Sarasota Real Estate News

VillageWalk and 7548 Pesaro Drive, Palmer Ranch, Sarasota, Florida, 34238.

7548 Pesaro Drive is a 2-bedroom, 2-bath maintenance-free villa with volume ceilings, two-car garage, and a central vacuum system.  This home has a privacy fence, and it's on a quiet tree canopy-lined street very convenient to the back gate.  The HVAC and water heater are newer and there are plenty of storage closets for those desiring to live here year-round. 

The large utility room has very nice overhead cabinets plus an extra large storage closet.    

Photos below show new granite countertops and stainless appliances in the kitchen, upgraded glazed porcelain tile, and a large raised, covered lanai with an added wall for even more shade and privacy.   Sellers spared no cost with their upgrades.  These villas were built with concrete walls for safety and protection during hurricanes, barrel tile roofs and paver brick drives.    

VillageWalk Trivia:  Just 15 minutes from Siesta Key Beach, the #1 beach in the USA, near the Legacy Bike Trail, fabulous restaurants, YMCA, Costco, and in the Riverview High School district.  

Palmer Ranch is a newer, upscale community between Sarasota and Venice with many new homes in all price ranges, offering full-time and seasonal residents an active and healthy lifestyle.  VillageWalk is a self-contained village with a manned security guard 24 hours a day.    Built by Divosta in 2002-2003, this resort-style village offers lap & lagoon pools, six Har-Tru lighted tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness center, gas station, Cafe', gift shop, and even a hair salon.   So much to do here!

VillageWalk has close to 1,200  single family homes, town homes, and villas.  About 200 original owners are still there today. 

In the past six months, 58 homes have sold or are under contract, and half of the sales are villas.  Contact Linda Holley, Team Dunn, 941-914-4914, for an appointment to see the lovely villa at 7548 Pesaro Drive in Sarasota, Florida.

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Team Dunn,

Michael Saunders & Company, Siesta Key, FL

Posted by Linda Holley on April 15th, 2019 9:40 PM

Hello everyone,

3,150 read my blog last week - thanks!  The fastest selling areas in Sarasota are discussed below.  I'll also share moments as I am “making a point to make a difference” this holiday season by paying it forward as mentioned in my previous blog. 

According to the home sales pending in Sarasota, the two top zip codes are: 34231 (Gulf Gate area), and 34238 (Palmer Ranch) 27 percent are new home sales in Palmer Ranch.

What's so great about Gulf Gate and Palmer Ranch?  Restaurants, proximity to Siesta Key, shopping, schools, and location, location…just 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota.  I worked with Buyers who just purchased a new townhome in Promenade at Palmer Ranch and was thrilled when they asked me to assist them in their purchase--from beginning to end.  They listened and hired a private, independent inspector to come in prior to the framing inspection by the county and again prior the builder's walk-through a few days before closing.  All items discovered by the inspector were cheerfully corrected by the builder. 

Paying it forward:  While waiting in line to at Walgreen's to ask the pharmacist a question, a young lady came up to a different window, and called the pharmacist over.  I thought to myself, “Hey, I was here first!”  I checked her out: young, cute, clueless; but then I started to listen to what she was saying.  She was very worried: "Can he take this medicine now, how much does it cost?"  I was calming down thinking that this is a young mother buying medicine for a sick child.  She left, and I stalked her - found her on the aisle picking up cough and cold medicine for her little son.  I told her that this holiday season, I’m helping people by “paying it forward” and would it be ok if I bought her child's medicine?  She was shocked but thrilled, and hugged me in tears.  She said, "I work at a fast-food restaurant and see this all of the time, and finally someone is doing this for me."  We walked out to the parking lot together and she said he had been in ER two days earlier and did not seem to be getting better.  Now I find myself wishing I had done more for this young family. 

My Scrooge is obviously a germaphobe, but no, I did not get the flu from her hug.... but washed my hands as soon as I got home! 

Today I was in the office of my ophthalmologist to pick up a free sample and there was a young man ahead of me (taking up too much of MY time again)!  After a few minutes, I moved over beside him and listened...he finished his business and said, "Where can I go to pay on my bill?"  Scrooge said, "This is crazy, you are spending too much money this year!  Stop!"  I moved up closer to him and quietly said, "This holiday season, I am paying it forward and would like to help you with that bill."  The very happy look on his face was worth ten times more than what I gave him...and I said to him, "Pay it forward!"  He nodded and left with a big smile, headed for the billing department to pay on his bill with the cash I slipped him.  The free sample of eye drops that I was given by my doctor was worth five times more than what I offered this young man.   Maybe after a while, my Scrooge will go into hibernation!

Life is not easy for so many right around us.  Open your eyes and your hearts, “make a point to make a difference” this holiday season.   I know I made a difference in the lives of two people this holiday season, and you can too.

