ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate celebrated the recent reopening of its hurricane-damaged Anna Maria office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a champagne toast, Chick-fil-A appetizers and the 7 Better Days hat bar.
The Duncan Real Estate sales and rental operations resumed at 310 Pine Ave. in late July after the business operations were displaced by the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
The Oct. 17 grand reopening celebration began with some group photos taken of Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan, her 28 employees and some invited guests, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by representatives of the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce.
A champagne toast celebrated the recent reopening of the Pine Avenue office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After the ribbon cutting, a champagne toast was made inside the repaired, renovated and expanded office space. Appetizers were enjoyed and many attendees stepped outside to design their own hats at the mobile 7 Better Days hat bar owned and operated by sisters Taylor and Kilee Fehd. Duncan employees and invited guests selected a baseball cap-style hat of their choosing and the various patches and other accessories to be pressed onto their customized hats.
Employees and guests designed and customized their hats at the 7 Better Days hat bar. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The following day, Duncan Real Estate’s Pine Avenue office was open during the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest street party celebration – an annual event that was canceled last year because of the hurricanes.
Looking back, looking ahead
“I could not be more excited to be back on Pine Avenue. It’s been my company’s home for 25 years and there is nowhere else we would rather be,” Duncan said. “Pine Avenue is more than just a street; it’s our little family too and we love seeing everyone again.”
Regarding the hurricane damage, she said, “With Helene, we had 37 inches of water throughout the office and we lost everything we had not removed with our normal storm preparations. So, we had to gut the inside down to the studs. We just had some little bumps and bruises from Hurricane Milton.”
Duncan Real Estate’s maintenance office is located at 5916 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the post-hurricane recovery process, Duncan Real Estate operated in the former Barnes Walker Title Inc. office at 5916 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach in a space Duncan Real Estate began using as a maintenance facility in August 2024, the month before the first of the back-to-back hurricanes struck the Island.
The maintenance facility remains at the Holmes Beach location and the additional office space there is now leased to someone else.
“We have a new, expanded office space on Pine Avenue and a great maintenance office in Holmes Beach,” Duncan said.
The Duncan Real Estate sales and rental office is located at 310 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When asked about the post-hurricane real estate and vacation rental markets one year later, she said, “The sales market has held up relatively well, all things considered. It’s been a bumpy road but I see good momentum as of late. I think one of the driving factors that created the sluggish market is that people just needed to get a storm season behind them to feel comfortable before jumping back in the market.”
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan is happy to be back on Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The vacation rental market has also held up well, considering that many of the ground-level rentals just came back online in mid-spring and into the summer. Some guests chose to just wait and come back next year, as they wanted the Island to be more put back together. We have a resilient community and that proves what a great place this is to vacation and invest. I feel very optimistic that we will see continued improvement in 2026,” Duncan said.
ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate and former mayor Dan Murphy are the city of Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year for 2024.
Murphy and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan received the awards during the Feb. 13 city commission meeting. Other nominees were gRub Tropical BBQ owner Ben Sato for the free meals he provided during the hurricane recovery process and The Sun’s loveable cartoon character, Foster Dribbles.
The co-winners were determined by a three-member selection committee consisting of Jim Hall, Annamaria Laszlo and Warren Collins.
“It is an honor to present these awards today, and to Dan Murphy, thank you very much for your service,” Hall said when presenting Duncan and Murphy with their plaques.
Mayor Mark Short then read aloud one of the nomination forms received for Duncan Real Estate.
“Darcie Duncan and her team at Duncan Real Estate were instrumental in organizing and providing provisions and assistance following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The staff gave unselfishly of their time, energy and resources for relief efforts to the Island community. The team assisted with organizing, obtaining donations and serving to make the community Thanksgiving dinner (“Let’s Give Thanks Together”) a huge success. Staff continues to support community members as they rebuild and relocate, as well as welcoming new visitors and homeowners to the city of Anna Maria,” the nomination form said.
When accepting the award, Duncan said, “We wouldn’t have this award without my team, some of which are here. I wanted them here because it’s not about me, it’s about all of them.”
Duncan Real Estate was honored for its post-hurricane service to the community. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Duncan praised Murphy for guiding the city through the back-to-back hurricanes she described as the most challenging time the Island has faced during her lifetime.
“Dan Murphy is a rock star. You were an amazing leader through everything,” she said.
When reading aloud one of Murphy’s nomination forms, Short said, “Dan led the city through an unprecedented hurricane season. His quick action helped the city recover faster than any other affected municipality in the region. Dan paired quick action with his considerable experience as an executive to restore a sense of normalcy to the Island in the wake of the hurricanes.
“Through his leadership, the residents of the city were able to focus on the recovery while the city handled the difficult task of damage assessment, debris and building material removal and the restoration of city services. Dan’s commitment to the city over his 10 years of service has never been more on display than during this time of crisis. We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude. In his trademark humble form, Dan would say he was just doing his job, but he did it better than anyone, and it showed.”
Murphy mentioned the plaque hanging near the commission chamber doors that bears the names of the past Distinguished Citizen of the Year winners. He said it was humbling to be on the same plaque as former mayor Ernie Cagnini, past winners Ed Chiles, Pat Copeland, Doug Copeland, his own wife, Barbara, and many more individuals and organizations.
