Calusa Park a good neighborhood for families in South Sarasota County | Market Snapshot
Named for the indigenous tribe that inhabited Florida’s southwest coast for millennia, Calusa Park is a small, gated neighborhood in Nokomis. Situated on 15 acres, it has great location and an easygoing lifestyle in attractive surroundings.
The entrance on the south side of Laurel Road is less than half a mile east of U.S. 41. A nicely landscaped median island displays a low gray stone monument with golden letters of the community’s name, welcoming visitors. Large palm trees line the outer sides of the two traffic lanes leading to the entry gate.
From there, the roadway divides to encircle a central lake. The Legacy Trail marks the western boundary between the community and Laurel Park next door. To the west lie a large retention pond and a big preserve. As a result, more a third of the 88 single-family residences homes have direct water views. Another third back onto greenbelts and a dense Florida jungle vegetation.
Created by D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder by volume in the United States, Calusa Park was developed from 2015 to 2017, during the housing rebound from the Great Recession. The company offered several models of one- and two-story homes in Mediterranean-inspired, Florida modern architectural designs. Floor plans with three, four, and five bedrooms provide living space ranging from 1,806 to 3,648 square feet.
Homes also feature tile roofs, two-car garages, and paver driveways. Home values range from the low $500,000s to the mid-$700,000s.
“It’s a smaller neighborhood, with a charming atmosphere,” said Pamela Youngelman, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. She has a pending sale with co-listing agent Patti Roper at 655 Resolute Lane. The three-bed, two-bath home with 1,806 square feet under air had a list price of $565,700.
“The location is great for Nokomis – close to the beaches,” said Jane Rees, also a Coldwell Banker Realtor. “The area has really come into its own over the last two decades.”
Youngelman agreed, “It’s a terrific location – 2.5 miles from Nokomis Beach and eateries like Pop’s Sunset Grill and Pelican Alley Restaurant.”
The demographics of Calusa Park include retirees, empty nesters and families. “There are some seasonal residents, but more folks are moving down and live here year-round,” said Youngelman.
“Owners were older in 2015, but the community is getting younger,” said Rees. “I’ve showed the property to several young families with children.”
Her co-listing at 1046 Bluffwood Drive, also with Roper, is a three bed, three-bath home with a den and 1,984 square feet of living space. The bedrooms are on either side of the living areas. “It has great separation for a family with children,” she said. The list price was $679,750.
For families with younger kids, Laurel Nokomis School – Grades PK through 8 – is less than a mile away. Pine View School in Osprey and Venice High School are both within a five-mile radius.
Amenities in Calusa Park include a resort-style lagoon pool with a large paver deck and two community buildings. There are social activities such as first Friday get-togethers. “It’s a close-knit community,” said Youngelman.
Residents also enjoy the maintenance-free aspects of the neighborhood, including lawn and grounds care. HOA fees vary depending on property size. For both Rees’ and Youngelman’s listings, they are $255 a month. There are no CDD fees.
Above all, the location is convenient for all kinds of activities. Laurel Park next door has a lot of family-friendly facilities. Visitors can enjoy multipurpose playing fields, a playground, a community garden, a recreation building and pavilion shelters, as well as tennis, pickleball, basketball and volleyball courts.
At the junction of Laurel Road and U.S. 41, half a mile away, residents can shop at a Publix, CVS pharmacy, Walgreens, three banks and several restaurants. Less than three miles to the east is another Publix at Plaza Venezia and the newly opened Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Venice.
The I-75 Laurel Road interchange is right there as well. Not much farther beyond are the Venetian Golf & River Club and Venice Myakka River Park with picnic areas, a kayak launch, playground and walking trail. Oscar Scherer State Park is just a few miles north on U.S. 41.
Homes sell quickly in Calusa Park when they come on the market. “You also get a little more bang for your buck here than in Sarasota,” said Youngelman. “It’s a great community.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota housing market: Calusa Park is a good family fit
