Latest Updates: Bradenton RSS

 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: Bradenton, michaelsaunders.com (24), Sarasota (46), Siesta Key (13)

  

  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 …)

  • 
   

  Reply Click here to cancel reply.

  Name (required)

  Email (required)

  Web Site

   
 Print This Post
• 

  The Neighborhood Report – Village Green

  John Butzko 3:44 pm on January 26, 2010 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Bradenton, buyers (23), condominiums (15), inventory (25)

  

  Well-manicured fairways adorn Village Green's golf course.

  Village Green is a prime neighborhood in the city of Bradenton, Florida, with 1,001 residences consisting of 575 freestanding single-family homes and 426 villa condominiums. Many of the condominium sections include community swimming pools among their amenities, and winding paths and tranquil lakes highlight the beautiful, lush surrounds.

  Bounded on the north by 7th Avenue West, on the south by 29th Avenue West, on the east by 63rd Street West and on the west by 75th Street West, Village Green enjoys a convenient location close to area shopping and medical services. The sparkling waters of Palma Sola Bay are only three blocks away, and the beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico are a short three-mile drive.

  Recent Sales Activity – Village Green

  In the last 60 days, there have been seven sales in Village Green, with an average sales price of $156,992. Of the seven residences sold, five were single-family homes and two were villa condominiums.

  Agent Kudos – Selling Village Green

  Bradenton office agents Kathy Valente and Ally Howell have recently sold a home in Village Green to customers from out of the area. According to Ally, “They buyers fell in love with the home due to the great condition and gorgeous greenbelt view.”

  

  7405 7th W Ave - This 3BR villa is available in Village Green. Listed by Kathy Valente.

  The buyers were familiar with Village Green since they have family in the area, so they searched for homes online, where they also located Kathy and Ally for assistance in finding the right property. The residence purchased was a two-bedroom villa condominium with a two-car garage and approximately 2,100 square feet and sold for $136,000.

  • 
   
 Print This Post
• 

  The Neighborhood Report – Anna Maria Island

  John Butzko 1:01 pm on November 17, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Bradenton, home prices (7), homebuyers (24), manatee (18), Michael Saunders & Company (44), real estate market (100)

  

  The laidback lifestyle on Anna Maria Island attracts many interested homebuyers.

  Wonderful values make the current real estate market very appealing to buyers. Pam Ali, branch manager of Michael Saunders & Company’s Bradenton office, notices an increase in activity on Manatee County’s beautiful Anna Maria Island.

  The Anna Maria area offers a true Florida island lifestyle. The quaint feeling of smaller buildings and beautiful beaches attracts buyers who are looking for a quiet place to unwind. Many of those who have purchased on Anna Maria Island have done so for either a second home or to completely relocate to enjoy the ultimate in Florida island living. Walking on the beaches, watching sunsets, kayaking the sparkling waterways and excellent fishing are the ways of life on the island, and today’s market has offered many opportunities for buyers in all price ranges to take advantage of some of the best properties available. (More …)

  • 
   
 Print This Post
• 

  Revitalized Bradenton Brims with Artistic Flair

  Michael Saunders & Company 5:42 pm on November 4, 2009 | Comments:1 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Alchemy, Around the Bend Nature Tours, ArtCenter Manatee, Beth D’Addono, Bonnie Bakes, Boston Globe, Bradenton, Hearts Desire, Manatee Players, Mattison’s Riverside, Ristorante Ortygia, SOMA Diner, South Florida Musuem, village of the arts

  

  Village of the Arts - Bradenton, FL / Nicole and Taylor DeMoss' FUNKY UTOPIA GALLERY

  Revitalized Bradenton Brims with Artistic Flair

  By Beth D’Addono of the Boston Globe

  Welcome to Village of the Arts, a funky collection of more than 35 galleries, studios, cafes, and shops stretching between 9th Street and 16th Street West, and 9th and 14th Street West in what was once a rough section just south of downtown Bradenton, 50 miles south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Formerly a place known for crack houses and prostitutes, Village of the Arts started as a grass-roots attempt to reclaim the neighborhood by a few brave artists in search of cheap real estate and a community. A decade later, what began as a social experiment has become a reason for locals and visitors to spend time away from Bradenton’s sandy beaches.

  Bonni Brown was one of the first to stake a claim. The former New York clinical social worker opened a bakery cafe in September 1999. “We bought this place from a man arrested for shooting at crackheads. Got a great deal.’’ Today, the 100-year-old building houses Bonni Bakes, a friendly spot to have fresh mango lassi, a curried chicken salad sandwich, and a slice of red velvet cake. “We still get locals who’ve lived here all their lives and say, ‘When did all this happen?’ We’ve finally got some signs up, which will help a lot.’’

  Brenda Smoak is the newest kid on the block. She opened Alchemy, a fair trade consignment shop representing 145 artists, in early October, leaving her gallery in Silver Springs, Md., behind. “I moved here because of this place – it felt like a community,’’ Smoak said.

  (More …)

  • 
   
 Print This Post
• 

  Retirement Rocks

  Michael Saunders & Company 3:44 pm on November 4, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: baby boomers, Bradenton, CNNMoney.com, Englewood (7), Gulf Coast, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, retirement, Sarasota (46), Southwest Florida (15), TripAdvisor, venice (11)

  

  At first blush, being singled-out as one of America’s best places to retire might seem like a dubious distinction in a culture that celebrates youth and scorns aging.  Stereotyped to the max on TV shows like Seinfeld and The Golden Girls—and in films like Cocoon—the typical Florida retiree is usually depicted as a curmudgeonly old man or loopy old woman—or vice versa—who get their kicks tossing off salty one-liners at a dithering spouse, roommate or long-suffering offspring.

