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Just Sold - Siesta Key Canal Home
Published on 2012-05-22 08:13:50
Congratulations to clients of Jim and Jamey Hirschman for buying 5073 Higel Avenue. This immaculate Siesta Key canal home has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 2,466 square feet. I have shown this home several times and thought it was a great waterfront home. The asking price was $899,900 and it closed for $840,000 (public record). 5073 Higel Avenue The "wow" factor will be the first thing you think about upon entering the front door of this totally and perfectly renovated and expanded cana [..] > read more
Sarasota Ranks No. 1 for the Arts
Published on 2012-05-22 05:38:08
An article from the Sarasota Herald Tribune - Sarasota Ranks #1 for the Arts It is no surprise to locals, but American Style Magazine made it official when it released its 2012 readers' poll of the top arts cities in the nation: for its size, you can't beat Sarasota. Sarasota, ranked No. 5 in 2010 and 2011, vaulted to No. 1 on this year's annual list of the 25 best arts destinations with populations of 100,000 or less with more than 27 percent of the total votes for the category. "We all [..] > read more
April 2012 Sales Hit a New Seven-Year High
Published on 2012-05-21 11:31:42
There seems to be no stopping the Sarasota real estate market! April 2012 saw yet another seven-year high for monthly sales, hitting 886 total closed transactions. The figure topped last month's 831 sales by 6.6 percent.It was the highest number of sales since August 2005, and when there were 908 total sales. The breakdown was 589 single family home sales and 297 condo sales. Last April, the totals were 546 homes and 226 condos for a total of 759 overall sales, so the jump was about 17 percent y [..] > read more
Superstar Realtor - Sharon Straw
Published on 2012-05-18 11:37:10
Congratulations to Sharon Straw for making another client happy! I need to let you know that had it not been for Sharon, I probably would not have bought a vacation home in Sarasota recently. After going out on a disappointing and eye opening venture in North Port, I decided that I would just forget about even looking. But I had been following your new company online since you broke out on your own and decided to go ahead and an email an inquiry about a house,,as Sarasota is really where I wa [..] > read more
Welcome Nathan Hays
Published on 2012-05-16 10:08:21
We would like to welcome Nathan Hays to our company. As a 10-year resident of Sarasota, Nathan has developed an extensive knowledge of local neighborhoods and their unique attributes. He has established a wide range of connections through his professional and volunteer work, and is known for his approachable style. With a strong background in technology, Nathan uses his skills and expertise to leverage the Internet and expose his clients to the widest range of qualified buyers possible. Natha [..] > read more
Longboat Key Condo Market Update
Published on 2012-05-15 20:00:23
January 1, 2012 - May 15, 2012 The Longboat Key condo market has been active this year. Here are the sales statistics for all Longboat Key condo from January 1, 2012 to May 15, 2012. There were 171 condo sold in this time period. Beds Baths Sq Ft List Price Sold Price SP/SqFt SP/LP Ratio High 4 5 3,811 $3,600,000 $3,450,000 $905.27 149 Low 0 1 336 $44,900 $44,000 $107.14 54 Average 2 2 1,742 $661,543 $603, [..] > read more
Sold - Longboat Key Condo
Published on 2012-05-15 19:31:38
Doesn't this look like a nice place to enjoy your morning coffee and breakfast? This terrace is facing east over the Sarasota bay so it provides stunning views of the sun rise in the mornings. A client of ours just purchased this 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,482 square foot condo in Fairway Bay on Longboat Key. 2016 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key, Florida Open and spacious is this 3BD/3BA condominium home in Fairway Bay! Savor the expansive bay views and lush tropical mangroves all wit [..] > read more
New Listing - Miramar in Lakewood Ranch
Published on 2012-05-15 18:48:45
Wouldn't it be nice to hang out on this lanai with a cold beverage and watch the sunset? We just listed this fantastic spacious townhouse in Miramar in Lakewood Ranch. If you need some space in a new development with fabulous golf views then you should take a look at this townhome. This 2006 built townhouse offers 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and 2,997 square feet. 8366 Miramar Way, Lakewood Ranch, Florida Lakewood Ranch Country Club living at its best with this gorgeous 3 bedroom/3 bath [..] > read more
Sold - Lakewood Ranch Country Club Home
Published on 2012-05-09 08:21:09
Sharon Straw is on a roll! Not only did she represent the buyers on this Longboat Key beach condo but she also just sold a very nice home in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club. The home at 6607 The Masters Avenue in Lakewood Ranch is a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,992 square foot, 2000 built home. The original asking price was $609,000. The sellers then lowered the price to $599,900 and it closed for $565,000 (public record). Lakewood Ranch Country Club Home 6607 The Masters Avenue If you a [..] > read more
Sold - Longboat Key Beach Condo
Published on 2012-05-08 20:34:15
Congratulations to Sharon Straw for selling a fantastic Longboat Key beach condo in Whitney Beach on the north end of the island. This beachfront condo offers stunning beach and water views. See what I mean? I would not mind hanging out there. 6701 Gulf of Mexico Drive #306 Make you daydreams of living on the beach a reality! Watch the dolphins play in the sparkling water of the Gulf of Mexico or wave to one of the passing sailboats as they leisurely pass by your fully furnished cor [..] > read more
Sold - Fabulous Modern Siesta Key Home
Published on 2012-05-07 21:01:34
I love to sell homes but even more satisfying is selling a rare and unique property. It was such a joy to sell this modern style home on Siesta Key. 724 Tropical Circle is one of those rare properties that you just don't see on a daily....weekly or even on a monthly basis for that mantter. And, I see a lot of homes. I can't figure out what I like best about this contemporary style home - the clean lines, high ceilings, minimalistic feel, large windows offering ample naturaly light, serene wat [..] > read more
How Long Do Short Sales Take?
