The Lowry Report is officially on the air. In our debut episode, Sarah and Jonathan Lowry break down everything moving across Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota right now — a red-hot housing market, the grand opening of Shellstone's new Summit amenity center, and a very serious investigation into the area's best dog bakery.
The headline for buyers and sellers: Lakewood Ranch closed sales jumped 77% over last June, homes are selling about ten days faster than the county average, and the typical home is still trading around $755,000 — well above both Sarasota and Manatee counties. Layer on a new $44M athletics-and-aquatics center, five hotels in the pipeline, and Shellstone's Summit amenity center opening August 15, and it's easy to see why demand keeps pointing here.
Watch the full episode above, skim the highlights, or read the complete transcript below. Thinking about buying, selling, or building in Lakewood Ranch? Call Sarah at (941) 400-9026 or Jackie at (941) 414-1748 — or tap the chat bubble any time to ask us anything.
In This Episode
- Shellstone at Waterside's new amenity center, The Summit, has its grand opening Saturday, August 15 — pool, spa, cabanas, clubhouse, fitness center, and a lifestyle director.
- Lakewood Ranch closed sales were up 77% over last June, with homes selling about 10 days faster than the county average and inventory tight.
- The typical Lakewood Ranch home is still selling around $755,000 — above both Sarasota and Manatee counties.
- A new $44M Athletics & Aquatics Center (two pools, 24 pickleball courts) opens September 2 at 8256 Legacy Boulevard.
- Five new hotels — roughly 600 rooms — are in the pipeline for Lakewood Ranch.
- Local Business Spotlight: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, 6532 University Parkway, Waterside.
- Listing Spotlight: 812 Blue Shell Loop — brand-new ~3,100 sq ft custom home in Shellstone with sweeping lake views, available now.
Full Episode Transcript
Read the full transcript
Cold Open
Sarah: Good morning, Lakewood Ranch. I'm Sarah Lowry, and welcome to our very first episode.
Jonathan: And I'm Jonathan. Welcome to The Lowry Report — where the pavement is hot and the housing market is even hotter.
Sarah: Our top stories today: Shellstone at Waterside throws open its doors to a brand new amenity center.
Jonathan: We track down the best dog bakery in Lakewood Ranch —
Sarah: — literally tracked. There was sniffing involved.
Jonathan: And the real estate numbers are in. Lakewood Ranch is having a moment.
Sarah: So grab yourself a sweet tea, and let's get to it.
Around the Ranch
Jonathan: First up, the weather — and this one's a good news story. While a lot of the country's been dealing with wildfires and drought, we finally got the rain we needed, and Lakewood Ranch is about to be lush, green, and picture-perfect going into season.
Sarah: Basically, Mother Nature just did everyone's landscaping for free.
Jonathan: Somewhere, a lawn service is getting nervous.
Sarah: And speaking of things multiplying faster than we can count — pickleball. Oh yes, pickleball.
Jonathan: The new forty-four million dollar Athletics and Aquatics Center, located at 8256 Legacy Boulevard, will open its doors on September 2nd and will include two pools and twenty-four pickleball courts.
Sarah: Twenty-four courts. At this point, Lakewood Ranch is like the Olympics of pickleball with a Publix in the middle.
Jonathan: And if you needed more proof that this area is booming — five new hotels are also in the pipeline for Lakewood Ranch. They include LivSmart Studios by Hilton, Candlewood Suites, Hyatt Studios, StudioRes by Marriott, and the Silverfalls Business Hotel.
Sarah: Five hotels — that's six hundred rooms. Five new places for your in-laws to stay, other than your guest room.
Jonathan: You're welcome, Lakewood Ranch. You're welcome.
Business Spotlight
Sarah: Now for our favorite part of the show — the Local Business Spotlight.
Jonathan: This week, we sent a very serious investigative team —
Sarah: Yes — me, and a goldendoodle named Stanley — to Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming at Waterside, on University Parkway.
Jonathan: They sell fresh dog treats and pastries that look like high tea at The Ritz-Carlton.
Sarah: My dog eats better than I do.
Jonathan: At this rate, my dog's going to start reviewing restaurants before I do.
Sarah: They do full grooming as well, so if your dog is rocking that "just got back from the dog park and I have no regrets" look —
Jonathan: — no judgment here —
Sarah: — Woof Gang will get them red-carpet ready.
Jonathan: Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming, located at 6532 University Parkway in Waterside. Good pups and good biscuits — five stars, would sniff again.
Market Update
Jonathan: Okay, Sarah, let's get down to business. What's happening in the Lakewood Ranch real estate market?
Sarah: So, Jonathan — the headline this week: Lakewood Ranch is still outperforming everybody. Closed sales were up 77% over last June.
Jonathan: Seventy-seven percent. That's not a market, that's a stampede.
Sarah: And homes are selling about ten days faster than the county average, and inventory is tight.
Jonathan: What about the price?
Sarah: The median dipped slightly, but the typical Lakewood Ranch home is still selling around $755,000 — which is well above both Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Jonathan: The numbers don't lie. Buyers want in — and those buyers are saying Lakewood Ranch.
Sarah: So if you're thinking about buying or selling, now is a very good time to talk to us.
Shellstone Grand Opening
Sarah: Mark your calendars — this Saturday, August 15th, is the grand opening of the highly anticipated amenity center at Shellstone at Waterside. It's called The Summit.
Jonathan: We're talking pool, spa, cabanas, grills, and an activity lawn.
Sarah: And indoors, there's a beautifully appointed clubhouse, as well as a separate fitness center with all the latest equipment.
Jonathan: And the recently opened indoor amenity center boasts tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball, a tot lot, and a lot more.
Sarah: All complete with a lifestyle director who runs all the community social events.
Jonathan: So basically, with two amenity centers, you never have to leave the neighborhood again.
Sarah: And speaking of Shellstone — that leads us right into our listing spotlight.
Listing Spotlight
Jonathan: Our quick listing spotlight — 812 Blue Shell Loop, in Shellstone at Waterside.
Sarah: This spacious 3,100-square-foot custom build — three bedrooms, a flex room, four baths — has gorgeous, sweeping lake views that will make your Instagram followers insanely jealous.
Jonathan: It's brand-new construction, and it's available now.
Sarah: Link's in the description — so go look, go fall in love, and go call us.
Wrap-Up + Giveaway
Sarah: So that's this week's news. Now for the fun part — we're giving something away.
Jonathan: All month long, you can enter for a chance to win a sunset cruise for two with Sarasota Bay Explorers — two hours of open water, gorgeous views, and maybe even a dolphin or two.
Sarah: To enter, head to findyoursarasota.com/cruise and fill out the quick form. It takes about ten seconds.
Jonathan: Entries close Monday, August 31st at midnight. We'll draw a winner and announce it right here on our September 3rd show — you'll also be notified by email.
Sarah: While you're there, please like this video, subscribe to our channel, and drop a comment letting us know what local business you'd like to see in the spotlight.
Jonathan: We read every single one. And yes, we're already thinking about how to respond.
Sarah: For The Lowry Report, I'm Sarah Lowry —
Jonathan: — and I'm Jonathan Lowry.
Sarah: Keep living your best Florida life, Lakewood Ranch.
Jonathan: And let's Find Your Sarasota.
Sarah: See you next Thursday.
