Just under two miles from downtown Sarasota, Southside Village has become a quaint little destination for shopping, dining and nightlife. West of the Trail by Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Center, these few blocks surrounding Hillview Avenue have evolved over the last several years, developing into a charming collection of restaurants, boutiques, and much more. Nestled within diverse architecture of the surrounding neighborhoods, ranging from century-old homes to modern mansions, Southside Village is the heart of a vital and eclectic part of Sarasota.

There are a number of shopping opportunities for the fashion-conscious. Fashionistas love the RHA Boutique and Tina’s on Osprey. Fifi's Fine Resale Apparel and Beautiful You Boutique are two notable

When you're looking to buy or sell a home, one of the last things you want to have to do is put in more money -- but investing in a licensed home inspection is well worth it. If you're considering an inspection, there are a few things you should know and take into consideration as you choose the right home inspector for you.

1. First, you should know that the purpose of a home inspection is to help assess the value of the property based on its roof, foundation, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical work, water and sewage, fire and safety issues, as well as insect, water, or fire damage.
2. Know that the home inspection can be used as a contingency in your purchase offer, which could allow you to back out of an offer free of penalty if

Although I love the luxury homes in Sarasota, I also love the charm of its villas. I meet quite a few people who are either looking for a vacation home or just something smaller that they can nestle into and not have to worry about the maintenance that larger homes sometimes require. The great news is that there are a lot of villas in the area with a really broad range of pricing.

If you're looking to stay on Longboat Key and be close to the beach, a 2,536 square foot gem at 2157 Harbourside Dr. #802 in Harbour Oaks features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with beautiful natural lighting throughout. The vaulted ceilings are a great feature of the combined living/dining area, and the wood-burning fireplace and travertine floors really make the place feel

October in Sarasota is a beautiful time of year to embrace the outdoors. The weather starts to cool down as the days grow shorter, meaning a shorter wait to experience those miraculous sunsets. If you just bought a home in Sarasota, I figured sharing some of October's outdoor events might help you get acquainted with your new home; and if you're thinking about buying a home here, seeing what Sarasota has going on may just inspire you to make that leap and become part of the community. And if you're a seasoned local -- we'll see you there!

1. Beginning on the first weekend of the month, Live from Downtown Sarasota – It's Friday Night! livens up the heart of the city as street performers fill the air with music each and every Friday night from 6-9 p.m.