Kathy Toonder's Blog Posts

Kathy Toonder's Blog Posts

Reasons Why Bradenton Is The Best Place To Live In Florida
In the heart of the Sunshine State, where pristine beaches meet a rich cultural tapestry, lies Bradenton – a city that embodies the essence of the perfect Floridian lifestyle. If...

Maximizing Home Value Tips For Preparing Your Bradenton Beach Property
Nestled along Florida's pristine coastline, Bradenton Beach properties are rapidly gaining attention. Properties in this picturesque setting hold a significant potential waiting to...

Living In Cortez Florida Embracing History And Coastal Living
Living in Cortez, Florida, is a remarkable experience, where coastal charm meets a rich tapestry of history. Nestled on the Gulf Coast, this historic fishing village epitomizes Flo...

The Benefits Of Working With A Local Real Estate Agent
Are you considering buying or selling a property? Are you wondering if working with a local real estate agent is worth it? Well, the answer is a resounding yes! Overall, they bring...

The Different Types Of Property Available In Florida
Welcome to the vibrant world of real estate in the sunshine state of Florida! If you're considering making a property investment, you'll be delighted to know that the options for p...

The Role Of Homeowners Associations In Florida Real Estate
 Welcome to the Sunshine State, where the allure of pristine beaches, vibrant cities, and year-round sunshine beckons homeowners from near and far. As you embark on your Flori...

The Pros And Cons Of Buying A FixerUpper Property
Are you considering buying a fixer-upper property? If so, you're not alone. Many homebuyers are attracted to the potential rewards and challenges of transforming a property into th...

The Benefits Of Owning A Vacation Property In Florida
Spring is here, and it brings that perfect vacation weather. When it's sunny outside, we all just want to take some time off work and go for a fun vacation without family. Where it...

The Best Parks And Outdoor Spaces In Sarasota For Family Fun
The Best Parks and Outdoor Spaces in Sarasota for Family FunLocated on Florida's unjustly neglected southwestern coast, Sarasota is one of the most scenic towns in the state. Over ...

7 Reasons To Invest In Sarasota Real Estate
Buying real estate is a safe and profitable bet for most people. There’s always a potential for good passive income and wealth accumulation. Nevertheless, not every housing marke...

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Buying An AS IS Home In Florida
After the stagnationit suffered in the last few years due to the pandemic, the real estate business is back in full swing everywhere in the world, and the situation is no different...

How To Find The Best Deal On A Florida Beachfront Property
Beachfront properties have always been popular in Florida. There's just something about having the ocean at the doorstep that separates them from other real estate properties. Buyi...

Ways To Know If Real Estate Investing Is Right For You
You'd be surprised at the number of people that consider going into real estate investing. Once they buy their first property, they feel that this is something they can do. And tha...

Benefits Of Buying A New Construction Home In Florida
There are many reasons to move to Florida. The weather, the attractions, and the lifestyle are all reasons people choose this state for their home. But what about buying a new cons...

5 Things You Should Always Consult Your Realtor About
Shopping around for a home can be very difficult on your own, which is why most people hire a realtor. After all, a good realtor can guide you through the house-hunting process and...

Are Millennials Buying Property In Florida
Millennials Buying Property in Florida? Florida is the third-most populous state in the United States and has much to offer. With warm temperatures and beaches, there's no sho...

6 Things To Know Before Buying A Home In Florida
Featured Image Alt-tag: A sunset view of the city. One of the most important financial decisions you'll ever make is purchasing a home. And when that happens, you will have to face...

How To Choose The Best Realtor For Your Florida Home
Moving to a new state is never easy, but if you're moving to Florida, it can be even more difficult. You need to consider many things when making the big move from one state to ano...

How To Spend A Fun Weekend With Kids In Bradenton FL
Alt-tag: A boy and a girl having fun on the beach. Welcome to Bradenton. This is a small city, but don't let its size fool you - it is packed with fun activities for the whole...

7 FamilyFriendly Activities You Should Try In Sarasota FL
Alt: Consider these 7 family-friendly activities you should try in Sarasota, FL.Whether you're planning a summer holiday or looking for a place to relocate, Florida should be at th...

Reasons To Move To Lakewood Ranch In 2022
Alt-tag: A beautiful house with greenery, one of the reasons to move to Lakewood Ranch in 2022Having good life in your new Florida home is a dream come true, right? If you are look...

Top Places To Retire In Florida
Florida is well known for being the perfect retirement destination. After all, its nickname is the Sunshine State. Considering all the beautiful beaches and the warm weather year-r...

6 Home Features Florida Buyers Want
Caption: Having a good agent on your team will ensure a successful purchase with no buyer’s remorse.Alt-tag: An agent with a couple after a salePurchasing a home takes a lot of c...