Published on 2012-05-02 20:24:22
We often get asked from our buyers, "How long do short sales take to close?" I typically give a pretty vague answer because some of them happen quickly and some take what seems like forever. I prepare people that they will typically be waiting for several months to get a response. Last year I closed this Lakewood Ranch short sale in just over a month. But that is because the bank involved was a local community bank and it was easy to get the decision maker on the telephone. Clients of [..] > read more
Palm Bay Club Condo For Sale
Published on 2012-04-24 14:37:51
We just put our Palm Bay Club condo listing back on the market. We had to take off during the busy winter season because it was constantly rented and impossible to view. . This lovely condo at 5970 Midnight Pass Road #171 is located within foosteps of the # 1 beach in the U.S. Palm Bay Club Condo Fabulous 2/2 condo within footsteps of the #1 rated Siesta Key beach. This well maintained condo has southern exposure so there is plenty of natural sunlight. This is the perfect place to enjoy th [..] > read more
Tips for Choosing a Realtor
Published on 2012-04-24 14:04:07
Selecting a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you will make when you are buying or selling a home. Here are five tips to help you make the best choice: Full-Time or Bust In the Sarasota market particularly, there are many part-time Realtors. Often retirees think that being a Realtor will be a “fun” thing to do. It can be fun indeed, but it is a serious job and it requires all of the time, energy, and focus of any other job. To stay on top of the market, the new [..] > read more
Four Fabulous Longboat Key Condos
Published on 2012-04-24 08:33:54
The Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay are home to the island of Longboat Key. And along the eleven acres of this key is the beautiful community of Longboat Key condos. With views, activities, and well designed and accented condos you have a place where you can run away from it all and still be close to Sarasota, Florida. The location is paramount to the condos that are built here. Whether you are a business man, retiree, or utilizing the home for a wonderful second home getaway this is a place [..] > read more
Sarasota March Sales Hit 7 year High
Published on 2012-04-18 17:18:57
The Sarasota Association of Realtors just issued a press release today regarding the flurry of buying in the Sarasota FL real estate market. The Sarasota real estate market saw sales climb to a seven-year high in March 2012, with 831 properties changing hands during the month. Not since September 2005 has the local real estate association seen sales at that level. In addition, pending sales (which represent properties that went under contract during the month) reached the highest level in [..] > read more
Welcome Liz Nason - West of Trail Expert
Published on 2012-04-17 15:25:58
We are very excited to announce that Liz Nason has joined DWELL Real Estate. Although she is well versed in the entire Sarasota market, Liz is very active in the West of Trail neighborhoods. If you cruise around that section of town you probably have noticed her real estate signs: Liz Nason Liz was born and raised in New England and moved to Sarasota after building a career in staffing and employee relations in New York City. Looking for a better climate and more civilized pace, she [..] > read more
Lakewood Ranch Condos For Sale
Published on 2012-04-17 06:51:01
Lakewood Ranch is a sprawling community of eight villages with tremendous room for growth. The community is comprised of 8,500 in east Sarasota and Manatee counties. It is a popular place to live for retirees, snowbirds, young professionals and families. Many people are drawn to Lakewood Ranch because of the consistency of the neighborhoods. You won't find a community of million dollar homes adjacent to a mobile home park. Take one drive through the area and you can't help notice the pristine [..] > read more
Longboat Key Towers - Paradise
Published on 2012-04-14 07:32:56
I have sold a couple of units in the Longboat Key Towers buildings on south Longboat Key over the years. These are great buildngs because of the double view. Units run from the west side of the building overlooking the beach and Gulf of Mexico Drive to the east side which overlooks the Longboat Key Club golf course and Sarasota Bay. Longboat Key Towers located on the beautiful island of Longboat Key Florida is a superior architectural statue consisting of two charming twelve-story buildings a [..] > read more
Why Central Park Lakewood Ranch?
Published on 2012-04-12 14:33:05
Central Park Lakewood Ranch is part of the 8,500-acre, highly exclusive and award-winning Lakewood Ranch community. It is strategically located on the Florida Gulf Coast and very near I-75. Central Park Lakewood Ranch is made up of six eco-friendly and distinctive neighborhoods. Central Park homes in Lakewood Ranch can be found in the following neighborhoods: Brickell Park Forest Park Gramercy Park Piedmont Park Longview Park Claremont Park Lakewood Ranch, where Centra [..] > read more
Just Sold - Lido Key Beach Condo
Published on 2012-04-10 10:46:48
On March 6th I wrote about listing a great beachfront Lido Key condo. You can read it here - Lido Key beach condo. Then I subsequently wrote about receiving multiple offers on the condo shortly after putting it on the market. - Lido Key condo - multiple offers.This condo closed last week for $335,000 (public record) which was $10,000 more than our asking price. We received two offers immediately after putting it on the market. The winning offer was obviously more than asking price, cash and a qu [..] > read more
Boat Access Under $200,000
Published on 2012-04-10 09:52:45
By: Allison Werner Want boating water access for under $200,000 in Sarasota/Bradenton? Here are your best bets! The Harborage on Braden River A Neal community with a mix of condos and maintenance-free single family homes, The Harborage on Braden River is a great spot located west of I-75 off State Road 70. There are nature trails throughout, a lovely community pool and workout room, and community boat slips and lifts on the Braden River are available for annual rental at reaso [..] > read more
First Quarter Sarasota Market Update - Prices Up!
