Broker Agent Networking on Casey Key at 3860 Casey Key Rd

I had the unique opportunity to recently host a realtor networking session on Casey Key at one of my listings, Toscana on the Bay, 3860 Casey Key, along with Ed Bertha, formerly of Broker Agent News.

Guest speakers were Representative Ronald Reagan, Florida state legislature, who gave an update on the insurance initiatives his committee is involved with, and former chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, John Tuccillo, who gave insights into the economy and future growth he predicts for Florida.

Over 75 area realtors attended the event and toured this magnificent property.

Danni's Deli Makes Casey Key Deliveries

Meet Danni of Danni's Deli On the Bay, 582 Blackburn Point Road, just east of the Blackburn Point Bridge...........who makes bicycle deliveries of fresh sandwiches and soft drinks and bottled water to mostly construction workers and gardeners on Casey Key. What an innovative idea and thanks to Gardener Craig who often stopped in to pick up lunch and made the suggestion that Danni make deliveries on the key instead.....we now have this new "fresh, fast & friendly" service on the key. You an call ahead and place your order or just see what is loaded into the cooler when Danni travels down the key......I took her photo recently and made my lunch purchase as well.

Casey Key Sales Update for January through May 2008

We’re off to a good start for the first 5 months of 2008 when compared to the total number of sales in 2007. As of May 31, 2008, there have been 8 sales reported in the Sarasota MLS, along with one private sale, as compared to 10 total sales for the year in 2007. As of June 11th, we have 2 additional properties under contract. Let’s take a look at what has sold this year through May:

January
2509 Casey Key, 100 feet of gulf to bay property (lot size of 34,782 sq. ft.) with a 1996 home situated on the gulf side of the road, 3,528 square feet, no pool, sold at auction for $3,097,500. It was listed for $4,395,000.

February
3858 Casey Key, 100 feet of bay front property (lot size of 28,231 sq. ft.) with a renovated 1974 home, 2,656 square feet, with a pool, single story, sold for $1,340,000. It was listed for $1,999,000.

1522 N Casey Key, approximately 100 feet of gulf to bay property (lot size of 54,152) with a 1986 home situated on the bay side of the road, 4,908 square feet, pool, tennis court, guest house, sold for $3,797,500. It was listed for $4,500,000.

March
937 Casey Key, 75 feet of gulf front property (lot size of 17,910 sq. ft) with a 4,634 square foot home built in 1992, no pool, sold for $3,750,000. It was listed for $4,200,000.

April
3005 Casey Key, 266 feet of gulf front property (lot size of 44,800 sq. ft) with a 4,028 square foot 1970 home, sold for $4,500,000. It was listed for $4,750,000.

May
2007 Casey Key, 160 feet of gulf front (lot size of 21,444 sq. ft.) with a 2,892 square foot home built in 2002, sold for $3,200,000. It was listed for $3,295,000.

1210 Casey Key, 23,280 sq. ft. lot on the bay with a 2,656 sq. ft. home built in 1974sold for $890,000. It was listed for $999,000.

609 Casey Key, approximately 100 ft. of gulf front property (lot size 33,615 sq. ft.) with a 5,443 sq. ft. home built in 1988, sold for $3,450,000; it was listed for $3,950,000.

With summer in full swing and the influx of visitors, we are getting more showings of properties and people are expressing interest in purchasing. So, that is encouraging and we hope to have additional strong sales throughout the remainder of 2008. I will keep you posted on sales and activity monthly in these Updates.

Deborah Beacham Co-Hosts Book Party

One of the greatest pleasures I derive from my real estate practice is meeting all sorts of interesting people—all of whom have stories to tell. I want to share with you one family I have met and worked with over the past year, and see if you don’t agree with me after reading this—they are quite something else.

Carlton Grooms, a professional photographer who owns Big Bamboo Creative (commercial, architecture and fashion photography,) and his wife Deborah Grooms, who owns Deborah Grooms Photography (portraits) in Sarasota, and their son Conner and daughter Alexa (ages 10 and 12 at the time) took a year off from work and school, carrying only 4 backpacks and traveled to 23 countries photographing “our world”, the result of which is a 200+ page coffee table-sized book of the images they each captured on this incredible journey.

A little bit of insight into Carlton (most people call him Carl)….if you go to his company website, http://www.bigbamboocreative.com/, the opening page states “We specialize in images that are striking, causing viewers to stop and simply say ‘wow’. Our singular focus is to exceed our clients’ visual and service expectations.” That statement pretty much states my response to his work for me in my real estate practice. Carl goes beyond the norm and gets “the shot”, no matter what it takes—even climbing into trees, or better yet, scaling boat lifts or rooftops to get the angle he wants. I mostly just shut my eyes when he does this, and of course, say more than a prayer or two until he is back safely on ground.

