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        <title>Sarasota Real Estate Blog - Sarasota Real Estate News</title>
        <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/lido-key-news/</link>
        <description>Get your fill of the latest Sarasota real estate news. This Sarasota blog is updated frequently with homes for sale, recently sold homes and condos, market updates and plenty of other valuable information.</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/waterfront-short-sales-in-sarasota.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/waterfront-short-sales-in-sarasota.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Waterfront Short Sales in Sarasota</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Looking to enjoy the Florida lifestyle on the water? Here are 3 waterfront short sale in Sarasota, Florida.


Siesta Key Canalfront Short Sale





The home above is located on the immensely popular Siesta Key. It is a canal home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,096 square feet and was built in 1972.


Short Sale - Beautifully updated canal front 3 bedroom 2 bath home. Crown mouldings throughout and custom tray ceilings in the family room and living room with recessed lighting. Kitchen has top quality custom Fieldstone cabinetry, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and upgraded plumbing fixtures. Bathrooms have granite counters and upgraded plumbing fixtures. Large laundry room with undercounter washer and dryer. Great views down the canal while sitting on the outdoor patio with firepit. Concrete seawall and boat lift, just a quick 5 minute boat ride to the intercoastal.


Click here for more information and photos


Other Siesta Key Foreclosures and Short Sale


 


St. Armands Circle Short Sale





This waterfront home around St. Armands Circle offers 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4,393 square feet and was built in 1985.


470 North Washington Avenue


SHORT SALE! Location, location, location. Turnkey furnished home on the canal facing west on St. Armand's Circle. This home has four bedrooms and three full baths. Two master bedrooms; first floor master has sliding glass doors to the lanai and the second located upstairs taking over the entire second floor with fridge, desk area, and a private deck overlooking the canal &amp; pool. The open floor plan has a large living and dining room area with wide screen TV built in, and surround sound. Kitchen is fully equipped with an island and large seating area. Large double screen doors open to a screened in porch and lanai. Large two car garage and circular driveway.


Click here for information and photos


 


Botanica on Palmer Ranch





This lovely condo is located on popular Palmer Ranch. This new short sale listing in Botanica is not on boatable water.


SHORT SALE Impressive and dazzling former Jasmine Model. This elegant, tropically designed condo was decorated by Robb&amp;Stucky. Enjoy the private long lake view from the lanai. Close to the world famous white sand beaches of Siesta Key, Golf Courses and the cultural amenities Sarasota has to offer. The "lock and leave" lifestyle You Deserve in this Gated Community with Clubhouse and lushly landscaped heated Pool. Only 168 total units in 37 French Country inspired buildings. Monier flat tile roof, superior "SilentKnight" construction and double pane tinted windows add to your comfort and energy savings.


Click here for more information and photos


Give us a call at 941.812.6272 if we can help you buy or sell a property in the Sarasota area.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:57:20 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/sarasota-cheap-or-expensive.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/sarasota-cheap-or-expensive.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Sarasota - Cheap or Expensive?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Is Sarasota a cheap or expensive real estate market? I guess it depends on who you talk to. Someone coming from Manhattan might view this area as a bargain. Another buyer from Detroit, Michigan might view Sarasota as very expensive. It is all relative to what you are used to.


Sarasota vs. Vail


I am on vacation this in Vail with my family. Even though this is a vacation I am still observant when it comes to real estate. We are staying in the Lionshead area of Vail which is within walking distance to a gondola and a few chair lifts. It would be the equivalent of buying on the beach in Sarasota (Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key).


Our condo is in the Antlers condo community which is a nice 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom with roughly about 900 square feet. It has a good view but does not have a view of the ski mountain. I poked around on the internet a bit a found a similar condo for sale. You can view it here:





As you can see the condo is currently listed for $1,150,000.


I don't know the true value of this property but there is a quite a difference when you compare it to some of the beach condos you will find in Sarasota, Florida. I just sold this condo in Beachplace on Longboat Key. Let's compare.






