Sarasota’s Top 20 Fastest Growing Status Puts Premium On Privacy

Aerial photo Typical Sarasota FL Estate NeighborhoodIf you have been driving around over the peak season in Sarasota and Manatee counties announcement this week the area is one of the top 20 fastest growing in the nation comes as no surprise.  Being number 11 on the census list for population increase means a robust local economy and improving financial quality of life.  But the downside is more congestion on the streets and highways, and more new communities with bigger houses on smaller lots and less privacy.

“I hear it everyday from people looking for a new neighborhood with a premium on peace and quiet where privacy and open space are the most important amenities,” said Premier Sotheby’s International Realty agent Brian Wood.  “People looking for a true estate home site neighborhood discover quickly how limited the opportunities are here in Sarasota.”

Aerial photo The Forest Sarasota FL Estate NeighborhoodWood is the developer’s exclusive representative at The Forest and has specialized in custom homes east of I-75 for years.  He has seen the trend of homes continuing to get bigger while lots in gated communities get smaller.  He says the supply of home sites is very low, particularly in natural wooded settings with acreage sizes.

“The Forest lives up to its name and people see that instantly when they tour the community,” said Wood.  “It’s easy to understand why so many of our resident mention privacy and peace and quiet (see resident interviews on The Forest YouTube Channel) as one of the best features of the community.”

Tom Dabney, Development Manager for the Hi Hat Ranch and Turner family member, says they saw it coming.  “We took one of the best spots on our 10,000-acre historic ranch and carved out Sarasota’s only true master planned gated community exclusively for custom homes on acreage estates.”

Wood says interest in the three to five acre sites at The Forest has been strong so far this year.  Several sales are pending and inventory of the final remaining homes sites is limited.  He says buyers are also combining home sites for even larger estate parcels.

“There is still an excellent selection of home sites to choose from but this is the only neighborhood of its kind planned on the Hi Hat Ranch,” said Dabney.  “You can drive several miles further east of the interstate to find acreage lots, however those will be in rural settings instead of a real master planned community.”

A new preview has been set up on home site 54 (see the community site plan) with a pathway cut through the trees to a 100-acres preserve abutting the rear property line.  Wood said anyone interested in The Forest should definitely take the tour with him to experience this view first hand.

“I love the reaction from visitors to The Forest who have been touring other “estate” neighborhoods in this area,” said Wood.  “When they get back into this area on home site 54 they understand what our residents already know – there is no place like this place.”