Hello, and thank you for reading my blog.
Today, I'll share new policy guidance for Florida real estate sales, but first...please stay safe and well, and for those who have lost loved ones from COVID-19, my deepest and most sincere condolences. For our medical professionals, law enforcement, and first responders in harm's way, please know how much you are appreciated by everyone.
We are still listing and selling homes throughout Florida with new business practices. Florida's governor ordered that real estate is an essential service. For those who must sell, buy, and show properties, the below information may have answers to your questions.
If you would like to know more about real estate in Sarasota, Nokomis, or Venice, Florida, please call Linda Holley. 941-914-4914.
Alternative Virtual Business Practices During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Sellers with Active listings must make the property available to show--but they may opt out of in-person showings and offer virtual showings instead.
Exclusive Live Video Showings — Agents can facilitate a private, live video tour. Video calling platforms can be used for private conversations that are not open to the public like a live stream open house would be.
Live video conferencing gives potential buyers the opportunity to ask the agent questions in real time and ask to see specific features of the property live.
Unbranded Pre-Recorded Walk-throughs/Virtual Tours —As in the past, sellers can offer virtual tours instead of in-person showings. Links to unbranded virtual tours may now be advertised in the listing.
The new acknowledgement form for showing properties is summarized below:
Corona Virus In-Person Access Acknowledgment
Signed by Seller and Buyer
Seller acknowledges that agent may bring potential buyers to their property.
Potential buyer has asked to personally see the property.
With in-person showings, there are unavoidable risks associated with the COVID-19 virus and contact with or near other people or things.
Potential buyer will use their best effort to minimize the health risk to themselves and others, including the seller.
Potential buyer and seller agree:
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, PalmerHouse Properties, Nokomis, Florida 941-914-4914
Thoughts and prayers to the Bahamians, and others on the US east coast affected by Hurricane Dorian. Close to 2,000 people read my blog last week, so I'm pleased that the hurricane preparedness information provided by our affiliate, BK Insurance, was helpful. Next weekend I'm traveling to Nova Scotia, Canada, where Dorian is headed today.
Real Estate Trivia:
According to TrendGraphix, here's the real estate statistics for the last 12 months - August 2018-2019 - all types of homes:
Sarasota County - Average Price of Homes Sold: Aug 2018: $358K, Jan 2019: $386k; Aug 2019: $354k. Months of Inventory: 4, 8, 3 (same period). Note! winter-time increases in prices and inventory.
Siesta Key - Average Price of Homes Sold: $896k; $804k; $858k. Months of Inventory: 10, 18, 7 (same period).
Venice/South Venice: Prices: $302k, $316k, $296k; Months of Inventory: 4, 7, 3 (same period).
Palmer Ranch (zip code 34238): Prices: $369k, $332k, $389k; Months of Inventory: 4, 10, 4. (same period).
City of Sarasota (zip code 34236): Prices $652k, $1 Million; $762k; Months of Inventory: 9, 17, 8 (same period).
When someone asks, "How's the real estate market in the Sarasota area?" Your answer is: "It depends on the area and time of the year." You may explain that generally, things are about the same in Sarasota County as far as prices and inventory over the past 12 months.
Take the discussion to the City of Sarasota and how our downtown area is booming. And on Siesta Key, there are many luxury homes on the water that take longer to sell, which really skews the data. In Sarasota County, the 2019 inventory and prices peak during the winter months and come back down in the summer and fall.
You can also say that NOW is the time to buy because prices are at a low point, but will go back up during the season - and Sellers will likely get close to their asking price. What is perplexing to me is that the basic economics theory of supply/demand does not apply here in Sarasota during the winter months. Inventory goes up, as well as the prices.
Additionally, during the summer and fall, many builders reduce their prices of their spec homes, so now is definitely time to shop around for a new home. By the way, I'll need to go with Buyers before they connect with a new community, otherwise, I can't help them through the buying process. That may not seem important because those new home real estate agents are so nice and excellent sales people. There is much they don't say - like what were the last sales in that development? Have they had recent price increases or decreases? When will the county come by to inspect framing? (New home buyers need their own independent inspector of the framing AND punch list items before the builder and county do their own. I reimburse Buyers for those independent inspections that are so necessary...)
