Beneva Woods is one of those neighborhoods with a truly descriptive name. It is on Beneva Road, and yes, there are lots of magnificent oak trees. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-1-2016.
Sometimes a neighborhood surprises you. In the case of Beneva Woods, a small residential enclave on Beneva Road, just north of Clark Road, the allure is a strong sense of community in attractive surroundings.
The densely landscaped, divided-lane entrance from Beneva Road features a sign with the name of the community right in the center of the median strip, promising lush tropical foliage. Living up to its name, the neighborhood has plenty of Florida greenery throughout the interior, dominated by mature trees — tall pines, a variety of palms and stately live oaks. Many sections of the interior roads are canopied, offering shade and natural cooling in the summertime.
“It is a very pretty neighborhood,” says Kelly Mooney, a Realtor with Michael Saunders and Co., who has sold a number of homes in Beneva Woods.
For her, what sets the place apart is its congenial atmosphere.
“I’ve had four open houses there, and every single neighbor I’ve met is the nicest person — so friendly and kind,” Mooney explains. I grew up as a girl in a small community in Idaho, so it means a lot to me to walk in and find that people are welcoming and willing to engage in conversation.”
One of the animal residents is a rescued pet goat named Porgy. It is trained like a dog and comes when his name is called. “The owner takes it for a walk, and everybody knows about it,” says Mooney with a smile.
Developed in the late 1970s — the first house was built in1977 — Beneva Woods has only 78 residences in a range of styles, most of them with ranch or Florida contemporary architecture. The lots range from 11,000 to 13,000 square feet in size. The residences are spacious, too. Three- and four-bedroom homes typically range from 2,000 to 2,600 square feet with private pools, generous backyards and verdant views. Many have been renovated.
This house at 5310 Beneva Woods Circle is listed at $449,000 through Kelly Mooney of Michael Saunders & Co. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in 2,043 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-1-2016.
This property at 5310 Beneva Woods Circle is listed at $449,000 through Kelly Mooney of Michael Saunders & Co. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in 2,043 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-1-2016.
This house at 5310 Beneva Woods Circle is listed at $449,000 through Kelly Mooney of Michael Saunders & Co. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in 2,043 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-1-2016.
Mooney’s current listing, at 5310 Beneva Woods Circle, is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with a 2-car garage and 2,043 square feet under air. Built in 1979, it has been upgraded with new cabinets, quartz counter tops and stainless-steel appliances. The pool has been renovated, too, and the lanai features an outdoor garden.
The backyard faces a small lake taken care of by a separate, adjacent subdivision, Nathaniel Place. There used to be an old fence in back, but the owner had it torn down. “It now has a lovely view,” says Mooney.
Residents are mostly year-round, a mix of original homeowners, new retirees and younger families. The district schools are Gulf Gate Elementary, Sarasota Middle and Riverview High. Although not gated, as it has only one entrance, Beneva Woods does not get a lot of traffic. Families with children appreciate that.
They also appreciate the central location. The Beneva Village Shoppes at the corner of Clark Road include several restaurants and a Publix. Further south, the Gulf Gate Library and Westfield Sarasota Square Mall with Costco and AMC movie theaters are a quick drive away.
This house at 3641 Beneva Woods Blvd. is listed at $379,900 through James Brown of Coldwell Banker. Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in 2,159 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-1-2016.
For outdoor activities, the Red Bug Slough, a 72-acre nature preserve, is only a few blocks to the north on the other side of Beneva Road. It has nature trails, a fishing pier and picnic areas. For those seeking more active recreation, the nearby Bee Ridge Park at Wilkinson Road offers a shaded playground, sand volleyball courts and horseshoe pits, as well as coed adult softball, Kung Fu and dance programs and bluegrass concerts At the same time, Siesta Key’s renowned Gulf beaches are only a 15-minute drive away via Clark Road. Going to downtown Sarasota doesn’t take much longer.
HOA fees are low — $95 a year — and cover upkeep of the entrance and the one small interior lake.
Over the past two years, there have been eight sales in the neighborhood, ranging in price from $235,000 to $435,000.
Currently, two homes are for sale — the one listed by Mooney at $449,000, and another with a $379,900 asking price.
“It’s my favorite neighborhood in Sarasota,” she says.
