Larry's Sarasota Blog

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

Home Trends

By

On March 8, 2021

In Home Improvement, Real Estate, Sarasota

Home Trends

Infograph
Home Trends

Top 10 Home Trends for 2021

These top 10 home trends will not only add comfort but might even add extra value to your home.

Zoom Room: A Zillow survey found a desire for a home with a dedicated office tops the list of reasons why Americans working from home say they would consider a move if they were to continue working remotely at least occasionally.

“HOMECATION” AMENITIES: Pool was the top Zillow keyword search term in 2020. Waterfront and dock also landed in the top 10. Additionally, homeowners want to create a luxury experience at home, upgrading to a spa-like bathtub or a relaxing rain shower.

INTER-GENERATIONAL LIVING: According to Generations United, about one in six Americans currently have multi-generational households. In 2020, the share of young people moving back home reached all-time highs as millennials and Gen Z-particularly renters-moved in with their parents.

GOURMET KITCHENS: With stay-at-home orders, many brushed up on their culinary skills, which has spawned a desire for gourmet kitchens.

BACKYARD OASIS: A Zillow survey from a Harris Poll found that 41% of people say they value a large outdoor space as a result of social distancing recommendations.

SMART AND SAFE TECH: With a desire to lessen the number of germs in the home, buyers are increasingly looking for items like touchless appliances and faucets, self-cleaning toilets and more.

SMALL CITY LIVING: With more opportunities for working remotely, buyers are looking into smaller, more affordable communities and open spaces.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS AREAS: If you don’t feel safe going to a gym, having an area in your home dedicated to your health and wellness is ideal.

PET-FRIENDLY LIVING:
Pet adoptions increased in 2020, so homebuyers and renters are looking for more pet-friendly features, such as a pet shower or dog wash area.

NEW CONSTRUCTION: More than a quarter of buyers who bought a new-construction home did so to customize home features, while 37% chose new construction because everything in the home was new and never used, according to a 2020 Zillow survey.

Florida Realtors
Sources: Zillow.com, bit.ly/zillow-home-trends

Have a Great Day!
Larry

If you have any questions about the Sarasota Real Estate Market
Call or Text me @ 941-993-3125
Go to My RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com

Happy Valentine’s Day!

By

On February 14, 2021

In Siesta Key

Happy Valentine’s Day from Siesta Key!

Decorative Image
Happy Valentine’s Day from Siesta Key

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day!

We came across this wonderful sand sculpture while walking on Siesta Beach several years ago and love to share it on Valentine’s Day.

Ah! We also want to share a few links with some great holiday ideas!
100 Valentine’s Day Ideas
Valentine’s Craft Ideas

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: LarrySellsSarasota.com

Arielle on Palmer Ranch

By

On February 11, 2021

In Palmer Ranch, Sarasota

Arielle on Palmer Ranch

Arielle on Palmer Ranch
Arielle on Palmer Ranch

Arielle is a gated community of 192 two and three bedroom coach homes, located off McIntosh Road southeast of Palmer Ranch Parkway West.

Amenities:
Community amenities: heated resort style pool and spa; picnic and grilling area.

Shopping:
Sarasota Square Mall with Costco
Northridge Plaza with Publix, a UPS Store and more
Palmer Crossing with a Walmart grocery store, Bealls, Office Depot and more.

Recreation:
The Legacy Trail for walking, running and biking. Also close to Potter Park YMCA.
Convenient to I-75
Siesta Key is just 6 miles away west on Clark Rd with Siesta Beach and Siesta Village for shopping and dining.

View Homes in Arielle

Map powered by OODLE shows location of Arielle on Palmer Ranch

Have a Great Day!
Larry

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
or
Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com

Owning a Vacation Rental

By

On January 18, 2021

In Real Estate, Sarasota

Dos and Don’ts of Owning a Vacation Rental

Dos and Don'ts of Owning a Vacation Rental
Dos and Don’ts of Owning a Vacation Rental

Are you considering a vacation home purchase that will produce valuable rental income when you’re not using the property? If so, check out these dos and don’ts to get the most out of your financial investment.

DO: Create a financial plan. This will help you predict the potential revenue and expense of owning a rental property.

DO: Work with a knowledgeable Realtor when buying. A good agent can help you find a property in a good location with the best rental potential.

DO: Get to know your home. Carefully check all parts of the home and repair and replace items that need it.

DO: Choose a property manager carefully. Check their reputation in the area, then ask how they’ll: Maintain the home so it stays in good condition, communicate with you and maximize your revenue.

DON’T: Ignore preventive maintenance. It’s better to fix or replace that aging water heater or HVAC system now than have it break during a renter’s stay.

DO: Be strategic about using the home yourself. If your goal is to maximize rental income, stick to planning your stay during the off season.

DO: Plan to reinvest in the home. Figure you may have to spend 1% of the property value each year on maintenance.

DO: Be realistic about pricing. Research area rental rates and don’t overprice. Your ultimate goal is to make a reasonable profit and that will require a high occupancy rate.

Florida Realtors
Sources: entrepreneur.com, sfgate.com, Morris Invest, blogs.netintegrity.net

Have a Great Day!
Larry

If you have any questions about the Sarasota Real Estate Market
Call or Text me @ 941-993-3125
Go to My RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com

Turtle Rock on Palmer Ranch

By

On January 13, 2021

In Palmer Ranch, Sarasota

Turtle Rock on Palmer Ranch

Turtle Rock on Palmer Ranch

Turtle Rock is a gated community of 758 villas and single family homes with two entrances, one off Palmer Ranch Parkway East and the second off Central Sarasota Parkway.

