Manasota Key Real Estate | Manasota Key Blog

The Hermitage Lobster Fest is scheduled for Saturday, November 20th starting at 11AM in Manasota Key.  I have heard so much about this fundraiser that this year I accepted an invitation to be on the committee.  Michael’s On East received such great review last year, that they have been asked to cater the event again this year.  There will be a silent and live auction, great music and a seafood feast to please all.  If you want to join me, I’ll be putting a table together, so feel free to call me for your reservation.  How can we go wrong when the spectacular views of Manasota Key Beach will serve as the background setting?  Hope to see you then and in the meantime, have a safe Labor Day weekend!

Comments (0) Aug 31 2010

7135 Manasota Key is now a Michael Saunders “Best Opportunity” listing and will be open this Sunday, 1-4PM.  If you are looking for a one acre private property with deeded beach access at a phenomenal price of $699,000, please stop by and bring your friends.  

Manasota Key is part of a chain of barrier islands along the southwest coast of Florida, which extend 175 miles from Tarpon Springs to Naples.  The Key is 15 miles long, ranging in width from 100-1500 feet and elevations from 10-20 feet above sea level.  Manasota Key borders Lemon Bay and is joined to Venice at the north end.  With just a two-lane road, pristine beaches, no high-rises, no traffic lights, excellent fishing & approximately 400 unique residences, this pristine Key has a lot to offer.

Comments (0) Jul 15 2010

I loved seeing how the patriotic in us came out in full bloom during our 4th of July celebration in Manasota Key.  We had over 50 friends from Sarasota and Manasota joining us in the celebration.  If you were one of them, thank you for sharing some of your favorite dishes and for all your kind words.  We had a memorable time too.  The private setting was second to none and the fireworks displayed rivaled any nearby.  You didn’t let us forget the real reason for celebrating and for that, we thank you!

Comments (0) Jul 15 2010

Here is the latest update on the oil spill excerpted from reports provided by Ed McCrane, Sarasota County Emergency Management at 12:48 PM, June 7th.

“Oil has reached shore in the Florida panhandle and additional impacts are expected in that area over the next 72 hours due to strong onshore winds.  In addition a small amount of oil has entered the Loop Current, but that current seems to be pinched off at the Florida Straits.  There is no indication that any other area of Florida will be impacted in the next 72 hours.  At present, there is no evidence of oil from this spill within 180 miles of Sarasota County and Manasota Key.

The latest report is that the BP containment dome is having some success.  In the last 24 hours it captured 400,000 gallons of oil.  The current estimates of oil escaping from the well range from 500,000 to one million gallons per day.  BP has announced that they expect the rate of capture to improve and that there will be a second containment dome on site by this weekend.  But is now anticipated that some unknown quantity of oil will continue to escape until a relief well is complete in August.

The Florida Department of Natural Resources continues to advise homeowners and others NOT to take unauthorized actions to protect the beaches, or wildlife.  Well meaning, but uninformed activities are considered likely to do more harm than good at this time.”

Comments (1) Jun 10 2010

Comments (0) Jun 03 2010

Due to a worldwide decline in the sea turtle population, all species are now considered endangered.  Federal, State and local regulations provide for their protection.  The beaches in Sarasota County, including Manasota Key beach, have become crucial habitats for a large congregation of sea turtle nesting during the months of May through October.  Female sea turtles swim to shore looking for favorable temperature and grading changes where they can lay their eggs.  When foreign obstacles such as furniture, umbrellas, etc are left outside, sea turtles abandon their nesting attempt in search for a better environment, increasing the chances of non-nesting.  Light is also a crucial factor since hatchlings orient themselves in the direction of the brightest horizon.  Bright lights will disorient them and move them away from the water, creating death due to starvation, predation or exhaustion.  There is a Sarasota County Sea Turtle Protection Program (941-861-5000) to protect their habitat and survival.

