REAL ESTATE

26 THE SUN REAL ESTATE

AUGUST 18, 2021

Homes with docks more valuable than ever

You’ve probably read it dozens of times in real estate advertising: “Buy a home for your boat.” Homes with access to a boat dock have always been popular, but like everything else that COVID-19 has influenced, popular doesn’t even come close.

Because of COVID, pleasure boating filled a void left when get-togethers, bars and restaurants were unavailable because of lockdown restrictions. The obvious pastime was outdoor activities, and for all waterfront communities in the country, boating became all the rage.

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, boat sales reached a 13-year high in 2020. This is up 12% from the year before, with more than 310,000 powerboats sold in the United States last year. Being able to work remotely made it even more convenient for potential boaters to dive into their new hobby.

Naturally, houses with private boat docks, especially with boat lifts or the capacity to build one, suddenly became even more in demand than before. Properties without actual docks, but which had sea walls or bulkheads and deep water, also became more valuable to buyers with the hope they could build a dock. That said, the ability to build new docks isn’t as easy as it sounds.

If you purchase a home that does not have a dock or worse, a seawall, there is a rigorous permitting process by both state and federal agencies. Construction on marine land falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but they hand it over to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It’s an expensive, time-consuming process that makes homes with existing docks that much more valuable.

For example, if you did not have a home with a dock for your 40-foot vessel it would cost anywhere from $25 to $30 a foot per month in a commercial marina. That calculates to $1,000 to $1,200 monthly. If you really want to buy a home for your boat, you can. Boat slips are available for sale in some of the high-end marinas, such as Longboat Key Moorings on Longboat Key. That will run you about $100,000 to $330,000, depending on the location of the slip and the size of the boat.

How much value does a dock with the proper permits add to the value of the home? This is one of the multitudes of waterfront value questions that every real estate professional has struggled with for decades. Putting a value on waterfront property alone is very difficult because of the diversity of waterfront locations in Florida. Adding docks, sea walls and the ability to build is a whole other level of calculating value. As with most real estate, comparing similar properties that have sold is the gold standard. However, finding waterfront property with the right kind of docking is not so easy. And just to throw another wrench in the mix, we have many waterfront condos in Manatee County that come with docks.

If condo living appeals to you and you want a dock for your boat this could be an alternative. Make sure you understand the difference between a dock that is deeded to you and a dock that is part of the association’s limited common elements. A deeded dock puts all of the maintenance responsibility on you as the owner; a dock that is a limited common element is maintained by the association.

Buying a home or condo with a boat slip or the ability to construct one requires more than the average amount of due diligence. Do your homework and make your boat happy in its new home.

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

Island Gallery West extends ‘Live Colorfully’

Featuring works by talented local artists, the “Live Colorfully” exhibit at Island Gallery West in Holmes Beach has been extended through September.

BY JASON SCHAFFER

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - Art imitates life at the Island Gallery West with the “Live Colorfully” exhibit currently on display. Vibrant works of art inspired by the flora, fauna and people of Anna Maria Island and surrounding areas draw the eye to native birds, crashing waves and everything in between.

The artists displaying their paintings, drawings, photographs, mixed media, pottery, jewelry, glass mosaics and more are all Island Gallery West members.

“The works featured in the 'Live Colorfully' display were juried in by a member committee,” Gallery member Susan Maas said. “Members were invited to submit a couple of works each for consideration; that was the process for this exhibit.”

The Island Gallery West is a co-op with each member paying a portion of the sale of their art to fund the operating costs. They currently have 30 member artists, all of whom are from the area. The Gallery welcomes submissions from any local artist who would like to become a member. After submitting required material and documentation, new members must get a 2/3rd majority of current members' approval to be accepted.

“Not all of our members live on the Island, but everyone is from the area. I think we have one artist who lives in Tampa, but that would be the farthest away. We’re certainly local,” Maas said.

The “Live Colorfully” exhibit has been extended through the end of September, so there is plenty of time to view or purchase these works of art. Island Gallery West is located at 5368 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, trolley stop 15. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information on the Gallery and its artists, or becoming a member, visit www.islandgallerywest.com or call 941778-6648.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN The “Live Colorfully” exhibit currently on display at the Island Gallery West in Holmes Beach has been extended.

