Sarasota Real Estate News

Palmer Ranch villa, 1,421 square feet, 2BR 2BA in maintenance-free Mira Lago listed for $260,000.  Built in 1990, no pool, with a water view from the kitchen.  Call me and I'll make an appointment for you.  Linda Holley 941-914-4914  HAPPY HOLLEY-DAYS!

Good morning, and thanks for reading my blog.  Please see www.PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com for many home-buying tips and information on new construction.    

Many of my customers are looking for maintenance-free communities in Palmer Ranch.  Some quarterly maintenance fees are low because the owners are responsible for repairing and replacing their roofs--and that can cost $30,000+.   My accountant has a favorite saying, "Pay me now or pay me later."  One of my favorite developments in Palmer Ranch was built in 1996 and quarterly fees are $844, but that includes only grounds maintenance without roof.  All of the homes sold the past six months have the original roofs (from the Seller's Disclosure posted on MLS) and of course, with the rain we have had in Sarasota, many homeowners are dealing with leaks.  At some point a homeowner decides to repair/replace...or sell and stick the new owners with the roof replacement, which may be right around the corner!  Buyers beware!

If you go to a new maintenance-free community, first of all, let me go with you!  We will discuss how long the roof is guaranteed, and I will be sure an attorney looks over the contract and we'll be with you if things are not looking just right during the buying process.  All developers and contractors are not reputable, and if you don't believe me, just check out my website and the button "About Linda"  and my first testimonial from my Expert Witness in a legal battle.   If you buy an older "maintenance free" property, I urge you to consider the cost of roof replacement.  The comps may or may not include sales where the owners replaced the roofs.  The good news for the owners is that they have enjoyed years of the lowest fees in the area without the Homeowners Association budgeting for roof replacement.  The bad news for buyers is that they will pay the cost to repair/replace roofs in the next few years.  Depending on your lifestyle and future plans, new construction makes a lot of sense!  You can pay $370,000 for an old home in Sarasota--with or without the upgrades--or a new home in Palmer Ranch with standard upgrades (granite and stainless steel appliances).  Thinking about security?  Some older maintenance-free communities have a gate with a code for entry--that every pizza delivery man and landscaping company has--and some have a guard gate with an individual to deal with before getting in.  While the listing says "security," there is a big difference.  It's true, I am still using a gate code for a "gated community" that I used to hold open houses there two years ago.  

Each day there are more new homes being built in Sarasota--Palmer Ranch, east of I-75, and also near University Town Center Mall...I'd love to take you to see them!

Most sincerely yours,
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI
Sarasota, FL