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SRQ DAILY Nov 27, 2023

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"Freedom to Wander is a story of finding purpose beyond the dollars and cents of the American dream."

- Robert Gaglio, Author, Freedom to Wander.
 

[Real Estate]  Sales, Listings on Rise as Prices Decline
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

The median sales price for homes in Sarasota and Manatee counties may be leveling off but the number of sales remains on the rise.

Data on October sales, released this week by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, shows combined sales in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area jumped 4.3% year over year.

But in both counties, the median sales price for single-family homes saw the biggest October-to-October decline so far this year. In Manatee, the median home price slid 12.8% to $479,000, while in Sarasota, it went down 3.3% to $520,000. Notably, condo prices remain on the rise in both counties — up 10.3% to $426,500 in Sarasota and up 0.4% to $370,000 in Manatee — but single-family homes remain a much larger segment of the market.

But overall, RASM leaders see the data as a sign the local market remains in a much healthier state than the nation as a whole.

“Compared to the rest of the country where home sales are declining in most markets, our housing market is telling a different story,” said Brian Tresidder, 2023 RASM President and vice president of operations at William Raveis Real Estate. “This month’s data showcases an increase in sales, a rise in new listings, a leveling of the time from listing to contract, and strong inventory growth – all signs that point toward a more balanced market in our future.”

Realtors generally consider a six-month inventory of listed homes as a balanced market. Locally, the inventory has remained much lower, but in October it came much closer to that figure. For homes in the combined metro market, inventory climbed to 3.6 months, compared to 2.5 months in October 2022. There’s a 4.2-month inventory of condo units, up from 2 months a year ago.

That leaves the region firmly in seller’s market territory, with a supply of homes that’s still limited but higher than experienced since 2020.

“Inventory has been on this steady increase since 2022, and while we’ve hit the highest it’s been all year, it’s still not quite back to pre-pandemic levels,” Tresidder said. “The good news is that we’ve been trending upward and we’re getting closer to the benchmark for a balanced market, which is a 5.5-month supply.”

The number of active listings appears to be jumping up rapidly, with 2,614 listings for both home types throughout the market in October. That’s 18.1% more listings than September, and 46.3% more listings than in October 2022. 

Graphic courtesy RASM.

[New Business]  Costco Opening New Store in Wellen Park

Costco has closed on its newest store location in Wellen Park. The planned store will be located on U.S. 41, east of West Villages Parkway. Costco is a membership warehouse club that provides a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make customers’ shopping experiences pleasurable. Shoppers can find everything from groceries, housewares, health and beauty aids, alcohol, cameras, watches, sporting goods, televisions, office supplies and equipment, toys, automotive supplies, and appliances under one roof. The new store will include a gas station and full automotive service center. In addition to offering Wellen Park residents another shopping option, Costco will also bring in hundreds of new job opportunities for the region, ranging from entry level to management. Costco, Yahoo Finance’s 2022 Company of the Year, is also an industry leader in employee perks and has been repeatedly ranked among Indeed.com’s companies with the best employee benefits. Costco joins a list of other businesses continuing to fill out the U.S. 41 corridor along Wellen Park, including Bayside Pet Resort, which opened in early October, The Medical Center at Wellen Park, a three-story 75,000-square-foot medical office, and new additions coming to the Publix-anchored Marketplace plaza. 

[Home Building]  Christopher Alan Homes Honored With Eight Accolades at the 2023 Lee BIA Industry Awards