“It’s an honor to be considered in the same league with the people that have shaped this city,” he said.
Murphy praised Short for the hurricane preparation and recovery assistance he provided while serving as city commission chair before taking over as mayor in November.
“Mark and I were a team. Mark was always right there by my side and I could not have done that alone. And we had a remarkable staff. It was quite an ordeal,” Murphy said.
Short also presented Murphy with an encased United States flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on Dec. 20 at the request of Sen. Rick Scott. The flag flew in honor of Murphy’s 80th birthday, his service to the city and his past service with the U.S. Army.
Mayor Mark Short, left, presented former mayor Dan Murphy with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in his honor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s been an honor to work with you throughout your time as mayor and witness your selfless work to help families recover from unimaginable storms,” said the letter from Scott that accompanied the encased flag. The letter also notes Murphy received the Viet Nam Service Medal, two bronze stars and the Vietnam Campaign medal.
“You truly represent the best of what it means to be an American and a Floridian,” the letter says.
ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan’s hard work and good deeds have earned her two tickets to the Super Bowl.
Featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LIX will be played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. and Duncan, an Anna Maria resident and business owner, will be there.
On Jan. 9, Duncan received a call from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ representative who asked her to visit the AdventHealth Training Center at the team’s One Buc Place headquarters in Tampa the following day to receive an unspecified award. Duncan was not told the award included two Super Bowl tickets, which came as a surprise to her and the two other award winners, Tampa Bay Billboards owner Troy Stevenson and Chef Gaston Meredith of Gaston’s Culinary Services. The Bucs treated the award recipients to lunch and Duncan received a football autographed by Bucs’ wide receiver Mike Evans.
Later that day, Duncan posted a Facebook message that said, in part, “Today, I learned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Glazer family reached out to the Tampa Bay Area looking for three small business owners who assisted in hurricane relief. No idea that I had been nominated by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. I’m going to Super Bowl 2025. I’m beyond grateful. Thank you so much for this incredible gift.”
Darcie Duncan is going to the Super Bowl courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Bucs’ owner/chairman Darcie Glazer Kassewitz. – Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Submitted
In their Jan. 28 press release, the Bucs and the Glazer family formally announced the Super Bowl ticket recipients: “Earlier this month, the Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recognized three deserving community members for their extraordinary efforts following hurricanes Helene and Milton. Local chambers of commerce were asked to nominate small business owners who went above and beyond to support the Tampa Bay region in the aftermath of the hurricanes.”
The press release also says, “Darcie Duncan, of Duncan Real Estate, put her community first through a number of different efforts. Following Hurricane Helene, Darcie mobilized her team and activated a new Facebook group, Anna Maria Island Hurricane Relief, that quickly became the central hub for sharing vital information related to storm recovery needs. This group has attracted more than 8,000 members and has been instrumental in coordinating relief efforts across both in her immediate neighborhood as well as all of Anna Maria Island.”
The press release notes Duncan played a critical role in transforming The Center of Anna Maria Island into a hurricane relief distribution site and she was a driving force behind The Center’s Rock ‘N’ Support hurricane relief concert and grant program and the “Let’s Give Thanks Together” Thanksgiving dinner.
When speaking to The Sun on Feb. 1, Duncan said, “I am so humbled to be chosen among so many deserving individuals.”
When asked which team she’ll be rooting for, Duncan said, “I would have loved to be rooting for the Bucs. Then it was the (Buffalo) Bills, so now it’s ‘Fly Eagles Fly.’ I am taking my sweetie, Alex Harllee. He and I have been a great team and he is just as deserving. I love football . This has been a bucket list item for me and I am so excited.”
At their own expense, Duncan and Harllee will fly to New Orleans on Thursday and spend Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans.
“It’s the same weekend I planned to move back into my house in Anna Maria, ”she said of the hurricane-damaged home she and Harllee share.
On Feb. 27, Duncan will receive the Pat Glass Community Leadership Award from the Manatee Tiger Bay Club.
ANNA MARIA – Executive Director Chris Culhane and the staff, board of directors and volunteers at The Center of Anna Maria Island are The Sun’s Persons of the Year for 2024.
The Center staff includes Director of Development Jillian Ptak, Operations Director Tyler Bekkerus, Marketing and Office Administrator Aris Thompson, Director of Customer Service Morgan Blackburn, Youth Programs Director Erica Nielsen, Sports Programs Manager Charles McCracken, Youth and Sports Coordinator Marissa Brink, Culture and Events Coordinator Raul Loera, Fitness and Wellness Director Chris Emkey and Front Desk Coordinators Tyler Brewer and Shelby Eikel.
The Center staff made Santa’s nice list again in 2024. – The Center | Submitted
Don Purvis chairs the board of directors that includes Daniel Anderson, Remi Drigan, Sheila Fusé, Elizabeth Hager, Caroline Leibfried, Christine Major-Hicks, Kathy Morgan-Johnson and Ben Webb.
The Center offers numerous athletic, fitness and wellness activities and initiatives for youths and adults, after-school programs, senior outings, dance classes, bingo, a book club and much more.
