Sarasota, FL

True Homebuying Tips: Moving into Your New Sarasota Neighborhood

03-13-12

William True - Sarasota Real Estate

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Office: (941) 918-1956

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.

Homebuying in Sarasota, Florida

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.
Water/Sewer. For water and sewer service in Sarasota County, call 941-378-6188.
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.
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.
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.

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More Reasons to Buy Sarasota Real Estate - Great Festivals & Events for Everyone

03-13-12

William True - Sarasota Real Estate

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Office: (941) 918-1956

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 Festivals and Events

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.

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Sarasota Real Estate - Ranked One of the Most Popular Destinations

03-12-12

William True - Sarasota Real Estate

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Office: (941) 918-1956

For the second consecutive year, Sarasota real estate ranks No. 9 on Penske Truck Rental’s list of top ten moving destinations.

Penske's annual list of top ten moving destinations was dominated by cities with sunny weather: Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Houston, and Charlotte, and Sarasota is easily the smallest city on the list. This list is based on requests for one-way moves that Penske received through call centers and online reservations in 2011, and may include seniors buying retirement real estate, first-time home buyers purchasing their first home, families reuniting in Sarasota, and more.

Sarasota real estate has always been popular with retirees and those seeking luxury real estate in beautiful surroundings. Sarasota offers stunning white beaches, a moderate year-round climate, enchanting natural beauty, and an abundance of shopping, dining, cultural, and recreational opportunities in every price range.

Families and retirees value all the amenities that coming with buying a home in Sarasota - such as golf, tennis, boating, fishing, and many other recreational activities; the shopping and dining at St. Armand's Circle; and Sarasota's many museums, galleries, music festivals, and performing arts venues. Educational opportunities abound at a number of college campuses. Retirees buying a home in Sarasota also appreciate Sarasota's high doctor-to-patient ratio and the high national ratings that many area hospitals receive.

Real estate in Sarasota has remained relatively affordable since the 2008 drop in home values, attracting many buyers who might otherwise have sought different destinations. Sarasota is still a buyer's market with attractive properties are available in virtually every price range. Mortgage rates are at their lowest level ever, and Sarasota has no personal state income tax, which is a plus for many thinking of buying a home here.

Sarasota's top destination ranking by Penske Truck Rentals is only one of the many laurels the city has lately received. Money magazine recognized Sarasota as "America's Best Small City," and Sarasota's Siesta Beach was awarded the title "America's Number One Beach" for 2011 by "Dr. Beach." Whether you're thinking about relocating, retiring, or just visiting for pleasure, Sarasota invites everyone to "come on down" and discover for yourself why this gem on the Gulf Coast is receiving so much the applause.

If you would like a tour of the beautiful real estate in Sarasota, contact our Exclusive Buyer Agents at True Sarasota Real Estate.

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Gulf Gate - Popular & Affordable Sarasota Real Estate

03-12-12

William True - Sarasota Real Estate

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Office: (941) 918-1956

Gulf Gate is a popular and affordable community for real estate in Sarasota. This residential neighborhood is highly attractive for its central location - close to great schools, golf, beaches, library, shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and more.

Gulf Gate real estate encompasses five distinct neighborhoods - Gulf Gate, Gulf Gate East, Gulf Gate Manor, Gulf Gate Pines and Gulf Gate Woods. All of the real estate in Gulf Gate is comprised of older homes in the traditional ranch style, on mature tree lined, winding streets that hearken back to neighborhoods of yesterday.

Real Estate Pride of Ownership

Gulf Gate is known for pride of ownership; residents maintain their homes and landscape beautifully. With minimal deed restrictions, Gulf Gate real estate offers a lifestyle reminiscent of old Florida - within minutes of new services and amenities in Sarasota. Gulf Gate residents enjoy quiet streets, perfect for walking or biking.

Real Estate Amenities

The Gulf Gate Golf Club, located in the heart of Gulf Gate real estate, offers year round tee times; there is an 18-hole course and an Executive 9-hole course. Only a quick bike ride away is the South Causeway to Siesta Key. Driving across the causeway takes you only five minutes from anywhere in Gulf Gate, making Gulf Gate one of Sarasota's most affordable real estate communities in such close proximity to the beaches of the Key. Within minutes, you can be enjoying the white sands of Turtle Beach, Crescent Beach or world-famous Siesta Key Beach. A five-minute drive will also get you to the amazing YMCA on Palmer Ranch. Gulf Gate hosts one of Sarasota's public libraries.

