So far so good.  We are almost one full business week into the Manatee avenue bridge closure.  Those I have discussed commuting to and from Anna Maria Island have positive comments regarding the traffic congestion on Anna Maria.  They say "life" is good.  Most tell me the detour is only about 10 minutes out of the way.  We have not seen a weekend as of yet so time will tell but all indications show that all the actions the Department of Transportation has taken to ensure the flow of traffic has made big impacts. I remain cautiously optimistic.  So far so good! 10/02/2008

Anna Maria Island Real Estate continues to show positive results versus 2007 and 2006.  Reviewing the chart below you can see more detail of each segment of Anna Maria, FL Real Estate.  For single family residential Real Estate on Anna Maria Island our transaction levels are up over 40% versus 2007.   Continuing to be just as impressive are 2008 single family transaction levels.  They are up 40%+ versus 2007.  Condos and multi-family transactions are substantially up versus 2007 and continues the positive real estate news on Anna Maria Island.      Single family average square foot SOLD values continue to hold steady while condos and multi-family data shows a continued slip.  Please see the chart below.    If you are interested in single family residential property on Anna Maria Island ... 09/26/2008

Manatee, Florida 2008 Property Tax Information - Anna Maria Island Ken Burton Jr. is on my good side 2008.  I have a feeling some Anna Maria Island property owners may disagree.  It appears as though his leadership within the county of Manatee, Fl has made a fair reduction in Anna Maria Island property taxes.  I received my personal property tax letter early in the day and waited until late in the evening to open the proposed property taxes.  I expected very little in the way of property tax reductions so I was ready for a rough night with a lots of tossing and turning over the best way to appeal the escalated Anna Maria property taxes. I have so little faith and am embarrassed to admit my pessimism.  I was elated to see Manatee County, FL got my personal property values correct.  I hav... 08/30/2008

Anna Maria Island Rental Restriction - UPDATE As part of the comp plan a one month rental restriction was passed about one year ago for properties in R1 area in the city of Holmes Beach.  Many of Island Real Estate property owners ask me how could this happen?  Apparently it was discussed in one meeting with little to no communication to the public.  I think it is important to mention the public is invited to all meetings so it's tough for locals as me to play the "victim" role.  More on victimization later. As the G.M. I often predict potential rental income for seasonal rentals on Anna Maria Island.  I feel extremely comfortable predicting that the one month restriction will reduce gross rental income for properties affected by more than 40%.  A typical 4 bedroom home with a pool on a... 08/18/2008

Anna Maria Island boast beautiful beaches and boating...REALLY a tropical paradise where many visit to escape the cold up north. This small barrier island is a real community made up of all age groups not just a vacation destination.  Anna Maria Island is about 7 miles long and has 3 cities. The north end ...The City of Anna Maria has a wonderful community theater called Island Players http://www.theislandplayers.org/  which presents five productions a year at the historic Old Community House.  The north end of the island also features the community center...which is great for different events http://www.islandcommunitycenter.com/aboutus.html .  Our island also features an A rated elementary school which is located in the city of Holmes Beach and has grades K - 5th  http://www.manatee.k... 08/14/2008

Not everyone shares our tastes (and that may be a good thing!) but we like the places that look like a postcard from the 1950s. A little rough is okay with us, as long as there's character and history. This place surely qualifies and you haven't seen Florida until you've had a meal there. It's the Rod and Reel Restaurant on Anna Maria Island. Google Map We just love this place. It's off the beaten path but so worth the trip! It sits on top of a fishing pier a couple of hundred feet out over the Gulf of Mexico, with a view of the Skyway bridge and more than a few fisherman out there with their hooks in the water. The view alone is worth the ride, the food is good ... oh, and save time to drive around Anna Maria Island, which has retained a good bit of its old Florida charm. No vacation i... 07/22/2008

Anna Maria Island continues to be a bright spot in Florida Real Estate news. Transactions continue to be significantly above 2007. Our average sold prices for single family residences are more than 18% higher than 2007 levels. The average sales price per square foot is holding steady against 2007 levels for residential single family homes. See below chart... Anna Maria Island is still a great paradise to diversify your fiscal investments. Our real estate correction on single family homes since 2000 has returned an average of more than 10%. Couple that with an investment property that you rent through Island Real Estate's fabulous vacation rental program and your investment can quickly become a power house within your portfolio of investments. See below chart... For additional Anna Maria... 07/08/2008

In 2008 Anna Maria Island of Manatee county has seen a fabulous upturn.  More specifically, residential property is doing well as compared to 2007.  Anna Maria Island is on the Florida Gulf Coast just South of Tampa and just North of Sarasota and East of Bradenton.  Our little island of 7 miles long and 10 bocks wide has many things to be proud of...in 2007 we were named the #1 hottest travel destination by Tripadvisor.com, our small chamber of commerce was named the best in Florida, and lastly, for decades we have restricted buildings higher than 37 feet.  Sure, we have three separate cities for a 7 mile distance but our Gulf Coast, Tampa Bay coast, and white sand that feels like flour makes up for our local politics. Single Family homes appear to have hit bottom.  Each month in 2008 h... 06/17/2008