NOW is the time to find a professional, experienced Realtor if you plan to make a house-hunting trip to Sarasota this fall and avoid paying $20k or more in rent. Think about this: If you are planning to buy after you get here, you have thrown away your rent money, plus the prices could increase as much as $30k.
Call Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, at 941-914-4914 for more information about Sarasota real estate and visit my home page at www.LindaHrealtor.com. I have a mortgage calculator and also home search feature on my home page for you to start looking around.
Selling your home? I would love to send you information about staging your home to sell. Photography is everything: Examples of great staging and photography: 1078 Eisenhower Drive, Nokomis and 5439 Azure Way, Siesta Key; Homes that are priced right sell quickly. Both of these properties were impeccably maintained, beautifully decorated, and the Sellers priced their homes to sell. I have also reimbursed Sellers for roof inspections and appraisals, which helps during contract negotiations when "lowball" offers come in. Thinking of updating your kitchen? A good rule of thumb as far as pricing is $35k. See beautiful kitchens below.
Have an awesome week and please pray for those affected by Hurricane Dorian. And Hurricane Charlie hit the east coast of Florida, came across to the west coast at Port Charlotte, and hit the Gulf of Mexico picking up steam, before slamming into Florida and Alabama, where my mother lived at the time.
Most sincerely yours,
Linda Holley
941-914-4914
1078 Eisenhower Drive, Nokomis, FL 34275
5439 Azure Way, Siesta Key, FL 34232
March New Home Tour. Tour new home developments from Sarasota to Naples each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For serious buyers only, mortgage prequalification required. This may be worth scheduling a trip to Florida if you are not already here. For more information, call Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, 941-914-4914, Michael Saunders & Company, Sarasota, Florida.
My Burt Reynolds is an 11-year old Cocker Spaniel and it's time for a fenced yard for my little man, so I'm out looking at homes for us. I've been an investor and now Realtor over ten years but I must keep reminding myself not to get excited and waste everyone's time looking at homes I can’t afford. I must do my homework first, but that’s not as much fun as seeing homes.
Step 1: Mortgage Prequalification. I knew what my limit was last fall, but the rates have gone up, so I can afford $30K less today with conventional financing. FHA is still a good deal with a lower down payment, and I qualify for $30k more than conventional. I wasted two days looking at homes I could not afford this week before I got the numbers from my lender. The homes I loved—and THOUGHT I could afford--were not on the FHA HUD list. When I was a new Realtor, I NEVER took people out unless then had a letter of prequalification, it's just good business. And in Atlanta where I began my real estate career, knowing who your clients are and that they have been checked out is a matter of safety. And oh my goodness, please use a well-known, reputable mortgage professional, by all means!
Step 2: Lifestyle/location. Where do I want to live? Do I want to be close to Siesta Key where my office is and where I do most of my business? Do I want the convenience of taking lunch to my grandchildren or surprising them in the morning with Dunkin Donuts before school? Or do I want to buy an affordable single-family retirement home with a nice yard for Burt Reynolds in Venice, 30 minutes away? I found four lovely possibilities yesterday with updated kitchens and baths that were under $200k, homes that would absolutely be out of my price range in Sarasota. Do I want yard work combined with the pleasure of taking my 30 patio plants and creating a beautiful large deck? Do I want to pay someone to cut my grass, and pay higher water bills? Do I really want an extra bedroom for house guests?? Living in a small place does have its benefits! Question here is that will Burt or my grandchildren be the deciding factor where I choose to live? I'll keep you informed!
Step 3: Permits: Before I look at the homes on my list, I know the age of the roof and HVAC. Those are high ticket items that must be considered when looking at comparable properties. Don't get me started on nightmares of work being done without permits or permits not being closed, which holds up closing!
Step 4: Homeowners Association/Condo Fees. Find out from your lender how much you can afford. Are the water, trash, pest control, roof maintenance/replacement and grounds maintenance included?
Step 5: Credit Score. Last fall, I was shocked at three errors on my credit report and I worked for two months to get them cleared up. This takes time, so keep up with your credit report and credit score.
Step 6: New Construction. There are many good homes in good areas, but be careful with the builder incentives. You may get $5,000 in upgrades if your use their closing company and lender, but it's been my experience with Buyers that the interest rates and closing fees are higher than the fees charged by a lender who is not affiliated with the builder.