Tyler Bekkerus is The Center’s operations director. – The Center | Submitted
The Center hosts community events and fundraisers that include Lester Family Fun Day, the annual Murder Mystery performance, The Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament, The St. Patrick’s Day parade and more. In July, The Center and The Waterfront restaurant co-hosted the “Rise Up for River Benefit” fundraiser to assist with infant River Anasis’ ongoing battle with a rare immune deficiency disorder.
The annual Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series serves as a primary fundraiser for The Center. Taking place at The Center, this year’s series began with Sheena Easton, continues with The Wailers on Jan. 11 and includes Robby Krieger of The Doors, The Moody Blues’ John Lodge and The Infamous Stringdusters.
Culhane was already associated with The Center when he was named executive director in 2018. At the time, The Center was struggling financially and some Anna Maria officials feared the city might have to take over operations of the facility located on city-owned property at 407 Magnolia Ave.
Under Culhane’s leadership, The Center’s financial condition improved dramatically in the years that followed. The annual report for The Center’s 2023-24 fiscal year that ended in June notes The Center finished the fiscal year with a positive net income of nearly $35,000 and experienced a 50% increase in fundraising revenues that totaled $1.09 million. Ptak became Director of Development in 2023 and the report recognizes her efforts regarding the increased fundraising revenues.
Jillian Ptak became director of development in 2023. – The Center | Submitted
“We are proud of the financial management that has enabled The Center to continue delivering on its mission and invest in the future of our community,” Culhane stated in the report. “We are also incredibly grateful for our community’s ongoing support, which makes all things possible.”
HURRICANE RELIEF
In 2024, Culhane and The Center played vital roles in the Island’s hurricane recovery efforts. The Center partnered with the Manatee County Tourist Development Council to host the Rock N’ Support hurricane relief concert at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto on Nov. 15 with Lynyrd Skynyrd as the headliner and Marcus King as the opening act.
Chris Culhane and The Center helped bring the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert to Palmetto for hurricane relief. – The Center | Submitted
According to Culhane and Anna Maria Oyster Bar CEO John Horne, the concert raised nearly $380,000. The Center, the Anna Maria Oyster Bar-affiliated “Shuckin’ Good Cause” initiative and the Women’s Resource Center then partnered to distribute $500 Rock N’ Support grants for hurricane-impacted full-time hospitality and tourism industry employees, and $250 grants for part-time employees, who work on Anna Maria Island, Cortez or north Longboat Key. As of Dec. 23, 680 grant applications were received and 628 applications were approved for a total of $293,500. Grants can still be applied for at www. centerami.org/rocknsupportgrant/.
Culhane and The Center also assisted Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan with her hurricane relief efforts.
“When I started receiving relief supplies at my dock in the wee hours the morning after Helene hit, I immediately called Chris and said, ‘Get The Center open. We are bringing supplies,’” Duncan said. “A handful of neighbors and friends pulled together and The Center relief efforts began. I organized off-Island supply donation drop-off locations and trucks to bring the supplies to The Center. It was truly amazing to see what unfolded so quickly.”
Chris Culhane and Darcie Duncan teamed up to bring hurricane relief to Anna Maria Island. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Culhane and The Center also partnered with Duncan and others on the “Let’s Give Thanks Together” community gathering that resulted in 400 free Thanksgiving dinners being served to community members at The Center on Thanksgiving Day.
Duncan praised Culhane’s leadership skills, his level-headedness, his open mind and his willingness to listen to others as situations arose and evolved. She also praised “the incredible Center staff” that helped Culhane implement The Center’s hurricane relief responses.
The Center is also currently assisting with the Stimart family’s Build Back the Beach post-hurricane shoreline replanting project taking place from Bean Point to Sycamore Avenue on Jan. 25-26. The Center is assisting with volunteer recruitment efforts and volunteers can register for one of three planting shifts at this link.
COMMUNITY PRAISE
During his recently-completed 10-year tenure as Anna Maria mayor, Dan Murphy had many interactions with Culhane and The Center.
“Immediately after the hurricanes, The Center stepped up and became the hub for the Island’s recovery,” Murphy said. “They not only provided hot meals and much-needed supplies, but they also became the focal point for volunteers from the mainland who wanted to help with the cleanup. I was amazed at all the good deeds they did. The Center played a critical role in restoring normalcy.”
In June, Murphy and the city commission provided Culhane and The Center with $50,000 to help replace The Center’s aging air conditioning system and $28,000 for a restroom remodeling and shower installation project.
When recommending commission approval of the funding requests, Murphy said, “I firmly believe that improving our own property is the right thing to do. I also like the way the community center has been running for the last couple years. There were times when I worried about having to take over that community center because it was adrift. I have to congratulate Chris and his staff on bringing it back in line. You’re running a good operation there.”
November marked the ninth year that Chris Culhane has been associated with The Center. – The Center | Submitted
Regarding The Center’s hurricane relief efforts, longtime city commissioner and new Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short said, “The Center was amazing in its efforts to help Island residents after the hurricanes and I commend Chris, his team, the volunteers and the donors who all came together in a critical time of need. Their efforts helped redefine what The Center can do to support our Island.”
