Larry's Sarasota Blog

Sarasota Florida, Beaches, Parks, Points of Interest and Yes, Real Estate Info too

Category: Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida is located on the Gulf of Mexico. Sarasota has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Siesta Key the #1 Beach in the USA! Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Casey Key Just to name a few. Sarasota is truly a beachgoers and Boaters Paradise. Whatever type of water sports you like – Sailing, power boating, jet skis, kayaking or paddle boarding You can enjoy them on the Bay or in the Gulf.

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Essentials

By

On November 10, 2020

In Information, Sarasota

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Essentials

  • Pets must also be prepared for a storm
  • Be sure you have water and non-perishable food

Create Your Emergency Plan

It’s never too early to create an emergency plan for your household. You’ll want to

  • Create and practice an evacuation route
  • Designate a safe spot or central meeting location in case you get separated
  • Give each household member a responsibility or role
  • Make a plan specifically for your pets, if you have any
  • Stock up on non-perishable foods, water bottles, flashlights, and batteries
  • Pack a “go bag” for each household member
  • Outline emergency contacts with their phone numbers, addresses, etc

It’s important that everyone is on the same page when it comes to disaster planning, so you might want to do a few drills with your family. Additionally, it’s important to plan with pets in mind. Not all hurricane shelters accommodate animals, so it is important to find out which ones do and what papers you might need if your household needs to evacuate.

“What do I pack?” Hurricane Essentials

(PDF link opens in new window)
Ready.gov has a good pamphlet on how to set up your kit.
But here are some top things we especially want to highlight:

  • A 3- to 7-day supply of non- perishable food and drinking water with portions for each member of the household (including pets)
  • A stockpile of medications anyone might need (prescription or OTC)
  • A few full changes of clothes
  • A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
  • A can opener in case of canned foods
  • Flashlights with extra batteries, or glow sticks
  • A stocked first aid kit
  • Any paperwork that might be important if you enter a shelter, such as pet vaccinations or insurance policies
  • Maps of the area with highlighted routes of how to get to a safe area

It’s also important that you set your cell phone to receive emergency alerts and keep an eye on local news stations for forecast updates. You may also want to invest in a walkie-talkie in case cell phone towers go out and you cannot access cellular data or wifi.

Safeguarding Your Home during Hurricane Season

It’s officially hurricane season for those who live on the East Coast. If your house is in the line of fire, you’ll want to start safeguarding your property before it’s too late. You should:

  • Install a power surge protector in your electrical panel.
  • Stock up on plywood to block windows before a storm.
  • Invest in an air conditioning cover to protect it from flying debris.
  • Clear your yard of loose items and furniture that could become dangerous in high winds.
  • Inquire about hurricane or flood insurance.
  • Trim trees and low-hanging branches.

You’ll also want to keep your gutters clean for the entire season. This will keep water from collecting around your home and flooding your property


Stay Safe
Larry and Ann

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
Larry’s RE/MAX Site:(link opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

Quick Fix Tips for Your Home

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On November 10, 2020

In Home Improvement, Real Estate, Sarasota

Quick Fix Tips for Your Home

Tips to help keep your home in tip top shape by reducing the strain on your home.
These small items can improve your home.

Reduce the strain on your home

Kitchen
Dishwasher – Clean your dishwasher filter to increase its longevity
Smoke Detectors – Make sure that they work and you have fresh batteries

Bathroom
Sinks – Check under the sink for leaks

Bedroom/Home Office
Lights – Consider replacing your light bulbs with LED’s to use 1/5 the amount of energy as regular light bulbs

Laundry Room
Washer and Dryer – Check the rubber exteriors for cracking and brittle bits

Yard
Water Drains – Fix water drains that may have flooded during last years hurricane season to be sure to divert water away from your home

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
Larry’s RE/MAX Site: (link opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

Give Your Deck a Facelift

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On November 8, 2020

In Home Improvement, Sarasota

Give Your Deck a Facelift

Restoring or Replacing your deck will add to your home value

Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. Lucky for you, refreshing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.
Try your hand at the makeover ideas below!

Restore your decking: Depending on the shape it’s in, sometimes all your deck needs is a little love. If it’s still fairly new, your deck might just need a deep cleaning and a new coat of sealant. There is a multitude of deck finishing and cleaning solutions on the market to choose from to achieve this. However, if it’s more worn down, the rejuvenation process may be a bit longer, including searching for larger repairs, tightening any hardware, giving it a good cleaning, applying a stain, sealant, and paint, and more.

