217 Chilson Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216 (MLS # M5836715)

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This house has it all: deep-water, custom designed and professionally decorated ground floor canal house in the City of Anna Maria...and Walking distance to the Gulf of Mexico Beach and Pine Avenue (only four canal streets in Anna Maria have this ability). Features: Ground-Level; Very large lot; Deep-Water (to Bimini Bay/Gulf); Four-bedroom; Two bath; Two Large Living areas; Custom Coastal woodwork throughout (crown molding; bead board; tongue n groove); New large Tropical Heated Pool with Covered Pool Cabana/Outdoor Bar; Outdoor hot/cold shower; Wood burning fireplace; Oversized 2 car garage/Recreation Room; Large paver driveway; Wood Cabinets; Granite; Chiseled Tile; Recessed lighting; Tastefully and fully furnished and decorated (with coastal antiques, new furniture, local island art); Great residence, investment, or rental. This is a lifestyle house: Take a boat ride in the morning. Bike to Pine Street for lunch. Enjoy your pool in the afternoon. Walk to the beach and dinner at sunset.

Property Type(s): Residential / All, Residential / Single Family

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5166 55th Street W Cir, Bradenton, FL 34210 (MLS # A3975919)

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Prime family lake front home at "The Estates of Glenn Lakes", features include four en-suites, open floor plan, over-sized pool, 3 car garage, bonus area, office, upgraded counters and flooring. Just minutes from Gulf of Mexico's beaches and conveniently located to IMG Academies.

Property Type(s): Residential / All, Residential / Single Family

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Hey aspiring snowbirds: The Florida housing market could be rebounding

Florida is known for its amusement parks, but no white-knuckle ride has been quite like the last real estate cycle. From 2004 to 2007, Florida experienced one of the biggest property booms in America. Lax lending policies coupled with borrower greed led to massive growth in a relatively short period of time. Despite the meteoric rise in prices, many believed the market couldn’t fall. But when the U.S. market imploded, Florida was one of the first states to crash. And, like the rest of the country, many watched helplessly as prices and demand plunged.

As ‘Foreclosure’ and ‘For Sale’ signs popped up like weeds, many Canadians – retired snowbirds and keen investors alike – started taking interest. Florida prices plunged more than 40 per cent peak-to-trough on the FHFA Index and top destinations such as Orlando experienced a 56 per cent drop in prices from an average $258,000 (U.S.) at the peak, down to $113,400 in 2011. Rock bottom prices and a high exchange rate made purchasing U.S. property an attractive proposition for northern neighbours. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly a quarter of home sales in the 12 months ending in March 2012 were by Canadians.

Times, however, are changing. A 2012 report from BMO indicates that while the housing market in Florida is relatively stressed, the worst is over. “Florida was one of the epicentres of the housing bubble-bust cycle, but there are mounting signs that a recovery is under way,” it said.

Economists indicate that the Florida economy is recovering at a modest pace with real GDP expected to grow 1.9 per cent in 2013.

Unemployment is trending down, but it is still an above-average 8.7 per cent. Certain pockets of the housing market are showing promise, with prices in Miami and Tampa bouncing up 9 per cent from their late-2011 lows. Another positive sign is a reduction in the supply of homes. Property market expert and owner of The Pink Flamingo, Erica Muller, indicates inventory has diminished by more than 50 per cent.

“We are seeing bidding wars and multiple offers on almost every property. As long as a home is not overpriced, we are seeing it sell within the first week of listing and sometimes it’s sold before it even hits the public MLS. Building starts are up and more and more people are paying builder prices for a new home due to the lack of inventory available.”

However, it should be noted that the foreclosure rate is still the highest in the U.S. at 13.7 per cent.

“Overall, Florida’s housing market is one of the most stressed (second of 50) in the country, behind Nevada, but a draw down in inventories and upward price momentum are positive indications that the worst is over,” states BMO.

While this might be the beginning of the end for Florida’s negative market cycle, Florida Home Finders of Canada vice president Brian Ellis, says it’s not too late for Canadians looking to buy.

“Most savvy real estate investors will tell you the best time to buy is just when the market has turned a corner and is starting to go up – and that’s where Florida is now,” Ellis says.

All of the factors that have made U.S. property an attractive real estate proposition still hold true; Florida real estate prices are low, the Canadian dollar is strong, and low interest rates at home make it easier for Canadians to equity out of their home and put cash down on a U.S. property. The only drawback to the Florida market, says Ellis, is that this situation will not last forever.