Former Director of Development Jim McDaniel said, “Chris has learned so well how to manage and balance his responsibilities. Whether it is donating a kidney or dropping everything to support a friend in need, caring for the Island and its people is his passion.”
ANNA MARIA – Approximately 400 free Thanksgiving meals were served during the “Let’s Give Thanks Together” community gathering held at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Thanksgiving Day.
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan conceived and helped organize the hurricane-inspired community gathering and approximately 80 volunteers assisted with the cooking, meal service, decorating and event set-up and breakdown. The gathering took place in and around a large tent on The Center property.
Darcie Duncan, right, was joined at the gathering by her parents, Judy and Marion Duncan. – Whitney Patton Photography | Submitted
“We served 300 pounds of turkey breast, 150 pounds of dark meat, 60 pies and countless side dishes,” Duncan said in the written statement she provided.
“We also paid local restaurants to make our side dishes to help those get back on their feet. Some restaurants still just wanted to donate and we appreciated that as well,” she added, noting that numerous silent financial and in-kind donors also helped cover the event costs.
Approximately 400 Thanksgiving dinners were served. – Whitney Patton Photography | Submitted
The idea for a community gathering and Thanksgiving dinner came to Duncan on a Saturday morning in early October while she was watching the “College Game Day” college football pregame show.
“That is when I heard the first Christmas commercial and I said to myself, ‘It’s going to be Thanksgiving soon and many won’t have their kitchens and homes back together,’ and from there, this event came to life. My first call was to Chris Culhane at The Center. He said, ‘Why not?’ Then I started making some calls and the event came to life,” Duncan explained.
Folks of all ages enjoyed the “Let’s Give Thanks Together” gathering. – Whitney Patton Photography | Submitted
“I must give a huge shout out to Bethany Carter and Jenn Sayko. I could not have pulled this together without them, as well as the countless donors and volunteers,” Duncan said in her statement.
“To see all our neighbors and friends come together over a meal and be able to visit, share stories and talk about what they are going through while enjoying some music and beautiful weather. It was perfect; and truly the best gift ever!” she wrote.
The gathering took place at The Center under a large tent. – Darcie Duncan | Submitted
“Let’s Give Thanks Together” was sponsored by Duncan Real Estate, O’bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar, Chateau 13, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Duffy’s Tavern, gRub Tropical BBQ, Mermaid Pies, Graze Street AMI, Lola Wines/Gamble Creek Farms/Ed Chiles, The Mike Carter Family, US Foods, Sysco, Edward Don, Grooms Motors & Automotive, Barnes Walker, Whitney Patton Photography, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Tropicana.
ANNA MARIA – The people of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and the surrounding communities will come together on Thanksgiving Day for a celebration of gratitude, hope and community connection.
The Let’s Give Thanks Together community gathering will take place on Thursday, Nov. 28, from noon until 4 p.m. at The Center of Anna Maria Island, at 407 Magnolia Ave.
“This event invites neighbors, friends and families to share a meal, make lasting memories, and embrace the spirit of togetherness,” event organizer and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said.
“In light of recent events that have affected our community, this gathering offers an opportunity to reconnect with one another and find comfort in the bonds that make our community so special. The Center, long cherished as a hub for the Island, is the perfect setting for an event designed to bring people together in gratitude and celebration,” Duncan said.
The Let’s Give Thanks Together event will feature a complimentary Thanksgiving meal prepared by local businesses, showcasing the generosity and culinary talent of the Island. Guests can also enjoy live music, a kids’ zone with children’s activities and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can feel at home.
“This event is about more than just a meal; it’s about connection,” Duncan said. “Thanksgiving Together is our chance to gather as a community, share laughter and stories and celebrate the strength and kindness that define Anna Maria Island and beyond.
“The event is a reflection of the resilience and warmth that make our community unique. It’s a time for neighbors to come together, not only to enjoy a meal but also to create new memories and embrace the spirit of the holiday season,” Duncan said.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Food Bank of Manatee. Families are also invited to share their favorite recipes for a Community Gathering Cookbook – a collection of dishes and traditions that will represent the heart of the Anna Maria Island community.
To ensure there’s enough food and seating for everyone, RSVP reservations are required. Guests can reserve a spot by visiting the eventbrite website and searching for Let’s Give Thanks Together.
ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan, The Center of Anna Maria Island Executive Director Chris Culhane and others are organizing a Thanksgiving Day “Let’s Give Thanks Together” community gathering for Anna Maria Island residents.
The Thursday, Nov. 28 gathering from noon until 4 p.m. will be hosted at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave. Full thanksgiving meals with all the trimmings will be provided free of charge but attendees are asked to reserve their seats in advance by visiting the eventbrite website.
Regarding the gathering, Duncan said, “What I started to recognize, as I have been out visiting with residents in their homes and just listening to the needs of the community, is that people are feeling disconnected. They don’t have their normal places to gather, as many are still in the process of rebuilding. Also, it is very apparent that many won’t have a kitchen to cook in or a home to gather in with friends and family. This just pulled at my heart so I thought what better way to bring our community together than over a Thanksgiving meal – a time for all of us to gather with our friends and neighbors and reconnect. We have so much to be grateful for. Having time to connect as our community heals is so important and the outpouring of support for this event is already overwhelming.”
