590 Jessmyth Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228

MLS# J919389

Client Situation

A couple from Wisconsin was unsure about where they should begin looking for a warm climate winter home. Their youngest daughter was soon to be headed to college and they would be empty nesters and anxious to begin the next chapter. The husband felt less urgency, but the wife wanted to understand options, and had heard that the Sarasota Islands was an area they should be considering. Walter Group stood-out among the other realtors that came-up in web searches, so the wife reached-out, and an introductory call was scheduled.

Approach

Walter Group works with a lot of clients who are new to the Sarasota Islands, and/or who spend a considerable percentage of their time elsewhere. Recognizing that fact, and out of a desire to help clients be as informed as possible. Walter Group created a process to leverage their 30yrs experience living and working ion the area with web-based tools to create a unique process they refer to as the ‘Google-Flyover’ to begin the process of orienting clients with the market. (@Scott – More about the Google Flyover later – hyperlink to Blog story?)
More about the Google Flyover here, but the premise is that Walter Group facilitates Zoom meetings with new clients which leverage screen-sharing, Google Earth Satellite maps, MLS listing data, and other digital tool to quickly and efficiently orient prospective buyers with the geography, waterways, social venues, neighborhoods, active listings, and recently sold properties.

Outcome

After leveraging the Google Flyover to help their new clients understand the area and refine their requirements, it became apparent that the scarcity of inventory that fit the requirements meant that the buyers would either need to extend their timeline for adding the Sarasota property to their portfolio, or find a suitable lot and build exactly what they want.
Walter Group worked with the buyers to rough-out an approximate all-in budget to include costs for the lot, architecture, engineering, site-work, dock/lift, construction, and once refine, began the search for a suitable lot. Based on connections within the market, Walter Group identified an off-market older home on a Longboat Key peninsula with wide deep water canal on one side, and full open bay views on the other. After a few weeks of working with the owner of the older home, she agreed to entertain the idea of selling her off-market property. Walter Group worked with the owner to accumulate the required disclosures, drafted an offer from the buyers, and facilitated a mutually agreeable buy/sell agreement.
Walter Group worked with the buyers though the due-diligence period by making arrangements for the buyers to perform technical site analysis, including geotechnical assessment, building/zoning considerations, and meets with architects and builders to further refine their requirements – and solve for budget.
After the due diligence period was satisfied, the old home was demolished, and the new home was built. Call for mare information