A survey conducted by "Money" magazine and Lowe's found that out of 21 common projects, energy updates gave DIYers the most satisfaction, given the time and money. Get some satisfaction this week by implementing one or two of these easy energy savers at your Lakewood Ranch home: 1. Add dimmers: If every home in the U.S replaced two standard light switches with a dimmer, we could save $1.5 billion in electricity. 2. Recycle rechargeable batteries, plastic bags and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs): It's as easy as taking them to your local Lowe's Recycling Center. Simply drop the items in the bins near the store's entrance. 3. Stop energy leaks: Seal all holes and cracks in your Lakewood Ranch home. Add weather stripping or caulk to leaky doors and windows. The Environmental Protection A... 04/26/2011

Welcome to the Lakewood Ranch Country Club located 15 minutes north-east of downtown Sarasota, Florida Lakewood Ranch is a master planned community that spans more than 8,500 acres, features 8 residential subdivisions, 72 holes of golf, a polo club, a hospital, a large business center, countless retail establishments and restaurants. Lakewood Ranch is also the second largest green certified community in the US and the largest in Florida. Lakewood Ranch has become the best and most exciting new Florida community to own real estate in. Prices for Lakewood Ranch real estate for sale ranges from $60,000 to more than 5 million. This Lakewood Ranch Country Club video will provide you with more information about this amazing community and the lifestyle that is offered here. Christina Miller is... 04/20/2011

Lakewood Ranch Short Sale Real Estate Agent - Why Short Sale? – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221   Lakewood Ranch Short Sale Real Estate Agent - Use A Short Sale To Stop Foreclosure In Florida - Short Sale Agent Help And Answers! The good news is that a great number of Lakewood Ranch property owners have found Foreclosure Relief through Short Sales. While it can be nearly impossible for an inexperienced homeowner to pull off a Short Sale without professional help, an Experienced Short Sale Agent -- one with "real-world experience" closing many Short Sales -- usually has a 90%+ chance of... 04/16/2011

It's a war out there. If you're still sitting in your robe and slippers, sipping a cup o' joe while you casually read the Sunday comics - with the absolute knowledge that your house is going to sell - you haven't been paying attention. The percentage of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale versus qualified potential buyers has made this a buyer's market. It's time for some tough love, sellers - some straight talk. If you're not ready to do more than spruce up your lawn a little, you won't win the battle. You won't even win a skirmish. In short, if you're not doing everything you can to get your home taken off the list of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale, you're not a motivated seller. Motivated sellers use all the knowledge they can squeeze from their agent. Unless it's a matter of money, sellers... 04/13/2011

Whether you're planning on selling soon or just want a comfortable home to live in now, here are five projects that increase your Lakewood Ranch home's comfort and value. 1. Uncover hardwood floors. Is there a hardwood floor lurking under your Lakewood Ranch home's carpet? If you're not sure, pull up the carpet in an unnoticeable corner and investigate. If you find wood floors, you'll probably need to refinish them, but that's a lot less expensive than installing new hardwood flooring. 2. Add ceiling fans. Everyone likes to save money, and adding ceiling fans can reduce your electric bill considerably. Central air conditioning costs about 70 times more to run than a ceiling fan. In the summer, fans can make you feel 3 to 8 degrees cooler, allowing you to reduce the use of your A/C and s... 04/09/2011

One of the more frustrating aspects of buying real estate is qualifying for a mortgage that will allow you to buy the home of your dreams. Lenders use terms to describe your loan status that may be confusing. For example, what is the difference between being pre-qualified, pre-approved or approved for a mortgage on your Lakewood Ranch real estate? · Pre-Qualified - This just means that the lender may approve you for a loan if everything checks out. Pre-qualification is based solely on information you give the lender about your income and debts. This is no guarantee that you will get a loan.  · Pre-Approved - Once your lender pulls your credit report, they can give you an idea of what kind of loan you may get. When you're pre-approved, you still have no guarantee that you will get a loan... 04/02/2011