Published on 2012-04-03 14:32:03
We keep hearing about the strength of the Sarasota real estate market. Here are few interesting updates. Area Pending Sales Near 12 Month High Pending Sales Rise to 11 Month High Lakewood Ranch Ranked a Top Selling U.S. Community Pending Sales Spike in January 2012 Pending sales in the Sarasota real estate market hit an 11-month high in February, demonstrating once more the health of the local industry as the buying season heats up.Median sale prices were also up substantial [..] > read more
Just Sold - Burns Court Villas
Published on 2012-04-03 13:38:24
Congratulations to Allison Werner and her lovely clients for their closing in popular Burns Court Villas. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse offers 2,124 square feet and was built in 2007. The asking price was $674,000 and the closing price is $650,000 (public record). 565 South Palm Avenue 3 Story Corner Unit!Very bright with many windows & Sliding Glass doors! Within Walking distance to Downtown! PRIVATE ELEVATOR! Fabulous Garden & Pool/Spa area with Selby type setting.Floor Plan [..] > read more
Rate Your Favorite Sarasota Area
Published on 2012-03-27 09:58:44
I just added a ratings feature to this website. Now you can add your own personal opinions about various areas of Sarasota, Florida. Take a look at my Siesta Key page below. Notice the stars under the title. The average ratings is 4.71 (out of 5 stars) based on 7 reviews. Please take a moment and add a review (good or bad). Please be honest. Here are pages where you can add reviews (more to come): Siesta Key Longboat Key Lido Key Bird Key Casey Key Lakewood Ranch St. A [..] > read more
Just Sold - St. Armands Towers
Published on 2012-03-27 09:16:12
My client just purchased this great condo in St. Armands Towers. It is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,320 square foot with southern exposure on the 2nd floor. There are water and beach views from the balcony. One of great features of this building is location. Residents of St. Armands Towers can easily walk to all of the shops, restaurants and fun times of St. Armands Circle. The asking price of this condo was $395,000. The closing price was $350,000 (public record). It was on the market 7 days befo [..] > read more
Area homes under contract near 12-month high
Published on 2012-03-22 07:14:01
Sarasota Herald Tribune wrote yesterday about Sarasota's active real estate market. Link to the article - Area homes under contract near 12 month high. I was fortunate enough to be quoted in the article. Area homes under contract near 12-month high Residential real estate may still be soft in some places nationally, but not in Sarasota and Manatee counties.The number of completed home sales fell a bit in February, according to new figures from local Realtor associations, but the nu [..] > read more
Pending Sales Rise to 11 Month High; Sales Climb in February
Published on 2012-03-20 12:21:47
More good news for the Sarasota real estate market. Pending sales in the Sarasota real estate market hit an 11-month high in February, demonstrating once more the health of the local industry as the buying season heats up. Median sale prices were also up substantially for single family homes and condos in February 2012 compared to this time last year – another positive sign for a successful home buying season. “I have heard nothing but positive reports from our members about th [..] > read more
Lakewood Ranch ranked a top-selling U.S. community
Published on 2012-03-20 11:10:11
I copied an article below about Lakewood Ranch. Give us a call at 941.812.6272 if we can help you buy or sell in the Sarasota area. Of all the possible indicators of economic recovery, perhaps none will boost consumer confidence as much as the recovery of the housing industry. According to Candice McElyea, spokesperson for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc., which oversees the development of Lakewood Ranch in Manatee and Sarasota counties, evidence of that recovery can be found in master-planne [..] > read more
Lido Key Condo - Multiple Offers
Published on 2012-03-13 16:38:04
Last week I wrote about this lovely condo on Lido Key that I just listed for $325,000. Fortunately, we had multiple offers on the property. Below are some tips to handling multiple offers written by Shayla Twit in 2009. 1) Mortgage pre-approval or proof of fundsIt is best to get pre-approved for a mortgage or have proof of assets prior to looking at property. If you get into a multiple offer situation and you are not prepared there is a strong chance that you will lose. I have represent [..] > read more
Sarasota Chosen Top Place to Retire
Published on 2012-03-06 08:59:46
More good news for the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Portfolio.com, the national business news site, named the Sarasota-Bradenton market as the most desirable community for retirement. I pasted the article below or you can read it here - Sarasota-Bradenton Chosen Top Place to Retire. Portfolio.com, the national business news site, named the Sarasota-Bradenton market as the most desirable community for retirement. The ranking is welcome news in a region that is still getting over the effects o [..] > read more
Lido Key Beach Condo - $325,000
Published on 2012-03-06 08:44:27
Looking for a fabulous beach getaway at an affordable price? I just listed this a wonderful one bedroom/1 bathroom, 862 square foot condo on Lido Key that overlooks the tranquil blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For more photos, a virtual tour and information visit 1900 Ben Franklin Drive #403A. 1900 Ben Franklin Drive #403A Stunning gulf and beach views from this well maintained Lido Key condo. You are within a few footsteps of the white sandy Lido Key beach and tranquil blue waters of t [..] > read more
Realtor Extraordinaire - Shayla Twit
Published on 2012-03-02 20:31:04
