What does this mean to you if you’re selling a home?  It means that you should be choosing a company who offers the strongest online marketing available: Sea to Sky Realty!

With our company your home gets showcased not just locally, but also nationally and internationally! Contact us today for a free consultation.

Here is the full story from today´s Herald Tribune:

Online searches for properties at a prominent real estate site showed North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota as the third biggest target in the nation.

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California-based John Burns Consulting has ranked Lakewood Ranch as one of the top selling master  planned communities in the United States with 391 new home sales in 2011. Coming  in at number 9, Lakewood Ranch outpaced many other well-established and iconic communities. This is the second year for John Burns Real Estate Consulting’s ranking of top-selling U.S. master plans.

“With our new sports campus, new commercial construction this year totaling  upwards of $150 million, and new rental projects springing up, we’re proud that  Lakewood Ranch has become the premier new-home destination on Florida’s West  Coast,” said Rex Jensen, president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc., the  developer of Lakewood Ranch. “That is definitely translating into more visitors,  which in turn means more sales.”

Lakewood Ranch saw record-breaking numbers of visitors to its information centers and models during the fourth quarter of 2011, helping to drive last  year’s new home sales.  In the fourth quarter of 2011, close to 7,000 people  visited Lakewood Ranch models and information centers.  “We have something  truly special here.  We have taken bold steps to drive the economy, which has in  turn driven home sales, job creation and has helped us remain a small market  leader in residential and commercial projects,” said Jensen.

This is the second year for John Burns Real Estate Consulting’s ranking of  top-selling U.S. master plans. Last year, Lakewood Ranch was ranked number 14. More than 130 communities across the U.S. were included in the study,  representing nearly 23,000 new home sales during 2011, or nearly 7.6 percent of  the estimated 300,000 new U.S. home sales in 2011. The full report with the top  50 rankings can be found at http://www.realestateconsulting.com.

Lakewood Ranch is the 8,500-acre award-winning master-planned community in  Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from  the Gulf Coast beaches, and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is  already home to more 15,000 residents and features A-rated schools, a hospital,  the Sarasota Polo Club, a 75-acre sports complex, its own Main Street with  theaters, shopping and dining, and four million square feet of commercial  property.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Lakewood Ranch or the Bradenton/Sarasota area, please contact Sea to Sky Realty, the INTERNATIONAL Bradenton / Sarasota Real Estate Company.

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• Fla. No. 5 nationally as ‘best for business’

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All of the top 10 cities “picking up strength” are in the Sun Belt. Florida dominates the list with five snow bird hubs in the top 10: the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota area (No.1), Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach  (No. 4), Cape Coral-Fort Myers (No. 5), West Palm Beach-Boca Raton (No. 6), and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (No. 10).

In Bradenton a little over six times as many people from outside the area were looking for properties there as the number of people living there looking for properties elsewhere.

Another sign of improving health in the Florida real estate market: Existing home sales along the coasts picked up somewhat dramatically this year, even in the slower summer and early fall months.

…both investors looking to purchase rental properties and Baby Boomers scouting for vacation and/or retirement properties are hunting for bargains in floundering housing markets in Florida and California. “Part of the long term trend is Baby Boomers moving toward retirement, and some of those that put off their searches while home prices were skyrocketing in the Sun Belt, are now looking again because prices have fallen so much.”

Give us a call at 941866.1666 if we can help you buy or sell a property in Bradenton / Sarasota, Florida.

They feature Anna Maria Island as the place that offers an authentic taste of island living with best beaches for long beach walks, cute beach boutiques, chilled-out beach cafés, funky beach bars - and of course they are right!!!

Here’s the article:

Best Florida Beaches: Gulf Coast

Check out our annual guide to the best beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Grab a towel, lounge chair and your sexiest swimsuit, and then dive in.

Best For »
Beach-town devotees who want the works: long beach walks, cute beach boutiques, chilled-out beach cafés, funky beach bars. If you’re craving an authentic taste of island living, Anna Maria Island is the real deal. This seven-mile stretch of white sandy shores and crystal-clear water sparkles in the sun’s spotlight, yet not many know of this, shall we say, secret spot perched on the Gulf coast. The island revels in its small-town vibe, where building anything over two stories is a no-no. So expect lushly landscaped clapboard homes and quaint inns, plus a scattering of colorful beach-chic shops and eateries.

And the best thing? It’s only an hour or two from St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa and Orlando.

Like A Local »
The ideal way to experience Anna Maria is to rent your very own beach cottage. Trust us, great options abound here. First choice is naturally a place on the water, but no matter where you land, you are certainly never far from the Gulf or Tampa Bay. Wake to a sunrise over the Intracoastal Waterway from the private deck of Casa Bella (satorealestate.com), one of many rental homes, or just bird-watch while floating on your back in the house’s infinity pool. Even indoors it’s nature-centric. You’ll feel like you can reach through the living room’s window and touch the ripples in the bay from the comfy sofa — it’s literally right there.

