I heard once that you should never discuss religion or politics, especially with those you wish to impress or do business with. But as a Christian business owner, I like to support other Christian businesses when I can, and I know others who share my faith feel the same. I won't regale you with tales of how being a Christian makes me a better Realtor. But  I do live my life in an accountable way, every day. I recognize my business and my success as a gift from the Lord. And maybe that means something to you. If it does, I would love the opportunity to be your agent in looking for a new Sarasota home.  Happy Easter!   03/23/2008

I manage our Sarasota and Siesta Key real estate websites. Because of the technology, I can see how many people come to my site, and what pages they log onto.  When they register, I know why people are hesitant to provide contact phone numbers - we are all quite tired of unsolicited, hard sell phone calls from everywhere. However, this fact comes as a surprise to my home buyer clients: I don't call people who register on my sites. Even if a phone number is provided (fair game?) I send out an introductory email and offer my help - and also assure buyers that they will not be called unless they request it. My goal is that people will feel free to research without feeling pressured, and contact me when they are ready. I do, however, urge people to contact me. No matter what stage of the pr... 03/22/2008

When I first heard of Palmer Ranch, I was a New Yorker considering a move to Sarasota. My Realtor told me that it was a newer master planned community, had great schools, and was "a prestigious address". After buying my home here, I did find out many things about these neighborhoods - one of which was, no one seemed all that impressed when I said I lived on "prestigious" Palmer Ranch. That being said, I love it here. There are sidewalks which line the expansive green-space and meticulous landscaping. There are nature trails for bikers and walkers which wind through the preserves and bald eagle sanctuaries. We are only 10 minutes from the beach and 15 minutes from downtown. Our neighborhoods are new and well kept, but have options for home buyers from a 1 BR condo to an expansive multi m... 03/22/2008

Hot Neighborhoods:  Cherokee Park, Harbor Acres, San Remo Estates     Sarasota Florida Community Near Sarasota Memorial Hospital Posted on Sarasota Real Estate News Blog. West of the Trail homes close to Sarasota Memorial Hospital are convenient to downtown area attractions as well as the Southside Village neighborhood restaurants, shops and businesses. Morton's Gourmet Market is popular and visitors to Sarasota along with residents shop for wine, cheese, delicacies. Sam Snead's is in the neighborhood as well as Knick's Tavern, one of Snuffy SMith's favorite spots. Knick's has great burgers and Michelle, Bella or Jennifer will bring you a glass of vino quickly while you peruse the specials. Not in the mood for anything but pizza, step right next door and order the white spinach pizza at... 03/21/2008

A recent client was looking for resale homes in the $350,000 price range on Palmer Ranch, a desirable master planned community in Sarasota. As I live there, I was also familiar with a few new home communities in the neighborhood, and took him by those as well. He was shocked to find out that the new homes were identical in price to those homes that were built 15 years ago. Try as he might, he couldn't even imagine buying a resale home when the new homes offered such quality at a comparable price.I can't say that I blame him. A tight market has forced builders to offer more in upgrades, better pricing and more aggressive strategies, putting them at a decided advantage over the single home seller. While touring the new homes, he learned of standard inclusions like "his and hers" bathrooms... 03/20/2008

My name is Regina, and I am an exclusive buyer agent in Sarasota. I grew up as the daughter of a real estate agent in New Jersey. I remember hearing that if you didn't list property , you couldn't survive. And I do recognize the value to being a listing agent, and its benefits. But  for me, I truly enjoy the process of working with my buyers. I decided about 3 years ago to work solely with them. And it has been greatly rewarding. My background is actually in corporate America, and I have nearly 20 years experience in sales and customer service, as well as contract negotiations. The switch to real estate, for me, came about because I desired a career in which I didn't punch a clock, or wasn't held back by others parameters. Real estate is frenetic, and crazed and unpredictable - but I ha... 03/20/2008

