Venice Area Homes Blog

Sarasota FL, Put Sarasota Back to Work - Vote YES by August 24th

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:35:28 -0400

FAST FACTS ON TAX EXEMPTION

What is the Tax Exemption Program?

An economic development property tax exemption program that gives the Sarasota County Commission the authority to grant tax incentives to:

New businesses established in Sarasota County
Existing businesses that expand through the purchase of new equipment and/or improvements to real property

Why do we need it?

This program will diversify the county's business base by encouraging businesses that offer higher than average salaries to relocate here and helping local companies expand. Tax exemptions are economic development incentives and remain a key factor of an area' s competitive advantage.

What taxes are and aren't eligible for exemption?

Sarasota County property taxes on qualified buildings & equipment are eligible for tax exemption
Land is NOT eligible for tax exemption
School taxes are NOT eligible for tax exemption

What is the process of granting tax exemption?

Exemption is not guaranteed
A business must meet the threshold criteria for the program
Economic Development Guidelines will apply to determine whether to grant the exemption
If criteria are met, a public hearing will be scheduled where public input will be heard
After the hearing, the County Commission votes to approve or deny the exemption and, if approved, the
percentage of the exemption and the term of the exemption
Each exemption is granted as a separate ordinance

Will Sarasota County's services be affected?

No anticipated impact to existing services
Other counties that voted YES for tax exemptions are enjoying increased employment and
business diversification without any reduction in services

Will big-box retail/outlets and fast food restaurants be eligible?

Big-box retail/outlets may apply, but the Economic Development Guidelines don't suppor t granting the
exemption to these businesses
Fast-food restaurants may be eligible, but only in an Enterprise Zone because they don't
otherwise meet the criteria for qualification

How will the county monitor businesses that receive tax exemption?

STRICT OVERSIGHT of businesses granted tax exemption by County Commission by
requiring these businesses to file an Annual Renewal Statement and an Annual Report
and stable economy and a secure future for all Sarasota County residents.
We need it for a stronger, more balanced

What factors will the County Commission consider pursuant to its Economic Development Policy Guidelines?

Number of full-time Sarasota County posi tions created by the business
Average wage of the new employees
Amount of capital investment
Innovative business
Commitment to local procurement
Net positive contribution to local economy

DON'T DELAY!

Vote by mail by August 24th.

Call 941.861.8618 or

Email absentee@sarasotavotes.com

Provide your name, address, date of birth

and where your absentee ballot should be sent.

Businesses must meet strict guidelinesto qualify.
There will be NO erosion of our currenttax base.
Homeowners will NOT
Plus, school taxes will NOT be affected.

OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AD VALOREM (PROPERTY) TAX EXEMPTIONS

Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Sarasota County be authorized to grant, pursuant to s. 3, Art. VII of the State Constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses?

Yes, for authority to grant exemptions.

No, against authority to grant exemptions.

Additional information is available at the Sarasota County website at www.scgov.net

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.

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Evolution of Dance - This guy is great!

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:45:11 -0400

If you have a few minutes this morning, this is well worth the view. Just made me laugh and put a big smile on my face. This guy is great!

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Do You Know What Distressed Property Owners Need?

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:45:32 -0400

Via Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):

So,

Do You Know What Distressed Property Owners Need?

We are talking pre-foreclosure, heading toward a short sale, heading toward a possible REAL foreclosure. Knocking that credit rating down 200 points possibly for 7-10 years.

Well if you said how about a bunch of money, or some other kind of quick fix, you are not looking into the hearts of people as a real estate professional.

We would all like to have magic wands to cure people's ills from however they got into this MESS. And do not deny it is a mess and a stressed filled time of people's lives. Divorces occur because of financial woes. And don't be snooty thinking your time in this arena couldn't take place at the drop of a hat, as there but for the grace of God go I. Look at the reasons people get "distressed" and even YOU Mr. or Ms. Snooty could be there.