    


 


Beachplace on Longboat Key


    


Antlers in Vail




Bedrooms 


    


 2


 


 2




Bathrooms


 


 2


 


 2




Square Footage


 


 1,503


 


 900




View


 


 Gulf of Mexico


 


 Vail Ski Mountain




Location


 


Walk to Beach


 


Walk to Ski Mountain




Year Built


 


1981


 


1972




Asking Price 


 


 


 


$1,150,000




Sales Price


 


$650,000


 


 






Let's see what you can buy on Longboat Key between $800,000 and $1,250,000. Here are 42 condos for sale. Assuming the views and locations are similar to the Antlers condos in Vail it looks like you get quite a bit more square footage and a superior condition for the same price.


I am not implying that Sarasota is too cheap or Vail is too expensive. I think these markets are only related in the sense that they are both vacation destinations. Someone looking to invest in a vacation property might be trying to decide between a fabulous condo on the beach in Sarasota or a spectacular property in Vail, Colorado. Analyzing both markets I think it is safe to say that Sarasota, Florida is quite a bit less expensive when you compare similar properties based on location, age, size and view.


Real Estate is Local


The point of the above comparison is to show that real estate is local. What happens in the Vail real estate market has little to no influence on what happens in the Sarasota market.


Be careful where you get your information. Because of the national news many buyers come to Sarasota with the idea in their head that the market is bad and they have all of the leverage. This is no longer true. Take a look at these articles:




Sarasota Sale up 8.2% in 2011


Cash - How Much Off?


50% Off?




Ultimately, the best source of real estate information comes from local sources like Realtors, Brokers and newspapers. We are more up to speed with what is happening in our market versus a reporter in another part of the country.


If we can help you buy or sell give us a call at 941.812.6272.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:40:36 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/cash-how-much-off.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/cash-how-much-off.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Cash - How Much Off?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 



This is a follow up to last week's post - 50% off?


Clients often ask us what kind of discount they can expect to receive in an all-cash transaction. Sellers love receiving cash offers and typically will discount their home a little more because of no mortgage headaches. However, the discount is not as great as most people think. Below are sales statistics in Sarasota county for sold properties in the last six months.


Sarasota County Sales in the Last Six Months




4,171 - Number of properties sold


2,628 - Cash transactions


63% of all transactions were cash


$5,250,000 - Highest sales price


$2,500 - Lowest sales price (could be a reporting error)


$206,474 - Average sales price


$119,900 - Median sales price


93% - sales price/list price




Cash transactions had an average discount of 7%.


 


Let's break it down even further by price range.


Sold Properties - $0 - $100,000




1,120 properties sold


$64,846 - average sales price


94% - average sales price/list price




Sold Properties - $100,001 - $200,000




770 properties sold


$141,690 - average sales price


94% - average sales price/list price




Sold Properties - $200,001 - $300,000




318 properties sold


$244,495 - average sales price


92% - average sales price/list price




Sold Properties - $300,001 - $500,000




238 properties sold


$379,115 - average sales price


92% - average sales price/list price




Sold Properties - $500,001 - $1,000,000




121 properties sold


$687,984 - average sales price


90% - average sales price/list price




Sold Properties - Above $1,000,001




61 properties sold


$1,765,794 - average sales price


88% - average sales price/list price




As expected, the higher you go in price the larger the discount. Properties over $1,000,000 have a 12% discount on average while homes under $100,000 only have an average discount of 6%


 What about the barrier islands? Do you see smaller or larger discounts with a cash offer? Let's analyze sold properties based on locations.


Siesta Key Sold Properties




211 sold properties in the last 6 months


131 or 62% of these sales were cash transactions


$448,753 - average sales price


90% - average sales price/list price




Longboat Key Sold Properties




122 sold properties in the last 6 months


83 or 68% of these sales were cash transactions


$710,310 - average sales price


89% - average sales price/list price




Lido Key/St. Armands Circle Sold Properties




22 sold properties in the last 6 months


15 or 68% of these sales were cash transactions


$889,752 - average sales price


92% - average sales price/list price




Bird Key Sold Properties




12 sold properties in the last 6 months


7 or 58% of these sales were cash transactions


$2,352,143 - average sales price


82% - average sales price/list price




Casey Key Sold Properties




11 sold properties in the last 6 months


9 or 82% of these sales were cash transactions


$1,465,556 - average sales price


80% - average sales price/list price




Downtown Sarasota Sold Properties




133 sold properties in the last 6 months


102 or 77% of these sales were cash transactions


$376,829 - average sales price


90% - average sales price/list price




Again, the higher end markets tend to have more cushion in their asking prices. Casey Key and Bird Key have an average discount of 80% and 82%.