Add lighting: Ambient lighting can completely transform your outside space into a relaxing, cozy oasis. Consider adding solar lights that don’t require a plugin or battery replacement. The lights turn on automatically when the sun sets, making your deck come alive. You can also consider paper lanterns, rope lights, mason jar lamps, or small twinkle lights, depending on the style and mood you’d like to set.

Build a privacy screen: Privacy screens come in all styles, shapes, and sizes. Consider purchasing and installing bamboo fencing or lattice panels for a quick and easy solution. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can build a wooden frame and grow climbing plants or vines or stretch outdoor fabric in between. Whichever route you end up choosing, make sure you get the most out of your efforts by evaluating all lines sight before building.

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
Larry’s RE/MAX Site: (link opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

Hidden Fees to be Aware of when Purchasing a Home

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On November 7, 2020

In Home Buying, Real Estate, Sarasota

Hidden Fees to be Aware of when Purchasing a Home

Hidden fees when buying a home

Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt, don’t forget there will be other costs associated with your purchase then the price of the home. Here are 5 fees to keep in mind as you begin to budget.

Home inspection – This is a crucial step in the home buying process. The findings that come from the inspection can identify the condition of the home and maintenance or repairs that may be needed in the future. Generally, you can expect to pay between $300 to $500 depending on the home and the location.

Title services – Title services encompass the transfer of the title from the seller and a thorough search of the property’s records to ensure to no one will pop up with a claim to the property. Additionally, you may need to buy title insurance which will protect the lender or your investment in the home.

Appraisal fee – When getting a loan, you will be required to get an appraisal of the home to determine its estimated value. This will be conducted by a third-party company and the cost can be anywhere between $300 and $1,000, depending on the size of the home.

HOA fees – Many communities have a homeowners’ association that enforces monthly fees. This money is used for general maintenance and updates to areas like pools, parks, and more. Typical HOA fees begin around $200 per month but can be much more depending the amenities of the community.

Taxes – The taxes each buyer pays at the closing table differ, but it is not uncommon for an escrow account to be up to two months’ worth of county and city property taxes. Additionally, there may be taxes for the transfer of the home title.

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

“My goal is listening to your Real Estate wants and needs then fulfilling them.” call or text me @ 941-993-3125
RE/MAX Site: (link opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com
Larry

Sarasota Monthly Real Estate Market Snapshot – October 2020

By

On November 6, 2020

In Real Estate, Real Estate Statistics, Sarasota

Sarasota Monthly Real Estate Market Snapshot – October 2020

October Real Estate Statistics for Sarasota County

New Real Estate Monthly Statistics for Sarasota County
OCTOBER 2020

913 Homes SOLD (up 35 from last month)
Median Sold Price $345,000 (up $27,000 from last month)
Average 48 Days on the Market (average was 60 days last month)
Months of Available Inventory 1.6 – same as last month.

“My goal is listening to your Real Estate wants and needs then fulfilling them.”

Have a Great Day!
Larry

If you have any questions about the Sarasota Real Estate Market Call or Text me @ 941-993-3125
My RE/MAX Site: (link opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

The John and Mable Ringling Museum

By

On November 2, 2020

In Information, Places to Go, Sarasota

The John and Mable Ringling Museum

  • Art Museum Courtyard
  • Art Museum Courtyard
  • Art Museum
  • Ca d’Zan
  • Circus Museum

The John and Mable Ringling Museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota

The Ringling Museum is one of Sarasota’s unique cultural treasures.

A Beautiful Bayfront Location on 66 acres, there is much to see.

The Museum of Art with its Magnificent display is free to the public on Mondays.

Ca d’Zan is the Bayfront Mansion of John and Mable Ringling.

The Circus Museum is a great place to explore the history of the Circus.

Restaurants and Shops are also on the grounds

Come and explore one of the Cultural Wonders of Sarasota.

The grounds are always free to walk around and enjoy your day

For more information: (link opens in new window) Ringling Museum

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
Larry’s RE/MAX Site: (link opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

Happy Halloween from Sarasota!

By

On October 31, 2020

In Sarasota, Siesta Key

Happy Halloween from
Siesta Key!

Happy Halloween from Siesta Beach!

Siesta Beach, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, is made up if 99% crystal quartz, making it reflective and cool to the touch no matter the heat index.

Its also great for sand sculpting such as these pumpkins. You’ll often see fantastic sculptures on an average beach walk, as my husband and I do whenever we go.

Happy Halloween
Larry and Ann

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text 941-993-3125.

Larry’s RE/MAX Site:  LarrySellsSarasota.com  

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