Sarasota Real Estate

36 things to do before you are done with your real estate career

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:06:23 -0600

1) Fire a buyer

2) Establish and actually get business from a geographic farm area

3) Build a real estate website

4) Make sales from your real estate website

5) Sell a really expensive property

6) Fire a seller

7) Explain to a seller that open houses really don't sell houses and that Realtors mostly use them to pick up buyers

8) Make it clear to a buyer that you are not a tour guide

9) Be a tour a guide for someone so you know why you should avoid those prospects

10) Tell a prospect that you don't work weekends - even if you do.

11) Sell your own listing

12) Sell your own house so you know how it feels to work with yourself

13) Go on caravan - it is a good way to learn the market and get some free food and coffee

14) Write a blog post

15) Take a client to lunch

16) Update your real estate photo every so often

17) Show a property in shorts

18) Go through the short sale process with a client - preferably an agonizing one. It builds character.

19) Pitch a listing in a sales meeting

20) Give really honest feedback on a showing. For example, "your listing is WAAAAY overpriced!"

21) Come to the realization that most sellers think their home is worth more than it really is

22) Realize that the huge producing Realtor that you might envy isn't all that brilliant

23) Make it clear to those buyers who think seeing property is fun that you work on commission

24) Have a drink with a client (if you drink)

25) Have a drink with a fellow Realtor

26) Have lunch with a very successful Realtor. I have and learned a few things.

27) Write a business plan

28) Turn your cell phone off the entire time you are on a vacation (I have not done this one).

29) If you have kids take them on a showing with you (Haven't done this one yet either)

30) Reschedule a showing with a buyer just because you aren't in the mood to be social

31) Tell a seller that listing their property would be a waste of your time

32) Sell a really cheap property

33) Be the biggest producer in your office for a certain time period

34) Pass on some of your wisdom to a new Realtor

35) Contemplate opening your own brokerage

36) Realize that family comes first. My kids just woke up so I have to end the list here. Can you add a few?

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Bent Tree – A Golf Course Community East of I-75 in Sarasota Florida

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:31:45 -0600

Bent Tree is a neighborhood designed with nature in mind. The elaborate lake system is not only beautiful to look at but it also provides for superior drainage during Florida’s rainy season.

The preserve areas, large lakes, open golf course and mature tree canopy provide habitat for a diverse range of birds and animals. Whether you enjoy the bald eagles that return every year to raise a new brood, the mallard ducks, cardinals & blue jays, the black bottom ducks, the sand hill cranes or the deer that come out at dusk and dawn – there is something here for all nature lovers.

Bent tree is also a neighborhood that has a diverse range of homes. If you enter off Proctor Road, there is an area called the Woodlands II to your right. This is an area of some of the newer homes in Bent Tree and is fairly upscale - larger executive style homes.

If you were to go straight, you would pass by larger homes, some on the lake and some on the preserve. This stretch was known as millionaire row when it was first built in the 1980’s. Many houses off to the left look out on one of the area’s largest residential lakes.

If you continue on you’ll find a cute area of homes off to the left with smaller lots, but some still have great water views. Keep on going straight and you’ll find the villas. A variety in sizes, some over 2000 square feet, make these units great if you want to leave the maintenance to someone else.

To get to the other side of Bent Tree, you enter off Bee Ridge (unless you’re on a bicycle or golf cart). This neighborhood contains the Bent Tree Golf Course & Clubhouse. Hitting golf balls watching an eagle fly by – does it get any better than that? Unless it’s hitting golf balls while your friends up north are shoveling snow!

With it’s diversity, natural beauty and proximity to I-75, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Chili’s and a host of other restaurants and retail stores, Bent Tree is one of my favorite neighborhoods and is an area that should be considered when looking at Sarasota houses.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Harbor Acres - Luxury Waterfront Living Close to Downtown Sarasota, Florida

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:29:56 -0600

Did you ever dream of enjoying luxury waterfront living with only a five minute commute to your downtown office? Well, Harbor Acres is the neighborhood for you. It's a well established neighborhood that is know for it's mature trees, diversity of houses and proximity to everything. Harbor Acres has homes to fit all tastes - some that have been torn down and built new, fully updated homes and even some that reflect the charm of old florida.

