Howard Serena

Six Real Estate agents at the Keller Williams of Manatee office in Bradenton, FL are getting involved in the fight for a cure, and have commited to walk 60 miles in 3 days! Roberta Burish, Priscilla Figueroa, Cinday Warren, Betty Serena, Linda Baril & Ruth Lawler have pledged to raise $15,000 for the 3-day walk in Tampa Bay FL on October 29-31st, and have dubbed themselves the Ta-Ta Sisterhood.

DONATE TO THE TA TA SISTERHOOD!

Whether your male or female, Breast cancer effects each one of us. You may have had a mother, sister, wife or friend diagnosed, or you yourself may be battling this common form of cancer. The Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation is responsible for raising millions of dollars each year toward research, grants, support groups and community out-reach programs. For more information about breast cancer, prevention & the 3-day walk for a cure click here.

Posted by Jamie Bullock

The Burish & Serena Team

www.USA_FloridaHomes.net

2010 - 2011 MANATTEE COUNTY SCHOOL CALENDAR!

Tuesday August 3rd

National Night Out to Prevent Crime and Drug Abuse

Friday August 6th

Music on Main - Lakewood Ranch

Friday August 6th

A Photo Safari at Urfer Family Park

Saturday August 7th

Ready, Set, Grow! Infant to Kindergarten Family Fair

Sunday August 8th

3rd Annual Craft Fair & Food Drive at the Robarts Arena

Wednesday August 11th

Oil Disaster Discussion at Mote Marine

Monday August 16th

Gandhi - Monday Night Movies at the Ringling

Saturday August 21st

Bay Life Exploration on Longboat Key

Monday August 23rd

Mutiny on the Bounty - Monday Night Movies at Ringling

Thursday August 26th

"Hot August Night" Neil Diamond tribute show

Tuesday August 31st

Suncoast Job Fair at Westfield Southgate

I think by now, we can all agree, that the idea of a buying a home for a short-term investment or 'quick' money making venture proved harmful for investors, homeowners, financial institutions, REALTORS, and home owners all over this great nation.

While we are in a period of hopeful economic upturn, some speculators still say buying a condominium, or home in the BRADENTON, LAKEWOOD RANCH and MANATEE COUNTY areas is not a good investment. I disagree.

Can you 'flip' a non REO or BANK OWNED property today in this market? Perhaps, but not likely. If your looking for fast money now, even an REO or BANK OWNED property is currently being suggested to hold onto for 7 years by national industry guru's.

Purchasing a HOME, is an incredible LONG-TERM investment, especially in the SARASOTA and MANATEE county markets. Prices are low, stabilized and product is in abundance. Currently a FIRST TIME HOME BUYER can find a home that fits nearly all of their criteria, as well as their budget. This would have been laughable and unthinkable 3 years ago. Today's buyer has incredible potential not only to find a home within their means, in sought after sunny FLORIDA, but build generous future equity and wealth by doing so now.

Opportunity is knocking, are you going to let it in? INVEST IN FLORIDA REAL ESTATE, for the LONG-TERM.

CURRENT MARKET STATISTICS FOR BRADENTON FLORIDA(Provided by Trulia)

Avg. Listing Price: $265,937 Wk ending Jul 14

Median Sales Price: $134,000 Apr '10 - Jun '10 +$9,000 +7.2% y-o-y

CURRENT MARKET STATISTICS FOR LAKEWOOD RANCH FLORIDA(Provided by Trulia)

Avg. Listing Price $635,358 Wk ending Jul 14

Median Sales Price $225,150 Apr '10 - Jun '10 -$24,850 -9.9% y-o-y

Condominiums, Duplex's, Commercial Real Estate, Waterfront, Single Family Homes, Multi-plex's, Mobile Homes & PROPERTY are ready for investing. If your a BUYER or an INVESTOR, put your future in EAST MANATEE COUNTY, MANATEE COUNTY, LAKEWOOD RANCH & SARASOTA REAL ESTATE.

The beauty of the Gulf Coast of Florida cannot be argued, and when winter rolls around, tourists and snow-birds will always flock here.

You always hear the same two peices of advice when investing in real estate:

"Location. Location. Location." & "Timing is Everything."

If your considering buying property, or searching for a home in Florida. Research Lakewood Ranch, East Manatee County, Bradenton & Sarasota County.

The LOCATION IS HERE, and with REO's, Short Sales, and well priced real estate in abundance in these locations, I think it is obvious, THE TIME IS NOW.