Job loss

Business Failure

Payment increase or mortgage adjustment

Divorce or death of spouse

Illness

Relocation

Reduced income

Mortgage fraud

Predatory lending

Assisting a homeowner in these tough times we can look at these options for them:

Refinance

Sell and bring cash to closing

Lender workout

Short sale (selling for LESS than the loan balance)

Deed in lieu of foreclosure

Foreclosure

Do nothing and walk away

In the most desperate of times a homeowner can file personal bankruptcy and try to move on with life and not jump off buildings. BUT, back to the question. WHAT IS IT THE DISTRESSED PROPERTY OWNER NEEDS FROM US, the professionals in this industry? You may find the answer hard to swallow, looking at the "perceived EVIL banks and lenders."

But from all of us, they need COMPASSION.

If they are truly trying to bail their lives out, drowning in a sea of financial troubles, isn't it the very least we can do is talk to them with compassion and understanding? Yes, this is business. But John and Mary Doe are people. We are talking REAL LIVES here. I encourage you to put a photo of the family taped to the short sale file package. A REMINDER to everyone that touches this situation that REAL LIVES are involved here and are being impacted. COMPASSION goes a long way in life!!!

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Home Buyers, Please Don't be Offended... Just get Pre-Qualified.

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:36:07 -0400

Thanks to Judi for posting timely information for today's homebuyers.

Via Judi Barrett Integrity Real Estate Services, 580-212-5946:

Home Buyers, Please Don't be Offended... Just get Pre-Qualified.

Save Yourself Some Time. It Really Is For Your Own Good.

I've "lost" more showings due to one particular reason, more than any other. In fact, 90% of the time if I "lose" a showing, it's due to this reason. A buyer does not want to get pre-qualified.

I live and work in an area that is abundant with folks that are:

hard working,

resilient,

bill-paying,

been doing business with the local bank all their life,

never been turned down for a loan,

got good credit,

family been here forever, may even own half the town...

                                                                         .....kind of people.

I know these things.

When they call about looking at a home, they'll tell me these things.

I know, I come from a family that was the same way.

The salt of the earth, that's what my area has.

I love Southeast Oklahoma and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

BUT things have changed over the years. Some of those changes have come about more recently,

like since you bought your home about 15 years ago..

or that last 40 acres you added onto the place 4 years ago.

They've even changed since you helped your daughter and new son-in-law buy their place 18 months ago.

Or if you have never bought a home...it doesn't matter that grandpa's got money in the bank unless grandpa is going to co-sign your loan, or give you some of his money. His good credit does is not an inherited asset that he will pass to you.

SO PLEASE DON'T BE OFFENDED when I say to you,

"There's one thing that the seller has requested I get before I show you the house. I need a copy of your pre-qualification letter from a lender".

Like I said, don't get offended. Nothing personal. I have to say that to you, make that request, or I wouldn't be doing my job.

I want to show you the house. I love showing houses. I love my job. I love helping folks buy a home.

You want to see the house (or at least you say you do). You say you are seriously shopping for a home. You say you are going to buy one.

So why do you not want to get a pre-qualification letter? Do you believe that I doubt that you can borrow the money? Is that the way you're going to take it, as an insult?

THAT'S NOT IT.

If you've turned the tv on to a news broadcast during the last year or picked up a newspaper and read more than the headlines... well even reading the headlines might do the trick...

you should have figured out that the lending situation, including credit score requirements, down payment requirements, assets to close, etc etc have all gotten more difficult than it used to be.

Even your local bank where a hand shake got the deal done will take a lot more than that now. The documentation that your loan officer is going to ask you for, quite frankly is proably going to surprise you.

Now you ask me, "How is getting a pre-qualification letter going to save me time?" and "Why do you, the real estate agent, or the sellers want me get one?"

First question - How will it save you time?

If you're serious about buying, you're going to have to get a loan. Getting a pre-qual letter from a reputable lender... a lender that you WOULD borrow money from.. is the first step in that process. (I'll even give you contact information for several lenders.)

The lender will check to see if you're credit worthy. When you find a home that you want, most financing supplementals to contracts default to a 10 day period to get pre-approval on your loan. Of course all things in a contract are negotiable but the seller is probably not going to want to allow much more time than that when/if they accept your offer. That 10 days can go by fast and you're going to have a lot on your mind at that time, like inspections, appraisals, moving... " If you're serious about buying a home, then act like it and get a pre-qual letter. Get the ball rolling for a loan pre-approval. It's just a matter of tending to your business.

