Home Sales Strong

Sarasota home sellers continue to get close to their asking prices, says realtor Kevin Vale at the Coldwell Banker downtown office. As of August 2002, single-family homes and condominiums were selling at an average of 96.4 percent of the list price, Vale says.

"This statistic continues to show the strength in the Sarasota real estate market," says Vale.

He attributes this partly to lower interest rates that encouraged many first-time homebuyers, investors and vacation homebuyers to take the plunge.

High-tech Blinds

With a touch of a remote control, you can turn music on, close a garage door, and now-with the latest in blind technology-let the sunshine in. Patrick Leddy, president and owner of Accurate Blinds, Inc., is excited about the new Hunter Douglas Luminette Privacy Sheers with power glide. The motorized shade tilts open and closes at the press of a button, Leddy says.

Although they're not motorized, matchstick-type reed and bamboo shades have also been a hot seller in the past six months, especially in lanais, where woven sunshades have also made a big comeback, Leddy says.

A Good Place to Start

First-time homebuyers can look to Westfield Homes for affordable, brand-new start-ups in Manatee and Sarasota counties, says Lea Lagueux, Westfield's marketing director.

Plans are underway to develop Newburn Village off Honore and 17th Street in Sarasota, a community of one- and two-story single-family homes. In North Port, Westfield is building starter homes in Heron Creek and Lakeside Plantation. Westfield is also taking the concept to Manatee County's Waterford Village in the Imperial Lakewood community.

Though Westfield will take pains to blend in with this upscale area architecturally, the goal is to keep the houses affordable, with some prices starting in the low $130,000s, Lagueux says. "It's something we do well in all our markets," Lagueux says.

Pool Smarts

Without the right interior finish, pools stain and discolor quickly. That's why Dave Benton, general manager at Water Designs of Sarasota, advises clients to buy Pebble-Tec. While the product has been around for nearly 30 years, it is now more affordable (adds about $1,500 more to the cost of your pool, down from about $5,000 before) and comes in a variety of colors.

In Florida, one pool with Pebble-Tec on the inside has gone 24 years without needing a touchup, Benton says.

New Homes

University Park Country Club recently opened five new homes in Warwick Gardens-three by Neal Custom Homes, and one each by Todd Johnston Homes and Marc Rutenberg Homes.

Designs emphasize Florida living with outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, custom pools, spa, fountains, lush foliage, and entry points and windows throughout designed to bring the outdoors in. The Chatsworth model is a courtyard design with a pool situated in the middle of the home. Marc Rutenberg, a builder new to this area, opened his Woodbridge Model-a must-see that is offered at just over $1 million.

Pendent Pleasures

At The Lamplighter, pendent lighting of Murano glass is flying off the shelves this year, says manager Lorie Parker.

"We've mixed different pieces of glass that blend together," Parker says. "It's our biggest trend."

Parker says customers love the variety of the imported Italian glass (she has around 15 different styles) and its vibrant colors, and enjoy mixing and matching to create the perfect lighting piece. Because they're small and versatile, the fixtures can hang anywhere: powder rooms, dining rooms and above kitchen islands.

Big is Better

Homebuyers are clamoring for bigger and more detailed homes, says Debbie Gonzalez, director of sales and marketing for John Cannon Homes. The builder's 2002 sales stayed strong, Gonzalez says, with the bulk occurring in Lakewood Ranch (Palmers Creek) and Silver Oak. Gonzalez says buyers are looking for large houses with amenities such as stone floors, intricate ceiling work, columns, stone detailing in the front elevation and built-ins throughout the house. Her average sale price began at $600,000.