Venice Area Homes Blog: January 2009

Gorgeous 2/1 canal front home with private dock in Nokomis Florida

Kari A. Battaglia | Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate | kari@karibattaglia.com | 941.270.1851

603 Frances Street, Nokomis, FL

Ready to move in canal front 2/1 gorgeous renovated Florida home with dock and only one bridge and you are to the Gulf of Mexico.

2BR/1BA Single Family House

offered at $249,900

Year Built	1957
Sq Footage	925
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	4 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	7,700 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Ready to move in and clean as a whistle. Best canal front value there is. One bridge to gulf, RV/Boat parking on side on home. Beautiful mexican tile throughout home, french doors lead out to your backyard tropical paradise straight to your own private dock. New kitchen, solid surface countertops, travertine in bath/shower. Blinds on all windows, washer/dryer in laundry room. Mature tropical landscaping with many different fruit trees. Canal is on two sides of the property which makes lot seem much larger then indicated.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Tile floor
Office/Den	Breakfast nook	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Washer	Dryer
Laundry area - garage	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Covered parking	Guest parking	Laundry on-site
Storage space(s)

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Canal on two sides of property

Your own private dock

RV/Boat parking

Many different fruit trees

Gorgeous mexican tile throughout home

Travertine tiled bath/tub

Beautiful mature landscaping

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kari A. Battaglia

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

kari@karibattaglia.com

941.270.1851

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jan 22, 2009, 9:20pm PST

Serving customers in Venice Florida, South Venice, Osprey, Nokomis Florida, Casey Key, Manasota Key, Englewood Florida, Rotonda West and North Port communities. Call me to list your home for sale, answer questions regarding steps you can take to AVOID FORECLOSURE or answer any general questions you may have about real estate.

www.BuyAHomeInVENICE.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

1 comment • Kari A Battaglia Realtor® Venice Florida Homes • January 29 2009 02:00PM

January's Green Tip Of The Month

Recommending this tip to your sellers will also help in the marketing of their home and attract potential buyers.

Audit Your Energy

Energy meter With the ever rising cost of energy and the current state of our economy, it make sense to do all that you can to save money. Recommending to you sellers to invest in an energy audit. It is easier to save energy when you know exactly how much and where you are using it. Call your local energy company to see if they offer any programs to educate consumers on energy consumption and ways to save money on your energy bill. Our local energy company, Florida Power & Light (FPL) can help you find smart ways to save money on your home's energy bill. Homeowners typically save on average of 25% on their energy bill. You just need a general idea about your home, appliances and energy use habits. Investing in a home audit takes a couple of hours and pays off with a list of things you can do to curb consumption. You can visit FPL's website, www.fpl.comand complete their on-line Home Energy Survey or give them a call at (800) DIAL FPL.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@KariBattaglia.com. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

www.KariBattaglia.com, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Serving customers in Venice Florida, South Venice, Osprey, Nokomis Florida, Casey Key, Manasota Key, Englewood Florida, Rotonda West and North Port communities. Call me to list your home for sale, answer questions regarding steps you can take to AVOID FORECLOSURE or answer any general questions you may have about real estate.

www.BuyAHomeInVENICE.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

2 comments • Kari A Battaglia Realtor® Venice Florida Homes • January 27 2009 04:29PM

Active Rain, big role in my life and my business.

Kari A. Battaglia I just noticed that I surpassed 20,000 points! Wow that is awesome. It has been six months since I joined Active Rain back in August 2008. Last August I had my own small brokerage and worked with my husband in his real estate endeavours. At night I would surf the internet to try to find ways to promote my husband's properties and that is when I found Active Rain. I joined and nervously wrote my first post in the Active Rain Newbie's group. To my amazement I received a comment on my first post! I was so excited. By the next morning I had a gold star next to my post! I was even more excited.

I loved reading the posts and hearing how much Realtors enjoyed helping their customers. This ultimately helped me decide that it was time to become an agent and help the public with all their real estate needs. Since then I joined Coldwell Banker in Venice Florida. I love my office and all the people that I have met since becoming a Realtor.

My very first customer as an agent came from Active Rain (My first lead from Active Rain). I also read a post one day regarding HouseValues.com and checked into it. I signed up for the Market Leader program and Just Listed Buyers. Right after joining I read some not so favourable posts regarding HouseValues.com and I thought, oh no, what did I get myself into. Surprising in the first month I have had one closing which pays for about half of my annual commitment and my prospect referred me to his cousin and she hired me to sell her home. Also I just showed another Just Listed prospect some properties yesterday and hopefully I can help them find exactly what they are looking

I just wanted to express my gratitude to Active Rain for all that you have done for me. Active Rain has played a very big role in my life and my business. I am sure this is just the beginning.

