Crossed Palms Gallery - Pine Island Florida Art Gallery

When my friend Melanie Wright called last week and said let’s go on an adventure to Pine Island, I quickly agreed as we haven’t been to Crossed Palms Gallery in 5 years. Melanie and I took a day trip from Sarasota in 2004 right after Hurricane Charley caused its havoc on the state of Florida. I was anxious to see the progress of Pine island since that mess and to visit this quaint little art gallery in its tropical setting right across the road from beautiful Charlotte Harbor.

We left Sarasota about 10:30 am on Sunday morning and were having lunch on the water at Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha by noon. Bert’s was slowly filling up with locals, and we had a two-hour seafood lunch enjoying the sites and sounds of fishermen, friends and families. One group was celebrating a 50th birthday and another had just arrived by boat to plan their 4th of July Celebration. Bert’s has been in Matlacha since the 1920s and is the “local watering” hole so to speak.

Our main objective on this adventure, as I said, was to visit Crossed Palms Gallery at Bokeelia. Crossed Palms showcases fine art, pottery, blown glass, sculpture and jewelry. Meandering from room to room, I found a mermaid chair that I just loved. The price tag was approximately $1,200. My next closing of Sarasota real estate, and I’ll head back down to Crossed Palms for the mermaid.

Cheryl, one of the owners, kept us entertained with her island stories while we browsed. Cheryl suggested the Tarpon Lodge if you plan to spend the night on Pine Island. The Tarpon Lodge Restaurant is open daily from 11:00 am-9:00 pm if you’re enjoying Pine Island for the day.

Crossed Palms Gallery is located on Charlotte Harbor at 8315 Main Street, Bokeelia, Florida.

You can reach Cheryl at 239-283-2283. Tell her Annette and Melanie from Sarasota, Florida say “we’ll be back soon”!

For information on Sarasota waterfront homes, contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 or send an email for a prompt reply.

Longboat Key Condos on the Water at Tangerine Bay

Sandy Whitehead and I met some customers at a waterfront condo in Tangerine Bay, Longboat Key condos for sale Monday evening.

Tangerine Bay's grounds are exquisite. The tropical landscaping is breathtaking and in early evening the glow from the Gulf and Bay waters reflected by the sunset is outstanding. There's a lagoon in the center of the complex with a beautiful fountain adjacent to a resort style pool and clubhouse. Several white bridges cross the lagoon from one side of the complex to the other. Tangerine Bay offers its residents nice square footage with towering ceiling. Some units have lofts and incredible Bay views. Boat docks are available as well as private garages on the ground floor of each building.

Tangerine Bay has 5 spacious condos for sale listed in the Sarasota MLS. Prices start at $779,00 for a condo close to the entrance at Gulf of Mexico Drive but the view is full Bay. At $1,250,000, you can purchase a 2,274 sq.ft. unit with direct waterfront views. There is one unit with a pending sale in this Bayfront complex.

If you are searching for a well-maintained condominium on Longboat Key, Tangerine Bay may deserve your attention. Contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 to arrange an appointment to view Longboat Key waterfront condos. View virtual tours, photographs and other properties available on Longboat Key. We show regularly at Water Club, Grand Bay and as well as Tangerine Bay.

Photos Copyrighted by Annette Ashley Smith

Sarasota Waterfront Condos at Golden Gate Point

Across from the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota off Ringling Blvd in downtown Sarasota is the waterfront community of Golden Gate Point. This community is undergoing a street renovation and once completed, Golden Gate Point condo owners will have a facelift.

La Bellasarasa and Grande Riviera are two of the most outstanding condominium buildings in this enclave of residences. The Sarasota MLS reports 40 active condos for sale at Golden Gate Point.

More Popular Golden Gate Point Condos

Pier 550
Harbor House West
Harbor House South
Alta Mer
Vista Bay Point

Visit your downtown Sarasota condo friends and enjoy urban life. Meet at Epicure for dinner, a restaurant near downtown Sarasota condo. Take in a movie, a play or just watch dolphins play!

If you are searching for a condo at Grande Riviera and La Bellasarasa where you can enjoy urban life too, contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 to schedule a showing. Golden Gate Point is conveniently located close to downtown Sarasota restaurants, shopping and dining.

Siesta Key Real Estate - Waterfront Siesta Key Condos

This season Siesta Key real estate was very active. Many buyers of real estate on this key have been visiting the area of decades. Through the years, some people stay at the same condo complex over and over. The dream of owning a Siesta Key condo is vivid! Now they are realizing their dreams of owning Siesta Key real estate as prices are affordable, interest rates low and the selection outstanding.

We've been searching the Sarasota MLS daily for waterfront Siesta Key condos either on the beach or the bay. The beach wins if our buyers plan to rent. One of the first things a vacationer who is renting asks is "how far is the condo from the beach." The boating and water sports activity on Sarasota Bay is interesting so if our buyer plans to use their new condo as a first or second home, then possibly the bay will win. Many Bayside condos on Siesta Key have beach access across the street.