Best regards,

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, Michael Saunders & Co.  941-914-4914

Go to my home page at LindaHrealtor.com for mortgage calculator and my listings.

Posted by Linda Holley on December 7th, 2018 7:34 PM

Linda’s List!  This week, there are three must-see properties on my list.  The first is my Open House today at 5302 Cape Leyte Drive on Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida 34242 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m.  $639,000. Photos are on my website www.LindaHrealtor.com.   Single family home is centrally located between Siesta public beach (rated the number one beach in the USA) and the Village, in the heart of Siesta Isles.  This 2-bedroom plus den or home office has an open floor plan and a beautiful view all the way from the front door to the back yard--a tropical dream with 22 mature palm trees on nearly one-third of an acre.   Den or home office also serves as a guest room with a sleeper sofa.   This home boasts of a garage and large, east-facing front patio to enjoy the morning sun and west-facing eat-in kitchen, den or home office overlooking a covered screened lanai with two concrete decks for beautiful, relaxing sunset views, and perfect place to entertain.  Plenty of room for a pool or addition.  Other features:  large walk-in closet in the master bedroom and many updates to include wood cabinetry in the kitchen, hurricane windows, new hurricane garage door, and a newer AC.   Very warm with welcoming plenty of storage space to keep your household items and tools organized.  VERY CLEAN and turnkey furnished – a must-see!  Deed restrictions make Siesta Isles a very appealing location to call home.   CORRECTION MY LAST BLOG:  The porch/back lanai is screened, not glass, and this single family home has hurricane windows.  MLS A4180498

1753 Dawn Street, 2BR condo, walk to Crescent beach on Siesta, beautifully updated, $210,000. Furniture optional.   MLS A4180000 Listed by Michael Saunders & Company

554 Dove Pointe, Oaks Golf and Country Club in Osprey, FL, 3,509 sq ft pool home, listed for $979,000.  4BR plus den, spacious kitchen, quality finishes, expansive outdoor living area.  MLS A4179513 Listed by Michael Saunders and Company.

Please go to my website:  www.LindaHrealtor.com and search for these properties by entering the MLS number in the home search field.

VA Loans!  Did you know…?

I can help military members and veterans find their new home, negotiate a deal, and refer them to lenders who know how to process these loans?

- 75 percent of military families say that owning a home is one of the most important things to them when they return home from service.

- Most military members and veterans do not quality for conventional loans due to the down payment requirement. 

- VA loans have lower closing costs, lower interest rates, and flexible underwriting. 

- Members serving in the Reserves or National Guard are eligible for VA loans after 6 years of duty.

- They may borrow up to $417,000 without a down payment in most parts of the country.

- They can use their VA loans multiple times and they can have multiple VA loans at the same time depending on the amount of the entitlement used in the first home. 

- There are no pre-payment penalties.

- It’s important to connect with a lender who understands the different rules and how they are applied--and to work with a realtor who knows what closing costs the veteran may and may not pay.  That’s important when negotiating the best deal with Sellers!

- The VA backed 630,000 loans in 2013, up 370 percent from 2007!!  That is simply awesome!

- The VA Centers in Sarasota are looking for volunteers so if you have a few hours a week to spare, this is a very worthwhile way to give back to our veterans.

Have an awesome week and do call me at 941-914-4914 if I can assist you with home buying or selling in Sarasota, Palmer Ranch, Siesta, or Venice, Florida.   Need a good realtor outside of this area?  I’ll connect you with the best through our Relocation Department.

Most sincerely yours,

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI

Posted by Linda Holley on March 19th, 2017 9:14 AM
Homeowners Reap Remodeling Benefits Whether Selling or Staying - says the National Association of Realtors.  The report indicates that 35% of US homeowners would rather move to a new home rather than remodel; and 38% of the homeowners upgrade because their surfaces and materials are worn out.  Many homeowners really enjoy living in their newly updated homes and that is certainly an option to selling.  

When selling, the return on investment for remodeling projects rankings, highest to lowest, are, #1 Complete kitchen renovation, #2 kitchen updates, and #3 bathroom updates.  Upon resale, refinishing hardwood flooring returns 100% of the investment, upgrading insulation 95%, and new wood flooring returns 91%.  If you are a Buyer, please keep these things in mind when making an offer.  

What turns Buyers off first, in my experience, is wallpaper, vintage counter tops, and old appliances.  These things are not that expensive to remove or replace!  Buying a home is like falling in love, and we all know how important it is to make a good impression.  I showed a property yesterday that was occupied by a former smoker and that's going to hurt in terms of what this Buyer will offer because the smell needs to be remedied.    I showed another home on Friday where the Sellers were present (never a good idea), and they watched t.v. while the Buyer and I walked around old furniture, clothes and junk.  It would have taken six months to get that property ready to put on the market, and in that case, the property would have shown better vacant and unoccupied by the Seller.  
Go to my website: PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com and find tips for getting your home ready to sell.  Enjoy your week!

