Sarasota’s Real Estate Market: Do Buyers Have Reason to Feel Uncertain?

Today I’m standing on a dock here on Bird Key – where we have recently encountered several multi-offer situations when negotiating for our buyers and sellers.

I want to share what a lot of our recent buyers are feeling. It’s called “Uncertainty.”

Some of that is personal uncertainty. For example, as they’re making the transition from a part-time resident to a full-time resident. They’re asking, “What is it going to be like in the summer?” “Am I going to be hot?” Or they’re making the transition from being a vacationer to a part-time resident and they’re trying to figure out “Is Sarasota the right place?” “Am I going to like it here?” “Will I make friends?”

There’s also another kind of uncertainty that buyers and sellers are feeling and that’s called “Real Estate” or “Location Uncertainty.” This is, “Am I choosing the right neighborhood?” “How is the weather going to affect my buying decision?” “Is there too much traffic?”

What I feel a lot of people are looking for is validation. There’s no lack of people and institutions investing in Sarasota.
Here are some examples of high-profile investments going on in our market:

  1. Recently there have been a number of large sales on a commercial level. For example, the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota was recently sold for over 170 million dollars.
  2. Desoto, the rental apartment building next to Whole Foods, is now complete and fully occupied and on the market for 40 million dollars.
  3. The Atlanta Braves are going to be starting Spring Training here in the spring. And they’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars to be part of this community.

I think this validation removes a lot of the ambiguity and uncertainty about investing in this marketplace.

So many of the decision factors are personal, and each individual family needs to come to terms with what is right for them. But in terms of the community – more and more money continues to be invested here, whether it’s in Sarasota real estate, our amenities, or our hospitality.

SRQ Airport Flying HIGHER and HIGHER!

I’m a big fan of being able to fly in and out of sarasota airport (srq). With the addition of all the new routes with Allegiant Airlines, there are now 26 non-stop destinations that can be reached from our local airport. That’s incredible! That’s about 4 ½ times more than it was a couple of years ago.

People from Columbus, Baltimore, Denver, Nashville, and many other places will be able to be in Sarasota with only one short flight.

If you are going considering a real estate transition and feeling stressed and overwhelmed, let us help you through the complexities. As a real estate boutique, we are focused providing a full spectrum of expertise and support that is so essential to making life transitions go more smoothly. See what our clients are saying about our level of experience and service.

Call me @ (941.587.0740) with any questions I can answer for you.

Q3 Sales Results & Sarasota’s Performance in “Successful Aging” Markers

The conversation around retirement gets more serious with our clients once a combination of things happens – they no longer have children living at home, they get closer to THAT age, and they get closer to THEIR magic number in savings.

Each fall, US News & World Report releases their list of top places to retire. This year Sarasota ranked as the #3 Best Place to Retire. I wondered what metrics are used when compiling these types of lists, so I thought that I would take a deeper look at what future retirees find important.

Aging Successfully is the New Retirement

The Milken Institute leverages the concept of “Successful Aging” in its research. Wikipedia offers a robust definition of this phrase, which encompasses the physical, mental, and social well-being in older age.

This holistic concept of aging and retirement resonates with me since we work with people who are making an investment in a better lifestyle.
Couple walking on florida beach

So what are the most important attributes of aging successfully? Why does Sarasota continue to make the headlines when rankings are published?

The 5 criteria that are most heavily weighted

1. Quality of life

Quality of Life for most retirees begins with blue skies and warmer weather. The biggest reason that people migrate to Florida and especially Sarasota is that they get to leave the gray, sleet, and ice. Sarasota is a bit more moderate in temperatures than south Florida and is usually immune from freezes.

2. Access to Quality Healthcare

Quality Healthcare is one of Sarasota’s calling cards. There are no true university teaching hospitals, however, there are lots of practitioners and Sarasota is proud of its independent hospital. There is also considerable emphasis on staying healthy and the local climate allows for year-round outdoor activity.

3. Taxes and the Cost of Living

Florida is considered one of the better states for lower taxation since there is no state income tax. Taxes for utilities, gas, and alcohol tend to be higher than in other states. Sarasota is not inexpensive when it comes to groceries and services.

4. Creating a Community

One of the biggest initial concerns from our clients is how they are going to meet people. Surprisingly, I find that this is possibly the easiest box to check. Sarasota is made up of people from all over and their enthusiasm and interest in meeting like-minded people are endless.

4. Multiple Real Estate Options

Finally, there is no moving here without a place to live. With all of the growth the past several years, developers have created multiple new options for housing. One can rent or own, live on the beach or golf course, and walk or ride their bike to almost all of one’s activities.

