The place to look for luxury condo bargains these days is . . . Palmetto? Yes, thanks to the lingering recession and various bankruptcies, there are several complexes on the Manatee River up to the North that are amenity-rich and elegant, most with water views and priced as low as $199,000. Let’s take a quick [...]

I hate to break it to you, Cindy Tibbetts: The truth is Lucille Ball never lived on the “site” of this house you’re selling on Bird Key. That’s the oldest, most disproven rumor in Sarasota. Nevertheless, there is it—as the headline of the advertising campaign, complete with a mini-movie, that is so over-the-top that I [...]

Beach view of three-acre parcel. I got pangs of nostalgia when I saw this property down on Casey Key—almost three acres of lawn, right on the beach and the bay, with several old Sears Roebucks cottages (one of which is still rented out—the owner is asking $5,000 a month). This is the way Casey Key [...]

If I seem to be focusing on old wrecks in downtown Bradenton, well, I’ve got a couple more. Please bear with me while I get this out of my system. 315 8th St. West First, at 315 8th St. West, there’s this American classic circa 1920, located right behind the post office. (There’s a similar [...]

1940 Alta Vista St. Sometimes houses are described in the real estate adds as “cute” or “sweet” or a “dollhouse,” which usually means “small.” Well, this one really is sweet. It’s a 1940s cottage in Avondale, the classic old neighborhood just south of Mound Street. Rumor has it that it was designed by Ralph Twitchell [...]

1728 Ballard Park Drive, Bradenton This 95-year-old Southern Gothic mini-mansion in Bradenton may be the most atmospheric home in the entire area. You could reenact entire Tennessee Williams plays right on the verandah without changing a thing. On gloomy days it exudes melancholy; when the sun comes out it’s like you’ve time-traveled back to the [...]

Every once in a while you find a house in Sarasota that’s so Key West in feeling that you can just picture yourself hanging out all day by the pool, wandering into the kitchen for margarita refills, while  your biggest worry is what to do about dinner tonight. This house right in the middle of [...]

A typical Village Gardens exterior view. I’ve always liked Village Gardens—I used to live there—and when I was up there the other day, I started liking it all over again. They’ve spruced it up (not that it needed it; it’s always been beautifully maintained) and these days it’s looking better than ever. And as a [...]

If you’re looking for a big condo on Siesta Key with an incredible view but an affordable price, here it is. Located in Sandy Cove, a 1970s development of villas and midrises, it’s on the fifth floor and the panorama over Big Pass to Lido, Bird Key, and downtown is a guaranteed “wow” moment. It’s [...]

I’ve always loved this house but it’s been way out of my price range. They keep reducing it, though, and now it’s an incredible bargain. If you’re looking for a big, elegant home in a gorgeous setting, this may be the one—it’s down to $525,000. (That’s what I sold my shabby 1,100-square-foot bungalow for back [...]