8 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO FLORIDA
Are you thinking of relocating to Florida? You aren't the only one! Every year, an increasing number of people choose to call the Sunshine State their home. And for good reason. Wh...

Best Florida Cities For Families In 2022
There are numerous reasons for young families to relocate to Florida. Look further than the retired Floridian cliché. If you like warm temperatures and prefer to be near the bea...

8 Fun Things To Do In Lakewood Ranch
If you haven't heard about Lakewood Ranch, Florida before, the name would describe its disposition but wouldn't do it any justice. Sunny Southwest Florida has an excellent reason t...

8 Fun Things To Do In Lakewood Ranch Florida
Activities in Lakewood Ranch for everybody's tasteThe best thing about living in an elegantly planned community is not the predictability or availability of various amenities bu...

Why I Love Sarasota
Derived from the Spanish term for “a place for dancing,” Sarasota is an apt name for this Florida Gulf Coast city just south of the Tampa Bay area. With a lively arts scene, go...

Must See Siesta Key Beaches For An Exciting Vacation
View this live cam in Siesta Beach from EarthCam and see what’s happening at the beach. Check the current weather, surf conditions, and enjoy scenic views from your favorite coas...

12 Florida MasterPlanned Communities Make Top 50 List 2020
The John Burns Real Estate Consulting team recently recognized the nation’s top 50 master-planned communities. The list of top U.S. developments included 12 in Florida.According ...

Top 10 New Years Resolutions For Homeowners
Check Your Furnace/Air FilterDepending on the size of your house and whether you have a pet, you may need to swap out your furnace filter as often as once a month. The only way to ...

Home Prices Rising Into Fall
Looking forward, upward price pressure seems likely to continue at least through the fall, thanks to the large inventory deficit. Purchase demand is holding steady at high levels, ...

Hot Summer Has Home Prices Rising Into Fall
...

Florida Tax Burden 5th Lowest In The US
(The Center Square) – Florida has the fifth-lowest tax burden in the U.S., according to a new report by the personal finance website WalletHub.The proportion of total personal in...

Health Safety And Peace Of Mind
You can take advantage of all-time low interest rates and do most of the home buying process from the comfort of your home. As our nation deals with the threat of COVID-19, I am ...

The Sarasota Market Is HOT
CoreLogic Chief Economist, Frank Nothaft, noted, “January marked the third consecutive month that annual home price growth accelerated  in our national index, as low mo...

Richest City In FLORIDA
Longboat Key is a town in Manatee and Sarasota counties along the central west coast of the U.S. state of Florida, located on and coterminous with the barrier island of the sa...

Realty Times NHCB Press Realease
Orlando, Fl (December 5th, 2019) – REALTOR® Kathy Toonder NHCB of Exit King Realty in Lakewood Ranch, FL earned the New Home Co-Broker Designation (NHCB), authorized b...

Buying A New Construction Why You Need Your Own Real Estate Agent
When buying new construction, here’s what your real estate agent will help you with that you might miss out on if you stick with the builder’s agent: Negotiating ext...

When Is The Best Time To Buy In The Florida Market
The US housing market has cooled and in step, so has the Florida market. The 2019 housing market predictions are for a 5% increase in price here. So, in li...

Home Sales Ease Competition For Buyers
New Numbers from the National Association of Realtors Show that sales of previously owned homes fell 1.2 percent in January from the month before. It was the third consecutive mont...

2019 Relocate To Sarasota
I enjoy walking the warm sandy beaches, swimming and watching the magnificent sunsets on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Thirty years ago I came from Michigan to the Sarasota area to enjoy...

Happy Thanksgiving To You
My focus is to best understand the goals and visions of my clients, ensuring all decisions are made with a wealth of information and the necessary tools for a successful, rewarding...

Hit The Gas Pedal
If you thought about selling your house this year, now more than ever may be the time to do it! The inventory of homes for sale is well below historic norms and buyer demand&n...

The Ten Commandments Of Buying A Home
The Ten Commandments of Buying a Home Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job. Thou shalt not buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it!). Th...

2018 Best Places To Live
Sarasota made the list.Affordability, the availability of jobs and quality of life are all things people consider when deciding where to move. U.S. News & World Report's 2018 Best ...

Safeguarding Your Home During Open Houses
Never Picture anything of value in listing photos.Hide bills and documents that may have your information.Remove checkbooks and bank deposit slips.Lock up or remove jewelry and ant...

Sarasota Two County Areas Sales Increase Residential Market
Closed and Pending Sales Increase in Residential Market SARASOTA, Fla. (April 23, 2018) - As of March 2018, the two-county area has closed on 5,015 properties so far this year...