I hope this clears up the mystery a bit about expected cash discounts. In the higher price ranges you can probably expect a 10-20% discount from asking price. This obviously depends on the seller's motivation level and other buyer interest. Properties under $1 million can generally expect discounts of less than 10% when paying cash.


Please give us a call at 941.812.6272 if we can help you buy or sell a home in Sarasota.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:14:53 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/how-much-off-foreclosures.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/how-much-off-foreclosures.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>50% Off?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 

 


Foreclosures....Bank Owned....Short Sales....REO's


These are popular buzz words in today's real estate world. We talk to buyer daily and often hear "Super Deal!", "Sweet Deal!, "Great Deal!" or something similar. That is perfectly ok. Today is a fabulous time to take advantage of the depressed real estate market.


How much can knock off these foreclosures and short sales?


Many home buyers come to Florida with the misconception that you can immediately take off 30-40% from the list price of these distressed properties. Let's see how much you can expect to get.


I ran a search on MyFloridaMLS to show me all single family homes and condos that are either foreclosures or short sales sold in 2011 in Sarasota county. Here are the statistics:




3,541 of these properties sold in 2011 in Sarasota county


Highest sales price - $2,875,000


Lowest sales price - $2,500 (could be a reporting error)


Average sales price - $143,432


Median sales price - $90,180


Average days to contract - 122


Median days to contract - 59


Average Sales Price/List Price - 96%




The average discount on all of these distressed properties is 4%.


 


Let's break it down even further by price:


Sold Price - $0 - $100,000




1,981 properties sold


Average Sales Price/List Price - 97%




Sold Price - $100,001 - $200,000




977 properties sold


Average Sales Price/List Price - 97%




Sold Price - $200,001 - $300,000




287 properties sold


Average Sales Price/List Price - 95%




Sold Price - $300,001 - $500,000




179 properties sold


Average Sales Price/List Price - 93%




Sold Price - Above $500,001




117 properties sold


Average Sales Price/List Price - 89%




 


Don't Judge the Deal by the Size of the Discount


Most buyers today judge the quality of their "deal" by how much the got off of list price. In their mind they are saying that if a seller comes off of their asking price by 20-30% or more then they are getting a great deal. This is not always the case. I have seen several buyers pay close to asking price yet still receive a great value. Be careful judging the value of your "deal" by how much you get off of list price.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:50:40 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/condo-on-lido-key-beach-for-sale.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/condo-on-lido-key-beach-for-sale.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Condo on Lido Key Beach For Sale</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I just listed a remodeled 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom condo in the Lido Regency building on Lido Key. This is the perfect place for those looking to escape the cold northern winters or a small weekend getaway to get from the daily grind. You can dip your toes in the Gulf of Mexico within seconds of this lovely condo.


1700 Ben Franklin Drive #4F


Luxury awaits you in this remodeled condo on Lido Key beach. Enjoy the Florida lifestyle in one of the least expensive beach front condos in Sarasota. Lido Regency residents are within a stroll or short drive to all of the fun at St. Armands Circle, south Lido Key park and downtown Sarasota. Golf and tennis facilities are just a few minutes north to Longboat Key. Upgrades include 22 inch porcelain tiles, berber carpet, new window and plantation shutters, granite countertops in kitchen and baths. You will love the quality of the Tommy Bahamas furniture that stays with this lovely unit. Building amenities include fitness center, swimming pool, jacuzzi and of course the long walking beach.


View more photos and information of 1700 Ben Franklin Drive #4F. Give Marc Rasmussen a call at 941.812.6272 for a private showing. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:21:20 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/sarasota-sales-up-82-in-2011-prices-stable.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/sarasota-sales-up-82-in-2011-prices-stable.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Sarasota Sales Up 8.2% in 2011. Prices Stable.</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
For the full year 2011, property sales of members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® jumped by 8.2 percent to 8,224, achieving the highest level since 2005. The surge in sales was accompanied by stabilization in the median sale prices, which now stand at $155,925 for single family homes and $156,800 for condos over the full year, and have not fluctuated much for the past 12 months.