The Gathering Cookbook will be published after the event and recipe contributors are asked to email or text their Thanksgiving recipes to darcie@teamduncan.com or 941-725-1589. You may also bring a printed or written recipe to the gathering on the day of the event.
Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of Manatee. Volunteer sign-up sheets and additional details will be coming soon.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – When Hurricane Helene swept past the Gulf coast, it brought several feet of storm surge that left large amounts of debris, standing water and piles of sand across the Island. A group of Anna Maria Island residents and business owners, led by Realtor Darcie Duncan, has joined forces to help locals affected by the storm.
The group, Anna Maria Island Hurricane Helene Relief, is a place for people to post photos and videos, notify neighbors of available help in the area and organize relief efforts. Started on Sept. 27, the group had more than 5,600 members in less than 48 hours, all sharing resources, updates, information and finding ways to help the community begin the long road to recovery.
Companies and city leaders are invited to post information for community members along with anyone who has photos, videos or supplies to share.
Duncan said she knew watching Helene come in that the Island community would need to mobilize quickly to begin recovery.
“It’s so overwhelming, the amount of help and support people have offered,” she said. As soon as the sun came up after the storm passed, Duncan said people were contacting her to find out how they could help and dropping off supplies by boat at her dock for Island residents.
The group also is organizing a supply drive to gather food, cleaning supplies, clothing, water, hygiene supplies and other necessary items.
The Center of Anna Maria Island is serving as a distribution point for all the supplies. The Manatee Community Foundation is a place for anyone who wants to donate financially to relief efforts. All funds collected will go directly to meet the needs of the Anna Maria Island community.
With power to The Center restored, staff has opened the doors to the community to allow people to come charge their phones or devices, take a break from the heat and access a working restroom. Duncan and The Center’s staff are working to get volunteer teams organized to help community members clean up their homes and businesses as well as distribute supplies.
Meals on Wheels of Manatee County is serving as a drop off location for the supplies coming out to the Island. Duncan said that with the exponential growth of the group and the large amount of resources being donated, it’s been necessary to divert the organization of supply drives and financial donations to larger organizations to make sure that supplies and funding get to where they’re needed the most in the Island community, such as Bradenton Beach, which is still inaccessible by vehicle.
Duncan said supplies are available at The Center for Island residents and business owners, from cleaning supplies to shovels and even hugs. Supplies that are still needed include underwear, clothing and socks. Join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1982057658882341
ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan celebrated her company’s 20th anniversary last week.
In addition to being her birthday, Tuesday, July 13, marked 20 years since the energetic redhead purchased her office building at 310 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.
“I incorporated in the spring, but I bought the building on my birthday: July 13, 2001. I use today as my actual date. It makes you feel official when you own the dirt,” Duncan said when interviewed at her office on her birthday.
“When I bought this building, nobody wanted to touch Pine Avenue. I knew someday this street would blossom and I knew I could not open a business without owning the dirt. I got my mortgage at a spring training game, shaking hands with the mortgage holder. I bought the building on a handshake,” she said.
Knowing the importance of “owning the dirt,” Darcie Duncan bought her office building on Pine Avenue 20 years ago. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the time, Duncan already had 11 years of experience as a real estate broker.
“The industry was at a pivotal point and changing with technology and the Internet. I felt I needed to go out on my own because I was ready to change with it. I’ve sold real estate on the Island for 31 years now,” she said.
“I was all by myself, then I had one person come in and help and I grew from there. I had the front office and that was it.”
Duncan has learned a lot in 20 years.
“Learning to surround myself with the right people really helped my career. I had to learn about leadership and how to embrace that. I learned to treat people how I would want to be treated. You have to be a good listener and be available for your team. You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. My team is awesome and I love them. I have good managers that help me manage. We work together and we collaborate. The culture of my company is teamwork,” Duncan said.
“My customers make me better too. My company is built on those relationships. I’m doing generational business and that’s something you can’t put a price tag on. I’ve also had a wonderful support system of friends and colleagues and mentors throughout my life.”
Duncan has also learned the importance of getting away from work: “I love to go fishing. That’s my passion. I love to get together with friends and get out on my boat. That’s my happy place. I’m starting to travel more by RV and seeing more of the country.”
Changing markets
Duncan has watched the Anna Maria Island real estate market evolve.
“Back when I started, the houses were not as upscale. The demands of the buyer 20 years ago are totally different than today. Back then, a 3,000-square-foot house was incredible. Today, that’s the average size for new construction. Twenty years ago, they were just ground-level block houses. Over the years we’ve seen that change because of FEMA and other factors.
“Things were simpler and more basic back then. Now it’s all the bells and whistles – the pool, high-end kitchens, home offices and yoga and wellness spaces. You just didn’t have that 20 years ago,” Duncan said.
Yet, today’s homebuyers still have a lot in common with buyers from the past.
“The buyer here on the Island still comes here for the laid-back lifestyle – and that hasn’t changed all that much, even though the price has gone up. They still want to go fishing, go to the beach, catch a sunset and visit our local establishments.”