Q3: What’s Going Up and What’s Going Down?

With all of this building, renovation, and migration, here’s how the Sarasota real estate market is performing:

  • During the 3rd quarter of 2018 – from July 1st through September 30th – Sales were up 4.2% from the same period a year ago.
  • Luxury sales (which are those properties listed for $1M or more) are down 18.2 % from the 3rd quarter last year but still ahead of the anemic 3rd quarter in 2016.
  • Distressed market has gone from 1 in 21 homes to 1 in 38 properties.
  • The percentage of sales in the affordable segment decreased by 15% another indicator of fewer affordable opportunities.
  • 87% of all sales are below $500,000.

The net of all the numbers and rankings is that there is a steady demand for the lifestyle that Sarasota offers. In my experience, it does not matter your age to tap into the many benefits of living here. If any of the factors in your personal outlook on “aging successfully” draw you to Sarasota, give me a call to discuss finding the right timing and fit.

Call me @ 941.587.0740 with any questions I can answer for you 🙂

For Sellers Eyes Only: Timing the Market

While it is not always easy to know how to time the real estate market for a sale, there are some key indicators that listing now may be a good choice.

There have been a lot of articles talking about appreciation from year to year in the Sarasota property market. While the growth and development we see locally is going to continue, the rate of appreciation is going to slow down. I believe the amount a Seller will get for their property will not be that much higher (if at all) in 2019/2020 compared to selling prices in 2018/2019.

Life Transitions that Drive the Desire to Sell

Our experience working with home Sellers has taught us the 3 primary life transitions that drive the decision to sell:

  • Shifting from Secondary to Primary residence. After owning a secondary/part-time residence in Sarasota, this Seller chooses to make Sarasota their primary home and therefore is looking to upsize – enabling more spacious day-to-day living and the ability to have family and guests visit comfortably.
  • Seeking a Different Lifestyle Experience. After experiencing a specific location within Sarasota for a period of time, this Seller wants a different lifestyle. A common scenario is moving from one of our barrier islands to a new downtown Sarasota condominium. This is a change in location but typically a lateral move in terms of space.
  • Transitioning to Assisted Living or to have Closer Support Systems. At a certain stage Sellers choose to move from their current residence to an assisted living facility – or move away entirely to be closer to family up north. This is usually for health and social reasons.
Time to Sell Your Home

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Dynamics that May Shift Sarasota Away From Seller’s Market

Whatever the driving force behind the decision to sell, it is never easy to time the market relative to what is going on in our personal lives. However, if you are in the midst of a change, here are two key indices as to why I believe that now (meaning this fall/winter/spring of 2018/2019) is a good time to sell:

(1) Stock Market

While the stock market is strong and may stay that way for the rest of the retail season and through the Q1 of 2019, I don’t feel it will continue much beyond that. When the stock market dipped during the 1st quarter of this year, it took a lot of people out of the real estate market. A volatile financial market shakes consumer confidence, makes people feel poorer, and real estate purchases typically are postponed.

(2) Construction

We have just completed the first wave of new construction in and around downtown Sarasota. The second wave will be completed in 12-24 months. Two things will happen when the next batch of inventory is ready:

  • There is already a steady and consistent movement away from pre-owned residences into new or dramatically improved inventory. The availability of more new buildings will accelerate this process.
  • When this next set of buyers transition to their new their properties, they list their former residences, creating fresh inventory and therefore increasing competition.

There are many other indices at play, but these are the primary reasons why I believe the strong sellers market will fade.

Life’s transitions are inevitably full of emotional stress and anxiety. The real estate process doesn’t have to be. While you focus on making the right choices for your needs, our real estate brokerage is here to steward all aspects of the changes in real estate to ensure the most elegant transition for you and your family.

Call Lee with any questions @ 941.587.0740

How are Brexit, Downtown Sarasota Development, and Sarasota Public Schools Related?

Each month in my newsletter I talk about the news and developments that affect our real estate market here in Sarasota. This month I want to talk about three seemingly distinct factors that may impact our market: Brexit, Rentals, and Schools.

UK Buyers Looking for Safe Investment and Residence Alternatives

Brexit refers to Great Britain’s exit from the economic community of the EU. This separation is expected to start in the spring of 2019. This has caused uncertainty for property owners and investors in the UK. In the past two weeks, we have seen a dramatic increase in our book sales – Your Guide to Florida Property Investment – and in inquiries into real estate here in Sarasota from the UK. While many of these purchases are focused on the Orlando area, it doesn’t take many investors to lift prices.

