Sarasota makes "best places to live in 2011" listMen's Journal has put Sarasota on it's list of the 18 coolest cities to live in for 2011. The magazine selects Sarasota as “the Best Place to Mix with Artists and Athletes" and the city is called “Florida for people who hate Florida” and a place “where being active means more than steering a golf cart.” The April issue will be on the newsstands on Friday.... ...read full post
 One more reason Florida is the place to buy and nowForbes magazine today announced the 10 most vacant cities in the US. Looking at empty housing and the rental market, Orlando came in first place. Second went to Las Vegas. Both cities are in the parts of the country that baby-boomers are looking at to retire in or purchase that retirement home now. If you would like to read the complete article go here. If you would like to talk with me about the real estate opportunities here in Florida, please give me or Robbie a call.... ...read full post
Mortgage rates drop to 3-month lowRISMEDIA is reporting today that mortgage rates posted a sharp decline, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 4.91%, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.38 discount and origination points. To see mortgage rates in your area, go to www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages. The average 15-year fixed mortgage dropped to 4.12%, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate retreated to 5.46%. Adjustable rate mortgages were mostly lower also, with the average 5-year ARM sinking to 3.74% and the 7-year ARM pulling back to 4.10%. If you are thinking of buying a home that you will be in less than five years, what an incredible chance to own a home for a low monthly rate. Read the complete article here.... ...read full post
7 Reasons to Own Your HomeA story today on CNNMoney.com predicted that rents would rise 10% next year in some parts of the country and as much as up to 30% in the over next 3 years. It urged renters to renew their leases but I believe they are wrong. If you are currently renting, now is the time to buy. Almost all analysis has said this is the bottom of the market and prices will start to rise. The economy is recovering, the government is working on tax breaks and urging banks to make more loans. Before renewing your lease I urge you to consider these facts as to the reason now is the time to own a home. 1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home. 2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected... ...read full post
When should a seller accept an offer?As a real estate professional, it is my job to guide you the seller through the very personal task if selling your home. I can help you make all decisions but one...when to accept the offer. An article today online identified some very solid points for you to consider. From the website Realty Times they say sellers can feel pressure when trying to decide whether to accept a buyer offer on their home. While real estate professionals can advise clients on whether to accept an offer, the final decision is up to the seller--and it can be an agonizing one. In the current buyer’s market, buyers aren’t shy about making lowball offers to sellers either. So when should you accept or decline an offer? Realty Times recently offered the following questions for sellers to consider.
Tax Season Tips for Home OwnersReading an article in a trade magazine got me to thinking about those I sold homes to last year. With taxes being due in little over a month I thought I would share a few tips. Owning your own home opens the door to many tax opportunities. We suggests these several ways to save on your tax return:
Sales up; inventory at six year low in Sarasota marketThe Sarasota Association of Realtors announced today some surprising figures for last month's sales. The number of available properties in the Sarasota real estate market dropped to a six-year low in February 2011, and sales were up 24.2 percent from the previous month. Median sales prices for both single and condominiums dropped as bargain hunters continued to grab foreclosures and short sales, which represented almost 47 percent of all sales. Compared to this time last year, sales were up 27 percent to 673 total sales, from February 2010's total of 528 sale. There were 472 closings on single family homes and 201 closings on condos last month by members of the Sarasota MLS. ... ...read full post
New site is now LIVE Good morning. If you have not already seen the new site, I encourage you to take a minute and look at it today. We have hired Sarasota's talented designer Glenn Williams who has worked on and for several of the area's top real estate brokerages. He has given us an easy to use site full of content.
We are also dividing our facebook pages to focus on our 2 main areas of expertise: the luxury homes market and short sales and foreclosures. You can find them on facebook as Andrew Bers, Luxury Homes Specialist and Sarasota Short Sales and Foreclosures by Andrew Bers, PA.
Between the new site, this blog and 2 facebook pages we hope to enlighten you as to the market conditions and answer your questions. We are happy to assist with your next real estate transaction.
Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you will click the subscribe button on the right.... ...read full post
Freddie Mac reports 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Holds Steady at 4.88%Good news for all those still thinking of buying. Many analysts are reporting we are at the bottom of the market and should see it start to rise soon. Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), which shows mortgage rates holding steady and below 5.0 percent. See the entire report here if you are thinking of buying sometime this year.... ...read full post
Reduced - Beautiful Pool Home in Bradenton Florida10018 46TH AVE W, BRADENTON FL 3 bedrooms - 2 Bathrooms - 2797 Sq. Ft. $789,500 Motivated seller - price reduced! romantic, euro style residence with full bay views, situated on a beautifully landscaped acre of land with deep water dockage for a yacht and multiple water craft!this private retreat features two master bedroom suites surrounded on two levels with spacious french terra cotta decks. the interior flooring throughout is a luxurious blend of marble, solid oak, birch and native coral stone. baths enjoy a liberal mix of marble and cherry wood cabinetry. first floor master bath includes an imported Italian vanity with a marble counter top and porcelain sink accented with a 24 carrot gold embellishment. the upstairs' master bedroom quarters encompasses the entire top floor and can easily be utilized as a self sufficient in law suite, Sarasota bay sunsets included nightly overlooking the pool and magnificent grounds dotted with tropical coconut and royal palms. escape to this value priced, romantic, bay front hideaway!
See more of this beautiful home here.... ...read full post
|