You know, somedays I have so many thoughts for the features of our tours, I don't know which direction to follow.  I was a real estate consumer for so many years, I know how much a virtual tour helps maximize the client and the realtor's time.  When I joined Florida Eye Tours, I was so interested in the technology, and the added features.  I know I want to show all the realtors how to maximize their marketing with virtual tours.  I see a lot of info on the blogs about using interactive media, and the idealogy behind using a professional.  I also know that the real estate market has been experiencing such a down turn, that realtors want to save as much money as they can.  That being said, it makes me realize how much I need to spread the word.  If a realtor uses a virtual tour to its max... 04/15/2008

Apparently FDOT has known since 2004 that the work that needed to be done on the Anna Maria Bridge would force it to be closed, yet failed to make this information publicly known in meetings.FDOT officials:Knew at least 3½ years ago that the project would require a lengthy closure and that they needed to let the public know about it early and oftenSet the closure date without consulting local emergency officialsRepeatedly missed opportunities to notify local officials about the pending closure even after it was set, despite the agency's fears that it would be seen as withholding informationDidn't plan to hold public meetings on the closure until two months before it was set to begin.Umm.....how do you know something 3.5 years ago and "forget" to notify the public as well as emergency of... 11/29/2007

Back in May, I posted about the Anna Maria Bridge getting a face-lift.  There has been a lot of controversy concerning the bridge due to the fact they will have to close the bridge entirely for a period of time in order to complete the work.  This has many people concerned, since it is one of the only three ways to get off the island if needed.  There is also concern for medical emergencies and how those would be handled if the bridge is closed.  A website has been created where people can get continual updates on what is happening.  You are also able to comment about your thoughts on the bridge getting a face-lift and the possible closure of the bridge.  Feel free to check it out and voice your opinion!  They are encouraging everyone that visits the website to please leave a comment on... 11/05/2007

To all property owners, residents and visitors to Anna Maria Island:  You should be aware the Florida Department of Transportation has announced they will be performing extensive repairs to the drawbridge to Anna Maria Island. This is the Manatee Avenue, Route 64 bridge. There has been several public meetings held and most people are concerned that the work will require the bridge to be closed to all traffic for an extended period. Some feel this will be disasterous for the businesses, residents and tourists.   There has been a website set up with up-to-date information for all to review and come to their own conclusion on this important issue.   Please visit:   Anna Maria Island Bridge Project  You are encouraged to submit a message with your comments, suggestions, questions and opinio... 10/30/2007

Here's a quick slideshow of the ocean and beaches at Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach in Florida.  Makes you want to move here, doesn't it?  It certainly is a beautiful area!!  These were just some photos I took the last time we were there a couple weeks ago.  Next time I am going to get more photos of the restaurants, shops, condos, homes and more things on the islands and put together another slideshow and a detailed post about the area.For now though, you can enjoy the beach!! Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com 07/02/2007

Smarter Travel reports that Anna Maria Island made the list for one of the top 5 affordable beach destinations in the U.S and Canada."Anna Maria Island has somehow managed to keep condo towers, all-fast-food chains, amusement parks, and glitzy mega-resorts off its shores. In fact, no construction on the this seven-mile long barrier island on Florida's Gulf Coast is more than three stories tall, Subway is the only franchise, and 60 percent of its land is open beach. And, it's affordable, especially in the summer. You can rent vacation homes with water views and pools for well under $1,000 per week and get seafood entrees at beachfront restaurants for under $15." Read the rest of the article here.Click here to visit the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce website. Browse the Bradenton a... 05/28/2007

The bridge that connects Bradenton to Anna Maria Island will be getting a facelift.  Bay News 9 reports "It's going to be a long and arduous inconvenience, particularly for those going back and forth to work on the mainland, Anna Maria Island resident Bob Gottschalk said.""Gottschalk said the year-long construction project is a necessary evil considering the bridge's condition.""The project calls for a 75-day construction period when the bridge is closed entirely.I hope they begin work on it soon.  Snow birds will be here again at the end of the year/beginning of next year, and traffic is bad enough when the bridge is open.  I couldn't imagine what kind of nightmare it would be to have the bridge closed during "the season."  Since the only other way onto the island from Bradenton is fro... 05/24/2007

Anna Maria Island, located on the west coast of Florida between Tampa and Sarasota is one of vacationers favorite places to visit.  White sandy beaches, sunny skies, beautiful water and the atmosphere of old Florida forces you to stop, relax and enjoy the view.  Owning real estate on Anna Maria Island is truly a pleasure.  The neighbors, many of them long time residents are very friendly and work very hard at keeping the old Florida feel. Centrally located near Bradenton and just north of Sarasota makes this a very convenient place to live.  The neighborhoods are quiet, peaceful, just the way you would want island living to be.To view homes available for sale on Anna Maria Island, CLICK HERE to Search for Homes  and begin your journey to island living and making that long time dream com... 05/07/2007