Some of our favorite Siesta Key Condos are shown below:

Siesta Key Condos Bayside

Midnight Cove
Harbour Towne
Summer Cove

Summer Cove on Siesta Key is a beautiful new complex on the grounds of the old Summerhouse Restaurant. The property is well developed and the restoration of the Restaurant into a Club House for residents is outstanding.

Siesta Key Condos Gulfside

Casarina
Crescent
Coquille

A contemporaray style Siesta Key condo, Crescent, is one of Siesta Key's newest beach condominiums. Built in 2006, there is an on-site management staff positioned to handle weekly rentals. This building is excellent for buyers searching for good rental potential. It's right on one the world's best beaches and from the South Bridge Sarasota's mainland is easily accesible.

If you are searching for a condo on Lido Key, Siesta Key or Longboat Key, we cover all the Sarasota Keys. We want to help so call Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 or email Annette for a prompt response. We show Siesta Key real estate regularly as well as downtown Sarasota.

Longboat Key Condos Update

Whether you prefer a new condo on Longboat Key like the waterfront complex at Positano or a re-sale condo like luxurious Water Club, you can search all the Longboat Key Condos listed in the Sarasota MLS database of condos on our blogs or on our websites! Take a look at some Longobat Key condos and see if this manicured island is your dream lifestyle. If you don't have time to search, email us your preferences, and we'll automatically send information on Longboat Key condo communities that match your criteria.

The Sarasota MLS reports over 400 two bedroom, two bath condos, townhouses and villas for sale. Prices currently range from $239,000 to $5 million for a minimum of two bedroom, two bath condos. Of course, the closer to the water, the better the condition of the condo, and the more fantastive the view, the more expensive. It's all about the water and most of our customers prefer the Gulfside of Longboat Key.

The Bayside of Longboat Key is wonderful too! Waterfront condo residents on the Bay enjoy boating activity as well as twinkling city lights in the evenings -- there is more to see when the sun goes down. St. Armands Circle's activities and downtown cultural venues are a short drive away.

If you are interested in a Longboat Key condo or any Sarasota real estate, contact Annette Smith at 941-504-3922 for showings.

Bird Key Real Estate Update

Bird Key real estate is prime for boaters and water lovers. This community has homes on deep water canals and Bird Key's Yacht Club is outstanding. According to the Sarasota MLS idx database, there are currently 50 homes for sale on Bird Key. The MLS data reports the lowest priced home on the Key is $449,000 for three bedrooms, two baths. The home is not on the water.



We last reported on Bird Key homes for sale in August 2008. Homes in this popular neighborhood, with 9 pending sales, go up in price to $11 million for a "spectacular" waterfront Mediterranean estate. Bird Key real estate is actively participating in this buyers market as home sales in the last six months total 16 with selling prices ranging from $432,500 to $2,800,000.

Bird Key homes, are located left of the first traffic light just over the Ringling Bridge from Sarasota, FL. St. Armands Circle is a very short drive from Bird Key for shopping and dining.

We specialize in all Sarasota real estate. Give us a call if you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Sarasota. Make an appointment with Annette Smith for a specialized marketing plan if you wish local/global exposure for your Bird Key home.

Oyster Bay Estates - Sarasota FL Waterfront Neighborhood Update

Luxury Homes in Oyster Bay Estates, Sarasota FL Oyster Bay Estates is a none gated, West of the Trail community with no through traffic. Homes are west of the Tamiami Trail or Hwy 41. Traveling from Tampa International Airport to Oyster Bay Estates takes about 90 minutes. Restaurants, shopping and professional locations are close to this Sarasota waterfront neighborhood as well as downtown Sarasota's cultural venues.

Search for a waterfront home with view of Sarasota Bay in Oyster Bay Estates. Many homes in this neighborhood need some help from your handyman. Search for an older home that needs some work. Call us to write the contract and get started. If remodeling overwhelms you, some homes in the Oyster Bay have been remodeled. Tear down the least expensive home in this Sarasota neighborhood and build your dream home. Oyster Bay Estates Homeowners Association is optional, and no deed restrictions to worry about here.

The Sarasota MLS currently reports 16 homes for sale in this Sarasota waterfront neighborhood. Prices in Oyster Bay Estates range from $549,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with a wooded view to $5,495,000 million for a 6462 sq.ft magnificent Bayside home built in 2004.
Sarasota's prestigious Field Club located in Oyster Bay Estates.

School districts, at the present time, for this Sarasota community are:

Elementary - Phillippi Shores
Middle School - Brookside
High School - Riverview

School districts can always change so be sure to call the School Board for more information before your purchase your home if schools are important to your home buying decisions.

Call us for more information on Sarasota Florida Oyster Bay homes or check our websites for updates on listings. For photos, virtual tours and information about Sarasota golf course homes and real estate for sale on Siesta Key and Lido Key. Visit our Sarasota blogs and multiple websites on the happenings in the Sarasota area.