Second Question - Why do I and the seller want you to do it? See the the paragraph above... If you're serious about buying a home... why would I want to take my time to show you homes if you're not serious? There are only so many hours in the day and we're all limited, please don't waste mine. I'll go out of my way to help you with your transaction.. to the nth degree.. if you're serious about purchasing. BUT you gotta' do your part...get the pre-qual letter.    The seller wants you to because they are going to make sure that the home is ready for you to look at and are going to have you, a stranger, in amongst their stuff. Getting pre-qualed tells them that you are a serious buyer and not just a lookey-loo wanting to see how they live or because you're curious and you've always wanted to see the inside of that house. A buyer with a pre-qual letter is probably going to get their offer looked at in a better light. :)

Now you tell me, doesn't it make sense to get at least a pre-qualification letter before you start looking at homes?

Pre-qualification letters are the best way to get scheduled to see the homes that you want to see and in a timely manner. They are an excellent boost to getting your offer taken seriously when you do find the perfect home, investment property, or land. They probably will help you get a seller to take an offer more seriously.

Got that pre-qual letter? Want to look at that house today? Call me... I'll be more than happy to show it to you.

Some photos courtesy of Morguefile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love sharing Southeast Oklahoma with you. The Country Life in Southeast Oklahoma is written to highlight our great area of Oklahoma, whether it's the beautiful scenery, the wonderful people, a happening or event, or maybe a restaurant or business that just does a great job.

Southeast Oklahoma is endlessly varied and has so much to offer. It's my desire to bring those things out.

Got an idea for a post or have something that you want to share about Southeast Oklahoma? Contact me either by email, a phone call, or in the comment section. I'd love to hear from you

Join me in Southeast Oklahoma, where life usually moves at a little slower pace, the people are wonderful, the landscape can be breathtaking.

We love where we live! Call me and let's visit about McCurtain County or Choctaw County. The "fartherest southeast you can go in Oklahoma and still be in Oklahoma."

We are SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

Judi Barrett, Broker, Integrity Real Estate Services, Office Address: RR 5 BOX 126, IDABEL, OK 74745 580-212-5946

Our Name Says It All.
Real Estate Services You Can Trust.

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Venice FL - Jacaranda Property Update April 2010

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:20:34 -0400

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 Jacaranda West. 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 Jacaranda West

