SRQ DAILY Apr 23, 2022
"Sales this February, though less than 2021, were still greater than the pre-pandemic previous four years, and list-to-sale periods continue to contract."
A new congressional map is now law. After months of legislative tension marked along the way with a dramatic veto and a protest of the House floor, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday quietly signed cartography his own staff crafted. But in the prior few days, a related drama played out in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.
While all drafts of legislative maps pretty much left Southwest Florida alone, the Governor’s map submissions since February signaled nowhere would be safe from deviations in the political terrain. The final DeSantis map split Manatee and Sarasota into entirely different congressional districts. It soon became clear both U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube, both Republicans, wanted to run for the same seat.
Buchanan has represented Sarasota his entire political career. He also represents all of Manatee County but at his core remains a north Sarasota businessman who brought his kids to Venice beach as they grew up. Steube, on the other hand, was reared in Manatee, where his father served for years as Sheriff. He moved south years ago, drawn by a state Senate seat and rewarded with an open U.S. House seat. He won election to Congress representing a south Sarasota County district spanning into the Florida Heartland and giving Steube a constituency perfectly for his conservative-in-cowboy boots persona. Meanwhile, north Sarasota’s wine bars, waterfront estates and corporate conservatives remained Buchanan country.
The new map shakes that up. U.S. House District 16 begins at University Parkway and goes north until State Road 60 in Brandon. That contains two thirds of Buchanan’s constituency, all north the Sarasota community where his name adorns the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce building. The full of Sarasota County goes to U.S. House District 17, which also includes Charlotte County and northeast Lee.
About 60% of Steube’s existing voters fall in the new District 17. In a strange twist, the two congressmen’s most obvious turf lay in opposite districts of where these two men might call their hometowns.
For about 15 hours from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, suspense reached a fever pitch. It seemed Greg Steube would a play. The Club for Growth, a Washington, D.C. group famous for picking favorite in Republican primaries, endorsed Steube and mentioned District 17 by number. Buchanan world continued to signal, though, he too wanted to settle in 17 and what’s so bad about Steube returning to Manatee anyway? For a minute, it looked like we might have a primary of giants. Buchanan, an incoming potential Ways and Means chair, could marshal both a national network of support and much of his personal fortune to defend a seat of his choice.
Nonetheless, Steube laid claim on District 17 Thursday morning. A release raised sensitive issues — his support for guns, his commitment to “election integrity” — that not only would play well with a Republican base but hit issues where Buchanan’s critics from the right have tried to hammer him. Buchanan supports background checks and voted to certify Joe Biden’s victory when Steube would not. From a gadfly like Martin Hyde, raising these issues in a primary felt like bites from a pesky mosquito. Buchanan’s reputation as a commonsense conservative would surely prevail. But would calculus differ in more conservative district in the age of Trump?
For a moment, the chance of a District 17 primary fueled intrigue, and an open District 16 piqued ambition. Who would run there? Former state Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton? Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch? State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Trumpworld? For a bit, it felt like every major player in the region considered a run. Could some entries even make an incumbent’s return to the race difficult.
The drama didn’t last. Within an hour of Steube’s announcement, Buchanan declared he would settle on District 16. No drama this year. And yet, a specter still looms.
Critics of the DeSantis’ map see a rough judiciary road ahead for the cartography in court. It could be this new map gets thrown out by judges in a cycle or two, just as happened in 2015. If that outcome arrives, the whole speculation game on who runs where shall start anew.
Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 
February chalked up another month in which sales and contracts signed exceeded the number of new listings. A recent report from Trendgraphix showed the Sarasota Real Estate Market had less than 500 existing homes and condos available for sale.
In the chart shown here, you will see the dramatic decline in available inventory over the last five years. Also of note is that for the last nearly 18 months, new listings have been nearly equal to the number of properties going under contract each month.
With the staggering surge in our area’s demand after the onset of the pandemic, these new residents and our locals seeking more space for their new remote-work lifestyles, chipped away at the remaining available properties leaving us with the lowest inventory on record.
I would typically be seeing a swell in new listings between December and February, as sellers look to take advantage of our active peak spring season. This year is anything but normal. While there are a few rare new listings that would meet the interest of my pool of eager buyers, we are still facing feverish bidding wars and properties going under contract in as little as a few hours after hitting MLS.
As evidence, my recent listing had 15 showings in the first 24 hours after listing, had several attractive offers, and was under contract in 48 hours.
When trying to compare February 2021 to 2022, it is important to remember the incredible spike in demand that began in late fall 2020 and peaked last spring. Sales this February, though less than 2021, were still greater than the pre-pandemic previous four years, and list-to-sale periods continue to contract.
As a result of the deficiency of inventory, prices continued to rise in February. Single-family homes traded at 25% higher prices than previous year, and condos rose nearly 30%. The escalation is not expected to continue at this fast a pace but will remain above historical growth rate. As properties remain scarce, prices have nowhere to go but up — the market simply cannot satisfy the unmet demand for many months.
