Sarasota News 
News about anything related to Sarasota, Florida
There are currently 32 blog entries related to this category.
Florida Spring Break Destinations
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 3:19pm. 154 Views, 0 Comments.
When people think of a premier spring break location their mind often ventures to the beaches of Florida, and with good reason. The climate provides a perfect break from colder conditions experienced throughout the United States. The getaway provides a much-needed break from college studies or a family work schedule.
Daytona Beach
This destination is not just for NASCAR fans. Twenty-three miles of beach provide the neutral zone between the ocean and the city. This zone is perfect for guests to meet others while enjoying hotel pricing designed to accommodate the college student’s budget.
Dancing, swimming, sun bathing and nightlife draw the crowds and develop the memories at Daytona Beach.
Orlando
Premier attractions await guests in Orlando. From Universal…
5 Vacation Spots in Florida
Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 9:43am. 221 Views, 1 Comments.
Florida has always been considered a premier destination for a memorable vacation. Fishing is tremendous on both sides of the state with the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic to the east and multiple lakes and streams inland. Some come for the amusement parks or stick around for the premier sports events that canvas the near tropical state. Others simply want a time to decompress from the pace of the everyday.
Whatever your interests you might just find what your looking for – in Florida.
Orlando
Known for its expansive amusement parks this city is a haven for more than fifty million tourists each year. Parks such as Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World often overshadow other well-respected attractions such as Islands of Adventures,…
CNBC names Sarasota, Florida one of the top places to retire
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 6:56pm. 423 Views, 0 Comments.
Check out this list of top places to retire by CNBC. Sarasota, Florida was named as one of the best places. I quoted them below:
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is perhaps one of the most popular retirement destinations in the most popular US state for retirees. Located on the Gulf Coast, Sarasota has 35 miles of beaches and offers residents opportunities from golfing to boating and gourmet dining. The town also offers a range of activities, including an opera, symphony, film society and a range of art galleries.One caveat about this destination is that because of its climate and natural surroundings, it attracts plenty of vacationers in the winter months. The area also finds median home values at $185,200, which…
Sarasota Foreclosure Facts and Misconceptions
Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 3:11pm. 404 Views, 0 Comments.
Misconception 1 - "I hear" only foreclosures and short sales are selling
* 3,161 properties sold in Sarasota and Manatee counties within the last 90 days. * Of that 3,161 properties 1,244 of them were foreclosures and short sales. They make up 39.5% of the market. The percentage of distressed property sales are declining. 60.5% of all sales ARE NOT distressed sales. Misconception 2 - "I hear" I can take 20%-30% off the list price of a foreclosure or short sale * The average sales price/list price of foreclosures and short sales is 96%. * The average sales price/list price of all properties is 93%.Misconception 3 - "I hear" that there are tons of distressed sales on or near the beach
* There are very few foreclosures and…
CNN Money - Sarasota, Florida is 28% Undervalued
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 6:41pm. 1590 Views, 4 Comments.
CNNMoney.com had an interesting article today about the most over valued and under valued real estate markets in the United States. You can read the article here or check to see the most over valued and under valued cities list.
Sarasota, Florida was the 18th most undervalued city in the U.S. They figure that we are 28% undervalued. In 2006 CNNMoney.com had a similar article stating that Sarasota was 56% overvalued.
10 most under valued cities
1) Las Vegas, Nev.
2) Vero Beach, Fla.
3) Merced, Calif.
4) Cape Coral, Fla.
5) Houma, La.
6) Port St. Lucie, Fla.
7) Warren, Mich.
8) Vallejo, Calif.
9) Stockton, Calif.
10) Modesto, Calif.
18) Sarasota, Fla.
10 most over valued cities
1) Atlantic City, N.J.
2) Wenatchee, Wash.…
Sarasota Bucks National Trend With Best Sales Report in 33 Months
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 1:32pm. 324 Views, 1 Comments.
The following was released by the Sarasota Association of Realtor:
With 648 total property sales reported in December 2009, the Sarasota real estate market saw the most closed transactions since March 2007, a 33 month span. Overall sales in December 2009 were also 52 percent higher than December 2008, when only 406 properties changed hands, and 70 sales higher than the 578 sales reported in November 2009. Median sale prices were also up last month for both single family homes and condos.
For the full year 2009, the trend lines have been dramatic. Monthly home sales have climbed to the high 500s and low-to-mid 600s, compared to 2008 when sales often dipped to the low 400s and even into the 300s. The overall number of closed sales in…
Home Buyers Misconception's
Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 1:26pm. 328 Views, 0 Comments.
I talk to home buyers on a daily basis and it seems that all of them are under the impression that you can get 25%-50% off of the list price of a home. Single family homes in the Sarasota area are selling on average for 94% of list price. Condos, on average, are selling for 92% of list price.
Here are 10 random sales that occured within the last 2 weeks:
| Asking Price | Sales Price | Sales Price/Asking Price |
| $1,975,000 |
$1,800,000 |
91% |
| $1,899,000 | $1,750,000 | 92% |
| $799,000 | $710,000 |
89% |
| $499,000 | $475,000 | 95% |
| $449,000 |
$396,000 | 88% |
| $399,900 | $360,000 | 91% |
| $295,000 | $265,000 | 90% |
| $260,000 | $240,000 | 92% |
| $215,000 | $199,000 | 93% |
| $159,000 | $150,000 | 94% |
8…
Sarasota, Florida Foreclosure Update
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 12:01pm. 542 Views, 0 Comments.
Looking for a Sarasota foreclosure or short sale? Here is this week's update:
New Bank Owned and Short Sales listed within the last 7 days
Sarasota county - 91 new properties
Manatee county - 75 new properties
Siesta Key - 1 new property
Longboat Key - 1 new property
Bird Key/Lido Key/Downtown - 1 new property
Lakewood Ranch - 10 new properties
Casey Key - None
Bank Owned Properties & Short Sales
Sarasota county - 1,120 properties
Manatee county - 920 properties
Siesta Key - 40 properties
Longboat Key - 28 properties
Bird Key, Lido Key and Downtown Sarasota - 51 properties
Lakewood Ranch - 115 properties
Casey Key - 3 properties
View all Sarasota foreclosures. Call us at 941.812.6272 to help you buy or sell in the Sarasota…
Why Own a Winter Home in Florida?
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 5:59am. 312 Views, 3 Comments.
Madison, Wisconsin has seen the greatest snowfall so far in the Midwest, with 18.5 inches. The region is warned of 'extremely dangerous blizzard conditions' as schools are closed, flights are canceled and delayed, and motorists are stranded.
Sarasota, Florida Winters
Where would you rather be in the winter?
94.4%
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 3:15pm. 237 Views, 0 Comments.
Buyers need to get it out of their head that they can get 20%-30% off the list price of a properly priced property. October statistics show that single family homes are selling for 94.4% of list price on average. Condominiums are selling for 92.4% of list price on average. View these statistics from the Sarasota Association of Realtors. Be careful listening to your "think they know it all" friend or relative telling you that Florida real estate is basically half off.
Notice above that I underlined the word properly. Sellers can't assume that their overpriced home is going to fetch 94% of an unrealistic list price. Remember, this number is an average so there are sales with 20%-30% discounts from list price but they are out weighed by those closer to…