Serving customers in Venice Florida, South Venice, Osprey, Nokomis Florida, Casey Key, Manasota Key, Englewood Florida, Rotonda West and North Port communities. Call me to list your home for sale, answer questions regarding steps you can take to AVOID FORECLOSURE or answer any general questions you may have about real estate.

www.BuyAHomeInVENICE.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

7 comments • Kari A Battaglia Realtor® Venice Florida Homes • January 20 2009 10:51PM

Short Sales vs. Foreclosure

For those of you who have questions regarding short sale vs foreclosure, I found this post explains the pro and cons of short sale vs foreclosure. Many thanks to David Serle of Boca Raton Florida for this valuable information.

Via Boca Raton Florida Homes for Sale David Serle (RE/MAX Services):

Many of my clients ask me why should I do a short sale vs. a foreclosure. Here are a few answers to those questions.

With a Short Sale you will lose between 125-150 points on your credit score.

With a Foreclosure you will lose 250 points in most cases.

With a Short Sale we have had an 85% success rate to have the banks waive the right to come after you for the difference of the what is owed, and what the bank receives otherwise known as a deficiency judgement.

With a Foreclosure 100% of the time they get a deficiency judgement that in many cases forces the customer into bankruptcy.

With a Short Sale the ability to get a new loan is hindered, but only for 2 years.

With a foreclosure it is going to be very tough to even get a new loan. Right now they say about 5 years minimum.

There are going to be a lot of changes to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in the near future as we have already seen. With a lot of people claiming bankruptcy and doing short sales I thought this chart was great information so you can educate your customers on what to expect in the future and the consequences a short sale or foreclosure may have on the ability to obtain a new loan in the future.

Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Policy Changes (applicable to manually underwritten loans only)

In U-Memo 08-29, we detailed changes to our requirements for borrowers with a prior foreclosure in their credit history. With this U-Memo, we are updating these requirements as well as establishing new requirements for bankruptcy and pre- foreclosure sales. We are updating the requirements regarding the time period that must elapse before borrowers can demonstrate that they have re-established their credit history following an occurrence of a bankruptcy or foreclosure. The following table outlines our current and new policies for manually underwritten loans:

Action

Current Requirements

New Requirements

Bankruptcy (all except chapter 13)

4 year time period from discharge date

The 4 year time period is unchanged; however it is now applied from either the discharge or dismissal date of the bankruptcy action.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

2 year time period from discharge date

The time period for Chapter 13 bankruptcy actions is measured as follows:
· 2 years from the discharge date,
Or
· 4 years from the dismissal date.

Exceptions for extenuating circumstances-All Bankruptcy Actions

2 year time period from discharge date. No exception to the 2 year time period for Chapter 13 bankruptcy actions.

The 2 year time period will be measured from the bankruptcy discharge or dismissal date. No exceptions are permitted to the 2 year time period after a Chapter 13 discharge.

Multiple Bankruptcy Filings

No existing policy

A 5 year time period date is now required from the most recent dismissal or discharge for borrowers with more than one bankruptcy filing within the past 7 years.

Exceptions for extenuating circumstances-Multiple Bankruptcy Actions

No existing policy

A 3 year time period from the most recent discharge or dismissal date is required.
NOTE: The most recent bankruptcy filing must have been the result of extenuating circumstances.

Foreclosure

We recently updated (in U-08-29) the time period from 4 to 5 years from the date that the foreclosure sale had been completed.

Additional requirements now apply after 5 years up to 7 years following foreclosure completion date:
· The purchase of a principal residence is permitted with a minimum 10% downpayment and a minimum credit score of 680
· Purchase of a second home or investment property is NOT permitted.
· Limited cash-out refinances are permitted for all occupancy types.
· Cash-out refinances are not permitted for any occupancy type.

Exceptions for Extenuating Circumstances-Foreclosure

We recently updated (in U-08-29) the time period from 2 to 3 years from the date that the foreclosure sale had been completed.

Additional requirements now apply after 3 years up to 5 years following foreclosure completion date:
· The purchase of a principal residence is permitted with a minimum 10% downpayment.
· Limited cash-out refinances are permitted for all occupancy types.
· Cash-out refinances are not permitted for any occupancy type.

Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

4 year time period from completion date ( date deed-in-lieu was executed)

This 4 year time period still applies. Now, the following additional requirements apply after 4 years up to 7 years following completion date:
· The greater of a minimum 10% downpayment or the minimum downpayment required for the transaction is required. This is applicable to purchases for all occupancy types.
· Limited cash out and cash-out refinance transactions for all occupancy types are permitted.

Exceptions for Extenuating Circumstances- Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

2 year time period from completion date

This 2 year time period still applies. Now, the following additional requirements apply after 2 years up to 7 years following completion date:
· The greater of a minimum 10% downpayment or the minimum downpayment required for the transaction is required. This is applicable to purchases for all occupancy types.
· Limited cash out and cash-out refinance transactions for all occupancy types are permitted.

Time period After Pre-foreclosure Sale

No Existing Policy

2 year time period from completion date; no additional requirements.
NOTE: No exceptions are permitted to the 2 year time periods due to extenuating circumstances.

Serving customers in Venice Florida, South Venice, Osprey, Nokomis Florida, Casey Key, Manasota Key, Englewood Florida, Rotonda West and North Port communities. Call me to list your home for sale, answer questions regarding steps you can take to AVOID FORECLOSURE or answer any general questions you may have about real estate.

www.BuyAHomeInVENICE.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

2 comments • Kari A Battaglia Realtor® Venice Florida Homes • January 17 2009 04:30PM

Venice Florida Real Estate Market Report Year End 2008

Venice FL Main Street Are the Venice Florida real estate Englewood Florida real estate markets getting any better? If you look at the statistics as compared to 15 months ago, October 2007; YES it is getting better but home values are still declining. The inventory is still down (not as many homes available for sale) and the amount of homes sold and that were under contract has increased. The number of homes for sale in the Venice FL and Englewood FL markets combined as compared to 15 months ago has dropped 17.4%. Homes that have sold (closed) have increased 88.1% and homes under contract (pending) are up 69.6%.

The average days on the market (DOM) has dropped from 137 to 123 and list to sales price ratio although has fluctuated over the past 15 months is at 90%, down 1.1%, which means that the average home is selling for 9% - 10% off the stated list price.

In today's real estate market, if you want to sell your property you need to dramatically increase the Buyers attention. Buyers are looking for the best home at the best possible price. One way to attract potential buyers is to offer a home warranty protection plan that continues on with the buyer. A home warranty helps give buyers additional confidence in the real estate transaction. Also as an added benefit you can also protect your home while it's on the market which can help you avoid investing more money into a home you're trying to sell. See my earlier post Is a home warranty a good investment for more information.

If you have any questions regarding a home warranty protection plan give me a call I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Venice/Englewood Combined - Mid Florida MLS Board (Sarasota Region)

Venice FL R

All reports are based on data supplied by the Mid Florida Association of Realtors, Venice Association of Realtors or their MLS. Neither Kari Battaglia, Associations nor their MLS's guarantee or are in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or their MLS COPYRIGHT©TRENDGRAPHIX, Inc.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@KariBattaglia.com. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

www.KariBattaglia.com, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Serving customers in Venice Florida, South Venice, Osprey, Nokomis Florida, Casey Key, Manasota Key, Englewood Florida, Rotonda West and North Port communities. Call me to list your home for sale, answer questions regarding steps you can take to AVOID FORECLOSURE or answer any general questions you may have about real estate.

www.BuyAHomeInVENICE.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

3 comments • Kari A Battaglia Realtor® Venice Florida Homes • January 12 2009 10:43PM

Dunlap Tennessee, a great place to live

Over the past few years land in Tennessee has become a very sought after part of the real estate industry. My husband and I have been visiting this area of southeastern Tennessee for over 12 years. Dunlap is just a short 30 minute drive to Chattanooga Tennessee which has been voted one of the best 50 places to live by National Geographic Magazine.

Dunlap Tennessee is the fastest growing town per capita in the state of Tennessee, is an obvious example of rural achievement. Nestled in the center of the Sequatchie Valley, the charming community of Dunlap boasts low moderate climate, affordable cost of living, low real estate taxes, no income state tax and extraordinary hospitality. Southeastern Tennessee's Sequathie Valley is one of the most unique valleys in the world; one of only two 'rift valleys,' the other being the Great Victoria Valley in Africa (Southeast Tennessee Tourism, 2004).