Contact THE BURISH AND SERENA TEAM for information on the area, our services, fabulous NEW CONSTRUCTION projects, and statistics on EAST MANATEE COUNTY, LAKEWOOD RANCH and BRADENTON FL.

DIRECT: 941-704-4223 EMAIL: Info@USA-Floridahomes.net

Read our 'BUYING A HOME 101' blog series & take advantage of our free 'BUYER NEEDS ANALYSIS'.

Visit us at www.USA-FlORIDAHOMES.net

During this tough economic time, condominium associations and homeowners have taken a beating. On July 1st, 2010, Charlie Christ signed Senate Bill 1196 which included The Florida Distressed Condominium Act...so what does this mean for future buyers and current owners?

"The new law sets the table for condominium associations to become financially stable, Fannie Mae to approve more projects for financing, and bulk buyers to purchase with less risk," according to Bill Worrall, who helps manage an estimated 350,000 condominium units in 1600 communities throughout Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, as vice president of The Continental Group, Inc.

As reported by David Fletcher of Realty Times,in past recessions, the recovery depended on thousands of permanent buyers and small investors buying one or two condominiums at a time. This time, the recovery depends on cash-rich 'buy and hold' investors purchasing hundreds of developer or lender owned condominiums in bulk, who plan to hold them for three-to-five years then resell them.

The bill will have the biggest impact on lenders, condo associations and developers, leaving some current home owners asking..."Is this REALLY going to help ME?". The hope is, yes, in time, what is good for the association and economic recovery, will be good for everyone.

The Highlights:

• Associations will see their association collections improve, because the Association has the ability to collect rent from then tenant to pay the association fee if the owner does not pay it. This increased cash flow means they can upgrade their communities, thereby increasing property values.
• Fannie Mae will approve more communities for financing, which will bring more real estate agents back into the condominium market.
• More properties will become FHA approved, because they financially meet association and other guidelines.
• Bulk buyers will become more aggressive, because their liability for unpaid association assessments is greatly reduced under the new law.
• Fannie Mae will , on a case-by-case basis, approve condominiums properties they may have turned down. Thanks to tenants paying the monthly association fee, can provide financials that meet Fannie Mae guidelines.

A Few Things Real Estate Agents & Buyers Should Consider

"Tenants are responsible for the monthly association fee, but the law is not clear on how much, if anything, tenants are obligated to pay the association for past due association fees owed by the landlord. This could prove embarrassing for a Realtor who may have placed a tenant in an investor's unit, and the investor, unbeknownst to the tenant, had not been paying his association fee", according to Worrall, who helps manage an estimated 350,000 condominium units in 1600 communities throughout Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, as vice president of The Continental Group, Inc.

When considering the sale or purchase of a unit, always request an account history report from the Association showing the maintenance fee balance on the unit. This can be a helpful negotiating tool (for both buyers and listing agents). This can help if obtained and discussed before the closing, which as agents well know is where many issues occur.

Research and be aware of Fannie Mae-approved Associations. "Fannie Mae approved" means the association is approved for lender financing, which makes the property more marketable as a listing and more saleable to a when representing buyers. For non approved Associations, the buyer may be limited to a cash investor or require 20 percent down.

Other Bullets from Senate Bill 1196 that Effect Associations

• Exempts certain elevators from specific code update requirements.
• Revises the limitations on the right of members to vote on corporate
  matters for certain corporations not for profit that are regulated under
  specified provisions.
• Specifies the maximum amount of any unit owner's
  loss assessment coverage that can be assessed for any loss.

Realtors, Condo Owners, Developers and Buyers are all hoping this bill will bring lots of sunshine, to the sunshine state.

For a list of Fannie Mae approved Condo Associations in Florida, or more information on the local market trends and great places to buy in Manatee & Sarasota County, call The Burish & Serena Team! When experience counts, count on Burish & Serena.

www.USA-FloridaHomes.net

As reported this month in the Lakewood Ranch Spotlight, Lakewood Ranch's newest community (Central Park) is moving ahead quickly and Central Park is scheduled to open in JULY!

The grand opening will feature 8 new home models to browse through and just like its famous namesake, this beautiful gated community surrounds an amazing park full of amenities. Residents will enjoy a kid's splash park, walking and jogging trails, a recreation center and much more. For more information on Central Park, click here.

Gated Living in Central Park - Lakewood Ranch, FL

Home prices from the mid 100's

Amenities include:

• Amazing Central Park
• Recreation Center
• Kid's Splash Park
• Walking & jogging trails

Posted by Jamie Bullock

The Burish & Serena Team

www.USA-Floridahomes.net