Combine that with a quick commute to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Downtown Sarasota, Marina Jacks, Selby Gardens, Southside Elementary, Sarasota High School, and the Southside Shopping District and there is something here for everyone. On the weekend, park your car and ride your bike to get groceries at Morton's Market, meet friends for lunch at Sam Snead's or grab some breakfast at the Serving Spoon. And don't forget to stop by one of my favorite new places to dine, Libby's - great serving staff and food that is served with a healthy and organic twist - YUM!

If your looking for that ideal combination of mature tree, waterfront location, great homes, a real neighborhood feel and don't like to drive forever to get where you need to go then you should really consider Harbor Acres - the best of all worlds.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Siesta Isles - A fabulous Siesta Key Waterfront Community

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:06:51 -0600

Looking for a waterfront home on Siesta Key? Take a look at the popular Siesta Isles waterfront community on the island. Many of the homes are on the canal providing great boat access for residents. They can hop on their boat in the back yard and be cruising in the Sarasota bay within minutes.

The homes were primarily built in the 1960's and 1970's. However, some of the homes have been torn down to make way for newer, more modern structures. Currently asking prices in Siesta Isles range from $420,000 to $1,795,000. If you must live on the water on Siesta Key then you should look at the homes for sale in Siesta Isles.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

IDX - The Most Important Feature of a Real Estate Website

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:19:33 -0500

If anyone asked me I would say that the IDX is the most important feature of my real estate website. Most visitors go to a real estate website to look for property. Hopefully, you are familiar with an IDX. If not it stands for Internet Data Exchange. IDX gives MLS Participants the ability to display eash others' listings on their websites. It is what allows me to show virtually every listing in the Sarasota MLS.

Google analytics shows that most visitors to my website are looking at property. They stay on the property pages longer and see many of them. To really compete on the internet it is crucial to have a property search.

Advantages to having an IDX:

Makes your website sticky
Visitors will come back to your site if you have a good IDX
The fresh content and constant updates appeals to consumers and search engines
Lead capture
Users can save searches, receive automatic updates of properties and save properties.
Educates consumers

I have to hand it to my web guys - www.realestatewebmasters.com for building great custom IDX's. My Sarasota MLS listings search allows consumers to search for properties by subdivision, condo building, map, MLS #, city, or zip code. Searches can use the advanced search where they stipulate property type, price range, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, keywords, lot size and property age.

Below I added some photos of my property pages.

Above you can see multiple photos, address, price, MLS#, Realtor remarks, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage and virtual tour link.

This is on the same page. It shows more information about the property.

Here you have the Bing overhead map with the location of the property as well as Google Streetmaps. Depending on the property location the Bing map will show up as the Birdeye image which is really cool.

I get calls from Realtors asking for advice on building a web presence. I tell them that a property search is very important. People visit a real estate site to look at property for sale. They look at other information as well but they are primarily there to see what is for sale. The competition is only going to get more stiff so if you don't have a good property search on your site you will lose visitors to those websites that do.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

4 Essential Ingredients to Selling a Home in 2009

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:31:47 -0500

1) The right price - you can't sell a home in today's market if your asking price is out of whack.

2) The right price - good marketing is important to selling a home but it means nothing if your asking price is not in the right ball park.

3) The right price - a good Realtor is very valuable in a real estate transaction. However, if the seller is stubborn and unrealistic in terms of price even a good Realtor can't sell it for more than it is worth.

4) The right price - a clean home should sell faster than a dirty home but neither one of them will sell if the asking price is way too high.

