Discover a number of gorgeous homes in Stoneybrook at Venice. Pictured: 11355 Dancing River Dr.
A Lennar community that opened in 2004, Stoneybrook at Venice is one of the newest family-oriented neighborhoods in Sarasota County. A master-planned, gated community, Stoneybrook at Venice is nestled within 640 acres with 55 percent of the area being preserve and lakes, with an array of amenities for everyone to enjoy. There are a variety of home floor plans available for retirees to growing families. Located off Center Road or River Road in Venice, it is minutes from I-75, shopping, medical facilities, schools, golf courses, downtown Venice, and, of course, our fabulous beaches.
Market Activity – Stoneybrook at Venice
Stoneybrook at Venice is enjoying robust activity in this challenging real estate market with 620 homes currently built out of an estimated 900 total. Lennar posted six new home sales in the first three weeks of June and are in the process of beginning their next phase of new construction homes. There were nine closed re-sales in the last 30+ days, and there are 12 pending re-sales. Homes prices range from the mid $100s to $300s for new and re-sale homes with square footage ranging from 1,300 to 3,000+.
Agent Kudos – Stoneybrook at Venice
Michael Saunders & Company agents have worked together to list and sell homes in Stoneybrook at Venice with a recent collaborative by Theresa Brown, listing agent from the Venice office, and selling agent Jody Skapyak of the Palmer Ranch office. The home was a lovely three-bedroom, two-bath with den, and was sited with a preserve in the back and green space on one side offering privacy and a lush setting. This home went under contract in less than 30 days and sold for an affordable $162,000. (more…)
Your dream home is out there. Be sure to take the right steps to get it. Courtesy of positiverealestateprofessionals.com
With any significant purchase, it is always important to have everything in order to ensure a smooth, stress-free transaction. From planning to payment, the smallest discretion can lead to a nightmare of results and regret. Buying your next—or first—home deserves the same close attention and scrutiny.
As anyone who has ever bought a home or property can attest, the process involves many decisions to be made and even more documents to be signed before the purchase is complete. Along the way, you want to be confident that you took the right steps to protect your best interests. So, if you are about to take the plunge, here are some mistakes to avoid that could mean the difference between a satisfied new homeowner and an unhappy climber on a mountain of debt:
1. Not checking your credit report and score - Review your credit report a few months before you begin your house hunt, and you’ll have time to ensure the facts are correct and dispute mistakes before a mortgage lender checks your credit. You can access a free copy of your credit report HERE once every 12 months. Remember, the cleaner your credit report and the higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be preapproved for a mortgage at a low interest rate. (more…)
Our office on south Longboat Key specializes in communties throughout the area.
Located near the north end of Longboat Key, Emerald Harbor captures the essence of the Florida lifestyle as a quiet bayfront community. The neighborhood’s 72 homes are all set on deep boating water along extra wide canals that offer direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway with no bridges to Sarasota Bay. Owners in this desirable community enjoy deeded beach access to Longboat Key’s sandy white beaches just across Gulf of Mexico Drive for shelling, strolling and watching beautiful sunsets.
Market Activity – Emerald Harbor
There are currently four active listings in Emerald Harbor, but activity in Emerald Harbor has been brisk recently with four of the five sales in 2009 occurring in the last four months of the year. One of those sales took place within the last 30 days. Selling prices in this community have ranged from $610,000 to a high of $1.375 million. (more…)
2010: Your year to get the most from the real estate market.
As the page on our calendars turned to the fresh slate of 2010, Americans are starting to plan what will be a priority for them when it comes to real estate. Exciting things are happening in the market, and the next few months will bring an unprecedented number of opportunities and possibilities for the heads-up buyer or seller.
While existing homeowners and potential homebuyers experience different situations and needs in regards to their future goals and expectations, we present the top 10 possible New Year resolutions to help point some in the right direction for a successful 2010 in real estate:
1. Get in the Game – Join the nearly 18 percent of Americans who say they’ve resolved to become a first-time homebuyer in 2010, according to a new survey HERE. With the homebuyer tax credit extension running until April 2010, this is an exceptional time to get in the game and become a homeowner. (more…)
Posted by Michael Saunders & Company on December 31, 2009
Across virtually every segment of the economy, 2009 sputtered-in as miserably as 2008 sputtered-out. Yet in spite of its many challenges, the past year showed that it’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. For if the experiences of 2009 taught us nothing else, we learned that true professionals united in common cause can truly make good things happen.
That’s how agents from Michael Saunders & Company helped re-awaken the region’s comatose housing market in 2009. United in purpose and armed with statistics to prove the point—they were able to educate sellers to the new realities of a market in which competitive pricing is key. Of course, it never hurts that ours remains Florida’s top destination for a lifestyle rich in world-class cultural and recreational amenities.
With corrected prices now the accepted norm and the popular first-time homebuyer tax credit renewed for another six months, buyers have rushed in and put the market on the fast track to stability. They’ve driven up year-over-year the number of home sales by as much as 63 percent, according to the most recent monthly MLS sales recap for November. As a company, Michael Saunders & Company is proud to announce that our agents finished 2009 with over $1 Billion in closed dollar volume and exceeded our 2008 production. It took 30 percent more transactions to accomplish this uphill feat, but lowered prices proved the catalyst by which buyers were finally heartened to return to the market.
Even as the S&P 500 gained over 69% from its annual low, holiday sales rose and the consumer confidence index improved over 40% in 2009, economists are dubbing 2010 a “Tabletop” year for the real estate industry. This means that having clawed its way back to a sustained level of sales activity, our market will continue in something of a horizontal recovery; without any major setbacks or much in the way of noticeable price appreciation, until the job market picks up and the inventory of properties—especially foreclosures—drops off. With unemployment showing signs of slowing, we are beginning to see the impact of our stimulus dollars at work.
Refinances and first-time homebuyer property sales largely contributed to third quarter volume
Consumers were active in the housing market during the third quarter with refinance and purchase applications. Existing homeowners fueled the refi activity, and first-time homebuyers accounted for 43% of home purchases in August, according to the Sept. 18 issue of Inside Mortgage Finance.
In a September 2009 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage survey, 56% of first-time homebuyers cited the $8,000 tax credit for their reason to purchase. Low interest rates drove 66% of these borrowers, and 74% attributed the decision to low home prices.
In the same survey, renters shared their reasons for intending to purchase their first home within six months. Roughly 84% said low home prices were the reason, 74% cited low interest rates, and 72% referenced the tax credit as the key deciding factor.
As of the publication date, there is still debate in Congress about whether the first-time homebuyer tax credit will be extended beyond the Nov. 30 deadline.
When will local housing markets recover?
Recent news released from the National Association of REALTORS® showed that pending home sales have increased for seven consecutive months based on contracts signed in August. In addition, the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices demonstrated that the annual decline in home price values continues to slow and that many markets have experienced some sustained monthly increases.
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…)
Downtown Sarasota offers an abundance of exciting lifestyle options.
The greater Sarasota area exudes an air of relaxed sophistication, complete with an abundance of recreational activities and a variety of breathtaking cultural attractions, all surrounded by picturesque natural beauty. The residential opportunities are just as diverse, from Gulf-front condominiums, golf course villas and beach houses to traditional single-family neighborhoods. And in today’s market, the choices available are both attractively priced and sure to please any taste.
Gary Loughlin, branch manager of Michael Saunders & Company’s longstanding Main Street office, is pleased top report increasing sales activity throughout the area. New residential property sales in October were up 50 percent over sales in September and over 100 percent ahead of October of 2008. (more…)