The vacation rental industry has also changed.
“In 2001, the Island wasn’t as developed and vacation rentals weren’t weekly rentals. They were monthly rentals and snowbirds. In the summer, it was our in-state people coming to their summer homes. The vacation rental industry was nothing like it is today, and we didn’t have half as many homes to rent,” Duncan said.
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan has evolved with the Island’s changing real estate and vacation rental markets. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Regarding the current market, Duncan said, “It’s the best it’s ever been. As far as sales, we’re on track for a record-breaking year. With rentals, we’re seeing it slow a little as normal for August through October, but it’s still busier than past years and our winter bookings are looking strong.” When asked about her success, Duncan said, “There is no secret. It’s hard work. You get up every day and you do the best you can. When something knocks you down, you get up and find a different way to deal with it. I never thought I would be sitting here today saying my company is 20 years old. I’m really proud, and I’m proud of my team.
“Honesty and integrity are big for me. You can’t write a check for that. That’s how I live, that’s how I conduct my business and that’s the culture we’ve built with this company. I also believe in my community. I live in the community I work in. I give back to my community and my community’s given back to me. I was raised on this Island and this Island’s special and important to me.”
Looking ahead, Duncan said, “I could see myself being in the business 20 years from now. To say I had 50 years under my belt would be spectacular – and learning that life/work balance will help me obtain that.”
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – In the midst of a global pandemic, 2020 was a stellar year for Anna Maria Island real estate agents.
For the sixth consecutive year, Sato Real Estate Realtor, broker and co-owner Jason Sato led all Manatee County and Anna Maria Island Realtors in total sales and listing volume.
According to the 2020 Agent Market Share Report for Manatee County, Sato sold 48 properties, listed 58 properties and generated roughly $153 million in total combined volume. Forty-seven of the properties Sato sold were on Anna Maria Island, where he does most of his business.
Judy Kepecz-Hays ranked second on the Island with $52.4 million in combined total volume, followed by Gregg Bayer at $43.6 million.
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan ranked eighth in Manatee County with 18 properties sold, 34 properties listed and a total combined volume of $46.6 million. She ranked fourth on the Island with nine properties sold and 23 listed for a combined volume of $37.3 million.
Rounding out the top 10 on the Island were George DeSear at $35.5 million, Liz Blandford at $29.2 million, Hannah Hillyard at $25.6 million, Shellie Young at $22.9 million, Trevor Bayer at $22.6 million and Ryan Sheck at $22 million.
Alan Galletto, from Island Real Estate, ranked 11th with four properties sold, 17 listings and a total volume of $17.5 million.
Market insight
Sato, Duncan and Galletto shared their thoughts on the year that was.
“My total was $153.9 million. It was double what I did last year. Last year was a good year, this year was just incredible,” Sato said.
“There was so much demand to be on the Island. I think part of it was the fact was that Florida was open and people can come here. Florida has been as close to normal as you can get in a pandemic. People in the stricter lockdown states wanted to get away. I think for people buying a second home, this pushed them to do it sooner rather than later. People can use their second homes a lot more right now because you can work remotely, and the kids are in school remotely.
Here, there’s natural social distancing on the beach and you have the ability to move around outside and enjoy the Island. If you’re going to buy a second home and can only be here a few weeks a year you’re not as included to make that jump,” Sato said.
“This year my team did $105 million in sales. It was a great year,” Duncan said. “We’re seeing younger people with families buying second homes, and we’re seeing retirees, too.”
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan and her team had another excellent year in 2020. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It was a fantastic year,” Galletto said. “There were more properties sold on the Island in 2020 than any other year, by far. The previous highest number on the Island was back in 2005 or 2006, when 438 properties were sold. In 2020, 579 properties were sold. Everybody wants to move to Florida.”
“The buyers we’re seeing are not so much rental-driven,” Duncan said. “They’re here to live, with second homes. Obviously, COVID created more demand because of our outdoor lifestyle and we’re seeing people working remotely and schooling remotely. We’re seeing people relocating their families here, which is wonderful thing.”
“My typical buyer isn’t buying it for the return on investment, it’s a second home,” Sato said. “If you’re buying a house just to rent – and trying to get a 5-10% return on investment – that’s not happening because the prices are where they are. A lot of people rent out their second homes to help pay the taxes, insurance and upkeep, but the house is for them.”
Island Real Estate’s Alan Galletto has been analyzing the Anna Maria Island real estate market for decades. – Alan Galletto | Submitted
“I’ve been out here 30 years and the demand has never been this high and the inventory has never been lower,” Galletto said. “The previous low was something like 300 properties for sale on the Island back in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Right now, the inventory is 135 properties for sale.
Thirty years ago the buyers were in their 60s. Now they’re in their late 40s and early 50s. They’re all second and third homes. The majority of the buyers are from the Midwest – and a lot of people in Tampa have second homes here,” Galletto said.
“When you’re buying here, two-thirds to three-quarters of what you’re buying is the land and not the house. An acre on the Gulf now is $6 million. A hundred-by-hundred lot on the Gulf is $3 million. A lot in middle of the Island, four blocks from the beach, is $400,000. I expect the prices will continue to rise. They’ve been going up on average about 7% per year since 2000. And sales may be a little slower in 2021 because there’s not enough inventory.