Obviously, there are exceptions. I have seen a property here and there sell for more than it is worth. It does happen. However, sellers shouldn't rely on that. Most buyers are very well educated and look at several properties before making an offer. Value is very important in today's market. Be the value out there and you stand a good chance of selling.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Oyster Bay Estates in Sarasota, Florida

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:10:29 -0500

Large lots - Check

Waterfront homes - Check

Convenient to Siesta Key beach - Check

Spacious homes - Check

Close to shopping, downtown Sarasota and restaurants - Check

Good school districts - Check

Easy access to Field Club - Check

Looking for a great family neighborhood? Take a drive through the highly sought after and exclusive Oyster Bay Estates in Sarasota. This is a fabulous west of trail community with a diversity of homes for sale. Asking prices of homes for sale in Oyster Bay currently range from $419,000 all the way to magnificent bayfront home for $4,650,000. There are plenty of homes to choose depending on your budget. If your requirements for a home include waterfront, convenience and beauty then you will want to see some homes in Oyster Bay.

View other Sarasota properties for sale and call me at 941.812.6272 to see any of them.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

St. Armands Towers Condos on Lido Key

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:16:13 -0500

Lido Key is a small barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. Lido Key and St. Armands Key is just a few minutes over the bridge from downtown Sarasota. It is the most convenient barrier island to downtown. St. Armands Circle is an exciting destination if you are looking for great food, shopping and bars.

St. Armands Towers are the two condo towers as you are just leaving St. Armands Circle. They are across the street from the beach. This is a great location if you enjoy walking places. All of the amenities of "the circle" are within walking distance as well as the beach. Condos in St. Armands Towers have fabulous views. Depending on where you are located in the building you may have views of Lido Key beach, St. Armands Circle or Sarasota bay and if high enough downtown Sarasota skyline. Currently, asking prices range from $479,000 to $775,000.

Visit St. Armands Towers condos on Lido Key to see everything for sale in the building.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Siesta Key Homes For Sale

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:08:32 -0500

Just off the coast of Sarasota, Florida sits the island oasis known as Siesta Key. This 8 mile long paradise is most famous for the beach. Siesta Key beach is white, made up of quartz and feels very refreshing on the skin. The beach was recently rated as the 2nd pretties beach in the country by Dr. Beach. It is ranked in the top 10 year after year. Visitors from all over the world flock to Siesta Key for the pretty sand, relaxed lifestyle and to take a dip in the calm, clear Gulf of Mexico.

Siesta Key Homes For Sale

Homes vary on the island. With the recent price correction it is now possible to buy a modest homes on the island for less than $300,000. We have not seen those prices for quite some time. On Siesta Key you can find a modest yet cozy home within walking distance to the beach all the way to a palatial mansion in the Sanderling Club valued in excess of $10 million. There is plenty to choose from on Siesta Key.

Sound interesting? For more information visit Siesta Key homes for sale

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Translating 10 Buyer Pre-qualifying Questions

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:48:04 -0500

1) When are you looking to purchase?

Translation: When do I need to give a 100% effort and when will I make a commission? If you are looking to buy in 6 months I really only need to give you a 10% or 20% effort. I need to spend most of my energy on those who are willing to buy now.

2) Have you arranged financing yet or are you paying cash?

Translation: How serious are you about buying and am I dealing with a well heeled buyer? Getting pre-approved isn't the funnest thing in the world and I really don't want to spend any time or energy on someone who isn't that serious.

3) Are you already working with a Realtor?

Translation: How loyal is this person and am I possibly stealing this buyer from another agent? Also, do they understand how real estate works and how Realtors get paid? I could be that Realtor that has already shown them property.

4) What is a comfortable price range?

Translation: Has this person gone through the exercise of knowing what they can afford? Let's narrow down your choices to those properties you can afford.

5) Do you need to sell a home prior to buying?

Translation: Can I possibly get a listing and at what point do we start looking for home seriously? Let's not waste too much time until you are actually ready to buy.

6) Have you been to Sarasota before?

