Discover Venice Real Estate Blog

"Curb Appeal" Tips on preparing your home for a successful sale

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:49:14 -0600

My goal is not simply to sell your house, but to help you realize the best price obtainable for your property in the shortest period of time. In today's buyers market, there are things you should do to prepare your home for sale. These suggestions require a minimum amount of time and expense to complete and are designed to make your house stand out from the competition and capture the homebuyers attention. You have probably heard how important first impressions can be. But did you know that within 15 seconds a homebuyer has developed an opinion of your property? This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale.

The Home Front

Your property's landscape is not limited to the lawn and shrubs but encompasses everything from the street to your doorstep. For this reason, you must make sure each component of the visual landscape looks its best. This is referred to as "curb appeal."

1. Street - make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter and debris. If necessary, give it a fresh sweep.

2. Sidewalk - sweep your sidewalk if needed and remove weeds that may be growing between cracks.

3. Fence - A freshly painted fence gives a home a crisp look. You should never let a peeling, tired-looking fence or squeaky gate stand between a prospective buyer and a positive first impression.

4. Mailbox/Light Fixtures - A quick painting of an old mailbox will elt the buyer know you care about the details. If outdoor lamps look rusted and worn out, new ones will cast a positive light on your property.

5. Fire Hydrant - Although you do not own the fire hydrant in front of your house, you should still be concerned about how it looks. If it needs a freshening up, get permission from your town and paint it.

Landscaping

Neatly trimmed shrubs are essential. Taking the time to do this costs little, but has a big impact. Besides freshly mowed and trimmed, a lawn should look healthy. If there are spots that looks beyond help, a little sod goes a ong way to restoring the look of a well-maintained lawn. Paint A fresh coat of paint can be one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your property. If you do not want to spend the money to pain the entire house, consider just the shutters or the front of the house.

Windows

Attractive windows can help increase the appeal of your property. Replace any cracked or broken glass; make sure windows are sparkling clean; add shutters to the front of your house; install window boxes with bright flowers; apply touch up paint where needed.

Roof

The roof may be the single most important aspect of your home front. A well maintained roof will say a lot about the overall condition of the property. Replace any broken or missing shingles or tiles; repair flashing where needed; paint eves and fascia boards; if the roof is old and needs to be replaced, considered having the work done before showing the property.

Doorway

The doorway is the focal point of your house. Repaint the door; apply new door hardware; install a brass kick plate; replace house numbers; put a flower box or planter alongside the door; install a new front light fixture.

Showing attention to detail and understanding the buyer's need can dramatically increase the saleability of your property. I would be happy to assist you with recommendations to help your house sell for the highest price obtainable in the shortest period of time. Give me a call anytime at 941-270-1851.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia PA, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida. I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities. As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

Jacaranda West Lakefront Beauty

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:18:12 -0600

Kari A. Battaglia | Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate | kari@discovervenicerealestate.com | 941.270.1851

1713 N Gondola Court, Venice, FL

Desirable 3BR/3BA/2CG home in Jacaranda West at the end of Cul De Sac offers over 144' of frontage on Claw Lake with seawall and dock.

3BR/3BA Single Family House

offered at $235,000

Year Built	1976
Sq Footage	1,969
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Desirable 3BR/3BA/2CG home in Jacaranda West at the end of Cul De Sac offers over 144' of frontage on Claw Lake with seawall and dock. Updated kitchen with wood cabinets & solid surface counter tops and great views of Claw Lake from most rooms. Well cared with a newer roof, hot water heater and air conditioner. Each bedroom has it's own bath and one bedroom has a it's own entrance, perfect for guests who don't want to disrupt anyone. Home has tile & carpeted flooring and comes with a hutch in the dinette. Oversized lanai has wonderful and peaceful views of Claw Lake. You can go fishing off your own composite wood dock or launch your small boat. Lake is up to 20' deep in the middle and is stocked with fish. Centrally located you are just minutes away from some of the world's most beautiful beaches, many golf courses, tennis, great shopping, dinning, downtown Venice and I75. Home comes with Buyers Home Warranty for peace of mind. Take advantage of the extended Homebuyer Tax Credit before it is gone.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Walk-in closet
- Tile floor	- Family room	- Living room
- Dining room	- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven	- Microwave
- Washer	- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Clubhouse	- Tennis court(s)	- Golf course
- Lake