Christopher Alan Homes received eight awards from Lee BIA at the 2023 Industry Awards held recently. The Lee BIA Industry Awards honor building and construction industry professionals who make superior contributions to the residential home building and commercial construction industry in sales, marketing, design and outstanding achievement, both individual and corporate. Christopher Alan Homes' numerous wins underscore its dedication to industry excellence and delivering exceptional value with its homes and customer service. The builder-owned company received the following awards: Best Overall Marketing Campaign for the Christopher Alan Homes brand campaign; Best Website for christopheralanhomes.com; Best Brochure for the Creekside Run at Babcock Ranch brochure; Best Virtual Tour for the Magnolia model in Creekside Run at Babcock Ranch; Best Electronic Airport Signage for Punta Gorda Airport signage; Best Special Event/Charity for “A New Home for Nancy Jackson,” a total home rebuild project completed in partnership with Lee BIA Builders Care; Residential Marketing Manager of the Year for Alana Consolo, marketing manager at Christopher Alan Homes; Title Insurance Salesperson of the Year for Nicole Tansey, title manager at CAH Title. Lee BIA is a not-for-profit trade organization representing the building industry in the regulatory arena for Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. The Lee BIA is chartered by the National Association of Home Builders and is an affiliate of the Florida Home Builders Association. It is comprised of over 400 companies involved in every aspect of building and creating a thriving community for a growing Southwest Florida. For more information visit bia.net. 

[Home Preservation]  Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation Announces the 2023 Six to Save Properties

The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) announced its 2023 “Six to Save'' properties at an event held on November 16 at the Philippi Crest Community Clubhouse in Sarasota. Now in its fourth year, this initiative highlights the urgent need to save historic resources from demolition in Sarasota County. The program was launched in 2020 by Harry Klinkhamer, who was then the chair of the History & Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County, and is now spearheaded by SAHP, in collaboration with the Coalition. Members of the community nominate properties they are concerned about by filling out a nomination form on SAHP’s website. A Six to Save committee then reviews and selects six properties to be spotlighted that year.  

Pictured: Erin DiFazio, program director of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, addresses the audience at the 2023 Six to Save event on November 16 at the Philippi Crest Community Clubhouses in Sarasota.

[New Homes]  Pulte Celebrates Grand Opening of Lakespur at Wellen Park on Dec. 2

Pulte Homes is now preselling single-family homes in Lakespur, a new gated neighborhood in Wellen Park with private amenities and homesites overlooking lakes, preserves and wetlands. Two professionally decorated model homes are also under construction with expected completion coinciding with Lakespur’s official Dec. 2 grand opening featuring food trucks and giveaways. Pulte is offering 68 homes in its initial Lakespur release. Presales provide prospective buyers a first look at the neighborhood and the first opportunity to secure their preferred homesite. Buyers can also join the VIP List for exclusive monthly updates at www.Pulte.com/Lakespur. Focused on health, wellness, community connections and nature, Wellen Park was named the eighth fastest-selling community in the U.S. in 2022 by John Burns Real Estate Consulting. For more information about Pulte Homes at Lakespur, visit www.Pulte.com/Lakespur or call and text 941-265-6300. 

Pictured: Modern living is redefined at Lakespur with Pulte's new innovative homes at Wellen Park that offer 1,890 to nearly 2,900 square feet under air.

[Arts & Entertainment]  Local Author, Chef and Italy Travel Specialist Launches National Book Tour in Sarasota