For years we have been helping international Buyers create a hedge with an investment in Sarasota real estate. It enables investors to own a real estate asset in US dollars and serves as a diversification from their property holdings back at home. The profile of the recent Buyer is in the $250-$400k range Whether this increase in demand is large enough for our market, is too early to tell. It is good validation for our marketplace, however, and it could drive prices higher.

Downtown Development Drives Exposure and Demand

Downtown Sarasota Skyline
To visitors and residents alike, the development of Sarasota’s downtown is no mystery. The availability of new inventory began roughly a year ago, and for a span of the next 5 years, Sarasota will experience the addition of over 6,400 condominiums, hotel rooms, and apartment units. As this unfolds, I have kept a keen interest in how this impacts our market:

(1) How would new construction affect pricing both of old and new buildings in the market?

While there was the chance that all the new units would put downward pricing pressure on all new development, that data shows that demand is outstripping supply. Especially in the luxury market, pricing is up both in brand new condo developments as well as in the older buildings.

(2) How many of the guests of new hotels would purchase property here?

It is difficult to ascertain how many who come for overnight stays convert to property owners. I do know that nearly 600,000 additional room nights per year generate roughly 1.2 million visitors annually, and over the next 5-year period some are becoming owners and residents.

While the demand for condominiums has been strong, the demand for rental apartments has been even stronger. Living in
downtown Sarasota
has become trendy, and just as relevant is how the public and private sectors are working hard to consistently improve the quality of life here.

A Great Education System Matters

Public Schools in Sarasota County opened this week. There are about 43,000 students in the school system. For the 15th year in a row, Sarasota has received an A rating (one of only two districts in the state to do so).

The excellence in the school system is one of the biggest reasons that families choose to relocate here. This fact is not lost on the residents, especially the retirees, who understand both the value of education and the link between excellent public schools and real estate values.

Brexit, the growth in rental and condo inventory in downtown Sarasota, and education are all very separate and distinct drivers, yet all have the ability to impact real estate values in our community.

There are many facets to understanding the nuances of our real estate market. Call me @ 941.587.0740 to discuss what’s affecting values in your building or neighborhood.

Q2 2018: Where’s the WOW factor in Sarasota Real Estate?

The results for the 2nd quarter are in! Sarasota’s local real estate market has spoken. Sales are up over 6% from the same period a year ago.

Luxury Sales Take Spectacular Leap

Here’s the WOW! Sales in the luxury market exploded, increasing more than 26% from the Q2 2017 to the Q2 of 2018. Two points I feel important to share as it relates to this data point:

  1. These gains do not even include all of the new luxury condominium sales in downtown Sarasota, as there were no closings in these specific properties during this past quarter.
  2. There were 7 sales over $5 Million. The largest sale for the quarter was $8.6m. It was a 100 acre equestrian farm in Venice. The other major sales were all water front properties among Bird Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key.

This data proves out that Buyers are willing to make major investment in the barrier island lifestyle.

luxury-real-estate-sarasota-2018

Distressed and Affordable Market Segments Shrinking

The distressed market is now under 30 units a month in our market, which makes up less than 2% of the total market.

The affordable segment (those properties listed for $200k or less) is now less than 30% of the total market. In 2012 it made up about 60% of our market. Though even with the increase in prices, 85% of the market in Sarasota is under $500k. Rest assured, almost all lifestyle choices are available for less than $500k.

There is a lot of inventory that needs work and Buyers and Sellers are grappling with how to value these properties. Are updates from 10-15 years ago good enough or too dated? This is still where I feel the best opportunities are available.

American Announces direct flights to Chicago and Dallas

While there are always articles highlighting Sarasota, getting into our local Sarasota airport continues to be a challenge for some. American Airlines announced a new non-stop to Chicago. There will be more capacity and perhaps price competition as now both United and American Airlines will have daily nonstop service to Chicago.

American Airlines also announced non-stop service from Sarasota to Dallas Ft. Worth. This makes getting back and forth to the west coast easier. This also opens up more opportunities for traveling to Asian with just one stop between Asian and Sarasota. American Airlines is now the leader in nonstop destinations serving four destination – Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Charlotte, and Washington, DC.

This increased accessibility is good for the Sarasota real estate market. The easier it is get here, the easier it is to make Sarasota home for all or part of the year.

There are many great places to visit – though there are few that are a better place to call home.

Call me @ 941.587.0740 for a private orientation to the old and the new.

