Larry Chatt

This post serves two purposes...

Firstly, I am traveling up to Tallahasee to the Great American Realtor days and meeting with leaders of government over the two day conference. I live and work on Anna Maria Island and the largest factor affecting our area is the updated guidelines required for purchasing condominiums on the island. Of course I plan to communicate the largest real estate concern regarding Anna Maria however I would like to help fellow real estate professionals if possible. What is affecting your area of real estate negatively or positively that you feel is important to communicate to our politicians? Each area has varying demographics and legislation can severely impact one area where another is less effected. Let me know...

Secondly, I will be traveling up the Gulf Coast and plan to visit several Gulf Coast resort areas on a fact finding mission of real estate values, vacation rental values, and general information of the area. If you live in a Gulf coast resort like community North of Tampa I would love to hear from you so I can add the area to my visit.

Make today a great day!

February 10th the Holmes Beach, Fl city commission discussed the R1 one month rental restriction for a second time in 2009. The February 10th speakers were predominantly made up of local residents that strongly favored the one month rental minimum along with several hotel-motel establishments that supported less accommodation competition.

I did speak during both discussions however the limited support speaking on behalf of the silent majority of absentee owners was not enough to overturn the decision in 2007 to enforce a one month rental for R1 Holmes Beach properties. Our local real estate professionals did not turn up at either of the R1 rental restriction discussions. This is disappointing given the fact that we are all supported by buyers purchasing a second home to support their retirement dreams. More than 70% of second home buyers are using vacation renting income to help offset operational costs and one month rental minimums cut incomes by more than 50%.

More specifically, any property that was in possession of a weekly Holmes Beach, FL rental license in March of 2007 will have 10 years of continued one week rentals. After ten years the one week rental license will "expire" and one week rentals will no longer be allowed in R1 areas. New or current R1 Holmes Beach owners requesting a one week rental will be declined from now on.

Don't panic yet, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria City still have plenty of accommodation choices. Some owners will be a little surprised after their one week Holmes Beach rental license is declined. If you have any questions give the Holmes Beach city hall a call or contact me.

I am excited to introduce my new website regarding Anna Maria Island information. The website includes my blog regarding general Anna Maria Island information supplying plenty of information on things to do on Anna Maria Island. It also includes a blog discussing Anna Maria, FL Vacation Rentals, and finally an Anna Maria Real estate information blog.

I hope that the new website that pulls everything together helps visitors to the island. Take a look and check out www.AnnaMariaPropertySpecialist. Finally, an IDX link allows for plenty of real estate property searches.

My past 2 1/2 years of property management has provided a very steep learning curve that has just started to taper off in the past half year. From my first weeks of inspecting properties, reserving vacation rentals, and revamping our policies & procedures, I feel I have had the unique opportunity to witness vacation rental operations from a small operation to a larger one striving towards continuous improvement.

I was elated to offer my lessons learned to the Florida Realtor magazine for the December 2008 publication. Please review the article on property management ...I am proud to have been solicited concerning my opinions regarding property management and Resort Real Estate.

It's official, the state route 64 bridge that connects Anna Maria Island to the mainland is open! More than a week early the island tonight had a buzz. I received several text messages, a phone call, and it was announced over our public announcement system in our office, "The bridge is open, the bridge is open."

The bridge closure was a non-event. I heard very little complaining regarding traffic. Sure, no one was happy to take the long way to Manatee avenue but the Florida Department of Transportation did a fantastic job. My compliments to the leadership of the project. It's not often my expectations are exceeded and in the case of the State Route 64 Anna Maria Island Bridge repair project, my expectations as a business person were far exceeded.

The Anna Maria Island bridge the gap events were a fantastic addition to paradise while the bridge was closed. We still have a few events planned that will be sure to converted into a large celebration that the bridge is open, the bridge is open. Life in paradise is still darn good! Nice job FDOT!