Chronicles of the Wild Welshman – Exploring Casey Key with Nick & Kathleen Herron

Many people who call us asking for details about waterfront real estate either own a boat, plan to purchase a boat, or simply like the idea of their own private boat dock.

The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group has a wonderful way to show our clients waterfront real estate—from the water! We invite you to join us on our boat, the Wild Welshman, as a gorgeous way to spend the afternoon and a fun way to expose you to Sarasota’s barrier islands. The Wild Welshman has cruised these waters for years and loves a chance to get her 33 feet of fun out on the water.

Yesterday, the Wild Welshman made the trip along the coast between Blackburn Point Road at the north end of Casey Key and Stump Pass Marina in Englewood. Our guests enjoyed panoramic water views along this Intracoastal Waterway trip, and the weather was certainly agreeable—sun shining, 70 degrees, and lots to appreciate.

We chose to have dinner at the Stump Pass Grill on beautiful Lemon Bay. Stump Pass Marina is easy to reach by boat or car. It sits directly on the Intracoastal and has a lively old Florida feel including live music three days a week. If you can, time your visit to watch the sunset at Stump Pass. This just might be where they got that expression—“LIFE IS GOOD!”

By the end of the evening, our clients felt they had more reasons to consider a home on Casey Key, Florida. And all of us had the satisfaction that comes when business and pleasure are one and the same.

Casey Key featured listing:
2108 Casey Key Road – this great gulf-to-bay home site has a gulf-side cabana, 77 feet of pristine beachfront, 90 feet of pre-cast concrete seawall on the bay, plus a private dock. This is an excellent mid-key location among grand estates and some of the better boating water on prestigious Casey Key. Live in the existing, 3-bedroom, 2-bath home until you are ready to build a new, luxury dream home. There has never been a better time to buy! Offered at $3,195,000.

See it by boat—call 800-789-6580 or email Nick Herron or Kathleen Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group and we’ll board the Flying Welshman, our 33 foot mid-cabin express craft. We’ll tour the waters around Casey Key and see all of the waterfront real estate offered on this gorgeous barrier island near Sarasota and Nokomis.

Beach, bay, or back nine—The Herron Group can help you find your dream home on Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, St. Armands, Longboat Key, Sarasota, Nokomis, or Englewood. The Flying Welshman awaits…all aboard!

February is a great month to be on Casey Key

What do Gulfport, Pensacola, Baton Rouge, Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans, and Sarasota have in common in February?

It’s Mardi Gras time!

OK, naming Sarasota with those famous Mardi Gras cities is a bit of a stretch, but Michael’s On East is hosting the Goodwill Industries annual Fat Tuesday Street Party on Tuesday the 24th, the official Mardi Gras celebration date. Guests will enjoy real New Orleans cuisine, Dixieland music, and good times that benefit the Goodwill organization. Ticket price is $100; proceeds support job training and services for the disabled.

February is a great month to be on Casey Key. Our seasonal friends and neighbors can’t get enough of this “warmth,” while our local friends whose blood is thinning are only slightly complaining about the “chill.” It’s all relative, but it is warm here today while in Montreal, they’re experiencing a wintry mix and a high in the low 30s. We can’t complain, and taking our boat out on days like these is what makes Florida living so incredible.

Do you like seafood? Expand your horizons a bit and head north to the 27th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on February 21 and 22. Cortez Village is a mixture of past and present; this small village dates back to 1880 and perches on the northern shore of Sarasota Bay. This year’s festival theme is “stone crabs”—sounds delicious. Artisans, music, and food vendors make this festival the “catch of the day.”

Here’s another catch of the day—this incredible beach house on 502 S. Casey Key Road, Nokomis, FL. Imagine the perfect Key West style beach house with metal roof where you can entertain your friends right on Casey Key beach. Your eyes won’t believe the sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico from this 100 ft. beach frontage. Built in 1994, the open floor plan features a great room with a cozy fireplace and offers four bedrooms and four and a half baths. From the loft you can view the gulf or watch the boats on the bay. Highlights include a kitchen with granite countertops, Sub Zero, and a dumbwaiter to the lower level. The master bath is appointed with fine marble. Car buffs will love the oversize four to six car garage, workshop, and a gorgeous paver driveway—add in plenty of storage space for toys. This gated, oceanfront compound is attractively fenced with a security system and sprinkler system. Price reduced to $2,489,000; MLS #A3896125.

See it by boat—call 800-789-6580 or email Nick Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group and we’ll plan an afternoon on the water. Join us in the Wild Welshman, our 33 foot mid-cabin express craft; she’s a vintage beauty full of wonderful memories of the waters around Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key and the greater Sarasota area. There’s no better way to see waterfront real estate around the barrier islands of Sarasota than wining and dining on the Intracoastal.

Beach, Bay, or Back Nine… Live the Dream—The Herron Group is your waterfront real estate connection.