Translation: Shouldn't you really fall in love with Sarasota first before we look at a bunch of property? I really don't want to show you homes unless you know you really want to buy here.

7) Is this an exploratory trip or are you ready to buy?

Translation: Is it likely to make a sale this visit or will I have to wait until your next visit?

8) How long have you been looking for a home?

Translation: How realistic is this person and are they a career home buyer? There is no such thing as a perfect home. Those who look for years tend to be looking for that.

9) How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?

Translation: Does this buyer know exactly what they want or are they pretty flexible?

10) Are you looking in other cities?

Translation: How in love are you to my city? I might handle a buyer differently if they are looking in Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Naples and Ft. Myers.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

L' Elegance Condos on Lido Key - Market Update

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:41:04 -0500

Would you like to own a slice of beach paradise on Lido Key? Take a look at the L' Elegance condos on Lido Key beach. What a fabulous place to spend the winters. This luxury condo in Sarasota was built in 1996 and has 105 units directly on the beach. Residents can be playing in the Gulf of Mexico or walking along Lido Key beach within a few steps of their condo. Amenities of the building include a heated swimming pool, tennis court, exercise room, sauna and hot tub. Conveniently located near the beach, South Lido Key Park, and St. Armands Circle, L' Elegance is one of the most sought after condo developments in Sarasota, Florida.

L' Elegance Condos For Sale

6 condos for sale
Prices range from $699,000 to $1,850,000
Average asking price - $1,326,333

L' Elegance Condos Sold in 2009

2 Condos have sold in 2009
Unit 903 - $560,000 - 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,350 square feet, bay views
Unit 105 - $1,050,000 -2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,350 square feet, beach and gulf views

Please give us a call at 941.812.6272 if we can help you buy a condo in Sarasota, Florida.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

15 Possible Questions to Ask a Buyer After a Showing

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:01:18 -0500

I have not used all of these so I cannot attest to their effectiveness. A few of them may sound cheesy so use them wisely. They might be good questions to ask to gauge your buyers level of seriousness.

Do you like it?
Do you want to buy this home?
Can you see yourself buying this home?
How does this one rate on your list of possibilities?
If you bought this home what would you change?
What do you like and not like about this home?
Does this home fit your needs?
Where does this one stack up?
Would you consider living here?
What is your favorite part of this home?
Does this home fit all of your needs?
Does this home fit all of your wants?
What don't you like about this home?
Is this one a possible buy?
Would you like to own this home?

I think sales professionals call these pre-closing questions. What questions do you ask after a showing?

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

6 Red Flags from a Prospective Buyer

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:18:47 -0500

1) "I am looking for a deal"

I hear this one daily. Everyone is looking for a deal. What does that mean exactly. In Sarasota, everything is a deal when you compare it to price 3 or 4 years ago. You may want to clarify this one with your prospect. For example, if they are only willing to buy if they find a $400,000 (today's market value)home for $300,000 are they a real buyer? If I found a seller like that I could sell that home to just about anyone qualified.

2) "Tour"

I cringe when anyone uses the word "tour" in a sentence. There is a good chance this prospect is really early in the buying process or not that serious. Many people think Realtors make good tour guides.

3) "I'm confident that I am can get financing"

This could be a sign of trouble. Do you want to spend half a day showing this guy 15 houses only to find out that he can't get a mortgage? I don't. This is a judgement call. I have successfully shown properties to prospects without getting them pre-approved first. If the prospect is an executive looking for a $1 million condo I might not require him to get a pre approval letter.

4) "Our Realtor is busy"

This one is pretty obvious. I've had people want me to send them information or show them a property because they could not get in touch with their Realtor or didn't want to bother them.

5) Prospects looking in several cities

This is a pretty common issue for Sarasota Realtors. This is a second home market so it is common for prospects to look here in addition to Ft. Myers, Tampa, Naples, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.