Former banker and Sarasota resident Robert Gaglio lost more than just his livelihood to the market crash of 2008. When personal and financial losses left him feeling defeated, he embarked on a journey to find meaning in his life. In 2012, he decided to trace his family roots back to Italy, where 100 years earlier his grandfather had left his home and country in search of the American dream. As luck would have it, Gaglio found more than long-lost cousins and a beautiful country—he fell in love with life again and re-energized his passion for work. His new book, “Freedom to Wander” is an inspirational story of family, travel, and taking chances. To promote the book, Gaglio is launching a nationwide book tour, which starts in Sarasota at various venues in January.  Gaglio, who is also a master chef and founder of Italian Culinary Tours, says that “Freedom to Wander” is a story of finding purpose beyond the dollars and cents of the American dream. “I hope readers will be inspired and entertained as they hear about the journey I’ve been on since meeting my family in Sicily for the first time in 2012,” says Gaglio. John Mariani, a renowned food and wine journalist, restaurant critic and author, says that Gaglio’s book is “a testament to the old, very American idea of hitting the road. We get to share the last touching moments he spent at his mother’s bedside before she passed away. Throughout this lovingly paced book, which, like a good guide, moves slowly and stops to allow the reader to marvel right along with Robert at his new finds; you range from the mountains to the shores, the villages to the cities, the trattorias to the ristoranti. ‘Freedom to Wander’ shows as much about the Italian way of life as it does about a rewarding personal journey.”   The son of Sicilian parents, Gaglio has always had a love for his cultural upbringing, the love of family and friends, and enjoys sharing that love with food. He founded Italian Culinary Tours in 2014 “to give people a deep cultural experience and to get a sense of what it’s like to live like an Italian in all its richness,” he explains. Gaglio accompanies all of his guests on each tour, providing cooking classes and travel guidance. Over the years, Gaglio has traveled the various Italian regions to discover true Italian cooking and has researched the rich culinary history of Italy to share through his cooking with clients and guests. When he's not touring in Italy, he brings it all back home with a with his catering company, Ciao Bella Productions, a private party event company that specializes in thespian dining experiences served and performed in private homes. Gaglio’s national book tour started in Novemberand covers more than 25 venues in six states, including California, Wisconsin, Illinois and South Carolina. For more information about Robert Gaglio, visit ItalianCulinaryTours.com.  

[Real Estate]  Sales, Listings on Rise as Prices Level Off
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

The median sales price for homes in Sarasota and Manatee counties may be leveling off but the number of sales remains on the rise.

Data on October sales, released this week by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, shows combined sales in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area jumped 4.3% year over year.

But in both counties, the median sales price for single-family homes saw the biggest October-to-October decline so far this year. In Manatee, the median home price slid 12.8% to $479,000, while in Sarasota, it went down 3.3% to $520,000. Notably, condo prices remain on the rise in both counties — up 10.3% to $426,500 in Sarasota and up 0.4% to $370,000 in Manatee — but single-family homes remain a much larger segment of the market.

But overall, RASM leaders see the data as a sign the local market remains in a much healthier state than the nation as a whole.

“Compared to the rest of the country where home sales are declining in most markets, our housing market is telling a different story,” said Brian Tresidder, 2023 RASM President and vice president of operations at William Raveis Real Estate. “This month’s data showcases an increase in sales, a rise in new listings, a leveling of the time from listing to contract, and strong inventory growth – all signs that point toward a more balanced market in our future.”

Realtors generally consider a six-month inventory of listed homes as a balanced market. Locally, the inventory has remained much lower, but in October it came much closer to that figure. For homes in the combined metro market, inventory climbed to 3.6 months, compared to 2.5 months in October 2022. There’s a 4.2-month inventory of condo units, up from 2 months a year ago.

That leaves the region firmly in seller’s market territory, with a supply of homes that’s still limited but higher than experienced since 2020.

“Inventory has been on this steady increase since 2022, and while we’ve hit the highest it’s been all year, it’s still not quite back to pre-pandemic levels,” Tresidder said. “The good news is that we’ve been trending upward and we’re getting closer to the benchmark for a balanced market, which is a 5.5-month supply.”

The number of active listings appears to be jumping up rapidly, with 2,614 listings for both home types throughout the market in October. That’s 18.1% more listings than September, and 46.3% more listings than in October 2022. 

Graphic courtesy RASM.



[SRQIST]  Squeeze the Day
Laura Paquette, laura.paquette@srqme.com

SQUEEZE THE DAY | The Sugar Belle, a new citrus variety, is helping the industry bounce back from the citrus greening disease, November 2023.

 
 
 

Read Here!

