Venice Area Homes Blog

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, PA GRI SFR SRES^® , licensed REALTOR® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida.  I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities.  As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com.  Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851.  Copyright©2009. By Kari A. Battaglia PA.  All Rights Reserved.

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In Venice Florida, one of our largest and most beautiful trees is the Banyan Tree.  This tree is one of the many trees that line the main road to Venice Beach on Venice Avenue. 

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, PA GRI SFR SRES^® , licensed REALTOR® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida.  I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities.  As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com.  Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851.  Copyright©2009. By Kari A. Battaglia PA.  All Rights Reserved.

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

Buyer respresentation is extremely important these days.  Thanks to Lori for sharing her story.

Thank you Katerina for this important information.

If you are considering buying a home now is the time to make your move.

Recently a homeowner who was unhappy with their agent called me to preview their home and give them my suggestions.  I thought - great, an opportunity to pick up another listing.  When I arrived the homeowner showed me around but something just did not feel right and I was beginning to realize I was alone in the house with this guy.  While the homeowner was giving me the tour there was a power outage and there we were in the dark.  It was daylight but all the blinds were lowered.  This concerned me even more.  We continued to talk but there were several times he put his hand on my shoulder.  I instantly put distance between us and asked him to show me the canal in the backyard.  I just felt like I needed to get outside in the open.  This is the first time that I have ever felt concerned for my personal safety.  Our meeting ended and I left a little shaken but I now have an appreciation for importance of taking precautions to avoid situations that put myself at risk. 

At my last sales meeting, our title company's rep gave us a timely article about the importance of safety when conducting an open house.  Considering my recent experience I really wanted to share this with all my Active Rain friends and hope to pass on to you the importance of being safe.

MAKE YOUR NEXT OPEN HOUSE A SAFE ONE

An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to a number of unfamiliar people for the first time, and your personal safety should be first and foremost.  Your seller's security is also a high priority.  Not everyone you are going to meet intends to purchase the home, and a few may have criminal intentions.  With these reasons in mind, Realtors and homeowners alike should practice these guidelines when holding an open house.

• Check your cell phone to make sure it is fully charged prior to the open house.  Keep it handy at all times.  Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.  Also keep the house key and your keys with you at all times.
• Advise your sellers to hide any valuables and jewelry in a safe and secure place and keep all prescription drugs out of plain sight.
• When holding open houses in a remote area or a home that will generate high traffic it is a good idea to bring another agent or person to help assist with the open house.
• When you initially approach the property, check out the neighborhood and look for anything out of place, making sure not one is paying unwanted attention to you or following you.  If there is any doubt, seek assistance immediately.
• Inform a neighbor that you will be having an open house, so they may be an extra set of eyes and ears for anything out of the ordinary.
• Walk the perimeter of the home.  Notice all exits including doors and windows as possible escape routes.  See what the exits are in the backyard, notices any locks on fences and gates.
• Make sure all deadbolts are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
• Treat all prospects in the same manner and by the same rules.  If you make it clear that all visitors must sign in to view the home, legitimate prospects won't mind and may be favorably impressed.  They will think "He or she will be just as protective our home."
• Check all rooms for someone who might be in the house and be prepared to run or defend yourself if necessary.
• When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect.  Direct them; don't lead them. Say for example, "The kitchen is on your left."  Don't let yourself get trapped in, make sure that you are always by the door of each room so you can always walk away if needed.
• Notify someone at your office, a friend or relative that you will be calling in at certain times and have an appointed time for them to call you.
• Establish a prearranged password you can use on the phone if you are in any way uncomfortable with the situation.  It might be a simple as "don't forget to feed the dog."
• At an open house, be alert on the pattern of visitors' arrivals, especially near the end of the showing hours.  In some areas, a group of thieves may show up together near the end of the open house and, while a string of supposed buyers distract the agent, the thieves steal any valuables the come across.
• Check all windows and doors to make sure they are locked and secure before leaving, there have been cases where someone has unlocked a window at an open house and returned later to burglarize the property or hide in a closet and wait while everybody is gone before doing their criminal deeds.
• If you do have to work an open house alone, mention "that you're expecting a lot of people today and that your partner will be there shortly to assist you."
• You should always immediately call the homeowner when the open house is finished.  When the homeowner returns they can then double check to see that their house is safe, checking that all doors are locked and all valuables are accounted for and everything is secure.

A final word - TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!  Be aware of your surroundings.  Don't be afraid to ask someone to accompany you to show or list property if you feel uncomfortable or uneasy with the people you are meeting.  Put your own personal safety first.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, PA GRI SFR SRES^® , licensed REALTOR® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida.  I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities.  As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com.  Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851.  Copyright©2009. By Kari A. Battaglia PA.  All Rights Reserved.

