Are you a Canadian homeowner in Florida? Or are you a Canadian homeowner in other states?
I love my Canadian sellers and buyers! Canadians wanting to sell should call Linda Holley for a complimentary market analysis at no obligation. My last Canadian clients currently live in Toronto and Halifax. See my Realtor testimonial below!
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate Sarasota and Siesta Key 941-914-4914
Testimonial from Canadian Client:
"Linda answered our email within an hour of the listing being posted on Realtor.com and she secured a viewing that same afternoon. That same afternoon, she worked with us to place an offer and by early evening the contract was executed. As cross-border clients, we can’t say enough about how efficient Linda was in leading us through the necessary steps to complete the purchase. She addressed all our concerns, offering solutions and onsite support to allow us to reach a mutual agreement with the sellers thus enabling a clean and timely closing. Linda’s kind and professional manner were key to our moving forward with confidence and certainty. We knew that we were in good hands." Galen and Krista
Insurance carriers are readjusting pricing, so there are more options for homeowners and lower premiums. Home replacement costs are up, so if the structure is damaged, the insurance company does not use the market price to calculate claim payouts. The home is rebuilt to the same condition in the policy before the damage. Companies use "replacement cost estimate." If one remodeled their kitchen, they must have informed their insurance company of the updates to be adequately compensated for future claims. Major property changes go unreported so homeowners should have that conversation with their insurance agent. Insurance carriers also need to know if it is a primary or seasonal-use home.
During a remodel, homeowners should get a builders risk policy because the homeowners policy does not cover.
Mortgage rates are now 6-1/4% and low 5's if buyer is willing to pay a point. If rates drop, can refinance for just $700. When the "feds" meet again, not sure what Chairman Powell will say. Is he concerned about inflation?
Sarasota real estate market statistics for December 2025: For single family homes, sales are up 34% since October and the median price stayed the same.
Sarasota Condos: It's a buyer's market, and the prices fell 11% since October although sales are up.
Siesta Key single family home median sales prices declined, and prices continue to drop for condominiums. There are over 12 months of inventory, which means that if nothing else comes on the market, it will take 12 months to sell Siesta Key condos on the market today. So it's definitely time to buy.
Our William Raveis affiliates for title, insurance, and mortgage are the best and buyers will get a $500 gift after closing for using our awesome partners.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, Sarasota and Siesta Key
941-914-4914
Attorney Pandl will also discuss Powers of Attorney, Last Wills & Testaments, Probate Avoidance, and will answer any questions you may have.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, 941-914-4914, Sarasota Real Estate
Attorney Al Pandl, Pandl Law PLLC 941-548-1071, Venice, FL
There are currently 344 condos on the market in downtown Sarasota, 31 under contract, and 95 sold the past 180 days.
Here are the 7 communities bringing buyers - and most are cash.
I'm happy to find your new home in Sarasota or sell your current home.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, 1516 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
#1 Luxury Brokerage in the US 941-914-4914e USA
1. First: Pack, move and unpack kitchen, baths, and closets in Phase 1. This way, the "essentials" are in place before the furniture is unloaded.
2. Map out where furniture will go with sketches on 1/4" graph paper. This decreases the chance of moving heavy furniture twice.
3. Decide where your area rugs will go when sketching out rooms, then when moving in, lay the rugs down first before placing furniture.
4. You can move rugs to a different room in the new home. Today's den rug may be perfect in the new master bedroom.
5. Locate wall art and accessories together in the new home, and then after rugs and furniture are in, "shop" your art gallery and try to see your pieces in different areas.
6. Ask a friend to help you place your art. They will see your art pieces objectively and will likely have some good suggestions. Pro tip: when hanging wall art, hang it so that the center of the art is 63" off the floor.
7. Beds are a priority and the first items off the truck should be the mattress, bed, and bedding. Make up your bed early on and don't wait until the end of the moving day when you are exhausted.
From At Home, Marni Jameson, Herald Tribune contributor.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, 6021 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Florida, 941-914-4914
1. 'Winter's Dream' at Sailor Circus Arena. "The greatest little show on earth," presented by longest-running youth circus, Sailor Circus Academy, for the 76th year. Student performers, age 6-18, in this festive seasonal circus celebration. Come watch them fly and soar, 2 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Monday. Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, $20-$40; 941-355-9805; circusarts.org.
2. Lights in Bloom, Sarasota's Selby Gardens. More than 2 million lights illuminate the gardens and walkways of its downtown Sarasota Campus. 5:30 p.m. for early entry, and 6:30 p.m. general entry, through Jan 3, excluding New Year's Eve and Day. 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, $34-$44. $29-$39 members. 941-366-5731; selby.org.