Once again, the market has demonstrated that Sarasota is a destination of choice for many homebuyers. For the overall year of 2011, the resurgence in sales was dramatic, and represents a 44 percent increase over the low point of the downturn in 2008, when only 5,820 properties changed hands.


"This is really incredible news, and demonstrates how far this market has improved in only three short years," said SAR President Laura Benson. "Now, we also offer very affordable pricing. Combined with the high quality of homes and condos on the market, I think we clearly have the best values in Florida, without question."


Property transactions in the Sarasota real estate market jumped 7.3 percent in December 2011, compared to the November totals. Combined sales stood at 648, up from last month's figure of 602 and the October 2011 sales of 577. This sales resurgence has paralleled the drop in the available inventory, and put the remaining months of inventory in the range of a seller's market.


The inventory of available properties for sale in Sarasota was at 4,567 in December, down slightly from the 4,672 in November. The inventory fell to a 10-year low of 4,408 in August 2011. As the inventory has slid, the months of inventory has dropped and now stands at 6.3 months for single family homes and 9.2 months for condos. A figure of 6 months is considered equilibrium between a buyer's and a seller's market.


The December 2011 median sale price for condos recovered strongly to $150,000 from November's figure of $127,000. This was the highest level since August 2011. Condo prices have been fluctuating for several months, with the year-to-date median sale price at $156,800.


For single family homes, the median sale price dropped slightly in December to $160,000 from $162,000 in November 2011. For the overall year, the figures have remained remarkably steady, indicating a stabilizing market.


"There is a real sense of optimism and excitement returning to the market," Benson noted. "We're entering the height of the season, and the open houses have been bustling with energy and interest. Recent news of new home sales doubling in one community and setting records for annual sales in another are clear signs of the strength of the current market."


Pending sales were at 694 in December 2011, down slightly from the November 2011 number of 782. Last month, 504 single family homes and 190 condos went under contract.


Distressed property sales continued to represent a higher percentage than normal in the local market for the fourth quarter of 2011. In total, 41.7 percent of sales in the fourth quarter were distressed property sales (foreclosures and short sales). This was somewhat higher than the third quarter, when the overall percentage was 38.8 percent, but well below the market high of over 50 percent in the second quarter of 2010.


Median sale prices continued to show three distinct markets, with normal market transaction sales prices more than double those for bank-owned transactions. But the price gap has narrowed somewhat, particularly during the past two quarters. For the second quarter of 2011, foreclosed condos sold for a median price of $62,250, while market condo transactions saw a $270,000 median. For the quarter just ended, those prices were at $73,500 and $193,500, respectively.


"Realtors® and consumers have adjusted to the market realities, and it appears that pricing in all categories has become more reflective of the current conditions," said Benson. "We continue to watch and hope for a break in the distressed property cycle, and we anticipate the improving economy and lower unemployment rate will eventually bring these figures down to lower levels. The positive side is that our market offers incredible buying opportunities that won't last long."
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:17:54 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/southwest-florida-home-sales-and-prices-up.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/southwest-florida-home-sales-and-prices-up.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Southwest Florida Home Sales and Prices Up</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There was a good article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune newspaper on the 21st. I copied it below.


A sharp increase in November sales and median prices and a growing feeling that buyers need to act fast in order to get what they want is taking hold of the Southwest Florida real estate market.

Facing multiple bid situations at the low end of the market, buyers are finding their decision times have become compressed.


In Bradenton, investors are no longer trying to low-ball sellers and are offering what they think properties are worth, while in Sarasota, agents are getting tough with their customers.


"I told one client and his wife they needed to make up their minds about a house," said Ronnie Caron, who runs her own Sarasota agency. "If you continue to mess around, you're going to lose it."


Other clients passed on a condominium in the Village Plaza complex for one around the corner, and then raced back with an offer of $88,000 when they found that there were three competing offers on the other unit.


Other agents are seeing the same thing, and they expect that sense of urgency to ramp up as prime buying season approaches.


All told, 816 single-family homes were sold in the Sarasota-Bradenton market during November, a 17 percent increase from a year ago and a 2 percent rise from October.


In Charlotte County-North Port, sales were up 11 percent to 239 from a year ago and also up slightly from October.


At the same time, median prices shot up from October — by 11 percent to $152,100 in the Sarasota-Bradenton market and by 14 percent to $102,600 in Charlotte County-North Port.