Visit Sarasota Have Fun For Free
On the Sarasota waterfront is a 28-foot statue. The statue is based on a famous photo taken in Times Square on Aug. 14, 1945 — the day the Japanese surrendered and...

Lakewood Ranch 3rd Best Selling Community In The US
Lakewood Ranch is the 31,000-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and...

Homebuyers Should Know
Homebuyers sometimes really do not know the steps needed in financing their purchase. The steps are:Qualification, Pre-approval, Approval, Lock and AppraisalQUALIFICATIONQuali...

Banks Rush To Offer 3 Downpayment Loan Now Is The Time To Buy
NEW YORK – May 31, 2016 – As some banks veer from Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, they're offering their own low downpayment mortgages to appeal to home shoppers st...

Inventory And Median Sales Prices Continue To Climb
Inventory and Median Sales Prices Continue to Climb SARASOTA, Fla. (May 20, 2016)...

The Origin Of Valentines Day
While not thought to be directly related to modern Valentine’s Day traditions, the beginnings of celebrating love (of a sort) in February date back to the Romans. The feast of Lu...

Fla Based Real Estate Reality TV Show Launches
Sounds interesting and how flipping really isFla.-based real estate reality TV show launchesORLANDO, Fla. – Feb. 1, 2016 – An underbelly of "The City Beautiful" – abandoned, ...

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
Cortez Commercial Fishing FestivalFebruary 13-14, 2016"It Takes a Fishing Village"Are you familiar with 'old' Florida? Are you someone who can appreciate a different perspecti...

4 MustKnow Tips For Buying Selling In 2016
4 Must-Know Tips for Buying, Selling in 2016 DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016 What do buyers and sellers need to know to be smart about the housing market in 201...

5 Things Sellers Should Never Say To Buyers
5 things sellers should never say to buyersCHICAGO – Jan. 14, 2016 – A seller's goal is to sell, but sometimes they say things that short circuit the process. According to a re...

TAX TIME
Hooray — it’s tax time! OK, few people get quite that excited about filling out government forms, but there’s good reason to appreciate the annual ritual. Tax deduc...

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN FLORIDA AND THE NEW YEA
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN FLORIDA AND THE NEW YEARAs the first day of 2016, January 1st is an important date to remember for purposes of Florida's homestead exemption.  If y...

Welcome To The Most Current Housing Trends ENewslette
Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find us...

Forecast Fla Home Sales To Rise 810 In 2016
Forecast: Fla. home sales to rise 8-10% in 2016ORLANDO, Fla. – Dec. 14, 2015 – "For most of 2015, the Florida real estate market has outperformed the nation as a whole," says F...

Nov 19 2015 5269 1
5 Holiday Hosting Disasters and How to Avoid ThemTake a look at the most common things that can go wrong when you have guests and learn how to prevent them. Read ...

6 Homeowner Tax Mistakes Accountants Say To Watch For
(New!)6 Homeowner Tax Mistakes Accountants Say to Watch ForGet every deduction you’re entitled to without the fear of making mistakes that’ll bring the tax man to your door...

Six Best Doctors In The World
Six Best Doctors in the World1. Sunlight2. Rest3. Exercise4. Diet5. Self Confidence6. FriendsMaintain them in all stages of life and enjoy a healthy life.Sent with s...

October 2015 Newsletter By Lynne Van Ec
Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find us...

Why To Hire Me
...

FYI
...

Oct 15 2015 5269 1
By: John RihaAre you haunted by strange noises and weird odors? With the proper maintenance, you’ve got more than a ghost of a chance to rest easy.Creaking and Popping in th...

Pumpkin Pulp Will Scare Your Disposal To Death
By: Dona DeZubePublished: October 29, 2012Put your pumpkin pulp into the trash to spare your disposal (and other plumbing pipes) a horrible death.The pulp, seeds, and other gu...

Bradenton Offers Bigcity Amenities Without Big City Stress
Bradenton offers big-city amenities without big-city stress.By Laura KnightI’ll admit it: I’ve driven right through Bradenton many times on my way to Anna Maria Island without ...

Sarasota Essentials Learn About The Places Sarasota Locals Cant Live Without
Food and Drink EssentialsWHERE TO BUY GROCERIESMorton’s Gourmet Market1924 S. Osprey Ave.941-955-9856Morton’s Gourmet Market and the city of Sarasota have grown up together in ...

Sarasota Like No Place Else
All Things Ringling: Where else can you say elephants helped build a major bridge? But that’s what happened in this former circus town, where John Ringling of Ringling Bros....