Team efforts
“Grace Wenzel, my sales assistant, is a big part of my success,” Sato said. “Monica Reid, our office manager, is too. And I have really loyal customers that have confidence in me and pass my name on to other people. I want to thank them too. Overall, this was our best year. Our agents did well and we love that. We’re able to provide them with a lot of opportunities and they’re making the most of it,” Sato said.
Duncan credited some of her team’s continued success to their knowledge of the Island market and their longevity in it.
“We are a hard-working team and our team is doing very well,” she said.
A Paradise Realty
A Paradise Realty real estate agents Al and Helen Pollock provided their market insight via email.
“2020 started out normal until covid-19 hit then was quite slow until mid summer when sales picked up dramatically and they have been extremely strong the rest of the year. Anna Maria Island, back in 2012, had about 700 listings at any time. In the last several years it has been about 350 listings. Right now it is 116,” their email said.
“It is definitely a seller’s market, with prices going up, and it should continue to remain quite strong. With the inventory low, the trend will be for closing prices to be close to or above the asking prices. Lately, when buyers have made an offer on a property, there have been multiple offers on the same day. With low inventory, one can expect multiple offers and prices to continue to increase,” the Pollocks said.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island beaches are busy and business owners are enjoying a banner Spring break season.
A mid-week visit to Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach found a quartet of students from Indianapolis among those enjoying a beautiful beach day.
“We have family that lives down here. It’s a clean beach, the sand feels great and the water’s clean,” said high school senior Brenna Garrard, while sitting on the beach Wednesday afternoon with her twin brother Tyler and their high school friends Alexis Weston and Samara Gephart.
Tyler graduated high school early and is now studying mechanics as a freshman at Indiana University.
“We went over to Siesta Key and we’ve been in Clearwater a few times. I like this beach a lot better. Clearwater is more packed. Here it’s more relaxed,” Tyler said.
On Friday, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said, “People have been behaving very well. Most of our guests have been families that have had a wonderful time on the Island. We had two groups of unruly college students that were evicted from their rental units for underage drinking, jumping off the roof into the pool and other things they shouldn’t have been doing. The rental agents were notified and they evicted them.
“We’ve also had many well-behaved and respectful groups of college kids on the Island from Ohio, Minnesota, a group from Indianapolis and a couple groups from Tampa. We enjoy having the groups that respect our rules and ordinances and are responsible and understand we have zero tolerance for any alcohol on the beach,” Tokajer said.
“Spring break has been very busy this year, probably the busiest I can remember in the past 10 years,” said DCoy Ducks’ bartender Brad Lisk. “The crowds seem younger this year and there are a lot more college-aged kids. For the most part, they’ve been well-behaved. They’re here to party but they’re being respectful while enjoying the beach, the sun and some drinking.”
Anna Maria
The Pine Avenue business district in Anna Maria is also abuzz with visitors.
“I don’t know if it’s perception or because we went through such a long dry spell with the red tide and the fact that we lost the pier, but it seems to me that we have a bumper crop this year,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said. “It seems to me there’s more families visiting and more younger people. The streets are filled on weekends with young people. I think it’s great for the businesses. I know it’s a little hectic for those who live here full-time, so I ask everybody to be patient, welcoming and kind because it’s good that people are enjoying our city. They’re basking in the sunshine and enjoying themselves.”
The line was long at the Donut Experiment in Anna Maria Wednesday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Brian Seymour says sales are up at his Anna Maria General Store & Deli.
“The first couple weeks were definitely college kids. This week and next it’s mostly families. It’s nice to see the Island busy again. There’s downsides for the residents with the increased traffic, but people have come back to the Island and they’re supporting the local businesses,” Seymour said.
“We are having a great spring break. We are much busier than last year. That’s good news and we are renting to families, not college kids,” said Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan.
Bradenton Beach
“We’re having an extremely busy spring break with both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. We’ve got people everywhere,” said Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale.
“The schools let out a couple weeks ago and we’ll be seeing a lot of people out here until Easter. We’ve got college kids, high school kids and a lot of families coming down. Everybody’s been really well-behaved and it’s been a nice, quiet spring break. You’ve got to give credit to the kids and the families for coming down here and enjoying themselves without causing any problems. The vacation rentals are all filled. We haven’t had a lot of noise complaints, but we’ve had a few. The few we’ve had quieted right down when our officers went there and we haven’t had to go back,” Speciale said.
Jake Spooner owns the Bridge Street Bazaar and The Fish Hole miniature golf course on Bridge Street.
The Bridge Tender Inn is among the many Island bars enjoying a boost in Spring break business. Jake Spooner | Submitted
“It’s been a great 2019 and Easter is later this year, so we’ll have a longer season. I’m seeing mostly families – grandparents, parents and kids. Our numbers are up over last year. The Bridge Street bars have been packed too. Everybody seems a lot busier this year,” Spooner said.
Cortez
Business is up in Cortez too.