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- 144' frontage on Claw Lake

- Private dock

- Low HOA fees

- Buyers home warranty

- Updated wood cabinets in kitchen

- Newer roof

- New water heater

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front Exterior	Dining room/Living room
Dinette	Kitchen
Lanai	View

Contact info:

Kari A. Battaglia

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

kari@discovervenicerealestate.com

941.270.1851

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Dec 13, 2009, 12:59pm PST

Moving Checklist

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:11:52 -0600

Contact Movers

Get estimates from at least two movers. Choose one and set the date. Check on cargo insurance covering your personal belongings.

Change of Address

Pick up a change of address card at your local Post Office. Also contact life, health, auto and homeowner's insurance companies, credit card companies, magazine/newspaper subscription offices, clubs and organizations, banks, doctors' offices, friends and family.

Insurance Policy Transfer

Be sure your personal possessions will be covered en route and upon arrival at your new home.

Utility Companies

Notify local utility companies of cut-off date and where to send the final bill, if necessary. Also notify the utility companies (gas, oil, electricity, water, phone, cable) in your new community of your expected start-up date. Find out whether you need to pay a deposit in advance or you will be billed.

Pick up any items you may have at cleaning or repair shops, etc.

Retrieve Records

Birth Certificates
Dental Records (copy of records and x-rays)
Doctors' Records (immunizations, allergies, prescriptions, etc.)
House of Worship (Baptism, Confirmation, Bar or Bat Mitzvah)
School Records (year-to-date status for each child)

Appliances

Contact utility servicemen or mover to disconnect your major appliances at a specified time. Have your new utility companies check and install major appliances at your new home as well (Washer, dryer, range, refrigerator/freezer, air conditioner, television sets, aerials, satellite dish, etc.).

Find a Key Keeper

Entrust the keys to your old house with your real estate associate or a neighbor.

Register to Vote

Some areas require a specified period of residency before you are eligible to vote. Check on this as soon as you know your intended arrival date.

School Registration

Arrange in advance to have children's school records transferred from their old school. Also find out theprocedure for registration at the new school and what documents or information you will need to bring with you.

Driver's License

You can now change the address on your license by mail. The postcard is available at driver's license offices. Also remember to change the address on your vehicle registration when you renew.

Before Packing

Donate, sell or discard everything you don't need or want. Call charitable organizations to pick up usable items for a tax deduction. Hold a yard or garage sale. Consign or donate other items to resale stores.

Make Lists & Labels

As you pack, label each box with its destination room in your new home. Make an inventory list of the contents of each box and approximate the value for insurance purposes. You may wish to photograph your furniture and valuable possessions. Clearly label items that the movers will not take and place them in a designated area.

Start Early

Begin by packing seldom-used items, including off-season clothing, holiday decorations, and fine china, crystal and flatware.

Mark Immediate-Use Items

Clearly mark the items you will need upon arrival. Load them last so they are easily accessible or carry them with you.

Valuable Items

Make sure irreplaceable items are adequately insured during transit, or transport them yourself.

DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:41:34 -0600

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit according to the National Association of Realtors...

Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house? Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.

Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit? Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.

Question: I am a firsttime homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered, however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit? Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill. The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase, which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement, you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you're within the phaseout range).

Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I have found a home with a nonnegotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an absolute ceiling.

Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the other eligibility tests? Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000 and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The keyword here is "consecutive." As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he did since 3 years doesn't impact eligibility.

Question: I am an eligible firsttime homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the extension date affect me? Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30 (or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit.

DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

Monday Morning Quote

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:17:03 -0600

Claudia McNeely from Texas Tweeted this Thomas Jeffereson quote this morning. I just love quotes from Thomas Jefferson and wanted to share with my fellow ActiveRainers.