“So, Canadians have to jump and they have to jump fast if they want to take advantage of this marketplace.”

While factors that make buying south of the border attractive to Canadians can apply to several states in the lower 49th, investment experts argue Florida has unique economic advantages that set it apart from other destinations. According to Florida Investment Real Estate owner Steven Silverman, Florida – which is already the fourth largest state in the country – has long been one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S., and by the next census will surpass New York as the third largest state in population.

Florida’s attractions make it one of the top tourist destinations in America and its weather will always be a selling point for retirees looking to escape cooler climes. As Jerry Seinfeld quipped, “my parents didn’t want to move to Florida, but they turned 60, and that’s the law.”

Silverman also points out there is no state tax for individuals and business structures in the state, making it attractive for entrepreneurial activity. Major changes to the Panama Canal – which will allow container ships to reach Florida in 2014 – will make the state a stopping point for distribution of imports to the Eastern Seaboard. Silverman also suggests major intermodal expansion is being planned for Central Florida.

The recovery in Florida is not happening uniformly across the state. As a top tourist destination, Orlando is starting to benefit from a recovery in tourism-related employment and expansions to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Studios Florida.

Meanwhile, Miami is experiencing a turnaround in prices, thanks in large part to foreign investment. The Miami Association of Realtors reported a 34 per cent increase to $160,000 in median sales price of condominiums in Miami-Dade County in 2012 over the previous year.

According to Shalimar Santiago, CEO of Investors Adviser’s Network, the hottest market is currently central Florida, from Orlando to the Tampa region, with returns yielding on average 8–12 per cent.

“In the south Florida market returns are less, ranging from 6–10 per cent, but appreciation and prices are much greater. However, it depends on the investor’s appetite for risk and investment goals.”

According to Ellis, about 80 per cent of Canadians buying real estate in Florida are purchasing condos. “With this product, they can lock the door and walk away and not have to worry about the exterior maintenance. So that’s what most Canadians are buying.”

While single-family properties are more labour intensive, they are currently producing higher yields, argues Santiago.

Townhouses are also hot, says Muller, because they have lower monthly fees than condos but you can typically pick them up for around the same prices. Also, the rents tend to be higher and they attract more family-oriented renters than condos do.

She adds: “The areas we recommend our investors purchase in are many of the mid-upper middle class suburbs of Orlando such as Winter Garden, Windermere, Lake Nona and Lake Mary. Vacation rentals are also a very popular option right now for those not as concerned with the short-term return but are looking to win big on the capital gain over the long run.”

Looking to buy Florida Real Estate? Contact us at 941.866.1666 or use the form below

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238 Lakeview Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216 (MLS # A3973002)

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Mediterranean style home beautifully situated on a quiet street on the north end of Anna Maria Island overlooking Lake LaVista inlet and with quick access to the Gulf. Offering a dock with lift, 2-story caged pool and gazebo, this lovely home is perfect for entertaining. Inside, the impressive entry leads you by stairs or elevator to the main living level. Soaring ceilings and bright open spaces greet you as you enter the great room with sliders leading to the screened lanai. The spacious kitchen with granite counters and wood cabinetry offers a lovely dining area with views of the inlet and pool. The split plan has two guest rooms with a shared bath or climb the stairs to a third level bonus room. The private master suite is beautifully finished with views of the inlet. Wonderful location, walk to the bay side park or Pine Avenue shops and restaurants.

Property Type(s): Residential / All, Residential / Single Family

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Anna Maria Island made it in the top 5 islands of Tripadvisor´s Travelers Choice Awards 2013!

It has been named one of the top five island destinations in the country. The fact that travelers named the islands that made it on the list  shows that Anna Maria Island is no longer a well kept secret.

Anna Maria Island was named the #4 Island destination, after  San Juan Island – Washington, Kauai – Hawaii, and San Marco – Naples.

Here is what they liked most about Anna Maria Island:

The barrier island of Anna Maria is an absolute slice of laid-back paradise. Golfing and fishing are two of the most popular tourist activities, though an afternoon lounging at Bean Point beach is a must-do, too. The Anna Maria Island Historical Museum is a fun way to soak up some local history when you’re taking a break from soaking up the sun.

Trip Advisor lists 26 things to do on Anna Maria Island, including Bean Point, the Coquina Bay Walk, Parasailing, Segway Tours and the Island Players Community Theatre.

