Whitfield Estates – Sarasota’s Original Golf Community

By: Justin Benz, Realtor®, eXp Realty

hitfield Estates is sometimes known as Sarasota’s first golfing community, but since the infamous Donald Ross designed Sara Bay Country Club in the 1920s, there have been many changes! The private golf club itself is thriving and maintains a waitlist to join. But who cares about the golf course if you’re not a golfer? Well, the 4,500+ residents of Whitfield Estates have the ability to pay the optional $30 per year HOA fee, which actually gives them a culinary membership to the exclusive club.

Located on the north edge of Sarasota Airport, Whitfield Estates is in Manatee County, but all the homes maintain a Sarasota address. Tamiami Trail (US 41) runs right through Whitfield Estates and is just one of the locations you can spot the iconic neighborhood pillars that mark where the community starts and ends.

WIn general, the homes, which are a mix of SpanishMediterranean and Florida ranch styles, have an average value of approximately $500k. The Whitfield Estates homes, which are “west of the trail,” have higher prices, and some have water views or water access to Sarasota Bay. Like much of Sarasota, home values have skyrocketed in recent years, basically doubling since 2017. Part of that growth in price is driven by investors who operate short-term, Airbnbstyle rentals in the neighborhood.

Many residents find the 5-minute Uber to the airport, 5-minute drive to multiple colleges and universities, 12-minute drive to downtown Sarasota, or just 20 minutes to the crystal white sands of Lido Key Beach as attractive features of living in Whitfield Estates. If you’re looking for great value on the north end of Sarasota, look no further than Whitfield Estates!