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it & hang on."-Thomas Jefferson

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - FREE MLS Home Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community info & links

Buying a home in Venice FL, order a Wind Mitigation Report

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:26:17 -0600

Whether you are buying or selling a home in Venice Florida or surrounding areas of Nokomis and Englewood, the process can be stressful. Most home buyers, when buying a home, typically have a home inspection, mold inspection or termite inspection completed for peace of mind. Home buyers want to know if there are any major defects with the home, if anything can potentially lead to a major defect or if there are any safety hazards that they should be made aware of before they purchase a home. Not many home buyers or sellers are aware of another kind of inspection that should be ordered, a Wind Mitigation Inspection.

What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection? A Wind Mitigation Inspection can identify how to strong your home is built. Florida homeowners may be able to receive a discount on their wind insurance premiums potentially up to 30% or more of the wind portion of the insurance premium. The inspection usually takes less than an hour and the savings is usually in the form of a check direct from your insurance company within 3-6 weeks. You need to call your insurance company to see who they recommend to do the inspection and what discounts are available to you. You can receive discounts on certain building features such as:

Hurricane protection on all of your windows and exterior doors, such as shutters or impact resistance windows
Garage door reinforcements
A hip roof (sloped on all sides like a pyramid)
Roof to wall connections that are installed with hurricane clips/straps. Discounts will vary depending on the type of connection
Florida Building Code-approved roof covering. Discounts will vary depending on the type of covering such as asphalt, tile or metal

There are many benefits of having a Wind Mitigation Report completed before you buy your next home in the Venice Florida area, and the savings you may receive will be the icing on the cake.

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - FREE MLS Home Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community info & links

Spectacular Views of Lemon Bay & ICW in Englewood Florida

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:57:09 -0600

Kari A. Battaglia | Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate | 941.270.1851

2100 Bay Drive, Englewood, FL

Breathtaking Key West style southwest Florida waterfront home with panoramic views of Lemon Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.

3BR/3BA Single Family House

offered at $1,595,000

Year Built	1988
Sq Footage	3,176
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	43,560 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Breathtaking Key West style waterfront home with panoramic views of Lemon Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. Located on the tip of Bay Drive in Englewood, this 3 story tropical home offers over 200' of seawall with private dock and 14000lb lift. Just seconds to ICW and short boat ride to Boca Grande where you will find some of the best fishing in the world. Kitchen/morning room with lots of windows features an island and breakfast bar with granite counter tops, spacious living area with 2 story high ceilings and sliding doors that lead out to the huge wraparound porch, giving you plenty of room to entertain and enjoy the 270 degree water views. The top floor you will find sitting area, Master suite with private balcony and an additional full suite with private balcony. Ground floor has parking for 3 cars, storage area, workshop and an outside patio right on the bay and homeowner says there is room for a pool. Property is located off of Placida Road, short distance to shopping, beaches, local dining and Boca Grande. This is Florida living at its best; the fish around this home are unbelievable - perfect for fisherman and water enthusiasts.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor	- Tile floor
- Living room	- Dining room	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven	- Granite countertop
- Stainless steel appliances	- Washer	- Dryer
- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Garage parking

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Panoramic Views of Lemon Bay & ICW

- Private Dock with 14,000lb Lift

- Wrap Around Porches

- Minutes to Boca Grande, Beaches, Local Dining

- Some of the Best Fishing in the World

- Views of Mohawk Island

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 1	Photo 1
Photo 1	Photo 1

Contact info:

Kari A. Battaglia

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

941.270.1851

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Dec 5, 2009, 6:24am PST

Short Sale Opportunity - Venetian Golf & River Club

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:23:54 -0600

Kari A. Battaglia | Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate | 941.270.1851

105 Torcello, North Venice, FL

Venetian Golf & River Club Da Vinci Model

5BR/4BA Single Family House

offered at $500,000

Year Built	2004
Sq Footage	3,479
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	4 full, 0 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	11,687 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Short sale opportunity. Do yourself a favor and put this one on the top of your list to see. Perfect for the active upscale lifestyle, this certified build smart energy efficient DaVinci model home offers 5BR/4BA/3CG. Bonus room upstairs is a full master suite but can also be used as game room or media room. Brick paver driveway with mature landscaping, crown molding, volume ceilings, hurricane shutters, aquarium windows in morning room, sliding glass doors that lead you out to oversized lanai with pool and views of lake. Master bedroom has extended sitting area and master bath has duel sinks with roman shower with garden tub. Just minutes away from some of the world's most beautiful beaches, shopping and dining. Close to I75, Island of Venice, and cultural activities of Sarasota and Tampa. This is Florida living at its best.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Tile floor	- Family room
- Living room	- Office/Den	- Dining room
- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven	- Microwave	- Laundry area - inside
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio	- Swimming pool

