Sarasota Schools

I received calls from 2 different people this last week who found me through my website. They are contemplating a move to Sarasota. They both requested more information about Sarasota Schools and were surprised that I did not have more information on my site. So I built this page - Sarasota county schools.

Happy Birthday to me!

I usually don't work on my birthday but I just finalized a contract yesterday for a client who is buying a unit in Arielle on Palmer Ranch. They need the condo docs before they fly home today and also want to take photos of the condo they are buying.

I have been working a couple from the Keys for a few weeks now. I am going to show them a couple of places today.

Finally, I have to get a few signatures from another client who is buying a gorgeous 3 bedroom/2 bath unit overlooking the Sarasota Bay in The Renaissance.

You can tell it is our busy season here. ;-)

Gulf Gate home for sale

I am listing a 2 bedroom/2 bath house this week in Gulf Gate. New windows, new kitchen cabinets, new granite countertops, new 16 inch tile laid on a diagonal, St. Augustine front yard installed last week, bathrooms updated. $349,900 For more information and photos go to Gulf Gate home.

Home sales continue to cool

Listings are up across the region, but prices appear to be holding steady for now.

By MICHAEL POLLICK and STEPHEN FRATER
michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com
stephen.frater@heraldtribune.com

A national cooldown in the housing market made itself felt in Southwest Florida, pushing sales down 16 percent in the Sarasota-Bradenton market and down 6 percent in Charlotte County-North Port during 2005.

The weakness was even more pronounced during December, with sales dropping 42 percent in the Sarasota-Bradenton market and 25 percent in Charlotte County-North Port compared with the same time last year.

Meanwhile, listings in the region have been skyrocketing.

In the most up-to-date snapshot for Sarasota, for example, there were 5,369 homes on the market. That compares with 3,525 at the end of November, the Sarasota Association of Realtors reports.

Industry insiders blame the shift in the local market in part on the flight of speculators and investors, estimated to have been as much as one-third of real estate players in recent years.

Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.sarasotaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060126/BUSINESS/601260399

The slowdown was coming and we all knew it was inevitable. It does not make sense for the real estate markets across the county to continue to go up 20-40% a year. I am happy it has slowed down. It is now a more balanced market. The Sarasota real estate market is only taking a breather. This will allow us to eventually move to higher ground. Remember the fundamentals - a large group of people are retiring and planning a purchase in the warmer states.

Siesta Key lot near Shell beach

I just listed a buildable lot on Siesta Key near the beach for $674,900. Build your dream home within a few steps of Shell beach. Build high enough and you can have a great view of the ocean and bay. For photos and more information go here: Siesta Key lot.

And you thought Sarasota real estate was expensive

Here is an article about a real estate investor in Palm Beach breaking ground on a 5.5 acre parcel on the beach that he plans to sell for over $100,000,000. That number is correct - one hundred million. When you look at a list of higher end cities of Florida. Sarasota home prices continue to look very attractive.

Home for $100,000,000.

Owners' Web Site Gives Realtors Run for Money

Here is an interesting article about a successful FSBO (for sale by owner) website in Madison, Wisconsin. It will be interesting to see how successful they will be now that the market has changed. The Sarasota real estate market and most other parts of the country were in a sellers market. I imagine their success came from the lack of homes and condos on the market. Going forward I don't think discount brokers or FSBO's will be as prosperous. I could be wrong.

Much of the general public thinks that Realtors charge too much for their services and that we are overpaid. You would be amazed at the numerous expenses we have in this business. 7 out of 10 real estate agents quit the business in the first year.

http://www.sarasotaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060104/ZNYT05/601040696

Floridians optimistic about the real estate market.

Here is a link to an article about Floridians being optimistic about the real estate market.

One part that I thought worth noting was,

"Yet, other economic news suggests that Florida will weather a national slowdown. Over 1000 people a day move to the state, with nearly 440,000 new residents expected next year. Florida has one of the lowest unemployment rates, 3.5 percent, well below the national average of 5 percent. The home ownership rate is 77 percent, well over the national average of about 70 percent. Further, aging boomers and other retirees want to live in warmer climates, making the activities and casual lifestyle of Florida appealing. "

I am optimistic about the real estate market. Of course, we were due for a slow down but I see prices leveling off a bit or going up at normal levels.

http://realtytimes.com/rtapages/20060102_doubledigit.htm