03/19/2008

Art, Ballet, Symphony - Sarasota Has it All Sarasota is known as the cultural capital of Southwest Florida.  The city is a mecca for artists, musicians, writers and patrons of the arts.  Sarasota boasts two symphonies, an opera house, a world-class ballet company numerous playhouses and arts galleries.  April 4-13, 2008 marks the 10th Annual Sarasota Film Festival.    Art bequeathed to Sarasota by John and Mabel Ringling include one of the most beautiful museums in the United States.  The museum's Baroque paintings are recognized internationally.  In 1948, the State of Florida took over the museum and included the Asolo Theater, from Asolo, Italy and the Ringling Museum of the Circus.  An array of objects d'art, circus memorabilia, and the Palace Ca'd'Zan, the Ringlings' winter residenc... 03/11/2008

Golf Course Living within the Gates of PrestanciaPrestancia is a private guard gated country club community located in the Palmer Ranch area of Sarasota, Florida's real estate market.  Residents enjoy privacy in this prestigious golf course community.  Golf Courses in TPC Prestancia feature two non-equity golf courses that are members of the national TPC network of properties.  A variety of TPC membership packages are available to meet homeowners needs. Prestancia provides 36 holes of outstanding golf.  The Stadium Course and the Club Course expand over 565 acres of manicured landscaping offering the best of playing conditions.  Amenities in Prestancia include a Mediterranean styled Clubhouse providing meeting rooms, banquet facilities, indoor and outdoor dining.  A reciprocal facility ... 03/10/2008

The numbers noted on January 2008 home sales figures for the whole of Southwest Florida, are giving more credence to real estate observers and agents who are contending that the housing market is ahead of the rest of the state, or ahead of the nation as a whole, in recovering from the doldrums created by the US housing crisis. According to January figures, the 4 percent increase in sales for the Sarasota-Bradenton region, and the 13 percent rise for the Charlotte County-North Port areas, has marked 2 of only 3 sales gains for the state’s 20 most lucrative and largest markets. However , the sales gains came at a huge cost, with median home sales prices dropping by 13 percent in the Sarasota-Bradenton region and 21 percent in the Charlotte County-North Port area, as home sellers continued... 03/09/2008

Waterfront Living Close to World Famous St. Armands Circle Convenient Location on Longboat Key FL Many homes for sale in Country Club Shores are on canal front lots and are offered with boat docks. These wide and deep canals provide access directly to Sarasota Bay. No bridges to the bay in this community and most homes provide dockage for a large boat. Built in the 1960s, homes in Country Club Shores are being updated, remodeled, torn down and rebuilt. Choosing from a mix of old beautiful updated homes and new construction, you can search for a "handyman special" or a "fixer upper" in this wonderful Longboat Key neighborhood. Don't want to fool around with a project, many of the older homes have been resorted using top of the line appointments. Country Club Shores is a Sarasota neighbor... 03/08/2008

As your listing agent, I implement a marketing strategy for each of my listings. Research shows that investors prefer viewing details and photos of properties online. Detailed information on the description of the property, photos, maps and demographic information reaches the savvy investor. My Marketing Strategy services include: Property and use-specific demographic packagesFull-color large format listing signsMarketing flyersTargeted jumbo postcard mailingsLocal online listing databasesNational online listing databasesOnline classifieds In addition to the marketing methods listed above, I have a network of many professional and trade groups, giving me direct and personal access to many different segments of the market. The seasoned commercial real estate agents in my office have a la... 03/07/2008

Waterfront Living on Longboat Key Beautiful Longboat Key FL Beach Community Are you looking for a condo right on the beach? Maybe you'd like to rent your condo part time and enjoy condo living in Florida. The beachside community of Seaplace on Longboat Key allows rentals with a stay of two months, six times per year. Seaplace is a popular Gulfside condo community featuring sweeping views of the water, beach swimming pool, barbecue area, bike paths, meeting room, clubhouse, fitness area and tennis courts. Currently in the Sarasota MLS, 26 units are listed as active, some with 3 bedrooms. Sorry you have to leave the pets at home at this community. Prices at Seaplace start at $399,000 for a two bedroom and two bath unit with over 1200 sq.ft. For $999,000, a new buyer can enjoy a condo with... 03/05/2008

Showcase of Homes at the Founders Club, Sarasota Visit The Founders Club, A Sarasota Premier Golf Course Community"Exceptional buys and extraordinary values" are being offered at the Showcase of Homes event at the Founders Club, March 2 - March 9, 2008. The event is presented by Sarasota's elite builders and brokers. Located east of Interstate 75, the Founders Club, presents single family homes featuring a golf course designed by famed Robert Trent Jones, Jr.  Preserving the natural beauty of the land, the developers built around majestic oaks in this gated community.  03/03/2008

