Larry's Sarasota Blog

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

Wellington Chase on Palmer Ranch

Wellington Chase on Palmer Ranch

Wellington Chase on Palmer Ranch

Wellington Chase is a community of 220 single family homes located off Northridge Rd and close to Northridge Plaza and Palmer Crossing Plaza.

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 Wellington Chase 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 Thanksgiving – Virtual Fun for Everyone

Happy Thanksgiving
Virtual Fun for Everyone

Happy Thanksgiving from Siesta Beach

Virtual Fun! – At-Home Ideas

Fun Activities for Kids of ALL Ages during this Holiday Season

Entertaining kids at home can be a difficult feat, during this Holiday Season especially if you’re under orders to stay at home in the midst of a global pandemic.
However, with a little creativity and some useful online resources, there are plenty of ways to keep your little ones entertained during this time. Not only will they have a blast, but they might just learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby in the meantime!

Visit a museum virtually through (opens in a new window)  Google Arts & Culture

Set Up a Scavenger Hunt: Create your own scavenger hunt list filled with things to find throughout the home and/or backyard — or use one of (opens in a new window)  these creative scavenger hunts from Good Housekeeping!

Take a Trip to Mars: Explore the actual surface of Mars with (opens in a new window) Access Mars, which features 360-degree views recorded by NASA’s Curiosity rover. Your space fanatic will love this incredible tour!

Visit a National Park From Home: While nothing beats an in-person tour of our country’s national parks, these virtual tours might just be the next best thing. You and your kids can tour 31 national parks on (opens in a new window) Google Earth, from Arches National Park to Zion National Park!

Ride a Virtual Disney Ride: Ride a roller coaster without ever leaving your couch! (opens in a new window) Good Housekeeping compiled this list of virtual Disney roller coasters, from the leisurely “It’s a Small World” to the thrilling Expedition Everest.

Travel to Seussville: Keep their imagination going with a virtual trip to (opens in a new window) Seussville, which has plenty of games, videos and resources — which are, of course, focused on all things Dr. Seuss.

Do a Science Experiment With Bill Nye the Science Guy: Bill Nye the Science Guy has (opens in a new window) an extensive collection of science experiments designed to be completed at home, including life science, physical science and planetary science.

Lunch Doodles With Mo Willems: The Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence, Mo Willems, (opens in a new window) created 15 episodes over the course of three weeks with fun doodles for kids to recreate at home. Plus,(opens in a new window) Kennedy Center @ Home has a library of extraordinary live, on-demand performances and educational activities to do at home, with new releases daily.
I hope you enjoy these fun and interactive kid-approved activities!

Have Fun
Larry and Ann

Sunrise Cove Yacht and Racquet Club on Siesta Key

Sunrise Cove Yacht and Racquet Club on Siesta Key

Sunrise Cove Yacht and Racquet Club
Sunrise Cove Yacht and Racquet Club

Welcome to Sunrise Cove Yacht and Racquet Club on Siesta Key

Located at the southern end of Siesta Key and across from Turtle Beach, Sunrise Cove Yacht and Racquet Club is a bayfront condominium complex where all 155 units have magnificent sunrise views of Little Sarasota Bay.

Amenities: 2 Heated pools, Clubhouse with kitchen, Picnic and BBQ area on the Bay, Boat Dock, Kayak and Boat rentals (with special at Bayfront Marina), 2 lighted Tennis Courts, Exercise Room, Community Room with Billiards and more. There are 49 boat docks which are available to rent on an annual basis.

The Siesta Key Sea Breeze Trolley runs regularly 10am-10pm Mon-Fri and until Midnight on Saturday and Sunday going from Turtle Beach to Siesta Beach and Village for your convenience.

Map powered by OODLE shows location of Sunrise Cove on Siesta Key

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

As always, for more information on this or any Real Estate on Siesta Key and the Sarasota Area, call or text Larry @ 941-993-3125
Larry’s RE/MAX Site: (opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

Create the Office of Your Dreams

Create the Office of Your Dreams

Home Office

Create the Office of Your Dreams
Now that many of us are working from home it is important to have a dedicated workspace designed to increase productivity and comfort.

Here are 5 ideas to create the office of your dreams.

Invest in a good office chair – Investing in an ergonomic office chair is essential. You may be spending anywhere from 30 to 50 hours a week sitting in it, so your back will thank you. Purchasing one with multiple adjustments is ideal so it fits you just right.

Switch up your lighting – Fluorescent lighting has been proven to be hard on the eyes. Make the switch to LED or halogen light bulbs in your home office and try to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, consider finding a desk lamp to reduce headaches and eye strain.

Keep essentials in reach and organized – Nothing says productivity like a clean, neat workspace. Select a desk with a lot of storage or install creative shelving to keep items like pens, pencils, extra batteries, calculators, notepads, and more stored within arm’s reach.

Decorate bright – Pick a color you love and use it to spice up the room. Use cheery yellow or red or relaxing tones like green and blue, instead of beiges and browns.

Aim for the view – If possible, place your desk so you are facing a window instead of a blank wall. Natural light can do wonders for staying alert and you can give yourself a short mental break when necessary by looking to the outdoors.

Stay Safe
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: (opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

The Hamptons on Palmer Ranch

The Hamptons on Palmer Ranch

The Hamptons on Palmer Ranch

Located just off Honore Avenue and North of Palmer Ranch Parkway East, The Hamptons is a community of 245 single family homes divided into 3 sections.

The South is maintenance free and stretches from Flagstone Drive just south of the community pool to the next community of Stonebridge.

The North is owner maintained and stretches north of the community pool including Donnington Ct and Sturbridge Ct stretching to the next community, Wellington Chase

The West is gated and also owner maintained and includes Bridgehampton Blvd and Gardiners Bay Circle.

A Community Heated Pool is available to all residents in The Hamptons.

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

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 The Hamptons on Palmer Ranch


Have a Great Day!
Larry

If you have any questions about The Hamptons or any community in Palmer Ranch – Call or Text me @ 941-993-3125
Larry’s RE/MAX Site: (link opens in new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Essentials

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Essentials

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

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

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

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

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

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