Seaplace, Longboat Key, Florida - 09/30/10 07:36 AM
Seaplace, Longboat Key, Florida Seaplace is a quiet and unassuming complex just north of the Longboat Key Club on Sarasota's most northern barrier island. St. Armands Circle and Sarasota downtown are 10-15 minutes away. Although this gated community is direct gulf front, it offers some of the most affordable condos in the Sarasota real estate market.   Seaplace has two beachfront pools, where residents can sit on a lounge chair on a patio and gaze at the expansive Gulf of Mexico waters. Dunes are wild and windswept, with sea grass keeping them natural and beautiful. Other amenities include a clubhouse directly on the beach, a playground, … (0 comments)

In Sarasota, Experts Agree Now is Time to Buy - 09/30/10 05:52 AM
In Sarasota, Experts Agree Now is Time to Buy According to a US News Money report, Jack McCabe of McCabe Research & Consulting says that anyone considering buying property in Florida should have Sarasota at the top of their list.    "It's a great market," he says. "I really expect in the next 20 years it is going to be one of the most desirable markets in Florida for baby boomers to retire."    According to the article, this sun-drenched community on Florida's west coast is attractive for home buyers, citing its smaller size providing residents with a more manageable lifestyle—with less traffic, … (0 comments)

Hidden Forest, Sarasota, Florida - 09/29/10 03:15 PM
Hidden Forest, Sarasota, Florida Sprawling front lawns…dogs running free…room for pools and gazebos and playhouses…wrap around porches under old oak trees.
In a town like Sarasota which has sprouted new gated communities all over the place, it is sometimes easy to forget the traditional Florida lifestyle with no deed restrictions, and no rules. Hidden Forest is one of those neighborhoods that makes you remember the old days of Sarasota real estate!
With lots between one and two acres, the homes in Hidden Forest have plenty of room. Although the homes are older, they are often renovated retaining the charm of high loft ceilings, fireplaces, … (0 comments)

Real Estate Agents Beware! - 09/29/10 01:09 PM
Newly Introduced Wiring Option Delays Closing Recently, a major bank unveiled an option for its clients. While in the past you had to visit a banking center to set up a major wire transfer, now the bank allows end users to send wires from the comfort of their own computers.
While this sounds like a fantastic innovation, it caused an unexpected delay in a recent transaction. The client, not realizing the banks process, set up a wire for their real estate closing on the morning of the closing. The wire did not arrive in time for the closing, and when the … (0 comments)

Sarasota Real Estate Offers Significant Diversity - 09/28/10 07:58 AM
Sarasota Real Estate Offers True Diversity We are often asked by clients which of two properties are the better value. Or which is in a better neighborhood. The question is sometimes nearly impossible to answer, because Sarasota real estate offers such remarkable diversity in its housing options. With such a range of amenity and lifestyle, its hard to say one is “better” than another.
For instance, Sarasota boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Siesta Key Beach is consistently rated among the country’s top three beaches. On the other hand, Sarasota has a vibrant cultural community, including opera, ballet, theater, and … (0 comments)

Fannie Mae Expands HomePath - 09/28/10 07:08 AM
Fannie Mae Expands HomePath As of last week, Fannie Mae has announced an enhancement to the company’s REO (bank-owned) program, HomePath.com.
Until recently, HomePath provided owner-occupant buyers a program of 3 percent down, and no mortgage insurance. The expansion now gives home buyers up to 3.5 percent of the sales price to use toward paying transaction closing costs. A home warranty will also be made available, covering appliances and other items.
This further opens the door for home buyers to purchase an exceptionally well priced home in an already aggressive Sarasota real estate market.
… (0 comments)

