Sarasota Luxury Real Estate News

Bird Key 2009 Year End Real Estate Perspective

There were 34 homes sold this past year, identical to 34 in 2008, 32 in 2007 and 18 in 2006. The annual sales volume was $32,000,000 compared to $46,000,000 in 2008 and $75,000,000 in 2007. The main reason for the significant decrease in the sales volume is that there has only been one sale of a substantial bay front home this year. Homes sold on average for 76% of list price compared to 80% in 2008. The average days to contract are down from 200 in 2008 to 181 days. Twenty three of this years closed sales were garden homes as opposed to the more expensive waterfront homes.

Investing Wisely in an Economic Downturn

If you’re in a position to invest in today’s real estate market, you may be able to take advantage of some once-in-a-lifetime deals. All investment comes with risk, however, and this is no time to ignore warning signs of deals that can sour quickly. Keep these guidelines in mind when considering your potential investments:

Rise above the times. Investors who are able to navigate tough times such as these and still come out ahead are in the best position for long-term success due to a consistently strong track record.

30-Year Fixed Rate: the Number Everybody is Watching

At a time when the housing market is struggling to recover, the slightest mortgage rate adjustment is scrutinized since even a minor rise stands to lessen the buying power of borrowers. In the most basic of terms, lower interest rates afford buyers more house for their money. Additionally, higher interest rates typically cause home prices to fall.

The Year in Real Estate

As many analysts predicted, the foreclosure trend that began in 2008 worsened sharply in 2009. Despite substantial government bailout, 2009 brought with it some of the highest residential foreclosure rates in history. While existing home prices followed foreclosures and fell dramatically, sales did bounce back slightly, due, in part, to the first time home buyer […]

Real Estate Report for 2009

Now that 2009 is behind us and we are on to 2010 I want to summarize what transpired in the Sarasota County real estate market the past year. There were a total of 8,084 properties sold the past year with 5,640 being single family homes and 2,444 being a condominium. The following table summarizes what […]

Sarasota Tops the List of Best US Home Markets!

Barbara Corcoran recently revealed a Top Ten List of the Best Real Estate Markets in the country on NBC’s Today Show. Topping the list at #1 was Sarasota—one of two Florida cities to earn a mention; the other was St. Petersburg.

Making Your New Apartment ‘Home’

You’ve probably already called the cable guy and arranged for your utilities to get hooked up before move-in day, but here are a few things that will help you settle into your new digs that you might not have thought of…

Quick and Easy Tips to Ensure a Good Showing

You’ve done your research, priced your home accordingly, and now you’re ready to show. With so many homes on the market, you’ll want to do anything you can to help yours stand out. Here are some tried and true (though sometimes overlooked) tips for presenting your home to potential buyers.

How To Increase Your Home’s Appeal

First, take stock of your furniture. Does it occupy more than 50% of a room? If so, consider storing or getting rid of it. Or, find a way to distribute it in other rooms, if suitable. If you are unsure about what this looks like, consider visiting a few model homes. It’s not for lack of budget that they are sparsely furnished; it’s so that you can visually assess the rooms and contemplate how you might furnish it with your things.

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