[SOON]  GALA: Celebrate 75 Gala and Concert , February 15, 6pm
Celebrate 75 years of inspiring music all season long, and our Celebrate 75 special concert and gala experience will be the party to top them all. We invite you to support 75 more years, and beyond, of enriching lives through music by purchasing tickets to Celebrate 75. For access to the best seats and the full celebration, opt for a Gala ticket, which includes pre-concert cocktails and a gourmet dinner after the performance. Concert-only tickets are also available for purchase. The concert program, led by Creative Partner Peter Oundjian, captures all the euphoria of reaching this milestone in our history as Florida’s oldest continuously operating orchestra. After two stirring fanfares written by Aaron Copland and Joan Tower, legendary pianist Garrick Ohlsson joins Sarasota Orchestra for the monumental Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninoff. Paired with An American in Paris by Gershwin, a rhapsodic portrait of a stroll through the City of Lights, this one-night-only program promises to thrill. Gala begins at 6:00 pm, and concert begins at 7:00 pm. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, sarasotaorchestra.org.
[SOON]  FOOD: Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival , January 25 – January 29, Various times
The 2024 Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival, hosted by the Sarasota Manatee Originals, will take place January 25 to 29. Grand Tasting tickets go on sale in October. A full five day slate of food and wine themed fun is planned, including the University Master Classes, wine dinners at area restaurants, wine shop tasting events, a trade tasting and the much anticipated Grand Tasting at The Ringling Museum of Art. Due to the unprecedented demand for tickets, ticket sales for The Grand Tasting launch on two consecutive Tuesdays: On October 10 at 9 a.m. there is a presale of the VIP and Early Access tickets and on October 17 at 7 p.m. General Admission tickets will be available and historically have sold out in a matter of minutes. All Forks and Corks Grand Tasting tickets will be available online only. For more information, please visit www.eatlikealocal.com.
[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Breakfast with Santa , December 16, 10am-12pm

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources invites children ages 12 and under and their families to the free Breakfast with Santa event, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 16. Enjoy breakfast, holiday music, and a visit by Santa in person at Laurel Park and at Newtown Estates Park. Pre-registration is required to attend this event. Register children ages 12 and under online before Friday, Dec. 8, or until the event is full. Unwrapped toy donations for children ages 12 and under are being accepted through Monday, Dec. 11 at Sarasota County parks, events, fire stations and library locations throughout the county. For more information, or to register, visit scgov.net.

[SOON]  FOOD: 34th Annual Hob Nob BBQ Event , December 6, 5:30-8:30pm

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance is excited to announce they will be the new home for the 34th Annual Hob Nob BBQ event on December 6th, previously put on by Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation. This event has been the premier networking event in the region for decades, which brings together the business community from the Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch Region to enjoy an evening of food, drinks and fun. The event will be held at the Premiere Sports Campus from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.For more information, visit members.lwrba.org.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Holiday Gems at The Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota , December 5, 7:30pm

The Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota will open its 2023-2024 season with Holiday Gems on December 5, 2023 at 7:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota located at 2050 Oak Street. The annual holiday program, conducted by music director Robert Vodnoy, includes music by Debussy, Vivaldi, Mahler, and Tchaikovsky, plus holiday favorites. Featured soloists include harpist Giuseppina Ciarla and mandolinist Rafael Ramirez. Tickets are $39 for adults and $5 for students. A series ticket for all three orchestral concerts is priced at $105, and includes an invitation to a pre-concert reception. More information and tickets are available online at www.chamberorchestrasarasota.org, or call 219-928-8665.

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Feast Upon the Fields , December 3, 12:30pm
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon at the beautiful and conserved Myakka Headwaters Preserve. Located where seven creeks converge to form the mighty Myakka River, our Myakka Headwaters Preserve is a breathtaking slice of natural Florida. The property contains numerous diverse landscapes, including floodplain forests, marshland, longleaf pine flatwoods, and oak hammocks. Fields of wildflowers host pollinators of all shapes and sizes, and fern-lined streambanks rise just a foot or two above the clear-flowing water, which supports submerged aquatic vegetation unable to grow in the sunlight-blocked blackwaters found elsewhere in the Myakka River. Experience this stunning landscape firsthand at our eighth annual farm-to-table luncheon, Feast Upon the Fields. Featuring a one-of-a-kind menu by Chef Paul Mattison, this ticketed event will sell out quickly. Early reservations are strongly recommended. conservationfoundation.com.
[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries Screening , November 29, 6:30pm

Join The Bishop and special guest, Derek Demeter, Executive-Secretary for the International Planetarium Society, for a screening of Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries during Stelliferous on Wednesday, November 29, at 6:30pm! Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries is a story of the people and places who make big astronomy and big science happen. This 30-minute award-winning planetarium show highlights the diverse people who enable discoveries at world-class observatories in Chile. Following the film, Derek will host a Q and A and share his experience visiting the observatories featured in the show. For more information, visit bishopscience.org.

