The Siciliano Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The Siciliano Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate We have a passion for helping people make the right decision when buying or selling a home.

NEW RESTAURANTS WORTH TRYING IN SARASOTA & LAKEWOOD RANCHOne of the things we love about living in the Sarasota–Lakewood...
09/14/2026

NEW RESTAURANTS WORTH TRYING IN SARASOTA & LAKEWOOD RANCH

One of the things we love about living in the Sarasota–Lakewood Ranch area is that the restaurant scene just keeps getting better. Several newer arrivals are already earning strong reviews from local diners.

Here are a few to put on your list:

LAKEWOOD RANCH / UTC

Kuro Sushi Bar - Bradenton — 4.8★
Located on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Kuro combines sushi, small plates and robata-grilled specialties in a modern setting. It opened in late 2025 and has quickly attracted attention.

131 MAIN Restaurant — 4.6★
A polished addition to the University Parkway corridor featuring steaks, seafood and dishes prepared around a wood-burning grill.

Kitchen Social — 4.6★
Opened at UTC in March 2026, this lively restaurant features contemporary comfort food, shareable dishes, cocktails and weekend brunch.

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza UTC — 4.4★
Opened near UTC in June 2026 and known for its ultra-thin pizzas and distinctive star-shaped pies.

SARASOTA

Hanami Sushi, Cocktails & Lounge — 4.6★
A dramatic new Rosemary District destination for sushi, Asian-inspired dishes and cocktails. Hanami opened in the historic Citrus Exchange building in April 2026.

Comida — 4.5★
Downtown Sarasota’s contemporary Latin restaurant emphasizes fresh, scratch-made dishes in an intimate setting. Recent diners have been giving it particularly strong reviews.

Which one have you tried — and which restaurant should we add to the list?

Great restaurants, beautiful neighborhoods and an incredible Gulf Coast lifestyle are just a few reasons so many people enjoy calling Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch home.

The Siciliano Team
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Sarasota • Lakewood Ranch

THINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR LAKEWOOD RANCH HOME?Lakewood Ranch continues to be one of the most desirable communities in ...
09/12/2026

THINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR LAKEWOOD RANCH HOME?

Lakewood Ranch continues to be one of the most desirable communities in our area, and today’s available inventory means sellers need a thoughtful strategy to stand out.

The opportunity is there—but pricing, presentation and marketing matter.

If you’ve been wondering:

• What is my home worth in today’s market?
• How much competition would I have?
• Is now the right time to sell—or should I wait?
• What would it take to get my home sold?

We can help you evaluate the numbers and develop a strategy specifically for your home and neighborhood.

Call The Siciliano Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate for your complimentary consultation.

Joe & Stacey Siciliano
The Siciliano Team
Douglas Elliman Real Estate

804.349.8912

🏊 SELLING A HOME WITHOUT A POOL IN FLORIDA?A pool can make a bigger difference than many homeowners realize—especially i...
09/12/2026

🏊 SELLING A HOME WITHOUT A POOL IN FLORIDA?

A pool can make a bigger difference than many homeowners realize—especially in Florida, where outdoor living is part of the lifestyle.

According to Realtor.com® research:

• 61.8% of homes listed in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach market featured a pool in 2025.
• 55.3% of Orlando-area listings had a pool.
• 47.6% of Tampa-area listings had a pool.
• Nationwide, homes with pools were listed at approximately 21.2% more per square foot than homes without pools in April 2025.

That doesn’t mean a home without a pool can’t sell—or that adding a pool automatically increases a home’s value by 21%.

But in Florida, it does demonstrate just how important pools can be in the competitive landscape.

For a homeowner selling without a pool, the strategy becomes even more important:

✓ Price against the right competing homes
✓ Highlight outdoor living and usable backyard space
✓ Emphasize community pools and amenities when applicable
✓ Showcase the home’s other high-value features
✓ Position the property correctly from Day One

In Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, two similar homes can appeal very differently to buyers depending on their outdoor space, location, community amenities and whether they have a private pool.

Thinking about selling?

Before putting your home on the market, let us show you exactly how your home compares with the competition—and which features are helping or hurting its market position.

The Siciliano Team
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
[email protected]
894.349.8912

Source: Realtor.com® Economic Research, May 2025. National and metropolitan statistics shown are not specific valuations of individual Sarasota or Lakewood Ranch properties. Property values and marketability vary by location, condition, features and market conditions.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001THE DAY SARASOTA STOOD AT THE CENTER OF HISTORYOn the morning of September 11, 2001, President George ...
09/11/2026

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
THE DAY SARASOTA STOOD AT THE CENTER OF HISTORY

On the morning of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was visiting Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota to promote an education initiative.

While sitting with second-grade students during a reading lesson, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card quietly delivered the words that changed the course of the day:

“A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack.”

President Bush briefly remained in the classroom before addressing the nation from the school and departing Sarasota aboard Air Force One.

For those at Emma E. Booker Elementary—and throughout our community—Sarasota became part of one of the most consequential and heartbreaking days in American history.

Today, we remember the 2,977 innocent lives lost, honor the courage of the first responders and recognize the families whose lives were forever changed.

We will never forget.

The Siciliano Team
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
804.349.8912

Thinking about moving to Lakewood Ranch and wondering which neighborhoods are best for golf-cart living?Some communities...
09/10/2026

Thinking about moving to Lakewood Ranch and wondering which neighborhoods are best for golf-cart living?

Some communities make it much easier to use a golf cart for everyday convenience, whether that means heading to neighborhood amenities, golf, restaurants, shopping, or nearby gathering spots.

A few areas worth considering include:

• Waterside — excellent access to restaurants, events, and the Waterside Place area
• LakeHouse Cove — convenient to Waterside and neighborhood amenities
• Esplanade — strong golf-cart lifestyle within the community, including golf and amenities
• Country Club — established golf-cart culture with access to golf and club amenities
• Lakewood National — designed around a golf and resort-style lifestyle
• Communities near Main Street — convenient location, but road access and golf-cart rules vary

The important thing to know is that Lakewood Ranch is not universally golf-cart accessible. Rules can vary by neighborhood, HOA, CDD, and roadway, and some destinations may require a street-legal low-speed vehicle rather than a traditional golf cart.

If golf-cart living is high on your wish list, we can help you compare neighborhoods based on where you actually want to go—not just what looks close on a map.

The Siciliano Team
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Serving Lakewood Ranch & Sarasota

[email protected]
804.349.8912

Thinking about making a move? Message us and we’ll help you narrow down the communities that fit your lifestyle.

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Sarasota, FL

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