Michael Saunders & Company is proud to announce several successful leases made possible through the professional representation of our agents who work each day to fulfill the unique needs of commercial buyers, leasers and sellers. For the week ending January 28, 2012:
A few weeks ago, this column revisited a subject we’ve touched on before: From a comparative point of view—and despite all its recent, well-publicized woes—real estate is still one of the most productive long-term investments a person can make.
As we have in the past we included a graph—courtesy of real estate expert Steve Harney—comparing returns on investment for real estate versus the Dow, S&P and NASDAQ. The updated graph—which covers the twelve years beginning January 2000—shows that had you invested $100 in each early that year, by now you would have netted $140 in real estate, $112 on the Dow, $90 on the S&P and $70 on NASDAQ (Source: MSNMoney.com, Case Shiller—updated 01/01/12). Plus, you have the incalculable benefit of owning a home to be lived in and enjoyed for the duration.
Since then, we’ve heard a chorus of voices from the mainstream media chime-in on the same theme. This past weekend, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune became just the latest to suggest that now may well be the time to buy Sarasota real estate. In his Sunday column, real estate reporter Harold Bubil quoted Ted Jones—chief economist of Stewart Title—as saying that real estate has been a much better income-producing asset than stocks over the past decade. Jones, who holds a Ph.D in economics, explained to an audience at the Sarasota Association of REALTORS® why real estate is not just a good investment, but a great one. “Overweight your investment in real estate,” he advised them. “It is cheap and on sale.” (more…)
Discover resort-style living in Longboat Key's Beachplace. Pictured: 1055 Gulf of Mexico Drive, #206.
Set on the cherished south end of Longboat Key, the Beachplace condominium development is a wonderful community with a comfortable resort feel. Encompassing 31 acres and over 1,400 feet of prime Gulf of Mexico frontage, this sought after location enjoys proximity to the world-class shopping and dining of St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota. Enveloped by lush tropical landscaping and well-maintained grounds, Beachplace is a beautiful place to call home with a wealth of amenities that include 24-hour security, tennis courts, a Junior Olympic-size pool, a children’s pool, a Jacuzzi, outdoor grills, and a clubhouse with a fitness center and an activity room overlooking the beach.
Beachplace is desirable for year-round residents and investors, as it allows one-month rentals and an opportunity for income potential. (more…)
David grew up in Detroit and attended the University of Michigan before relocating to Chicago. After almost 20 years, he moved to Sarasota in 1998 and has been a Realtor since 1999. David brings an extensive background of real estate related positions, which include urban planning consulting, community renewal, economic analyses and property management.
Prior to joining Michael Saunders & Company, David worked with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate for four years. He then transitioned to Prudential Palms Realty, where he earned recognition as a Company Associate of the Month, and membership in the company’s Honor and Leading Edge societies.
Palm Island offers a relaxed, tropical ambiance accessible only by boat. Pictured: 370 Bocilla Dr.
Spectacular sunsets of the Gulf of Mexico greet you each evening when you arrive by boat or car ferry to the stunning beauty of Palm Island, a gorgeous laidback island paradise located just off the coast of Cape Haze. Comprised of four interconnected islands accessible only by boat, the pace of life is befitting to its calm, tropically elegant ambiance.
A fabulous place to spend your vacation or a lifetime enjoying the beaches, tennis, diving or frequenting fabulous restaurants, authentic island life is epitomized through gliding yachts, golden shores and traditional beach homes. The marina, located on the mainland, offers convenient storage for your boat with easy accessibility to the island. (more…)
Fans of movie musicals—plus anyone of a certain age—will recall the images of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers swirling in choreographed perfection through nearly a dozen feature films. To heighten the image of their characters’ worldly sophistication, the most famous dance team in cinematic history was often filmed gliding across sets depicting glamorous penthouses soaring high above the canyons of Manhattan. Mesmerized viewers were left with no doubt that these “castles in the sky” represented life at the top—in more ways than one.
Cinematic tastes have changed considerably, but penthouses still connote the epitome of urban elegance and privacy, high style; and the unmistakable sense that their owners have “arrived.”
