with wet bar and wine cooler, is situated between the formal dining area and eat-in kitchen. The master retreat offers a spa-inspired bathroom, five linear closets each for him and her, plus an additional walk-in closet for her; you will love this impressive space available for $2.3 million.

• The Savoy on Palm is featured in this REALTALK™ #164 video
• Watch the video of this Savoy on Palm residence
• See the details of 401 S. Palm Ave, #402
• See all the current listings in downtown Sarasota

Englewood, rich exploration of the outdoors

We travel to the popular Englewood community on the border of Sarasota and Charlotte counties for our next showcase. The town is on the coast of Lemon Bay and Manasota Key, a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors are attracted to Englewood for its many activities, beaches and environment focus. Currently its Pioneer Days are in full swing, with plenty of weekend activities, concluding with its 62nd annual parade Labor Day Weekend, September 3.

Englewood is near the Myakka State Forest, part of the Myakka Estuary Conservation and Recreation Lands, bordering on 2.5 miles of the Myakka River. The forest of 8,592 acres has plenty to offer to the outdoor enthusiast that includes hiking, bicycling, primitive camping and small game hunting. There is plenty of wildlife to search and you may wander upon a bobcat, bald eagle, scarce Florida Scrub Jay or an occasional deer in your path.

The home I have listed in the Galleons Reach community at 6155 Manasota Key Road offers the best of two worlds. You will love the bay and deeded beach access a few feet from the front door of this beautifully private estate listed at $1,695,000. Soaring oak trees and elaborate foliage surround this gated three-bedroom plus office estate. Built by John McIntyre in 2007 boasts superior construction of the highest standards. The two-story interior offers an effortless flow, featuring cathedral ceilings with coffered details, Travertine and Bamboo flooring, two-stop elevator, gourmet kitchen and much more. Take the winding, tree-canopied seashell pathway to enjoy your own dock and lift, including kayak launch, fire pit, fish-cleaning station and tiki bar.

• Watch the video of this Galleons Reach home
• See the details of 6155 Manasota Key Road

Sands Point, on the southern edge of Longboat Key

On the south end of Longboat Key, behind the gates of the prestigious Longboat Key Club, rests the perfectly situated community of Sands Point. The community itself has a sensational list of amenities and location features. Residents enjoy top-notch amenities including a stylish clubhouse, geothermal heated swimming pool and spa overlooking pristine beaches, plus private Tiki huts, space to lounge and dine. You will adore the convenience of walking a few steps from your front door to the community’s private marina. The location puts you close to the fabulous St. Armands Circle and the wonders of Sarasota with its entertainment, shopping and dining experiences.

Take advantage of a Longboat Key Club membership and your world opens up to resort style living. This world-class resort offers some of the best golfing on two of its championships courses with the Links on Longboat nearly steps from your front door. The club offers 20 Har-Tru tennis courts with pro shop. The spa and salon is under 9,000 square feet of pure luxury. Explore a new restaurant each day of the week by visiting one of eight fine restaurants at the resort. The storm-protected marina offers the best in services for luxury yachts up to 150 feet.

Spectacular sunsets abound from nearly every room of this stunningly updated 2,000 square-foot furnished residence at 100 Sands Point Rd, #115. Situated directly on the white sandy beach of the Gulf, where you can walk out to enjoy pristine shores and white-capped waves. The floor-to-ceiling walls of glass showcase breathtaking vistas. Walk in and immediately fall in love with the open layout that effortlessly flows from the newly-updated chef’s kitchen to the immaculate great room, and relish the privacy of a split bedroom plan. Move right in to this beach getaway, listed at $1,395,000. Call us and we will explore this listing and other offerings at Sands Point.

• Watch the video of this Sands Point residence
• See the details of 100 Sands Point Rd, #115 residence
• See all the similar Longboat Key residences for sale

New listings last week at Longboat Key Towers and Grand Bay

I listed two Longboat Key residences last week, one at Grand Bay on the bay side and a wonderful residence in the north building of Longboat Key Towers on the Gulf of Mexico beach. Move right in and immediately begin enjoy this charming three-bedroom Biscayne residence at 3060 Grand Bay Blvd, #112 with deeded access to the Bay Isles Beach Club. The light and open two-bedroom residence at 603 Longboat Club Rd, #502N is a flourish of breathtaking views that stretch from the Gulf of Mexico to Sarasota Bay and downtown. Please contact me at (941) 387-1840 for an exclusive showing or if you have a property to sell or buy.

Call us at (941) 387-1840 for an exclusive showing