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In this Ask Michael video, Michael Saunders lends useful advice to help real estate agents navigate through today’s challenging market.
To see our complete collection of videos, click here.
If you have questions for Michael Saunders, email AskMichael@michaelsaunders.com.
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Venice Beach is just one of the area's many wonderful charms. Photo courtesy of coastalliving.com.
Venice office branch manager Kathy Wood enthusiastically reports a strong market in the Venice area; and she’s right to be excited. According to the Florida Regional Venice MLS, sales of single-family homes in August rose 49.12 percent compared to August of 2008, and condominiums sales for the month of August rose 40 percent compared to August of 2008.
Just how important is it to know your market?
As one of our Venice agents recently learned, it is very important to be familiar with the market you serve. You will hear the same response from any number of Michael Saunders & Company agents, in any number of our offices, because they are all consummate professionals who have made it their business to know their area of expertise. They make a point to actually see the inventory on caravans each week, prepare comparative market analyses (CMA) for potential listings, and familiarize themselves with the surrounding area. (More …)
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Unique shopping and dining venues attract visitors to St. Armands Circle from around the world. Photo courtesy of visitflorida.com.
The St. Armands area continues to garner attention for its exceptional location among beautiful beaches and world-class shopping and dining venues. To further introduce the many charms of their remarkable destination to potential homebuyers around the world, the agents of our St. Armands office have participated in blogs and engaged the web’s most popular social networking sites, according to branch Managing Broker Barbara Roberts.
The Power of the Web
Recently, St. Armands agent Barbara Dumbaugh received a lead through Trulia.com, one of the web’s most widely viewed real estate resources. Here, she was able to hand select and present a collection of area properties based on the buyer’s requirements for characteristics, amenities and neighborhoods. The buyer agreed, was satisfied with the selection, and made the trip here for an in-person tour. Barbara sold him a property listed by Yolanda Kaufman, also an agent of the St. Armands office. (More …)
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In an exclusive interview with Michael Saunders, we ask her the following:
Looking through the historical lens, how does today’s real estate downturn compare to other market cycles?
If you have questions for Michael Saunders, email AskMichael@michaelsaunders.com.
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The Englewood area offers an assortment of lifestyle options. From soaring condominium residences to quaint beach cottages, there is something to suit every taste.
The old adage “location, location, location” is an apt description of the undiscovered Englewood, Placida, Punta Gorda area. It is a Mecca for water lovers; from world-class fishing and boating to its uncrowded beaches, there is always a water sport or recreational activity to enjoy. This area is perfect for those who want a quiet and laidback lifestyle, but also want to be within proximity to fine dining, cultural activities and night life, as downtown Sarasota offers many amenities and is an easy drive.
Market Update
Barbara Saputo, branch manager of Michael Saunders & Company’s Englewood office, reports a significant increase in property showings in the last few weeks for listings priced according to current conditions. Those that are priced to the market are going to get shown, from the high-end, beachfront condominiums to the moderately priced single-family homes. Buyers will also find new construction properties throughout the area—of particular interest are the single-family units in Pennington Place and paired villas in Stillwater. Both neighborhoods are conveniently located, gated, and offer a host of community amenities. (More …)
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Take your time and find the right Realtor for you and your family. Image courtesy of sandywright.
When you decide to buy or sell a home, you are about to embark on one of the most important financial situations most people face, yet so many give too little thought to finding the right real estate agent to assist their unique needs. When working with the ideal agent, you can save yourself time and aggravation in your real estate experience in selling your home for top dollar or finding the home that suits your price range and taste.
Here are 10 helpful tips to help you choose the right Realtor for you: (More …)
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MSC BEST OPPORTUNITY - 1143 CASEY KEY RD, NOKOMIS, FL
Can you effectively introduce a business unit which is counter-intuitive to the very foundation that your company was built on? The answer is an emphatic YES! Michael Saunders and Company started in 1976 as the premier luxury real estate firm serving the Sarasota elite and expanded over the years to meet the demands of the affluent along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
For years, their sales price has been significantly higher than the MLS in all areas serviced and $1MM+ sales were the norm. But even then, while known as the luxury leader in Sarasota, they did in fact handle less expensive homes by appealing to the wants and needs of those buyers.
In 2008, in response to the changing real estate market, the company continued to adapt to the times by actively seeking and obtaining key REO accounts to augment revenue. By creating a completely separate division (BEST Opportunities & Bank Owned Properties) with a unique logo but similar color scheme, MS&C has successfully integrated a profitable division which might to some seem, detrimental to the core foundation on which the company was built. As a result, their market share continues to grow while their competitors on the sidelines look on.
Since the inception of the program, MS&C has experienced a 35.8% closed conversion rate for properties in the program. According to recent website statistics, a Best Opportunities property attracts 4-5 times more visitors than an IDX listing. In addition to this, clients stay on a Best Opportunities property detail page 35% longer than IDX listings and 97% of the visitors view two or more properties.
“Our mission is to be the market leader,” comments Michael Saunders, “and that requires us to be nimble in dealing with whatever market is handed to us. But we believe we can still do that in the context of the brand we have built…as the brokerage of choice of the most discriminating consumers.”
Posted By: Jana Coleman, LeadingRE Regional Vice President, Southeast
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Soaring Siesta Key condominium residences offer spectacular water vistas.
Siesta Key has been bustling with activity for the past three months, according to Siesta Key office branch manager Debbie Judge. We are seeing buyers from all over the world take advantage of 2002 pricing, which is the last time we had a similar amount of inventory under $200,000. No matter what the price range, there are many options for buyers. One significant difference between 2001 and 2009 is the existence of newly/newer built product including two new subdivisions—Coronas Park and Spice Bay—as well as some new condominiums.
A Look Inside – Statistics
Consider this overview of the stats from the last three months on Siesta Key. We currently have 25 months of condominium inventory and 17 months of single-family home inventory overall. However, it is important to get a closer look to find that different price ranges had different results in terms of months of inventory: (More …)
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Opportunities Abound - 6915 Westchester Circle - A grand Lakewood Ranch property listed by Mary Hellhake
The residential areas of East County differ widely, offering everything from charming single-family residences and exquisite golf course communities to grand, newly built estates and expansive equestrian acreage. Gloria Weed, branch manager of Michael Saunders & Company’s Lakewood Ranch office, finds that sales activity in East County has been brisk, with 291 homes pending, 189 homes sold and 312 new to the market in the last 30 days.
Lakewood Ranch Activity
The area’s most extraordinary master-planned community, Lakewood Ranch provides all the essential elements for a wonderful life. With beautiful homes, plentiful shops and places to play Lakewood Ranch has established a harmonious balance among the people and the surrounding natural environment. Its proximity to I-75 makes it the perfect location to reach other Florida destinations in any direction, with convenience to two international airports. (More …)
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The end of summer never indicates the end of beach days on Florida's Gulf Coast
As the summer season winds to an end, we find it perfectly fitting to boast the beautiful weather that defines Florida’s Gulf Coast. While those up north are readying their snow shovels, winter coats and heating systems, we here can continue donning our bathing attire to enjoy a few more months of frolicking on our favorite area beaches—some of which are renowned as among the world’s very best.
To send a taste of our tropical splendor to our cold weather friends, we present the top 10 beaches on Florida’s Southwest Coast. To help guide travelers on their journey down, these spots are listed from north to south. (More …)