What Recession? If It's Priced Right, It Sells!

So, I had been showing some homes in Heritage Harbour to a couple for the past month and a half or so. Although there are listings in Heritage Harbour, there are not many. The property had to be the right fit, and truth be told, there just is not a lot on the market. While foreclosures and short sales are still in the mix, many homeowners have simply opted not to put their home on the market because it just doesn't make sense. They are either underwater or are simply hoping for a better market. Thus, resales seem to be somewhat of an endangered species at the moment.

Perhaps one of the biggest winners in this equation has been the builder. However, for those homeowners that are able to put…

Ripe for Renovation, West of Trail, Sarasota, Florida

The last several days, I have spent some time with customers touring homes in the Ringling Museum District area, west of trail, in Sarasota, Florida. So what makes this Sarasota neighborhood so ripe for renovation?

For the customers I was working with, their target range was to find something in the mid 100's in this neighborhood. Their son was attending the Ringling School of Art and Design, and they saw the tremendous upside of the West of Trail homes nestled in the heart of Sarasota. In another time, this price range would have not even been a feasible consideration for property in the Ringling Museum District. However, with different times come different circumstances--different…

So What Does This Sarasota Five Star Realtor Award Mean Anyway?

Ok, Carol is not one to boast or brag about anything. But that doesn't mean I can't do the boasting for her. This is a BIG deal in Sarasota. This award is based upon a research initiative that compiles data from CLIENTS, PEERS, and INDUSTRY EXPERTS--all of which are basic pillars of success in any profession. Among these groups, she was selected based on a collectively expressed high level of satisfaction. Not surprisingly, this distinction is a select honor among Sarasota Realtors--only 7% of Realtors in the Sarasota market are bestowed this award.

Hey, every profession has its super stars and makes it known in a variety of ways. For example, the NFL has the Pro Bowl (and yes, the…

Bradenton Homes, The Harborage

Walk amongst nature, enjoy boating and canoeing, or take in some fishing ...The Harborage, located in Bradenton, Florida is a quaint community nestled along the beautiful Braden River.

Should buyers pursue Bradenton short sales (really, anywhere for that matter). Are they worth it? Yes. Well, no. But then again...maybe. Ok yes--sort of. Of all of the frustrating transactions to partake in, short sales pretty much take the cake. While the process is becoming more streamlined, short sales are still fraught with trials and tribulations that frustrate buyers, sellers, realtors, and lenders. So, the million dollar question is, are Bradenton short sales worth pursuing?

Yes, but only if you are patient and willing to accept the tenuous nature of the short sale process. On one hand, it is certainly possible if the sale goes off without a hitch and you get a tremendous value. Alternatively, you could end up wasting valuable time dawdling over…

In the past, I affectionately called the Sarasota/Bradenton area a "small town with big city aspirations", and this certainly still rings true today. On one hand, there are an abundance of stores, boutiques, restaurants, and services for just about everything you need. At the same time, it has that small town feel, which appeals to people trying to get away from the "big city." In my opinion, this atmosphere creates a perfect blend that satisfies the expectations for a multitude of different buyers.

Similarly, this analogy-that is, "a small town with big city aspirations"-can be dialed down in scope to a community level, and the juxtaposition of Heritage Harbour and Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton, Florida serves as a perfect example. About 20 years ago…

Ok, how about this for my first day of work in the new home industry in the Sarasota Bradenton market. Given my unfamiliarity with real estate, I thought that it only made sense that I would receive some in depth training. So, I rolled into my first assignment—selling single family homes in Heritage Harbour in Bradenton, Florida.  I met with my boss and he told me a couple of things and asked if I wanted to grab a quick bite to eat. Sure…ok, this was going just fine.

We continued to talk about the market. After all, it was 2007 and the Sarasota and Bradenton real estate market was in a free for all. Of course, no one at the time really appreciated the magnitude of this free fall and the recession that would soon follow. Grabbing a sub at Publix…

Some of you may be familiar with the historic district near the Ringling Museum. Truly, it is one of the most unique real estate areas of the country that I have seen (for better or for worse, I have lived in 5 different states). Why such an emphatic statement? This area has an incredibly diverse and eclectic assortment of older and newer homes ranging from the low 100’s to the millions of dollars. At first blush, maybe this actually turns you off. I get it. However, if you have the moxie to give a little love to an older home—or tear down the existing home and start afresh—then take a look. A somewhat quiet rebuilding renaissance is occurring in the Ringling Museum district, and now is the time to buy.

The historic underpinnings of the area stem…

Recently, I visited Palm Aire Country Club with my buyers to peruse the latest real estate listings. While I have typically gravitated toward newer communities, the buyers had expressed an interest in taking a look at this old Sarasota gem. In fact, someone had mentioned to me that Palm Aire is the oldest country club in Sarasota. I have yet to verify that fact, but it does make sense. Some of the homes, as far as I could tell from my research, were built as far back as 1973. 

With over 1300 homes, there is a lot of real estate to cover in Palm Aire. Nonetheless, the main street through the country club is Whitfield, and it harmoniously weaves through the midsection of the community. Best of all, the entrance is right off University Parkway. For those…

The Sarasota Bradenton Realty Team, comprised of long time real estate professionals Carol Marra and Robert Casella, launched their new website today! For those of you who are hearing about us for the first time, let this serve as our first hello. Really, the most important aspect of our business, especially in this market, can be summed up in the recitation of my favorite phrase: "winning by inches." Simply put, real estate professionals operating in today's environment represent the survivors of a tumultuous market, and they have survived by winning by inches with their customers. Indeed, the Sarasota Bradenton Realty Team has survived with our commitment to 1. Extraordinary Customer Service, 2. Meticulous Attention to Detail, and 3. Expert Local Market…