You know it's a buyer's market. But you really need to sell your home now. Here are 6 tips to get Lakewood Ranch homes sold even in today's real estate market: 1. Price your home competitively from the start. Ask your agent to find out what similar homes in your neighborhood sold for in the last 6 months. Don't bother looking at pricing prior to that. And don't base your decision on listing prices. Some homeowners price their Lakewood Ranch homes high to start with but end up drastically reducing the price in order to get them sold. 2. Offer incentives. There are a lot of similar properties on the market, so in addition to competitively pricing your home, you should consider including incentives. You could offer a home warranty, pay part of the closing costs or leave the big screen tele... 03/30/2011

Lakewood Ranch Main Street on April 1st will have yet another "MUSIC ON MAIN" 6-9 pm Enjoy the sounds of the Beatles......Let the music take you back to the 60"s.... Get your favorite dance partner and Rock-n-Roll a little......Twist a Little...... All the shops will be opened......Restaurants to serve you the fine cousine that they all offer....... Bring a friend and pull up your chair and relax on a wonderful Friday night right here in Lakewood Ranch..... What a great place to Live, Work & Play...... I'll see you on the Ranch..... Jim Soda 03/30/2011

Summerfield Woods and Bluffs Click the above link to view all the beauty that is Lakewood Ranch's Summerfield Woods and Bluffs. This deed restricted area, one of the many Summerfield properties, is ideal for families, especially those with younger children. Many activities are catered towards the kids, including the annual Lakewood Ranch Easter egg hunt and Fourth of July party. Schools in this vicinity include McNeal Elementary, Nolan Middle, and Lakewood Ranch High. For those pursuing a higher education, we have a number of different options, including the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, State College of Florida, New College of Florida, Ringling School of Art & Design, as well as a local University of South Florida campus. While not exactly in the Sarasota area, Summerfield... 03/29/2011

Summerfield Village This subdivision is yet another choice in the 7,000 acre Lakewood Ranch area. As with the other locations within Lakewood Ranch, there are a number of extras available to make your daily life that much easier. Learn more about Summerfield and other Sarasota real estate opportunities. Check out morer Sarasota videos! 03/28/2011

Summerfield Lakes This beautiful subdivision at Lakewood Ranch is yet another wonderful Sarasota area real estate option. With an abundance of amenities, it is the perfect location for anyone, from those starting a family, career professionals, retirees, or those who enjoy seasonal residency. Be sure to check out the Sarasota area and the other Sarasota homes for sale.     03/28/2011

Picking up the phone book and letting it fall open to the real estate agency page is not the best way to find a great Lakewood Ranch real estate agent. Here are several other pitfalls to avoid when looking for a real estate agent: · Impulse: Just because you walk into a busy, bright, and productive looking office doesn't mean all the agents who work there are also busy, bright and productive. Take the time to get to know the agents you're considering. Interview them, like you would any other professional you hire, to determine their abilities and knowledge of the community in which you want to live.   · Easy Agreement: If you finally find an agent who instantly agrees with everything you have to say about the selling price of your home without question, beware. This is especially true i... 03/28/2011

Best Bargain Homes For Sale In Lakewood Ranch Florida -- Live Link to All Current Listings! Lakewood Ranch Florida Home Bargains $149k - $299k . . . As a premiere Florida lifestyle community Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County Florida has it all, so we've created this live link (constantly updated in real-time) to the best real estate bargains in the most active price-range . . . Click Here To Access Listings *You can contact us anytime at 941-822-5221. 03/27/2011