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- 5BR/4BA/3CG with Office/Den/Media Room

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front Exterior	Photo 1
Photo 2	Photo 1
Photo 2	Photo 3

Contact info:

Kari A. Battaglia

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

941.270.1851

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 25, 2009, 5:58pm PST

9 Banks Failed in 1 day !!!!

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:24:33 -0600

Via National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro:

That's right you read the headline correctly. Nine Banks failed in one day. All 9 banks failed on Friday Oct. 30th making it the largest number of bank failures in one day in US history!

The banks that failed are:

North Houston Bank Houston TX

Madisonville State Bank Madisonville TX

Citizens National Bank Teague TX

Park National Bank Chicago IL

Pacific National Bank San Francisco CA

California National Bank Los Angeles CA

San Diego National Bank San Diego CA

Community Bank of Lemont Lemont IL

Bank USA, N.A. Phoenix AZ

That brings the total of bank failures for 2009 to a whopping 115. How does that total compare with previous years you ask? Well in 2008 there were 26, in 2007 there were only 3, and in 2005 & 2006 there were zero (statistics obtained from FDIC at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html)

☺

Matt

Toll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)
Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)
Local: 860-282-6181
330 Roberts Street 4th Floor
East Hartford, CT 06108

credit repair company

Looking to start or change your website?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:08:04 -0600

For those of you looking to start a website or thinking about changing your website and your not sure what you want to do yet, you owe to yourself to check out www.UltraAgent.com. It is very simple to navigate and there are many templates to choose from. You can even customize the header with a stock photo or any photo that you may have. The photo I for my site I took myself on Nokomis Beach.

I switched over to UltraAgent months ago and I love it. I can update my site whenever I want without getting charged for labor and I have received many compliments from customers. They love the way it is laid out, very easy to follow.

I also just found out that UltraAgent now offers IDX and I am considering incorporating that into my website shortly. I was iframing my MLS IDX and I received a lot of complaints about that so I now iframed my company's search page and that seems to be working much better for me, what do you think? (http://www.discovervenicerealestate.com/ip.aspx?p=1252&page=MLS-Home-Search). Anyway my point is there are a lot of options available that are easy on your wallet.

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - FREE MLS Home Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community info & links

Speechless Sunday - Turtle in Englewood Florida

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:54:59 -0600

This little guy was crawling around in my back yard and I just had to take a picture of him and share him with you. He did not like me getting so close to him and I found out just how quickly these turtles can move.

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - FREE MLS Home Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community info & links

To all my friends here on ActiveRain, have a spooktacular Halloween!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:41:51 -0500

To all my friends here on ActiveRain, Have a spooktacular Halloween!

My family here in Venice Florida has so much fun on Halloween. We carve pumpkins, go downtown to the Venice Mainstreet Halloween Parade where children dress up and walk down mainstreet for everyone to see. Then it is time for all the merchants pass out sweet sweet candy to everyone. It is loads of fun.

What does your family do for Halloween?

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community info & links, FREE MLS Home Search

Jury Duty Scam Verified By The FBI - Identity Thieves

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:41:12 -0500

Florida residents need to be aware the "Jury Duty Scam." DO NOT FALL FOR THIS. Heath Coker of Cape Coral informs us of this scam and provides tips on what steps to take to protect ourselves, friends and loved ones from these identity thieves.

Via Heath Coker, Real Estate Broker (REindex.com & Cape Group Real Estate):

The FBI has verified, on their web site, that there is a "Jury Duty Scam". This is a phone related scam, so if you know anyone who doesn't use the Internet, especially older people, you should make sure they do not become a victim. The caller claims to be a court officer, and then accuses the victim of missing a jury duty appointment. After the victim is sufficiently worried about failing to report for jury duty, the caller then suggests that they verify if they have the correct person. It is at that point that they ask for ss number, birth date, and sometimes even credit information.

