The Sarasota Herald Tribune reported this today that the number of foreclosure filings dropped by 8.4% in September according to Realtytrac Inc. Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties saw 2,690 filings in September. A few Realtors and Brokers in Sarasota commented in this story with a postive message. They reiterated (of course) that this was a great time to buy and that Sarasota had worked its way through the subprime mess.

Helen Sosso, the Sarasota Association of Realtors president, said, "They (banks) are trying to figure out ways to keep people in their homes. Florida is starting to come out of the doldrums. We're going to be working through this inventory through next year but hopefully the worst is behind us."

Unless you sleep on a park bench at night you need a home. You can choose to rent or buy. There is nothing wrong with either of them. If you like owning where you live and are thinking of a purchase this could be a very good time to buy. Be smart about your purchase. Don't stretch yourself to get into a home. Buy what you can afford and don't overpay. Do your homework about market values before you make a purchase.

Have Sarasota real estate prices hit bottom? I don't know. Warren Buffet doesn't know. Alan Greenspan doesn't know. Ben Bernanke doesn't know. No other Realtor knows. Are we close to the bottom? Probably. If I had to bet I would say yes.

It is time for some Longboat Key market updates. October was a pretty slow month for Sarasota and the barrier islands. That is not unusual for this time of year.

If you don't know anything about Longboat Key it is an eleven mile long barrier islands off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. Located south of Bradenton Beach, north of Lido Key it is surrounded by the calm clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota bay. The south end has easy access to all of the amenities of Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. The north end is closer to Bradenton and everything it ihas to offer.

Real Estate on Longboat Key is made up of condos, single family homes, resorts and commercial property. It is the only barrier island off the coast of Sarasota that has a golf course. The island has a more pristine feelto it than Lido Key, Siesta Key and Casey Key. People who want the more manicured feel would appreciate Longboat Key over the other barrier islands off the coast of Sarasota.

Longboat Key Homes

* 5 single family homes sold in October 2008 (That stinks)

* Least sale - $315,000

* Most sale - $3,300,000

* Median sales price - $842,000

* 175 single family homes currently for sale

* Least expensive - $160,000 (mobile home)

* Most expensive - $12,000,000

* Median asking price - $1,299,000

Longboat Key Condos

* 16 condos sold in October of 2008 (ouch!)

* The price range was from $205,000 to $2,600,000

* The median asking price was $700,000

* 424 condos currently for sale

* Least expensive condo - $142,000

* Most expensive condo - $5,000,000

* Median asking price - $625,000

This could be a great time to buy your own slice of paradise. Click the following links to view condos for sale on Longboat Key or homes for sale on Longboat Key. To view anything for sale call me at 941-812-6272.

Yearning for a beach front condo in Florida? Take a trip to Siesta Key, Florida just off the coast of Sarasota. This is a great place to visit or enjoy the rest of your life. Siesta Key is a barrier island that has that Old Florida feel to it. Two bridges provide easy access to all of the amenities of Sarasota. Condos are a popular purchase on the island as the beach is one of the nicest in the world. Visitors and residents enjoy the sugary sands of Siesta Key and Crescent beach. The sand is cool under the feet even in the heat of the summer. The beaches consistently are voted as one of the prettiest in America.

Siesta Key Condos

* 380 condos are for sale on Siesta Key

* They range in price from $170,000 to $4,250,000

* The Median asking price is $624,950

* 16 condos sold in October 2008

* The least expensive condo sold in October was $140,000

* The most expensive condo sold in October was $1,100,000

* Median sales price of condos sold in October - $391,000

October was a slow month for sale. It traditionally is a slow time of year for Sarasota. Click on this link to view condos for sale on Siesta Key.

Looking for a boating community? Consider Bird Key off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. This key is located between all of the luxuries of downtown Sarasota and the exciting shopping destination of St. Armands Circle on Lido Key. Residents of Bird Key can ride a bike to either location or take a quick drive in the car.

Bird Key real estate is always in high demand. Most of the homes on the island were built in the 1950's and 1960's. Many of them have been scraped to make way for larger, more modern homes. The waterfront homes on Bird Key allow residents to keep a large boat behind their home. The water is deep and can accomodate a sailboat and large yachts.

Bay view from the Bird Key are breathtaking. The bayfront homes that face the city have a wonderful view of the Sarasota bay, the skyline of downtown Saraosta and Marina Jacks. Homes that face south have wonderful views of Siesta Key and Big Pass. The homes that face west have peaceful views of Lido Key and provide wonderful sunsets views.

Please contact me if I can help you purchase a home in Sarasota, Florida. Marc Rasmussen 941-812-6272.

Warm ocean breezes. Birds chirping. Ocean waves crashing. The occasional beach walker. Imagine a lifestyle where viewing these things was a daily event. Sounds pretty good to me. I could live like that. Many would consider this to be paradise. The Positano condos on Longboat Key could provide this paradise lifestyle.

These luxurious beach front condos were built in 2005. There are 28 fortunate residents who already enjoy the paradise lifestyle. Located on the middle to north end of Longboat Key Positano sits on a 10 acre parcel with plenty of beach frontage. It is made up of 5 buildings with all units enjoying breathtaking views of the clear blue water of the Gulf of Mexico.

I get a lot of requests for new condo buildings on the beach. They are in high demand and will probably always remain that way. The list of new condos on the beach is not that long in the Sarasota, Florida area. That sounds like a good formula for a solid investment.

If you are considering a condo on the beach in the Sarasota area please contact me at 941-812-6272.