New home buyers making the move to Sarasota (Country Club, Homestead: sale, real estate)

[Sojo68]

Hello everyone, I have been reading the forums for a few months now trying to see what other people are looking for and if the area would be right for my wife and I. After visiting Sarasota last week(for the third time), we have decided that we are ready to pursue making the move from South Jersey.

A little about us -
I am from South Jersey and she was born and raised in Brasil and has only been living here for the past four years. We are both not fans of the long and cold winters here and are looking for a style of life that fits our personalities and our likes. We are both outdoor people and really enjoy walking, going out to eat, relaxing at the beach and going to a downtown and being by other people. I work from home and the company she works for just opened a location in Sarasota last year so it seems like the time couldn't be better.

What we're looking for -
We are both not picky people and are mostly looking for a safe location that is within either walking distance to downtown Sarasota or a short drive to both downtown and the beach. Since we enjoy going out to eat and walking to stores, etc. something close to downtown would be perfect but we do not mind driving if we have to.

Our max budget would be around $200k but would like to stay under if possible. Since I work from home and we would have family visiting on occasion, three bedrooms would be ideal. I would like something with a yard as one of the hobbies I would like to take up would be gardening, i.e. planting fruit trees and having some small vegetable plants.

Based on our lifestyles and budget, can anyone make some good suggestions for us please? I will admit, even though we have been to Sarasota three times, we are not that familiar with all of the neighborhoods so any help would be great be greatly appreciated!

[Fl1150]

You might want to get a realtor because of what recently has been discussed on this forum is the highly competitive rental market to see what the options are. Sorry cant help you with specifics about neighborhoods to much but someone should answer question eventually.

[Sojo68]

Originally Posted by Fl1150

You might want to get a realtor because of what recently has been discussed on this forum is the highly competitive rental market to see what the options are. Sorry cant help you with specifics about neighborhoods to much but someone should answer question eventually.

I completely understand and appreciate your response. We're going to be contacting a realtor in the next month or two after we're done educating ourselves as much as we can on the area.

[Sunshine Rules]

Homes within your price point that are within walking distance to downtown and also meeting your other criteria would be difficult to find in today's market.

Close (bike ride or short drive) to downtown Sarasota, Alta Vista and Paver Park are popular neighborhoods with buyers within your price range. Zip codes mainly 34237 but also 34239. Paver Park homes were built mainly in the late 50's and early 60's by the Paver brothers, Stanley and Paul. Many of the homes in this neighborhood are now being renovated. Alta Vista means "high view" and the Alta Vista neighborhood (south of Ringling and north of Bahia Vista, west of Tuttle & east of US301) is not in a flood or evacuation zone. The neighborhood is rated one of the 10 most walkable in Sarasota. These 2 neighborhoods are also close to Payne Park, which offers playing fields for sports, walking paths and a skateboarding park. Alta Vista has quite a mixture of living options, from modest bungalows and duplexes to higher end homes.

Another option just south of Paver Park and Alta Vista is the South Gate area, which is partially in the city, partially in the county, nearer to Siesta Key Drive. It's a mixture of 1960's and 70's ranch style homes, 50's bungalows and cottages. It's also near Arlington Park which has great recreational facilities, including a community pool. The actual South Gate community has a voluntary HOA and if you join, you can pay just under $100 extra each year to use the South Gate community pool and center, which is on the Tuttle roundabout just south of Webber St. The South Gate area zip codes are 34231 and 34239. Also in that same general area is the neighborhood Forest Lakes Country Club, which has nice 1960's - 80's ranch homes. Because of the popularity of this area with buyers, it is becoming more difficult to find 3 bedroom homes under $200k there, but they do exist. By the way, some of the homes in the South Gate area are still on septic tanks. The county has a sewer program and homes in that area still on septic are required to hook up to the sewer system, generally within a specific time after closing, so you'll want to factor that cost into your purchase if a home is still on a septic system.

Although further south from the city limits (located south of Clark Road) but closer to Siesta Key, the Gulf Gate neighborhood does have a vibrant shopping center with local restaurants and shops that would be considered within walking distance from a good portion of the Gulf Gate community. Gulf Gate has mainly 60's and 70's ranch-style homes and is popular with both buyers and renters.