The caller works the conversation into a threat of a fine that can be paid over the phone by a credit card. What is amazing is that this has been going on in some form since early 2005! If you have one of these calls, or know someone who has, one thing to do is *69 after you hang up. This will give you the phone number that the call was made from. Then contact the FBI and report the incident.

You can also use *57 which records the phone call at the phone company as a "call trace". One web site says: "When you activate the Call Trace code (*57) immediately following the harassing call, the caller's phone number is recorded by the phone company." But *57 doesn't give you the phone number. The phone company has to get an authorization form before the harasser's phone number can be turned over to law enforcement and there may be a fee. Some phone companies charge you each time you use Call Trace and others have a monthly charge for an unlimited number of traces.

If the phone number is blocked, tracing the call may help the FBI or other law enforcement agencies gather enough information to go after the schemers even from the perspective of "Do Not Call" fines and penalties, especially if your phone is on the DNC list. In any case, don't get your identity stolen this way. Tell someone who might be a victim to be careful, too.
Heath Coker, Owner of Cape Group Real Estate
www.CapeGroup.com / capegroup@capegroup.com
508-548-8888 Licensed in MA
Its a beautiful day on Cape Cod!
@CapeGroup

REindex.com, The Site Engine®
508-495-1000 reindex@reindex.com
See our 2 Minute YouTube www.REindex.com/WhatIsREindex.html
@RealEstateIndex

TAX CREDIT FOR ALL BUYERS!!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:16:45 -0500

Timely post regarding extension of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit! Thank you Deb & Ray.

Via Debra & Raymond Gravelle (RE/MAX Home Team Realty):

If you have owned your own home for more than 5 years you MUST read this.

Yesterday the Senate agreed to extend the first time home buyers tax credit AND added to offer a reduced credit to qualified repeat buyers.

IF YOU MISSED OUT ON THE LAST TAX CREDIT, now is the time to act. The current program will end April 30.

For EXISTING HOMEOWNERS, if you have owned your home for more than 5 years, this new program would give you a $6,500 tax credit to repeat buyers. Would this motivate you enought to move?

Tell us what YOU would do with an $8,000 tax credit or the $6,500 one. There are a number of homeowners who we helped get into the current program which expires at the end of November.

If you would like to learn more about how to take advantage of these programs before the go away forever, give us a call/text of email.

Deb & Ray Gravelle
TEAM UP - Moving in the Right Direction
RE/MAX Home Team Realty
(509) 771-9099 or (509) 771-0027
Debra@MoveInMosesLake.com
Free updated listings: www.ServingMosesLake.com

Great vacation home in Venice FL

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:12:35 -0500

Kari A. Battaglia | Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate | kari@discovervenicerealestate.com | 941.270.1851

1178 Tuscany Blvd, Venice, FL

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club

4BR/3BA Single Family House

offered at $625,000

Year Built	2005
Sq Footage	2,609
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Wheather you are searching for your dream home or vacation home, this is a must see. Perfect for the active upscale lifestyle, situated near the heart of Venice, excellent dining, shopping & beaches. Pelican Pointe offers 27 hole championship golf course, active clubhouse & restaurant, fitness & tennis. Living here is like being on vacation year round. This home flows nicely from one room to the next, popular Catalina model offers open floor plan with fantastic views of pond and 23rd fairway. Solid surface countertops, ceramic tile, upgraded carpet and more. Easy access to I75, golf membership is not a requirement, social membership are included in HOA fees. Buyers home warranty provided.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Tile floor	- Dining room
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Swimming pool

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Clubhouse	- Fitness center	- Swimming pool(s)
- Tennis court(s)	- Golf course	- Lake
- Gated property	- Secured entry

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Fabulous views of 23rd fairway, pond & preserve

- Pool with waterfall

- Minutes away from beaches, shopping, dinning & downtown Venice

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front Exterior	Kitchen
Living	Master Bath
Pool	View

Contact info:

