Sarasota Real Estate

Bird Key Real Estate Market Update

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:33:39 -0600

Located just off the coast of Sarasota, Florida with just over 500 single family homes and no condos is the highly sought after community Bird Key. This is a fabulous to live if you enjoy boating, convenience, breathtaking water views and a laid back lifestyle. Boaters especially love this location as the water depth is adequate for sail boats and yachts. Visit all homes for sale on Bird Key to find your next home.

Bird Key Market Update

There have been 30 sales on Bird Key since January 1, 2009
Highest sales price - $4,750,000
Lowest sales price - $380,000
Average sales price - $883,260
Median sales price - $606,250
Average days on market - 173 days

Bird Key Homes For Sale

34 homes for sale
Least expensive waterfront home - $1,295,000
Least expensive home - $539,900
Most expensive home - $9,490,000
Average home price - $2,812,641
Median home price - $1,837,500

Give me a call at 941.812.6272 if I can help you buy or a sell a home or Bird Key or any other houses in Sarasota.

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

1350 Main Street Condos in Sarasota, Florida - Market Update

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:47:32 -0600

Looking for a downtown Sarasota condo? 1350 Main condos are located right on Main street and within footsteps of several great restaurants. Like Mexican food? Go have a nice meal across the street at Two Senoritas. Feel like a more European experience? Epicure is right across the street.

1350 Main was finished in 2007. There are 138 units available in this convenient. new condo with plenty of amenities. The units higher up do have great water and city views. Amenities in the building include heated swimming pool, exercise facilities, clubhouse, theatre, valet parking, spa and sundeck.

1350 Main Condos Market Update

Currently there are 16 units for sale in 1350 Main
Prices range from $360,000 - $999,000
Average price range - $537,550
Median price range - $512,500

1350 Main Condos Sold in 2009

6 condos sold since 1/1/2009
Lowest sales price - $330,000
Highest sales price - $1,225,000
Average sales price - $694,833
Median sales price - $654,400
Average days on market - 147 days

Call us at 941.812.6272 if you want to buy or sell a downtown Sarasota condo. Visit Sarasota houses for sale to view thousands of houses for sale in Sarasota, Florida.

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

Gulf Gate in Sarasota, Florida

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:45:47 -0600

Looking for something more affordable and within a bike ride to the beach? You should take a look at the popular Gulf Gate community in Sarasota, Florida. The homes were built in the 1950's and 1960's. The neighborhood has kept their deed restrictions and it has a strong sense of community. There really aren't any newer homes to speak of. However, you can find a great home that has been remodeled. It would be a long walk to the beach however you could ride a bike. I used to live in the neighborhood and my wife and I would ride our bikes to the beach frequently.

Below is a map showing the proximity to Siesta Key beach. See Gulf Gate Estates on the main land and where Stickney Point crosses over to Siesta Key. It is very fast to access the beach. So if you have a budget of under $200,000 yet you still want to be able to get to the beach quickly you should put the Gulf Gate community on your list.

View Larger Map

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

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

100 Central Condos in Sarasota, Florida

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:12:53 -0600

My client just lowered the price of their condo for sale in 100 Central. The price was reduced from $439,950 to $399,900. This has 1 bedroom, den, 2 bathrooms and 991 square feet. The den could be used as a 2nd bedroom. This is the perfect winter getaway.

Built in 2005, and in a prime location in the heart of Downtown Sarasota, this attractive, light-filled end unit is short stroll to Whole Foods, The Saturday Farmer’s Market, Starbucks, Bayfront Park, Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Opera House, and an exciting variety of award-winning restaurants. Situated on the South side of the building, the unit has extra windows in the 2nd bedroom and master bath for a bright, open feeling. Featuring a spectacular terrace with unobstructed city views, high ceilings, 2 full baths, granite countertops, maple cabinetry, secured parking, and extra storage, the unit provides a wonderful day-to day living environment. The building offers state-of-the-art amenities, a fabulous entertainment level with a lap pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, clubhouse, fitness center, movie-theater, art studio, and a guest suite. With a 24-hour concierge, pets are welcomed.

View more photos and a virtual tour

Call Marc at 941.812.6272 to see this property.