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

Direct from our Coldwell Banker Home Loans rep, credit requirements for borrowers that have Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Deed In Lieu of Foreclosure, and Short Sale at a glance:

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy:

• 2 years from the discharge date or 4 years from the dismissal date.

Bankruptcy (all except chapter 13):

• 4 years from either the discharge or the dismissal date of the bankruptcy action.

Multiple Bankruptcy Filings:

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

Foreclosure:

• 5 years from the completion date.

Additional requirements that apply after 5 years up to 7 years following the completion date:

• Purchases must be a primary residence with a minimum 20% down payment (in the State of Florida) and a minimum 680 representative credit score.  Purchase of a second home or investment property is not permitted.
• Limited cash-out refinances are permitted for all occupancy types (roll in closings costs with refinance to lower payment or rate).
• Cash out refinances are not permitted for any occupancy type.

Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure:

• 4 years from the completion date (date deed-in-lieu executed).

Additional requirements that apply after 4 years up to 7 years following the completion date:

• Borrower may purchase a primary residence, second home or investment property with 20% down payment (in the State of Florida).
• Limited cash-out and cash-out transactions secured by a primary residence, second home or investment property are permitted pursuant to the eligibility requirements in effect at the time.

Time period after Pre-Foreclosure Sale (Short Sale): 

• 2 years from completion date.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, PA GRI SRES^® , licensed REALTOR® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida.  I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities.  As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com.  Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851.  Copyright©2009. By Kari A. Battaglia PA.  All Rights Reserved.

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

Even with the demand for quality homes, consumers expect more.  Ring in the New Year right by getting your home in shape.   Properties must be presented well and priced correctly if you want "top dollar" for your home.  What you do six months before you put your house on the market can make a difference of thousands of dollars more (or thousands of dollars less!) that you realize from the sale of your home.

Most homeowners think their home will sell quickly, that their home is special and will bring a good price.  In fact, a lot of all new listings that go on the market eventually expire, with the home still unsold.

As a homeowner, you have many important factors to consider when you're thinking about placing your home on the market.  Your home is your most valued possession.  You need to be as prepared as possible to protect your greatest investment and make your home stand out in today's competitive marketplace.

There are many steps you can take to improve your home's value at little or no cost to you.  I just acquired distribution rights for the e-book "450 Ideas to Sell Your Home Faster."  In this e-book, you will find comprehensive, easy-to-follow "Idea Charts" for each room in the house (as well as the exterior and the property) plus 2 bonus 12 page reports "Moving with Children" and "Moving with Pets."

If you would like a copy, email me your name and email address and a copy will be emailed to you immediately (please know I consider your information personal and confidential and will never sell to a third party).  If you do not have email, give me a call and I will be happy to drop a copy off to you.  This is my gift to you and I hope you find it of interest.

If you'd like to ask me a few questions - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation about your plans, please give me a call at 941-270-1851, I am happy answer any questions you may have.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, PA GRI SRES^® , licensed REALTOR® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida.  I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities.  As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com.  Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851.  Copyright©2009. By Kari A. Battaglia PA.  All Rights Reserved.

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

Property Update Report by Kari A. Battaglia

For more information please call (941)-270-1851

The report summarizes listings sold, as well as active/pending listings for Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club.  Listings summarized in the following table are based on information from the Mid Florida Regional MLS and/or other MLS Services.  Properties sold were not all listed by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and were listed by various MLS participating offices.  Please note that For Sale By Owner properties are excluded because they often do not represent the full value of what they could sell for when properly priced and exposed to a greater number of qualified buyers through a professional real estate agent.  The most recent listings sold are shown in more detail below as they represent the best indication of change in property values.

Summary of Solds Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club 10/1/2009 to 2/15/2010

10/20/09       1843 San Silvestro     3/2         2001        $239,900          $225,900     -5.83%               44

11/04/09       1779 San Silvestro     2/2         2000        $184,900          $175,000     -5.35 %              56

11/30/09       1175 Tuscany Blvd     3/2         2005        $499,500          $450,000     -9.90%               10

12/08/09       1098 Tuscany Blvd     4/2         2007        $469,000          $350,000     -25.37%             42

12/09/09       1757 San Silvestro     3/2         2000        $244,900          $235,000     -9.99%               97

12/10/09       411 Pelican Moorings  3/2        1997         $349,900          $320,000     -8.54 %           237

12/15/09       1805 San Silvestro     2/2        2001          $199,000         $169,000    -15.07%            636

12/17/09       1334 Tuscany Blvd     3/3        2003          $529,900         $475,000     -10.36%             65

12/18/09       1045 Tuscany Blvd     3/3        2006          $599,900          $570,000    -4.98%               60

12/29/09       456 Fairway Isles       3/3        1996          $279,900          $256,000    -8.53%               34

12/29/09       1310 Highland Green  2/2       2000           $335,500          $308,000    -8.19 %             27