Sold Date

Address

Bed/Bath

List Price

Sold Price

% Diff List vs. Sold Price

Days On Market

01/28/10 1421 Lakeside Dr 3/2.1 $149,900 $147,000 -0.019% 14

02/12/10 1007 Betsy Ct 3/3 $195,000 $195,000 -0.0 % 20

02/19/10 1210 Lakeside Dr 2/2 $154,900 $145,000 -0.06% 33

03/01/10 1005 Squaw Valley 3/2 $289,000 $270,500 -0.06% 7

03/09/10 1261 Lakeside Dr 3/2.1 $170,000 $170,000 -0.0% 229

03/12/10 1722 Reef Ct 3/2 $249,000 $230,000 -0.07% 111

03/15/10 1723 N Gondola Ct* 3/3 $190,000 $175,000 -0.07% 91

03/26/10 1000 Betsy Ct 3/2 $245,000 $196,000 -0.2% 51

03/31/10 1011 Pine Forest** 3/2 $189,900 $163,118 -0.14% 90

03/31/10 2300 Bal Harbour 2/2 $199,500 $182,500 -0.08% 33

04/02/10 1118 Gretchen Ct 2/2 $154,900 $150,000 -0.03% 171

04/07/10 998 Gondola Ct** 2/2 $144,900 $150,000 +0.03% 29

04/12/10 1604 Cypress Point 3/2 $239,900 $228,000 -0.049% 73

05/14/10 1610 Lilliput Ct 3/2 $169,900 $160,000 -0.05% 58

05/19/10 1842 Raintree Ln 3/2 $239,900 $215,000 -0.10% 979

05/25/10 1290 Lakeside Dr* 4/2 $169,900 $155,000 - 0.08% 50

05/25/10 1930 Cove Point 2/2 $259,000 $252,500 -0.02% 184

05/26/10 1824 Ironwood** 3/2 $214,900 $205,000 -0.04% 28

5/27/10 1375 Cambridge 3/3 $194,900 $180,000 - 0.07% 175

05/27/10 1936 Innisbrook Ct 3/3 $345,000 $315,000 -0.086% 206

Summary of Activity for Jacaranda West

Date Range

#Sold

Average Price

# Now For Sale

Average Price

#Under Contract

Average Price

01/11/10 - 05/28/10 20 $208,270 22 $244,227 9 $193,377

11/09/09 - 01/11/10 4 $224,300 17 $233,497 7 $171,671

09/09/09 - 11/09/09 8 $218,750 19 $248,297 9 $210,166

06/01/09 - 09/28/09 11 $213,263 13 $243,208 10 $187,250

01/01/09 - 05/31/09 6 $188,417 n/a n/a n/a n/a

06/01/08 - 12/31/08 12 $190,441 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Hurricane season is from June 1 to Nov 30^th.. You might want to get ready as the experts are predicting very active season; the most active since 2005. "I think there are a lot of things on people's minds right now. We have issues in the economy. People are more concerned about putting food on the table right now, then building a hurricane kit. The reality is you live in Florida, it's a disaster that could happen here and you need to be ready," says Sarasota county Emergency Management Chief, Ed McCrane. BE PREPARED. If you would like a free copy of the City of Venice Hurricane Guide for 2010, just email me at Kari@KariBattaglia.com.

Venice/Englewood Area Real Estate Market Update April 2010

The first quarter results for the Venice/Englewood real estate market for 2010 are promising. We have seen a strong increase in properties going under contract, healthy increase in the number of homes sold each month and a steady decrease in the amount of properties available for sale. The number of homes for sale declined again for the month of April 2010, down 2.4% from March 2010: 3236 homes for sale to 3157 homes for sale. Pending sales are up again for the 4th month in a row, up 7.8% from March 2010: 593 properties pending to 639 properties pending in April 2010. Closed sales decreased for the first time since December 2009, down 8.3%, from 494 properties sold to 453 properties sold during the month of April 2010. Even though the number of homes available for sale in our area continues to decline, we are still in a Buyer's market. If you are considering selling your home, there are steps you can take to ensure a successful sale.

Home buyers unable to tap into a federal tax credit before it expired on April 30th are finding a consolation prize in mortgage rates, which dropped again to near-record lows. According to Freddie Mac, interest on 30-year fixed loans averaged 4.78% (week ending 5/28/2010) compared to 4.84 % the prior week, while the 15-year rate slipped to a new low of 4.21% from 4.24%. The near-record low mortgage rates seen during the past few weeks may not be around much longer though as signs of improving economic conditions could lead Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke to raise key interest rates which could drive up mortgage rates.

Please give me a call me direct at 941-270-1851 if you have any questions about selling your home, answer any general questions about real estate that you may have or to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Number of Homes for Sale/Sold/Pending in Venice/Englewood Areas Combined

Graph includes single family homes currently for sale/sold/pending in the Venice/Englewood areas combined. Properties sold may or may not be listed by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and are listed by various MLS participating offices. Non-MLS properties are not included.

The accuracy of information in this report is dependent on aforementioned MLS System(s) for time periods specified and cannot be guaranteed. Some listings may have been marketed previously under a different listing agreement. *SHORT SALE, **REO/BANK OWNED PROPERTIES. For more information please visit www.JacarandaWest.info

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The trees are alive in Englewood FL

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:26:36 -0400

The trees are alive here in Englewood FL. LOL. I just thought this was hilarious and wanted to share with everyone. My husband put this up and I just noticed it.

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Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:30:23 -0400

Today our family visited Tampa Florida's Lowry Park Zoo. Today was family day and entrance into the park was only $5.00 per person. The park has many animals and rides. Our favorite animal was the Giraffe and the kids enjoyed feeding them. They have the biggest tongue I have ever seen. Although we had a great time it must have been over 100 degrees today so my favorite attraction was the air conditioned food court. Lowry Park Zoo is having another family day on September 12th of this year. I highly recommend visiting this great zoo.

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Bank of America Over 3 Billion in Profits!

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:01:41 -0400

Watching the news and Bank of America saw a profit of over 3 BILLION dollars but their revenue was down which are concerning their investors. This just makes me want to help homeowners even more with their short sales as the banks are still somehow making profits while the consumers are stuggling.