New home builders are facing production delays because of supply chain issues — and it’s not just lumber anymore — garage doors, windows, siding, roofing material, drywall, appliances and more are not only delayed in delivery, but costs are also rising markedly. However, recent polls from the Home Builder Association indicates confidence is still very high that demand will not wane for the foreseeable future, and permitting for new single-family and multi-family developments remains solid.
As you consider your real estate goals for the year ahead, whether buying or selling, seeking property to build, an existing home or condo, or new development, having a professional with a critical understanding of the market’s current extraordinarily unconventional realities, and able to set expectations based on pragmatic and practiced conclusions will ensure your goals are achieved.
With decades of experience managing hundreds of transactions, and experiencing the Sarasota Real Estate Market’s variability, my knowledge throughout the region can help. Close relationships with my other top-performing agents in the region allows me to bring qualified buyers and sellers together rapidly and successfully in these unusual market conditions.
Whether looking to relocate to a new neighborhood, considering upsizing or downsizing, or adding to your real estate portfolio, I would be happy to discuss your next steps with you so that when the right opportunity comes along, you will be first to know.
Michael Moulton is a certified residential specialist broker-associate with Michael Saunders and Company.
FAM (Family Art Making) is a free program that's fun for the whole family. Join us for creative art projects inspired by an object in our collections from February 12, 2022 to April 30, 2022 at 10am, 11am, and 12pm at the Education Center. Afterwards, visit the museum* to see that object in person. You will be able to visit the Museum of Art and the Circus Museum with your FAM wristband that is provided at check-in. An at-home version of FAM is available on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/TheRingling.
The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch is home to more than 90 curated vendors of the region’s best food and flavors, located at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. It takes place every Sunday from 10am to 2pm at Waterside Place. It’s your weekend destination for organic produce, meat, poultry, seafood, bread, pasta, juices and prepared foods. Stay up to date on vendors and events by visiting TheMarketLWR.com.
Immerse yourself in the world of Vincent Van Gogh like you've never experienced before from March 4, 2022 to April 24, 2022 at the Starry Night Pavilion at University Town Center, 195 University Town Center Drive. Beyond Van Gogh is a rich and unique multimedia experience, taking the viewer on a journey through over 300 iconic artworks including instantly-recognizable classics "The Starry Night", "Sunflowers", and "Cafe Terrace at Night", now freed from their frames. Set to a symphonic score and using the artist's own dreams, thoughts, and words to drive the experience as a narrative, Van Gogh's art comes to life by appearing and disappearing, flowing across multiple surfaces and heightening the senses with their immense detail. Guests will leave with a new appreciation of this prolific artist's stunning work. Hours of Operation are Sunday through Thursday: 10am to 9pm and Friday & Saturday: 10am to 10pm. The visit will take around one hour with final entry one hour before close.
Honoring the significant contributions of African Americans over the years on the “Great White Way” is “Broadway in Black.” Broadway musicals have charmed the world for decades; WBTT salutes that genre with an original revue by Nate Jacobs – who will direct – that was first presented in the summer of 2017. Sing along with your favorite songs from award-winning shows and breakthrough roles that helped launch the careers of such African-American artists as Melba Moore in “Purlie,” Ben Vereen in “Pippin,” Jennifer Holliday in “Dreamgirls,” and Nell Carter in “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” It’s Broadway, WBTT style! Jacobs will direct; resident choreographer Donald Frison will take the production to the next level with thrilling new choreography. Show runs from March 9 to April 24, 2022. Ticket sales are scheduled to begin in the late summer. Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 or visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.
In April, Art Uptown Gallery will feature the work of Sarasota painter Evelyn McCorristin Peters in an exhibit entitled "The Art of Losing.” The Art of Losing exhibit opens on Saturday, March 26 and runs through Friday, April 29. The public is also invited to a reception on First Friday, April 1, from 6pm to 9pm. Art Uptown Gallery welcomes you to 1367 Main Street, where the diverse art works of 29 local artists are shown seven days a week. Telephone: 941-955-5409 for hours and further information. www.artuptown.com.
Sarasota High School Theatre's Footloose the Musical will show April 20-23, 2022. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.
Grab your cowboy boots and hat for a ride through the soundtracks of beloved TV and movie Westerns on Wednesday, April 20 at 5:30pm, Thursday, April 21 at 7:30pm, Friday, April 22 at 5:30pm, and Saturday, April 23 at 8pm at Holley Hall. Enrico Lopez-Yañez leads the musical caravan of selections from The Lone Ranger, Annie Get your Gun, Silverado, and more.
In The Greatest Little Show on Earth! audiences from near and far will be enthralled as the young athletes of the Sailor Circus Academy, ages 8-18, flip, fly and soar to new heights in a show that pays tribute to the origins and traditions of the circus arts. Nearly 50 students will be featured in traditional circus acts enhanced by gorgeous new costumes as well as state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and multimedia elements such as the LED big-screen. Performances are 7pm April 21-23, 2pm April 23, and 1 and 6pm on April 24. Shows take place at the Sailor Circus Arena (2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota).