5 Great Neighborhoods In Sarasota
By: Susan LadikaDOWNTOWNLaurel ParkLooking for history combined with walkability? Check out Laurel Park in downtown Sarasota. In 2008, this neighborhood was designated a Natio...

July 2015 Sales Continue Record Pace For Sarasota Manatee Counties
...

10 Indoor Florida Flea Markets To Explore
Great Article I have been to Red Barn, Dome Sun, and FleaMaster . Red Barn is my favorite 10 Indoor Florida Flea Markets To ExploreAugust 7, 2015By Natashia E. FordF...

ROOF IS WORN OUT BUT ITS WARRANTIED FOR 30 YEARS
Great explanation about roofsROOF IS WORN OUT? BUT IT’S WARRANTIED FOR 30 YEARS!Ted LemekJuly 27, 2015, 4:49 PMAs home inspectors we often hear surprise when a home’s 30 year w...

Market Prices Up Inventory Tighter
ORLANDO, Fla. – June 22, 2015 – Tightening inventory continued to impact Florida's housing market in May, according to the latest housing da...

Delaying Homeownership Could Be Costly Decision
Delaying homeownership could be costly decisionCHICAGO – June 4, 2015 – Potential homebuyers who don't take advantage of current interest rates and property prices risk losing ...

Are You Ready For Hurricane Season
Are You Ready for Hurricane Season?Florida has come through the last 10 hurricane seasons virtually unscathed, other than limited damage from a storm or two that skirted a bit too ...

MINIMIZE DELAYS IN BRINGING A MORTGAGE TRANSACTION TO CLOSING
MINIMIZE DELAYS IN BRINGING A MORTGAGE TRANSACTION TO CLOSING Ever wonder why a mortgage originator cannot meet a Contract deadline? Sometimes it seems delays are more often t...

Foreclosures Hit 18month High No Longer A Bargain
Foreclosures hit 18-month high, no longer a bargainIRVINE, Calif. – May 21, 2015 – Florida is once again the top U.S. state for foreclosure activity in RealtyTrac's latest Apri...

State27com
State27.com is a great site to find local things to do... from Blueberry picking to where to Kayak . Give it a try....

230 Casey Key
I will be hosting an  open house May 9 ,2015  at 230 Casey Key, Osprey, FL.  Check this web site  for information about this unique property. http://2...

Apr 27 2015 5269 1se
5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for SaleBy: G. M. Filisko Working to get your home ship-shape for showings will increase its value and shorten your sales time.Many buyers toda...

Considerations When Purchasing Waterfront Property
Considerations When Purchasing Waterfront Property   Imagine you buy that...

CDDs And Stewardship Districts
CDDs and Stewardship Districts As the real estate economy improves, more buyers are purchasing in new and developing communities.  Many of our area's new and developing c...

Secrets Buyers Should Know About New Construction
Secrets buyers should know about new constructionNEW YORK – April 13, 2015 – Real estate agents with clients interested in a new home should understand that buyers need their h...

BradentonSarasota Area Named No 1 In US For Wellbeing
The Bradenton-Sarasota-North Port area was ranked No. 1 in well-being out of the 100 largest metro areas in the United States, according to Gallup research. That means means reside...

8 Tips Fpr Finding YOur New Home
8 Tips for Finding Your New HomeBy: G. M. Filisko A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.House hunting is just like any...

APce Of Sales Quickens During February 2015
Pace of sales quickens during February 2015The number of closed property transactions increased in February 2015 across both Manatee andSarasota counties, and pending sales also re...

7 Steps To Take Before You Buy A Home
7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a HomeBy: G. M. Filisko By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home.Most potential homebuyers are ...

Do You Need A Survey
 There are a litany of reasons why someone purchasing land should obtain a survey prior to closing; here are several of the most important: A survey will disclose certain ite...

Buyers May Find Mortgages Easier To Get
Buyers may find mortgages easier to getNEW YORK – Feb. 25, 2015 – Good news for potential home shoppers: A Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) index shows lender requirements fo...

Groundhog Day In Florida
...

Seller Can Increase Value By 12
Consumer Reports: Sellers can increase value by 12%NEW YORK – Feb. 4, 2015 – A seller may be able to boost the value of their home by an additional 12 percent, with just a few ...

Try My Shovel
...

Trade In Your Snow Shovel For One Of Ours
...

Jan 28 2015 5269 1ta
Don’t Miss These Home Tax DeductionsBy: Dona DeZube Published: December 22, 2014From mortgage interest to property tax deductions, here are the tax tips you need to get ...

9 Easy Mistakes Homeowners Make On Thier Taxes
9 Easy Mistakes Homeowners Make on Their TaxesBy: G. M. Filisko Published: January 5, 2015Don’t rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary — know the score on each...