Comments (0) Apr 29 2010

A friend asked me last night about things to do in Manasota Key.  My head was spinning with ideas, so I decided to include them here for all of you to consider.  Here they are:  shark tooth hunting, scuba diving, fishing for snook or red fish, playing volley ball, snorkeling on our beautiful reefs, renting jet skiing on the south entrance to Manasota Key, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, bicycle riding, going bowling, watching the sunset or sunrise, reading a good book on a comfy chair, flying a kite, gardening, mastering the art of cooking, having a picnic under the Australian pines in Middle Beach, going for a nature walk in Jay Scrub Nature Park at the north entrance to Manasota Key, organizing a card game with some neighbors, catching a great movie in the Frank 12 Movie Theater, going for a   late night walk on the beach while looking for turtles nesting, kayaking in Lemon Bay, Dolphin watching, playing table games with your family (Monopoly, Parchese, Connect Four, Battleship…), grilling a great steak or ribs, having a lobster bake on the beach, taking the dogs for a long walk, playing basketball or tennis in one of the three tennis courts at Manasota Beach Club (membership required), taking a class in jewelry making, sand sculpting contests, catching a play at Venice Little Theater, looking for bargains in the huge Flea Market in Fort Myers, playing paddle ball, collecting shells, skin boarding, net casting for mullet, buying fresh fish or shellfish from Sandy at Island Fish Market, eating pizza at Geraldi’s, taking a ride to Boca Grande or nearby islands, adding a ping pong or pool table to your playroom, planting a vegetable garden, skim boarding,  body surfing or board surfing, boating, throwing frisbees, playing stick ball, going antique hunting on historic Dearborn Avenue, taking advantage of the vibrant art and social life that nearby Sarasota has to offer, eating at one of the many nearby restaurants, playing games on a Wii or Playstation,  making home-made ice creams, watching the fireworks at Middle Beach during 4th of July weekend, planning a beach party, hiring a local fishing guide to take you back water fishing, buying fresh produce at the Dome Flea Market, catching a Rays baseball game during Spring training in Pt Charlotte, listening to a Jimmy Buffet CD, elegant shopping at famous St. Armands Circle, crochet or needlepoint projects, people watching at Sharky’s Bar and Restaurant in Venice, floating in the Gulf of Mexico, visiting the Hermitage Artist Colonist and chatting with the artists in residence, catching a televised sporting event at Bogey’s Sports Bar while enjoying their famous chicken wings, drinking Mojitos, Pina Coladas or sipping on Margaritas, baking a coconut or banana cream pie, playing 18 holes of golf at Jacaranda Country Club (open to the public during summer), scrap booking, catching up with friends on Facebook, sunbathing, reading the New York Times on Sunday, playing on the computer….you get the picture…and now that you are in Manasota Key, you can continue working on your future goals while living in the moment.  Did I miss anything?  Feel free to add to my list by sending me your comments…and if you are interested in receiving the latest Manasota Key realty information, email me your request at melbajimenez@michaelsaunders.com.

Comments (0) Apr 07 2010

The Manasota Key Association just received a written response from John McCarthy, General Manager of the Sarasota County Parks.  John says in the revised plan for the improvements at the North Manasota Key Beach, the concession stand has been removed.  The building has been downsized accordingly and thus will be set back a little farther from the road.  He has assured us that the revised plan has NO kitchen.  While the Manasota Key Association cannot claim total credit for this reversal on the part of the County, it certainly played a major role.  Their excellent communication system alerted members, which resulted in an overflow crowd at the first meeting.  An overflow crowd that was nearly unanimous in opposition to the concession stand.  Subsequent contacts by the previous president (and others) with County Commissioners and Mr McCarthy, reinforced their point.  In the end, the park will be upgraded without the potential nuisance of  food service, no concession stand, no commercial food service operation and without attacking the Conservation Act.  Once again, kudos to the residents of Manasota Key for being so pro-active in maintaining the feel and appearance  of our pristine environment…and if you are interested in receiving the latest Manasota Key realty information, email me your request at melbajimenez@michaelsaunders.com.

Comments (0) Mar 30 2010

I just spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon greeting guests at my listing at 7135 Manasota Key Rd.   It was refreshing to see some new faces looking for the “Manasota Key Lifestyle”.  If you haven’t seen this house, you should.  It will be open again on April 11th, 1-4PM or you can call me for an appointment at 941-356-3970.  For $729,900, you get one acre of a wooded setting, deeded bay and beach access, 4 car garage, circular driveway, an updated kitchen with walk-in pantry and island, new roof, high ceilings, skylights, gas fireplace, heated pool, lots of storage, 3 bedrooms+3baths+office+484 SF bonus room (ideal for hobby room, game room, office, guest suite, gym, etc) and more.  Some people called the large room a beach cabana; most people called the house, a fun party house.  The guests were coming from both ends of Manasota Key.  Some had just enjoyed a delicious lunch in one of the two Manasota Key Restaurants (Gulf View and Lock & Key) on the south end; others had just returned from launching their boats or jet skis from the public access on the north Manasota Key end.  Others were just driving by, enjoying the natural canopy of trees that has made Manasota Key so famous, while others had read about the open house in the Herald Tribune, Englewood Sun, Realtor.com, my personal website (melbajimenez.michaelsaunders.com) or the Michael Saunders website (michaelsaunders.com).  If you were one of today’s visitors, I thank you for stopping by and don’t be afraid to spread the word about this jewel in Manasota Key.

If I can help you buy or sell Manasota Key real estate call at 941.356.3970 or if you are interested in receiving the latest Manasota Key realty information, email me your request at melbajimenez@michaelsaunders.com.

Comments (0) Mar 30 2010

We never run out of things to do in Manasota Key.  Surfers know when we get exciting fun waves and even with temperatures colder than usual, Manasota Key Public Beach was busy this weekend.  You could see families walking the beach and kids collecting shark’s teeth.  In front of our home, we continued to enjoy total privacy, beautiful sunsets and some fishing.  With 48 properties currently listed in Manasota Key, 2 under contract which were listed below $1.o mi and one gulf and bay selling for $2.2 mi on the north side, Manasota Key continues to be the best place to live.  I can make your dream a reality.  Call me now at 941-356-3970.

Comments (0) Mar 01 2010