Larry's Sarasota Blog

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

Must-Have Tools for Homeowners

Must-Have Tools for Homeowners

What’s in your toolbox?

When you own your home, things are going to break and, unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix them yourself. Luckily, you don’t need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. These five tools will cover most of your basic projects.

Cordless drill. A cordless drill is a must-have for installing cabinets, drawer pulls, hinges, picture frames, shelves and hooks, and more. Whether it’s for do-it-yourself projects or repairs, you’ll use your cordless drill just about every month.

Drain cleaners. Shower and bathroom sink drains are susceptible to clogs because of the daily buildup of hair and whisker clippings. You can use chemical clog removers like Drano, but they’re expensive and the lingering chemical scent is unpleasant. Instead, buy some plastic drain cleaners that can reach into the drain to pull out the clog of hair and gunk. You can purchase them on Amazon or at a local hardware store for a low price.

Shop-vac. No matter how careful you are, spills and accidents will happen and there are some tasks that just can’t be handled with paper towels or a standard vacuum, like pet messes or broken glass.

Loppers. Even the minimum amount of care for your landscaping will require some loppers to remove damaged branches, vines, thick weeds, and any other unruly plants in your yard.

Flashlight. You’re going to want something a little more powerful than your iPhone flashlight when you’re in the crawlspace!

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

Top Tips for House Hunting Online

Top Tips for House Hunting Online

Starting you house hunting Online

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listings should highlight the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.

Stay up to date – When you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) (Link opens in a new window) LarrySellsSarasota.com is my RE/MAX site that actively posts their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter.

Pictures can be deceiving – Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as a fisheye lens to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. But, often listings will not contain photos of unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms.

See it to believe it – Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, Call or Text me @ 941-993-3125 and schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. I will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.

Have a Great Day!
Larry and Ann

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

Achieve Morning Person Status

Achieve Morning Person Status

Starting your morning!

Ever wish you could become one of those rare morning people? The ones that wake with a start, feeling refreshed and energized. The ones that get in that morning workout or wrap up some work before many of us even hit the snooze button for the first time. Here are five tips to help you achieve that early bird status!

Create a morning schedule. Physically write down the things you’d like to complete in the morning and set a time for each. Then stick with it. Once you force yourself out of bed early one or two weeks consistently, you’ll find it gets easier and easier to do.

Let the light in. Whether natural or artificial, light tells your brain its time to get up and get going. If your room lacks large windows where you can open the blinds up, consider investing in a timed lamp or alarm clock with a light.

Prep and eat breakfast. Although there are many of us who chose the skip breakfast, it is key to perking up your energy in the morning. Try prepping protein-focused meals the night before or grab a yogurt or fruit and try to consume it right after you wake.

Get your body moving. Whether it’s a short walk around your neighborhood or a rigorous 5:30 am spin class, getting your blood pumping will help wake up your body and has a ton of other benefits, like stress and anxiety reduction.

Feed your mind. Stimulate your brain and do something you enjoy first thing in the morning. Try reading a favorite book, catching up on the news, doing daily meditation, or setting intentions.

Have a Great Morning!
Larry and Ann

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

The John and Mable Ringling Museum

The John and Mable Ringling 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

What to Repair Before You List Your Home

What to Repair Before You List Your Home

Home Repairs

When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top four recommended repairs to make before selling your home.

Repaint walls:
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. Make sure cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.

Repair floors:
Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!

Refresh the landscaping:
Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and fill in mulch and gravel.

Have a Great Day
Larry and Ann

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

Happy Halloween from Sarasota!

Happy Halloween from
Siesta Key!

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  

Home Remodeling Projects

Home Remodeling Projects with the Greatest Return

Home Remodeling Projects with the Greatest Return

If you are thinking about doing some remodeling in your home, it’s best to do the things that will give you the highest return on resale first.

Kitchen and Bathroom remodels will bring you a high return and as well as a more modern look to your home.

Roof replacement is important because few buyers want to take on putting a new roof right after they buy their new home.

Curb Appeal:
If your entry door or garage door is in need of replacement, well they are the first things potential buyers will see.

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

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