Sarasota Ready for Banner Season - 09/23/10 08:04 AM
Sarasota Ready for Banner Season Sarasota is not a big city, although we also do not usually enjoy such an uninterrupted ride down our main thoroughfare. This summer, however, tourism was quiet – as it was all along the entire Gulf Coast. (thanks BP!) This time of year is generally our slowest, even in a banner year.
As residents we enjoyed no lines at restaurants, uncrowded beaches, stunning turquoise water and very little traffic. But if the last two weeks are any indication, we are about to be descended upon – and thankfully so. Although a quiet beach town is peaceful, … (2 comments)

Sarasota Makes Headlines Again as Best Place to Buy! - 09/21/10 08:24 AM
Sarasota Makes Headlines Again as Best Place to Buy Real Estate!
According to a US News Money report, Jack McCabe of McCabe Research & Consulting says that anyone considering buying property in Florida should have Sarasota at the top of their list.    "It's a great market," he says. "I really expect in the next 20 years it is going to be one of the most desirable markets in Florida for baby boomers to retire."    According to the article, this sun-drenched community on Florida's west coast is attractive for home buyers, citing its smaller size providing residents with a more manageable lifestyle—with … (0 comments)

Sarasota Real Estate - August 2010 Statistics - 09/17/10 06:19 AM
Sarasota Real Estate - August 2010 Statistics The August 2010 statistics are out from the Sarasota Association of Realtors, and it appears the Sarasota real estate market is back on track after a slow summer.
The Sarasota Association of Realtors cited the expiration of the tax credit for the drop off. It is our assertion that both fears from the oil spill and beautiful weather up north contributed as well. With thoughts of snow fast approaching, and fears about oil on beaches being all but quelled, sales are rising as expected. Sales were up 8 percent over July 2010, and up … (1 comments)

The Killer Deal! - 09/10/10 09:05 AM
The Killer Deal! As a buyers broker, I have several clients watching beachfront property. Many others watching the downtown Sarasota real estate market. The golfers are looking for the perfect home on a golf course. They are all waiting, and hoping, for “the Killer Deal” to emerge – that one ridiculously low priced , crazy deal.
As you may expect, these future buyers are not the only ones waiting. It is happening across the country. But contrary to the gloom and doom media reports, a well priced home in Sarasota will sell, and rather quickly at that. Waiting for the amazing … (0 comments)

The Naked Truth about Listings! - 09/09/10 06:29 AM
The Naked Truth about Listings!
As exclusive buyer agents, we get many calls and emails regarding properties and wondering why a listing is worded a certain way; or perhaps why certain key information seems to be left out. In general, if a key component of the home seems to be missing, it may be a detractor. Here are a few instances of red flags when Sarasota real estate listings are exposed:
* Listings with gorgeous interior photos, but not one shot of the backyard. Understand that if there is an expansive lake view, or a very private large yard, there will … (117 comments)

Labor Day Events in Sarasota, Florida - 09/04/10 04:45 PM
Labor Day Events in Sarasota, Florida As if those of us in Sarasota need more of an excuse to get out and enjoy paradise, it is now Labor Day Weekend! This is a perfect time to get out and explore – the weather has been gorgeous, the beaches are fantastic, and the events are lined up. Let us know what you do for fun!

September 5 – Liquid@Lido Pool Party – Lido Public Pool (Noon-7pm)
September 6 – Labor Day Picnic at Historic Spanish Point  – Starts 9am Call 941-966-5241 -$10 per carload
September 6 – 9th Annual Labor Day … (0 comments)

Sarasota Real Estate Searches By Zip Code - 09/04/10 09:49 AM
Sarasota Real Estate Searches By Zip Code I am often asked how to modify a search in specific areas of town. The easiest and quickest way to zero in on your region of interest is to search by zip codes – for your reference, here are some of the more popular zip codes that folks search on:
34201 – University Park 34202 – Lakewood Ranch 34216 – Anna Maria Island 34228 – Longboat Key 34229 – Osprey 34231 – Gulf Gate, bayfront south of Stickney Point 34234 – Museum Area, North of Downtown 34235 – The Meadows 34236 – Sarasota downtown, … (1 comments)