PRICE IMPROVED! Where can you find a home with approximately 2000+ sq ft under air for under $316k in Sarasota? Right here! Discover a rare opportunity to own a spacious and distinctive 3-bedroom, 2-bath villa in the highly desirable Center Gate Villages 5, a charming and well-established 55+ community in the heart of Sarasota. Villas of this size are seldom available in this neighborhood, making this an exceptional find for buyers seeking space, character, and a prime location. With soaring ceilings and a warm, welcoming ambiance, this home offers the flexibility to embrace its unique motif or transform it into your own personalized retreat. A generous foyer sets the tone, with a guest bedroom to the left featuring custom built-in shelving—ideal for a home office, den, or hobby room. To the right, a versatile living space can easily serve as a dining room, family room, or additional entertaining area. The open-concept kitchen and living room are designed for both comfort and entertaining, featuring quartz countertops, fresh paint, updated lighting, a water filtration system, and a striking stone-faced wood-burning fireplace beneath cathedral ceilings and a skylight that fills the space with natural light. Enjoy the best of Florida living with two lanais. Sliding doors lead to an enclosed, screened Florida room upgraded with accordion shutters and glass sliders for seamless indoor-outdoor flow. A second lanai runs alongside two bedrooms and offers direct slider access from each, complete with a canopy overhead—perfect for soaking up the sunshine. Relax with morning coffee on the long side patio or in the Florida room overlooking a peaceful nature preserve backdrop, privacy all around. All bedrooms are generously sized with ample closet space, including a serene primary suite retreat. Additional highlights include a spacious interior laundry room with a new washer, a 2-car garage with extensive cabinetry, and a large safe, providing exceptional storage throughout. Recent updates include HVAC (2018), water heater (2018), refrigerator (2018), range (2016), washer (2024), and a primary bathroom shower. Located just steps from the community pool and minutes from shopping, dining, hospitals, I-75, UTC Mall, golf courses, and Sarasota’s world-famous beaches, this home offers a maintenance-free lifestyle with all the benefits of Sarasota living. Priced to sell—schedule your private showing today and experience the charm and possibilities for yourself.