When looking at older homes in our area, you will want to factor in the cost of hazard insurance and property taxes. Hazard insurance on older built homes here can be more expensive compared to other regions of the country. That is especially true if the roof is older and the electric and plumbing have not been updated. And property taxes being paid by the current owner are subject to change the 1st of the year after a sale when the value is reassessed by the county property assessors office. A home that lists low taxes is most likely homesteaded by the current long term owner. Homesteading caps the annual increase allowed in assessed values. So when the home sells the taxes will "reset" to current market. There is a paragraph in the contracts used by most real estate agents that explains that but it is often glossed over. It is important information, especially if you are budget minded.

Last but not least, homes in good condition priced under $200k located within popular neighborhoods and school districts tend to go under contract quickly in the current market, so if you are planning to pay cash you will probably want to have a Proof of Funds letter in hand, or a pre-approval letter if getting financing, to submit with your offers in order to be competitive with other buyers.



If you are willing to be more flexible about walking distance to downtown Sarasota, I could suggest some other neighborhoods.

[Sojo68]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

Homes within your price point that are within walking distance to downtown and also meeting your other criteria would be difficult to find in today's market.

Close (bike ride or short drive) to downtown Sarasota, Alta Vista and Paver Park are popular neighborhoods with buyers within your price range. Zip codes mainly 34237 but also 34239. Paver Park homes were built mainly in the late 50's and early 60's by the Paver brothers, Stanley and Paul. Many of the homes in this neighborhood are now being renovated. Alta Vista means "high view" and the Alta Vista neighborhood (south of Ringling and north of Bahia Vista, west of Tuttle & east of US301) is not in a flood or evacuation zone. The neighborhood is rated one of the 10 most walkable in Sarasota. These 2 neighborhoods are also close to Payne Park, which offers playing fields for sports, walking paths and a skateboarding park. Alta Vista has quite a mixture of living options, from modest bungalows and duplexes to higher end homes.

Another option just south of Paver Park and Alta Vista is the South Gate area, which is partially in the city, partially in the county, nearer to Siesta Key Drive. It's a mixture of 1960's and 70's ranch style homes, 50's bungalows and cottages. It's also near Arlington Park which has great recreational facilities, including a community pool. The actual South Gate community has a voluntary HOA and if you join, you can pay just under $100 extra each year to use the South Gate community pool and center, which is on the Tuttle roundabout just south of Webber St. The South Gate area zip codes are 34231 and 34239. Also in that same general area is the neighborhood Forest Lakes Country Club, which has nice 1960's - 80's ranch homes. Because of the popularity of this area with buyers, it is becoming more difficult to find 3 bedroom homes under $200k there, but they do exist. By the way, some of the homes in the South Gate area are still on septic tanks. The county has a sewer program and homes in that area still on septic are required to hook up to the sewer system, generally within a specific time after closing, so you'll want to factor that cost into your purchase if a home is still on a septic system.

Although further south from the city limits (located south of Clark Road) but closer to Siesta Key, the Gulf Gate neighborhood does have a vibrant shopping center with local restaurants and shops that would be considered within walking distance from a good portion of the Gulf Gate community. Gulf Gate has mainly 60's and 70's ranch-style homes and is popular with both buyers and renters.



When looking at older homes in our area, you will want to factor in the cost of hazard insurance and property taxes. Hazard insurance on older built homes here can be more expensive compared to other regions of the country. That is especially true if the roof is older and the electric and plumbing have not been updated. And property taxes being paid by the current owner are subject to change the 1st of the year after a sale when the value is reassessed by the county property assessors office. A home that lists low taxes is most likely homesteaded by the current long term owner. Homesteading caps the annual increase allowed in assessed values. So when the home sells the taxes will "reset" to current market. There is a paragraph in the contracts used by most real estate agents that explains that but it is often glossed over. It is important information, especially if you are budget minded.

Last but not least, homes in good condition priced under $200k located within popular neighborhoods and school districts tend to go under contract quickly in the current market, so if you are planning to pay cash you will probably want to have a Proof of Funds letter in hand, or a pre-approval letter if getting financing, to submit with your offers in order to be competitive with other buyers.



If you are willing to be more flexible about walking distance to downtown Sarasota, I could suggest some other neighborhoods.

Thank you so much for that great reply! It's really appreciated

We definitely don't need to be within walking distance to downtown or the beaches for a big price increase. We're more settled on living without being house poor rather than having to be right in the downtown area. We're probably two of the easiet going people there are which is making the process much easier and less complicated. As long as we are in a safe neighborhood and are within 10-15 minutes of shopping, the beach, etc. that's all we are looking for