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Message From Bev

Bev Murray

Back to School: The boys are returning to school with nice English accents which will no doubt have disappeared by recess.

We were fortunate enough to spend some time in Sweden this summer, where the cost of housing is relatively low and the public schools are for the most part excellent (It is such a cool country that our friends’ children get to middle school by boat in the summer and on ice skates in the winter!) In England, however, property prices vary greatly according to how good the local schools are. For many Brits who cannot afford to put their child through private school, the only determining factor when buying a new home is how good the school district is. They often find themselves having to sacrifice space and location in order to be in the catchment area for the best public schools.

When I am away, I am always reminded just how fortunate we are to live in Sarasota County, where 75 percent of our public schools are graded A and B. This means that families are not limited to buying or renting homes in certain school districts to ensure a decent education for their children; they have freedom of choice and can base their decisions on other factors to suit the family, such as commute time, sporting facilities or shopping amenities.

My sons’ principal, who moved his young family to Sarasota from Wisconsin last year, feels that Sarasota is still a secret to most families. Sure, it is well known among snowbirds and baby boomers as a wonderful place to retire, but it is perhaps not an obvious choice for families. But once you see the wealth of sports, cultural and educational opportunities, not to mention the amazing beaches, open to children in this area, you’re amazed that not everyone wants to live here!

A New Listing On Lido Key With Presidential Waterfront Views

831 S BLVD OF PRESIDENTS SARASOTA 34236

This is an excellent opportunity to own a piece of waterfront paradise on St. Armands Circle. You will be able to build your dream home on this .44 acre canal front parcel. You really can't beat the location! The property is located at the end of a very wide canal looking across the bay with Bird Key in the distance. The water is good for boating and there are no bridges to the bay. You are a short distance (0.6 miles) from St Armands shopping and dining and just two blocks from the beautiful white sands of Lido Beach and Lido swimming pool. The south Lido park, kayak launch and Ted Sperling nature preserve is less than a mile away. The value is in the land, as the existing house needs extensive updating and is essentially a tear-down, and there is plenty of room to build a secluded, single story new home with gorgeous water views and plenty of space for garaging, family and visitors.

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Murray Homes Supports The Season Opener of The Secret Garden, Sarasota Ballet

Sarasota Ballet

Murray Homes is proud to sponsore the Season Opener of Will Tuckett’s The Secret Garden performed by the Sarasota Ballet.

This ballet performance is a magical interpretation of the book and fantastic entertainment that utilizes the trio of dance, theatre and puppetry will be performed again at the stage of the FSU Center for the Performing Arts October 24-26. This is definitely a must-see for all ages!

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Real Estate Market Update

July 2014 – Hot But Cool

July tends to be one of the slowest months of the year for real estate here in Sarasota County and 2014 was no exception. Even though July 2014 figures were 4 percent lower than July 2013, year to date sales still remain ahead of last year’s near-record levels, with 643 single family homes and 285 condos sold for the month of July.

Median sales prices for both condos and single-family homes topped the $200,000 mark for the first time in six years.

Better yet, the median sales price for all properties sold in the 12 month period ending in July is up about 10% on the previous 12 month period.

Inventory is still tighter than it has been earlier in the year (4.4 months for single family homes and 3.8 for condos), which indicates that it is still a seller-driven market.

  June 2014 June 2013 % Change
Closed Sales 285 285 0%
Cash Sales 184 190 -3.2%
Pending Sales 241 250 -3.6%
New Listings 283 340 -16.8%
Median Sale Price $205,000 $159,000 15.1%
Median Days On Market 86 67 +28.4%
Active Listings 1,147 1,269 -9.6%

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Bev Murray Joins Leadership Sarasota

As part of her continuing community engagement, Bev Murray is participating in the Leadership Sarasota County program which starts this month through May 2015.

The program has been developed by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and is an opportunity to connect with community leaders.

Various topics such as education, art and culture, health, industry… are covered to enhance participants awareness of the Sarasota County community.

Bev is looking forward to being inspired by our community’s leaders and to engage in innovative projects and activities that will help with some of the critical questions facing our community.

For more information on the Leadership Sarasota program and to view the Class of 2015 roster, click here.

Upcoming Events

Growing Edibles Locally

Learn to grow fresh, healthy produce in your own backyard. This course will include advice for successful vegetable gardening in southwest Florida to both community garden members and the general public. Participants will take home a variety of edible starter plants. Advance registration is required; call 941-861-5000 or visit http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu.

When: September 27 & 29
Where: Various Sarasota locations

20th Annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival

Annual Craft Festival which garners crowds of fine craft lovers each year. Behold contemporary crafts from more than 100 of the nation's most talented artisans. A variety of jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting, clothing and much more - all handmade in America - will be on display. An expansive Green Market with plants, orchids, exotic flora, handmade soaps, gourmet spices and freshly popped kettle corn further compliments the weekend, blending nature with nurture.

When: October 4 & 5, 10am-5pm
Where: Main Street Sarasota

Table of Hope

A free tasting event benefiting the Child Protection Center. Live music and over 20 popular local restaurants and bars participating including Libby’s, Louies Modern, Darwin’s on 4th, State Street, Pacific Rim, and Blue Rooster. Community involvement can help prevent child abuse while celebrating the community in a culinary coming together.

When: October 16, 5 pm
Where: Child Protection Center. 720 S. Orange Avenue

September 2014
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In This Issue: Message from Bev Lido Key Waterfront Home For SaleSecret Garden By Sarasota Ballet Real Estate Market Update Bev Murray Joins Leadership Sarasota Upcoming Events 6 Reasons To Choose The Murray Group What Type Of Seller Are You? Murray Homes New Brochure Bird Key Update
Six Reasons To Choose The Murray Group
What Type Of Seller Are You?
From Murray Homes Murray Homes Magazine Murray Homes Brochure Now Available As An Online Magazine

Murray Homes has republished a beautiful brochure as an online flipbook format.

The online version is a quick and easy way to view some of our past work and recent home designs.

view brochure
Bird Key Bird Key 24 Homes For Sale $1,847,650 Avg. Price 2,757 Ave. Sq Feet

Bird Key, offers 510 homes enclave just off the Ringling Causeway, with bay front, canal front and garden lot homes, dramatic city skyline views, Bird Key provides location, location, location.

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