Could it be? Could existing condominiums be priced as low as the mid-$200’s in such premium waterfront neighborhoods on one of our islands? 
Upon closer examination, it turns out that you can indeed purchase good condominiums near the area’s best beaches for less than one might think. For not only do amazing buying opportunities still exist in today’s hyperactive market, but upon searching buyers can discover a surprising number of well-priced condominiums dotting the barrier islands of Southwest Florida. Therefore, if your idea of bliss is a warm day on a sunny beach, now is an exceptional time to indulge it once and for all—especially if you have become accustomed to spending your winters shivering and shoveling. Recently, Southwest Florida earned yet another in a string of unique accolades. The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area was named by the Gallup organization as the best place in the U.S. to live if you want to experience an overall sense of well-being. We strongly suspect that much of this well-being is due to living along some of the most glorious stretches of beaches and waterfront in the U.S.—to say nothing of being able to witness spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. O.K., so an island condominium will promote an incredible sense of well-being. But does it make sense from a financial perspective? Only you can decide that based on your lifestyle goals. But this much we can say. As a condominium owner you will usually have the option of leasing out the property when you can’t be there—in accordance with the community’s prescribed rental policies, of course—and thus defray some of the annual costs of ownership. 
Locally, island condominiums come in all shapes, sizes and styles—with prices ranging from several million to around $250,000 on many of the barrier islands of Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties. Still, irrespective of size and price, each condominium owner enjoys a fabulous “turn-key” lifestyle. In other words, fleeing to Florida to escape an impending blizzard can be accomplished on a moment’s notice with a minimum of planning and fuss. A few years ago, after Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a., Dr. Beach) proclaimed Siesta’s public beach as best in the U.S, his decision ignited major interest in our area. Since then, each passing year has established a new record for local tourism. And since many of them come to be on or near the beaches, you are unlikely to experience a shortage of potential renters for your island property. “The sand there is like sugar,” Dr. Leatherman said in praising Siesta Key Beach. “Some people can’t believe it. It’s super soft; super fine. They claim to have the finest, whitest sand in the world; and I can’t argue with that.” Happily, the same quality generally applies to all the beaches of Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, a strand of some 70 miles. So no matter where you purchase an island condominium, you are virtually assured of indulging your inner bliss on one of our award-winning beaches SaundersBlog 4/2015
Upon closer examination, it turns out that you can indeed purchase good condominiums near the area’s best beaches for less than one might think. For not only do amazing buying opportunities still exist in today’s hyperactive market, but upon searching buyers can discover a surprising number of well-priced condominiums dotting the barrier islands of Southwest Florida. Therefore, if your idea of bliss is a warm day on a sunny beach, now is an exceptional time to indulge it once and for all—especially if you have become accustomed to spending your winters shivering and shoveling. Recently, Southwest Florida earned yet another in a string of unique accolades. The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area was named by the Gallup organization as the best place in the U.S. to live if you want to experience an overall sense of well-being. We strongly suspect that much of this well-being is due to living along some of the most glorious stretches of beaches and waterfront in the U.S.—to say nothing of being able to witness spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. O.K., so an island condominium will promote an incredible sense of well-being. But does it make sense from a financial perspective? Only you can decide that based on your lifestyle goals. But this much we can say. As a condominium owner you will usually have the option of leasing out the property when you can’t be there—in accordance with the community’s prescribed rental policies, of course—and thus defray some of the annual costs of ownership. 
Locally, island condominiums come in all shapes, sizes and styles—with prices ranging from several million to around $250,000 on many of the barrier islands of Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties. Still, irrespective of size and price, each condominium owner enjoys a fabulous “turn-key” lifestyle. In other words, fleeing to Florida to escape an impending blizzard can be accomplished on a moment’s notice with a minimum of planning and fuss. A few years ago, after Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a., Dr. Beach) proclaimed Siesta’s public beach as best in the U.S, his decision ignited major interest in our area. Since then, each passing year has established a new record for local tourism. And since many of them come to be on or near the beaches, you are unlikely to experience a shortage of potential renters for your island property. “The sand there is like sugar,” Dr. Leatherman said in praising Siesta Key Beach. “Some people can’t believe it. It’s super soft; super fine. They claim to have the finest, whitest sand in the world; and I can’t argue with that.” Happily, the same quality generally applies to all the beaches of Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, a strand of some 70 miles. So no matter where you purchase an island condominium, you are virtually assured of indulging your inner bliss on one of our award-winning beaches SaundersBlog 4/2015
