| Sarasota first became a “modern”
town when it was promoted in Scotland by the Florida
Mortgage and Investment Company in 1885. It was a
breath of fresh air, promising an abundance of fertile
land, plentiful citrus groves, and affordable housing.
Among those first Scottish settlers was John Hamilton
Gillespie, an aristocrat, lawyer, and member of the
Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland. Gillespie built
the upscale DeSoto Hotel on Main Street for tourists
and prospective investors. John Ringling, of Ringling
Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, meanwhile
positioned Sarasota as “Florida’s Cultural
Coast.” John and his wife Mable needed a place
to house their ever-growing collection of works by
Peter Paul Reubens and other masters of 17th-century
Italian and Flemish art. We know that collection today
as the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, one
of America’s most famous art museums.
In terms of sports, Sarasota is known as Florida’s
“Cradle of Golf.” The city was home
to the first course in the state and one of America’s
first golf courses built in 1905. The nine-hole
course was located in the heart of what now is the
downtown area. Today, Sarasota offers more than
1,000 holes at public, semi-private and private
courses. A city rich in cultural life and leisure
activities, Sarasota offers residents a superb quality
of life. New developments in the city include spectacular
oceanfront condos and penthouses, as well as luxury
homes overlooking golf courses and lakes. CNN/Money
Magazine chose Sarasota as America’s Best
Small City and one of the nation's top eight Best
Places to Retire.
Let us help you find the home of your dreams in
Sarasota. We have a direct relationship with the
major builders to offer you the best prices, but
if you can’t wait for the pre-construction
process, we have a comprehensive listing of houses,
apartments, condos and townhomes available in the
market.
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Foreclosures in Sarasota