BEACH BEAT

HOLMES BEACH

7/28, 6:31 p.m., burglary, 5903 Flotilla Drive. The brother of a property owner notified police that he went to check on his sister’s storage shed where he is permitted to store some of his belongings. He found his TV on the ground covered in dust and multiple items missing. No usable fingerprints could be found and there is no suspect at this time. 7/30, 12:02 p.m., suspicious incident, 528 67th St. The victim stated his vehicle window had been broken. An officer observed a small hole in the window, but nothing was missing and there was no other damage to the vehicle. 7/31, 10:30 p.m., noise violation, 306 Clark Drive. A caller complained of loud noise at a rental nearby. Officers went to the back patio of the caller’s residence and heard loud noise from the pool area of the rental home next door. After the officer issued a citation, the renter stopped the noise while the officer was on the scene. 8/1, 7:21 a.m., burglary, 627 Key Royale Drive. Victim stated he had locked his equipment trailer at the end of his workday. When he returned the next day, the lock had been cut and property had been stolen. There are no suspects at this time. 8/2, 1:05 p.m., petit theft, 7108 Palm Drive. Victim reported the theft of a motorcycle trailer from his property sometime the previous night. The thief also damaged his 2016 BMW, hitting it during the theft. No suspect has yet been identified. 8/4, 1:35 p.m., possession of a weapon by a felon, 3007 Gulf Drive. An officer responded to complaint that a suspect had left a gun in the glove box of a man who gave him a ride to the Anchor Inn. After forgetting about it, he went back to retrieve it and said it was gone. The driver came to the station the next day and the gun was found in plain sight next to the passenger seat. Inconsistencies in the suspect's statements led officers to believe he was not being truthful. The suspect was arrested. 8/5, 11 a.m., Baker Act, Holmes Beach Police Department parking lot. Subject called 911 saying he was being followed and was afraid for his life. Subject drove to the HBPD parking lot where the suspect pulled in behind him. Officers say the suspect had “glassy” eyes and was in a paranoid state of mind. The suspect told police that the subject he was following was an alien like “E.T.” from another planet, or a hologram that was not right and needed to be talked to. The suspect was transported to Sun Coast Medical Center without incident. A substance believed to be meth was confiscated to be tested. Further charges may be filed. 8/7, 4 p.m., battery, 5346 Gulf Drive. Subject reported being shot with a BB gun while walking along Gulf Drive. Subject said a black truck was the source of the shots. Security footage from “Fun and More Rentals” showed the truck in question. Police found the vehicle near the City Pier and watched it until five young males came back to it. One juvenile admitted to being the shooter. 8/9, 1 a.m., fraudulent use of a credit card, 3007 Gulf Drive. Officer was dispatched to take report of a stolen credit card. Victim stated he was at the Anchor Inn and dropped his credit card. The victim said the card was used for two transactions for $1,140. The BRADENTON BEACH

8/2, 2:30 a.m., trespass warning, 103 Gulf Drive S. Suspect approached officers in the Circle K in Bradenton Beach asking to borrow money. Officers declined and observed the suspect taking multiple items from the store into the bathroom. Suspect was approached and admitted to stealing items then throwing them in the bathroom trash. Suspect’s father came and paid for the items so no charges were pressed by the store, but a trespass warning was issued. 8/9, 12:34 a.m., trespassing, 103 Gulf Drive. Officers on patrol at the Circle K in Bradenton Beach observed a female being loud, holding an alcoholic beverage in her hand. The female said she was going to walk back to Bradenton after officers offered help, but she declined and continued being disruptive. The Circle K said she was not allowed back on the property and officers warned her she would be arrested for trespassing if she returned.

Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!

Business As Usual…..Just A Li le Differently. If you’re looking to buy or sell in Perico Bay Club, or know someone who is, please give me a call!

Give me a call today if yo oGive me a call today if you’u re looking ge lookine re to Buy or Sell on Anna Maria Isla yBuy or Sell on Anna M Maria Isla MariaMari nd d or the surroundi a ng area!

anIsla ounding oun a a!ding g ng area ea Lynn Zemmer 941 41-1 730 30-0 1294 94 9 941.209.1542 I Lynn@Edgewaterami.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com 106 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 941.730.1294 | Lynn@Edgewaterami.c www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com om

165012

A PARADISE Catie Seip & Doug Wallace – Listing Helen Ross Pollock - Selling

AN ISLAND PLACE REALTY Sue Carlson - Listing Tanya McCormick - Selling

DUNCAN REAL ESTATE Darcie Duncan – Listing & Selling

EDGEWATER REAL ESTATE Lynn Zemmer - Listing & Selling

FRAN MAXON Sharon & Tim Villars - Listing Kathryn Sandberg - Selling

ISLAND REAL ESTATE Liz Codola - Listing Kathleen White and Erin Leathem – Selling