6) "I hear it is nice there"

I often get people who want to go look at a bunch of property but have not even been to Sarasota before. What if the prospect doesn't like it here? There is no point in seeing properties in a town you don't like and won't buy in. I usually suggest spending some time in the area to see if it is place they want to own in.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Palm Bay Club Condos on Siesta Key - Market Update

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:59:58 -0500

Palm Bay Club condos on Siesta Key are one of the more popular destinations on the island. The complex runs from the Gulf of Mexico to Sarasota bay on both sides of Midnight Pass Road. There is one tower offering residents spectacular water and beach views as well as 6 midrise complexes. Palm Bay Club is well maintained, not run down despite offering short term rentability.

Palm Bay Club 2009 Sales

7 condos sold in 2009
Lowest sales price - $340,000 - 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 870 square feet
Highest sales price - $640,000 - 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,300 square feet, Tower condo with water views
Averaeg days on market - 239 days

Currently for sale in Palm Bay Club

17 condos currently for sale
Lowest asking price - $349,000
Highest asking price - $949,000
Average asking price - $520,046
Median asking price - $449,000

Please contact us if we can you buy or sell in Pakm Bay Club or any other Sarasota condo.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

8 Qualifying Questions for the Internet Prospect

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:54:27 -0500

If you have been working internet leads for any amount of time you are probably well aware of the importance of pre-qualification. Quite honestly, there are whole lot of people out there willing to waste your time with little chance of a sale. Here are a few pre-qualifying questions that I have found useful.

1) Are you interested in a home or condo?

I like to start off with a question about the type of property that they are looking for? If they mentioned in their inquiry that they want a home then I will change it up and ask something about the home they want. I think it sets the right tone that you want to help them find the right property. If you start off grilling them with questions about financing, when are they going to buy, do they need sell etc. it could be a turn off.

2) When are you looking to purchase?

No need to drop everything for a prospect that is looking to buy in 6 months. I've seen it happen.

3) What is a comfortable price range?

Quite often people will email me about the type of home they are looking for but won't say how much they want to spend. Perhaps, they are embarrased or something. Not sure why. There is no point in sending $1 million dollar homes for sale if their price range is $250k.

4) Have you arranged financing or will you be paying cash?

Pretty important question these days. Strangely enough some Realtors don't ask it.

5) Is this an exploratory trip or are you ready to buy?

Sarasota, Florida is a popular second home destination. So people like to come down for a weeks vacation and grab a Realtor to look at property. Even if they are not really looking to buy. If they are buyers quite often they purchase the second trip after the initial exploratory trip.

6) Are you working with a Realtor yet?

It is not uncommon for someone to make appointments with more than one Realtor. This is good to know ahead of time. You still may work with this prospect but you might not give them 100%.

7) Have you been to Sarasota before?

If they have not been to my city before there is a pretty good chance this trip is more about exploring the city. Do you really need to show 20 properties to someone who is just learning the area and not really ready to buy? Probably not.

8) Do you need to sell a home prior to buying?

Have you ever shown a bunch of home to a prospect only to have them say, "We like 1234 Siesta Drive & 4321 Osprey Lane. Now we just need to get back home and put our house on the market."

This is just a few of the questions I might ask. What do you guys ask?

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Moorings Point - Waterfront Lakewood Ranch Condos

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:23:13 -0500

Sit back and relax on your patio after a fabulous golf game with your friends and enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Uihlein. The Moorings Point condos in Lakewood Ranch provide the fabulous water views pictured above. This is a community of waterfront townhomes that sit on the 160 acre lake. The Moorings is also located within walking distance of the fun Lakewood Ranch main street where you can watch a movie, eat a great meal at the Serving Spoon, grab a drink with friends at The Polo Grill or relax and enjoy a coffee or tea at Starbucks.

Are you a golfer? Mooring Point residences can hop in their car and be playing a round of golf at University Park, Legacy, Lakewood Ranch Country Club, River Club, Ritz Carlton Golf Course or the Concession within just a few minutes. What a great spot to live or own a second home for a golfing enthusiast.

