Downtown Sarasota Bystanders gather watching a crew take apart the famous (or infamous depending on who you talk to) waterfront landmark statue "Unconditional Surrender" for repairs by the artist. For those who are unfamiliar with the statue, it is a lively sculpture of a navy sailor and a nurse celebrating the end of WWII located at the Sarasota downtown waterfront. The statue was recently damaged after being struck by an errant Mercedes (only in Sarasota!).
Damage from the accident cause a 3-foot hole in the sailors foot and additional hairline cracks to the sculpture's frame. New Jersey Artist artist Seward Johnson by it's owner Jack Curran. The statue though very large at 26 feet is made out of a thin aluminum skin and must be moved carefully on it's way to being repaired.
Those lucky enough to have direct bayfront views from one of the luxury condos dotting the downtown waterfront may have mixed feelings about the removal of the statue as there was some controversy when it was decided to keep the sculpture at this prominent location for a decade. Many Sarasota residents adore... ...read full post
Two important indicators point to a market in recovery:
1) listing inventory is continuing to decrease
2) pending activity is significantly stronger than last year.
The decrease in listing inventory from last year is due in part to increased sales activity coupled with the continued decrease in REO inventory. This drop in inventory has led to a six-month supply of homes, which traditionally signals a market in equilibrium.
Absent a resurgence of REO inventory, the increased demand from our upcoming season will shift the market to a seller's market. REO specialists and other industry experts still predict an increase in the number of REOs entering the market in the coming months, which would counter this trend.
The significantly stronger pending sales compared to last year indicate a strong buying season ahead. The 2010-2011 buying season was the first healthy activity this market had seen in years, and the upcoming 2011-2012 season appears positioned to surpass that performance.
The lower inventory and strong pending activity indicates prices should remain stable if not rise slightly in the short term. The main influence to counter that trend would be the addition of additional REO inventory to the market.
RE/MAX Alliance Group continues strong performance with both sales volume and transactions almost 25% ahead of last year. In September alone, RE/MAX Alliance Group saw an increase of 24% in transactions and an impressive increase of almost 50% in sales volume when compared to last September..... ...read full post
Associates Ranked Among “The Thousand” by WSJ and REAL Trends
Three RE/MAX Alliance Group associates have been named among America’s top real estate professionals by the Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends. They are now members of “The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals,” a prestigious national ranking sponsored annually by the two respected publications.
The Al Dumas Team from the RE/MAX Alliance Group Sarasota real estate office Street ranked 20th in the nation among the Top 250 Real Estate Teams by Transaction Sides, one of only two local teams to make the list. The team was also the only local real estate team to place in the Top 250 Teams by Transaction Volume, ranking 230th in the nation.
May Aston from the Bradenton Office and Drew Peterson of Sarasota were the only local Realtors to be listed among the Top 250 Real Estate Professionals by Transactions Sides, coming in at #70 and #129, respectively.
Aston, Peterson and the Al Dumas Team now rank in the top one-half of 1 percent of the more than 1 million REALTORS® nationwide. The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals list honors the top 250 residential agents and agent teams for excellence in four categories: individual sales... ...read full post
The 21st edition of Dr. Beach’s annual top 10 list of best swimming beaches in the United States was released today, and the top spot goes to Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla!
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has called this region home since we opened our doors in 1955. As scientists who study the Gulf of Mexico and educators who teach the public about this unique body of water, we understand why you have chosen this area to purchase your new property.
Buying property is an important decision at anytime. Buying property right now, however, may come with some additional questions given the environmental concerns caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
All of us at Mote share your concerns. Will oil directly impact our coastal communities? What will happen to the animals that live in the Gulf of Mexico?
There are no easy answers to these questions. But there are some things you should know.
Southwest Florida is more than 300 miles (480 kms) away from the spill's epicenter. That means oil will have to travel far to reach our shores. In the meantime, it will be at the mercy of ocean currents ... ...read full post
REMAX Alliance Group is one of the first real estate companies in the country to demonstrate a commitment to green business practices as well as promoting green home ownership in Southwest Florida. Alliance Group has a commitment to the environment through an implementation of green practices in all of its business operations & the promotion of Florida Green Certified homes.