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Oil Impact on Southwest Florida Beaches Highly Unlikely….but we are Prepared Just in Case

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 08:38:35 -0400

I wish I attended this meeting at Mote Marine Laboratory to get information first hand but thank you to Peter Crowly for sharing what he has learned.

Via RE/MAX Alliance Group:

Last week I attended a specially held meeting at Mote Marine Laboratory to discuss the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its potential threat to our Southwest Florida coastline. In attendance were a handful of area real estate leaders as well as Kumar Mahadevan, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory, and Ed McCrane, Emergency Management Chief for Sarasota County.
I walked away from the meeting with a handful of comforting impressions. First and foremost, the threat of oil directly impacting the coastline in Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte counties is minimal with less than a 1% chance according to this map released by NOAA .

Several factors contribute to this analysis, but most importantly, the direction of Gulf currents reduce the likelihood of oil washing ashore on our area beaches.
The second overwhelming impression I experienced was how fortunate we were to have Mote Marine Laboratory and the dedicated scientists and staff right in our own back yard. From day one of the oil leak, Mote Marine has been proactively seeking to provide input and analysis to assist with the response in the panhandle as well as prepare for a potential threat to our coastline. Dr. Mahadevan pointed out something interesting during the discussion – our area is fortunate that we have the benefit of time to take baseline measures of water quality and wildlife quantity throughout the aquatic areas locally. Those areas closer to the spill site, Louisiana for example, did not have the benefit of time and will have a difficult time assessing the true damage without a baseline to compare. The volunteers and scientists at Mote Marine stand at the ready, prepared to assist in whatever capacity and I am proud that such an organization exists in our community.
When asked what “we” can do to assist Mote Marine in their efforts, Dr. Mahadevan’s response was quite simple:
1) Donate to Mote Marine Laboratory since it is a privately funded institution, and
2) Inform as many people as you can of the accurate information regarding the oil spill and its unlikely direct impact on our area beaches.
Another reason to feel fortunate for living in our local community, is the caliber of preparedness and preparation that our local government exhibits through their Emergency Management division. While we typically think of this group responding to hurricane threats and response, they are equally vigilant in their preparation for a potential threat of oil landing on our coastline. Again, Mr. McCrane stressed the benefit of time that our area has to monitor, prepare and learn from the ongoing recovery efforts to ensure the most effective response in the unlikely event that the oil reaches our shores. Another interesting fact is that many beach goers may be fooled into thinking that “tar balls” have landed on the beach, when in fact they are looking at naturally occurring aquatic life known as tunicates or “sea squirts.”
It is no secret that our area beaches are one of the most precious resources in our community. Our white sand is the reason that millions vacation here and many decide to stay permanently and live in paradise. This group of area real estate leaders simply wanted to know “What can we do to help?” and do our part to preserve the pristine coastline that we are fortunate to call home. This article is one small part to provide some accurate and non-sensational information to you, the reader.
Please pass this information along so that we can get the word out that Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County beaches are as beautiful as ever and open for business!

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Beware of the tenants when selling a home

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:06:04 -0400

A homeowner came to me and needed to sell his home. He was recently divorced and had moved out of his home leaving it to his wife and daughter. Not long after he moved out his wife and daughter moved out too. So he decided to rent out the home to help cover the expenses of carrying two homes. It wasn't long before he found himself not able to carry both homes and came to me to help him out with a short sale.

Tenants were not happy about the sale, confrontational and not cooperative. In fact they told me that they are going to do everything in their power to stall the sale as they considered this to be their home. I listed the property with notations of "tenants in place." True to their word the home was a housekeeping disaster and most of the potential buyers had trouble looking past the mess. I was finally able to get an offer and sent it off to the bank. Once I got the approval, it was then the buyer's agent informed me that they would not close until the tenant vacates. Fortunately for the seller the lease had just expired and the tenants should be moving out, right? Wrong.

The tenants called me wanting to know how they can get their lease extended. I told them that the buyers want to live there and do not want to have the home leased. They really should be talking with the seller and not me. I called my sellers to let them know of the situation and that they need to begin the eviction process because I don't think they are going to be leaving anytime soon and if they don't move out he could lose the buyer. We are also working on deadline to close with the bank. Seller assured me that these are good people and they would not be a problem.