Kari A. Battaglia

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

kari@discovervenicerealestate.com

941.270.1851

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 29, 2009, 7:33am PDT

Jetties in Venice Florida

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:17:56 -0500

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community info & links, FREE MLS Home Search

Fishing in Boca Grande FL

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:12:00 -0500

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community info & links, FREE MLS Home Search

Cherished Family Memories Reluctantly For Sale To Highest Bidder

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:14:34 -0500

Sarah Gray Lamm wrote this timely post warning sellers about the potential dangers of overpricing their home. If you are serious about selling your home in today's market please give me a call to discuss your options and strategies to get the best price possible in the short amount of time with the least amount of inconvenience to you. I am happy to help.

Kari A. Battaglia PA, 941-270-1851, Kari@KariBattaglia.com

Via SarahGray Lamm~REALTOR Broker~ 60K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience~ (Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC):

“Cherished Family Memories Reluctantly For Sale To Highest Bidder…
and we do mean high so don’t offend us with a lowball offer.”

I see this ad all the time; in community newspapers and magazines, print, online and in my email. I see it every time I pull up the day’s New Listings in MLS.

You’re kidding…no one would ever run such an ad, would they? Guess again; this is exactly what a seller is saying when s/he decides to ask their real estate agent to “just try it” and put an overpriced home on the market to see if anyone is willing to pay. (Never mind whether or not a lender is willing to lend money to a buyer to overpay for your home but that’s another discussion…)

We all think we are capable of being perfectly objective when it comes to selling our homes. “I know it’s just a house,’ we tell ourselves, “an investment, bricks and mortar, ‘a house’ not a home.” But the problem is that, for you, it is a home.

When you start to ‘de-clutter’ as your agent suggested, you find memories; in the closets, in the attic and under the beds. Memories in your families cherished collections, your children’s school art and your kitchen junk drawer. The pantry holds the ingredients for your loved ones favorite recipes and the walls hold family portraits and local artwork purchased on family vacations and outings.

You start to think about all the good times you’ve had in the kitchen during holidays, family evenings spent in the living room, putting the kids to bed in the bedrooms decorated to reflect their favorite things, the backyard parties with neighbors and friends and the satisfaction of completing a do it yourself project in the garage. You know how much a new family is going to enjoy doing those same things in your beloved home. Someone will appreciate how valuable it is, right? Then there’s the new flooring, the updated bathrooms, the new HVAC system and isn’t your lawn beautiful and well cared for? Surely the next owners will want to keep the custom made draperies that match the Pottery Barn paint in the Dining Room. You’ll leave them; for a price. The washer and dryer are only two years old; a great deal and you’ll throw those in; with the right offer.

Folks, you have long since passed the point of even being capable of objectivity. Loss of objectivity is the first step down the short road to unreasonable pricing. But can’t we just try it? Surely you, my faithful and capable real estate agent, can make them see how valuable all this stuff is? That is your job isn’t it?

My job, dear seller, is to help you understand the realities of the market and to offer up my years of experience to help you prepare your home to appeal to the largest segment of qualified buyers out there and this includes proper pricing. Then I will market it in such a way as to get those buyers through the door so they can see for themselves what a great home you are selling; maybe even get them to imagine all the great memories they can create there so that we can begin to strategically negotiate the selling price. Don’t think for one minute that your offering price is not part of the strategy or the appeal.

Your best buyer may not even get a chance to see your home if their agent tells them it is overpriced. Nobody has the time to be the guinea pig who teachs a seller that their pricing strategy is in need of some serious review. “Make us an offer”, you say, “we’ll be reasonable.” But the buyer has moved on. They are busy preparing an offer on your neighbors’ home. You see your neighbors finally decided that they really want to get on with it, no more trying; they’ve opted for doing. They just dropped their asking price by $20,000 and the buyers can’t wait to get started negotiating for their new home. They’ll be moved in before Christmas and already creating their own memories just about the time you call your agent to say “Let’s price it where you originally suggested…it’s time for us to move on.”

SarahGray Lamm is a licensed, full time, residential real estate Broker in the Raleigh Durham area of North Carolina. She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home sellers and home buyers in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham and Northern Chatham County.

