For a good homestyle breakfast, that won’t break the bank, check out Peach’s off East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach. They are open early (6am), and close after lunch (2:30pm). There is nothing fancy about Peach’s, which is why so many people like it. It’s a nice laid back spot with friendly staff.
Peach’s Restaurant is actually a small chain restaurant, with 6 locations, all in the local area. Everything on the menu is served all day. So if you want a burger at 8am, go for it! Pancakes for lunch? No problem. Speaking about the menu, here’s what you can expect. They have all the classic breakfast items, like omelets, benedicts, pancakes, waffles, etc. Then they have dishes like Biscuits & Gravy, a Breakfast Burrito, and Chicken Fried Steak n Eggs. There are quite a few things to choose from.
For the lunch portion of the menu there are fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps. A few examples of dishes on the lunch menu include their Tuna Melt, Rueben, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and the Southwest Salad.
Peach’s Restaurant 3240 E Bay Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 (941) 779-0738
Day 3 at your Anna Maria Island rental and it is starting to resemble a seashore in its own right. Bags of moon snails, calico scallops, kittens paw, and banded tulips spill out onto the kitchen table as though they are trying to escape. You even managed to find a few of the elusive sand dollar and even one sea fan skeleton. There are at least two bags dedicated to the coquina shells because your daughter says “they look purply and I want to make necklaces for my friends”.
It is a beautiful day and you have the window open to enjoy the smell of the ocean breeze when something less pleasant catches a ride on the air. After a moment of investigation you realize that it is the bags of beach bounty that seem to be the source of the offending odor.
Have no fear, the pool water is here! I learned this on my first vacation to Anna Maria Island before we moved here. We had so many shells from Bradenton Beach that I think we paid twice the baggage fee on the way home!
That same bucket you used to make the epic sand art earlier in the day can come in handy once again. Start by brushing most of the sand out, then rinsing with water to not get sand in the pool. Fill half way with water, then simply add shells so that they are all completely immersed. Leave overnight and voila most of that ‘not quite the beach smell you like’ is gone! No pool because you went for a direct waterfront property? No worries. Some hydrogen peroxide and water from your local Publix at a 10:1 ratio in the same multipurpose bucket will also do the trick.
Fast forward to unpacking the luggage after the flight home. You now have your own personal collection of bubble shells, fighting conch, tritons trumpet, and yes, even lightning whelk. Because, as your son astutely pointed out, you didn’t have those ones yet.
As you sort through your treasures you find some perfect specimens. Alas, more often than not they have a bit of a green tinge and a crusty, leathery outer coating in places. That simply won’t do! You have big decorating plans for those shells. The good news is that there are simple ways to get those shells back to their former luster.
Crusty!
The eco friendly ways~
1~The miracle of Vinegar! Simple, easy and cheap. Poor a small amount of vinegar into a bowl or cup. Use a soft toothbrush saturated with the vinegar and gently scrub the shell. You may have to do this several times. Then wash with soap and water. Don’t soak in the vinegar though, it will cause a reaction between the acid in the vinegar and the calcium carbonate of the shells. The shells will actually dissolve. It is kind of fun to watch it happen to at least one though:-)
2~ Another cleaning wonder is hydrogen peroxide. Simply put the shells in a bowl and poor enough peroxide to sufficiently cover the shells and let soak for several hours or until a film covers the top. The peroxide has invasive properties making easy work of any bacterial cleanup. Rinse thoroughly and place to dry on a towel.
The not-so eco friendly ways~
1~ Soak your seashells in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water. The length of time depends on the type of seashells and the number of seashells being cleaned. Just be sure to remove them when the periostracum (that crusty, leathery covering that I mentioned earlier) is gone. I am not a huge fan of bleaching because the shell can absorb the smell. It can also lighten the color. If you try bleaching your shells, try not to leave them in the solution too long.