The tenants now have stayed over their lease by 1 ½ months without paying rent and a week before closing -stole the seller's davits. The seller happened to notice davits lying on the ground across the canal and called the homeowner to find out where he got them. Sure enough the tenants had sold them the davits. Seller was able to install the davits in time for closing but what a mess. The tenants did everything in their power to stop the purchase because they were angry at the seller for having to sell his home. It doesn't end here. After the closing the new buyers go to the home and the tenants and neighbors are standing buy the davits looking at them and he had to chase them all away. When he went into the home the alarm went off. The tenants changed the alarm code so they could not disarm the alarm system. They had to disable alarm at the source.

Moral of the story? Be very careful when selling a home with tenants in place. You never know what is going to happen.

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LOL FRIDAY - BP Oil Spill Humor

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:09:21 -0400

Since the spill is contained a little laughter should help ease the painful journey ahead. Thanks for Mirela Monte for sharing.

Via Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection:

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NEVER Pressure Wash A Deck!

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:45:19 -0400

Great advice for many homeowners!

Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):

I tell my neighbors. I tell my clients. I tell everybody who will listen. NEVER pressure wash a deck! When the pressure-wash companies send their college kids to knock on my door to "wash" my deck, I tell them why they should not be doing that to decks! When I see their trucks*, they advertise cleaning decks, patios, siding, roofs - you name it! Don't do it!

The older the deck, the worse the wood reacts to pressure washing. The big mistake is that companies and homeowners have a tendency to set the pressure way too high. But even at low pressures the deck can become damaged.

What does pressure washing do?

It removes loose material and leaves a gafillion dangerous splinters and gaps. Those gaps open up further letting in more damaging sun and water.

It removes the natural oils in the wood that are not replaced with sealants.

It causes wood to dry quickly causing cupping and warping.

It causes damage.

It loosens nails as the wood expands.

It can cause water to enter the house.

So what to do instead?

There are various, excellent, gentle cleansers out there. Be sure to select cleansers that do not have caustic lye or acid, or say not to use around children, pets or water features. A company called Dekswood makes an excellent cleanser that can be followed with sealants. And the so-called "oxygen" cleansers, with the active ingredient of sodium percarbonate, are great and don't damage the wood, the kids or pets, the house or the yard.

You MUST seal your deck after cleaning. The sun does more damage to your deck than rain and snow. BE SURE TO USE A SEALANT THAT HAS UV INHIBITORS IN ADDITION TO WATER PROTECTION. Read the label. It will tell you what the contents are. Water proofing alone is not enough.

My recommendation: Keep your deck gently cleaned and protected and it will last many decades. Not doing so makes it unsafe and age much faster.

* I once gave my spiel to a guy sitting in his company truck in a parking lot (with a smile on my face) and he told me he would NEVER pressure-wash his deck. He said he sees what damage it can do later!

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Venice FL Real Estate Market Update June 2010

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:49:53 -0400

The number of homes for sale increased again for the month of June, up 1.2% from May: 3165 homes for sale to 3203 homes for sale. Pending sales increased, up 9.2% from May: 381 properties pending to 416 properties pending closing. Closed sales increased, up 2.3%, from 444 properties sold to 454 properties sold during the month of May. Evidence the road to recovery will be a bumpy one but we are headed in the right direction. Price have stabilized for the Venice area and some communities are seeing a small increase in prices.

Home buyers unable to tap into a federal tax credit before it expired on April 30th are finding a consolation prize in mortgage rates, which are near their lowest level on record. Government sponsored mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said the average rate of 30 year fixed loans this past week (a/o 7/15/2010) was 4.57 percent. That's the same as a week earlier and the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971. The last time home loan rates were lower was the 1950s, when most mortgages lasted just 20 or 25 years. If you are considering selling your home, there are steps you can take to help make your home "stand out from the crowd" and ensure a successful sale. Call me at 941-270-1851.

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Foreclosure Activity Slows Again In June 2010

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:11:41 -0400

Via Michael Haigh (W J Bradley / The Michael Haigh Team):

313,841 foreclosure filings were made in June, according to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac. The figure represents a 3 percent drop from May and 7 percent drop from June of last year. However, foreclosure filings remain relatively high nationwide.

June marks the 16th straight month the filings topped 300,000. 1 in every 411 U.S. homes received some form of notice last month with foreclosure density varying wildly from state-to-state.