The city of Sarasota in Florida, hailed by Money Magazine as the "best small city in America," is an ideal destination to build a viable real estate investment, and many consider investing in the area's wide array of real estate as a truly wise decision to make. Purchasing or selling homes is considered as one of the most major events in one's life. Once one buys a home, they'll be able to have a personal place to call their own, and more space to store their belongings into. The city has a vibrant property market, and the homes on sale here range from standard bungalows to apartments, townhouses, condos and waterfront estates. From Large, Activity-Filled Developments To Quiet Neighborhoods Real estate options on this city vary from upscale and fabulous beachfront condo developments, tr... 03/03/2008

 The city of Sarasota, Florida has a relaxing lifestyle that serves as a magnet for many tourists, home buyers and retiring baby boomers. With the wonderful stretch of white-sand beaches only a few minutes away, this part of the state has been viewed as a perfect year-round vacation destination. Life on the Sarasota waterfront or on the beach is a delightfully relaxing experience, and every lifestyle imaginable, or the quality of real estate you could want, is available on this vibrant property market. Located between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, are a number of islands called "keys" as they are locally called. These lovely island destinations are also filled with a wonderful array of waterfront homes and condos. Waterfront Home Values Have Steadily Risen Here For those who year... 03/03/2008

According to real estate industry observers, roughly one-third of property buyers and investors who committed to buying downtown condo towers during Florida's post-2000 real estate boom, now have appeared to be having buyers' remorse. "The market couldn't be more different now than two years ago. It went from one extreme to the other." Most real estate agents agree that the upper end of the Sarasota condo market remains relatively cold. The number of $1 million-plus condos far exceeds demand, and every development is struggling to sell penthouse units. Nonetheless, real estate agents are still optimistic and very much hopeful for a rebound of the Sarasota condo market. Property Developers Are Back To The Drawing Boards Driven by a desire to distance themselves from rampant speculation o... 02/24/2008

Elegant Living on Longboat Key Play on Longboat Key FL With water on both sides of the key, the views are extraordinary and sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico are magnificent and sunrise on Sarasota Bay is breathtaking. Residents and visitors have access to many marinas offering boat rentals, charter fishing, and guided water tours.  Boat dockage is also available at many condominiums for renters, and of course, buyers of Longboat Key waterfront property.  Water sports are plentiful:  sailing, snorkeling, fishing, parasailing -- whatever your energy level allows! Live on Longboat Key Longboat Key homes are eclectic, ranging from Old-Florida, Spanish Mediterranean to ultra contemporary.  Like Bird Key, smaller or older homes are currently being renovated or replaced with mini-mansions and ela... 02/23/2008

Need a Community to Play with your Boat? If you are seeking an exclusive boating community, Bird Key Florida might be perfect.  Bird Key is located just across the new majestic Ringling Bridge from downtown Sarasota.  After crossing the bridge from downtown, take a left at the first light.  Centrally located between the city and world famous St. Armands Circle, Bird Key is known as a waterfront and boating community.  There are no condos on this key.  Bird Key homes and real estate are within an enclave of approximately 500 diverse single family homes.  Quiet streets and vistas of Sarasota Bay and Sarasota's city skyline abound. Architectural styles on Bird Key are eclectic, ranging from "old" Florida, Spanish Mediterranean to contemporary. In many areas, smaller or older homes are curr... 02/23/2008

Here we are coming down the home stretch in February.  Traffic is heavy, the snowbirds are here, and the fence-sitters are starting to come off the sidelines.  Our market is starting to pick back up.  I have a networking partner in a real estate attorneys office (the #1 in our area).  They had 20% more contracts in December over November, then they had a 33% increase in January over December, now they are 50% over January.  What does it all mean??  People are beginning to take action.  There are some exceptional bargains to be had, and the next few months should be interesting.  What it will take to "declare" the bottom is when the inventory levels drop off and sales continue to increase.The Florida Budget Reform Committee is meeting this year to consider new changes to the tax code in ... 02/22/2008