September 2010

So you're planning a move to Sarasota, but it's not exactly next door to where you currently live? Maybe you are in Florida or maybe you are clear across the country, but how do you manage to take the time necessary to really check out the real estate market in Sarasota? 

The answer is - rent a Florida timeshare! Timeshare rentals are very budget friendly, and also offer a real "home away from home." While you are concentrating on finding the right house to purchase you need to be staying somewhere that will allow you to remain relaxed and in a good frame of mind. That is not the definition of a cheap motel room, or even a hotel that might be nicer but is also more expensive, and just about as cramped.

A timeshare is like an apartment or condo -…

How have the Longboat Key condos weathered this real estate storm? Some claim that these higher end properties have not dropped all that much while others cry huge drops. Who is right?

I ran a search for all sold Longboat Key condos in 2005 and so far in 2010 and compared the numbers. See below:

Longboat Key Condo Sales in 2005

• 349 condo/townhouse/villa sales from 1/1/2005 to 9/25/2005 (i removed noticeable errors, boat slips and The Colony condos)
• Lowest sales price - $253,000
• Highest sales price - $5,950,000 (L' Ambiance)
• Average sales price - $896,039
• Median sales price - $700,000
• Median $/sq. ft. - $522
• Average days to contract - 93

Longboat Key Condo Sales in 2010

• 175 condo/townhouse/villa sales from 1/1/2010 to 9/25/2010 (i removed…

Seaplace Longboat Key condo community is a fabulous place to live or own a vacation residence. This is one of the more affordable beachfront options on Longboat Key. Seaplace is a large complex of 455 units on 42 acres on the beach. All residents are within seconds of the gorgeous beaches and soothing Gulf of Mexico. People looking to spend on the lower end of the price spectrum should view the Seaplace condos.

Seaplace Longboat Key Condos For Sale

As of September 22, 2010

• 29 condos for sale
• Lowest asking price - $269,000
• Highest asking price - $669,500
• Average asking price - $450,017
• Median asking price - $459,000
• Average $/sq. ft. - $375.33

Seaplace Longboat Key Condos Sold

• 11 condos sold in 2010
• Lowest sales price - $226,000
• Highest…

Sarasota, Florida recently ranked #2 in U.S. News and World Report's report Where to Buy a Home for Less than $800 a month. They examined housing costs on a monthly payment basis. They took the National Association of Realtors' median home price data for the second quarter of 2010. After subtracting a 20 percent down payment from a market's median price, we plugged the remaining figure into a mortgage calculator using a 4.32 percent interest rate on a 30-year fixed loan.

Here are the top 10 real estate markets to find a home under $800 a month:

1) Austin, Texas

2) Sarasota, Florida

3) Albuquerque, New Mexico

4) Minneapolis/St. Paul:

5) Columbus, Ohio:

6) Phoenix, Ariz.:

7) Columbia, S.C.:

8) Boise, Idaho:

9) Pittsburgh:

10) Atlanta:

Here is…

Looks like a nice place to live doesn't it?

Here is the view from unit 104 in the above building. It sold in January 2010 for $665,000. It had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1,819 square feet.

This is a photo of the one of the buildings that faces the beach and Gulf of Mexico. These units have fabulous water views. To view what is currently for sale go to Beachplace Longboat Key. This page as well as all others are updated daily. Visit Longboat Key condos if you want to see everything on the island.

Beachplace Condos For Sale

• 13 condos currently for sale
• 2 condos under contract and waiting to close
• Lowest asking price - $429,000
• Highest asking price - $899,000
• Average asking price - $629,187
• Median asking price - $612,000
• Sizes…

The buzz words in real estate today are bank owned, foreclosures and short sales. You can hardly read anything about real estate in the news or on the internet without hearing these words. They have a dramatic affect on the Sarasota Florida real estate market. To view what is actively for sale visit Sarasota foreclosures.

Sarasota County Foreclosures/Short Sales in August 2010

• 615 sales in August 2010
• 168 bank owned sales - 27% of total sales
• 140 short sales sold - 23% of total sales
• 308 distressed sales - 50% of total sales

Manatee County Foreclosures/Short Sales in August 2010

• 460 sales in August 2010
• 165 bank owned sales - 36% of total sales 
• 89 short sales sold - 19% of total sales
• 254 distressed sales - 54% of total…

I receive the occasional email or call from someone looking for a foreclosure on Longboat Key. If there was ever a time to look for one it would be now. You are almost silly not to inquire about them. However, when you do a search in the MLS for them you won't see a plethora of them. Take the Lakewood Ranch area for example. There are 356 properties for sale in that area. 100 of those properties are short sales and 18 of them are bank owned. You don't see those numbers in the Longboat Key market. Visit Longboat Key foreclosures to view bank owned and short sales currently for sale. Below are some statistics:

Longboat Key Foreclosure Sales

Fairway Bay Longboat Key is a fabulous bayfront condo community behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club. The community is made up of 4 midrise condo buildings and Mediterranean style townhouses. The condos in the mid rises have spectacular water views. Owners can relax on their terraces overlooking the water while they enjoy a tasty meal, read a good a book, have a drink with loved ones or just sit and watch for marine life. The townhouses offer owners spacious units, high ceilings, large terraces, private garages and lush landscaping.

Residents of Fairway Bay also have easy access to the beach. Owners can either walk, ride a bike or drive to the private Bay Isles beach club with private parking, bathroom facilities and storage. It is great place to…

Looking to relocate to the beach or in need of a fabulous beachfront condo to escape the harsh winters? Below are five Longboat Key condo communities where you can spend less than $500,000 and be on the beach. Now might be a great time to start your researching. View the latest Sarasota real estate market update information. Inventories are trending lower while pending sales and sold properties are up. If these trends continue the market will be more seller friendly.

Longboat Key Condos

Longboat Key, Florida is a magnificent place to live or enjoy the winters. This 11 mile long barrier island is surrounded by the beautiful blue water of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota bay. Snowbirds come to this island paradise to play in the water, walk on the beach,…

Luxurious. Beautiful. Relaxing.

On the south end of Longboat Key sits the 181 unit condo community of Sanctuary Longboat Key. This is a fabulous place to call home or to own a vacation beach condo. Many of the units offer gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico and Longboat Key beach. Imagine waking up to the soothing sounds of the Gulf and enjoying your morning coffee overlooking this island paradise.

Sanctuary Condos Market Update - 2010

• 8 sales in the Sanctuary from 1/1/2010 - 9/12/2010
• Prices range from $795,000 - $1,695,000
• Average price $1,162,500
• Median price - $1,092,500
• Average days to contract - 151

Sanctuary Condos For Sale

• As of September 12, 2010 there are 8 wonderful condos for sale in the Sanctuary
• Price range - $899,000…