One of the big draws for people choosing Sarasota both as a vacation spot and home is access to the Gulf of Mexico and the opportunities to explore it by boat. Many who retire here find the water calling to them every day to either go fishing, waterskiing, or just get away from things and relax. If the water is calling to you, and you've got a boat that needs somewhere to dock, you may want to check out some of these homes.

Under Construction. Newly Released, the “Fairchild" floor plan offers over 3,700 square feet of living space, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a den overlooking the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay. The kitchen is a chef’s dream offering Wolfe and Subzero appliances, 9’ high European cabinetry, oversized center island featuring

Like any area of business, real estate experiences its peaks and valleys. Therefore, it's a good idea for people looking either to buy or sell to become familiar with its seasonal trends. Since Florida seems to stand apart from other states in so many ways, our season is a little different, offering unique opportunities for buyers and sellers.

Throughout the country, the winter months of December and January are pretty slow in the housing market. The holidays keep people busy and bank accounts somewhat limited, and most folks aren't prone to exploring open houses when it's cold outside. 

But Florida isn't like most of the country. With the mild winters here, people start house hunting after the holidays. According to Trulia, search traffic for

Over the course of decades, The Landings has grown to encompass so much of what Sarasota is about. With over 700 residences ranging in style from single-family homes to villas in the trees, this community seems to offer a little something for everyone.

Located just west of the Trail near Proctor Road, The Landings is ideally situated just a few minutes from both downtown Sarasota and the pristine beaches for which our area is so well-known. A gated and deed-restricted community, The Landings features meandering roads that wind among large shade trees, tranquil lakes, an assortment of nature trails, and a true appreciation for Florida's natural beauty. Nowhere is this more evident than among the 76 multi-level townhouses designed to coalesce with

Now that the improvements to Bee Ridge Road are nearing completion, Sarasota Springs is about to get a lot more popular. Only a few minutes from Downtown Sarasota and the University Town Center, this neighborhood boasts an extensive array of homes in a wide variety of price ranges.

To start off, the 3500-square foot home at 3211 E. Forest Lake Drive includes 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, a 3-car garage, and a detached in-law suite. With an asking price of $975,000, the kitchen comes complete with Bosch appliances and a gas range, the huge living room includes a fireplace, and the family room opens up to the screened in swimming pool and spa area. This spacious home sits on a ¾ acre lot with sprawling mature oak trees in the Old Forest Lakes community,

As we reported a couple of years ago, both the city and county of Sarasota are pretty dog-friendly places. According to BringFido.com, a website that highlights places where dogs are welcome, Sarasota has 194 restaurants that offer doggy dining, including El Greco and Cafe Epicure, two of my dog Nemo's favorites. And in addition to the off-leash Paw Parks we highlighted in 2015, a resolution was passed by the Sarasota County Commissioners last December which designated 71 local parks and preserves as “dog friendly,” meaning that you can bring your dogs as long as they're on a leash.

This is great news for dog owners in Sarasota. For most of us, our four legged friends are part of the family, and if you're like me, you like to take your dog with you

Previously an area that many people overlooked, Arlington Park is now gaining in popularity. Most of the area was still orange groves and farmland when homes were first built in the area in the 1920's. Though it saw some continued development through the next few decades as Florida worked through the Great Depression, Arlington Park saw its next great explosion in the 1950's and 1960's, which account for many of the homes that comprise the neighborhood.  

Much of what people find so charming about Arlington Park are the bungalows and cottages built during this era, now refurbished and renovated. However, increasing its charm are the ranch-style homes that have been built in the meantime and the modern homes that have been more recently added.

Sarasota's malls feature plenty of places for indoor shopping, dining, and entertainment.

As the months get warmer in Florida, several residents are quite thankful for the respite of air-conditioned shopping. Yet the malls in Sarasota aren't just for shopping. Featuring a variety of restaurants and eateries, as well as entertainment venues, Sarasota malls have a little something for everyone.

Our oldest mall is Westfield Sarasota Square. First built in 1977, Sarasota Square received a 7-million-dollar facelift in 1986, followed quickly by another 15-million-dollar expansion. The mall saw more major renovations when Westfield purchased the property in 2005, instituting a 60-million-dollar remodel.

With its most recent addition of a Costco store,

Since its beginning in 1995, Lakewood Ranch has grown into seven beautiful villages and continues to expand. Beautifully designed and well maintained to allow residents the best in a master-planned community, this neighborhood offers the best in shopping, dining, recreation, and beautiful homes. If you're looking for upscale living, take a look at what's available now.

Let's start with the beautiful, peaceful lake view home at 7107 Whitemarsh Cir! Real Florida Living - stunning lake and sunset views. Dramatic courtyard entry leads to a Formal Living Room/Dining Room with elegant Corinthian columns, stone fireplace surround, 12' ceilings, and 7 1/2' crown moldings. The Kitchen/Family Room is light and bright with aquarium glass and windows over

Golden Gate Point has developed over the last century as one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Downtown Sarasota.

Like Bird Key, Golden Gate Point is another community that has been built by Sarasota ingenuity, creating residences with some of the most spectacular views in the entire County. Nestled in Sarasota Bay at the east end of the John Ringling Bridge, Golden Gate Point has become one of Downtown Sarasota's most exclusive neighborhoods. It's hard to believe that much of the 22-acre peninsula was still undeveloped only a few decades ago.

When it was first platted on August 31, 1899, the small strip of land was little more than a mangrove swamp. Thick with cabbage palms and other vegetation at the turn of the century, the only building

If you're really looking to embrace the Florida life, there is no doubt that you've entertained the idea of getting a swimming pool. While there are some great benefits to pool ownership, there is also a responsibility that comes along with it. Fortunately, it's not very difficult to maintain a pool, and it's so simple that some people find it sort of meditative.

However, making a few extra steps to ensure that your pool is in good working order makes a big difference. Not properly maintaining a pool can cut its life span in half, or even shorter, and considering that a pool pump can easily account for half of a home's energy bill, it's a good idea to keep it running smoothly. Many Floridians have already invested in solar heating for their pools,