Three things

Some houses come alive in the summer. They embrace the outdoors, with swimming pools, green lawns and all sorts of activities for the whole family to enjoy — inside and out. Who needs a vacation or a second home when you have everything you need right in your own backyard? Here’s a selection of great summer-friendly homes on the market.

Sanderling Surprise

7340 Pine Needle Road

This home in Siesta Key’s gated Sanderling Club has an unusual Mission-Southwest look that fits surprisingly well into its tropical setting. It’s located on a meandering waterway that’s great for kayaking, and the outdoor living area is perfect for summer fun. It’s like an open-air living room, with a gas fireplace, skylights, a built-in TV and pine ceilings. The home has four bedrooms and three baths, with many custom features — hammered copper sinks, concrete countertops and wrought iron fixtures. The master suite includes an indoor-outdoor shower, and the private Sanderling beach is a short walk away.

Priced at $1.79 million. For more information, call Ellen Wells of Michael Saunders & Co. at 544-4849.

Country Life

2974 Dick Wilson Drive

The gated community of Laurel Oak provides a host of family-oriented amenities — golf and tennis and social activities — and here’s a large two-story brick home with plenty of room to take advantage of them all. It’s set on 1.3 acres — plenty of room for the kids’ soccer games —and it has all sorts of fun interior spaces. There’s a media room, a family room plus a playroom, and an air-conditioned four-car garage. The master suite has a fireplace and a private office. This home can easily accommodate a large family — it has five bedrooms, 6.5 baths, and more than 7,000 square feet of living area.

Priced at $1.95 million. For more information, call Kelly Rosenberg of Berkshire Hathaway at 961-4948.

Longboat Informality

710 Tarawitt Drive

If the beach is an important part of your summer, here’s an informal, well-priced home on Longboat Key that’s just a short walk to private beach access. There’s also an enclosed pool with a pavered deck that’s shaded by tropical palm trees. The main living area is on the upper level, where you’ll also find two bedrooms, tile floors, a sundeck and lots of beachy atmosphere. The lower level has a guest suite with bath and kitchen that’s perfect for visiting family. The home is on a canal with easy access to the bay.

Priced at $659,000. For more information, call Greg Martin of Sterling Realty at 315-3567.