Gulf Gate Entertainment

Gulf Gate is an eclectic entertainment mecca, second only to downtown Sarasota in the number of shops, restaurants and bars per square foot. Located just south of Stickney Point (Clark Road) and Tamiami Trail, Gulf Gate is a refreshingly diverse mix of businesses, more than 150 within two blocks, representing international culture, cuisine and plain old good times. At the Southwest Corner of Gulf Gate is a unique shopping area that is a mix of little galleries, eateries, crafts stores, and gourmet specialty shops. With blocks of privately-owned stores just waiting to be explored, this area makes for a fun day of treasure hunting.

While there are terrific places for breakfast and lunch, come for dinner and enjoy fine English pub fare, Thai delicacies, Italian specialties, fresh Gulf seafood and French pastries. Then explore the night spots on Gulf Gate and Superior Streets, and be prepared to be wowed by the diversity of ambiance, music, clientele and late-night snacks.

Most of the bars in Gulf Gate serve at least a couple of varieties of beer, but if you're a real craft beer junky, head straight to Mr. Beery's with its 24 rotating taps, cask-conditioned ale and flavor-infused beers. Take a hike around the corner, and you'll find the Sarasota Brewing Company, which brews its beers on site. Fresh! For live music, you'll want to check out each venue personally. From punk to country, you'll find something to fit your musical tastes. Several of the bars are open until the wee hours, serving portions and potions to satisfy those late-night cravings.

Eat, meet, greet and enjoy Gulf Gate, a great community for affordable and comfortable real estate in Sarasota, Florida.

If you would like a tour of Gulf Gate or another community in Sarasota, Florida, please contact True Sarasota Real Estate. We are experts on Sarasota real estate and Exclusive Buyers Agents & Sarasota Realtors who have helps buyers across the world find the very best real estate at the best price in the Sarasota, FL, area.

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Luxury Real Estate Starts Rebound in Sarasota, Florida

03-12-12

William True - Sarasota Real Estate

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Office: (941) 918-1956

LUXURY REAL ESTATE SALES RISING IN SARASOTA

Sales of mansions (homes of 10,000+ square feet) are seeing a modest recovery in Southwest Florida. While luxury real estate isn't selling like it sold during the boom, Southwest Florida luxury home sales were up slightly in December and January, compared to the same two months a year earlier.

43 Southwest Florida luxury homes and condos sold for an average of $1.75 million in the months of December and January, according to MyFlorida Regional Multiple List Service. In December 2010 and January 2011, 39 luxury residential sales averaged $1.74 million per residence.

While that turnaround looks insubstantial, Sarasota real estate agents nevertheless have high hopes for 2012. In Sarasota, the stock market is always an accurate forecaster of spending habits of the wealthy. When the market soars, as it has recently, the wealthy get in the buying mood.

Another force pushing a recovery is a sense that prices have bottomed out and good buys are slipping away. While prices will likely start to inch up, there's no serious concern over inventory. Plenty of luxury homes (and in fact, homes in all price ranges) remain, or are becoming, available.

Sarasota was ranked number five on Realtor.com's list of the top ten turnaround cities for 2011's fourth quarter. Since the end of 2011, Sarasota continues turning it around, with an increase in pending sales and a 17% median price rise. While pending sales of existing homes and sales of new homes remained lackluster around the country, Sarasota avoided the trend. Sarasota real estate sales for 2011 rose 8.2% over 2010. Pending sales in Sarasota jumped 38% in January over December, according to the Sarasota Association of Realtors.

If you're thinking about buying that dream home in Sarasota, call us at True Sarasota Real Estate (941-918-1956). Our Broker William True holds the CLHMS designation, making him a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. Offered by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, the CLHMS designation indicates proven experience as well as special knowledge of the luxury market. We know Sarasota and the Gulf Beaches better than anyone, and we are Exclusive Buyer Agents who work strictly for homebuyers. Call us at True Sarasota Real Estate today.

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