With over 60,000 hours of experience in North Carolina real estate, SarahGray is proudly associated with Allen Tate Realtors, the Carolinas largest independent real estate company. With exceptional relationships all over the Carolinas and the U.S., SarahGray is able to connect you with other professionals in all areas who will make your home buying or home selling experience the best you have ever had!

Use of content from the AgentOutlier blog without the express permission of the owner is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Unique home in South Venice Florida 4BR/2BA with separate living quarters

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:37:49 -0500

Kari A. Battaglia | Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate | 941.270.1851

1133 Seneca Rd, Venice, FL

This 4BR/2BA South Venice home is ready for its new owners. Very nice house close to beaches, South Venice Ferry, boat ramp and great shopping.

4BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $169,900

Year Built	1955
Sq Footage	1,841
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	12,000 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This unique home offers ability to have separate living quarters, perfect for rental or in laws. Kitchen has been updated with wood cabinets and newer appliances, Florida room is currently being used as a formal dinning area but can have many different uses. Two of the bedrooms are just off the large living area and you will also find the entrance to the separate living area just off the kitchen/dinette which has 2 bedrooms, large bathroom, kitchenette and large living room with it's own separate entrance. This property has great income potential or just right for the mother in law quarters. 10x15 shed in backyard has laundry facilities in there with a loft for additional storage space. Completely fenced in back yard great for pets. Fruit trees and room for boat/RV parking. Voluntary membership to SCVA is only $50 per year, use of community boat ramp/dock is $75 per year, South Venice Ferry to private beach $75 year. Buyers home warranty provide for peace of mind.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Tile floor	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Microwave	- Washer
- Dryer	- Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Storage space(s)

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Unique home with separate living quarters

- Oversized lot

- Fenced in backyard

- Room for boat/RV parking

- 10x15 shed with laundry facilities and loft for extra storage

- Buyers home warranty

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front Exterior	Kitchen
Dinette	Living Room
Bathroom	Back Exterior

Contact info:

Kari A. Battaglia

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

941.270.1851

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 22, 2009, 6:04am PDT

Friday's Fotos - Autumn...

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:43:30 -0500

I just wanted to share this great post that I read this morning regarding the meaning of Autum. What does Autum mean to you?

Via Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.):

Friday's Fotos - Autumn...

Throughout time, Autumn has often been denoted as a time of change. Whether you are in the autumn of your life, or the seasonal equinox; autumn has several meanings. To me, Autumn is a time when the summer foliage pulls off its mask and the radiant hues burst forth in a of mix of vibrant and subtitle colors that the masters wished they could capture. Colors that only the Creator's pallet can generate.

Autumn is a disquieting time when the cycles of life and death, intermingle. For all that composes, decomposes. Only to start the cycle of life anew in the spring☺☺☺

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com

Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...

Another example of the box is better than the present

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:53:51 -0500

I finally broke down and bought myself a great new chair for my home office. The kids were so excited when the saw the gigantic box it came in. They decided to build a dog house for our dog Riley. What a cute First Time Homebuyer!

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer questions or to help you in your search for homes for sale in Venice Florida. I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and North Port Florida communities. As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - view my listings, find valuable community info, links and much more.

White Pelicans in Boca Grande Florida

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:36:06 -0500

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - view my listings, find valuable community info, links and much more.

What a day!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:22:30 -0500

This week we have family visiting from New York. It is a very special time for us as it has been many years since their last visit. My husband's uncle has been sick off and on with cancer and has been unable to make the annual trips to Florida that they have been taking for the past 32 years. Their trip this year was almost canceled as he was in the hospital up until the day before they were to leave. To everyone's amazement he recovered and was released the day before they had to leave and was able to make the trip to Florida.

Yesterday all the "men" in the family went fishing in Boca Grande Florida. Below is a picture of our Uncle Ed holding up his big catch with a well deserved smile on his face. This is very special since he was in the hospital days before. God truley perform miracles everyday and I just wanted to share ours with my family here at Active Rain.

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - view my listings, find valuable community info, links and much more.