Interested in buying a property on Anna Maria Island? Call us @ 941.866.1666 or use the contact form below.

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Although waiting a few years to sell a home will likely mean a higher sales price, the cost of a bigger new home will increase as well, according to an analysis by Redfin. Financially, it makes more sense to capture today’s relatively low prices on the more expensive home.

Additionally, interest rates are still near record lows, but they’ll almost certainly rise over time, which means a higher monthly mortgage payment. In the next 12 months, the Mortgage Bankers Association expects rates to rise to 4.4 percent. Over a longer period, they are likely to be even higher, considering a 20-year U.S. average mortgage rate of about 6.5 percent.

The rationale for moving up now is fairly simple. A $100,000 home that appreciates 10 percent in one year would net a home seller an additional $10,000. But if that owner hopes to move into a home worth $200,000, the increased cost of the home one year from now, at the same 10 percent, would be $20,000 more.

So if you are interested in selling or buying, please give us a call @941.866.1666.

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Baseball isn’t the only game in town in Bradenton, Fla.

Dedicated Pittsburgh Pirates fans arriving from a long line drive of a road trip or a relatively short flight may be happily surprised to learn that the cry of “Play Ball!” isn’t Bradenton’s lone siren call.

Even Bucco skipper Clint Hurdle is “all in” on that sentiment, sharing some of the stops he recommends to friends when they aren’t watching practices at Pirate City or Grapefruit League games at McKechnie Field. He insists the joys of those two activities “need no explanation.”

Hurdle’s “must visit” list includes: Mixon’s Fruit Farms (“The best fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juice in the land!” he says), Beach Bistro on Holmes Beach (“The best dining on Florida’s west coast!”) and Sweetberries (“The best frozen custard you’ve ever eaten!”).

Team radio and television broadcaster Greg Brown seconds the emotion on Mixon’s, while also suggesting a stroll on The Riverwalk along the Manatee River downtown, making discoveries on Old Main Street and relaxing “on the beaches on the island.”

Watching the sun set at the Sandbar or Beach House restaurants on Anna Maria Island make for a pleasant experience, he adds, as does “driving along Gulf Drive from Anna Maria Island south into St. Armands Circle in (nearby) Sarasota, stopping at Mote Aquarium along the way.”

“Bradenton has really grown over the last 10 years, especially the downtown area on Old Main Street,” says Jim Trdinich, the Pirates’ director of baseball communications. “This will be my 22nd year of heading to Bradenton for spring training, and it never gets old.”

 

OLD FLORIDA CHARM

When he retires, the Pirates’ Jim Trdinich says, it will be to Anna Maria Island.

At 7.5 miles long, the quaint and cozy Barrier Island resting in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico is a “must see” visit, home to the southern community of Bradenton Beach, the central town of Holmes Beach and the northern town of Anna Maria. No buildings are more than three stories “and there’s just such an incredible, laid-back feel,” locals say. In addition to white-sand beaches, it is known for its shopping, beachfront dining and outdoor activities such as kayaking and fishing.

Among stops to consider, says Pirates’ announcer Greg Brown, are Duffy’s Tavern, the City Pier and Rod and Reel restaurants.

The folks on Anna Maria Island like to think of it as a place where “old” Florida charm can still be found, with flip flops a way of life and, the speed limit never exceeding 35 mph.

Details: Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce; 941-778-1541; www.annamariachamber.org

MAIN SQUEEZE

Not far from Pirate City, Mixon’s Fruit Farms, the popular location to grab a sandwich and freshly squeezed juices and maybe spot a member of the team or former Bucco great is in-season November through early May. Concerts and other activities, including author meet-and-greets, fashion shows and luncheons, ballroom-dancing lessons and more, are featured throughout the year.

The annual Orange Blossom Festival, with all-day entertainment, is March 23.

Tours of the grove are available via tram and include a stop at the Wildlife Rescue, where visitors can see rescued Florida animals, reptiles and birds.

Details: 800-608-2525; www.mixon.com

MANATEES AND MARITIME TRADITIONS

South Florida Museum, the largest natural and cultural-history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, interprets the region from the Pleistocenes to the present. Exhibits include fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest mammals and marine species and the Montague Tallant collection of prehistoric and early post-contact archeological artifacts.

The recently opened Environmental Wing focuses on Florida’s ecology and bio-diversity in the Pine Uplands and Riverine Galleries.