The Van Wezel Paradox: Symbolic of Sarasota’s Real Estate Dynamics

Today I am standing in front of the Van Wezel performing arts hall. Now in its 48th year, this venue has hosted thousands of events – from US Presidents to Broadway Shows. It is named for its primary benefactors, American immigrants Eugenia & Lewis Van Wezel.

Currently the Van Wezel is at the center of debate as Sarasota re-imagines this 50+ acre bayfront site. The issue is whether to keep the old building with its historic appeal, or build a new state-of-the-art performance hall – one that is up to present day design and functionality.

Old vs. New

I am calling this “the Van Wezel Paradox.” It is a microcosm of what is occurring in Sarasota. Publicly many are having a hard time with change, and the metamorphoses of Sarasota from a town to a city.

Yet statistically, Buyers are demonstrating with their money that they want all that new construction offers: higher ceilings, chic kitchens, floor to ceiling windows, walk in closets, and all the “smart” technology that comes with it. They also want location (water views or beach access) and the ability to walk to restaurants and amenities.

In last month’s newsletter, Does Lifestyle Investment Figure into Your Real Estate Plan?, I talked about “Tweeners.” These are properties that need work, yet are in good locations. The reason they are good values is that they are slow to sell since most buyers want new properties. They require work to make them current for today’s market. Here again, is the paradox: on the surface, there is a verbal attachment to history, but when you follow the money it is buying new.

Breaking “New” Ground

Today I want to share three distinct projects that will intrigue Buyers who are looking for new:

  1. Payne Park Village on the eastern edge of downtown. There will be 135 spaces adjacent to the 40 acre Payne Park with its circus themed playground, skate park, and city managed tennis center.
  2. The Quay in Sarasota is a 14-acre site between the Ritz Carlton and Hyatt Regency. The current plan may include up to 695 condominiums, 175 hotel rooms and 200,000 square foot of retail and office space.
  3. Williams Parker Site. This local law firm has sold its 3.3 acre property bordering Orange and Ringling Avenues downtown. The property is currently zoned for 160 units and is a great residential location in the city center.

If you are a buyer looking for water views downtown, three properties that deserve a second look are Bay Plaza, the VUE condos (where there are a limited number of resales), and Epoch Sarasota (with very large floor plans).

Sarasota is moving forward – and while that can frustrating and change difficult – I personally feel that the amenities and quality of life will continue to improve. As always, I still believe that your investment should be based on lifestyle, which starts with the location that is best suited for you.

Call me @ 941.587.0740 for a private orientation to the old and the new.

Does Lifestyle Investment Figure into Your Real Estate Plan?

Today I am on the roof of our home. We just installed solar panels so that we could harness our electricity from the biggest generator, the sun. Tesla Energy has an energy swap program in which the cost of solar is about the same each month as our monthly FPL electric bill, and once it is paid off we own the solar asset and our energy costs go to zero.

What Type of Returns Matter Most to You?

Buying property in Sarasota is about making an investment in our community. We work very hard with each one of our clients to facilitate a thorough analysis of their investment goals. Our approach is entirely holistic, as we want to be sure each person fully understands the nature of the two types of investments – quality of life and financial.

Financial Investment

The financial investment is the sum of two parts – cash flow and appreciation. If it is your primary or part-time residence and you will not be renting it out, the goal is to find a property that will increase in value over time.

For cash flow potential we provide the spreadsheet models to help you predict the income and expenses and assess cash flow returns.

Lifestyle Investment

But what about the lifestyle investment? For most of our clients this is also a key driver in their decisions. This is harder to measure numerically, but needs to be a priority as there is truly no value that can be placed on health and well being.

Finding Your Happy Place

Life Style Benefits for Sarasota Real Estate

When you get up in the morning and look out at the water, and feel healthier and younger, that is an A+ return. Or when you walk outside and in less than five minutes you are on the beach or getting coffee at your favorite café, that is also an A+ return. When your children and grandchildren come to visit more often and you can walk to the opera or golf this too is A+ return. Sometimes our returns on investments are more than just financial and these are the ones where we focus.

The Top 3 Investment Opportunities in Sarasota Today

This is not to say that you can’t have both. Here are three examples of great all around investment opportunities that I want to highlight:

  1. Entry Level condos on Longboat Key. Currently there are a number of condominiums under $450k on the island, presenting an opportunity to get good values in this market segment.
  2. Combining Side by Side Condos. I have identified a number of condominiums that are next door to each other, which when combined will provide larger living spaces for less than market rates.
  3. Tweener Waterfront Properties. These are homes that are located in areas that are prime for teardowns because much of the value is in the land, but since the houses are over updated they are priced just beyond land values and offer opportunities to buy the land and in a proverbial sense get a house for free.

