Sarasota Real Estate News

THANK YOU!  In the past 30 days, 8,296 people have read my blog, which is about my personal experiences in Sarasota real estate the past week. Most of the Buyers I see live out of town and here's what appeals to them about living on Florida's gulf coast.  

1.  Lifestyle:

    - Canal homes and condos are very affordable in South Sarasota, Nokomis and Osprey; favorites: South Bay and Sorrento South.  

    - Single family homes and condos within 10 minutes of Siesta Key Beach; favorites: Gulf Gate single family homes and Castel del Mare condos.  

    - Beach condos with rental income and deeded beach access.  Favorites: La Siesta, Peppertree, and Gulf and Bay.  

2.  Schools:  Two families with school-age children have relocated to Sarasota/Venice and have purchased new 4 BR homes, and a third family is on their way!   Schools of choice:  Riverview High School in Sarasota, Venice High School in Venice, and Pine View School in Osprey--a public school for gifted students.  In Sarasota, a new home in Arbor Lakes by Taylor Morrison was selected; in Venice - new homes in Caribbean Village built by D.R. Horton and Island Walk built by Divosta are the Buyers' choices.

I LOVE Buyers who purchase new homes and choose to work with me as the Selling Agent so we can go through this process together.  It's very personal to me because I was stung purchasing new construction out of state before I became a Realtor and learned the duties Realtors owe to their clients/customers--the first of which is honesty.  It makes me smile when a Buyer thanks me for my honesty. 

This week, I have received MLS notifications about price reductions, and no, I don't think that the economy is falling apart.  It's because the listing was overpriced to begin with and there are some real estate brokerages and their agents who typically overprice a home just to get the listing--this is so unfair to the Seller!  Michael Saunders and Company does not have that reputation in Sarasota!  Problem is that the most visibility a listing will get is the first week on the market, so overpricing a home means that it will stay on the market much too long, and when you lose the interest of a qualified Buyer, they are long gone....

My picks of the week:  Go to my home page http://www.LindaHrealtor.com and enter the MLS number to see photos.

1.  Luxury home:  7152 Point of Rocks Circle, $5,249,000.  MLS A4175408  
Six bedrooms, 4-1/2 baths, total square feet 6,338.  I know the Sellers and yes, I'd love to sell this one, even though it is not listed with my brokerage.

2.  Canal homes*:  1806 Caribbean Dr. MLS A4173966  3BR 2BA $450k; boat ramp
7833 Holiday Dr., MLS A4171370  3BR 2BA for $515k* (both on Tuesday tour)

3.  Gulf Gate*:  
2857 Gulf Gate Dr., MLS A4174722 2BR 2BA completed updated for $275k (on tour)

* These three homes will be on the Michael Saunders & Company tour Tuesday from 10 a.m. until noon.  If you stop in, please say that Linda Holley sent you!  :-)  

4.  Siesta Key:
1080 West Peppertree MLS U7801858, 2BR 2BA gulf side, renovated for $450k.  Peppertree is a fabulously maintained, upscale condominium community on the gulf and the bay.  Monthly dues are $573, built in 1974, and the rental policy is 1 month minimum, 4 times a year.  There is an on-site management office, underground parking, elevators, security, and a clubhouse that overlooks the beach!  I can help you as a Selling Agent, but this is not listed with my brokerage.

SO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO SELL?  Please pressure wash the front of your home, your lanai, clean your pool, and have your HVAC cleaned and serviced.  If you can, put in new granite counter tops. at least in the kitchen, and leave your furniture. Laminate flooring, while it looks new, also looks cheap, so for new flooring, I recommend tile and there are many fine choices, some of which resemble wood.   Most of the Buyers in Sarasota I see today are "snowbirds" here for the winter and they don't want to try to furnish a condo that will be used for rentals or their own seasonal use.  Clean out your closets so the Buyers can see how much room there is for their own things.  If you have a purse or shoe fetish, pack your 200 items away--get a storage facility for the things you don't need, Buyers are distracted and amused at these things when they open the closets, and they won't take the sale of your home seriously.   If you must take your furniture, stage it with at least a few pieces so Buyers can visualize how the space is used.  Replacing the kitchen appliances with stainless is always a good idea, and I recommend getting your home under warranty with American Home Shield--that is always a good selling point.  PLEASE DON'T TRY TO PAINT YOUR CABINETS...and If in doubt about the price and comps, get an appraisal and also a home inspection.  If you are working with Linda Holley, I'll reimburse you at closing.

Have an awesome day and please don't text and drive.

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley
Realtor, GRI
941-914-4914