Most sincerely yours,
Linda




Posted by Linda Holley on January 18th, 2016 12:57 PM
Over the past 12 months in Sarasota, Florida home prices are up 6%; the total number of homes sold/pending is up 11% and our inventory of Active listings has decreased by 7%.

This is contrary to what you are hearing in the media that existing home sales are down.  According to the National Association of Realtors, closings may have been delayed in November as the industry adjusts to the new "Know Before you Owe" rules imposed on lenders, so they will likely close in December.  

Here's what's happening in Sarasota, Florida home sales:  The market was strong during the summer, but our best month in 2015 was April, and that's no surprise as our seasonal residents decide they do not want to rent the next time they spend their winters in Sarasota.  

Thinking about selling your home?  If you do not have granite counter tops and stainless appliances, that's a good place to start because that's the first thing Buyers look for.  If you really want to sell quickly, you can modernize your kitchen by opening up walls.  Will you recover all of the money you spent on renovations?  No, but it will definitely help sell it and you will recover some of the costs.  As a minimum, service your AC, put old pictures, Grandma's knick-knacks and afghans in storage, and repaint.  Don't think that Buyers will want to choose their own colors--just trust me on this--they want something that looks modern and ready to move in.   Stains on the carpet?  Maybe it's time to think about putting in hardwoods.  These are the things that sell homes and I know the professionals in Sarasota who can make that happen for you.

It's also good to hire your own home inspector and take care of the repairs yourself, so there are no surprises for your Buyers.  This year, I had Buyers cancel a few contracts after they received the inspection report!   To facilitate smooth contract negotiations, I also recommend that you get your property appraised.  I will reimburse you the cost of your home inspection and appraisal at closing if I list your property, so please keep that in mind.  

Do you need to sell your home in another area before you buy a home in Sarasota?  I'm connected with the best realtors throughout the country, so let me recommend an experienced professional with the right credentials who will do a good job for you.

I'm here to help, whether you are a Buyer or Seller.  Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, 941-914-4914
Posted by Linda Holley on December 29th, 2015 1:32 PM
Dear Mr. Seller:

I brought you saavy cash Buyers for your home and prepared a contract with standard Florida contract addendums to protect these Buyers by giving them time to get an appraisal  and researching flood insurance.  You struck through these two addendum forms in your counteroffer, but the Buyers went along with that.   You asked both the Listing Agent and Selling Agent (me) to reduce our commissions by 1%, and both realtors agreed to credit you approximately $10,000 each at closing.  

The bank's "Proof of Funds" for this cash transaction was not worded to your liking, so in good faith, Buyers offered to put up a 50% deposit, ten times higher than the 5% recommended.
 
Your listing stated that your home was fully furnished but you wanted to keep the master bedroom set, living room, family room, and guest room furniture.  The very kind Buyers went along with this, too, because they loved the home and wanted to work with you.

However....within days of coming under contract...

I learned that you had dropped your termite protection four months ago, and the baiting stations were removed.  

Your Listing Agent said that all three air conditioners had been recently replaced; however, only one was.

The final straw!  The Buyers' inspector found several leaks in the roof and several windows were rotting out--plus other problems that were not disclosed in your Sellers Disclosure.  The Disclosure form you filled out and signed in December 2014 failed to identify the flood zone that the property is in, the roof leaks, and the damaged windows.  Failing to tell the truth in the Sellers Disclosure was the final straw for these Buyers.     

Buyers terminated the contract yesterday because they felt that you have not dealt with them in good faith.  

You purchased the home several years ago while the market was "hot," hoping for a high price on your luxury home, hundreds of thousands in excess of the local comps.  The property has been on the market almost 1,000 days.   

Better luck with your next deal and happy I won't be seeing you in court with these Buyers.

Most sincerely yours,
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI
www.PalmerRanchLindaHolley.com

P.S. Buyers and Sellers Beware!  If you are thinking about selling your home, please take the Seller's Disclosure requirement seriously...it's the law and legal battles are expensive!
Posted by Linda Holley on October 6th, 2015 6:33 PM
"Sarasota Lauded as Third-Best Small City for Retirement," July 14, 2015, Herald-Tribune article, NerdWallet Accolade Report.  Sarasota is #3 behind Fort Lee, NJ and Bethel Park, PA, based on home prices, health care providers, location within the state, taxes on Social Security benefits, median household income growth, unemployment, and access to public transportation.  

Michael Saunders & Company consistently holds the market share of home sales in Sarasota in all price points.  