[SOON]  THEATER: Deck the Halls Returns to Florida Studio Theatre , November 25 – December 24, 10am and 12pm

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is excited to bring children and their families the magic of the holiday season with the latest iteration of Deck the Halls. This interactive family-friendly, music-filled show celebrates everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special. Since Deck the Halls was first produced in 2016, the show has become a holiday tradition for many families on the Suncoast. This year, the festivities return with all-new sketches, all-new songs, and all-new memories ready for the making. Created by Caroline Saldivar and Sarah Durham with additional material by Dellan Short and Jeremy Weinstein, Deck the Halls plays select Saturdays and Sundays with showtimes starting at 10am and 12pm in FST’s Keating Theatre. For more information, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Lets Connect at Oscura in Old Manatee , August 31 – December 26, 8:30-10am

Connect with local business owners at every Thursday at Oscura. Lets Connect is a community of collaborative business professionals from the Manatee and Sarasota County areas. RSVP on Eventbrite to attend, admission is free.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Business Networking and Cowork Session , August 22 – June 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Attention all business professionals. Join us for a productive and inspiring coworking event every Tuesday at Out and About Coffee in downtown Sarasota. Take advantage of this opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow professionals in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Limited spots available, so register now on Eventbrite. O and A Coffee Supply, 1316 Main St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Sarasota Cars and Coffee at University Town Center , March 11 – December 9, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This monthly gathering of car enthusiasts brings together automobile lovers from every walk of life, not to mention a wide array of spectacular cars. Bring your own vehicle (all makes and models are welcome) to show off, or check out the hundreds of cars on display. Each month, the event sponsors a different charity, and attendees are encouraged to donate $10 to benefit the charity. The event, occuring on the second Sunday of each month, will feature live music, complimentary coffee and more. To learn more, visit facebook.com/carsandcoffee941. Sarasota Cars and Coffee, The West District at University Town Center near Ford’s Garage, 295 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Artist Series Concerts Presents The Queens Six , December 17, 2pm

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota is thrilled to present The Queens Six on December 17, 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota. Direct from Windsor Castle where they perform chapel choir duties and sing regularly for the royal family, this program includes austere early chant, florid Renaissance polyphony, bawdy madrigals, haunting folk songs, upbeat jazz and pop arrangements, and seasonal favorites in the incomparable British tradition. A meet and greet with the musicians will follow the concert. For tickets and more information, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.

[SOON]  SPORTS: 47th Annual Sandy Claws Beach Run , December 9, 8am

Kick off the holiday season by participating in the 47th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run at Siesta Beach, on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8am. Register by Nov. 17 to guarantee the best price, along with receiving a long-sleeve performance event shirt and runner swag. For more information, or to register, visit runsignup.com/47thannualsandyclawsbeachrun.

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: 2023 ECOSummit , December 5 – December 6

Get inspired by two days of Big Ideas and Solutions at the ECOSummit as experts share insights and innovations for recharging our environment and reducing our impacts-crucial to sustaining our coastal community’s quality of life. Community storytellers will explore our environmental heritage as a touchstone for a resilient future. It’s a lively and entertaining two-day solutions-oriented experience with lectures, panel discussions, storytelling, and music. Award-winning Americana songwriter Karen Jonas and her band will weave dazzling threads of their dreamy Alt-Country music through the tapestry of stories over two days. Networking coffee breaks, lunches, lunchtime wellness and guided walks, and professional continuing education credits all included. The summit will take place from December 5-6 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. For more information, visit scienceandenvironment.org.

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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