Good job to Shayla Twit. It is great when a client loves our services enough to send a raving review. Below is an email from one of Shayla's clients. Mr. Rasmussen- Shala Twit showed me all the currently available units at Lido Towers this morning in response to previous email contact we had. My wife and I have been renting a unit which is currently listed and Ms Twit's intelligent, informed assistance helped us to see and analyze the possibilities the current real estate market in this b [..] > read more
Just Sold - Fairway Bay on Longboat Key
Published on 2012-02-28 09:31:58
A client of mine purchased a great townhouse in the Fairway Bay community on Longboat Key. The townhouse is located behind the gates of the luxurious Longboat Key Club. It has 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,626 square feet and overlooks the Sarasota bay. The beauty of this property is the price and the private deep water boat dock that comes with it. The previous owners bought this Fairway Bay townhouse for $512,500 in 2009. It was listed in December of 2011 for $399,000. Later in December the [..] > read more
DWELL Made the Sarasota Herald Tribune
Published on 2012-02-28 08:57:46
DWELL Real Estate made the newspaper yesterday. You can read it here - DWELL Real Estate. While some real estate companies shrank and died during the Great Recession, some are sprouting now that the Southwest Florida market is showing signs of stability. One of the latest companies to get started is Dwell Real Estate, a Sarasota firm launched by former Michael Saunders & Co. agent Marc Rasmussen. Rasmussen has worked at numerous agencies in the area. He was at Re/Max Properties Group and [..] > read more
Buffett - "I'd Buy Up Millions of Single Family Homes If I Could"
Published on 2012-02-27 13:45:00
I am always interested to hear what Warren Buffett has to say. Watch this CNBC video - I'd Buy up Millions of Single Family Homes if I Could. His comments about the real estate market are found around the 5:00 minute mark. Glad to see that he is bullish on the housing market. Here are some highlights from the article: Warren Buffett says along with equities, single-family homes are a very attractive investment right now. Appearing live on CNBC's Squawk Box, Buffett tells Becky Quick he'd b [..] > read more
Four Sales - Guess the Sales Price
Published on 2012-02-21 11:47:04
DWELL Real Estate sold a few properties last week. Leave a comment below with your guess of the sales price of each property. 1) River Strand at Heritage Harbour Jim and Jamey Hirschman recently sold this home at 8723 River Preserve Drive in Bradenton. This is in the River Strand section of Heritage Harbour. This pool and lakefront home has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,661 square feet and was built in 2009. Take a guess at the sales price. 8723 River Preserve Drive Almost new, gen [..] > read more
Pending sales spike in January 2012 - Prices Also Rise
Published on 2012-02-16 14:53:31
The Sarasota Association of Realtors issued a press release: The new year started with a 38 percent jump in pending sales from the previous month, as reported by members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® - a strong indicator for a successful 2012 season for real estate agents and firms.In January 2012, a total of 963 contracts were signed for property transactions. The breakdown was 723 single family homes and 240 condominiums. Pending sales is considered a major indicator for the nex [..] > read more
New Sarasota Homes Under $300,000
Published on 2012-02-14 13:46:33
If you, like many people, prefer a newer home in Sarasota, there are more options now than in the recent past. Builders like DR Horton and Neal Communities have really cranked up construction in the past few months and these new homes are selling fast! Buyers I am have worked with recently have been impressed with the values found in new construction now , especially when comparing the gorgeous model homes to sometimes-tired existing homes at the very same price point.Here is your guide to t [..] > read more
Waterfront Short Sales in Sarasota
Published on 2012-02-07 10:57:20
Looking to enjoy the Florida lifestyle on the water? Here are 3 waterfront short sale in Sarasota, Florida. Siesta Key Canalfront Short Sale The home above is located on the immensely popular Siesta Key. It is a canal home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,096 square feet and was built in 1972. Short Sale - Beautifully updated canal front 3 bedroom 2 bath home. Crown mouldings throughout and custom tray ceilings in the family room and living room with recessed lighting. Kitchen has to [..] > read more
Prices Going Up?
Published on 2012-01-31 09:10:43
Are prices in Sarasota, Florida rising yet? It depends on where you look. Here is a concrete example of where prices have risen. Take a look at the Marquee en Ville condos in downtown Sarasota. These are the hip looking modern townhouses on Fruitville road. From this location you can walk to all of the amenities of downtown Sarasota. The difference between these and other downtown condos is that you get over 2,000 square feet and a 2 car garage whereas most other condos are in a high r [..] > read more
Sarasota - Cheap or Expensive?
Published on 2012-01-31 08:40:36
Is Sarasota a cheap or expensive real estate market? I guess it depends on who you talk to. Someone coming from Manhattan might view this area as a bargain. Another buyer from Detroit, Michigan might view Sarasota as very expensive. It is all relative to what you are used to. Sarasota vs. Vail I am on vacation this in Vail with my family. Even though this is a vacation I am still observant when it comes to real estate. We are staying in the Lionshead area of Vail which is within walking di [..] > read more
Cash - How Much Off?
Published on 2012-01-24 10:14:53
This is a follow up to last week's post - 50% off? Clients often ask us what kind of discount they can expect to receive in an all-cash transaction. Sellers love receiving cash offers and typically will discount their home a little more because of no mortgage headaches. However, the discount is not as great as most people think. Below are sales statistics in Sarasota county for sold properties in the last six months. Sarasota County Sales in the Last Six Months 4,171 - Number of prop [..] > read more
50% Off?
