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Siesta Key named #2 beach in the U.S.

bea — Sun, 24 May 2009 23:50:42 +0000

Today “Dr. Beach,” a.k.a. Stephen P. Leatherman, released his annual “best beaches” list.

Topping the list was Hanalei Bay. This remote, two-mile crescent-shaped beach on Kauai where the emerald mountains meet the sparkling sea was selected No. 1 on “Dr. Beach” Stephen P. Leatherman’s 2009 list of top 10 beaches, which was released Friday.

But the runner-up on Leatherman’s list was Siesta Beach in Sarasota, FL:

“With some of the finest, whitest sand in the world, this beach attracts sand collectors from all over. Siesta Beach has clear, warm waters that serve for ideal swimming. The beach is hundreds of yards wide in the shape of a crescent, due to anchoring of onshore rocks to the north and a unique underwater formation of coral rock and caves, providing for great snorkeling and scuba diving. This beach is great for volleyball and other types of recreational fitness.”

Siesta Key was followed by Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y., on Long Island; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii; Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y., on Long Island; Cape Hatteras in Outer Banks, N.C.; Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Fla.; Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod, Mass.; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, S.C.

Leatherman based his selections on 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities. And Hanalei is his personal favorite “getaway beach” in Hawaii.

When it´s Time to Buy!

axel — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:24:33 +0000

There are bargains out there which haven’t been there for almost a decase.

No, no, don’t laugh. I’m serious. Of course, I don’t mean property that is overpriced or overvalued. The kind of real estate that is only available at these times and at these prices. Realistic sellers, short sales and foreclosures mean opportunities for buyers.

Look ahead of the crowd

Today, you can find some great bargains on real estate in the Florida, if you know where to look. Look ahead now and you won’t have missed the boat like you did before. I mean these people from overseas saying, if we knew the market would go like this, we should have bought something here in 1995. The 2nd chance is just around the corner waiting.

Sure, the US Real Estate and mortgage market is desparate now. Have we already seen the bottom of the real estate market and the US-Dollar vs. the other important currencies of the world? I don’t believe so, but nobody knows for sure. Besides that election year is coming, what I know for sure is that the US Real Estate market is not Florida. Why?

Sail, surf and beaches! Period!

Espcially the Sarasota / Bradenton market was ahead of the rest when the prices began to skyrocket and it was ahead when they began to drop. So this is the market where you should starting looking now. Don’t wait to long and try to chase prices better catch them in advance.

More money to buy real estate

The falling dollar and the mortgage crisis make up a perfect storm that has left overseas investors in U.S. stocks and bonds facing unattractively low interest rates and unattractively low (or negative) returns on stocks. The dollar’s fall will cause them to lose money in their home currencies even if U.S. stocks hold steady.

An increasing number of overseas investors are joining the global search for alternatives. The number one alternative is real estate.

Do you think real estate is a smart investment now?

At some point, though, those same overseas investors will realize that U.S. real estate is a great hedge against what they fear most: an attack of runaway inflation in the United States. A physical asset such as real estate goes up in value when inflation soars. At some point, those overseas investors will notice that real estate in the U.S. is cheap enough that any recovery in the American economy will produce windfall profits.

And besides all profits, don’t forget: Surf, sail and beaches and this can be the source for: More profits…

Axel Weiss, MBA
Lic. Real Estate Pro, Lic. Mortgage Broker
with material from Matt Augustyniak, Horizon RealtyBradenton, Florida

Condo Approval Standards Raising

bea — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:56:33 +0000

Many owners of condos in Florida have difficulties to find a buyer in the current down market. Now times are getting even harder.Condo boards across Florida have begun raising their approval standards for buyers because of concerns about the applicants’ ability to pay their monthly maintenance fees. The condo boards are afraid that buyers might be unable to pay both – their mortgage and association obligations – and decide to pay for the mortgage but ignore the maintenance fees.

Owners of condominiums now fear, that it will be even harder to find a buyer. With to much inventory on the market it hurts if the board is cutting out a big part of potential buyers.

If you struggle to sell your condo, please pick up your phone and give us a call @ 941.866.1666. We will market your home to our qualified local and international buyers.

Anna Maria Island

bea — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:21:26 +0000

The Island of Anna Maria, Manatee County, Florida, is located 40 miles south of Tampa and seven miles west of Bradenton. You can reach the amenities of Bradenton within just a few minutes or the city of Sarasota within 30 minutes.

Anna Maria Island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on the west, Tampa Bay on the east and Sarasota Bay to the south. It is offering white sandy un-crowded beaches, as well as gorgeous sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Anna Maria Island is comprised of three very unique cities. Anna Maria City – which is located at the northern end – is mainly residential, Holmes Beach – which is located at the center of the island – is both residential and business oriented, and Bradenton Beach – which occupies the southernmost third of Anna Maria Island – is residential and tourist oriented. All three cities offer a relaxed and friendly island lifestyle. Strict zoning laws address the size and type of buildings, and the use of the land. City governments protect the Island ambiance, high-rises are prohibited.

Many of the Anna Maria Island property owners are part-time residents. Anna Maria’s population triples during the winter season.

Smarter Travel reports that Anna Maria Island is among the top 5 hidden and affordable beach destinations in the U.S and Canada:

“Anna Maria Island has somehow managed to keep condo towers, all-fast-food chains, amusement parks, and glitzy mega-resorts off its shores. In fact, no construction on the this seven-mile long barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast is more than three stories tall, Subway is the only franchise, and 60 percent of its land is open beach. And, it’s affordable, especially in the summer. You can rent vacation homes with water views and pools for well under $1,000 per week and get seafood entrees at beachfront restaurants for under $15.”

Longboat Key

bea — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:43:03 +0000

Lonboat Key is a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota and Bradenton.

The Town of Lonboat Key lies within two counties. The northern portion of Longboat Key is in Manatee County and the southern portion is in Sarasota County. Stretching eleven miles between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, Longboat Key provides an ideal beach and bayfront setting.

On Longboat Key you will find lots of condos and resorts, as well as single family homes and gated communities. It offers residents a secure and private lifestyle.

Longboat Key provides an ideal beach and bayfront setting for the ultimate Florida lifestyle. It also offers numerous excellent restaurants.

Tennis and golf enthusiasts will appreciate first class facilities on the island. Longboat Key is the only barrier island in the Sarasota area with a golf course.

The Longboat Key Club is open to both visiting tourists and club members, and features an indoor restaurant, an outdoor restaurant, a pool, resort buildings, several golf courses, tennis courts, and easy access to an adjacent gulfside beach. The club is expertly decorated in various flora, and the grounds of it are, of course, extremely well maintained.