Go South »
Anna Maria starts out as a wide maze of residential lanes in the north, tapering down to a single narrow road as you reach its southern tip, where one of the best beaches caps off the island. Coquina Beach is a gorgeous strip of easy-to-access public beach with wide, flat expanses of sand blending into quiet Gulf water. Our favorite spot is south of 13th Street, where it’s completely undev- eloped. Soft, shady pines line its eastern edge, and people snorkel around its mini limestone jetties where an occasional dolphin pokes its head out of the water. Boat enthusiasts hang at the southern- most point to watch sailboats of all sorts navigate through Longboat Pass. Bradenton Beach, the south end’s hub, is where to go to feast on strawberry jam crêpes, croissants and even French toast. Parisian chef Olivier Rose makes them at the cozy Island Creperie (941.778.1011). Take a peek at the jewelry and local artwork displayed on driftwood and dried sea grape leaves in Hive Creations (941.778.7432). The Historic Bridge Street Pier is where pelicans harass fishermen returning from a day on the water. It’s also home to the deceivingly ramshackle but friendly Joe’s Eats and Sweets (joeseatsandsweets.com), serving deliciously fresh banana splits.

Go North »
The City of Anna Maria anchors the northern end of the island. Tight sandy lanes lined with inns and eateries open up to boulevards where thick foliage obscures rows of houses. If you search hard enough, you’ll find Bean Point, the locals’ favorite beach. While Coquina Beach is super accessible on the southern end, Bean Point is a completely in-the-know secret spot tucked away at the island’s northern tip. Amid the sprawling mansions on North Shore Drive, there are a few hidden walkways. If you can find street parking, you’ll be treated to graceful dunes with clusters of yellow wildflowers and the softest white sand kissed by Caribbean-clear emerald waters. Wade out to a sand- bar for a view of the pristine beach that curves around the island and disappears into the distance. Pine Avenue, with galleries, boutiques and cafes, is perfect for strolling. Among the shops at the historic Green Village, an assemblage of newly restored Old Florida cottages, is Island Cabana (941.896.4946), where a collection of classic whitewashed pottery and vintage etchings of corals and pelicans tempt shoppers. Hop on one of the free old-fashioned trolleys heading back south. En route in Holmes Beach is the brand-new Eat Here (eathere-ami.com) restaurant, the casual sibling of the well-known upscale Beach Bistro. Art covers the walls, and tables overflow with plates of Cedar Key clams and Pelham frites — crispy fries with gravy — paired with Saison Athene beer from the Saint Somewhere Brewing Company in nearby Tarpon Springs.

Wrap The Day »
For the ultimate sunset experience, book a table at the all-new Bridge Street Bistro (941.782.1122). You’ll want to request one on the balcony facing the Gulf. The view from this third-story perch begins at palm trees blowing in the sea breeze and extends to the horizon. Hands down, the succulent Grassy Key grouper with a light, buttery lime sauce is the dish to order. Finish off your meal with the berry basket dessert. The almond-crust bowl filled with the freshest strawberries, raspberries and handmade cream is even better than the sunset.

Anna Maria Sound is located in the city of Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida. Harbour Isle, located in beautiful Perico Island, is just minutes away from Anna Maria Island, with its quaint business districts, award-winning restaurants, specialty shops, and arts and entertainment venues that make it one of the nation’s favorite vacation spots.

These new homes in Harbour Isle offer easy access to US Highway 41 State Road 64 (Manatee Ave W).

Harbour Isle will be a gated community offering a lush tropical setting. After entering through the gated guard tower, visitors will proceed down a narrow Royal Palm-lined drive, running parallel to a 2-mile walking path that encircles the island, skirted by a 38-acre man-made lake, and bordering a large mangrove preserve on the east side.

Buyers have a choice of 7 different homes, beautifully designed in a southern coastal resort-style architecture. The homes will range in size from 1,621 to 2,960 square feet of living space, and will be LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified, the highest rating for green features such as energy efficiency, enhanced indoor air quality, water efficiency and sustainable use of materials and land.

Minto Group, created in 1955, has built more than 67,000 homes, including over 19,000 in Florida. 

Please contact us to request more information about these new luxury condominium at Harbour Isle.

Drive-out-of-Florida deals are back for 2011 spring and early summer travel.

Each year, there are heavily discounted rates offered to move cars out of Florida after the popular winter-travel season ends. These deals give travelers and vacationers cheap rentals during their Florida vacations. Book one, and you’ll get to see more of the U.S. when you drive out of Florida.

The best deals is from Hertz. For just $5 per day, or $35 per week, you can take a driving vacation, as long as you can pick up your vehicle between April 24 and June 12. The offer is valid on economy-size and compact cars, and drop-offs are available as far north as Maine and as far west as Arizona. The maximum rental is for two weeks. Use RQ code DRV5 when booking. Contact: 800-654-3131; www.hertz.com.

National, Alamo and Enterprise are offering daily rates of $19.95 for economy through full-size vehicle rentals when you book by April 9. Cars may be picked up between March 25 and May 31 in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa or West Palm Beach and between April 25 and May 31 in Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Orlando or Sanford. The maximum rental period is 21 days, and cars may be dropped off at participating locations in the continental U.S., excluding Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Contact National at 877-222-9058 or www.nationalcar.com, Alamo at 877-222-9075 or www.alamo.com, or Enterprise at 800-261-7331 or www.enterprise.com.