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

15 more things I love and hate about the real estate business - part 2

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:59:30 -0600

See part 1 of the 15 things I love and hate about the real estate business. Here are 15 more:

16) I love to attend a Tuesday sales meeting and get energized or hear some useful information.

I hate to attend a Tuesday sales meeting and it is one big waste of time.

17) I love when a buyer comes to realization that there is no such thing as a "perfect house."

I hate when a buyer spends years looking for the "perfect house" and never buys.

18) I love when I give a good listing presentation and the sellers lists with me at a realistic asking price.

I hate when I give a good listing presentation and the seller lists with a competing Realtor only because he would take it at an unrealistic asking price.

19) I love that the Sarasota real estate market is improving.

I hate the mess that the Sarasota real estate market went through the last 5 or 6 years.

20) I love when a prospect is respectful of my time.

I hate when a prospect that never turns into a sale is disrespectful of my time.

21) I love that experience is helping me focus on money making activities.

I hate that there are so many ways to waste time in the real estate business.

22) I love when a client sends a testimonial without asking for it.

I hate when I go above and beyond for a client and don't receive a thank you.

23) I love the idea of throwing my blackberry into the lake behind my house when/if I retire from real estate.

I hate the fact that I have not done that already. ;-)

24) I love the fact that I set my own schedule and don't have to "clock in" to work everyday.

I hate the fact that I probably work far more hours than a job that I just "clocked in" to.

25) I love the idea of taking a vacation without my cell phone or email access.

I hate the fact that I have NEVER done that.

26) I love that I can fire a buyer if needed.

I hate when I have to fire a buyer.

27) I love having a flexible schedule so I can take my kids to school if I want.

I hate that I work more than 40 hours a week that prevents me from hanging with my kids more.

28) I love when a buyer see a property on my website and buys it.

I hate that the conversion rate for website visitors is so low.

29) I love when I sell my own listing.

I hate that it does not happen more often.

30) I love when a blog post gets featured on Activerain.

I hate when a really good blog post does not get featured on Activerain.

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

15 things I love and hate about the real estate business - part 1

Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:29:02 -0600

1) I love when a buyer finds their dream home.

I hate when a buyer is too picky to ever find their dream home.

2) I love when a seller receives a good purchase offer.

I hate when a seller rejects a good purchase offer out of emotion, spite or need for conflict.

3) I love when a buyer/seller chooses to work with me.

I hate when a prior client lists their home with a different Realtor.

4) I love when I have a closing and get a fat commission check.

I hate when I work with a seller/buyer for a long time and get jack sh*t.

5) I love when a prepared buyer flies into town and gets a home under contract within a few days.

I hate when a buyer flies into town and wants me to play tour guide of several Sarasota houses and does not buy - ever.

6) I love when a buyer comes to town to see if they like Sarasota before they look at property.

I hate when a buyer comes to town and wants to see houses prior to finding out if they like Sarasota.

7) I love when a seller is realistic about the value of their home.

I hate when a seller is unrealistic about the value of their home and ignores logic as to the reasons why.

8) I love when a seller realizes that open houses aren't that useful for selling homes.

I hate when a seller thinks an open house will somehow counteract their high asking price.

9) I love when a buyer doesn't spend too much time in a house they know they won't buy.

I hate when a buyers knows within the first few minutes of seeing a home that it won't work for them, however they spend the next 15 minutes visualizing placement of their furniture or critiquing the house.

10) I love when a buyer says, "I don't want to look at any short sales."

I hate when a buyer says, "I'm only interested in short sales."

11) I love when a seller thinks that a competing home for sale in their area is better than theirs when it really is.

I hate when a seller thinks they have the absolute best property for sale in the area when it isn't even close.

12) I love when a buyer prefers to see houses during the week so I can take weekends off with my family.

I hate when a buyer only wants to meet on weekends (nature of the business).

13) I love when buyers drive by homes and communities before making an appointment to see a home they viewed on the internet.

I hate when a buyer makes an appointment to see a home and afterwards says, "I would never buy in this neighborhood."

14) I love when a buyer pays cash.

I hate when a prospect asks about lease options or lease purchases because they don't have enough money for a downpayment.

15) I love being able to vent and share war stories on Activerain.

I hate the need to vent about the real estate business.

Read part 2 of the 15 things I love and hate about the real estate business.

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

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.