Bonnie,
I believe that your best bet would be in a golf course community such as University Park or Laurel Oak. This would insulate you investment in that they are in gated and deed restricted communities. The closer you are to downtown the better the investment since the cultural amenities are located there. There are also a couple of gated new communities at would match that price point and be relatively close to downtown. The issue of Key properties is that they are generally smaller lots and smaller and older homes. If you would like further information on these new communities please call or email me.
Regards,
John August
Michael Saunders & Co
61 S. Blvd of the Presidents Sarasota, FL 34236
john@4birdkey.com
(941)373-0038 direct
(941) 320-9795 cell
(941) 388-4447 MSC office http://www.4Sarasotahomes.com

Simple;
closest to the water will be you best choice but you won't be able to get half acre at that price.
I can show you 3-4 bdrm home in Siesta Key in that price range.
Contact me.
gloriacervoni@michaelsaunders.com

Karen Wantuck
Agent
Sarasota, FL
BEST ANSWER
Of course, the closer to the water you can get, the more your property will increase in value and the younger the structure the better unless it is a trade off in terms of nearness to shopping, beaches, et. al. and it has been renovated.

We have many dozens of homes for you to consider here in Sarasota at your price range. You will be shocked at what you can get between $500-$600k (I am aways amazed what wonderful properties are available now. I wish I hadn't bought my own home at the top of the market because I could get close to 2500 sq. ft. now with granite, huge lanai, well landscaped.......

My feeling as an investor (and a licensed agent) is that buying now is the best way to wealth because although home prices will probably never climb to the pinnacles of 04-05, they will surely increase substantially more than leaving cash in a bank (which is pretty safe) or investing in stocks/bonds which is always risky.

Please call me if you need an agent who knows the communities, and who has done very well even in these hard times. I've got lots of happy clients you could talk to: from Wisconsin, California, Massachusetts, Norway, Illinois, England.......

I work 5 counties and can compare all the county data for you. Where do you live now and what are your hobbies or interests? Do you want a salt or chlorine pool? Screen enclosure? dock? view? home with horses or no horses? any pets? wooded or partially wooded or cleared acreage? Do you gorw crops?

please e-mail me and I will search for you.

relocateisapieceofcake@gmail.com
web reference: http://www.monikadepalo.adamscameron.com

Hi Bonnie!
Most areas in Sarasota should be able to provide you with some great options within that price range. If you're looking for half acre lots though, you will want to rule out some of the communities that only provide quarter acre lots. The real question you'll need to ask yourself is what other amenities you're looking for. If you want to live in a gated community or not, if you want be located on a golf course or on the water, etc... All these are important questions to ask yourself so that you can be in the best area possible.

As far as having something that will increase in value or at least hold it's value, nothing is certain right now. There are a lot of people who thought that they bought something that would hold it's value very well and they have been proven wrong unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of the economy. At this point, EVERYTHING will increase in value eventually. But, it may decrease a little more first. Just keep in mind that everything is relative and that nothing is certain.

Good luck!

Shannon Moore

bonnie
how long are you planning on keeping this home. reason i ask is that in this market if you are looking at the long haul and keping it for 10 yrs. or so it really will not matter for it will be worth more then than it is now. Saying this then, you really need to find a location you like 1st and go from there, for I could show you the best 3/4 br. 2-4 bath for 500-600 on 1/2 acre or more in the best area, the best home, and for some reason you may not like it, it may be too small in sq. ft. it may nothave a pool, etc.....
I thing though it for sure though, if you get a home on water no matter where your odds of increasing are better. I was showing homes just yesterday in a community that was selling for over 900,000-1.5 million 3 yrs. ago now same homes are short sales from 500,000 to homes at 800,000 now. Great deals now and in 10 yrs.will be back,
If you are looking to flip in a yr. this is not that market yet. Todays market is a buy and hold for sure especially in your price range
hope this helps.
Please let me know if you need more help in the future. I handle areas from Casey Key to Palmetto
David Leventhal
the Leventhal Team
941-518-7694

HI Bonnie,
Good luck with your search and if youwould like me to run numbers when you narrow the search down please feel free to give me a call.

Melissa Antenucci
Ameritrust Mortgage Associates, LLC
561-417-9221

Hi Bonnie,

You want to look for areas that posses what the majority of buyers are looking for. There is city living in our great downtown bay front area and then boating communities are always popular as well as golf communities. Access to the water and shopping always seem high on the list. It appears that our waterfront and Key's have held their value better then most other areas during this downturn and if you are looking for something that will hold it's value for the long term, don't rule these areas out. I think there are many great areas in Sarasota that would fit the bill and your realtor should be able to help you with what you need but they'll need more information about what it is you are looking for.

My best,
Terri

Teresa M. Fellows
Broker/Associate
Waterside Realty LLC
941-350-4297
tmf4257@mac.com http://www.floridawestproperties.com

I am sure that you will get a wide variety of opinions on this question, and it''s not easy to answer. My personal opinion is that the closer you are to the beaches, the more appreciation you may experience when the market improves. It's a simple matter of supply and demand. There is plenty of undeveloped land east of I-75, and builders will build aggressively when the market recovers, keeping price increases moderate. There is little good undeveloped land west of I-75 in the Sarasota area, which means that prices should rise as demand improves.

There are plenty of great areas to choose from. I favor golf communities, even if you are not a golfer. Again, there isn't a lot of available land west of I-75, so there aren't likely to be new golf courses in this area. As demand improves and the population grows, golf communities will become more valuable. If you are not a golfer or don't think you are the "country club type", choose a community where club membership is not mandatory, or is at least inexpensive. I like University Park, where a family social membership costs just $520 per year. River Club, which happens to be just on the other side of I-75, might also be a good bet. It has the advantage of being next to the very popular Lakewood Ranch, without the CDD fees.

When looking at golf communities, try to learn something about the finances of the country club, even if you don't have to belong to the club. Some clubs are experiencing financial problems in this economy, and this may affect the surrounding neighborhood if the club closes or maintenance standards decline.

I have included a link to numerous listings for one-half to one acre properties in Sarasota and Manatee counties. http://mfr.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=375263467&s… Please let me know if any of these appeal to you. I will be happy to show them to you at your convenience.

Charles Offer
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
423 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 321-9664 http://www.CharlesOffer.com http://www.FloridaMoves.com/Charles.Offer

Web Reference: http://www.FloridaMoves.com/Charles.Offer

Depending if you want a deed restricted neighborhood, gated, pool, and any search criteria you require there is quite a variance of homes available. I have attached just some of the homes available to this link. I encourage you to contact me directly to narrow and precisely define your search. Shopping for a home in this market is exciting as a Buyer has so money great investment opportunity.

Faye Doyle, LLC
RE/MAX Alliance Group
2000 Webber St
Sarasota, FL
941-504-7496
FayeDoyle.com
fayedoylellc@gmail.com

Good Morning Bonnie,
One of the beautiful things about buying real estate in Sarasota right now is that our pricing is as low as it has been in almost 10 years. It provides an opportunity for you to take advantage of a fabulous Buyer's market. In order to best answer your question it would be helpful to understand your family and interests. Do you have school age children that would be better served if we further review school systems? Are you boaters, golfers, enjoy performing arts, etc?
There are numerous areas that we could look at, but I could better focus on specific areas if you shared more of your needs with me. Please feel free to contact me directly by email or phone - 941.812.7688. I look forward to assisting you with your move to Sarasota.
Many SMILES!!

Beth Lancaster
beth.lancaster@sothebysrealty.com