Give us a call at 941.812.6272 if we can help you buy or sell a Lakewood Ranch condo for sale.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Desirable Sarasota Condos

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:52:10 -0500

Condos are a popular lifestyle for those looking to enjoy all of the great things about Sarasota, Florida yet who do not want the hassles of property management. Instead of spending your days cleaning the pool, mowing the yard, trimming the bushes or blowing the driveway you can be walking along the beach, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, enjoying a meal with friends or a round of golf with your buddies.

There are many wonderful Sarasota condos to choose from. You can find a cozy efficiency within walking distance to the beach or the downtown district all the way to a palatial penthouse at the Ritz Carlton Residences or Orchid Beach Club on Lido Key. Regardless of what you are looking for there is plenty to choose from. It only depends on your tastes and budget. With the recent correction in prices there are more choices now than almost ever before.

Give me a call at 941.812.6272 if I can help you buy or sell in Sarasota, Florida.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Beaches Condos on Longboat Key

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:09:08 -0500

Located on the south end of Longboat Key, Florida sits the Beaches condo complex. This is a 73 unit beachfront condo that was built in 1984. Many of the units have wonderful views of the beach and Gulf of Mexico. Like walking along the beach? Residents at the Beaches can walk out their front door and be walking on Longboat Key beach within a few steps. What a great place to own a second home or call your retirement home.

The Beaches condos are on the lower end of the price spectrum for condos behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club. Currently, there are 6 condos for sale ranging from $495,000 to $1,595,000. If we can help you buy or sell a Longboat Key condo give us a call at 941.812.6272.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Are You a Realtor or Webmaster?

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:01:22 -0500

I would say that I am both. A large percentage of my business comes from the internet. Sarasota, Florida is a large second home market so we get a lot of internet traffic from out of town buyers. As a result, we have a competitive arena for capturing buyers online. Therefore, I spend a lot of time working on my website, blogging and building links. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I hate it.

I will have my anti-social days where I sit in front of the computer and can't be bothered with dealing with the general public. That comes from all of the phone calls and emails from people in other cities asking, "what about this listing?" or "what do you think of this neighborhood." Don't get me wrong, I love the activity. However, sometimes it is draining.

Then I have other days where I don't even want to turn on a computer. Don't talk to me about building links, adding content, or playing on Facebook. I just want to talk to people in person and work with a buyer or a seller.

Every now and then I have to remind myself that I am a Realtor first. I will actually have a hot buyer and are more concerned with writing a good blog post. That is stupid and fortunately I catch myself being stupid.

Just curious - how many of you spend a large part of your week writing in Active Rain or similar blog, building back links, adding content to your website or any other online business activities?

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Sarasota, Florida home sales leap in September 2009

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:23:48 -0500

Sarasota Realtors are happy. They have been hearing some good news lately about the Sarasota real estate market. Last week Barbara Corcoran, one of ABC's sharks on the hit show Shark Tank and real estate expert, gave a list of the top 10 places to buy a home in the U.S. and Sarasota, Florida was #1. Now we have some good news from the Sarasota Association of Realtors. See below:

Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran listed Sarasota as the number one place in the nation to buy a property in her latest "hot market" prognostication. She cited the lower property prices - 30 percent below last year at this time - combined with a recent price surge of 13 percent in the last quarter, plus Sarasota's unique "metropolitan" cultural appeal for boosting this area to the top spot.

On the Oct. 6th Today Show, Corcoran said Sarasota was the top place to buy real estate in the nation today, an opinion shared by SAR and most area real estate professionals.

As a confirmation of Corcoran's report, home and condo sales jumped by 35 percent in September 2009, compared to the same month last year, and 9.7 percent from the August 2009 stats in the Sarasota market. Total sales stood at 554 in September, compared to 409 total sales in September 2008. The breakdown was 399 single family homes and 155 condos sold last month.

Sales in September 2009, traditionally a slow month at the end of the summer, were unexpectedly higher than in August 2009, perhaps signaling an early end for the traditional slower season as we head into a hoped for robust fall and winter.