Within the Turtle Rock community are also the neighborhoods of Savannah at Turtle Rock and Somerset at Turtle Rock.

Amenities:
Community center with heated pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, pickleball, playground

Shopping:
Sarasota Square Mall with Costco
Northridge Plaza with Publix, a UPS Store and more
Palmer Crossing with a Walmart grocery store, Bealls, Office Depot and more.

Recreation:
The Legacy Trail for walking, running and biking. Also close to Potter Park YMCA.

Convenient to I-75
Siesta Key is just 6 miles away west on Clark Rd with Siesta Beach and Siesta Village for shopping and dining.

Homes in Turtle Rock (Link opens in new window) View Homes

Map powered by OODLE shows location of Turtle Rock on Palmer Ranch

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

As always, for all your Real Estate needs, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
or
Go to Larry’s RE/MAX Site and search all you like LarrySellsSarasota.com

Consider This – When To Refinance

By

On January 12, 2021

In Information, Real Estate

Consider This – When To Refinance

Decorative
Refinancing your Home

Refinancing your mortgage is something most homeowners consider at least once throughout the lifespan of their home loan. It allows you to pay off your previous loan by applying for a new one that has better financial advantages. While there are many good reasons to refinance, here are 5 common ones.

Scoring a lower interest rate – The number one reason homeowners decide to refinance is to secure a lower interest rate on their mortgage. Not only does this save you money in the long run and decrease your monthly payment, but you can start building equity in your home sooner.

Using an improved credit score – Even if interest rates have not dropped in the market, if you have improved your credit score over the last few years, you may be able to reduce your mortgage rate.

Shortening the loan’s term – If interest rates are decreasing, there is a chance you may be able to get a shorter loan term with little to no change in your monthly payment, allowing you to pay off your loan sooner.

Switching from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate – If you chose an adjustable-rate mortgage with great introductory rates when you initially financed your home, that rate may increase significantly over the years. By switching to a fixed rate while interest rates are low, you can protect yourself from future increases.

Cashing out home equity – If there is a big purchase or payment on the horizon, such as funding a wedding or going back to school, your best option may be to use the equity you have built in your home to borrow money at a lower cost.

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

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

Stonebridge on Palmer Ranch

By

On January 6, 2021

In Palmer Ranch, Sarasota

Stonebridge on Palmer Ranch

Marquee of Stonebridge on Palmer Ranch
Stonebridge on Palmer Ranch

Stonebridge is a community of 118 single family homes, located on Palmer Ranch Parkway East off McIntosh.

Amenities: pavilion and heated pool

Shopping:
Northridge Plaza with Publix, a UPS Store and more
Palmer Crossing with a Walmart grocery store, Bealls, Office Depot and more.
Sarasota Square Mall with Costco

Recreation:
The Legacy Trail for walking, running and biking. Also close to Potter Park YMCA.

Convenient to I-75
Siesta Key is just 6 miles away west on Clark Rd with Siesta Beach and Siesta Village for shopping and dining.

Map powered by OODLE shows location of Stonebridge on Palmer Ranch

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 a new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

Happy New Year from Siesta Key

By

On January 1, 2021

In Siesta Key

Happy New Year 2021

Happy New Year 2021

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2021!

Larry and Ann

Sarasota Monthly Real Estate Market Snapshot – November 2020

By

On December 29, 2020

In Real Estate Statistics, Sarasota

Sarasota Monthly Real Estate Market Snapshot – November 2020

November Real Estate Statistics for Sarasota County

New Real Estate Monthly Statistics for Sarasota County
November 2020

826 Homes SOLD (down 87 from last month)
Median Sold Price $349,000 (up $4,000 from last month)
Average 52 Days on the Market (average was 48 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

How You Can Finance Your Home Renovation

By

On December 29, 2020

In Home Improvement, Real Estate, Sarasota

How You Can Finance Your Home Renovation

How You Can Finance Your Home Renovation

Outdated kitchen. Overrun backyard. Unusable basement space. If you have a home renovation project on the mind, the first thing you have to consider is how you are going to finance it. Here are the most common options to make your dreams become a reality.

Cash – Paying in cash is the most straightforward financing option, just save until you have enough money to cover the expenses. This will help eliminate spending outside your budget; however, it can also extend your timeline.

Mortgage Refinance – If you’ve been making payments on your home for a few years and your interest rate is higher than current market rates, you may be eligible for a mortgage refinance, reducing your payments and freeing up some money.

Cash-Out Refinance – You can tap into your home equity and borrow up to 80 percent of your home’s value to pay off your current mortgage plus take out more cash to cover the renovations. This option is encouraged only when you’re making improvements that will increase the value of your home, as it can add a lot of interest and fees.

Home Equity – Getting a home equity line of credit allows you to borrow money against the value of your home. You receive usually up to 80 percent of your home’s value, minus the amount of your loan.

Retirement Funds – Homeowners can consider pulling money from a 401K or IRA account, even though they aren’t specifically meant to cover a home renovation. This option might incur additional penalties or tax payments, but may be worth it when making improvements that will benefit them financially in the long run.

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

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

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