Current Sales Report For Sarasota
2014 Sales Hit Record for Sarasota County;Manatee County Only 28 Sales From 2013 Record The year 2014 closed ...

FREE Water Ski Show Saturday January 24
FREE water ski show Saturday, January 24. The Southern Ski Fanatics Water Ski Show Team will perform a one hour show beginning at 4pm. Weather may be cooler and a few rain shower...

8 Reasons To Work With Realtor
8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR 1. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, ...

Small Exterior Upgrades Best Return On Investment
WASHINGTON – Jan. 14, 2015 – Homeowners often consider remodeling projects as a way to add value to their homes, but some add more value – and better recoup costs – than ot...

Huge Chages At USDA
Currently Lakewood Ranch and surrounding area are in USDA approved areasHUGE Changes at USDA! USDA Rural Development has implemented BIG changes and added new guidelines effective ...

Second Step Every Seller Want Their Home To SELL FAST
Every seller wants her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to p...

Happy New Year 2015
...

Florida Christmas Greetings
...

SMR Land Sale Is The Biggest In The County For 2014
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Having received Manatee County's blessing last summer to begin building a 1,300-home community near the northeastern edge of Lakewood Ranch, all that remained for...

Merry Christmas
May the Holiday Season Fill your home with JOY!Look forward to working with you in the New YearMerry Christmas If you ever have any questions please call 941-544-7270&nbs...

Owning Still Trumps Renting In Overall Wealth
Owning still trumps renting in overall wealth NEW YORK – Dec. 18, 2014 – The recent housing crisis has prompted questions over whether homeownership is still a viable way ...

First Step In Selling Your HOME FAST
Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to...

Happy Thanksgiving Day Do You Know What I Am Thankful For
Thanksgiving is a special day to gather with friends and family. Did you know what was served at the first Thanksgiving or what the Indians used Cranberries for? Rea...

8 Cleaning Mistakes You Re Probably Making
1. Placing all utensils in the dishwasher facing the same direction.It's fine for all the forks to point up. (This prevents the tines from bending.) But when spoons sit in one dire...

VA Loan Interest Rate Is Currently LESS Than Conventional
The VA Home Loan is now one of the BEST loan options out there! The VA loan interest rate is currently LESS than the Conventional interest rate.  There is no mortgag...

COMMON THINGS TO HAVE SELLER CHECK OR DO FOR AN EASIER SALE
A few items for Sellers or Buyers to Check When Looking At Homes Commets  LynneVanEck@ Gmail.com.(1) GFCI outlets: these are the type of outlets that have a test and reset but...

Egging Toilet Papering How To Clean Up After Halloween Pranks
Egging, Toilet Papering: How to Clean Up After Halloween PranksBy: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Halloween cleanup can be the scariest thing about the holiday. Here’s a tip sheet o...

Why HALLOWEEN
About 2,000 years ago in the area of the world that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, lived a group of people called the Celts.  The Celts' lives revo...

You Need To Think About These Items Before Starting Your Home Seach
House and Neighborhood Wish List Instruction:   Spend some time day dreaming about what you want in a house. Think about what you need. The questions below may help you g...

Strategies For Buying In A Low Inventory Market
Tips for Buyers Home Hunting in a Hot Market   We’ve come a long way since the darkest hours of the bottom of the home market. Now, buyers are finding the compet...

Now Is The Time To Buy New
Ninety percent of all the resale homes being sold are price driven. If two homes are the same and they have similar amenities, price is going to be the variable. In a new home sa...

Smart Ways To Add Value To A Home
NEW YORK – Sept. 5, 2014 – As the economy continues its recovery, Americans are stepping up to the plate to remodel. But unlike on popular home-improvement TV shows, most proje...

Bankruptcy Foreclosure Short Sales Guidelines
Bankruptcy, Foreclosure and Short Sales   Fannie Mae: Chapter 7 or 11: discharged 4 years Chapter 13: 2 years from discharge date or 4 years from dismissal date Multiple ...

How Did Labor Day Get Started
Labor Day Fun Facts ...

USDA Loan Website Link
Great Information about USDA home loans  USDA Loans • income restrictions• no pool OR the buyer may pay cash for the value that the appraiser states it is worth on the app...

Best Thing To Buy In August
In the retail world, the month of August is known for two things: back-to-school shopping and clearing out summer staples—like warm weather clothing, patio furniture and grills�...

Are You Smarter Than A 60 Year Old
THIS MAY BE HARDER THAN YOU THINK. THE ANSWERS WILL BE ON THE TIP OF YOUR TONGUE, BUT YOU JUST CAN'T QUITE  REMEMBER THE CORRECT ANSWER. DON'T LOOK BELOW FOR THE ANSWERS UNTIL...