The median sale prices continued to be held down by the high number of bank-owned property sales and short sales, which accounted for half of the single-family home sales and a third of the condo sales. But the "discount rack" is beginning to thin out, and once the bargains are gone, there is the potential for price appreciation on a stronger scale. The median sale price for single family homes was $165,000 last month, up slightly from the previous month, but down 21.8 percent from a year ago. The condo median sale price was $162,500, down significantly from September 2008's $190,000 figure.

The future price trend might well be upwards, as about half of the single family sales and one third of the condo sales involved short sales and foreclosures. Once these distressed properties are off the market, the normal, arm's length sales should bring the median prices to higher, true value levels. "We certainly agree with Barbara Corcoran, and her conclusions are what we've been saying for many months," said Bill Geller, 2009 SAR President. "This is an amazing time to buy Sarasota properties at prices not seen since the early 2000s, or even earlier. But the public needs to understand - these prices won't last. Once the market reaches equilibrium, and we've exhausted the distressed property pool, we will start to see more and more multiple offers on choice homes."

The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit was one of the factors in the recent market resurgence, which produced sales in September that nearly topped the 600 level for the second time in 2009. In addition, investors seem to have returned to take advantage of the price drops. Pending sales in September have also continued to show strong levels - very near the 800 mark - as the real estate market recovers after a two-year recession.

Pending sales have now exceeded the 800 level for seven out of nine months in 2009, after lingering in the 400 to 500 per month range for much of the previous two years. The statistic is a strong indicator for the next two or three months of sales, when many of these pendings will become closed sales. Pending sales are sales where an offer has been accepted during the month, but the sale has not yet closed. Even though some pending sales never close, pending sales are an indicator of current buyer activity.

Most of the statistics continue to point to a market in the initial stages of recovery. Inventory levels continued to decline and are now at the lowest point since the boom ended - a good sign for a market in recovery. There are now only 3,915 active single family listings and 2,337 active condo listings, figures not seen since August 2005 and earlier when the boom first started.

The "months of inventory" - the number of months it would take to sell all the available properties at the current sales rate - was down for both single family and condos. The figure is 9.8 months for single family and 15.1 months for condos. A figure of 6 months is considered to be a market in equilibrium between buyers and sellers.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Roberts Point on Siesta Key

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:53:57 -0500

Roberts Point Road is one of the most exclusive streets on Siesta Key. It is quiet, laid back, comfortable and extremely desireable. There are some mega-mansions in Roberts Points on Siesta Key. Located near the north end of Siesta Key it allows residents easy access off the island into Sarasota. Roberts Point residents can be walking along the Siesta Key beach within a few minutes car ride or even a bike ride.

Some of the waterfront homes on Roberts Point are nothing short of breathtaking. There are over the top estates with breathtaking views of the Sarasota bay as well as older homes that been extensively remodeled or the unremodeled ones that simply have not been torn to make way for newer homes.

If Roberts Point sounds right for your give us a call at 941.812.6272. We would be happy to help you buy or sell any Sarasota real estate.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Lido Shores Homes For Sale - Sarasota, Florida

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:41:07 -0500

Are you looking for stunning? Thinking about a purchase in Sarasota, Florida? Take a look at Lido Shores homes on Lido Key. This is one of the most sought after communities in Sarasota, Florida. In 2009, there was a sale for just over $7.4 million. The home was not on the beach however it had a fabulous view of New Pass (the pass between Lido Key and Longboat Key). The water is deep along this section of Lido Shores so boaters will love it.

Lido Shores is just north of the world famous St. Armands Circle and on the north end of Lido Key. It offers some of the nicest homes in Sarasota. A few of the most expensive residential real estate transactions happened in Lido Shores. It really is a great place to call home.