New Homes in Sarasota:  There are currently 169 new homes listed in MLS and 226 new homes sold the past six months in Sarasota, so new homes are HOT!  Yesterday, I toured new homes, and communities are popping up almost anywhere a developer can get land.   John Cannon custom homes are being built east of Lakewood Ranch ten miles out for $1 million+ (The Concession, golf community built on an acre) and another D.R. Horton community is going up off Bee Ridge Road east of I-75 starting at $535k (Vilano) built on 1/4 to 1/3 of an acre.  

Best Selling New Homes in 2015, based on the most homes sold, pricing from the least expensive on the market today and quarterly owner dues/assessments:    

Palmer Reserve - A Ryland Homes community, single family homes, Fruitville Rd east of I-75, $329,000, $312/quarterly dues
Woodbrook - Neal Communities, single family, University Blvd/Lockwood Ridge west of I-75, $234,000/$354 qtr dues
Arbor Lakes, A Taylor Morrison community, single family, Palmer Ranch, $370,000/$398 qtr dues
Sandhill Preserves, A Divosta community, single family Palmer Ranch, $350,000/$750 qtr
Cobblestone, A Taylor Morrison community, mixed use, Palmer Ranch, $337,000/$817 qtr dues
Esplanade, A Taylor Morrison community, mixed use, near Siesta Key, $459,000/$970 qtr dues

In the analysis of quarterly dues, some of the fees may cover only a playground or a park, while other community amenities include a fitness center, resort style clubhouse, heated pool(s), cable, internet, water, trash pickup, building insurance, pest control, and a dog park.   

Palmer Ranch is a very popular area for people relocating to Sarasota due to the close proximity to Siesta Beach and Nokomis Beach, and Buyers get a "bigger bang for their buck" compared to Siesta properties that are generally smaller and built in the 70's.  Siesta Key and Nokomis Beaches are only 15 minutes away from Palmer Ranch.  Of course, it's all about location, so the Neal community and Ryland homes listed above are popular from a price perspective, not distance to Siesta or Nokomis beaches.

This Sunday and next I'll be in Palmer Ranch, Botanica subdivision, holding an open house at 7408 Botanica Parkway, a 3 BR 2 BA Sandalwood model. almost 2,000 sq ft, listed for $310,000, 1 car garage, second floor (no elevator) with view of the preserve, and next week I'll be at 7467 Botanica Parkway, 1,600 sq ft, ground floor condo, garage, with a full lake view from the screened lanai., a 2 BR 2 BA with den listed for $289,000.  The beauty of Botanica condominiums is that this community is TOTALLY maintenance free, which includes basic cable, water, sewer, roof/building exterior maintenance, roof repair and replacement, mowing, trimming, landscaping, and the structure is insured by the homeowners association.  A gated community, owners are responsible for only the paint on their walls, personal property, and utilities.  The Association is responsible for the sheet rock, building, electrical, plumbing; the quarterly dues are $1,600-$1,700.

Mira Lago is a fast-selling established gated community in Palmer Ranch that is also TOTALLY maintenance free.

Two important points to remember:  I recommend that (1) you have your own Realtor with you when you enter a new home sales office or Open House and (2) that you have your contract reviewed by a Florida attorney.   To be on the safe side, I recommend that Buyers pay the Title Insurance because they receive free legal representation through the entire buying process.  I use the Law Firm of Icard Merrill in Sarasota, (Attorneys Steve Greenberg and Natalie Greenberg) for my closings and my closings have been seamless and trouble-free with happy Buyers.  Attorney Greenberg and his daughter Natalie are very thorough, they have resolved some important issues for Buyers, and kept one deal together for me.  Here's what happened...we noticed an active termite infestation with an "As-Is" contract after our inspection period expired.  So we made the Seller pay to have this million dollar home tented, treated, and warranty the work.  The Seller tried to wiggle out of paying the bill at closing...Not!  I did my research and found that the home was treated for termites after the home was put on the market, but the Seller did not update the Seller's Disclosure statement to reflect the live termite infestation and treatment, which is illegal.    Another situation was when Buyers for a Short Sale property wanted to terminate their contract and we did so for good reason within the allowed time.  Although we had many inquiries from the bank's Title Company, they finally backed away because we were within the legal requirements and contract provisions.  These are only two good examples of why I believe that Buyers need legal representation throughout the entire buying process--and in a new home, it's even more important from my own personal experience!  There are property surveys to review, and what if the Seller/developer is in default of the contract?  A realtor can't and shouldn't try to provide legal advice, but what if your gut instinct tells you things are not looking just right and perhaps you need to terminate the contract and get your deposit back?  You could be risking tens of thousands of dollars!   You use an attorney if you need a will or a divorce, so I believe you should also use an attorney when you spend a quarter million to a million plus dollars on a home.

Whether you are looking for a condo on Siesta Beach or Palmer Ranch, or a single family home anywhere in Sarasota, I'm here to assist.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Most sincerely yours,

Linda


Posted by Linda Holley on July 17th, 2015 8:23 PM

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