Published on 2012-01-17 14:50:40
Foreclosures....Bank Owned....Short Sales....REO's These are popular buzz words in today's real estate world. We talk to buyer daily and often hear "Super Deal!", "Sweet Deal!, "Great Deal!" or something similar. That is perfectly ok. Today is a fabulous time to take advantage of the depressed real estate market. How much can knock off these foreclosures and short sales? Many home buyers come to Florida with the misconception that you can immediately take off 30-40% from the list [..] > read more
Condo on Lido Key Beach For Sale
Published on 2012-01-17 10:21:20
I just listed a remodeled 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom condo in the Lido Regency building on Lido Key. This is the perfect place for those looking to escape the cold northern winters or a small weekend getaway to get from the daily grind. You can dip your toes in the Gulf of Mexico within seconds of this lovely condo. 1700 Ben Franklin Drive #4F Luxury awaits you in this remodeled condo on Lido Key beach. Enjoy the Florida lifestyle in one of the least expensive beach front condos in Sarasota. [..] > read more
Short Sale in South Gate
Published on 2012-01-17 09:30:24
Allison Werner just listed this fabulous remodeled home in the convenient South Gate community. This 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 2,836 square foot remodeled home is in search for a new owner. Imagine living within 15 minutes of some of the world's prettiest beaches. 2311 Tanglewood Drive Short sale. This fantastic South Gate home has so much to offer! The home has been renovated from top to bottom, including bathrooms, kitchen (granite, stylish vanities, new appliances, the works!), and [..] > read more
Sarasota Sales Up 8.2% in 2011. Prices Stable.
Published on 2012-01-11 16:17:54
For the full year 2011, property sales of members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® jumped by 8.2 percent to 8,224, achieving the highest level since 2005. The surge in sales was accompanied by stabilization in the median sale prices, which now stand at $155,925 for single family homes and $156,800 for condos over the full year, and have not fluctuated much for the past 12 months. Once again, the market has demonstrated that Sarasota is a destination of choice for many homebuyers. For [..] > read more
5 Largest Sales in June
Published on 2011-07-04 06:31:46
Below are the 5 largest residential real estate transactions in the month of June. 667 Mourning Dove Drive, Sarasota This lovely Bird Key waterfront home is located at 667 Mourning Dove Drive. It offers 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 half > read more
Just Sold - Waterfront Home
Published on 2011-06-26 19:54:49
My Bradenton waterfront home just sold last week for $325,000 (public record). This 1995 built home was on the Braden River and has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 3,266 square feet. Give me a call at 941.812.6272 if you would like a free market analysis > read more
Foreclosure on Siesta Key Beach
Published on 2011-06-26 17:48:36
Looking for a fabulous Siesta Key condo? Take a look at this bank owned condo in the popular Gulf and Bay Club community on Siesta Key beach. This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,335 square foot unit is one of the least expensive condos in Gulf and Bay Club > read more
Just Sold! Lakewood Ranch Home
Published on 2011-06-21 06:43:09
Some clients just purchased this lovely Lakewood Ranch home yesterday. They worked with Allison Werner in finding this great deal. The home was located at 8075 Royal Birkdale Circle in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club. 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms > read more
Just Sold! Siesta Key Waterfront Home
Published on 2011-06-18 05:41:23
A little slice of paradise of just sold yesterday. A client of mine just purchased this fabulous home at 5105 Oxford Drive on Siesta Key. This 2004 built home is on the grand canal so the new owner will be able to hop on the boat behind the house to > read more
Price Reduced - Lakewood Ranch Beauty
Published on 2011-06-17 06:01:18
My clients just lowered the price of this fabulous home at 6453 Indigo Bunting Place in Lakewood Ranch from $425,000 to $399,900! What a fantasic value for 2004 built, 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 3,076 square foot pool home. Give me a call at 941.812. > read more
Large Drop in Sarasota Homes For Sale
Published on 2011-06-15 10:47:33
I was out showing property yesterday and my client said, "all of the homes we wanted to see have sold!" She had been searching for homes on my website fors awhile and when she came to town many of her favorites had sold. Lately, this has been a commo > read more
Sales Surge Continues in May; Condo Prices Soar
Published on 2011-06-15 09:50:52
Below is a press release from the Sarasota Association of Realtors: May numbers continue exceptional spring for Sarasota real estate market The Sarasota real estate market continued its strong spring showing in May 2011, with 796 total sales re > read more
Search Sold Properties!
Published on 2011-06-12 16:15:58
I just added this great new feature to LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com. Now you can view properties that have sold in the Sarasota., Florida area. Who can use this? Home Owners & Nosey Neighbors Property owners can now better estimate the val > read more
Miramar Lakewood Ranch - Just Sold!
Published on 2011-06-10 09:12:44
Clients of mine just purchased this fabulous townhouse in Miramar Lakewood Ranch. What a great deal!. This is a 2006 built townhouse with 2,997 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 2 car garage. The best part is that it sits on the golf course and > read more
Lakewood Ranch Market Bottom?