Like everything else in real estate, it seems, foreclosures are a local phenomenon.

The states with the highest foreclosures per capita were:

Nevada : 1 foreclosure filing per 88 homes

Florida : 1 foreclosure filing per 171 homes

Arizona : 1 foreclosure filing per 189 homes

The states with the lowest foreclosures per capita were:

Vermont : 1 foreclosure filing per 26,051 homes

West Virgina : 1 foreclosure filing per 8,058 homes

South Dakota : 1 foreclosure filing per 6,528 homes

Overall, 40 states beat the national Foreclosure Per Capita average and 10 states fell below. The sheer volume of REO, though, is creating interesting buying opportunities for first-timer buyers, move-up buyers, and real estate investors.

Homes bought from banks are usually less expensive than non-foreclosure homes. This is one of the major reasons why distressed sales account for roughly 30 percent of all home resales. Less expensive, though, doesn't always mean "cheaper". Foreclosed homes are often sold as-is and may be defective or otherwise uninhabitable.

Making repairs to get these homes into "living condition" can be costly.

Therefore, if you're buying a foreclosed home, make sure you know what you're buying before you make your bid. Have a certified professional inspect the home to check for damage, and consider enlisting the help of a real estate agent to assist with negotiations and management of the contract.

The process of buying a foreclosed home is different from buying a typical resale. Make sure you do your homework.
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What is America to You?

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:37:02 -0400

What an amazing post! Thanks J. Philip for sharing what America means to you.

Via J. Philip Faranda (J. Philip LLC) Westchester County NY:

I had a nice day yesterday at my 84-year old uncle's home in Connecticut. He was a graphic artist in New York City for decades and had a chance to rub elbows with some very big names. He had a penchant for that; as an adolescent he caddied a number of times for Babe Ruth (excellent tipper; gave my uncle $5 tips, which was a king's ransom in the late 1930's). Uncle's art career yielded a lunch once with Joe DiMaggio, a collaboration with Grace Kelly ("she thought I was nuts"), and professional relationships with many captains of industry. But the man my uncle looked up to the most was not a CEO, MVP, or Academy Award winner. That would be my grandfather, a humble barber who never owned a car and arrived in the US penniless in the 1900's at Ellis Island.

Last month, Ann and I were honored to be guests at the wedding of Eileen Hsu and Morgan Evans, and the event took place on a boat ride in New York Harbor. We cruised past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and I paused for more than a moment at what must have gone through my grandfather's mind when he first saw Lady Liberty. I don't need to look far to know I'm not alone- Ann's parents both came to America from Seoul, Korea when she was a toddler in 1969. South Korea was experiencing tension with the North in those days (sounds familiar) and her parents saw the USA as a safe place to raise their daughter. Ann went to NYC public schools, including Stuyvesant High, and graduated from Columbia University.

While I may look like a descendant of the Mayflower, I am only one generation removed from a penniless Ellis Island immigrant. My wife is a first generation citizen, having become naturalized many years ago. Our children are true Americans, like millions of others, not because of any similarity in how they appear but the similarity in their story. They know nothing of the tension and prejudices of even 25 years ago.

Freedom from fear is a big theme in our home, because both sides of my family came to America, not just for a better life economically, but to go to bed at night knowing that we'd wake up safe- safe to express ourselves, safe from persecution, and free to go about our lives with no thought of repercussion from the state about our chosen faith, occupation, or opinions. We live where we choose. We earn our living as we choose, and when we looked for a home in 2007 the only doubt was our mortgage rate. In 1950 my marriage would have been a scandal in some precincts. I've never gotten a hint of that. America moves forward rapidly.

So in between the barbecues and fireworks, those are the things I think about lately. Capo D'Orlando, Sicily and Seoul, Korea, living in Briarcliff Manor, on our own terms, free from fear. That's America to me.

Here's how another son of an immigrant put it in 1945:

We Are Westchester County, NY Real Estate. Reach Phil at (914) 723-8900.

J. Philip Faranda, Broker-owner, J. Philip Real Estate, LLC. 2010 Vice President, Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service.

I am one of New York's premier short sale REALTORS.

J. Philip Serves Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Croton, the River Towns, Westchester County, and the bedroom counties of New York City.

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