Updates from johnbutzko RSS

    Print This Post Print This Post
  • The Neighborhood Report - Venice Island

    John Butzko 2:14 am on March 11, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,

    A stroll along the storefronts along Venice Avenue on Venice Island.

    People love to live on and visit downtown Venice—located on Venice Island—where they find a small town atmosphere with plenty to see and do. Here, there is an active center of town where you can stroll down Venice Avenue and enjoy the shops and outside cafes, just a breath away from beautiful area beaches. Convenience is key, as one can ride a bike or walk to most places of interest on Venice Island.

    Market Activity – Venice Island

    In the past 30 days, 17 properties sold and 58 have gone under contract on Venice Island, according to Venice office branch manager Kathy Wood. Recently, Venice office agents Jo-Anne Sckowska and Nell Taylor worked with a vacationing couple who wanted a condominium to use as a vacation place for now and eventually move into. All the properties that met their criteria were in different areas off the island, and Jo-Anne and Nell could tell the homebuyers weren’t very enthusiastic about them. So, the team suggested they view a listing across from the beach with a nice side Gulf view. This listing was a bit dated and needed updating, but was near where they were staying and convenient to all of downtown’s charms. As they walked in and looked out the window at the wonderful view, they were able to overlook the updating needs. They wrote a contract for cash on this island condominium and will go to closing very soon. (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Smart Moving – Top 10 Tips to Help Cut Moving Costs

    John Butzko 3:32 pm on March 9, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: ,

    Moving your things from one home to another doesn't have to be costly.

    After searching properties, making offers, securing financing and signing piles of closing papers, you’re finally ready to move your possessions into your new home. Understandably, by this point you and your finances are equally exhausted, so the thoughts of shelling out more money for moving can become quite daunting.

    Fortunately, moving your things from one abode to another doesn’t have to be as costly as you think. By following the 10 tips below, you can help make your move a little easier and a lot more wallet-friendly:

    1.  Garage Sale – If you plan to hire a moving company, many base their prices on what they need to move. So, get rid of the things you really don’t need or no longer use. The best way? Sell it in a garage sale. If you don’t have a lot of items to sell, consider a joint sale with some neighbors. With luck, you can rid yourself of extra baggage and put some money back into your pockets. Can’t sell it? Donate it.

    2. Timing is Everything – Most people move on the weekend, so truck rental companies and moving companies will increase their rates for weekends. Move during the week, and you’ll save on a truck rental and movers if you need help loading up or unloading the truck. Also, most choose to move in the summer months, when work may be slower and the kids are out of school. The least expensive time of the year to move is between October and April, so try to schedule your move date then. (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • The Neighborhood Report – Lido Shores

    John Butzko 3:30 pm on March 4, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , ,

    Lido Shores is home to an array of luxurious homes.

    Established in 1950 and nestled between St. Armands and Longboat Key, Lido Shores is an intimate oasis of approximately one hundred homes. The waterfront properties have frontage on Pansy Bayou, Sarasota Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and New Pass, which provide direct deepwater boating access to the Gulf of Mexico or Sarasota Bay.

    Lido Shore’s location is ideal, within walking distance of St. Armands Circle and Mote Marine, and just a few miles from downtown Sarasota with its restaurants and myriad of cultural activities. Residents have a private beach with pavilion directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The voluntary and friendly Lido Shores Property Owners Association organizes social activities including sunset parties, a Fall House Tour with Dinner, and Spring Beach Barbecue. Some of the most elegant homes in Sarasota are located on Westway Drive, often called “The Rodeo Drive of Sarasota.” (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Top 10 Tips for New Homebuyers

    John Butzko 3:44 pm on March 2, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,

    Work with professionals to avoid purchasing a home too small for your family.

    Buying your first home is the realization of the American Dream. This exciting, overwhelming and even frightening experience brings an array of emotions brought upon by feelings of achievement, apprehension and joy–all wrapped into the walled and roofed structure you now call home.

    To make the most of this life-enhancing event, you need to be sure that every step you take is in the right direction and with your best interests in mind. Before you sign those closing papers, there are many things to consider. To help you along, here are the top 10 tips for new homebuyers who plan to get the most from their first home: (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • The Neighborhood Report – Siesta Estates

    John Butzko 1:01 pm on February 25, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , ,

    Homes in Siesta Estates rarely go on the market. This one is currently listed by Harvey and Ethel Lovelace.