Avis is also offering one-way rentals out of Florida for those who want a car for a really short time. Rentals are valid for one to four days and must be rented between April 1 and June 30. Daily rates include $19.95 for a compact, $24.95 for a midsize, $27.95 for a standard and $29.95 for a full-size or an intermediate SUV. Cars may be picked up at airport locations in Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Melbourne, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa and West Palm Beach and dropped off at participating locations in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Use AWD Number G575600. Contact: 800-331-1212; www.avis.com.

The rates quoted don’t include taxes and fees. American express cardholders for example can also save a lot of money for primary CDW coverage by enrolling in a special plan issued by your CC company. Instead of overpriced daily charges there is a one time charge per rental for CDW between $20 and $30. Many other credit cards provide at least secondary insurance coverage.

You could drive all the way up the East Coast and fly home. For a shorter drive, the closest drop-off city with good airfares is Atlanta. You could drive up the coast and enjoy historic sites in St. Augustine, head to Savannah and dine at Paula Deen’s restaurant, then drive to Atlanta for your flight home. You have a number of options with these deals, so choose a vacation that suits your need.

Axel Weiss, Realtor
Weiss International Realty
Bradenton, FL 34205
www.bradentonbroker.com

We learned already from the census that Florida will gain two seats in congress due to its population growth. But digging into numbers for Sarasota and Manatee counties shows that we are getting younger, more of us are in the workforce — or want to be — and more of us are Hispanic.

The population in Sarasota County rose 13% since 2000. In Manatee County it shot up more than 20%. But it wasn’t just retirees relocating from the north; the percentage of those 65 and older actually went down in both counties in the last ten years.

And you can’t attribute the local increase all to immigrants. Their numbers didn’t keep pace with the overall rise, either. So where did the people come from?

Emily Fairchild, a sociology professor at New College in Sarasota, says we don’t know yet. “This is a jumping off point for us to take this more basic data and do more investigation to see if we can come with some explanation.”

That’s not to say that the census didn’t do its job. We need to know what the population is and where it lives to determine congressional representation and federal funding. “So when we see that Florida is gaining 16%, we gained two seats in the House Of Representatives…so it is significant,” says Fairchild.

And, because you wondered, most of the newcomers are not Hispanic. In fact, both Sarasota and Manatee counties have a smaller percentage then the national average. “These are county-wide numbers, so what we see in our neighborhood is not necessarily what we see at the county, state or national level,” says Fairchild.

Total Population (2000 to 2009)

Manatee Co. 264,002 –> 318,361 (+20.6%)
Sarasota Co. 325,957 –> 369,765 (+13.4%)

Foreign Born

Manatee Co. 22,235 (8.4%) –> 36,102 (11.5%) +3.1%
Sarasota Co. 30,416 (9.3%) –> 43,160 (11.7%) +2.4%

Hispanic/Latino Population

Manatee Co. 9.3% –> 12.9% (+3.6%)
Sarasota Co. 4.3% –> 6.8% (+2.5%)

Language other than English spoken at home

Manatee co. 12.3% –> 14.8% (+2.5%)
Sarasota Co. 10.5% –> 12.5% (+2.0%)

People Aged 16+ in Workforce

Manatee Co. 54.4% –> 58.0% (+3.6%)
Sarasota Co. 50.5% –> 52.7% (+2.2%)

People Aged 65 and Over

Manatee Co. 65,647 (24.9%) –> 69,859 (22.3%) -2.6%
Sarasota Co. 102,583 (31.5%) –> 108,933 (29.6%) -1.9%

Source: http://factfinder.census.gov

The 2010 recognition marks the fourth win for Bradenton/Manatee County in the competition. Sarasota also this year was named among the top finishers.

The “100 Best” designation recognizes communities that make their youth a priority by supporting programs that help to keep children in school and to prepare them for college and the workforce, according to a press release about the alliance, which is based in Washington, D.C.

Bradenton/Manatee County was one of seven winners in Florida. Others included Sarasota County, St. Petersburg and Tampa/Hillsborough County.

Read the full story

The current issue of American Style magazine lists Bradenton in the Top 25 Small Cities for Art, the latest in a series of national recognitions of Bradenton’s arts and culture. 

Last year Art Calendar magazine ranked Braden­ton as one of the “10 great towns for working artists” and last fall Gallup’s “Soul of the Commu­nity” ranked Bradenton No. 1 in “community at­tachment” in a study of 26 cities nationwide.

AmericanStyle magazine, one of the country’s premier publications on the arts, ranked Braden­ton No. 22 in its Top 25 Cities for Art in the small city category.

The new issue hits newsstands today.

Get information on the cultural planning process and the organizations involved at www.realizebradenton.com.

Realize Bradenton’s cultural partners include ArtCenter Manatee, Manatee Players, Manatee Historical Village, South Florida Museum, Village of the Arts, Hernando DeSoto Historical Society and the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

More information about the city of Bradenton: http://www.cityofbradenton.com

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