  Now, just as they’ve redefined every phase of their lives, Baby Boomers have taken society’s idea of retirement and turned it on its ear.  Don’t expect Boomers to dodder quietly over to their porch rockers; for even in retirement, they’re completely re-ordering the way communities perceive their worth and cater to their needs.  They’re healthy, active, adventurous, and fit; and able to consume and contribute as much as ever.  Moreover, they are very demanding of where they live and expect in retirement the same sort of recreational, cultural and health-related amenities they’ve grown accustomed to over the years.

  Nowadays, if your town is named one of America’s ten best places to retire it clearly has its act together and is poised for even greater prosperity down the road.  It takes much more than warm weather and clear skies to satisfy Boomers and the larger generations of retirees to follow.  For this reason we heartily congratulate Venice, Port Charlotte, Englewood and Punta Gorda for consistently receiving top recognition as four of America’s foremost places to retire and live well.

  This year Port Charlotte was named best place to retire by CNNMoney.com. Last year, Punta Gorda was named one of the healthiest places to retire by U.S. News & World Report. The year before Venice topped the U.S. News list. Meanwhile, with five natural beaches, world-class fishing, unusual boutiques, and ample golfing it is no surprise that nearby Englewood has been listed as the number two U.S. destination to visit in 2009 by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community.

  (More …)

  • 
   
 Print This Post
• 

  The Neighborhood Report - Manatee County

  John Butzko 3:55 pm on September 3, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Bradenton, inventory (25), lakewood ranch (9), manatee (18), Michael Saunders & Company (44), Mortgage (16), Sarasota County (18)

  

  Properties on Tidy Island

  Turn-of-the-century bayside villages, quiet rural settings, country club communities, comfortable urban neighborhoods and secure retirement enclaves are all part of Bradenton and Manatee County.  Bordering the Gulf of Mexico between Tampa and Sarasota, Manatee County has earned the reputation of being one of the friendliest communities in on the Gulf Coast, in addition to its diverse neighborhoods and Florida charm. The agents of our Bradenton office proudly serve the residential opportunities throughout Manatee County and beyond.

  Manatee County Sales Reports

  Pam Ali, branch manager of Michael Saunders & Company’s Bradenton office, is pleased to report significant activity in home sales throughout Manatee County. In the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Manatee County, there were 243 single-family homes that sold in the last 30 days. The average sales price was $230,488. (More …)

  • 
   
 Print This Post
• 

  The Neighborhood Report - Bradenton

  John Butzko 2:16 pm on July 23, 2009 | Comments:0 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Bradenton, housing recovery (8), lakewood ranch (9), manatee (18), michaelsaunders.com (24), pending sales (14), real estate market (100)

  

  MS&C Bradenton Office

  From the shore of Anna Maria Island and stretching eastward along the Manatee River, the Bradenton-Manatee area is a remarkable place highlighted by a host of art and historical attractions, as well as a coastline of sun-drenched beaches. From adorable Florida fishing cottages and stately southern houses to luxury condominiums, modest mid-century homes and island bungalows, this Gulf Coast destination boasts a great sampling of residential lifestyle options. As proven area experts, the agents of our Bradenton office specialize in helping homebuyers and sellers throughout the communities of Bradenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria Island, Parrish, Terra Ceia and Lakewood Ranch.

  How’s the market in Bradenton?

  Bradenton office branch manager Pam Ali has witnessed a very active market in her area. Additionally, our Bradenton agents have recently seen a significant increase in the number of buyers and sellers making inquiries via the Michael Saunders & Company website, michaelsaunders.com. Many of these are from out-of-town potential buyers who found our piece of paradise online. Within the last 14 days, the Bradenton office has received 20 pending transactions, which indicates a healthy amount of interest in Bradenton real estate. (More …)

  • 
   
 Print This Post
• 

  First In First Out

  Michael Saunders & Company 9:27 am on May 15, 2009 | Comments:1 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Bradenton, real estate market (100), Sarasota (46), tax credit (22)

  “This city was among the first in the nation to fall victim to the real estate collapse.  Now it seems to be in the earliest stages of a recovery, a hopeful sign for an economy mired in trouble and anxiety.”  David Streitfeld wrote last week in his column for the New York Times.

  Although Streitfeld—a veteran real estate reporter—was referring to Sacramento, CA in the article entitled “Where Home Prices Crashed Early, Signs of a Rebound,” he could also be describing Southwest Florida; which likewise boomed early, crashed sooner and where the earliest signs of recovery are abundant in both statistical and anecdotal evidence.

  If Sacramento—as Streitfeld suggests—was ground zero for California’s boom and bust, then Sarasota-Bradenton is among a handful of markets vying for the same dubious distinction in Florida.  We boomed very early in what was destined to become a national housing bubble, then were among the first markets to feel the downturn; which, as we well know, cascaded full-throttle into a nationwide meltdown.

  In the same news cycle a few weeks ago, Steve Bergsman—a real estate columnist for Inman News—made a similar observation in his article “Home Sales Boom in ‘Busted’ Markets.”   He said:  “The odd secret in America’s housing data is that most of California, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Florida—that experienced the largest corrections after the housing bust—are now reporting the greatest percentage increases in housing sales.”

  (More …)

  •