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

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   Advantages of Short Sale vs. Foreclosure Recognized By Homeowners in Miramar Community at The Country Club of Lakewood Ranch Florida   Many area property owners find themselves shaking their heads and wondering what to do. Few anticipated the mortgage crisis, or the impact it would have on the local real estate prices, including those in Miramar at the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch.In a curious turn of events, both homeowners and lenders alike are choosing Short Sales ... 03/20/2011

 14178 Cattle Egret in Greenbrook Lakewood Ranch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkyZQ4VT2ow   Take a look at this beautiful home, you will not be disappointed. Lovingly cared for and upgraded by orginal owner from new.  Upgrades and features include stone fireplace with gas fire in living room, mirror above, and lit shelving.  Turkish glazed porce lain tile, designer light fixtures, fans, and custom window treatment in family room and living room.  The kitchen has new appliances including range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave.  The kitchen cabinets have been refinished in coffee maple.  The breakfast bar has been beautifully finished with wood paneling.  Corian counter tops and a tumbled marble back splash with accent tiles. Third bedroom has wood flooring.  Hurricane protectio... 03/18/2011

 Lakewood Ranch Homes   6305 Tanager Cove  $450,000 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs9nUCX6hAI This lovely home is situated at the head of a small cull de sac in Greenbrook Trails. It has great curb appeal. Two story, built by Homes By Towne with stone accent detail to exterior. Four bedrooms and four full bathrooms with bonus room. Features of the home include tiled floors throughout the living areas, quality fixtures, fittings and blinds, neutral colors, faux painting, decorative columns & niches, crown molding, trayed ceilings, music speakers in living areas and master bedroom. The kitchen has 42 inch wood cabinets stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, tiled backsplash, island and desk area, granite countertops. Upstairs there is a large bonus room with a wood laminate floor. The ... 03/16/2011

3310 Riverview Blvd. on The Manatee River http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y69EbJJ0rYc   Stunning Manatee River front home designed and built by Platinum Coast Construction. Breath taking views of deep boating water in a very private setting. This newly constructed home offers 5,713 square feet of remarkable architectural and custom detail. The two story graceful entrance greets you with a wall of windows looking out to endless water. Marble floors are accented by Compass Rose brass inserts signifying the attention to detail that you will experience through out this home. The ultra gourmet kitchen boasts top of the line Thermador and Viking appliances with a lighted Euro hood. Warm solid wood cabinets are accented with lighted seeded glass display cubbies. Counter tops are exotic granite ... 03/16/2011

Considering deflated real estate values, you might wonder if buying  Lakewood Ranch real estate  makes good financial sense. According to the National Association of REALTORS® eighth annual Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey, nearly 8 out of 10 respondents believe buying a home does make good financial sense. Surprised? Let's examine three reasons Americans believe buying real estate remains a good financial choice: 1. Lower home prices and low mortgage interest rates are making homes more affordable. 2. Almost 7 out of 10 believe that home values have stabilized in their area; the same number expect home sales to remain about the same through the end of the year. 3. The rate of foreclosures is also seen as stabilizing; 51 percent say the rate is about the same as last year. Another big a... 03/16/2011

Demographic Shifts Shaping Future of the Housing Market  RISMEDIA, March 7, 2011-With the great recession driving unemployment, foreclosures and vacancy rates to historic highs, the housing market has certainly been on one wild ride the last few years. Today, we see the confluence of a deep recession driving behavioral change and shifts in the demographic distribution of the population poised to impact the real estate market in unexpected ways.Americans who have experienced or witnessed the loss of jobs, homes and home values have grown skeptical about the benefits of homeownership. Not only will the financial impacts of the housing meltdown burden the real estate market for years to come but so too will the emotional impact. More than ever, Americans of all ages are considering their o... 03/13/2011