Around town, in town, and at home on Casey Key

Around town…
The Sarasota Building Industry Association and the Home Builders Association of Manatee County have joined together to present their annual Parade of Homes for Sarasota and Manatee Counties. This year’s parade begins Saturday, Feb. 21 and proceeds through March 8. Admission is free and anyone can visit the 56 new model homes, 4 remodeled homes, and 11 new communities on the home tour. Visiting model homes is a refreshing way to see the latest design ideas, new green building practices, and creative inspiration for decorating.

In town…
Meanwhile, discussions are flying among Casey Key residents about whether this beautiful, eight-mile stretch of beach-to-bay bliss will become a city of its own. State legislators have agreed to introduce a bill that would allow Casey Key’s voters—563 of them—to hold a referendum to decide if cityhood is in its future. The pros and cons were tossed about during a recent fire station meeting held to debate the incorporation issue, with some saying they needed more control over police protection and building regulations, while others argued that the incorporation efforts were designed to discourage outsiders from coming onto this residential island. Time will tell!

At home…on Casey Key
If swimming keeps your waistline slim and trim, we’re offering a beautiful home on the north end of Casey Key—and it’s the place of your dreams. Perched on the Gulf near Blackburn Point Bridge, the home features two swimming pools. One pool has an unbeatable view of the ocean—just imagine yourself sipping iced concoctions with friends while the sun dips below the blazing horizon at sundown. Next morning, start your day right in the lap spa pool, each invigorating stroke breathing new energy into the core of your being. The property also offers two other buildings for garages, artist studio, or workshop. The home is located at 13 N. Casey Key, and if you are seeking a waterfront home and an active lifestyle, this property is calling your name!
Priced reduced to $3,500,000.

Call 800-789-6580 or email Nick Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group for more information about this incredible Casey Key home. Nick and Kathleen Herron are your experts for specialized, luxury island and waterfront real estate in Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, and throughout the Sarasota area. Whether you prefer the beach, bay, or back nine, The Herron Group is your top resource. Can’t wait to talk more—give us a call today.

SUNRISE or SUNSET the VERY BEST of CASEY KEY

As you have that first cup of coffee and start to wake-up from your Bay Front or Gulf to Bay home your experience begins. The sun will start to rise over the Bay water front. If you are lucky you may see some fishermen’s boats heading down the intercostals water-way toward the jetties to get out to the Gulf to fish. And if you’re real lucky you may see some dolphin and birds feeding with the beautiful sky & morning sun in the back ground.

Now on the other side of Casey Key Road on this beautiful barrier island we have the other half of the Gulf to Bay property or Gulf front property and it is getting time for sunset. It is time to grab your favorite beverage and make your way down on to the Casey Key beach. Every one of us watching as the sunsets into the water maybe a sailboat will pass in front of the setting sun to add something special tonight. We are thinking maybe tonight we will see that green flash as a bonus to a beautiful light show of the sun setting. (Each night is different & special, never to be duplicated.)

I think that I may like the twilight time the best. Twilight comes right after the sun sinks into the Gulf off the coast of Casey Key and all of a sudden the clouds start to light up with different colors starting where the sun set and then going all the way around. You look back over Casey Key and see more beautiful color over the Bay. The winter time with cooler temperatures seams to produce even more vivid colors. It is like one wonderful dream.

Like our trade mark says: Beach, Bay or Back Nine… Live the Dream. The Herron Group would be glad to help you find your Dream if it is Bay Front, Gulf Front, or a Gulf to Bay home on Casey Key. E-mail Nick Herron or Kathleen Herron with the Herron Group part of the RE/MAX Alliance Group.

Get Fit and Have Fun on Nokomis Beach – Friday, Feb. 6, 2009

Every New Year, don’t we all decide to get a little more fit? We want to improve our diets, go for more walks, and take better care of ourselves. Well, here it is—February already—so let’s not lose our momentum. Here’s something simple we can do—walk on the beach. Why not do it together?

As part of the Step Up Sarasota initiative, come out and enjoy the Nokomis Beach Sunset Walk with your friends and neighbors from Casey Key, Nokomis, Osprey, Venice, and the greater Sarasota area. Enroll in the “Start Your Heart” walking program and receive a pedometer. Refreshments, prizes, and awards are provided. This event is open to all ages, and pre-registration is requested. See http://www.parksonline.scgov.net/ or call 486-2595 to register.

If you’re new to town, here’s a great way to meet friends. If you’re visiting, here’s a way to work in a little exercise with your vacation.

And if you’re looking for real estate in the Casey Key, Nokomis, Osprey, Venice, and Sarasota areas, call 800-789-6580 or email Nick Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group for more information. Nick Herron is your source for Casey Key real estate, waterfront homes, and golf course living.

On your mark, get set…GO!