Average 30 Year Mortgage Rate This Week
WASHINGTON (AP) – Aug. 15, 2014 – Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates declined this week, approaching their lows for the year. Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday t...

MARKET NEWS FIXED RATES ROSE
MARKET NEWS:  Fixed rates rose very slightly in the past week, but stayed in the same range they have been for almost two months now. Freddie Mac announced that for the we...

Three Cheers For Up Up Upcycling
We've all heard of recycling, but are you familiar with upcycling? According to Wikipedia, upcycling is defined as, "the process of converting waste materials or useless products i...

Its Easier To Get A Loan
 WASHINGTON – Aug. 5, 2014 – The home mortgage market improved last quarter as demand increased and many banks eased their lending standards for the most creditworthy borr...

Open House August 3 12 Till 4 15307 SKIP JACK LOOP BRADENTON 34202
{mls: A3998958}Come see me at 15307 SKIP JACK LOOP, BRADENTON 34202 Sunday August 4 12-4 NEW AC IN 2013! This spacious 4 bedroom, Den, and 2 1/2 bath home located in Greenbro...

Aug 1 Sales Tax Holiday Includes Computers More
 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 29, 2014 – While only three days long – Friday through Sunday, Aug. 1-3 – Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday has expanded in 2014.Thi...

5 Mistakes First Time Home Buyers Make
NEW YORK – July 22, 2014 – Real estate experts say they see first-time buyers committing the same mistakes, time and time again. Here are some of the most common ones, as ident...

Fla Housing Market More SalesRaising Prices June 2014
ORLANDO, Fla. – July 22, 2014 – Florida's housing market reported more closed sales, higher median prices, increased new listings and a rise in inventory in June, according to ...

6 Tips To Enhance Home Dcor
After a season or two, the décor of your home may start to feel monotonous, so it always a good idea to experiment with the style & theme. Commonly, changing curtains, re...

How To Avoid Probate Delays
Probate requirements can create significant challenges, and in many cases, long delays if such requirements are not fully understood early on in the process, and preferably at the ...

10 THINGS NOT TO DO WHEN FINANCING A HOME
10 THINGS NOT TO DO WHEN FINANCING A HOME• Do Not: transfer money between accounts, unless you are receiving complete documentation from your bank• Do Not: M.ke unnecessary che...

Florida Sign Up For Do Not Call List
Tired of getting spam texts on your cell phone? The new Florida law allows you to add your cell phone numbers to the Do Not Call (or Text) registry for free for five years. Registe...

Indoor Air Quality Health And Carpet
Indoor Air Quality - Health and CarpetHave you heard the one about indoor air being more polluted than outdoor air? Unfortunately, it's not a joke, according to the EPA....

Sarasota 30th Grand Prix Powerboat Races June 28th To July 6th
Grand Prix Powerboat Race In it’s 30th year, this year's festival offers a wide variety of events such as a Downtown Boat Parade/Block Party, Car Show, Golf Tournament, Festi...

Fun Facts About Fourth Of July
The 4th of July is a holiday based upon our nation's history and fight for freedom, but how much do you really know about Independence Day?  Test your knowledge with the...

July 4th Festivities
Fireworks viewing guide By Wade Tatangelo , Herald-Tribune Fireworks over Sarasota Bay HT 2013 Fireworks explode over Sarasota Bay during last year's Fourth of July celebration at...

Glowinthedark Neon Vibe 5K Comes To Premier Sports Campus In Lakewood Ranch
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch is gearing up for another colorful, family athletic event like the popular Color Vibe held in April, only this time, t...

Excellent Resources For Online Education
So much of our attention gets focused on the Internet as a tool for entertainment. While I enjoy streaming videos and social media as much as the next person, I’ve also found ...

Top 12 Cheap Things To Do In Sarasota
Watch the sunset. Sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s possible to experience something so beautiful without spending a dime. Taking in a sunset is free and simple and y...

Top 4 Spots Getting Them Out Of Carpet
Tips from Overturf’s  Floor & Fabric Care  Great Company941-301-9555www.CleaningManatee.comTop 4 Spots - Getting Them Out of Carpet Time and again I get ...

12 Tips To Upgrade Your Beach Day
Summer is on, and that means trips to the beach for millions of people. Make the most of your own trips and improve the lives of your clients by sharing some of these DIY tricks to...

Live In Lido Key
North Lido Beach and South Lido Beach offer natural beauty and seclusion while condos, hotels, restaurants, upscale shopping, and Lido’s public beach are central to Lido Key. ...