Local maritime traditions, early 20th-century medical practices and Spanish exploration in the New World are subjects of other showcases. The Spanish Plaza has full-scale replicas of a 16th-century manor house and chapel .

The museum’s Parker Manatee Aquarium, part of Florida’s manatee rehabilitation network, celebrates its most-famous resident, Snooty the Manatee, the oldest known manatee in the world, who turns 65 on July 21.

Details: 941-746-4131; www.southfloridamuseum.org;

HOT SPOT OF FUN

The Riverwalk, a mile-and-a-half stretch along the Manatee River in Bradenton that opened in the fall last year, offers a stunning variety of activity.

“It is becoming quite the hot spot with the emergence of new restaurants and shops,” one Pittsburgh visitor says.

There’s a great lawn for picnics and relaxing; a day dock for boaters; a botanical walk showcasing the area’s plants and flowers; the 400-seat Mosaic Amphitheater with live entertainment; the Family Fun Zone with a splash fountain and playgrounds; a fishing pier with what is considered by anglers as one of the best spots to drop a line; the Tidal Discovery Zone; beach volleyball courts; a skate park and a kayak and canoe launch.

Details: www.realizebradenton.com

ARTISTS UNITED

The Village of the Arts is a 42-acre vibrant community of artists. The artists live and work together, operating more than 30 businesses. Galleries, studios, cafes, healing arts, jewelry, fashion and books can be found in the charming restored 1920s and ’30s bungalows. It’s open to the public Fridays and Saturdays.

A Taste of the Village, the next art walk, with food, local art and music, is March 1 and 2. The Ninth Annual Garden Walk, designed for fans of gardening, art and home restoration, is April 5 and 6. The 12th Annual Fashion Show and Brunch is April 13.

Details: 941-747-8056; www.villageofthearts.com

PLAY BALL!

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 44th spring-training season in Bradenton will be filled with activity for athletes and fans.

The first workout for pitchers and catchers is Tuesday and the full squad’s is Friday at the Pirate City training facility.

Fans can watch for free from 10 a.m. to about 1 or 2 p.m. daily from Tuesday through Feb. 25.

The Bucs and their High-A minor-league affiliate Bradenton Marauders hold their fourth annual Pirates Pep Rally on Saturday in downtown Bradenton from 5 to 7:30 p.m. It includes family games, face-painting, prize giveaways, food and musical performances.

The Pirates open their spring schedule with the Black and Gold intrasquad game Feb. 22 at McKechnie Field.

Their first home game of the Grapefruit League there is Feb. 24 against Atlanta, concluding at Bradenton March 27 with Minnesota. Spain will play in a World Baseball Classic game March 5 at Bradenton.

Fans can see West Coast Florida Grapefruit League teams in Sarasota (Baltimore), Port Charlotte (Tampa Rays ), Fort Myers (Boston and Minnesota), Dunedin (Toronto), Clearwater (Philadelphia), Tampa (Yankees) and Lakeland (Detroit).

McKechnie Field features a variety of new amenities, including a new boardwalk allowing fans to circle the entire ballpark for the first time. There’s now a Left Field Park Deck, a Boardwalk Barbeque Area for group picnics, an Outfield Bar and Left Field Bleachers. The number of shaded seating areas has increased throughout the park, as well.

Details: 941-747-3031, visit www.BradentonMarauders.com, or pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com

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We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # A3972031 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

The post Stunning Bayfront Residence – $2,950,000 appeared first on Sea to Sky Realty . Bradenton Real Estate, Anna Maria Real Estate.

In 2003, sales in our market hit 9,697, followed by 11,267 in 2004 (the current all-time high) and 10,562 in 2005. The annual sales dropped to 6,358 in 2006 and bottomed out at 5,820 in 2008 before beginning the steady climb to the current level.

SAR members sold 828 properties in December 2012, representing an 8.3 percent increase from November’s 764 sales and a huge 28 percent increase over last December’s figure of 644 total sales.

The category totals in December were 606 single family homes and 222 condos sold, compared to last December when only 471 single family and 173 condos were sold. The available inventory remains near the lowest level in a decade. Other positive factors helping to propel the real estate market recovery include the low mortgage interest rates and improvement in the national and local economies.

“The Sarasota housing market has clearly weathered the storm of the Great Recession,” said SAR President Roger Piro. “We are so fortunate to live in this area – a beautiful coastal community with every attractive amenity imaginable.”

