Sarasota Best Place in the News

If you live in Sarasota FL, you already know it's Paradise. Although, it's taken a drubbing in the real estate market the past couple of years. Now, from at least two national media sources, it's being recognized as the jewel it is.

On the Today Show a few days ago, Sarasota was named one of the top undervalued places in the U.S. to buy real estate. According to expert Barbara Corcoran, Sarasota tops the list because its home prices, which dramatically declined in recent years, have seen a sharp rise in the last 3 months. She said the median home price is now $175,800, up 13% this quarter. As a friend of mine likes to say, "Woo-hoo!" for anyone who owns an upside-down property or anyone who wants to buy a house in SRQ.

This is the same message that appeared in a July issue of U.S. News & World Report, which included Sarasota in its own list of 10 most undervalued places to buy. From that report:


"Sarasota, Fla. Another alluring option for those looking to buy into the depressed Florida housing market is Sarasota, McCabe says. Like Naples, Sarasota is a relatively upscale community along the state's west coast. "Sarasota has got a lot of culture to it—a lot of art, a lot of art festivals," McCabe says. "It's a nice boating community, and they have got a lot of beautiful homes there." And after home prices plunged 44 percent from the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2009, the market presents would-be buyers with some attractive opportunities. IHS Global Insight considers the median home price in Sarasota — $141,000 — to be 28 percent undervalued.

America's 10 Best Undervalued Places to Live: (Percent of undervaluation, according to IHS Global Insight.)

1. Las Vegas: 41 percent
2. Houston: 37 percent
3. Naples, Fla.: 33 percent
4. Oklahoma City: 29 percent
5. Sarasota, Fla. 28 percent
6. San Francisco: 25 percent
7. Atlanta: 24 percent
8. Omaha: 23 percent
9. College Station-Bryant Texas: 21 percent
10. San Diego: 21 percent"

Like the real estate folks always say, "Location, Location, Location." The economy may have its ups and downs, but the beauty of Sarasota's natural features and its convivial lifestyle continue to draw people to visit and relocate.

Selby Library, An Oasis Downtown

Sarasota has a habit of making things beautiful (well, with a few architectural exceptions downtown!). Selby Library looks like a graceful, gleaming mothership floating across from Five Points Park on First Street.


With columns that look like elephant legs, reminiscent of its circus heritage, the building offers shady relief from summer sun outside, and a 21st century research and reading facility inside.
On the first floor, you'll find the children's library, with a delightful entrance archway that's a real aquarium! On this floor are also new books, videos, books on tape, DVDs, and CDs. Also, a large magazine reading area and fiction collection.
Upstairs are numerous study pods with Internet computers. That's also where you'll find non-fiction, periodicals, quiet-rooms, and reference. There are meeting rooms on both floors. The facility has free wi-fi and work carrels, too. During Season, there are exhibits mounted on the mezzanine facade and in the center of the main floor.

Are you Ready for Season?

Walking east on Main Street in Sarasota FL during Season. Shopping, cafes, tra la.

Private Views from Public Places in Sarasota FL

Under the protective canopy of Selby Library in downtown Sarasota FL, a contemplative view with a boy and his dog for company. Across the street is a leafy park. To the left is Starbucks. Further down the street is Whole Foods Market Centre.

Sarasota is a small city that feels like a small town. Once you're downtown, you can walk to everything, including the expansive Sarasota Bayfront Park.