The Area

Sandpiper 55+  Resort Co-Op is on beautiful Anna Maria Island on Florida's Gulf coast (Map). It is situated on 9.2 acres of prime real estate backing on Sarasota Bay to the East with the Gulf of Mexico just across Gulf Drive (Florida Scenic Highway) to the west. There is a beautiful, uncrowded white-sand beach stretching for miles along the Gulf.

 Sandpiper was one of the first locations settled in the area and it's easy to see why. It's close to water on both sides with constant ocean breezes, magnificent Bay sunrises and Gulf sunsets. The climate is temperate with very few cold days even in the dead of winter. The warm waters and gentle surf of the Gulf are perfect for wading or swimming. Relax or stroll for miles on the beach enjoying the pelicans and the occasional dolphin.

The island is about 7.5 miles long with three communities starting at the north with Anna Maria, followed by  Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach in which the park is located.  Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach both have less than 2000 year round residents while Holmes Beach has about 5000 and is home to most of the island's condominiums.

The park borders on Holmes beach and is within easy walking distance (by beach or Gulf Drive) of a large supermarket, hardware store, drugstores, restaurants and pubs. The bustling center of  Bradenton Beach is1.5 miles south at Bridge Street with its marina, boardwalk, historic pier, shops and fine restaurants all without high-rises or fast food chains. Just to the south of Bradenton Beach across a drawbridge is the up-scale community of Longboat Key, with it's ocean-front mansions and high rise condominiums, followed by trendy shops of nearby St. Armand's circle where a drawbridge connects the island to Sarasota.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Avg.High

71°F

72°F

77°F

81°F

86°F

89°F

90°F

90°F

89°F

84°F

78°F

73°F

Avg.Low

49°F

50°F

55°F

58°F

64°F

70°F

71°F

72°F

71°F

64°F

57°F

51°F

Mean

60°F

62°F

66°F

70°F

76°F

80°F

81°F

82°F

80°F

75°F

68°F

62°F

Avg.Precip.

2.50in

3.00in

3.20in

1.20in

2.80in

7.80in

8.90in

9.50in

8.00in

2.60in

2.10in

2.30in

Sandpiper is located midway between two drawbridges linking the island to the City of Bradenton on the mainland. Gulf Drive, a heritage trail, continues to the south through Longboat Key to St. Armand's circle where there is a third bridge to the mainland at Sarasota. The park is located close to areas of interest within easy driving distance:
Sarasota: 35 min
Tampa Airport: 1hr
Disneyworld: 2.5hr
Bradenton 10 min
Longboat Key  5 min

Recently Manatee County introduced a Trolley Service, which runs about every 20 minutes. These pleasant old-style vehicles, which are open in the back, travel between Coquina Beach to the South and the Village of Anna Maria to the North. There are many stops along the way including one at Sandpiper. This service is presently free and provides connections to the regular bus service to Bradenton.

The park consists of about 160 manufactured homes with a wide variety of lot and home sizes. The properties closer to the bay tend to be the larger. Amenities include a large modern community hall with kitchen facilities, Laundromat, library, shuffleboard courts etc. During the winter months many activities are scheduled throughout the park and surrounding region. Take a look around Park Photos . 

Background

Sandpiper homeowners rented the land but had always hoped for the security of park ownership. In 2002, after receiving offers from developers, the owner decided to sell. Under Florida law, the homeowners were given first right of refusal. The land was expensive at $9.6 million, about a million dollars an acre. Under a tight deadline, the homeowners quickly organized and after considerable effort managed to form a Co-operative. To the amazement of many and much celebration, purchase of the park was completed in April of 2003. At that point there were 69 Shareholders. This number quickly rose to the initial share limit of 85. In April of 2004 the limit was raised by a vote of shareholders to 120. All shares have been sold.

With pride of ownership and a secure investment, changes were almost immediate and are ongoing. Homes in disrepair were removed and new manufactured homes are arriving in their place. Long overdue park beautification and maintenance is underway and many homeowners have upgraded their homes. Volunteer committees are in place for park beautification, dock renewal etc. and the spirit of the homeowners is contagious. Home values have risen dramatically.

 After several increase, shares presently range from $83,375 to $105,000. At these prices, Sandpiper provides an excellent and secure investment opportunity and a pleasant affordable lifestyle in one of Florida's premier beachfront communities. Condominiums across Gulf Drive no larger than many of the homes in Sandpiper cost 5-10 times as much. They are mostly rented and don't provide the neighborly retirement lifestyle of living among fellow homeowners. There is an excellent community spirit and genuine delight in living in such a pleasant location.

The security of investing is Sandpiper is its location.  The safe, un-crowded and unspoiled atmosphere of Anna Maria Island is very much in demand and there is very little land left.

For Additional Information Contact
Tracy Moon, Tel: (941)778-1140 Email:sandpiperresort2601@verizon.net