As 2009 comes to a close, we ask Michael Saunders what surprises her the most in the market today.
Please view the video below, where Michael discusses our listing inventory and the price ranges we represent.
To view the video, please click here.
Updates from December, 2009
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Ask Michael - What Surprises You The Most About the Market Today?
Holli Schleicher
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Maryanne Casey's Listing - 1230 Gulf Blvd
Holli Schleicher
The Michael Saunders & Company video team is happy to showcase Maryann Casey’s listing at 1230 Gulf Blvd in Englewood, FL. This charming Beach Cottage is just steps from the white sandy beach of Manasota Key. Feel the Gulf breeze on the large lanai, ideal for entertaining or just relaxing.
View video of 1230 Gulf Blvd in Englewood, FL. -
Neighborhood Report – Venice Stories of Success
John Butzko
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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It IS Easy Being Green – Top 10 Green Innovations for Your Home
John Butzko
Solar panels make use of the sun to provide a clean, environmentally sound way to collect energy. Photo courtesy of greenpoweryourhome.com.
Within the last several years, environmentally sensitive features for homes have become increasingly popular with builders, designers and homeowners alike. As energy prices have increased and the green movement ascended, more innovative, eco-friendly materials, systems and solutions have emerged in many of today’s newest constructions and home designs.
The benefits of creating a green home are many, including lower utility and water bills and a host of tax incentives and breaks. Below are the top 10 green innovations and ideas to help turn any house into a self-sufficient, resource-saving home. (More …)
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The Neighborhood Report - St. Armands Strides
John Butzko
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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The Neighborhood Report - Englewood Areas
John Butzko
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 UpdateBarbara 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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The Neighborhood Report - Siesta Key Activity
John Butzko
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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Set the Stage – 10 Tips for Staging Your Home
John Butzko
Make your first impression memorable and welcoming.
When you place your home on the market, you want to sell it quickly and garner the highest amount possible. To do so, you need to be sure your property is at its most appealing to stand out to the homebuyers who come in for a tour. Staging is preparing your home so it is presented in its very best state, highlighting its strengths and downplaying its weaknesses.
Here are 10 helpful tips for effectively staging your home. Follow these and your property will stand out from the rest and get the attention you seek: (More …)
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The Neighborhood Report - East County and Lakewood Ranch
John Butzko
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 Neighborhood Report - Palmer Ranch Communities
John Butzko
Lake and Golf Views from 4005 Las Palmas in Prestancia - Listed by Jane Rees.
A sprawling, master-planned community, Palmer Ranch offers a myriad of lifestyle opportunities for any taste. Residential sales activity in Palmer Ranch has been lively, according to Palmer Ranch office branch manager Darla Furst. Convenient to Sarasota’s beaches, vibrant downtown and cultural attractions, the communities in Palmer Ranch include: Country Club of Sarasota, Deer Creek, The Hamptons, Huntington Pointe, Marbella, Prestancia, Savannah at Turtle Rock, Stoneybrook and Turtle Rock.
A Closer Look at Palmer Ranch Sales
There have been 35 single-family homes to have gone under contract (pending) within the last 30 days. Of those pending sales, six homes (17 percent) are in the Deer Creek subdivision, five are in Village Walk, and four in Turtle Rock. A majority of these properties were listed under $400,000, which universally seems to be the most active price range for the area. Twelve of the homes were listed under $300,000. The average days on the market for these properties were 99, which is also a good indication that the market is healthy. (More …)
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