Step 7: Credits at Closing. Buyers can a credit for closing costs, appraisal, and inspections. For a $200k purchase, I'll ask for a $5k credit from the Seller.
Step 8: Crime Reports. I was looking at a community bulletin board and found a notice about a stolen vehicle last week. That happens everywhere, but it reminded me that it’s my responsibility to get the crime reports from the Sheriff’s Department and check sex offender registry before putting in an offer.
Step 9: Survey: If I purchase a single family home, I'll be sure to get a new survey because if there are title defects, that may cost me in the future and it could affect the future marketability of the property.
Step 10: Addendum L: I'll use the Right to Inspect/Right to Cancel Addendum in the contract, which gives me the opportunity to cancel during my 15-day inspection period. Maybe the roof was replaced five years ago but if it has been leaking and repaired, that's a problem. The regular contract will not allow termination if everything is in "working order." Addendum L is just an extra security measure I always use for Buyers. Some Realtors for the Sellers don't like and try to strike - and sometimes "forget to put it back in the contract package when signed by their Seller." Yes, that happened to me recently in a condo that I just sold, but I always insist on Addendum L!
I'm here and happy to help you find your new home on Siesta, or in Sarasota, Nokomis, or Venice. New listing: 5855 Midnight Pass #217, Siesta Key, Harbor Towers, Unit 217, 2BR 2BA, Intercoastal view, $410k. See my home page at www.LindaHrealtor.com for mortgage calculator and other helpful real estate information.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI
Michael Saunders & Co.
5111 Ocean Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-914-4914
Good afternoon and thank you for reading my blog. Today’s blog will feature four listings by Team Dunn: our newest listing is a single family home in Nokomis near Nokomis Beach! Other Team Dunn listings are below - and there is something for everyone!
Just Listed! Classy and Convenient
1078 Eisenhower Drive, Nokomis
Soak up the morning sun beside the pool on an oversized screened lanai boasting entry into the master bedroom, living room, and dinette area, an alluring space for private solitude or to entertain a crowd.
3 bedrooms | Split bedroom plan | Custom updates $369,900
· Open floor plan perfect for entertaining
· Volume/vaulted ceilings
· Separate dining room/office
· Anderson hurricane-impact windows
· Custom plantation shutters throughout
· High-end KraftMaid maple custom kitchen cabinetry Soft-close drawers, quartz counter tops
· Freshly painted exterior
Click here www.1078EisenhowerDrive.com for Tour
5439 Azure Way, Siesta Isles, Grand Canal, Siesta Key
3 bedrooms | Canal Home | Deep Boating Water | $1,074,900
Click here www.5439AzureWay.com for Tour
5875 Snowy Egret Drive, Sandhill Preserve, Palmer Ranch
3 bedrooms | Built in 2015 | $749,900
Click Here for Tour
7036 Woodside Oaks Circle - near Siesta Beach and Gulf Gate
2 bedrooms | Light and Bright | Perfect winter retreat $274,900
Have a great weekend and call me if I can help you with your real estate needs in Nokomis, Sarasota, Gulf Gate, or Siesta Key.
Linda
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Michael Saunders & Co.5100 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242Phone: 941-914-4914Email: LindaHolley@MichaelSaunders.comwww.LindaHrealtor.com
Good morning,
Thank you! According to Google Analytics this morning, a total of 9,738 people read my blog the past 30 days, and 622 entered my website, LindaHrealtor.com, through my blog posts (under Home tab). There are many pages with helpful real estate information, but my blogs are, by far, the most popular. It shows what I’ve been up to in real estate the past 3 years, good or bad.
Good news! I have joined Team Dunn with Siesta Key’s Michael Saunders and Co. My teammates, Lin and Maurice, are among our company’s top agents and are THE BEST in marketing and negotiating; they have received the 5-Star Client Satisfaction Award for 8 years. Together, Team Dunn offers of 50 years’ real estate expertise to the Sarasota community. I’m very excited!