Give me a call at 941.812.6272 if I can help you purchase Sarasota real estate.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

Terrace East Condos on Siesta Key

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:31:58 -0500

This is one of my favorite condo complexes on Siesta Key. The great thing about Terrace East are the gorgeous water and beach views, convenience to Siesta Key village and Siesta Key beach within about a 100 feet. You can park here and rarely have to get in the car. Need a meal? You can walk down to Daquiri Deck, Gilligans or the Broken Egg. Everyone is in the village seems relaxed and having a good time.

Terrace East condos has 46 condos that were constructed in 1973. Many of the units have been remodeled. As of October 2009 the price ranges of condos for sale range from $649,000 to $995,000. You also won't find a bunch of renters in the Terrace East condos. They don't allow short term rentals in the building.

If I can help you buy or sell a Siesta Key condo give me a call at 941.812.6272

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

429 Meadow Lark Drive - Bird Key Home

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:32:35 -0500

Take a look at this stunning Bird Key home for sale. This 2002 built home has 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 6,735 square feet. The water and city views from this home are gorgeous.

429 Meadow Lark Drive, Sarasota, Florida

If you are used to the best, this is your home. The wide curved driveway leads to your dreams. Enter through hand crafted doors of solid wood with charming speakeasies and discover this gorgeous residence flooded with daylight, luxurious amenities and views of Sarasota's incredible bayfront and skyline. Richly designed Saturnia marble flooring, cherry wood flooring, and stone columns adorn this unique custom residence with casual elegance. Tastefully appointed features are everywhere. Custom lighting, two gas fireplaces, an elevator, infinity pool with spa, boat dock with two lifts and melodious outdoor fountains. A graceful stairway leads to the billiard room, wet bar, custom home theater, music library and guest suites. Entertain with panache. The fa bulous kitchen includes granite counters, walk-in pantry, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Sub-Zero wine refrigerator, two Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers, Dacor double convection wall ovens, 6-burner Dacor gas range, warming drawer, two Bosch dishwashers and more to discover.

If you would like to view 429 Meadow Lark Drive, Sarasota, Florida give me a call at 941.812.6272.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.

5 Tips to Buying a Foreclosure

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:13:32 -0500

hinking of buying a foreclosure?

Well, if you are you looking to buy a home you might as well look at the bank owned properties for sale. There are plenty of bargains out there to be had on foreclosed properties. Here are 5 tips to buying a foreclosure.

1) Educate yourself on the market

This really goes for just buying in general. It is important to be knowledgeable about the market, neighborhoods, recent sales etc. Find yourself a good Realtor who knows the market. They can help you by sending information on sold properties and other market statistics. Just because a property is owned by a bank doesn’t mean you should buy it. If you buy in an area that’s losing jobs and is riddled with crime, home values are likely to take a lot longer to recover.

2) Get financing first

This is crucial. Lending guidelines have changed over the years. It is harder to get money to buy a home. It may even be harder to finance a bank owned property depending on the neighborhood, condition of home and current market conditions. Make sure you are pre-approved for a mortgage so you are not wasting your time.

3) Finding a foreclosure

You can sign up on various foreclosure websites like Realtytrac.com or Foreclosure.com. There is a charge to be a member of those sites. Most bank owned properties are listed on the MLS so if you are working with a Realtor they can help you find foreclosures as well. It is good to have a Realtor so you can also look at homes being sold by private sellers as well. Sometimes those are the best deals.

4) Get Inspections

When people have trouble paying their bills often times they don’t maintain there home like they should. Don’t assume the bank knows much about the condition of the home. If you are under contract on a foreclosure make sure you get inspections done. It is best to know what is wrong with the home before you buy it. It may seem like a lot of money to hire inspectors but that money could be a drop in the bucket compared to the money you have to spend to fix something.

5) Hire an attorney

When you are under contract on a foreclosure make sure you hire an attorney to represent you in the closing. It is just good to have someone on your side reviewing the closing documents. Don’t assume the bank is going to always do the right thing. The expense could be well worth the money.

Marc Rasmussen selling Sarasota real estate. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.