Deer Creek on Palmer Ranch has been a popular neighborhood for some time, and for good reason. Developed in the late 1980s off McIntosh Road, just east of the Sarasota Square Mall, it has a pleasant atmosphere and feels like a community that is well lived-in.
About half of its 285 acres is taken up by 17 lakes, retention ponds and numerous nature preserves, with most of the homes backing up to one or the other. Meandering lanes, cul de sacs and grassy knolls are found throughout the neighborhood, make it hospitable to birds and other wildlife. Sandhill cranes walk on lawns, butterflies flit among flowerbeds, and plenty of deer — not to mention the occasional alligator — visit, too.
According to Susan Noah, a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Co., “It is different from many of the other Palmer Ranch neighborhoods in that it has mature foliage and beautiful oaks. It gives people who come from up north that feeling of a familiar neighborhood.”
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There is also a sense of spaciousness and ease. “Although Deer Creek has nearly 500 homes, it doesn’t feel crowded,” Noah said. “In some sections, it almost feels as if you’re in a forest.”
Deer Creek has 484 dwellings — 378 houses and 106 maintenance-free villas. Many were constructed by premiere local builders, including Arthur Rutenberg/M. Pete McNabb, John Cannon Homes, Todd Johnston Homes and Lee Wetherington Homes.
The villas, situated in the northern section, are two-bedroom, two-bath units of 1,700 to 1,800 square feet. A community pool serves just this area of Deer Creek.
Some of the single-family homes exceed 4,000 square feet and have four and five bedrooms, appealing to larger families.
Deer Creek has two entrances. The main gate off McIntosh Road has 24-hour guards. An automated gate off Woodbriar Drive to the south, which opens onto Sarasota Central Parkway, is for residents only.
The neighborhood is populated by a mix of retirees, empty-nesters, professionals and families with teenagers and younger children.
Residents love the many amenities. For the physically active, there is easy access to nearby golf courses, tennis clubs, a YMCA and Siesta Key beaches. The Legacy Trail, which attracts walkers and bicyclists, runs along the eastern boundary of the development.
Sarasota Square Mall, with its shops, restaurants and movie theaters, is literally just down the street, a hearty walk on Sarasota Square Boulevard. Tamiami Trail and Interstate 75 are within convenient driving distances.
“Even within Palmer Ranch, it is centrally located,” says Noah. “And you’ve got that nice buffer of all the other neighborhoods around, which provides seclusion and quietness.”
For those who prefer to stay in the neighborhood, a good deal of socializing happens within Deer Creek.
“It’s a great neighborhood to get to know the other residents, a real community,” Noah said.
A website and newsletter list activities taking place both inside and outside the neighborhood, including ladies luncheons, men’s breakfasts, evening mixers to meet up with neighbors, a co-ed book club, kayak and bike trips and bus tours to Tampa cultural events.
According to Noah, Deer Creek is a stable community. “People are here for the long haul. They really love it, and sometimes move within the neighborhood because they don’t want to leave,” she said. Recently, the story of a resident coming back and buying a home after moving away was featured in the newsletters.
Real estate transactions have been steady. In 2012, there were 32 sales, 10 of them villas and 22 of them houses.
“That is a nice movement of property for a neighborhood,” Noah said.
Since January, seven homes have been sold. Eight are on the market now, including Noah’s listing on 8600 Woodbriar Drive. They rang in price from $429,000 to $549,900. There are also two villas, going for $265,000 and $299,000.
With Deer Creek’s ongoing popularity, values are on the rise again.
“Prices have been moving up since last year,” Noah said.
“They’re up $10,000 to $12,000 on the larger homes.”