2~ Without question muriatic acid is the fastest and easiest way to clean your shells. It will almost magically strip the shell of any barnacles or algae and bring the color to back to life! Use only glass jars and plastic tongs due to the caustic reaction with muriatic acid and metals. Wear gloves and eye protection. In your first jar place 3/4 of a cup of water and 1/4 of muriatic acid. Fill the second jar with plain water. Take the plastic tongs and dip in the first jar for about 3-4 seconds then immediately place into the jar with water and place on paper towel or rags to dry. Be careful not to splash any of the liquid onto your skin. It can cause a nasty little burn. You can pick up muriatic acid at a local hardware store or pool supply company. Some states won’t allow you to flush hydrochloric acid unless you neutralize it first. Neutralize hydrochloric acid with baking soda. Wearing your protective garments and working in a ventilated area well away from children, pets, heat and metals, prepare a base mix. Mix 1 lb of baking soda with plenty of water. Slowly add the hydrochloric acid. The mixture will fizz. Add more baking soda until the fizzing stops. This means the hydrochloric acid is neutralized and can now be flushed down the sink with large quantities of water. I have only used this method once. It made me extremely nervous to work with such a strong acid.
There seem to be about a million and one ways to clean shells. My neighbor uses ants to remove any decaying material. I have heard that boiling works well. Some sites will tell you to bury them or freeze them. One of my friends puts her shells in the dishwasher. I have not tried any of those yet….. but you never know. If you know of another effective way please let me know by commenting below.
Now that you have a treasure trove of clean shells check our next blog at islandreal.com for suggestions on how to preserve them and some fabulous costal design tips using your new collection!
It is storming on the island today. The kind of storm where the rain seems to be falling horizontally and the palms sway with such exuberance that you think they may snap. That is great news for anyone who is interested in shelling on any of Anna Maria Island beaches.
During a storm the wind and wave action can wash up all sorts of treasures. From fossils and bits of coral to some of the more rare specimens. The longer the period of time between storms, the more will wash up. When the waters are calm the shells accumulate on the edges of the sandbars. A good ole tropical storm will break up even the most dense aggregate and send them toward shore. If you walk the beaches hours, even a day, after a good storm you are in for a treat. More than likely you will wander across little hills of shells scattered on the sand. Spend some time gently sifting through the collection. Some of the best finds are at the very bottom!
The tide plays a significant roll in the amount of shells to be found on any given beach as well. You will often find more shells 2-3 hours prior to low tide or an hour or so after. You can access a simple tide chart for Anna Maria Island here. If you want to get really technical, the shelling may be even better if you can go the days closest to the full moon. With the full moon comes the increased gravitational pull that can cause tidal extremes. With those extremes comes the shells that are normally still under water.
Don’t be afraid to do the shell shuffle! I have made some of my greatest finds that way. Stand in the water at about waist high and slowly, gently dig around with your toes in the sand. Proceed with caution, some may be sharp!
While enjoying the bounty the ocean has provided, make sure you do your part to protect it. Any garbage is detrimental to the delicate ecosystem of our oceans. Bring two bags, one for shells and one for litter. Sometimes the litter can be its own treasure. You can make a game of it, like a trash treasure hunt. If you want to get really creative make a scavenger hunt list for each member of the shelling group and the winner gets a triple scoop of ice cream from any of Anna Maria Islands fabulous ice cream shops!
You will find shells on any of Anna Maria Islands fabulous beaches. Most people you ask will have their favorite spot. My personal favorite is the path less traveled, Bean Point on the northern part of the island. If you opt to stay in one of the Anna Maria Island waterfront rentals your favorite spot just may be your ‘front yard’. Happy Shelling!
Keep up to date with NEW offerings here! Newly listed properties for Sale will be featured frequently – keep checking to see if one may be your perfect “peace” of paradise!
January 2020: 621 Foxworth Lane, Key Royale in Holmes Beach
Beautiful custom built home on a deep water canal with sailboat docking! Home remodel was completed in 2012. Elegant and European style home with four large bedrooms, two are master suites and three and half bathrooms with double sinks and one bidet in second master suite. Walk-in closets all around. Open kitchen with bar area for snacking and entertaining. Beautiful windows and shades, bamboo floors in bedrooms and tile for main floor living area. There is a laundry room and two car garage. This home has many features: brick paver driveway and outdoor lighting, outside patio and covered granite counter with fridge and sink for outdoor grilling the days catch. Beautiful landscaping and sparkling pool for anytime fun. Perfect for deep water yachting or sailing as the owner has dredged the canal for a 45 foot sailboat and 2 – 30 amp electric outlets for your yacht plus additional space with boat lift and direct access to open water of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Key Royale has private Golf Club easy to join and Anna Maria Island is a golf cart community easy drive to Island Beaches. You will say “spectacular!” when you enter into this home. Will sell furnished. $1,450,000.