Attractions such as the Dunlap Coke Ovens, , Lookout Mountain, Southern Belle Riverboat, Ruby Falls at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Aquarium (my childrens favorite place to see) and the Appalachian Trail bring thousands of people to the area, as do events like the Riverbend Festival, World's Longest Yard Sale and the O.K. Hege Memorial Horse Show. Come explore the area's outdoor activities which include hang gliding, bass fishing, mountain climbing, canoeing, hunting, cave expeditions and within minutes from Dunlap TN discover some of the best state parks in the east. Our family's favorite state park to visit every year is Fall Creek Falls Tennessee.

If you are considering moving to the Tennessee area give me a call, I would love to talk to you about the Chattanooga area and all that it has to offer.

Contact me by email at Kari@KariBattaglia.com. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

www.KariBattaglia.com, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Serving customers in Venice Florida, South Venice, Osprey, Nokomis Florida, Casey Key, Manasota Key, Englewood Florida, Rotonda West and North Port communities. Call me to list your home for sale, answer questions regarding steps you can take to AVOID FORECLOSURE or answer any general questions you may have about real estate.

www.BuyAHomeInVENICE.com - FREE MLS Search, Buyers guide, Sellers guide, Community Info/Links

16 comments • Kari A Battaglia Realtor® Venice Florida Homes • January 01 2009 03:54PM

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Gorgeous 2/1 canal front home with private dock in Nokomis Florida

January's Green Tip Of The Month

Active Rain, big role in my life and my business.

Short Sales vs. Foreclosure

Venice Florida Real Estate Market Report Year End 2008

Dunlap Tennessee, a great place to live

Action	Current Requirements	New Requirements

Bankruptcy (all except chapter 13)	4 year time period from discharge date	The 4 year time period is unchanged; however it is now applied from either the discharge or dismissal date of the bankruptcy action.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy	2 year time period from discharge date	The time period for Chapter 13 bankruptcy actions is measured as follows: · 2 years from the discharge date, Or · 4 years from the dismissal date.
Exceptions for extenuating circumstances-All Bankruptcy Actions	2 year time period from discharge date. No exception to the 2 year time period for Chapter 13 bankruptcy actions.	The 2 year time period will be measured from the bankruptcy discharge or dismissal date. No exceptions are permitted to the 2 year time period after a Chapter 13 discharge.
Multiple Bankruptcy Filings	No existing policy	A 5 year time period date is now required from the most recent dismissal or discharge for borrowers with more than one bankruptcy filing within the past 7 years.
Exceptions for extenuating circumstances-Multiple Bankruptcy Actions	No existing policy	A 3 year time period from the most recent discharge or dismissal date is required. NOTE: The most recent bankruptcy filing must have been the result of extenuating circumstances.
Foreclosure	We recently updated (in U-08-29) the time period from 4 to 5 years from the date that the foreclosure sale had been completed.	Additional requirements now apply after 5 years up to 7 years following foreclosure completion date: · The purchase of a principal residence is permitted with a minimum 10% downpayment and a minimum credit score of 680 · Purchase of a second home or investment property is NOT permitted. · Limited cash-out refinances are permitted for all occupancy types. · Cash-out refinances are not permitted for any occupancy type.
Exceptions for Extenuating Circumstances-Foreclosure	We recently updated (in U-08-29) the time period from 2 to 3 years from the date that the foreclosure sale had been completed.	Additional requirements now apply after 3 years up to 5 years following foreclosure completion date: · The purchase of a principal residence is permitted with a minimum 10% downpayment. · Limited cash-out refinances are permitted for all occupancy types. · Cash-out refinances are not permitted for any occupancy type.
Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure	4 year time period from completion date ( date deed-in-lieu was executed)	This 4 year time period still applies. Now, the following additional requirements apply after 4 years up to 7 years following completion date: · The greater of a minimum 10% downpayment or the minimum downpayment required for the transaction is required. This is applicable to purchases for all occupancy types. · Limited cash out and cash-out refinance transactions for all occupancy types are permitted.
Exceptions for Extenuating Circumstances- Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure	2 year time period from completion date	This 2 year time period still applies. Now, the following additional requirements apply after 2 years up to 7 years following completion date: · The greater of a minimum 10% downpayment or the minimum downpayment required for the transaction is required. This is applicable to purchases for all occupancy types. · Limited cash out and cash-out refinance transactions for all occupancy types are permitted.
Time period After Pre-foreclosure Sale	No Existing Policy	2 year time period from completion date; no additional requirements. NOTE: No exceptions are permitted to the 2 year time periods due to extenuating circumstances.