The numbers reflect sales closed a month ago, which makes them a lagging indicator of housing market activity.


"I'm not surprised," said Michael Saunders, who owns one of the region's biggest real estate brokerages. "When you look at the months of inventory under $450,000 in Sarasota, there is only a 6.1-month supply of homes and condos. Add in the pending sales, and supplies under $450,000 drops to 4.6 months.


"It is no wonder that we're seeing a little bump in price," Saunders said.


She expects supplies to increase as banks put more short sales and foreclosures on the market.


"But if you look at the market for homes under $450,000, we need more inventory in that price range and I don't think the increase will have a negative impact on prices," Saunders said.


But the high end of the market is not experiencing the same recovery, though inventories have dropped. A year ago, there were 674 properties listed in the Sarasota market for $1 million or more. There are now 534.


"People have either decided to take properties off the market or they've sold," Saunders said. "But we still have approximately 25 to 30 months of inventory at this level. The higher up you go, the longer it takes to sell."


In Debbie Roth's backyard, speed of sales is not a problem.


An agent with Re/Max Alliance Group in Bradenton who concentrates on helping investors buy duplexes, Roth said smart buyers have stopped looking for bargains.


"They don't even bother asking about list prices anymore," Roth said. "They just drive around and when they see something they like, they offer the owner what they think the property is worth.


"These people know what things are worth," she said. "They realize most duplex buyers want West Bradenton locations and there aren't enough of them."


Recently a duplex came on the market for $47,900 and sold for $65,200, she said.


The return on investment for those properties is now so good that even if an investor pays $70,000, they can still make money. Rents are about $1,500 per month, "which is nothing to sneeze at," Roth said.


Like Saunders, she expects supplies to increase next year. Roth already is seeing banks ask for "broker price opinions," or BPOs, which occur before a lender puts more distressed homes on the market.


"But the supply will get eaten up pretty quickly, Roth predicted.


Roth and other Realtors expect an increase in short sales, a phenomenon that also might have a positive impact on prices.


"Banks are wanting to do more short sales," said Keller Williams agent Linda Formella. "That means more properties will come on the market in better condition and can be resold in a more timely fashion."


Formella said short sales sell at a premium to foreclosures, so if there are more short sales, the median will be that much higher.


"I think the residential sector is leading us out of the recession," said Tramm Hudson, the Florida president for Stearns Banks. "Neal Communities, John Cannon and Paradise homes are all seeing record sales and we're starting to see prices go up."


 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:51:28 -0500</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/season-starting-early-november-sales-up-127.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/season-starting-early-november-sales-up-127.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Season Starting Early - November sales up 12.7%</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
We are busy, busy, busy. It seems like the busy selling season is starting early. I put two Longboat Key properties under contract in the last 30 days. One of my client put a home under contract tonight. Karin Swanson has listed two properties &amp; put two properties under contract in the last 30 days. She also wrote an offer today that may result in a 3rd successful contract. Allison Werner has put two properties under contract in the last 30 days, received 3 offers on one of her listings and wrote another offer today. Shayla Twit put 3 properties under contract in the last month and is showing property every single day this week.


**** 12/20/2011 Update ****


Karin Swanson has been busy showing downtown Sarasota condos. Shayla Twit wrote another offer a few days ago. Allison Werner got her listing under contract and one of her buyers put another house under contract.


Because of the negative national real estate news many buyers still think they are holding all of the cards when it comes to buying Sarasota real estate. Inventories are down and the market is much more balanced.


**** 12/20/2011 Update ****


Today the Sarasota Association of Realtors issued the press release below.




November 2011 sales up 12.7 percent over last year


November 2011 property transactions in the Sarasota real estate market totaled 602, up 12.7 percent over last November. The total also exceeded the October 2011 sales figure of 577. The market has remained strong and stable as the winter season gets into full swing, reflecting continued confidence in Sarasota as a destination location.


In fact, the Today Show's real estate report from Barbara Corcoran in late November noted that Sarasota was one of the top recovering markets in the nation. Corcoran said Sarasota is a "beautiful beachfront community" that offers residents and visitors "a sophisticated, urban cultural experience" that is propelling sales and prices in 2011.