With the BP oil spill in the gulf it has made us all think a little more about energy conservation and protecting our environment. Being Green is the smart thing to do and you can start doing your part now with 10 simple tips to make your home a little more green.
10 Tips to a Greener Home
Appliances. Updating your home’s appliances to Energy Star Qualified appliances could save you as much as $150 per year in energy costs. Appliance usage makes up 18% of a household energy bill and the newer, EPA approved appliances use 10% - 50% less energy and water than older models.
Heating/Cooling. Our warm climate on Florida's west coast results in air conditioners running most of the year and as a result, almost half of a... ...read full post
Last week I attended a specially held meeting at Mote Marine Laboratory to discuss the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its potential threat to our Southwest Florida coastline. In attendance were a handful of area real estate leaders as well as Kumar Mahadevan, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory, and Ed McCrane, Emergency Management Chief for Sarasota County.
I walked away from the meeting with a handful of comforting impressions. First and foremost, the threat of oil directly impacting the coastline in Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte counties is minimal with less than a 1% chance according to this map released by NOAA .
Several factors contribute to this analysis, but most importantly, the direction of Gulf currents reduce the likelihood of oil washing ashore on our area beaches.
The second overwhelming impression I experienced was how fortunate we were to have Mote Marine Laboratory and the dedicated scientists and staff right in our own back yard. From day one of the oil leak, Mote Marine has been proactively seeking to provide input and analysis to assist with the response in the panhandle... ...read full post
Here we are three weeks into the Hurricane season on Florida's west coast and I’m sure everyone is prepared, Right? If not…NOW is the time, don’t wait until it’s too late. Start now by creating a well organized plan to follow. First if your area is threatened by a hurricane, you will have to decide whether you can safely ride out the storm or whether you should evacuate.
Coastline and barrier islands including Siesta Key, Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Casey Key, Lido Key in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island should always plan to leave, and the same is true if you live near the Manatee, Braden, Myakka, Peace or other Florida river or in flood areas. Those living in mobile home parks such as, Holiday Mobile Estates in Englewood - very near where hurricane Charlie came ashore - should always make arrangements to evacuate. When you evacuate try to do it in the daylight hours. You should shut off water and electricity at the main switch. Travel light, but be sure to take valuables and important document. If... ...read full post
I have to admit that initially I didn’t full grasp the tragedy that occurred on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig almost two months ago. While I felt horrible for the 11 men who died in the accident and the families that they left behind, I didn’t truly understand the implications outside of the local effects that would certainly be felt in the immediate Louisiana area.
Fast forward approximately 60 days and we are in the midst of the worst oil spill in US history and I have become acutely aware of the pending threats to so many facets of our lifestyle in Florida. Since this is a real estate blog about Sarasota real estate, Bradenton real estate, and other surrounding areas, I will focus this discussion on the potential impact to our already severely beaten and bruised real estate market.
While we have seen no visual evidence of any oil remnants on our beautiful white beaches of Siesta Key, Venice Beach, Lido Key and Anna Maria Island, I grow increasingly fearful that we may realize the... ...read full post
Thinking about moving to Florida? Why not consider the beautiful West Coast fo Florida? With sparkling white sandy beaches, clear blue water, and sunny climate, it is famous as the center for the good life. The West Coast of Florida is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria, Longboat Key, St. Armand’s, Venice FL, Cape Haze, Sarasota and of course the #2 beach in the United States right here, Siesta Key. “Dr. Beach” Leatherman a beach and coastal scientist and author, named Siesta Key #2 among the top10 beaches in the United States. For the third year in a row, Siesta Key has been at the top of this list. Our beaches and lifestyle are currently unaffected by the Louisiana Oil Spill. Some of Florida's most beautiful islands are located right here on the West Coast of Florida.
With historical attractions, museums, aquariums, and performing arts right at your back door, the west coast is the place to live. Florida’s West Coast is a diverse area with big city amenities close by and a feeling... ...read full post
Downtown Sarasota Bystanders gather watching a crew take apart the famous (or infamous depending on who you talk to) waterfront landmark statue "Unconditional Surrender" for repairs by the artist. For those who are unfamiliar with the statue, it is a lively sculpture of a navy sailor and a nurse celebrating the end of WWII located at the Sarasota downtown waterfront. The statue was recently damaged after being struck by an errant Mercedes (only in Sarasota!).
