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Sarasota, FL

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The Sarasota/Manatee county market from a Broker's eyes

02-07-10
Kathy Marlowe, CRS, e-PRO, Foreclosure Expert
Kathy Marlowe, CRS, e-PRO, Foreclosure Expert: Real Estate Agent in Sarasota, FL
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  • Office: (941) 358-5233
  • Mobile: (941) 232-4485

The way that real estate is now bought and sold has changed so much over the past few years. Buyers now choose from foreclosures and short sales with the seller owned homes being the minority.

Working in the Sarasota/Bradenton real estate market today is like being back in 2005 again with the multiple offers pushing the price over asking and all this within hours of the home being listed. Buyers have to be educated on how to actually get one of these bank owned deals!

The other part of the market is still moving slowly with homes collecting days on the market and price reductions until they are more competitively priced to the foreclosures.

The first time homebuyer is once again having a hard time securing their dream home because there are so many cash buyers in their price range. The cash buyers are second homebuyers that have patiently waited for these prices and our investors are back too!

Short sales are finally moving but not without a lot of grief along the way. The documentation required from the seller is lengthy. The banks are spending so much time with BPO's when they need to just be doing an appraisal. It's still up to six months before you may see the closing. Just to add a little more to the mix buyers should be aware that if the seller files bankruptcy during the short sale process and includes the home in the bankruptcy that home can no longer be sold via short sale.

Recently BOA has countered two different offers on homes by $20,000! The homes are not worth what the bank is asking for them. This forces the seller into foreclosure. I have not had this issue with any other bank.

The new short sale is the homeowner who woke up and realized that their $400,000 home is now only worth $200,000. Their American Dream has now turned into their nightmare. It's like a noose around their necks. They are faced with tough decisions. If they stay in that home how many years will it be before it's worth what they owe on it? If they walk away they ruin their credit and face the possibility of the bank filing a deficiency judgement against them.

Mortgage modifications are nearly non existent. People need help NOW, yesterday! I have heard so many heart wrenching stories that could have been avoided if the banks had listened sooner. We have so many foreclosures that didn't need to be.

The rental market is now quite strong. Just the opposite of where it has been for many years. We've turned homeowners into renter's once again.

This market will continue for some time however in Sarasota/Manatee counties the buyers are here and that is helping to reduce the inventory. However they are realizing that there was a lot more to choose from 12 months ago. Remember no one knows the bottom until it's passed you by...................

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Sarasota Market Defies National Home Gloom

01-28-10
Ricardo "Ric" Ruiz del Vizo
Ricardo "Ric" Ruiz del Vizo: Real Estate Agent in Sarasota, FL
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  • Office: (941) 487-6981
  • Mobile: (941) 928-0737
  • Secondary: (941) 363-1094

I could give you all of the stats that you are likely already reading on the plethora of other blogs on this issue. Ok...so I will give you the stats...just in case. Seriously, Sarasota is doing exceptionally well in recovering from the burst. I have always said that we would. Why you ask? Simple really. Sarasota is just a beautiful place to live. There really is nowhere else like it in Florida. Coastal communities will always be desireable places to live...that's why we live in Florida! We want to be near the beach, go boating, enjoy the sunsets and see palm trees every day that we go out. Add to this the fact that Sarasota boasts some of the most beautiful and sought after beaches in the world...AND has a community rich in culture...AND has a downtown skyline that is unparalleled in the region...AND...on and on.The Tiki Hut

So, what are the stats? In short, Sarasota-Bradenton home sales rose 43% in December compared to December of 2008. Inventory continues to decline and we are nearing the point of equilibrium for single family homes (when inventory reaches 6 months). Once this happens, the buyer's market is over.

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A Sarasota Restaurant You Should REALLY Try!

01-25-10
Ricardo "Ric" Ruiz del Vizo
Ricardo "Ric" Ruiz del Vizo: Real Estate Agent in Sarasota, FL
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  • Office: (941) 487-6981
  • Mobile: (941) 928-0737
  • Secondary: (941) 363-1094

Ok, so my partner (and love of my life) Brandy Coffey and I finally found some time to have a legitimate sit-down lunch today. I decided that we should try Libby's Cafe in the quaint Southside Village. We have always heard great things about this particular establishment, but for one reason or another - we just never made it over there. I remembered that I had bought a client a gift card there recently and had been given a $20 gift card for myself, for free, by the manager. Having the gift card in my wallet, it only made sense to go there today.

