The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 15 No. 46 - September 16, 2015

REAL ESTATE

Paradise on steroids

 

Carol Whitmore

LOUISE BOLGER | SUN

Jewfish Key, off Longboat Key, is only accessible by boat.

If getting away from it all sounds like just the right thing, but you don’t want to get too far away from it all, there’s an island in Manatee County that could be just what you’re looking for.

People who boat in and around Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island know Jewfish Key as a great spot to throw out an anchor and enjoy the afternoon, but most boaters have never stepped foot on the private island, which remains a bit of a mystery. Well the 38-acre island shrouded in Australian pines is less a mystery than just another one of Florida’s pieces of paradise.

Jewfish Key is in Sarasota Bay between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island with the fishing village of Cortez to its north. Technically, it’s part of Longboat Key, but its resemblance to Longboat Key is hard to find. First of all, there is a 17-acre designated nature preserve as part of the residential island, providing privacy for those looking for the peace and quiet only nature can offer.

The island has 13 buildable lots, all of which are approximately one acre, carved out of the 38 acres and currently there are six homes on the island, which is only accessible by boat. The views are outstanding from almost anywhere on the island, particularly when facing west, residents are looking at Longboat Pass and the beautiful sunsets beyond. Marine life is beyond abundant in the shallow waters surrounding the island with dolphins, manatees and all species of fish. Diving ospreys are in abundance as are shore birds and owls drawn to the nature preserve.

A short five- or 10-minute boat ride will get you from the mainland to the island which has two boat docks for residents. There are public utilities available, and the one road which is actually a footpath down the middle of the island is called La Lenaire Drive.

Real estate values in such a unique place can be hard to determine, since the lifestyle is not for everyone. However, recently there was a house on the market for $1,570,000 and another one that as of this writing was listed at $2,100,000. In addition there is a buildable lot available for $1,495,000.

The homes are, of course, elevated with lots of decks to take advantage of the water views and wildlife. The homes are generally a good size with at least three bedrooms and two baths, some with private docks and fireplaces and plenty of glass doors and windows.

Many of the homes are also available to rent, but they come with a big price tag. Based on my research, monthly rentals range from $16,000 to $21,000 depending on the season. And with the direction the rental market is headed, these numbers will undoubtedly go up.

If you’ve ever dreamed of living on a tropical island, Jewfish Key could make that dream come true. Remote, but not too remote; private, but not desolate; endless views and the ability to commune with nature. It’s basically paradise on steroids.

Real Estate Transactions
July 2015

Sponsored by Alan Galletto Island Real Estate

Sold Date | List Price | Sold Price | Address | Provision | Property Style

Anna Maria

07/31/15 540,000 500,000 515 South Dr. # A 2265 66x100 DUP
07/29/15 495,000 485,000 519 Villa Rosa Way 75x113 SFR
07/10/15 455,000 446,000 239 Lakeview Dr. 1152 2BR/2 BA Bank Owned SFR
07/06/15 550,000 515,000 242 Gladiolus St 832 2BR/1 BA None SFR
07/31/15 629,000 588,000 150 Crescent Dr. 1765 3 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/15/15 649,000 649,000 265 Gladiolus St 1601 2 BR/3 BA None SFR
07/28/15 2,499,000 2,200,000 830 S Bay Blvd A 3570 4 BR/4.5 BA None SFR

Bradenton Beach

07/02/15 369,900 340,000 2314 Ave.B # A 50 X 100 None Mix
07/02/15 369,900 340,000 2314 Ave.B # A & B 864 50x100 None DUP
07/17/15 775,000 700,000 2401 Ave.B 2820 50 X 100 None DUP
07/14/15 150,000 150,000 2315 Ave.C # 3 488 1 BR/1 BA None Condo
07/31/15 199,900 226,150 1325 Gulf N Dr. # 125 675 2 BR/1 BA Bank Owned Condo
07/23/15 319,000 305,000 1801 Gulf N Dr. # 270 1080 2 BR/2 BA None Condo
07/31/15 472,000 440,000 248 17th St # 248 1268 2 BR/2 BA None Condo
07/02/15 369,900 340,000 2314 Ave.B # A 864 2 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/21/15 389,900 350,000 1108 Bay N Dr. 1544 2 BR/2 BA None SFR
Sold Date List Price Sold Price Property Address SFUA Lot Size BR/BA Property Type
07/27/15 499,000 445,000 2110 Ave.A 1490 3 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/16/15 749,000 744,000 2302 Ave.B 2145 3 BR/2.5 BA None SFR
07/28/15 869,000 845,000 102 7th S St 1948 5 BR/4 BA None TH

Holmes Beach

07/30/15 449,000 425,000 221 85th St 1470 2 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/21/15 515,000 490,000 6250 Holmes Blvd # 72 1536 3 BR/2.5 BA None TH
07/27/15 472,500 502,000 210 76th St 981 2 BR/1 BA Bank Owned Villa
07/24/15 549,000 525,000 203 82nd St 1132 2 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/21/15 599,900 589,000 626 Foxworth Ln 2532 3 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/31/15 644,000 610,000 303 74th St # B 1340 4 BR/2.5 BA None SFR
07/15/15 669,000 640,000 518 77th St 2096 90x108 3 BR/3 BA None SFR
07/10/15 689,000 669,000 409 73rd St 1482 3 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/13/15 719,000 690,000 312 61st St # A 2212 3 BR/2.5 BA None SFR
07/31/15 689,000 690,000 3705 Gulf Dr. # A 1216 3 BR/2 BA None SFR
07/28/15 1,050,000 1,050,000 213 84th St 2193 4 BR/3 BA None SFR

Cortez

07/17/15 479,000 455,000 3905 Mariners Walk # 814 1840 3 BR/2 BA None Condo
07/09/15 595,000 580,000 3948 Mariners Way # 221 2393 3 BR/2.5 BA None Condo

Source: Mid Florida Multiple Listing Service


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