Holmes Beach – Duffy’s Tavern is an Anna Maria Island landmark and has been since it first opened in 1958. Family owned and operated, “Miss Duffy” and her 5 daughters proudly serve their “world famous burgers and the coldest beer this side of heaven” from a two-story cracker shack located across the street from the Manatee Public Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida. In March of 2003, Duffy’s relocated across the street from the Holmes Beach City Hall and skate park. Now with air conditioning and a fireplace, it is a great place to hang out where you are never too hot or cold and can mingle with the locals. You can still expect the same service and quality in both the beers and the burgers. Everything comes with chips, never fries.
Get the best burgers and beer at Duffy’s Tavern!
Duffy’s has fabulous cheeseburgers and try one with everything on it. There is a bar as well as spots to sit down. They have an outdoor eating area under roof as well as one out the back which is not under roof. The regular dining area can be opened up with garage door size screens to let the breeze in on balmy breeze days. On cold days they get the fireplace roaring and it offers a nice cozy eating spot. Walk up to the bar and put in your order and Duffy’s will bring the food out when ready. Plenty of cold beverages at Duffy’s, beer, soda all with Televisions behind the bar to watch your favorite sports team.
Duffy’s hours as of this posting:
Monday – Saturday: 11am – 8pm
Closed on Tuesday
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
No credit cards, CASH only!
Duffy’s
5808 Marina Dr,
Holmes Beach, Fl 34217 – Anna Maria Island
Phone (941) 778-2501
While searching for your perfect Anna Maria Island property, it’s nice to have a “home base” to relax and enjoy everything our special paradise has to offer. The Harrington House Beachfront Bed and Breakfast offers island hospitality and comfort in order to help you decide which AMI place is “the one” for you! When you’re making your reservation, make sure to tell them you are working with an Island Real Estate Sales Professional for VIP treatment!
The Harrington House is a fantastic direct Gulf Front Bed and Breakfast located on Anna Maria Island. They offer nightly accommodations and they provide a perfect get away from the busy life. Each morning you will be awakened by the smell of in house chef made breakfast, breads and coffee. Each bedroom has a charm all of its own, it’s best to speak to one of the very knowledgeable staff to determine which room would best meet your expectations.
Harrington House Breakfast
They also serve breakfast by appointment only for locals and visitors alike. Sit outside and listen to the Gulf of Mexico while you enjoy one of several specialty breakfasts. You can also dine inside in the dining area with direct views of the Gulf of Mexico. Either way, the breakfast is fantastic and the views are free. If you have a special occasion be sure to stay at Harrington House or at least visit them for breakfast but please be sure to call ahead. Reservations are always required and seating is limited.
One last note, Harrington House will also host a tea party, wedding, or wedding reception so be sure to call them if you have a need for a special group outing.
Harrington House
5626 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-5444
Anna Maria Island real estate continues to be robust with what seems to be a healthy amount of supply and demand. Our proprietary inventory absorption metric has spiked in the fourth quarter of 2018 to 11 months of Anna Maria Island real estate for sale but would not characterize the spike as an indicator of problems ahead as we have reached 11 months of inventory for sale on the island several times in the past 5 years. More specifically 1st and 4th quarter of 2016. For the last 5 years our real estate for sale has averaged a little more than 8 months on hand. How well inventory is turning is a great leading indicator for real estate. It provides a relative measure when supply and demand is out of balance and provides an indicator to watch for movement into a buyer’s market.
For the last five years average transactions per month has ranged from 45 to 22 with the low occurring this quarter at 22. We have dipped into the twenty’s for number of property transactions 6 out of the last 20 quarters so it is nothing new. Inventory remains low at 257 so supply and demand continues to remain at what seems to be a healthy balance. For the last five years our total real estate for sale on Anna Maria Island has ranged from about 350 to 250 properties. The average for the last five years has been 283 properties for sale at least according to Mid Florida MLS figures.