    Tucked away at the corner of Beach and Midnight Pass roads on Siesta Key is a private enclave of 16 homes in a private, gated community called Siesta Estates. The homes are newer, built since 1995, and the community offers privacy walls, lush tropical landscaping and underground utilities including natural gas. Although this community lives like a single-family community, it has yard and private pool maintenance included, which make it ideal for owners that travel or want to use the home part time.

    Market Activity – Siesta Estates

    Homes in Siesta Estates are a minimum of 2,000 square feet with the average being around 2,500 square feet. In June of 2009, the only remaining lot was put under contract by Mary Jo Violett and Kristina Rain with the Siesta Key office of Michael Saunders & Company. A new home is being built on that site. (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Top 10 things you should know about the homebuyer’s tax credit before it runs out

    John Butzko 3:22 pm on February 23, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,

    A tax credit of up to $8,000 is available to new homebuyers. Act now!

    With April 15 quickly approaching, many of us find ourselves scrambling for the necessary information to ensure Uncle Sam gets his share—and our refunds are maximized. This past year, new legislation passed through the United States Congress to extend and expand the popular first-time homebuyer tax credit. The new and improved federal homebuyer tax credit can benefit not only first-time homebuyers, but also homeowners who choose to upgrade or buy a new home.

    So, if you are thinking about taking advantage of this limited-time offer, or already have, here are the top 10 things you should know about the homebuyer’s tax credit before it runs out: (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Get Professional Help – Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

    John Butzko 11:50 am on February 18, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply

    Get the most from your home buying or selling experience. Hire a professional.

    With a wealth of information and access to multiple media sources readily available online, many homebuyers and sellers may wonder, “Couldn’t I buy or sell a home on my own?” Our answer for this quandary is quite simple. You would hire a professional for real estate for the same reasons you acquire the services of any trained professional—to help you navigate safely and confidently through some of life’s biggest investments. So, if you want to get the results you hope to achieve, then hiring a real estate agent for representation is the way to go.

    So, if you’ve wondered the same thing, here are the top 10 reasons why you might want to consider hiring a professional real estate agent when you buy or sell your next home: (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Romance on the Gulf Coast - Top 10 Valentine’s Day Ideas

    John Butzko 3:38 pm on February 11, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,

    This year, make Valentine's Day special for the one you love.

    As the day of love and adoration approaches, many find themselves without a plan to express their feelings to the object of their affection. While we do encourage our readers to articulate and share their heartfelt sentiments throughout the year, Valentine’s Day presents itself as a must for those who prefer to maintain a relationship with the very person they endear. As such, it becomes your duty to make each February 14 a small celebration of love for those dear to you.

    Beyond the heart-shaped boxes, mounds of candy and arrangements of flowers, there is a world of romance out there just waiting for you to enjoy. This Valentine’s Day, dust off your romantic ambition and do something extraordinary for that special somebody in your heart. Here are the top 10 Valentine’s Day ideas from your friends at michaelsaunders.com: (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • The Neighborhood Report – Turtle Rock

    John Butzko 5:00 pm on February 10, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,

    Turtle Rock offers a variety of residential options to suit any taste.

    Turtle Rock is a gated residential community located in the heart of Palmer Ranch. The community is comprised of 751 properties, including single-family homes and maintenance-free villas set within a lovely background of serene beauty. Most of the homes enjoy views of the pristine lakes and natural preserves. Residents enjoy an assortment of great amenities, such as tennis, basketball, swimming, walking, biking and even canoeing. In Turtle Rock, you are just steps away from the ever-popular Legacy Trail, where you can bike, jog or rollerblade 11 miles to Venice. Whether you are an active adult, early retiree or have a young family, there is a home that is right for you. (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Pages of Inspiration – Top 10 Books for Motivation

    John Butzko 2:02 pm on February 4, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply

    Motivational books can help you overlook your obstacles to focus on your goals.

    When faced with challenging times, the right message can lift you up to look beyond hardships and encourage you to set your sights on the goals you seek. Inspirational, instructional and influential words have long served as the building blocks for success, whether used to boost morale, enhance attitudes or ignite hopes and dreams.

    Without motivation, it gets much too easy to give up when you meet the obstacles on the way to success. Fortunately, there are motivational books that can help you fire up yourself and jumpstart your motivation. Here are the top 10 motivational and inspirational books as suggested by our management team: (More …)

    • Share/Bookmark
     
c
compose new post
j
next post/next comment
k
previous post/previous comment
r
reply
e
edit
o
show/hide comments
t
go to top
esc
cancel