Lakewood Ranch Florida Luxury Homes From $1,000,000 and Up . . . Lakewood Ranch Florida Luxury Homes Starting at $1,000,000 and up . . . As a premiere Florida lifestyle community, Lakewood Ranch has it all: Seven villages, from townhomes to custom estates. Both upscale and family-friendly eateries. A-rated schools. Cozy shops and boutiques. Integrated business parks. Award winning hospital and medical center. Three masterfully designed golf courses. Professional grade athletic center. Tennis facility with 18 lighted courts. Polo and Cricket club. Click Here To View Listings Key Words: Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Manatee County, House for Sale, Real Estate Listings, Over $1,000,000 03/27/2011

Trends for national and Lakewood Ranch homes come and go depending on many factors including the needs and desires of buyers, changes in technology and economic issues. Here are some 2011 design trends predicted for national and Lakewood Ranch homes. Kitchens Continue to be the Heart of the Home People still love kitchens that are open and airy. Popular kitchen countertops will embrace the green movement switching from granite to crushed recyclable glass under a solid, smooth surface. Energy Efficiency Remains Important According to The Joint Center for Housing Studies, homeowners and builders alike continue to make homes more energy efficient. This is led by regional certification programs as well as national green building standards. Vintage is Hot Reproductions from the 1950s, ‘60s a... 03/21/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Superiority Of Short Sales Is Recognized By Silverwood Residents Facing Foreclosure In The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch In Bradenton Florida   As nice as it is, the Silverwood community in the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch hasn't escaped the general decline in home prices, nor the drastic rise in regional Foreclosure activity that afflicts the rest of Manatee County. Perhaps hesitantly at first, Silverwood residents are embracing Short Sales as a superior alternative to Foreclosure. A Short Sale is superior to Foreclosure in as much as it is far less damaging to one's credit rating. This is important, because credit ratings are used to assess an individual's worthiness/qualifications in a host of situations: Landlor... 03/20/2011

CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Greystone at the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch Homeowners Find Short Sale Choice Best When Facing Florida Foreclosure Many homeowners facing Foreclosure are looking for answers. Many aren't sure of exactly what a Short Sale is, nor how it is a better choice than just letting their property go into Foreclosure -- Greystone property owners are no different than others facing these same issues. While there are many, these are the three primary reasons why a Short sale may be your best choice when facing a Florida Foreclosure: A Foreclosure greatly damages your credit -- much more so than a Short Sale. You can qualify for a new mortgage in as little as 24-months after a Short Sale, but in as much as 7+ years after a Foreclo... 03/20/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Stone Ridge Property Owners Find Better Choice Is Short Sale When Confronting Florida Foreclosure at the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch Stone Ridge homeowners are confronting the same issues that other Country Club at Lakewood Ranch owners in Manatee County Florida are struggling with, "Is a Short Sale really a better choice than simply allowing the property to go to foreclosure?" While you certainly must consider your personal circumstances in answering this question for yourself, as a general rule it can be said that a Short Sale is far superior to a Foreclosure for a whole host of reasons. That said, the two reasons that stand out for most property owners facing Foreclosure are: Far less damage to one's personal cre... 03/20/2011

Why Short Sale? – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221   CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Thornhill Residents At The Country Club of Lakewood Ranch Embrace Short Sale Foreclosure Alternative In Bradenton Florida   Foreclosures and Short Sales have become a part of the everyday reality of Thornhill homeowners at the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch. Of all Foreclosure Alternatives, Short Sales are proving to be the most practical for area residents.Lenders are embracing Short Sales, because they find them to be a more efficient means of dealing with the unpaid ... 03/20/2011

Why Short Sale? – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221   CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Lismore Residents At The Country Club Of Lakewood Ranch In Bradenton Florida Recognize Benefits of Short Sale vs. Foreclosure Bailouts, HAMP's, HAFA's, TARP's -- these are all vain attempts to fix what the politicians and bankers have caused. Of course, I'm talking about the national mortgage crisis that is affecting Lismore homeowners at the Country Club in Lakewood Ranch just as it is everyone else. Truthfully, the housing mess is here to stay . . . for at least the n... 03/20/2011