New Del Webb Subdivision At Lakewood Ranch
MANATEE -- The Manatee County Commission OK'd a proposal Thursday for a 1,300-residence Del Webb subdivision at Lakewood Ranch.The project south of State Road 70 and about 1.5 mile...

Its Here The 2014 Fla Hurricane Season
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 2, 2014 – The 2014 Hurricane Season began yesterday and runs for the next six months – until Nov. 30."Now is the time to prepare your family for Hurr...

HOW LONG DOES A LENDER REALLY HAVE TO FILE FOR FORECLOSURE
As any person involved in the real estate industry is well aware, there were hundreds (if not thousands) of foreclosure cases filed in 2007 and 2008 which were dismissed due to imp...

Should You Buy Or Sell
Spring and Summer house hunting is in full swing. Sellers and Buyers are confronting a shifting market in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Investors a major force in the market are...

Know More About MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day is a great way to remember our patriotic heroes who sacrificed their lives to help us breathe the air of freedom. This day is observed with families and friends vi...

Villages Of Lakewood Ranch South
SARASOTA -- Design and development plans for The Villages of Lakewood Ranch South are moving forward after the Sarasota County Commission unanimously approved plans Wednesday.The V...

Average 30year Mortgage Rate Falls
Average 30-year mortgage rate falls to 4.14% Mortgage Rate Trend Indexes No mortgage expert (0%) polled this week by Bankrate.com expects rates to rise over the short term, bu...

FLAs Housing Market Prices Listings Rise In April
la.’s housing market: Prices, listings rise in April NAR: April existing-home sales show modest improvement, inventory gainsORLANDO, Fla. – May 22, 2014 – Florida's...

Lakewood Ranch Developer Gets Business Backing In Its Sarasota Push Read More Here Httpwwwbradenton
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- If all goes as planned at a May 21 public hearing before the Sarasota County Commission, the developer of Lakewood Ranch will finally be able to move forward with...

5 Awesomely Easy Landscaping Projects
5 Awesomely Easy Landscaping ProjectsBy: Dave Toht Published: February 26, 2013Ramp up your curb appeal with cool landscaping projects you can easily pull off in a weekend...

Fla Schedules Tax Holiday For Hurricane Supplies
Fla. schedules tax holiday for hurricane supplies ORLANDO, Fla. – May 13, 2014 – Gov. Rick Scott signed House Bill 5601 that cuts more than $121 million in taxes for Flori...

Curb Appeal
When you’re preparing your house for the market, almost every agent will explain how valuable curb appeal is when it comes to marketing your home. Curb appeal can mean a lot o...

Tips On Saving On Cooling Costs
Happy May!  As we enter the summer season, here are some tips on saving on cooling costs: Install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans can be used in place of air conditioners, wh...

Study Confirms That Toxic Drywall Impacts Health
Study confirms that toxic drywall impacts health ATLANTA – May 2, 2014 – Florida homeowners looking for confirmation that their toxic Chinese drywall caused family health ...

Homebuyers Can Still Find Down Payment Assistance
Homebuyers can still find down payment assistance TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – April 25, 2014 – Homebuyers still have access to down payment assistance grants, interest-free second...

Fla Insurance Discrimination Bill Passes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – April 24, 2014 – A Florida bill that would forbid insurance companies from refusing to serve or charging higher rates to applicants based on their owne...

March Yeartoyear Sales Up 1 In Fla Prices Up 11
IRVINE, Calif. – April 24, 2014 – RealtyTrac's March Residential & Foreclosure Sales Report finds that U.S. residential properties – single family homes, condominiums and...

Kids Againist Hunger
Lakewood Ranch Club Event- Kiwanis-Kids Against HungerKids Against Hunger Packaging Event Saturday, May 17th - 1401 21st Ave W, Bradenton / 941-306-3595www.kiwanisag...

Tips For Buyers Home Hunting In A Hot Market
  We’ve come a long way since the darkest hours of the bottom of the home market. Now, buyers are finding the competition for homes surprisingly stiff. The days...

Nathan Benderson Park Home To World Class Rowing
Though fabled to be the spot where the biggest largemouth bass in Florida was caught and released, the 600-acre park was not considered a world-class anything when Sarasota Count...

Learn More About University Town Center Sarasota
University Town Center Mall will open its door for a Sneak Peek Charity Preview October 15, the night before the new shopping center is officially open to the public. The Snea...

2014 Town Of Hickory Creek Citizens Of The Year Texas
Daughter & Husband  are receiving awards for being the 2014 Town of Hickory Creek Citizens of the Year.  Texas I am one proud parent...

Movie Night
...