Published on 2011-06-09 09:37:08
Has the Lakewood Ranch real estate market bottomed? As I was writing my last blog post Lakewood Ranch real estate market update I was analyzing some of the great charts that Trendgraphix provides. One of them was a chart of months of inventory. You c > read more
Lakewood Ranch Real Estate Market Update
Published on 2011-06-09 08:40:32
Lakewood Ranch Video Take a look at the Michael Saunders and Company produced video above about Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Lakewood Ranch Homes For Sale Below are statistics on single family homes for sale in Lakewood Ranch. If you ar > read more
Just Sold - Siesta Key Condo Short Sale
Published on 2011-06-06 12:25:44
Take a look at the condo below in Siesta Dunes on the world famous Siesta Key beach. This short sale has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,150 square feet, ground floor and was listed for $600,000. It closed May 26th for $500,000 (public record). Siesta > read more
This Weeks Sarasota Broker Tour - Siesta Key
Published on 2011-06-06 11:46:14
Extensive market knowledge is so crucial for a good Realtor. It really is essential in properly helping buyers and sellers. The home buying or selling experience is so much more efficient and enjoyable when you are working a Realtor who has vast mark > read more
Just Sold! Ritz Carlton Condo in Sarasota
Published on 2011-06-06 11:01:15
Take a look at the photos below. Unit #1103 in the Ritz Carlton Tower Residences just closed. This lovely unit was a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,990 square foot condo in the highly sought after Ritz Carlton condos in downtown Sarasota. This is one of th > read more
5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Home
Published on 2011-05-30 07:42:58
So, you have decided that you are ready to buy a home? Congratulations? Buying a home is one of the most exciting times in anyone’s life. In order to make sure you are making a sound purchase that will serve you well for years to come, however, the > read more
Siesta Beach Ranked #1 Beach in Nation
Published on 2011-05-27 05:55:50
Yaaaaay! Dr. Beach just came out with his list of the best beaches in the country. Siesta Key beach in Sarasota, Florida was ranked #1! Siesta Beach in Sarasota No. 1 in nation on list by 'Dr. Beach' SARASOTA - The powdery white shoreli > read more
Tips to Buying a Vacation Home in Sarasota
Published on 2011-05-23 15:53:43
Looking for paradise? If you are on this website then you are probably looking to relocate to Sarasota, Florida or buy a vacation property here. Many of our clients come from all over the world. Not only do we have clients from all over the United > read more
Sold! Sarasota & Manatee County Sales
Published on 2011-05-23 11:29:07
Below are all of the Sarasota and Manatee county property sales from May 15th to May 21st. I pulled this information from the Mid Florida MLS which is deemed to be reliable but is not guaranteed. 285 transactions Highest sales price - $4 > read more
Allison Werner Testimonial
Published on 2011-05-23 10:34:32
Congratulations to my associate Allison Werner for making another buyer happy and a successful transaction. Read the letter below which came to us from one of her happy clients. We love to receive these. ;-) If you would like Allison to help you > read more
Just Sold - Three Sarasota Properties
Published on 2011-05-16 19:58:56
We have been busy lately. Below are three properties recently sold by Marc Rasmussen and his teammates Shayla Twit and Allison Werner. 14961 Amberjack Terrace in Lakewood Ranch Shayla Twit just sold this lovely townhouse in Lakewood Ranch. > read more
Market Value vs. County Assessed Value
Published on 2011-05-16 12:04:06
How do you figure out the value of a property? First let's discuss what market value is not: It is not the price you paid for the home plus improvements and real estate commissions. It is not how much your friend, in-laws, attorn > read more
Sarasota Beach Homes - Where to Look
Published on 2011-05-09 12:37:50
Living on the beach remains to be one of the most sought after segments of the Sarasota real estate market. If price were not a factor most people would prefer to live on one of Sarasota’s beaches versus other locations. Stunning water and beach vi > read more
Just Sold - Sarasota Waterfront Home
Published on 2011-05-02 19:30:51
Clients of mine just purchased this lovely home at 612 Indian Beach Lane in the Indian Beach subdivision of Sarasota, Florida. This is one of the nicest Sarasota waterfront homes that I have ever seen. The design of this ho > read more
Price Reduction - Lakewood Ranch Home
Published on 2011-05-02 18:54:38
We lowered the price of this fabulous home in the Greenbrook section of Lakewood Ranch. Check out the home below. 6453 Indigo Bunting Place - Lakewood Ranch, Florida This home offers 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, swimming > read more
Just Sold - L' Elegance Condo on Lido Key
Published on 2011-04-30 10:23:25
The condo in the center of the picture above is L' Elegance in Sarasota. This is a fabulous beach front condo on Lido Key. Many of the units in this building offer not only fabulous views to the west of the beach and Gulf of Mexico but also views to > read more
Mortgage 101: What you need to Know about the Mortgage Process
Published on 2011-04-29 09:57:48
By Tina Fountain - Atlanta Luxury Homes How savvy are you when it comes to the mortgage process? A mortgage is the largest, single investment most people will ever make. Therefore, it is important to not just have a good understanding of the m > read more
Lakewood Ranch Beauty - 6453 Indigo Bunting Place
Published on 2011-04-25 15:56:19
I just listed this fabulous 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 3,076 square foot pool home in Lakewood Ranch. It is in fabulous condition and is a great place to live for a family. Give Marc Rasmussen a call at 941.812.6272 for a viewing. > read more
Sarasota Luxury Homes Heat Up
Published on 2011-04-25 15:14:15
The luxury market in Sarasota continues to be busy. I wrote about it roughly a month ago - Luxury Sarasota Homes & Condos selling. There was a high profile sale on Longboat Key. It closed for $12,500,000 last week. The home located at 825 Longboa > read more
Five Things to Consider Doing Today; Earth Day 2011
Published on 2011-04-21 19:34:34
Today, April 22, 2011, people around the world will be celebrating Earth Day. Most of us – like me - don’t have celebrations on our calendar, but particularly given recent events like the Tsunami in Japan and gas prices inching up to $5 a gallon, > read more
Poll: Where is the Sarasota Real Estate Market Now?