The Venice Symphony presents Fantasy, Firebird and Fabiola with guest violinist Fabiola Kim, 7:30 pm, April 22 and 3:30 pm, April 23 at the Venice Performing Arts Center, One Indian Ave, Venice. The Symphony will offer its free Meet the Maestro Pre-Concert Talks at 6:30 pm before evening concerts and 2:30 pm before afternoon concerts, featuring Maestro Quinn and guest artists
The world premiere of Knoxville is made possible by a generous grant from The Roy Cockrum Foundation. This moving and innovative new musical reunites the dynamic Tony Award-winning creative team behind Ragtime, one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Based on James Agee’s autobiographical, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Death in the Family, the story begins as Agee struggles to write his greatest work—about the event that touched his young life and the effect it had on his mother, his town, and his own future. A powerful illumination of the forces that shape who we are, Knoxville is a universal coming-of-age story about family, faith, and love—and about the boy who will grow up to write it. With a sweeping musical score and an extraordinary creative team and cast, this world premiere is a must-see event. Contains mature themes. Recommended for age 10+. Knoxville will show April 23 - May 11, 2022 with Previews April 15-22, 2022.
Knock Out Marketing & PR and Grove restaurant have partnered to bring you an extraordinary stand-up clean comedy event on Saturday, April 23, 2022 starring 3 hilarious, headliner comedians and an emcee. Our last comedy shows sold out very quickly and received standing ovations. We hope you'll join us to sit back and laugh with your friends. Come early and socialize. After the Show, meet the Comedians. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Impact 100SRQ. 2 Shows: 5pm & 8pm. Doors open 45 minutes prior to event start time. We encourage you to come early, visit with your friends and hand-selected vendors, purchase beverages and relax. Attire is Formal casual. 3 cash bars and beverage servers available throughout the show. No drink minimum. Cash & credit cards accepted. There will be no food service at the event. Your ticket includes a 10% off food voucher for Grove restaurant. This voucher is valid for the evening of the event. A confirmation voucher will be automatically emailed to you after you purchase event tickets. Grove restaurant reservations are strongly recommended the night of this event. Call Grove at (941) 893-4321 to make your dinner reservation.
FST Improv Presents To Die For on April 23 at 7:30pm. Join us for the debut of FST Improv’s To Die For, an improvised murder mystery with a different theme every week. With a cast of quirky characters, To Die For features the twists and turns of your favorite mystery thriller without skimping on the comedy. Using audience suggestions, our plucky detective will go to extreme lengths to crack the case. Can you figure out whodunit? Tickets are $15 per person and the performance will take place in FST's Bowne's Lab.
Creative Liberties, a new company based on a foundation of artists helping artists, is presenting the Spring Cleaning Artist Market, Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Creative Liberties Artist Studios, 901-B Apricot Avenue, Sarasota, in the Limelight District. Guests can enjoy a great day of art, food and drink. Studio artists and art vendors will be cleaning out their art collections (and their art supply cabinets) making wonderful art and supplies available for fantastic prices. Grandma Wan's Food Truck will be onsite, homebrewer Ray Spicochi will be here with his craft beer and there will be a DIY Craft Tent for the kids! For more information, visit www.creativeliberties.net or call 941-799-6634.
Jordan Tice is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who combines witty, well-crafted songs with deft fingerstyle and flatpick guitar playing. His performances have been compared to those of legends like Leo Kottke, John Hartford, and David Bromberg for their mix of virtuosity and playfulness and his songs have been compared to those of writers, Bob Dylan and John Prine for their humor, introspection and philosophical nature. Tice will play the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Saturday, April 23 at 8pm. Tickets are $15 members, $18 for nonmembers. Student tickets are half price. Advance tickets are available at www.fogartyville.org.
Jordan Tice is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who combines witty, well-crafted songs with deft fingerstyle and flatpick guitar playing. His performances have been compared to those of legends like Leo Kottke, John Hartford, and David Bromberg for their mix of virtuosity and playfulness and his songs have been compared to those of writers, Bob Dylan and John Prine for their humor, introspection and philosophical nature. Tice will play the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Saturday, April 23 at 8pm. Tickets are $15 members, $18 for nonmembers. Student tickets are ½ price. Advance tickets are available at www.fogartyville.org.
Choral Artists of Sarasota’s 43rd season, entitled "Carried Away!" continues with the long-awaited world premiere of "Listen to the Earth," Sunday, April 24, 5 p.m., at the Sarasota Opera House. The concert showcases "Listen to the Earth," a symphonic choral cantata by James Grant, an award-winning composer and part-time Sarasota resident.
Join Sarasotas premier handbell ensemble for a performance of songs from the stage and screen! The ensemble will ring out tunes from movies, musicals and TV, along with a selection of original songs at Church of the Palms, Sarasota.
nfluenced by Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin, Denise King is an expressive, big-voiced vocalist that combines jazz with elements of R&B, Blues and Gospel.Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA at the young age of twelve she discovered R&B and jazz thanks to an uncle who was a record collector that loved jazz. Denise King is brimming with energy, good humor, and swings with authentic jazz expression! As part of a tradition rooted in the history of jazz, she fully lives the songs she sings. King will perform at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Sunday, April 24 at 7pm.
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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