Team Dunn and I worked together to market and sell 5302 Cape Leyte Drive in Siesta Isles, just a short walk to Siesta Key’s public beach. That home is under contract today, and we close next month. Friday, I pulled the neighborhood statistics for Siesta Isles, and here’s what I found: This home was under contract in 76 days, and the average days on the market is 74 days. It has some very nice updates, a newer roof and HVAC, plus it was very clean and clutter-free. The Seller listened: they got an appraisal, and we had a range for negotiating purposes. Buyers saw this home at one of my open houses. BUT current listings in Siesta Isles have been on the market 167 days, and if I were one of those Realtors, I would be very worried and talking to Sellers about price reductions, because most of these homes are much farther from the beach than our Cape Leyte listing. My marketing material going out to that neighborhood this week will recommend getting an appraisal if a resident is thinking about selling. It’s about location, location, location, and on Siesta, “How far do I have to walk before my tired toes are in that beautiful, warm white sand?”
Thinking about relocating to Sarasota? I recommend it! My family relocated here from Atlanta, and it’s simply an awesome place to raise a family. The schools are excellent, and there are wonderful recreational facilities, parks, and performing arts. Most of the jobs here are in education, the service industry or medical field. When I first came to Sarasota, I could not sell real estate (because I was involved in a 3-year lawsuits, with contractors and realtors in the southwest over some ski condos that I invested in), so I did a variety of things until we settled the cases. I was a Kelly Girl and had some cool assignments all over town, and in between, I “drove Miss Daisy” to medical appointments and did home health care at some very nice rehabilitation centers. People should not tell me that they can’t find a job, because I worked during the recession in a new town. Some of this will be in my book about my lawsuits, Motion to Intervene, that will be available in Barnes and Noble and Amazon this fall. Thinking about buying a new home? Wait for my book and you’ll know how to check out the contractors and Realtors and why I recommend using an attorney to review contracts and for closing.
Millennials are 34% of home buyers and over 66% plan to purchase a new home within the next 5 years. They are better informed about their options than any other generation before them. They will buy a $200 pair of jeans after they try on 67 different pairs. The way that they shop for homes is no different--and they prefer to work with real estate agents.
Getting your home ready to sell? Here’s how to make your home more attractive to Millennials:
Make all necessary repairs and upgrades before listing.
Consider updating kitchens and baths - these have always sold homes, but now they are more important than ever.
Do an energy efficiency audit and make upgrades anywhere you can, including solar panels.
Consider upgrading any old appliances.
Install smart home features like programmable thermostats.
They prefer open floor plans, home offices, and good internet/cell services.
Since more than three-quarters of Millennial home buyers find the listings online, good photography is everything. They drive by first, and then contact a realtor to make an appointment.
Most get their down payments from their parents, so negotiating a Seller credit to Buyers at closing will appeal to Mom and Dad—who will probably come along on the showings.
(How Millennials Are Changing the Housing Market by John White, Founder and CMO, Social Marketing Solutions@juanblanco76)
Linda’s List!
Below are my picks for this week – to see photos, go to LindaHrealtor.com and enter the MLS number beginning with “A” in the Home Search field. Call me if you are in town and want to see!
A4189950, Siesta condo – 6266 Midnight Pass Road, #404, Excelsior Condominiums, gulf view, 2 BR 2BA, $749,000, 1,253 sq ft, pet-friendly, furnished with washer/dryer. Great rental! Listed by Team Dunn.
A4169402, Whitfield Estates community near Sarasota Bradenton Airport – European charm: 1198 Longfellow Way, Shadybrook Village, 3 BR 2.5 BA, 1408 sq ft, price reduced to $139,000, updates, landscaped front entry, gated outdoor living area, furnished, new HVAC, pet-friendly (up to 100 pounds). Listed by Team Dunn.
Thinking about listing your home? Now is an excellent time! I hold Open Houses all year, but I meet local Sarasota residents this time of the year. A local friend and customer pointed out that locals don’t get out as much during the winter when our seasonal residents are here. We wait until there is less traffic and there’s a shorter wait time at restaurants. So don’t be afraid to put your home on the market this summer or fall, because there’s a good chance your Buyer is already here.
That’s all for today, please don’t text and drive, and do call me at 941-914-4914 if I can answer your questions about Sarasota real estate, Siesta condos, or homes in Venice, Florida. “Check me out on Facebook”
https://www.facebook.com/LindaHolleyLLC/
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Team Dunn, 5100 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, Florida 34242, Michael Saunders & Company
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