Sometimes to get both a financial and lifestyle return it takes a little vision, some faith and a willingness to move forward.

Call me today @ 941.587.0740 for your private lifestyle investment tour!

Q1:2018 – Where are the Surprises in Sarasota’s Real Estate Sales?

In this video, I’m standing in Pioneer Park, one of the great parks in downtown Sarasota’s cultural arts district. Pioneer Park is known for its walking trails, tennis courts, baseball diamond, playground, and accessibility to Broadway Promenade where we just listed a beautifully appointed 3-bedroom courtyard condo!

In this month’s newsletter, I want to talk about the results of the first quarter of 2018. Here are some pertinent highlights:

  • Sales were up 8.7% over this period a year ago.
  • The distressed market continues to get smaller and smaller. Now only 1 of 30 sales fits this category. This is down by 41% from the same period a year ago.
  • The affordable market (those properties listed for $200K or less) continues to get smaller. It’s roughly 1/3 of the market here in Sarasota.

The largest part of our market are those properties listed between $200K and $500K. However, we are seeing a lot of robust growth in the luxury market.

Sarasota luxury market data

Sarasota: Where Luxury Abounds

The luxury market, which are those properties listed for $1M and more, grew by 44% from the same period in 2017 to 2018. A quarter of that growth is due to the opening of two condominiums downtown – 624 S Palm and The Vue. A healthy 10% of the luxury market is the ultra-luxury market, which are those properties that are listed for $3M or more.

A couple of things that I want to leave you with:

  1. The British Pound has appreciated by 14% from the same period a year ago. While we expect this to bring more foreign buyers, specifically from Great Britain, that has not materialized yet.
  2. Today’s buyers are looking for value. This is an inherent hedge against a repricing of our market as it did many years ago.

Finally, Sarasota’s real estate market can be characterized as fits and starts. It requires patience on behalf of both the buyer and the seller because there are periods of extreme activity followed by periods of no activity.

So, be patient, whether you are a buyer or a seller. Any questions? Call me @ 941.587.0740

Where Does Size Really Matter in Sarasota?

Today I’m standing at the Legacy Trail. What once was a railway on the west coast of Florida has been converted to a path where pedestrians and bikers can peacefully coexist here in the countryside of Sarasota. This is the ten-year anniversary.

In the near future, the trail is going to be increased from about 11 miles to roughly 20 miles. This will connect Venice all the way to downtown Sarasota. The path will not only be used by those looking for exercise by bike or foot, it will also accommodate commuters looking to use those modes of transportation to get to school, work, go shopping, and leave their cars at home.

Size Matters More on Siesta, than Longboat Key and Downtown

Of course, I’m referring to real estate. I looked at properties over 4,000 sq. ft. and wanted to determine if buyers are willing to pay a premium for those properties. In fact, on Siesta Key, the median sales price is 20% higher for properties over than 4,000 square feet as compared to those between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet.

On Longboat Key, however, size doesn’t matter as much, as there is a 2% premium being paid for properties that are under 4,000 square feet. And in downtown Sarasota, it’s 4% less for properties that are over 4,000 square feet compared to those that are under.

Other interesting facts currently in Sarasota.

  1. For new construction on Longboat Key you’re looking at $900 per square foot on the beach.
  2. Buyers are paying a 30% premium for those properties that have a three car garage instead of a two car garage.
  3. There is a negligible difference in price paid for three bathrooms instead of two.

Referendum for Sarasota Schools Passes

Sarasotans recently extended the amount of money they’re willing to contribute to the school system. The single largest demographic supporting it are people over the age of 65. This generation fundamentally understands the value of a great education. Also, they understand the correlation between a good school system and higher property values.

It’s no wonder then that Southern Living Magazine chose Sarasota as one of the top ten cities in the South. Sarasota is the only city in the state of Florida to receive this honor.

So come whether it is for the great school system, this wonderful Legacy Trail, or just the terrific weather. We here at our real estate brokerage are poised and ready to help you find your perfect lifestyle 🙂

Technology and Tourism is Changing Sarasota Before Your Eyes!!

This Sunday Only! Join our very own Lee Mirman, the host with 20/20 vision into Sarasota’s future

This is a SEE, TOUCH, AND FEEL event!! (and TASTE-y bagels direct from Brooklyn)

With special appearances from Self Driving Vehicles (Tesla), the GM of Ocean Properties, and disruptive technologies.

OPEN INVITE to forward thinkers, curiosity seekers, and those invested in our Sarasota Lifestyle! Please RSVP…we don’t want you to go hungry.

Click here to get Directions.

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