Looking forward, Piro noted the normal peak period of the buying season has yet to come.

“Our market is enjoying an amazing resurgence, and the traditional busy season still has several months to go. Last year, our strongest sales months were in March, April and May,” said Piro. “We’re all hoping for a repeat performance in 2013, and agents are continuing to report steady, strong foot traffic at open houses and multiple offers on many properties.”

The median sale prices for both single family homes and condos also rose for the full year 2012 to $175,000 in both property categories, another indicator of the ongoing real estate market recovery in Sarasota. In 2011, the full year median prices were at $155,925 for single family homes and $156,600 for condos, or roughly 13 percent lower.

The median sale price for single family homes in December 2012 was at $189,500 – almost 9 percent higher than November’s figure of $174,450 and 18 percent higher than last December’s total of $160,000. Condo median sale prices were also up, hitting $182,500 in December. Last December condo prices were at $150,000 – 21.6 percent below the current level.

The available inventory of homes on the market remained near the decade low, rising slightly to 3,657 from last month’s 3,543. The level is still 25 percent below December 2011, when the inventory was at 4,567 properties for sale.

Pending sales (which represent properties that went under contract during the month) dropped in December 2012 to 782 from the November 2012 figure of 905. The total was almost identical to last December, when there were 783 pending sales reported.

The months of inventory remained near 10-year lows. The December figures were 3.9 months of inventory for single family homes and 5.9 months for condos. Months of inventory represents the time it would take to deplete the current inventory at the current sales rate. Last December, there were 6.3 months of inventory for single family homes and 9.2 months of inventory for condos. At the worst point of our market in November 2008, there were 24 months of inventory for single family homes and 41.7 months for condos.

Currently, only 475 properties for sale in the MLS are listed as short sales or foreclosures, almost identical to last month’s figure. This represents about 12.9 percent of available properties, down from last month’s figure of 13.2 percent and down from the start of the year when the figure represented 17 percent of the market.

Distressed sales represented 32 percent of the overall market in December 2012, down significantly from the 51 percent figure experienced in the fourth quarter of 2010. While still at historically high levels, the downward trend has been encouraging.

In 2007, foreclosures and short sales had been virtually unheard of for many years in the Sarasota market. That’s when distressed sales began to skyrocket in the Sarasota market and across the nation, reaching epidemic rates in 2010, before improving markedly in the last 24 months.

From 2007 to 2008, short sales and sales of foreclosed properties jumped markedly, from less than 1 percent in 2007 (only 47 total) to 18 percent (979) in 2008, while traditional market sales dropped by an equivalent 18 percent. This rise in distressed sales and decrease in market sales continued through 2009 and 2010.

In 2011, the Sarasota real estate market began to see a reversal of this trend. Distressed sales dropped by 4.5 percent from 2010 to 2011, while market sales rose by 19 percent. From 2011 to 2012, this positive trend accelerated, with distressed sales dropping by 7 percent while normal market sales rose by 25 percent. If these trends continue, we should see improved health of the local real estate market in 2013 and beyond.

Interested in buying or selling? Contact us at 941.866.1666 or use the contact form below.

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To attract vacationers who prefer homes to hotel rooms, homeowners can work with a vacation rental agency. Vacationers are coming from up north as well as other countries, like Canada, European Countries or South America. Since the rental agency handles the property, it is turned over and cleaned in between renters while homeowners can collect their income.

Homeowners can potentially make more extra income in a shorter period of time if they rent their home out during peak seasons, which in Florida is January through April. During off season months weekly rentals are the most profitable way to rent a home.

Cleanliness and amenities – modern kitchen and bathrooms, king-sized beds, wireless Internet access, tiles or hardwood floors and a private or community pool are the key factor in getting your home rented.

Some tips to prepare your home for vacation guests:

• De-personalize the home and remove clutter and personal items.
• Ensure the home has up to date home electronics and Wi-Fi internet access.
• Stock the kitchen with the appropriate tools and cookware; stock bedrooms with an extra set of linens and towels.
• Prepare an instruction sheet for home electronics, garbage pick up dates and provide information about local restaurants and attractions.

Of course you will get the best return on your investment if a home can be rented out during the peak season. To really reap the rewards in this business, ideally you would want to buy an investment property and turn it over to a property manager.

If you are interested in renting out your second home to vacationers or buy an investment property, please contact us @ 941.866.1666 or use the contact form below.

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