Sarasota Real Estate Blog

Seven Tips For Your Home Search

1. Make sure your credit is in line

If you don’t have a very colorful credit score, you may want to way a little while before you’re thinking of purchasing a home. With a score below 750 and especially 700, you may not get a very intriguing rate with your mortgage. Take time to build your credit if it isn’t already established.

2. Have at least 10% cash for a down payment.

With FHA, VA and USDA loans becoming increasingly popular in today’s economy, it’s becoming easier and easier to get lower down payments. However, with these low down payments come a high interest rates. Ideally, if you have over 10% down payment you will get a fairly decent interest rate for your mortgage.

3. Plan for the surprise expenses.

Most home investors and…

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Sarasota’s World Class Education Systems Shine Bright

Sarasota has long been praised for its educational institutions. Not only does Sarasota harbor 3 colleges (one being a branch of world-renowned University of South Florida) but Sarasota is renowned for its public school primary and secondary school system, as well. It is not only the metrics alone that make these schools so beloved around the state. It’s a feeling of belonging, volunteer efforts, and community events that the schools partake in, as well.

Niche.com has ranked six Sarasota County middle schools, four elementary schools and a local high school among the best public schools it rated in the state of Florida. In addition, US News has Sarasota public schools consistently in the top 5 public school systems in the Sunshine State. This is…

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How Scenic is Sarasota?

Top 5 Scenic Tours in Sarasota

Sarasota is unlike anywhere in the world. The scenic bay, wildlife, and activities are unparalleled, especially in sunny South Florida. The best way to capture the ultimate experience in the area is to take the tours. Let the city come to life in your eyes. Here are a few tours to make you and your family fall in love with Sarasota.

Marina Jack II Cruises

This 96 foot yacht is unlike any other in the area. Wine and dine you and your family along the bay on the Marina Jack II cruising yacht. The boat's amenities include salons, restrooms, full bar, and an open-air deck. Every seat available has a gorgeous view of the water (with a good chance of dolphins and manatees!).

The Ringling Cà d’Zan

Ca' d'Zan…

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2018 is the Year to Buy!

One major tenant of the “American Dream” has been the ability to buy your own home. However, in 2018 the vision of owning your own house laced with a white picket fence sometimes feels like a pipe dream. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The market is in full swing and people are buying more than ever. Renting is unaffordable and downright expensive. It makes more sense to put your monthly payment towards the total purchase of something you already own, does it not? Here are some reasons why you should buy in 2018 and stop wasting your money renting.

1. You can do what you want with your own space. It’s yours.

You can rip up the floor and add new ones. You can completely knock down a wall if you’d like. There are little restrictions when you…

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Thanksgiving Dinner in Sarasota

Don't feel like slaving away in the kitchen this Thanksgiving? Not to worry--several restaurants around town are opening their kitchen doors for those who just don't feel like mirroring the Iron Chef all day.

The Ritz Carlton:1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota, 941-309-2000. If you want the best Dinner will be served buffet style in the grand ballroom from 11 AM-4 PM with live music and children’s activities too. This buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner will be sure to please. The meal plan wasn’t posted yet, but you can expect to be treated.

The Capital Grille: 180 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, 941-256-3647. The Capital Grille just isn’t about their out of this world steak, they serve up a pretty delicious Thanksgiving dinner too. If…

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Just Listed - 324 Kensey Lane, Osprey Fl 34229

Have you been told you can't find a Bayfront home in the Sarasota area for under $1 million?? Check out this beauty, and old Florida style cottage, with over 100 ft of bayfront on Little Sarasota Bay. Just listed at $925,000. 
Bayview Cottage

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Sarasota Home Sales Continue at a Healthy Pace

Sarasota County saw the 2nd highest level of sales in its history in April 2014, a total of 1,195 closed transactions. That figure was topped only once by the 1,223 sales reported in April 2004, just preceding the real estate boom that saw rapid price escalation.

“Activity has been robust, and clearly there continues to be tremendous interest in buying properties in Sarasota County,” said Sarasota Association of Realtors® President Peter Crowley. “Last year, June and July also showed a high level of sales and activity in the Sarasota real estate market, and we are hoping for a repeat in 2014.”

Pending sales maintained a high level in April, at or close to the previous several months, and economists consider pending sales to be a good indicator of…

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The Island Paradies that is Anna Maria Island

Have you dreamed of living on a secluded, relaxing island where the average temperature year-round is in the 70’s, you’re surrounded by sunny beaches and warm waters and the natives are as friendly as any you’ll meet anywhere?   If that’s your dream, you should become familiar with Anna Maria Island.

Anna Maria Island is one of the many barrier islands off the west coast of Florida, this one off the Coast of Manatee County.  It is a narrow strip of land about 7 miles long.  It is bounded on the north by the waters of Tampa Bay, on the west by the Gulf of Mexico along some of the nicest beaches in Florida, on the south by Longboat Key and on the east by Anna Maria Sound and across a causeway, the city of Bradenton Florida.

Anna Maria Island is divided…

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Introducing Sarasota's "West of Trail" neighborhoods

Ask any native of Sarasota where the most desirable properties in Sarasota are and you will very likely be told "West of the Trail".

The group of "West of the Trail" (The “Trail” is the Tamiami Trail aka U.S. Route 41) neighborhoods lie on the west (or bayfront) side of South Tamiami Trail.  The area is bounded generally by Mound Street on the north and by Bay Road on the south.  Many of these neighborhoods sit under canopies of 100-year old banyon trees.

Prospective buyers considering homes in the "West of the Trail" neighborhoods are generally seeking more than one of the following attributes:

• Homes with historic significance
• Excellent schools within walking distance
• Proximity to a hospital and excellent health care at Sarasota Memorial
• …

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Demand for Sarasota Homes is Outstripping Supply with the Usual Results

Across the nation, new construction homes and existing home sales are strengthening and prices are continuing to rise, stoking confidence among observers of the housing market that a recovery is underway.  Nationwide, sales of existing homes jumped 10.4% compared with the same month last year.  In step with the nationwide market, Sarasota Florida area home sales, which normally drop off during the summer months, remained strong in July with 699 closings, almost 17% higher than the level in July, 2011.  The local July home sales included 523 single family homes and 176 condominium sales.

Beneath all this good news, however, lies a dilemma developing here in the Sarasota - Bradenton area.  There are simply not enough homes available here to meet the…

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