BACK TO WORK PROGRAM
 FHA "BACK TO WORK PROGRAM" We all know how difficult it is to financially recover from a traumatic financial loss following a property foreclosure, or eve...

Sarasota Skiarees Water Ski Show Team
4 more FREE ski shows coming up! April 20th & 27th, and May 4th & 11th! Make plans to come see us before Mother's day! Then we practice for tournament!   Great sh...

The Hidden Value Of A Good Real Estate Agent
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.”   -Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881); Prime Minister of t...

Making Good Neighbors
Making Good Neighbors Living next door to someone doesn't make you a neighbor. It makes you the stranger next door! One of the great opportunities we have in our communities is t...

TOP 14 Most Popular Places To Retire
When it comes to the best places to retire two things are very clear: the Sunbelt is where people want to go, and there is almost no interest in the Northeast or Midwest. The Sun...

LIVE IN ANNA MARIA ISLAND WHERE YOU CAN DUMP THE CAR
Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico’s warm emerald waters, Tampa and Sarasota Bays, Anna Maria Island is where dolphins and manatees raise their young and where loggerhead turtles...

LIVE IN Longboat Key PLAY On BEER CAN Island
Beer Can Island (Greer Island) is a secluded sandy hook at the northern tip of Longboat Key featuring 2,000 feet of excellent shelling. Weekends bring boating parties, music, swi...

VENICE BEACH DOGGIE HANGOUTS
Brohard Paw Beach Venice Island This park, across from Venice’s airport, is where you and your “best friend” can play in the gulf and socialize with other dogs. Offerin...

LIVE IN CASEY KEY STEVEN KING DOES
Casey Key stretches eight miles between Siesta Key and the Island of Venice and also runs parallel to the communities of South Sarasota, Osprey and Nokomis. This secluded island ...

TOP 10 DOG BEACHES IN FLORIDA
Dog Beaches in Florida Here is a list of the top 10 Dog Beaches in Florida.  My focus is to best understand the goals and visions of my clients, ensuring all decisions are ma...

LIVE IN POINT OF ROCKS SIESTA KEY
Geologists aren’t sure how long Point of Rocks, just south of Siesta Key’s Crescent Beach, have been visible. Jutting into the Gulf of Mexico for about a half-mile along the ...

TWO Important Things To Do In Sellers Market
There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to buy a home but being unable to through no fault of your own. In many markets across the country, there simply are more buyers ...

What Do BOOMERS Think
• Visitors only: Most boomers – 83 percent – don’t expect family to move into their home in the future, indicating they expect any “house guests,” including adult c...

Sarasota County Market Sales Maintain Steady Pace
 Property sales in Sarasota County for February 2014 maintained a very steady pace, and median sale prices for single family homes and condos also reflected market stability a...

Owning VS Renting
If you think you can't afford to buy a home consider this: The homeownership rate in the U.S. is nearly 69 percent — indicating that homeownership is within reach for more Americ...

Top 10 Mistakes Of First Time Homebuyers
1. Not knowing how much house you can afford.Many novice homebuyers spend a lot of time researching homes — comparing kitchen layouts and backyard square footage — but very lit...

5 Documents You Need To Save Cash At Tax Time
If you want to cash in on the real estate related tax perks of buying this year, you need to be sure you've got these five documents on hand.1. Mortgage Interest Statement IRS Form...

Do You Own The Land Under Your Home
When you buy a home, you probably assume that you own everything in and around it within the property lines. But in some parts of the country, homeowners are discovering the proper...

5 Dirt Cheap Ways To Stage Your Home For Selling
1. Packing away personal items is one of the simplest -- and cheapest -- things you can do to sell your house or condo quickly.  The reason you want to 'de-personalize' your h...

How To Invest Wisely In Real Estate
Investing in a real estate market is considered as the best way to increase your finances. Not only it allows you to enjoy long term benefits but also make it a sound investment&nb...

Builders Hike New Home Prices
More builders report that they’re raising their prices on new homes. Twenty-four percent of 231 builders recently surveyed say they raised their prices in December – an increas...

Lenders Must Follow New Appraisal Disclosure Rules Starting January 18
New consumer protection rules kick in tomorrow, Jan. 18, that give mortgage applicants more information on why a loan was accepted or rejected. While the rule will help identify ca...

5 Ways To Get The Best Mortgage Rate
1. Keep your debt low and the amount of credit you're using under 20 percent of what's available to you. Always paying your bills on time is one of the best ways to maintain health...

Real Estate Leaders In Sarasota And Manatee County
Our mission is to provide the highest quality Realtor services . At The EXIT Realty Group, we strive to provide the most knowledgeable and savvy real estate agents in the mark...