.Sarasot's Libby's Restaurant

I have to tell you that this was one of the best meals that I have had in a long time! Enjoying the beautiful Sarasota weather, we decided to sit outside. The waiter immediately came to our table, was professional, and offered some great recommendations. I feel compelled to tell you about our meals, because...well...you need to know! I had the daily special - a huge grilled Kobe beef meatloaf sandwich. Absolutely delicious! Not just beef here...Kobe beef, with onion crisps, a generous portion of proscuttio, lettuce, tomato, sauteed mushrooms, and provolone. Add to this a large portion of crispy "Lion's Head" fries and there was more than enough to fill a man up. Brandy had the daily omelet with side salad. Four eggs, ham, tomato, and fontina cheese - unbelievable! The greens were fresh and crisp...with a light lemon vinaigrette.

I will wrap this up by summarizing that the service was impeccable, the food was delicious, and the portions were some of the biggest I have seen. Price is comparable to all other restaurants in the area and is well worth what you are going to get. Whether you are staying on Siesta Key or visiting our office in downtown Sarasota, Libby's is just a short drive away and you won't be disappointed! This was the whole package and I highly recommend that you visit Libby's in Southside Village when you visit Sarasota!

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Sarasota West of Trail Home SOLD!

01-23-10
Ricardo "Ric" Ruiz del Vizo
Ricardo "Ric" Ruiz del Vizo: Real Estate Agent in Sarasota, FL
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  • Office: (941) 487-6981
  • Mobile: (941) 928-0737
  • Secondary: (941) 363-1094

Well, I am happy to report that we sold the last remaining new home in Sarasota's"West of the Trail" community! The proud new owners certainy got a great home for a great price! Having relocated to Sarasota from Calilfornia, they found the new construction, beautiful finishes, ample square footage, and unique area to be everything they were looking for!

Hibiscus Street Home

Sarasota's "West of the Trail" area offers homeowners a centralized location near the hospital, shopping, the beaches and downtown. Many of the home sin this area are quite unique and the are offers a wide array of differing styles of architecture - from contemporary to colonial. It is a great neighborhood to walk or jog in, with many homes located directly on the bay. Sarasota's West of the Trail neighborhood is an area that you simply must visit if you are seeking a home or condo in Sarasota! We look forward to a successful new year in real estate here in Sarasota and Manatee Counties!

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Flat fee mls listing Sarasota County, Venice, Englewood

01-15-10
Rob Arnold, metro Orlando full service, investor friendly & foreclosure Realtor
Rob Arnold, metro Orlando full service, investor friendly & foreclosure Realtor: Real Estate Agent in Altamonte Springs, FL
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  • Office: (407) 389-7318
  • Mobile: (407) 375-4567
  • Secondary: (877) 389-7318

We list properties in Sarasota County and most of areas of Florida. Sell your Sarasota County property through us. We are experts in selling properties in Sarasota County. Sarasota County Realtor. Sarasota County real estate.

Flat fee MLS listing Sarasota County. Discount real estate broker Sarasota County. For sale by owner services Sarasota County. List in the MLS for less. Use our FSBO MLS services to list your house or property. Flat fee discount Realtor.

List your home with us. Our buy owner real estate services are the best. Flat fee MLS and fixed fee MLS by owner services available. Contact us if you are looking to buy or sell a house or investment property. Investor MLS realty services.

Sarasota County Florida is serviced by 4 different Realtor associations: the Sarasota Association of Realtors, the Venice Area Board of Realtors, the Englewood Area Board of Realtors, and the Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port Association of Realtors . Fortunately all of these associations plug into the Mid Florida Regional Multiple Listing service (MLS) which our firm is a member of. We can list your Sarasota County property regardless of which portion of the county it is located.

Click here for more info on our flat fee MLS services.

Areas we serve in Sarasota County include Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Northport, Englewood, Nokomis, Laurel, Bee Ridge, Osprey, Siesta Key, Vamo, Warm Mineral Springs, South Venice, and Sarastoa County.

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