Overall, sales in 2011 continued on pace to exceed last year by a wide margin, and should put the Sarasota market at the highest level since 2005. In fact, at the end of November, overall sales were within 186 sales of exceeding all of last year. This sales resurgence has paralleled the drop in the available inventory, and put the remaining months of inventory in the range of a seller's market.


The inventory of available properties for sale in Sarasota was at 4,672 in November, up slightly from October's level of 4,525. The inventory sunk to a 10-year low of 4,408 in August 2011.


The November 2011 median sale price for single family homes rose to $162,000 from the October 2011 median of $149,838, a rise of 8 percent. This month's figure was also higher than last November, when the median was $160,100. The condo figure has been fluctuating for several months, and again dropped in November to $127,000 - lower than last month's figure of $143,000 and last November's figure of $159,000. The year-to-date median sale price was $155,000 for single family homes and $157,250 for condos. These figures have remained remarkably steady for the past year, indicating a stabilizing market.


"The Sarasota real estate market has retained traction, and we hope the brightening national economic picture will help maintain and even push this market higher," said SAR President Michael Bruno. "There is an encouraging sense of stability and strength in our market


Pending sales were up in November 2011 to 782 compared to last month's figure of 772 and last November's total of 764. Last month, 552 single family homes and 230 condos went under contract.


The distressed property market was relatively unchanged, but did drop slightly from 43 percent of the total market to 41.3 percent. At the height of the foreclosure crisis, that figure topped 51 percent in the second quarter of 2010.


"We were certainly happy to see that Sarasota was in the national spotlight on the Today Show, and in a positive way," said Bruno. "Very few communities in the nation can compete with Sarasota in terms of affordable home values, climate, culture, amenities and the wealth of properties offered here."


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            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:23:08 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/truliacom-inaccurate-data.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/truliacom-inaccurate-data.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>Trulia.com - Inaccurate Data</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Be careful using Trulia to find your next Sarasota home. I have noticed several inaccuracies on the website over the years. Here is an example:





 


Above you will see a screen shot I took from Trulia that shows a listing in Palm Bay Club on Siesta Key for $500,000. However, there is no such listing in the community (here is everything for sale). Trulia has this property listed as MLS#A3935725. If you search our actual MLS system you will see a condo for sale in Island House on Siesta Key. Below is a screen shot from this website showing the property. So not only does Trulia show a listing in Palm Bay Club that does not exist but it also provides an MLS# that goes with a completely different property.


 





 


You will probably find innacurate information on almost any real estate website. However, it seems more prevalent with the national real estate sites like Trulia, Zillow and Movoto. In the Palm Bay Club listing above Trulia shows the source as HomesandLand.com. That is most likely the source of the error. When you pull your data from various sources you are relying on those website to be accurate. Obviously, they aren't.


LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com pulls it data directly from MyFloridaMLS.com. This is the MLS system that Sarasota Realtors use to find and list property. It is the most accurate source.


Why Some Realtors Hate Trulia


I don't really hate Trulia. Even though some of their data is innacurate I think they have done a great job with their website.


Some Realtors really have a problem with Trulia's business model. In a nutshell here is how it works. Realtors spend their time, energy and money to get listings (home sellers). They put those homes and condos for sale on the MLS system. Trulia pulls the listing data from the MLS system as well as several other sources in an effort to attract visitors and buyers to their website.  Trulia then sells buyer leads and advertising back to the Realtors (even to the ones who listed the property in the first place). I happen to think it is quite clever but not all Realtors are big fans.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:54:43 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/new-listings.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/blog/new-listings.html</link>
            <author>marc@luxurysarasotarealestate.com (Marc Rasmussen)</author>
            <title>New Listings in Sarasota, Florida</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 



I just added some New Listings pages to the website. These pages will be very useful for those looking to stay on top of the Sarasota real estate market. My site and these pages are updated several times a day so you are sure to receive fresh information. Below are the links to my new listings pages:




Sarasota New Listings


Siesta Key New Listings


Longboat Key New Listings


Bird Key New Listings


Casey Key New Listings


Lido Key New Listings


Lakewood Ranch New Listings




Give us a call at 941.812.6272 if we can help you buy or sell a property in the Sarasota, Florida area.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:59:04 -0500</pubDate>
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