Real News

Though Naples, Florida has typically been considered a golf destination, Sarasota is fast becoming the market for ultimate high-end golf course living. The Oaks in south Sarasota and the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch have now been joined by three highly acclaimed golf courses: The Ritz Golf Club, The Concession and The Founder’s Club.

While the Ritz is not a golf course community, this month the Members Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota was featured in the Robb Report’s special “Best of the Best” annual issue. The Tom Fazio-designed course was one of only eight golf courses in the world to be named “Best of the Best New Golf Courses.” The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club is a private par 72, 18-hole facility available only to Members of The Ritz-Carlton Members Club and guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota and is located on 315 acres of tropical landscape. The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club has been strategically sculpted by moving nearly 1.9 million cubic yards of earth to create elevation, relief, contouring and framing for each hole in a manner that gracefully rolls among the 12 picturesque lakes and extensive landscape to form a fair and memorable test of golf.

Placed among 520 acres of pines and old oaks is the ultra elite Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, The Concession, developed by Kevin Daves in east Manatee county. The 7,500 yard, par 72 course has earned high honors from the Florida State Golf Association and given ratings placing it in the highest range for difficulty. The Concession is the type of course that will attract professional events and keep the interest of the most highly skilled players, while attracting residents to its shear pristine beauty. The Concession will have but 255 homes, some worth $8 to 10 million dollars with the first phase of 82 sites already sold out. 

The Founders Club, a new and very private traditional golf club community set in east Sarasota county, entitles a privileged few to 18 exhilarating holes of signature Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed “core” golf and the amenities of an exclusive and richly designed clubhouse.  The Founders Club is situated on 700 verdant acres accentuated by 90 acres of picturesque lakes, stands of pines, palms and old oak hammocks that also provide unique canopies above the meticulously landscaped streets. With only 262 homes and 275 memberships, the Founders Club homes are placed in an intimate setting, offering the best aspects of the community and quietude, with 200 of the lots enjoying direct golf course vistas highlighted by free-flowing fairways, wetlands and natural preserves. The entry gatehouse, the golf clubhouse and the homes themselves are designed to blend the private club nature of The Founders Club with the beauty of these most pristine surroundings.

All in all these newest golf courses cap the market with ”la creme de la creme” in golf lifestyle living.

The market conditions of 2006 can best be described as a transitioning from a seller’s to a buyer’s market. While the homeowner or investor will not see the huge profits and wonderful returns of the last 2-3 years, smart investors and buyers should be poised and ready to take advantage of what has now become a buyer’s market.

Gone are the days of scarce inventory. The market has about five times as many listings as it did a year ago. With so much competition on the market, in order to gain an advantage, sellers are being advised to attractively price their homes to sell. The good news is that despite this factor, area homes continue to sell. 

Compared to the same time last year, for the month of June, the total number of listings on the market has skyrocketed, yet the number of units sold whether for homes or condos is up from 2005. Though this increase in inventory makes selling ones home more difficult, it is serving to correct the pricing structure and to afford home buyers much to choose from… plus the ability to be choosier without multiple offers, bidding wars and time constraints as felt in a tight market.

The fundamental driving force of the market in Sarasota/Bradenton remains the same. Our location is still one of the most sought after areas in the country due to our wonderful climate, beaches and cultural appeal. And there is the convergence of retiring baby boomers with working adults coming to the area for our job growth, which continues to outpace the rest of the nation.