Happy Holidays! We hope everyone is staying warm during this cold season. The island has been unseasonably warm up until December and we are starting to see a few cold snaps and dipping into the 40’s occasionally at night. Brrr…
Please be sure to call Island Real Estate for your Anna Maria Island real estate needs. All our sales professionals are full time and we don’t have any weekend warriors dabbling in real estate on the side. We would love the opportunity to help!
Most of us that have lived on Anna Maria Island for the last decade know Anna Maria Island real estate has been a fantastic investment. Take into account the option to rent seasonally and pull in at least $50,000 gross income for a 3 bedroom Anna Maria Island property with a pool and the rate of return is even more staggering.
In late April, 2018 Minda Zetlin created a list of cities with the title, “If you bought a home in 1998 in one of these ten cities you might be 1 million dollar richer.” Eight of the cities are in California with two breaking the trend. At number 7 on the list, Kailua, Hawaii has an estimated profit of $785,000 after selling.
Wonder what other city outside of California made the top 10 list? Bet you guessed it, Anna Maria, Florida coming in at number 5 with an estimated SOLD profit of $866,000. Of course many of us take this information with a grain of salt and maybe there are a few smaller cities that missed the list but lets remember Anna Maria city is made up of less than 1,000 households. Anna Maria City is already pretty small.
The article goes on to estimate the 5 year profits from renting a home in Anna Maria City is $285,000 or $56,000 per year. Unfortunately the details of the forecast are not supplied however in my experience without debt service the estimated profit is reasonable. Yes, since 1998 there are a few more rental regulations to be concerned with but nothing that cannot be navigated and I supply some help in a previously written Anna Maria City rental blog, here.
Guess who made the list at 23 out of the top 25? Holmes Beach! Estimated profitability, $523,000. This is very impressive considering Holmes Beach has about 1/3 of its transactions as condos which inherently are more than half the base value of single family homes.
Once again, are we surprised? If you are please give me a call and would love to educate you on the Anna Maria Island Investment real estate market.
Originally opening their doors in 1992, Mr. Bones BBQ in Holmes Beach is a staple restaurant on Anna Maria Island, and especially when it comes to barbecue. The restaurant itself is an extremely unique environment, which is prevalent as soon as you walk through the front doors. A large coffin stocked with a variety of beer for you to take and enjoy while you’re dining can be found at the entrance. There’s even a skeleton, not a real one of course, at the front of the restaurant which adds to the fun found inside the dining area. Feast on several different types of barbecue ribs, chicken, or beef. The baked beans are delicious, as well as the beans and rice. Not a fan of meat? No problem! Mr. Bones takes special care of their vegan and vegetarian customers and dishes.
“This care includes buying, when possible, organic and local ingredients. Or, like soaking and seasoning our own black bean recipe, and using organic quinoa as one of our binders for the black bean burgers. Just as we ask our customers with allergies to inform us when they order, we ask our vegan customers to let us know so we can take every needed precaution in the kitchen when preparing their meals.”
– Direct Quote from Mr. Bones Website
Mr. Bones takes pride on making their food from complete scratch. This includes all 5 of their sauces. And their BBQ sauces are so good, you’ll want to take some home with you, and luckily you can! They bottle and sell their original BBQ sauces AND their hand-mixed dry rub right out of the restaurant.
If you haven’t already visited Mr. Bones BBQ Restaurant, then you need to! Make sure you try their Mrs. Frost’s Strawberry Shortcake for dessert (if it’s in season). It is to die for!
MR. BONES BBQ:
. 3007 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Holmes Beach rental guidelines are extremely complicated and this post is an introduction into Holmes Beach Rental information. It is critically important that you find a real estate professional that understands all zoning requirements for all three cities of Anna Maria Island. First lets start with zoning in Holmes Beach City and how it relates to rentability. Rentability in Holmes Beach can be defined in five general categories.
Rent nightly – 365 guests per year
Rent weekly – 52 guests per year
Rent monthly – 12 guests per year
Rent monthly – less than 12 guest per year due to condominimum bylaws
Rent annually – 6 months or more. Normally referred to as tenant.
Below is the current Holmes Beach Zoning map. I would ALWAYS suggest verifying the zone your property is in by calling Holmes Beach City hall and confirming what they have on record. The map is not 100% accurate from property to property however it does paint a picture for Holmes Beach zones.