Published on 2011-04-18 20:08:08
Comments Wanted I would love to hear where you think the Sarasota real estate market is on this market cycle. Please make a comment. Are better times ahead? Are things going to get worse before they get better? Where do you think we are on this ch > read more
Sarasota 2011 Pending Sales Outpaced 2003, 2004 and 2005 Pending Sales
Published on 2011-04-18 19:03:09
Remember the boom years of 2003-2005? Remember when the market was going crazy and everyone became a buyer of investment properties, regardless of price? Well, here is some interesting news. The March 2011 pending sales, which is a future ind > read more
6 Tips To Sell Your Home Faster
Published on 2011-04-18 04:46:28
by Milan Cole - Portland Real Estate When the real estate market was booming it was a lot easier to get your home sold in a hurry, but it's not so easy anymore. In today's market many homes sit unsold month after month. This is not because homes are > read more
Foreclosure - Sarasota Condo For Sale
Published on 2011-04-11 16:37:52
Looking for ample space and fabulous views in a downtown Sarasota condo? Take a look at this bank owned foreclosure in the One Watergate condo building. This is a huge unit at over 3,100 square feet. The water and marina views are fantastic. Resident > read more
Just Sold! Guess the Price of this Longboat Key Condo
Published on 2011-04-11 15:57:36
A client of mine just purchased this lovely Longboat Key condo below. The first person (non Realtor) to guess the sales price will receive a $25.00 gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or store. This lovel > read more
Getting in the Newspaper can be Good
Published on 2011-04-11 15:27:07
I was out showing property this morning when a fellow Michael Saunders Realtor texted me with, "Quoted in the paper? Aren't you special?" I didn't know what she was talking about and I was in the middle of looking at a house with a client so I respon > read more
Sarasota Home Inventories Drop!
Published on 2011-04-11 14:44:15
Good news for the Sarasota real estate market. Inventories continue to decline while pending sales and closed sales rose. Take a look at the chart below from Trendgraphix.com which pulls sales data from our Mid Florida MLS. The data above is > read more
Guess the Sales Price of Lido Key Home
Published on 2011-04-04 14:18:18
Just Sold! Guess the Sales Price It is important to know the market before you take the plunge and buy a home. Viewing what similar properties have recently sold for will help you get a better understanding of the market. Afterall, an appraisal is > read more
Real estate: It's time to buy again - CNN Money Article
Published on 2011-04-01 09:40:37
I read an interesting article from CNN Money this morning. It talks about the coming shortage of new homes in the United States. I pasted it below. You can read the actual article here - Real Estate: It's time to buy again. Forget stocks. Don't be > read more
Who Sells the Most Sarasota Luxury Homes?
Published on 2011-03-28 09:44:55
Below is a pie chart showing the market share of brokers for properties over $750,000. People's definition of luxury will vary. Some believe it is over $1,000,000 while others think it is less. It is hard to say that a $900,000 home does not classify > read more
Top Sarasota Real Estate Brokers
Published on 2011-03-28 08:20:39
Who sells the most Sarasota real estate? Below is a pie chart from Trendgraphix.com showing market share for the lasdt 12 months based on sales volume for Sarasota county. I included any brokerage that had more than a 2% market share. Based on the la > read more
Four Nice Sales in February
Published on 2011-03-22 11:44:20
Below are 4 sales of Sarasota luxury homes. All of the homes were listed by Realtors with Michael Saunders and Company. Photos courtesy of the the listing agents. Congrats to all of them for the sale. Bird Key Home Sold What a gorge > read more
How Many Short Sales Closed on Siesta Key in February?
Published on 2011-03-21 19:33:01
I am contacted frequently by potential buyers looking to purchase a short sale or foreclosure on one of the barrier islands - Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Lido Key and Casey Key. I thought it might be interesting to see data on how many "distr > read more
Luxury Sarasota Homes & Condos Selling
Published on 2011-03-18 06:50:31
The Sarasota real estate market is very active in all price ranges (see Sarasota February Property Sales Up and Inventory Levels Drop to 6 Year Lows). Below are all of the pending sales within the last 30 days in Sarasota and Manatee counties that ha > read more
Sarasota February Property Sales Up and Inventories Drop to 6 Year Lows!
