Politics often gets a rap as a dishonest profession. Covering the field my whole adult life, I certainly have seen individuals exploit their position. But for the most part, I can tell you most people working in government and running for office do so as a calling.

That includes County Commissioner Nancy Detert, who died this week at age 78. Detert served as vice chair of the Sarasota County Commission. But before that, she served in the Florida House, Florida Senate and Sarasota County School Board. Her unexpected death rattled as many in Tallahassee as in Venice.

Frankly, there’s also plenty of people I spoke to this week who seemed at somewhat of a loss about what to say. That’s in part because Detert, for all her advocacy on behalf of community institutions, also never had problems smacking down the people she did not respect. People in the Capitol still recall watching her dress down officials in the Gov. Rick Scott administration as lightweights lacking the expertise to give lawmakers advice.

She was a master at the art of umbrage. She also could pull the levers of power in ways that made you wince. That seemed clear in redistricting efforts both at the state and local level. The former led to a state Senate map being tossed in part because it protected her district at the time.

But she was also a fighter on behalf of Florida’s foster children, a champion for organizations like the Loveland Center. The fact she was effective at pursuing her goals helped more people than it upset.

For a period of time, she and the Gulf Coast Community seemed the most prominent institutions that called Venice home. She demanded respect because that was important capital in the execution of her job. And at the end of the day, her job was to help the community. Her service will be remembered for a long time because of the positive legacy she left behind.

It will be seen in a Mote Aquarium and improved wastewater infrastructure. It will be seen in preservation of the environment around Celery Fields. It will be seen in employment programs with the state providing opportunities for disables workers. It will be seen in the success of every foster child befitting from care until age 21.

But for those who saw her work, it was her personal resilience and demeanor that will be most missed. Known in Tallahassee as one of the lions of the Senate, she represents in many ways the last group of strong individual lawmakers who shaped legislation to needs of her district instead of the whims of leadership.

She was considered a moderate and independent, a Republican who voted against malicious regulations on abortion clinics. But it’s not right to think of her less than a loyal Republican. She still was ready to give a fiery speech introducing a Republican presidential candidate in 2012 in Sarasota with condemnation of Barack Obama’s foreign policy.

Strong praise from Sarasota County Republican Party chair Jack Brill this week showed how beloved she was by GOP leaders.

“She is well-known and respected by people in both parties who agreed and disagreed with her,” Brill said. “Nancy did her homework, knew the issues and knew the people in her community. She was always an honest broker, doing what she believed was right, even if it hurt her politically.”

That willingness to act but with her constituents’ best interest at heart made Detert a respected leader, even in moments when she had to sacrifice some political love. That is what will be missed the most with her loss.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ Media. 

Photo courtesy Florida Senate.

Following several months of what seemed like a softening of demand from luxury buyers, the upturn in The Sarasota Real Estate Market since the start of 2023 has been tangible. A volatility in financial markets affected the urgency with which buyers felt the need to move, with many potential buyers of high-end properties hitting the pause button. However, since the start of the year buyer activity has grown markedly.

Buyers are still very much engaged and patiently waiting for my call with newly listed properties that check their boxes. Most of these clients will have all-cash transactions and are ready and able to make a quick decision and want swift closing times. And, though the number of multiple offers for best properties have lessened some, there is still competition when great homes come to market. I still advise my clients when they ask what I would recommend they offer, “What price would you not lose sleep over if you lost the property to a higher bidder?”

Fortunately, sellers are also beginning to ease back into The Sarasota Real Estate Market. As you will see in the chart, monthly listings have grown since early fall, and based on my prospective seller discussions and conversations with my peers who serve the upper-tier markets, it appears we will see steady new listing activity in the months ahead.

A balanced market is when available homes and condos for sale is estimated to be a 6-month supply, which we have not seen on a sustained basis since 2011. Continued tight inventory and strong buyer demand will keep monthly price increases or decreases modest.

Home price appreciation has moderated, so pricing a property has become a bit more complex than during their pandemic period of sharp price escalation. Because the luxury market tier is typically under 200 units sold per month, prices do fluctuate more due to the occasional ultra-luxury sale, or the opening of a new luxury condominium project where many closings occur in a single month.

During COVID homeowners saw their housing perspectives shift, generating buyers who are looking for a stronger emotional connection when purchasing a new property. A new alignment of priorities driven by lifestyle and family has emerged, and with remote work policies many more options to choose from. Especially in the luxury marketplace, buyers are more conscious of WHERE they live and WHY they live there.

Luxury buyers of new homes and condominiums are prepared to pay the premium for amenity and technology rich homes and communities…and location. The global (and local) success of hotel branded residences is a great example of upper tier demand. Research has shown that buyers are paying on average 30% more for this new genre luxury lifestyle.

Multiple Ritz Carlton branded buildings in Sarasota are already fully occupied and another is in pre-sale phase, The St. Regis Residences is expected to be complete by year-end, and a new Rosewood property is soon to be built. As well, the construction of extraordinary new homes along Sarasota’s waterfront cannot be missed. I expect the many seeking Sarasota’s unique way of life will boost our luxury market sales activity over the next few years.

Economists are calling for a slight year-over-year decline in total housing sales this year, followed by a 3-5% increase over the next four years. They believe that pace will allow the national housing market to enter a more balanced position. With so many potential buyers either priced out of the market or unable to find a property that meets their needs, a more balanced market will bring sustainability for years to come.

Michael Moulton is a certified residential specialist broker-associate with Michael Saunders and Company. 

Graphic courtesy SarasotasFinestProperties.com

Sarasota's Finest Properties