About Sarasota County, FL

True Homebuyers & Homebuying Tips:

Moving into Your New Sarasota Neighborhood

You've bought your dream home in Sarasota, Florida, and you're about to begin the moving/relocating process.

If you've bought your new home through us, True Sarasota Real Estate will personally guide you through the relocation process. As highly qualified Sarasota Realtors & Exclusive Buyers Agents, we've been helping homebuyers relocate to Sarasota from as far away as Russia. However, if you're on your own, here are a few handy numbers from our team at True Sarasota Real Estate.

1. Electric/Gas. Florida Power and Light oversees electrical service in Sarasota County. Call 941-917-0708. If your new home is equipped for gas service, call Teco Peoples Gas System, 941-366-4277.
2. Water/Sewer. For water and sewer service in Sarasota County, call 941-378-6188.
3. Car Registration. New Florida residents have 10 days after gaining employment or enrolling children in school to register vehicles. Bring your current driver’s license, proof of Florida auto insurance, prior registration and title and VIN number. You’ll also need to apply for a Florida Title Certificate. Call 941-362-9888 for locations and more information.
4. Driver's License. A Florida Drivers License must be secured within 30 days of accepting employment, entering children in public school, registering to vote, or filing for homestead exemption. Call 941-361-6217 for more information.
5. Schools. Enroll your children in school. A child must be 5 by September 1st in order to enter kindergarten, 6 to enter first grade (and must have attended kindergarten). Bring to the school the child’s birth certificate, immunization records, proof of a physical exam within six months.

The most important thing? Make sure you go to the beach: Siesta, Turtle, Longboat, Lido, try them all! You’ll end pinching yourself and saying, "I LIVE HERE!"

For more information on buying a home in Sarasota, Florida, call upon True Sarasota Real Estate, your Exclusive Buyers Agents, who have been helping people near and far find the best real estate in Sarasota, Florida.

True Homebuyer & Homebuying Tips

At True Sarasota Real Estate, we help our home buyers put forward enticing offers to sellers, so they can get the very best price on the very best real estate in Sarasota, Florida.

Presenting a strong offer to a seller could make or break any Sarasota Real Estate purchase.

Once you have found your dream home or perfect investment property in Sarasota, Florida, how do you make your offer stand-out to the seller?

1. Your Closing Date. Offer the earliest possible closing date. Not only do sellers usually favor an earlier date, this demonstrates that you mean business and you're ready to do business.
2. Your Option Period. Offer a minimal-length option period. Sellers may lose potential buyers during this period, and so, a shorter period is more appealing.
3. Your Earnest Money. A seller often measures your sincerity by the amount you put in an earnest money check. Thus, the larger the amount, the more appealing to sellers.
4. Your Personal Note. Write the seller a personal letter, noting why you like the property and how much you appreciate the work he/she has put into it. Most sellers appreciate this personal touch and will be gratified that you noticed their efforts.
5. Your Repair List. If you want a seller to complete any repairs, list those repairs after the inspection rather than on the first offer. This helps both sides avoid disputes about the validity of repair requests.
6. Your Pre-Approval Letter. It's vital to submit your offer with a pre-approval letter (rather than a pre-qualification letter). The pre-approval letter is key because the lender only issues it after a careful assessment of your financial situation. The pre-approval letter indicates the amount you have been pre-approved for, and as a result, it enhances your offer by assuring the seller that you are capable of purchasing the property.

Whether you're ready to make an offer, or simply want to start looking at real estate in Sarasota, call upon our highly qualified team of Sarasota Realtors and Exclusive Buyers Agents at True Sarasota Real Estate. We're experts on Sarasota real estate, and have helped buyers and investors across the world find the best price on the best real estate in Sarasota, Florida.

When discussing the benefits of Sarasota real estate, it would be remiss not to mention all the fantastic festivals and events that contribution to the cultural scene in Sarasota.

Home buyers, wondering if Sarasota has activites or events to suit their tastes, are usually astounded by the diversity of offerings in this small, but sophisticated city on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

From Family Fun to High Art

Enjoy a fun family penguin exhibit at Mote Marine Laboratory, or review an intriguing art show at the Ringling School of Art and Design. Sarasota enjoys an annual sand sculpture festival on Siesta Key Beach, and a world-renowned Chalk Festival on the streets of downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota real estate comes with the opportunity to enjoy seasonal galas, holiday parades (on both water and land), and special events at a variety of venues through the beautiful city.

Sarasota's Unique Heritage

From Native American festivals, Greek Glendis and Scottish Clan pride, Sarasotans celebrate our diverse heritage year-round.

The arts, culture, music and food form a framework for honoring the past and welcoming the future.

Our very own Regina Brassil, Accredited Buyer Agent at True Sarasota Real Estate, says: "We value our heritage here, while welcoming fresh ideas and new ways to celebrate food, fun and, well, life in general! This is a vibrant, eclectic community that offers a wealth of activities for all ages and all interests."