MICHAEL SAUNDERS Hannah Hillyard & George Myers – Listing Victoria Sperounes – Selling

MIKE NORMAN Carla Beddow - Listing Rochelle Bowers – Selling

AMI Chamber luncheon rescheduled

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon originally scheduled for Aug. 12 has been rescheduled for Thursday, Aug. 19. The luncheon is open to Chamber members and anyone who would like to become a member and will take place at Bonefish Grill, 7456 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to mingle with Chamber members, pass out business cards, and win raffle prizes donated by Chamber member businesses. The cost to attend is $18 per member and $30 per prospective member. To RSVP, please contact the AMI Chamber at 941-778-1541 or email info@amichamber.org.

PREMIER SOTHEBY Shellie Young – Listing Nisey Carbone – Selling

REMAX ALLIANCE GROUP Cindy Quinn – Listing & Selling

SALTY MERMAID REAL ESTATE Diana Sinisi - Listing Nicole Skaggs & Alex Rutland - Selling

SATO REAL ESTATE Jason Sato – Listing & Selling

WAGNER REAL ESTATE Team of Becky Smith & Elfi Starrett - Selling

TDC meeting rescheduled

The Monday, Aug. 16 Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting is rescheduled to Monday, Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., in Bradenton. The public is welcome to attend the meeting or watch on Spectrum channel 644, Verizon channel 30 or Comcast channel 20. Meetings are also posted on the Manatee County Government YouTube channel shortly after their completion.

Commissioners veto VRC changes

No legal changes are being made to the VRC program, but a new voluntary outreach effort is being launched.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders have opted to not make any changes to the ordinance that governs the Holmes Beach vacation rental certificate program, however, they are asking vacation rental property owners and managers for help lessening the effects of noise in residential neighborhoods.

Rather than putting a mandate in the vacation rental ordinance, commissioners on Aug. 10 opted to have stickers or signs created for placement in entertaining and pool spaces at rental units in the city. The signs are to be placed where they can easily be seen by vacationers and the proposed language says “Please keep noise to a minimum. Please respect our neighbors.”

Commissioners agreed to choose a design for the signs from a sign provided as an example by Commissioner Jayne Christenson.

Once the signs are created, the plan is to distribute them through property agents and managers, like the window clings that are already distributed through city employees. The point of the signs is to remind vacationers that they’re renting in a residential area with the hope of reducing noise to nearby residences and cutting down on the number of noise issues in the community.

With homes built close together, many on non-conforming lots, noise has become a growing issue as more residences have become short-term rental properties. Mayor Judy Titsworth and Chief Bill Tokajer urged commissioners to place the signs at rental properties via outreach and voluntarily before putting a requirement for the signs in the vacation rental certificate ordinance.

“Most of our rental companies want to do the right thing,” Titsworth said.

Commissioners agreed to revisit the issue if the recommended outreach program with the signs doesn’t work.

SUBMITTED | JAYNE CHRISTENSON Commissioners approved a sample sign design to be distributed to all rental properties in Holmes Beach.

Earlier garbage pickup times for Holmes Beach

With driver shortages still an issue, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth asked commissioners to consider allowing Waste Pro workers to start trash, yard waste and recycling pickups earlier in Holmes Beach, at 6 a.m. In a 4-1 vote, commissioners agreed to allow pickups for a three-month trial period to begin at 6 a.m. Commissioner Jayne Christenson voted against allowing earlier pickup times, saying it’s a quality-oflife issue for residents who could be awakened by the trucks as they move up and down residential streets. Pickup days are expected to remain the same. The time of pickups was allowed to change immediately following the Aug. 10 commission vote.

No length of stay leniency for donated properties

If you’re donating a property for an auction or other non-paid stay, make sure the stay donated matches the minimum requirement for stays in the property’s zoning district in Holmes Beach. Commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 10 to pass the first reading of an ordinance requiring that any residence or rental property offered for a stay to a third party without compensation must meet the minimum length of stay requirements for the zoning district it’s in - seven days for R-2, R-3 and R-4 properties and 30 days for R-1. The ordinance is designed to close a loophole where properties are being given for a term less than what’s allowed for a paid stay. The proposed ordinance goes back before commissioners for a final vote and second public hearing during an upcoming meeting.