Hello Cathi,

As an agent that actually sells in the area, Snead Island is one of the most desirable areas in the county. And Amberwynd is the only gated neighborhood on Snead Island, it features large Med/Spanish style homes on larger lots on either the lake, wooded area, or a canal that leads to Terra Ceia Bay the to Tampa Bay.

As with Palmetto, just as in most communities some areas are less desirable than others. Also Sneald Island is currently not incorporated into the City of Palmetto, so no additional taxes.

Snead Island is made up of several small neighborhoods, Gulf and Bay Estates, Amberwynd, Heritage Bay and Mangrove Point.

Deemed a waterfront and boating friendly community, a true relaxed setting, many neighbors have golf carts, exercise and have social group activities. Snead Island has only one way on/off, which means almost zero crime. Home to the Bradenton Yacht Club, and the 300+ acre Emerson Preserve Park.

Snead Island has also held its value well; it is not over run with short sales and foreclosures as in other waterfront areas, actually almost zero short sales and foreclosures.
Many families stay on the Island for years, upsizing of downsizing, by moving just a few streets over.

Snead Island is the furthest away in terms of ghetto. :)

My office is only a few minutes away, I would be happy to show you around.

Jordan Chancey
Leslie Wells Realty Inc.
Direst 941-545-8816 http://www.JordanChancey.com
Jordan@JordanChancey.com

Southwest Florida is the best!

(Okay, I was born there, so I am prejudicial).

The climate, the beaches, the shopping - it's all there along the I-75 corridor from Tampa to Bradenton to Sarasota to Venice (my hometown), to Fort Myers to Naples.
----------------------------

A quick internet search brings up Amberwynd Homeowners' Association Web Page at:

http://www.amberwynd.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?action=main

That page does not have a lot of information without a Login ID.

-------------------

On a serious note -

I have recently had buyers looking in Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties.
That part of Florida has taken a major financial hit.
Entire projects and subdivisions foreclosed upon, developers walking away from unfinished subdivisions,
builders leaving "skeletons" that never became condominiums, and so on.

If you are buying into any subdivision, homeowners' association, or especially condominium association, proceed with extreme caution.

If a developer or a development makes promises of "soon to be built clubhouses", or "tennis courts and pools coming soon", or similar promises, do not count on it. (An investor friend of mine dropped $99,000 on a lot based upon those promises - the developer bankrupted and never built any of those things. My friend now has .12 acres worth of dirt.)

Also, get stats on how many properties in a subdivision, area, or neighborhood are either in foreclosure,
or have been foreclosed upon. Further south (particularly Charlotte County), there are some neighborhoods that are becoming derelict and crime-infested because of the amount of empty foreclosed-upon houses.

Have an Attorney review any and all financial statements, condo docs, HOA covenants, deed restrictions, etc. BEFORE you sign a Residential Sale and Purchase Contract.

-------------

*** On the Positive Side, you as a Buyer should be able get a truly good deal in the current Southwest Florida Real Estate Market.
You as a Buyer will have many, many houses to choose from (I am referring to Southwest Florida and not necessarily to "Amberwynd").

Best wishes in your search for a new home... welcome to Florida!
Fred

Snead Island is located at the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. Snead Island properties may have personal docks or marinas public boat launches for smaller boats, The yacht club has fishing tourneys.

Palmetto Florida is north of Bradenton. Palmetto just across the Manatee River to Bradenton and Sarasota. Palmetto is a historic town with Victorian homes & cracker style homes new homes, gated communities, and retirement villages.

North of Palmetto on US 19, you can try the Crab Trap restaurant

Please e-mail me and we can meet up to view properties and see the area. I work 5 counties in Florida and have an entire state license.
email : monikadepalo@adamscameron.com

Snead Island is located at the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. Snead Island properties may have personal docks or marinas public boat launches for smaller boats, The yacht club has fishing tourneys.

Palmetto Florida is north of Bradenton. Palmetto just across the Manatee River to Bradenton and Sarasota. Palmetto is a historic town with Victorian homes & cracker style homes new homes, gated communities, and retirement villages.

North of Palmetto on US 19, you can try the Crab Trap restaurant

Please e-mail me and we can meet up to view properties and see the area. I work 5 counties in Florida and have an entire state license.
email : monikadepalo@adamscameron.com

Cathi,
I once showed a house in Amberwynd. I did not like the way to get there. The house itself was beautiful. However, I am not from the area and that's an outsider's point of view. I am sure every area has it's positives and negatives and hopefully you'll get answers that help you decide for yourself.
Genny