Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

    Fall events in Sarasota and Venice add another dimension to the lifestyle that attracts homebuyers to Florida's Gulf Coast. Festivals, farmers markets, art shows, concerts and seasonal gatherings activate downtown streets, beaches, parks and commercial districts from September through November.

    The best place to grab lunch between home showings in Sarasota depends on where your search takes you next. Downtown Sarasota offers numerous choices around Main Street, St. Armands Circle works naturally when touring Lido Key or nearby island properties, and Siesta Key Village can be convenient

    Palma Sola Harbour in Bradenton is a gated waterfront condominium community where canals, private docks at select residences and direct access toward Palma Sola Bay make boating part of the neighborhood's identity. Developed beginning in the early 1970s, the community consists primarily of low-r

    Palma Vista is a small single-family neighborhood in West Bradenton's 34209 area, close to Palma Sola Bay and the routes leading toward Anna Maria Island. Built around 37th Avenue Circle West, the community contains approximately 25 homesites and combines residences from different periods, inclu

    Mainstreet at Bradenton is a downtown condominium community at 210 3rd Street West, close to the Manatee River, Bradenton Riverwalk and Old Main Street. The building dates from the early 2000s and contains compact one and two-bedroom residences, making it a distinctly urban alternative to Braden

    If your Sarasota house hunt takes you to Lido Key, save a few hours to kayak the mangrove tunnels at Ted Sperling Nature Park. The launch at 190 Taft Drive provides access to winding mangrove water trails along the southern end of Lido Key, where paddlers can experience Sarasota Bay's coastal en

    Taking a day off from house hunting in Sarasota can be one of the most useful parts of a home-buying trip. Instead of touring another kitchen or comparing another floor plan, spend a day experiencing the places that could become part of your normal life. Visit the beach, walk the bayfront, explo

    Before buying a home in Bradenton, Florida, spend part of your house-hunting trip exploring the city beyond the properties for sale. Walk the Bradenton Riverwalk, drive through West and Northwest Bradenton, visit Robinson Preserve, explore Downtown Bradenton, head toward Cortez and the Gulf, the

    Grande Riviera is a boutique luxury condominium at 420 Golden Gate Point, positioned directly on Sarasota Bay near downtown Sarasota. Completed in 2005 with just 13 residences, the building combines Mediterranean-inspired architecture, expansive waterfront views and a low-density residential set

    Before buying on Longboat Key, investigate more than the residence, view and asking price. This Florida barrier island stretches between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, with properties ranging from Gulf-front condominiums to bayfront and canal-oriented homes. Buyers should understand the pr

    After a full day of house hunting on Anna Maria Island, watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico is an easy way to stop comparing properties and experience the island itself. Good sunset choices stretch from Bean Point near the northern end of Anna Maria to Gulf beaches in Holmes Beach and Co

    Palma Sola Park is an established Northwest Bradenton neighborhood along Palma Sola Bay where historic homes, Florida ranch houses and newer coastal residences share winding residential streets. The neighborhood dates to the early 20th century, making it substantially different from Bradenton's

    Highland Lakes in Bradenton is an established West Bradenton neighborhood where single-family homes are arranged around scenic community lakes and landscaped residential streets. Developed primarily during the late 1980s and 1990s, the community offers an alternative to both large newer developm

    Oak Trace is an established single-family neighborhood in Bradenton's 34208 area, where homes built primarily during the mid-2000s, sidewalks, mature landscaping and private outdoor spaces create a traditional residential setting. Three and four-bedroom floor plans are common, attached garages a

    A day on the water near Anna Maria Island can include boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wildlife viewing and a boat-only visit to Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay. The island's Gulf Coast setting makes the water part of the experience rather than simply a backdrop. A good itinerary

    If you are house hunting in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, your meal breaks can double as useful time getting to know the community. Holmes Beach has options ranging from casual beachfront food at Manatee Public Beach and quick sandwiches between showings to seafood, Italian dining and a mor

    Mango Park Northwest is a small, established single-family neighborhood in Northwest Bradenton, near Palma Sola Bay, Robinson Preserve, Palma Sola Botanical Park and De Soto National Memorial. The community contains roughly 50 to 60 homes on comfortably sized homesites, with mature landscaping a

    If waterfront living is part of your Longboat Key home search, spend some time seeing the island from the water. A boat ride along Sarasota Bay reveals a side of Longboat Key real estate that is difficult to understand from Gulf of Mexico Drive alone. From the bay, you can see residential canals

    Mahogany Bay is a small residential enclave in Northwest Bradenton where custom single-family homes, mature landscaping and select properties directly on Palma Sola Bay create a distinctly coastal setting. Located around 89th Court NW in the 34209 area, the neighborhood was developed primarily d

    Palm Court Villas in Bradenton is an established villa-style community in southwest Bradenton's 34210 area, near El Conquistador Parkway and IMG Academy. Developed primarily during the late 1980s and 1990s, the neighborhood combines one-story residences, attached garages, tropical landscaping an