And now a little insight into Deborah (that’s Grooms)….the opening page of http://www.deborahgrooms.com/ has a striking image of the young couple and the statement….”We embrace different. We are passionate about our family, our photography, international travel and our charities focused on Africa.” This is most assuredly a “can do” Mama with such a youthful sense of adventure and compassion for others.

While in Africa, young Conner observed school children, and the conditions in which they learn prompted him to pose the question, “Why can’t we build schools for these kids?” It was his passion and wisdom for seeking truth beyond his tender years that prompted the family to build on this vision and it has now become a dream put into motion.

“Portraits of Our World” was created by the entire Grooms family and they have self-published the book. Carl personally got involved in overseeing the printing that was done in Italy. All profits from the sale of the book are going toward building schools and supporting children’s causes in Africa. One book will educate one child for one year.


While having lunch on our terrace overlooking Little Sarasota Bay on a Saturday with the entire Grooms family (including Carlton’s Mother who was visiting from Maine), my husband Walton and I began to brainstorm with the Carl and Deb about ways to sell the books. Having a publishing background (we owned and operated Beacham Publishing, a reference book company, in Washington D.C. before moving to Florida 14 years ago and going into real estate full time), I thought about a book party. If they had not self-published, their “publisher” would have given them a party to launch the book. So, the idea was born that together we would throw a book party and sell books! We had a wonderful party on April 23, 2008 at Saks in Sarasota—here’s a wonderful thing about Sarasota. Sally Schule, the general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue, is known as one of the most gracious hosts in this town—freely giving of the store’s space for charitable events. She was more than willing to participate and co-sponsor this event with us by donating not only the store’s space, but chairs, tables, microphone—you name it. The photo of young Conner with me is kind of interesting. He did not want to “speak” at the book party, but I coaxed him into it, and he was just great at impromptu speaking—telling stories of how the family washed their clothes in an assembly line in their hotel rooms, and about riding an ostrich and he got a little too close when one bit him on the nose. Alexa was next—she also indicated to me that she was much better at writing her stories than telling them, but her brother merely handed her the microphone and she was off and sharing stories as well of their fascinating journey.

I announced at the event that I will donate a percentage of each real estate transaction I am involved with toward supporting this incredible family’s dream. To contribute your part to this dream, go to http://www.portraitsofourworld.com/ and order this amazing book—knowing that with each book’s purchase—you will educate one child for one year.

Toscana on the Bay, 3860 Casey Key Rd

Secluded from Casey Key Road by a dense tropical garden, the driveway leads to an elegant villa inspired by 18th-century bucolic Tuscan architecture. Enter into the grande interior courtyard and your eyes soar to Sarasota Bay, then upward to the 26-foot ceiling defined by an exquisite hand carved stone fireplace. The lines of sight draw your eyes through arches and doorways in a harmonious interplay of light and shadow. Step back into a different time and place when craftsmanship was the passionate pursuit of artisans working to create a unique style for the discerning Italian families who commissioned them. Enjoy your completely secluded, beach where dolphins swim in the channel twenty yards offshore and watch endangered sea turtles nest on your beach by moonlight. This is the playground for wealthy, sophisticated people, but you’ll never know it from their easy manner and cordial lifestyle until you see their private jets hangered at Venice Airport only a beach walk away.

$7,300,000.00
For a private showing of this exquisite estate, contact Deborah Beacham at 941.376.2688

About Casey Key Real Estate

Casey Key residents dwell on this eight-mile long barrier island, with no high rises and no traffic lights. Homes here exude a unique blend of wealth, elegance, and old-Florida charm. Kick off your shoes and walk the privacy of the island which is home to Stephen King, Martina Navritalova, and a host of Fortune 500 CEOs who have no agenda other than enjoying the sea and their neighbors. Casey Key billionaires park their jets at the Venice airport 2 miles away and walk their dogs in peace and privacy. Just minutes from downtown Sarasota, Casey Key is private and remote, yet in the heart of cultural activities.

Ground elevations on Casey Key are generally higher than most barrier islands. The beaches are refreshingly natural, with protected wild sea oats and mangroves providing a protective habitat for the scores of native island birds that share the island, as well as the dolphins, manatees and other aquatic wildlife living just offshore.

Casey Key History

Casey Key got its name from a U.S. Army Captain named John Charles Casey who was assigned to the region to remove Seminole Indians in 1849. While Casey was assigned to the small Gulf Coast area he also helped in the coastal surveys for the U.S. government. His name appeared on the map where Casey Key now exists to mark the area where he was surveying. At the time the area was called Chaise’s Key but when the revised map came out in 1856, the name had been changed to Casey Key where his location had been marked.

During the 1920s rumors began on the island that there was treasure in the north end because a real estate developer came along trying to change the name to Treasure Island. The name did not stick and residents reverted back to the original Casey Key, which still remained.

For more information on Casey Key real estate contact me at 941.376.2688 or email me direct.