Penthouses live very spaciously, their “footprints” often equaling two or three combined residences on the floors below. Common to all are breathtaking vistas, oversized terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows to frame their amazing views, extraordinary privacy and amenities; and turnkey convenience to always allow for instant arrivals and departures. In other words, penthouses are designed and built to enhance every unique feature of their enviable top-floor locations. (more…)
Once you move into Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club, you’ll hardly be tempted to leave. A full complement of amenities await you. An 18 hole championship golf course with a signature 18th hole of a 385-yard par 4, 4 lighted tennis courts with special Har-Tru surfaces that provide a true bounce, 5 heated swimming pools, a fitness center and lively fitness program, popular daily, weekly and holiday social gatherings, a newly renovated clubhouse and dining facilities. It’s all surrounded by the pristine beauty of 50 acres of wetlands and natural preserve.
Living quarters are equally luxurious, just what you would expect from three time winner of the national Natural Builder of the Year, U.S. Homes. A variety of Heritage Oaks models are available to suit your preference: single family homes, golf villas, club homes, and veranda condominiums. Many of the homes have a nature preserve or golf course view.
Heritage Oaks is located in Sarasota, the crown jewel of Florida’s gulf coast. Powder sand beaches bask in the sun, and renowned dining, shopping, theaters and museums are close by. The I-75 corridor is just a few miles away, providing convenient access to Lakewood Ranch, Venice, North Port, Nokomis and Tampa.
Having relocated to the Southgate area from Chautauqua Lake, NY—a gorgeous summer haven in western New York—Lauren understands the unique charm of buying or selling a home in a cherished vacation destination.
Lauren earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in marketing and entrepreneurship from Baldwin-Wallace College, located just outside Cleveland. Before transitioning to the real estate industry in 2011, she enjoyed a number of professional positions in a range of customer service roles. This service-oriented background has helped her develop the high level of integrity and trust she passes on to her clients.
Michael Saunders & Company is proud to announce several successful closing and leases made possible through the professional representation of your agents who work each day to fulfill the unique needs of commercial buyers, leasers and sellers. For the week ending December 31, 2011:
LEASE
Landlord: Pointe West Plaza, LLC
Tenant: Silberstein Law, PLLC
Address: 1515 Ringling Blvd., Suite #860, Sarasota, FL 34236
It’s that time of year again. The business media and its many pundits are issuing all sorts of recommendations for investments that are predicted to perform best in the New Year. You can barely watch TV or pick up the Wall Street Journal without seeing one.
Despite all its recent woes, real estate still enjoys the potential for being one of the best long-term investments you can make. That’s because the turmoil that rocked real estate markets over the past few years has largely subsided, leaving Southwest Florida home prices at their lowest level since the turn of the century. Now presumed to be at or near bottom, prices are expected to trend higher over the next several years; restoring real estate to the reliable long-term growth asset it has traditionally been. Plus with mortgage interest rates at unprecedented lows, the long-term cost of owning a second home, investment or retirement property has seldom been lower.
Each month, national real estate authority Steve Harney updates a graph comparing returns on investment for real estate versus the Dow, S&P and NASDAQ. His latest version (shown above) covers the dozen years between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2012. Recent volatility in all these markets notwithstanding, had you invested $100 in each in early 2000, by now you would have netted $140 in real estate, $112 on the Dow, $90 on the S&P and $70 on NASDAQ (Source: MSNMoney.com, Case Shiller—updated 01/01/12).
Today’s real estate investors are a far cry from the frenzied, poorly-leveraged property flippers of a few years ago. They are well-capitalized, often pay in cash; and understand that to profit from real estate typically means hanging on to a well-maintained property for several years. Still, many investors begin recouping their costs immediately by leasing out their properties in today’s exceedingly strong rental market.
Beyond its investment potential, the purchase of a Southwest Florida home at today’s vastly lower prices will yield much more than a tangible parcel of real estate. You are also buying into one of America’s most outstanding cultural and recreational scenes, its top-rated beach, a superior choice of schools, universities and medical facilities; and many other first-rate amenities no other region in Florida can match. Plus, yours is an investment you can live in, retire to or vacation from—when you aren’t letting it pay for itself by leasing it out. (more…)
Does refinancing fit your situation?
Whether you're buying a home or refinancing, MSC Mortgage provides valuable online tools
and resources to help you make the decisions that are right for you.
For the best service with any of your home financing needs,
talk to one of our private mortgage bankers today.
LEASE 
LEASE 
LEASE 
LEASE 
LEASE 
LEASE 
LEASE 