Published on 2011-03-14 13:24:02
Check out the huge increase in pending sales in February. I knew the February numbers were going to be good when I wrote my last post - The market is busy, busy, busy. As you can see both the pending sales and closed sales were up while the inv > read more
The market is busy, busy, busy
Published on 2011-03-08 06:40:12
The Sarasota Florida real estate market is very active. This is our busy selling season as many of the visiting snowbirds consider buying a slive of paradise. Our January pending sales shot through the roof. I imagine the same will be true when the F > read more
Lakewood Ranch Foreclosure
Published on 2011-02-28 09:51:52
Check out this new foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch. It is located at 6939 Westchester Circle in the Country Club section of Lakewood Ranch overlooking the golf course. I showed this home a few months ago when it was a short sale. It was huge. It has 6 > read more
How to Get the Best Deal on a Home
Published on 2011-02-28 09:15:41
Looking for the best deal on your next home purchase? Here are 4 tips to help you get the best deal. 1) No financing contingency If you pay cash or remove any financing contingency from the purchase agreement then chances are good that you will > read more
5.5% Discount Does Not Sound Like a Deal
Published on 2011-02-28 07:20:41
The Sarasota Association of Realtors recently came out with their monthly statistics. If you are interested you can read them here. It provides some valuable information and statistics on the Sarasota Florida real estate market. Aside from fabulous n > read more
If I Had $6,295,000 Laying Around
Published on 2011-02-28 05:49:24
I have seen a lot of fabulous homes in Sarasota. The home above is listed with fellow Michael Saunders associate Deborah Beacham. I went to a cocktail party there when it was originally put on the market. What a great home on the beach. This modern d > read more
Just Sold - Cherokee Park Home
Published on 2011-02-17 07:33:16
Check out the fabulous home below. My clients just purchased this lovely Cherokee Park home this week. This 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 3,559 square feet home in Cherokee Park was extensively remodeled in 2003. The beauty of this home is the conv > read more
Pending sales surge in January
Published on 2011-02-16 06:58:20
The Sarasota Association of Realtors issued a press release yesterday - Pending Sales Surge in January, early 2011 appears promising. Highlights include: Pending sales in the Sarasota real estate market experienced a major climb in January 2011 > read more
Just Sold by Shayla Twit
Published on 2011-02-15 06:34:47
Congrats to Shayla Twit for her 2 recent sales this last week. If you are looking to buy a home visit Shayla Twit and tell her what you are looking for. She is very prompt and will get back to you as soon as possible. Lakewood Ranch Home > read more
Just Sold - University Park
Published on 2011-02-15 05:42:01
Take a look at this adorable villa that my clients just purchased in the University Park Country Club. This was a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom, 1,464 square foot vila on Whitebridge Glen in University Park. It was built in 1994 and was in spectacular shap > read more
Are You a Buyer or a Looker?
Published on 2011-02-14 05:18:28
I heard a theory once about people who vacation in Florida. Vacationers tend to do three things when they visit – go to our beaches, visit our amusement parks and grab a Realtor to look at properties for sale. It is pretty common for vacationers or > read more
Welcome Allison Werner
Published on 2011-02-05 08:24:08
I want to welcome Allison Werner to the fun. I met her at a social event back in November and pulled her over to Michael Saunders and Company to work with me. I was impressed by her work ethic and desire to succeed. I threw her in the fire quickl > read more
Stage Your Home To Sell
Published on 2011-02-05 06:42:52
Making minor improvements to your house or condo can go a long way in attracting potential buyers.In order to sell, your home depends on three things: price, location and condition. Sprucing up your home’s aesthetics – also known as staging – c > read more
Why People Live and Winter in Florida
Published on 2011-02-01 18:33:53
You can deal with this or this Need I say more? > read more
You Probably Won't End Up Buying a Foreclosure
Published on 2011-01-31 15:59:51
One common theme among today's home buyers is the need to find a "deal". Almost every buyer mentions it when talking about their needs and wants. We Realtors joke about it as we hear it all of the time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. If I > read more
Bird Key Home Sold!
Published on 2011-01-24 13:13:25
492 Partridge Circle on Bird Key My listing at 492 Partridge Circle closed today for $1,050,000. This was a large house of over 4,000 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. It was built in 1968 however many of the ceilings in the home had been > read more
New look to LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com
Published on 2011-01-20 15:42:21
If you have ever visited LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com before you may notice that it looks a little different. We just revamped the site and added some features. Please bare with us as we work through the kinks. One of the coolest upgrades is our Sara > read more
Sarasota real estate sales surge in December 2010
Published on 2011-01-12 18:56:24
The Sarasota Association of Realtors had a press release today. The Sarasota real estate market saw a big surge in December sales, from 534 in November to 681 last month for a 27.8 percent increase. In addition, the median sales price for bo > read more
2010 vs 2009 Sarasota Real Estate Sales
Published on 2011-01-07 04:39:29
Below are the Sarasota real estate sales figures pulled from the Mid-Florida MLS comparing years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Unit Sales 2007 2008 2009 2010 Sarasota county 6,354 6,781 &nbs > read more
Just Sold - Home on Siesta Key
Published on 2011-01-05 08:29:34
Some clients of mine just purchased this fabulous home at 1229 Seaplume Way on Siesta Key. This Siesta Key home was built in 1989 but was recently remodeled. It has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. One of the best features about this home is the short w > read more
Sarasota, Florida Named Best Place to Retire in the U.S.
Published on 2010-12-27 06:22:51
Sarasota did it again! In a survey conducted by Portfolio.com Sarasota/Bradenton earns the designation as Americas most popular retirement destination. This is not the first time Sarasota was named one of the best places retire. Money magazine once g > read more
Florida condominium prices prove too good to pass up
Published on 2010-12-24 07:46:39
There was an outstanding article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune today about condo sales in Florida. Follow this link to read it. I probably only think it is outstanding because they quoted me and added a photo. ;-) Here are the highlights of the art > read more
Modest Gains in Housing Market Amid Positive Economic News
Published on 2010-12-22 18:52:33
According to recent reports, the U.S. economy has been showing new signs of economic recovery. Not only are new claims for jobless aid declining, but factory activity in the Mid-Atlantic region has been on the rise. Although housing data continues to > read more