R1 and R1 AA zones may only be rented for 30 days or more. There has been a great deal of discussion in the past that one guest per month is acceptable however the code does dictate 30 day minimums so if you are purchasing a Holmes Beach property for rental income be sure to utilize 30 day minimums as your reference for income to be sure you use a conservative approach rather than an aggressive approach when calculating potential revenue. The typical buyer for these zones is someone who would like to stay multiple months and perhaps rental income is nice to have but not necessary to fiscally maintain the property.
R2-R4 zones can be rented a minimum of 7 nights. Holmes Beach does have a vacation rental ordinance which requires annual inspections for vacation rentals in these zones. The typical buyer for these zones is someone who would like to rent the property weekly for the vast majority of the calendar. A word of caution if you anticipate living in the property or visit for multiple months. R2-R4 zones are primarily filled with seasonal vacation rental homes so your neighbors normally change weekly or monthly. If you require significant rental income for your Anna Maria Island property then consider the impact later if you plan to live at the property permanently or a good portion of the year.
A1 zones can be rented nightly and it is zoned for high tourism. It is up for discussion if A1 properties require inspections however in my humble opinion inspections are not required for A1 zones and not subject to the Holmes Beach Vacation rental ordinance. I must state again, this is my opinion however after several years I have not registered A1 properties via the vacation rental ordinance in Holmes Beach. The typical buyer for this area is someone who wishes to be close to the beach and maximize rental income as well as minimize maintenance on the property since the vast majority of properties in the A1 zone are condominiums.
C1 – C3 zones are primarily commercial areas of Holmes Beach which are not residential friendly. If you are considering a commercial property be sure to find a sales professional that has assited in the buying and selling of multiple commercial properties in Holmes Beach. This is extremely complicated and if someone is informing you that you may rent a C1 – C3 property on a seasonal basis then I strongly suggest more research at Holmes Beach City hall is initiated. I can help with commercial property as I have personally bought, sold and developed on Holmes Beach Commercial property.
Take note, if you plan to rent your Holmes Beach or Anna Maria City property. Each of the two cities currently require inspections on an annual or two year basis. Bradenton Beach is currently working to modify their ordinance to require much of the same. Why is this mentioned? If the property you are considering has not been rented since 2015 then “owner improvements” which have not been permitted may cause significant grief. Normally cities do not inspect properties unless there is a significant reason to do so. However, once the property is signed up for one of either two cities to enter the seasonal rental pool that will trigger an inspection. Ground level usage in an elevated home may require permanent removal by the city. For sure non permitted work will be found and the improvements that may be adding value to the property being considered may be required to be torn out upon the Vacation rental required ordinance.
Do yourself a favor and PLAN to register your property as a vacation rental in the appropriate city. DO NOT plan to slip under the radar as all cities have become fairly effective at finding vacation rental advertising and linking it back to the property.
Buy a property on Anna Maria Island as a seasonal vacation rental is very complicated. Be sure to use a full time real estate professional with your search. No weekend warriors or non Anna Maria Island Real Estate professionals. There is too much at stake and each city has complicated ordinance that can significantly impact value if all characteristics of the property are not taken into consideration. I have written a blog to help you find the right real estate professional however I know any of our full time sales professionals at Island Real Estate would love to help. Happy hunting and good luck. Larry Chatt
Wonder what other city outside of California made the top 10 list? Bet you guessed it, Anna Maria, Florida coming in at number 5 with an estimated SOLD profit of $866,000. Of course many of us take this information with a grain of salt and maybe there are a few smaller cities that missed the list but lets remember Anna Maria city is made up of less than 1,000 households. Anna Maria City is already pretty small.
Originally opening their doors in 1992, Mr. Bones BBQ in Holmes Beach is a staple restaurant on Anna Maria Island, and especially when it comes to barbecue. The restaurant itself is an extremely unique environment, which is prevalent as soon as you walk through the front doors. A large coffin stocked with a variety of beer for you to take and enjoy while you’re dining can be found at the entrance. There’s even a skeleton, not a real one of course, at the front of the restaurant which adds to the fun found inside the dining area. Feast on several different types of barbecue ribs, chicken, or beef. The baked beans are delicious, as well as the beans and rice. Not a fan of meat? No problem! Mr. Bones takes special care of their vegan and vegetarian customers and dishes.