3. Wonderland and Holiday Fun at University Town Center. Sarasota celebrity high-wire artist Nik Wallenda's annual holiday-themed circus show. Featuring Wallenda and comic daredevil Johnny Rockett and former Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus ringmaster Ty McFarlan. University Town Center, which also has numerous ongoing holiday happenings of its own: ice skating rink; nightly light shows, horse-drawn carriage rides, Thursday through Sunday, free outdoor holiday movie screenings "Toy Story" and "Rise of the Guardians" respectively Friday and Saturday, and Saturday night fireworks. For more info, visit mallatutc.com/pages/holidaysatutc. Through Jan 4, 191 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, ticket prices vary; 941-260-1705; wonderlandcircuss.com
Happy Holley-Days and Happy New Year!
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, Sarasota and Siesta Key, FL 941-914-4914
Citizens, the "state's insurer of last resort" proposes a rate decrease, the first in a decade. Citizens recommends an average 2.6% rate decrease for non-commercial property insurance lines, saving some customers hundreds of dollars (subject to state regulator's approval). South Florida's southernmost counties (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Monroe, Broward) will pay about $400 less when their policies renew in June 2026. These areas are historically the storm-battered areas in Florida. "The bad old days of Florida's insurance crisis are well in the rear-view mirror," say leaders of the industry.
However, not all Citizens policyholders will get a break...rates for customers in Manatee and several other counties will rise slightly. The 14% previously expected increase for 2026 will be approximately 7 percent for those counties. This comes as many private insurers are dropping their rates, too.
Personally, I use and recommend State Farm Insurance and have been very satisfied, but they are selective. Single family homes must have been built in 2009 or later. For condominiums, the year built is not an issue, but the condo must be for primary use and may not be on the water.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, Siesta Key and Sarasota, FL 941-914-4914
"The Best Move of Your Life."
Here's what Chief Economist Elliot Eisenberg, PH.D, says about Florida's real estate market:
Buyers have leverage especially in the townhome/condo market as prices fall and inventories rise.
Home prices are declining across much of the state per Freddie Mac. About 1/2 of the US metros with the largest housing price declines are in Florida.
Despite softer housing prices, Florida's economy remains strong, and population and job growth continue.
Florida home sales are likely to improve if mortgage rates fall below 6%.
Sellers should price strategically and rely on local market data, not past trends.
For the full report, please click the link below, Third Quarter Market Statistics
Thank you for reading my blog, and please let me know if I can answer any real estate questions or assist you with home buying and selling in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, 6021 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242 and 1516 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-914-4914
Third Quarter Market Statistics
Siesta Key Beach real estate - gulf-side villa just a few steps from the beautiful white sand, 2/2, renovated, Siesta weekly rental, generating $30-$50K annual income. $699.9K. Will go live in MLS the end of next week.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, 941-914-4914, William Raveis Real Estate, 6021 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
As a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), I'm an experienced real estate contact for international buyers. Florida is a top location for global transactions, which are complicated. As a seasoned Realtor, my clients say that I eliminate confusion in home buying, and they trust my advice and recommendations. Foreign buyers want and need accurate, timely data for decision-making.
MLS in Foreign Countries: India is the 4th largest group of foreign buyers in the US, and Latin America also has a large buyers' investment group. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is working with UCO to implement their own Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system in India. France and Abu Dhabi and other countries will follow.
Tariffs: In August the trade deficit fell 24% and imports are down 5%. Economists believe that there will probably be a negative impact on the US dollar, which is the reserve currency in the world. When tariffs were introduced by the current US administration, it has affected some countries' US reserve currency.
Currency Exchange in Real Estate Transactions. I recommend foreign buyers get a quote from a bank and also an international payment provider to avoid unnecessary fees. MoneyCorp did $101 billion last year. Recommend foreign buyers open an account and once they are here, they can use this account for expenses.
Swiss Franks may be a safe haven for foreign currency until buyers are ready to purchase; at that point, the money is converted and sent to another country for a transaction. MoneyCorp does this. Buyers do not need a US bank account set up an account and their money can be held in Swiss Franks for years. The beauty is that MoneyCorp is not a bank, they are an international money provider. They just exchange the money, getting it from Point A to Point B, and transfer it quickly to the US for real estate closings.
Americans are buying abroad...top destinations are Dominican Republic and Granada because of the economy, cost of living, and medical care. I have contacts in different countries and will be happy to connect you anywhere across the globe if you are interested in buying or selling a home.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, CIPS, SRES, William Raveis Real Estate, 6021 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, Florida, 941-914-4914
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