Venice/Englewood Market Update with Tips on Selling Your Home in a Buyer's Market

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:08:59 -0500

The number of properties available for sale in the Venice/Englewood area real estate markets are continuing to decline, down 34% from the same month one year ago; 4647 properties for sale to 3060, sales that are pending in the area are remaining strong for September 2009, up over 53% from one year ago; 270 properties pending to 415 properties pending*: an indicator of buyers interest in the Venice/Englewood real estate market. Even though the number of homes available for sale in our area continues to decline, we are still in a Buyer's market. If you are considering selling your home there are steps you can take to ensure a successful sale.

Know Your Competition

Knowing your competition is the key to getting your home sold. If you are not aware of what you are up against you will be dead in the water. In today's market, your competition (other homes like yours that are currently for sale) is strong and everyone is competing for the same thing; the buyers attention. Start to look at houses for sale from the buyer's perspective. Find out what your neighbor's are offering, visit open houses on the weekends, and discover what kind of incentives builders are offering for new homes. Listen to what the buyers are saying and what they are looking for in a home. This will help you prepare your home for sale and give you that needed edge over your competition.

Pricing your home is the key to selling quickly

Internet exposure, curb appeal, the right color of paint, open houses and yard signs - it's all part of attracting the right buyer. But the right buyers also need to know they're buying for the right price. Pricing your home correctly from the start is extremely important. Buyers will overlook your home even if it is priced "just a little too high." You need to realize that today's market is what it is. You cannot dwell on what your home was worth two years ago, or what your neighbor got for their home six months ago, but focus on what you can get in today's market. Your home is a commodity and is only worth what buyers are willing to pay for it NOW. If you price your home "just a little high" you will be chasing the market and eventually receive less money for your home that if you priced your home right to begin with.

Turnkey conditions

In a buyer's market your home needs to be ready for immediate occupancy. Two or three years ago not replacing old and smelly carpets or painting those scuffed up walls was OK. Not in today's real estate market. Make sure all appliances are in working order, walls are freshly painted, and the yard is well manicured and depersonalize your home so buyers can envision what their stuff will look like in your home.

Be prepared to negotiate

Today's buyers are savvy; they are doing their homework and know the current real estate market conditions. If you priced your home just 5% to 8% more than you expected to get you should attract multiple buyers which discourages low offers and you will find out pretty quickly if the buyers are willing to pay what you are offering. If a home is priced 10% to 20% higher than the current market is bearing, buyers typically submit low offers with contingencies. If the buyers are getting a mortgage then your home needs to appraise for what you are asking. If the home does not appraise you need to drop the negotiated price or the buyer can walk and loose a willing and able buyer.

Offer incentives

Pricing your home correctly is not the only strategy to getting your home sold. Offering incentives is another way to attract buyers. You can get a creative as you like and I have even seen brand new cars offered to homebuyers. You don't need to get as crazy as that to bring attention to your home. Some ideas for incentives; offer homebuyers a home warranty, pay for closing cost, pay for discount points towards lower the mortgage rate on buyers loan or offer a golf membership with the sale of your home. Making incentives does not guarantee that your home will be sold but making your home stand out from the crowd will certain increase your chances for a sale.

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - view my listings, find valuable community info, links and much more.

Beleza on Venice Beach - Venice Florida's Luxury Beachfront Condo

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:06:45 -0500

The newest beachfront condo on Venice Beach in Venice Florida. The Beleza is the Venice's most prestigious Gulf front tower condominium located directly on Venice Beach. With fabulous views of the Gulf of Mexico and City of Venice from almost all units, this condo boasts ground-level access controlled parking, professionally equipped Fitness Center, large Club Room and Bar for entertaining, heated outdoor pool and spa, spacious deck, trellis garden and outdoor grill.

Walk to downtown Venice shopping, dining and entertainment, or stroll to Venice Jetties and see the dolphins playing in the Gulf of Mexico and the local fisherman catching fish. This is also a golfers paradise with 6 golf courses in Venice, most notable is the 27 hole championship golf course, Pelican Pointe.

If you are considering buying a condo in Venice and would like to tour the Beleza on Venice Beach please give me a call I am happy to help.

www.DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com - view my listings, find valuable community info, links and much more.

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