12/30/09       1892 San Silvestro     2/2       2002           $189,700          $185,000    -2.47%             375

12/30/09       1156 Coral Lake        3/3      1998            $389,000          $370,000    -4.88%             625

12/30/09       828 Amaryllis Lane     3/3      2006           $619,900          $582,500    -6.0%               238

01/06/10       1675 San Silvestro      2/2      2002           $259,000          $225,000   -13.12                 66

01/08/10       1673 San Silvestro      2/2      2001           $239,900          $226,000   -5.79%                32

1/19/10        953 Chickadee Dr         3/3      2001            $579,000          $537,000  -7.25%               87

01/29/10       1803 San Silvestro      2/2      2001            $199,900          $180,000   -9.95 %              23

02/08/10       590 Back Nine Dr        2/2       2001            $199,999          $182,500 -8.74%              484

02/12/10       1093 Tuscany Blvd      4/3      2005             $422,900          $395,000 -6.59%                48

Summary of Activity for Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club

10/01/09-02/15/10       20           $351,624            55                $432,969                9            $364,111

The number of properties available for sale in the Venice/Englewood area real estate markets increased for the first time in months, up 3.1% from December 2009; 3232 homes for sale to 3331.  Sales that are pending in the area are up sharply, over 48% from December 2009; 347 properties pending to 549 properties pending and closed sales have decreased from December 2009 by 23.2%, from 370 properties sold to 284 for month of January 2010.  The increase in homes for sale in January can be attributed to a number of reasons; waiting to list your home for sale until after the holidays are over or waiting to list your home for sale until the season officially begins.  Whatever the reasons for the increase we are still in a Buyers' Market.  The Homebuyers Tax Credit is soon ending (you have to be under contract by April 30^th to realize the $8000 First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit or the $6500 Move Up Credit).  Mortgage rates are rising, currently in the 5% range and soon is expected to increase to the 6% range, still historically low rates and very affordable for homebuyers.

Contact me by email at Kari@DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com.  Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851.  Copyright©2009. By Kari A. Battaglia PA.  All Rights Reserved.

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

Property Update Report by Kari A. Battaglia

For more information please call (941)-270-1851

The report summarizes listings sold, as well as active/pending listings for Sawgrass of Venice.  Listings summarized in the following table are based on information from the Mid Florida Regional MLS and/or other MLS Services.  Properties sold were not all listed by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and were listed by various MLS participating offices.  Please note that For Sale By Owner properties are excluded because they often do not represent the full value of what they could sell for when properly priced and exposed to a greater number of qualified buyers through a professional real estate agent.  The most recent listings sold are shown in more detail below as they represent the best indication of change in property values.

Summary of Solds for Sawgrass

10/15/09      617 Misty Pine Dr       3/2          2003         $345,000     $320,000       -7.24%               75

10/28/09      325 Marsh Creek        3/2          2003         $363,000     $349,000       -3.85%                9

11/23/09      588 Mossy Creek        3/2          1998         $349,900     $330,000       -5.68%             106

11/30/09      704 Misty Pine Dr        3/2          1998         $325,000     $295,000       -9.23%             277

11/30/09      531 Sawgrass Bridge   3/2         2007         $469,900     $440,000       -6.36%              936

12/18/09      390 Marsh Creek        3/2          2002         $339,000     $349,000     -10.02 %             333

2/22/09        690 Pond Willow         3/2.1       2000         $299,900     $270,000       -9.96%               99

01/05/10       408 Otter Creek         3/2         2002         $449,900      $396,000      -11.98%            160

01/07/10       526 Marsh Creek       3/2          2000         $424,900        $397,500       -6.45%            21

Summary of Activity for Sawgrass

10/01/09-02/15/10           9          $349,611                19                 $424,757            1                   $388,000

The number of properties available for sale in the Venice/Englewood area real estate markets increased for the first time in months, up 3.1% from December 2009; 3232 homes for sale to 3331.  Sales that are pending in the area are up sharply, over 48% from December 2009; 347 properties pending to 549 properties pending and closed sales have decreased from December 2009 by 23.2%, from 370 properties sold to 284 for month of January 2010.  The increase in homes for sale in January can be attributed to a number of reasons; waiting to list your home for sale until after the holidays are over or waiting to list your home for sale until the season officially begins.  Whatever the reasons for the increase we are still in a Buyers' Market.  The Homebuyers Tax Credit is soon ending (you have to be under contract by April 30^th to realize the $8000 First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit or the $6500 Move Up Credit).  Mortgage rates are rising, currently in the 5% range and soon is expected to increase to the 6% range, still historically low rates and very affordable for homebuyers.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, PA GRI SRES^® , licensed REALTOR® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida.  I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities.  As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale.

Contact me by email at Kari@DiscoverVeniceRealEstate.com.  Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851.  Copyright©2009. By Kari A. Battaglia PA.  All Rights Reserved.

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