“I think our crowd might be a little younger this year, but I don’t know if it’s Spring breakers or just families. There just seems to be more people here on Spring break,” Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker said. “I think there’s more people here too because of what happened in the panhandle with Hurricane Michael. Some people told me they’re here for the first time because they used to go there. We’re up a bit more than normal, which I’m very grateful for. We’re off the beaten path but more people know about Cortez every year.”
This sandcastle was left as a souvenir of someone’s time at Manatee Beach on Wednesday. Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Jason Sato was Manatee County’s top Realtor for the fourth consecutive year and Darcie Duncan was the county’s number two Realtor in 2018.
The sales and listing figures are contained in the 2018 Agent Market Share Report, compiled by the My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service and shared by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
In 2018, Sato totaled 70 transactions, with 36 properties sold and 34 properties listed for a total reported value of $71.6 million and an average sales price of $1.06 million.
Duncan totaled 57 transactions, with 23 properties sold and 34 properties listed for a total reported value of $54.9 million and an average sale price of $963,000.
Sato and his mother, Barbara Sato, own Sato Real Estate at 519 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. Duncan owns Duncan Real Estate at 310 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.
Sato’s observations
Sato attributes his success to the comfort level and familiarity he has with the Island and its real estate market.
“I grew up here, I live here, and my office is here. I do stuff off-Island for friends and people I know, but my focus is Anna Maria Island,” he said.
He said new construction and newer homes remain the most popular, but there’s also a market for renovated homes and a price point of desirability for historic bungalows.
“The Island’s got something for everyone, which is great. And the vibe is different in all three cities,” Sato said.
He’s seeing an increase in the construction of custom homes designed as permanent residences, and he’s not seeing as many vacation rental homes being built.
He said the Island’s real estate inventory is strong and it spikes at the beginning of the year because more people list their homes during season.
Sato didn’t see significant home price increases in 2018 and he attributes that partially to the knowledge available to buyers using websites like Zillow.com and Realtor.com.
Sato said the red tide had some impact on home sales, but 2019 is off to a busy start and he sees that as a good sign.
He said red tide affected the real estate market by bringing fewer people to the Island. This impacts sales because vacationers often turn into potential homebuyers when they discover the Island’s magic.
“We need people here to sell real estate,” Sato said of the relationship between vacationers and homebuyers.
Duncan’s insight
“2018 was fantastic,” Duncan said.
Realtor Darcie Duncan came in as the second-highest local realtor for 2018.
She said the red tide impacted her vacation rentals, but she didn’t lose a single home sale because of it, and her sales figures were up from 2017.
“I attribute my success to hard work, working with integrity and giving back to my community. Seventy-five percent of my business is from past client referrals and my sphere of influence,” she said, noting that 70 percent of her sales are on the Island.
“Not as many people that I worked with this past year were laser-focused on rental income. They were looking more at living here and retiring here. I think it’s important that people know that,” she said.
Duncan believes the housing market is stabilizing, and prices are going to level off some in 2019. She said she’s already seeing some price reductions.
She agrees the Island’s real estate inventory is strong and there’s still much new construction taking place. She said the $500,000 to $800,000 price range is the most-desired right now, but some of the Gulffront homes and others are selling for $1.5 million and up.
MANATEE COUNTY – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan is the new chair of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
The honor was bestowed on the Anna Maria businesswoman during a Chamber event at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
“It’s an honor to be the first islander to be appointed as the chairman of the board. I’m ready to put my flip-flops on and go to work. I’m proud to be representing Anna Maria Island and serving the entire county,” Duncan said the following day.
“I’m very excited to serve as chairman of the board of the Chamber. It truly is an incredible organization. As a small business owner, it’s nice that the Chamber recognizes that our small businesses are big business, because we make up the majority of the Chamber. We’re made up mostly of businesses with less than five employees, which is amazing,” she added.
“I’m basically the face of the Chamber this year. I’ll be out with Chamber President and CEO Jacki Dezelski getting into the community and working on the issues the businesses have. One of my main focuses is we started a task force on obtainable housing that we are rolling out this month. There are issues with finding obtainable housing. Employers are having a hard time finding employees and getting obtainable housing,” Duncan said.
“I’ll be visiting businesses throughout the county and the community to hear what’s going on. We’re talking a lot about transportation and the issues we have with congestion and transportation, so that’s also at the forefront this year. And we’ll be moving into the new parking garage building in downtown Bradenton, so that’s exciting,” Duncan said.
Duncan has served on the Chamber board and/or the smaller executive board for the past eight years. Her new duties will include chairing board and executive board meetings.
“Everything goes to our main board for decisions, but the executive board oversees the committees and things like that,” she said.
Karen LaPensee, Stewart Moon Jr. and Sean Murphy also represent the Island on the Chamber board of directors.
Duncan was asked how her involvement with the Chamber benefits her as the owner of Duncan Real Estate.
“I make so many connections and meet so many new people, creating relationships with other businesses that are helping my business grow. The Chamber has a lot of educational workshops that help small businesses – on marketing, using social media, employee retention, health benefits and those kinds of things. There are also a lot of networking opportunities to get out and meet people and meet your peers. My business is all about relationships,” Duncan said.