For more information about all that real estate in Sarasota, Florida, has to offer, please call upon True Sarasota Real Estate: (941) 918-0416. We're experts on Sarasota real estate, and have helped homebuyers across the world find the very best properties at the very best price.

True Home Buyer & Homeowner Tips

Turning your Sarasota Real Estate into Green Real Estate is one of the smartest projects for a homeowner to pursue. Not only does Greening your real estate cut your energy costs, it also increases your home's resale value. Going green doesn't have to be expensive. Here are some quick and efficient ways to make your home greener and more valuable:

Lighting: To cut energy consumption on your home's lighting, motion-sensor switches in bathrooms and closets turn lights on and off as people come and go. Motion-sensor switches are easy to install. They usually cost under $20 from hardware and home-improvement retailers.

Water conservation: Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets in your home. Low-flow faucets reduce water usage by as much as 50 percent; low-flow toilets conserve water and save Americans millions of dollars annually. Repair leaky faucets; one leak can waste as much as 10 gallons of water a week.

Ceiling fans: Ceiling fans are the perfect replacement for air conditioning in many areas of your home. A ceiling fan uses far less energy than an AC, is easy to install, and cools comfortably.

Paint: Use paints with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your home. Some home buyers are especially sensitive and can’t even consider buying homes without non-VOC paint. Paint retailers can help you find non-VOC paint that's right for your home.

Thermostats: Programmable thermostats automatically adjust temperature settings, saving you energy while alseep or away from home. A programmable thermostat can save $150 year in energy costs. Programmable thermostats are more accurate than manual thermostats and contain no mercury.

Window treatments: Tinted glass or window film reduces energy usage in your home. Costs fluctuate for glass, films, and installation, so get several bids.

Landscaping: Landscaping near the pool lets you water plants with water that splashes out and runs off. If you place trees and shrubs near the pool, you can create a wind break that decreases evaporation around your home.

Ultimately, Green real estate not only benefits you and future owners of your home, it also helps the environment. What's not to like about Green real estate in Sarasota, FL?

Finding the Best Green Real Estate in Sarasota, Florida

If you are interested in buying Green Real Estate in Sarasota, Florida, our team of highly qualified Sarasota Real Estate Agents & Exclusive Buyers Agents are ready to assist. All of us at True Sarasota Real Estate understand the incredible benefits of Going Green and encourage buyers to consider Green options when possible. Call us today (941) 918-1956.

Venice FL Events of the Week 3/12/2012

You will never be bored; there are many fun things to do around the area by yourself or with family and friends of all ages. Best of all they are free. Check it out with Venice FL Events of the week 3/122012 and go for it.

Bill Anderson Happy Time Band

Remember to bring your lawn chair, relax and enjoy the music of Dixieland, big band, oldies.

Date: March 13, 2012 Tuesday (perform every Tuesday till April 17, 2012)

Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Location: Centennial Park, Gazebo downtown,

200 W. Venice Ave. Venice FL 34285

Telephone: 941-486-2626

Gentlemen of Jazz Concert

features Tony Onorato and is presented by City of Venice. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the jazz.

Date: March 14, 2012 Wednesday (every Wednesday till April 18, 2012)

Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Location: Centennial Park, Gazebo downtown,

200 W. Venice Ave. Venice FL 34285

Telephone: 941-941-486-2626

Slim and Friends Concert

Slim & Friends will present traditional country music for their audiences to enjoy. Remember to bring your lawn chair.

Date: March 15, 2012 Thursday (every Thursday till March 29, 2012)

Time: 3:00pm

Location: Centennial Park, Gazebo downtown,

200 W. Venice Ave. Venice FL 34285

Telephone: 941-486-2626

Lifestyles after 50 Festival

Come join the fun and see how much fun lifestyles after 50 festival…free health screenings, free food samplings from about 11 local restaurants, free live entertainment and more!

Date: March 15, 2012 Thursday

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Location: Venice Community Center

326 Nokomis Ave S. Venice FL 34285

Telephone: 941-284-2930 for more information

St. Patrick’s Day – Venice Symphony Free Pops Concert

This is a Special event of the week 3/12/2012. It is an outdoor concert, also a part of the celebration for City of Venice 85^th Anniversary. Bring your lawn chair, picnic basket, relax, and enjoy the music and sunset.

Date: March 17, 2012 Saturday

Time: 4:00pm

Location: Maxine Barritt Park. 1800 S Harbor Drive Venice FL 34285

Telephone: 941-484-2626

Annual Corvettes Car Show

The 8^th Annual Corvettes car show is hosted by Venice Florida Corvettes. Come and see the varieties of new and old sport car. There are 41 trophies for the winners to take home.

Date: March 18, 2012 Sunday

Time: 7:00am – 3:00pm

Location: Centennial Park Gazebo, 200 W Venice Ave. Venice FL 34285

Telephone: 941-697-5469

Accuracy of the above information deemed reliable, always remember to call ahead and confirm the dates, times, locations and other information

Venice FL Events of the week 3/12/2012

Buying or selling your home in Venice and the surrounding area, contact Venice REALTOR®. Kwee can assist you every step of the way, while keeping your best interests at heart.