Flying over paradise
Louise Bolger | sun
Airline passengers are treated to
a gorgeous view of the Island from the air.
The next time someone asks you what’s so special about Anna Maria Island, I want you to show them this picture. I shot it shortly after taking off from Sarasota-Bradenton Airport in early October on my way to the first leg of an international trip. I looked down as we flew over gorgeous Anna Maria Island, Cortez where I live and the Skyway Bridge and wondered what the heck I was doing on that plane.
When I was first introduced to Anna Maria Island by a friend sometime in the mid 1990s I thought what a unique place and wonder what it would be like to live and work in this little mini paradise. No high rise buildings, no fast food drive-ins, no crowds on the beach, warm Gulf water, traffic a non issue and affordable homes. A lot of that has changed during the past 20 plus years, but much has stayed the, same and that’s what we need to concentrate on this holiday season.
We all know that the popularity of Anna Maria and the surrounding areas has brought a flood of visitors as a result of both media exposure and word of mouth. This has been a double edged sword. Businesses and especially real estate have benefited but crowds and traffic have not.
As far as real estate values are concerned, think about this. According to the Manatee County Association of Realtors’ Website in December 2007, just about the high point of real estate values, the average sale price for single family homes in Manatee County was $424,900 and for condos $508,941. In October this year, the average sale price for single family homes in Manatee County is $329,268 and for condos $204,200.
Granted our values, especially on Anna Maria, are moving up steadily, but there is still plenty of recovery to be had which may give everyone crawling along at 10 miles an hour along Gulf Drive in February something to think about.
So that’s my feel good column for Christmas. This week you don’t have to read about what the real estate market has in store for this season, or how bad flood insurance premiums could be in the future or how many houses are being rented. This is the week to remember and appreciate the essence of Anna Maria and why so many people want to visit and live in Anna Maria and the waterfront communities surrounding Manatee County. This the week to view the island from loftier heights before we all get back to business.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and peaceful holiday.