Economy's crystal ball: real estate Mortgage rates are back in the 4 percent range, taken there by the 10-year Treasury note's drop to 3.42 percent, which has wiped out the whole early-February spike. We have Libya, oil, stocks, housing and the economy to thank, but how those pieces interact is not obvious. Arriving economic data is obscured by incessant "recovery" cheerleading among business media. Some news is pretty good: both consumer-confidence surveys found three-year highs, which may indicate some hiring. New claims for unemployment insurance are holding down near 400,000. Every measure of manufacturing is doing well, although scratching in at 15 percent of our economy. The "wait-a-minutes" are led by today's downward revision in supposedly corner-turning fourth-quarter 2010 U.S.... 02/28/2011

  Homeowners Willing to Tackle Remodeling Projects By Kathleen Lynn RISMEDIA, February 25, 2011-(MCT)-Homeowners who put off renovations during the recession are thinking about spending money on their properties again.Take Barbara Moreno and Robert Ptaszynski of Washington Township, N.J., who delayed plans to add a second story to their ranch house when the recession hit their industries-automobiles and title insurance-hard.Now they're ready to move forward, because they feel more confident about the economy. "Things seem to be-knock on wood-settling down a little bit," Ptaszynski said this week at the Home Show in Secaucus, N.J. Contractors said that customers seem willing to spend again-but cautiously. "People have been procrastinating for almost three years now," said Joe Tighe of Co... 02/27/2011

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch Music on Main Street March 4th Bring your chair and sit and listen to the evening music. Maybe even dance. From 6 to 9 pm you will be able to relax, shop or dine if you choose to. This is a free event to the public. Every month there is a different band to enjoy. This will benefit a local non-profit organization. Your dogs are welcome. Management prefers all dogs on a short lease. Need a place to park. The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is directly across the street. It is sure to be a great time. I'll see you on the ranch... Jim Soda www.jimsoda.com sodasells@gmail.com / donnasoda@gmail.com 941.809.7759 / 941.961.5857 02/26/2011

Lakewood Ranch Homes & Lakewood Ranch Properties  /  Open House Feb. 27th  1-4 pm   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G66IGZCr8c Lakewood Ranch Country Club Home. 3 bed. 2 full bath. Lake View. Gmt.Kitchen. Fabulous Lake View. Maintenance Free Area. Pool and Spacious Lanai.....Offered at: $365,000Furniture Available seperately. www.jimsoda.com sodasells@gmail.com  /  donnasoda@gmail.com 941.809.7759 / 941.961.5857 02/26/2011

Lakewood Ranch Homes and Lakewood Ranch Properties 13309 Palmers Creek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itTZZE8l0Hw Lakewood Ranch Country Club Home.Magnificent Country Club Home with decadent appointments. This home offers 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. A stunning arched custom door with transom leaded glass entry. Designer Draperies. Fabulous Chandeliers and solid casted Spanish Alabaster light fixtures. Diagonal Tile and honey onyx accents on flooring. Exquisite gourmet chef's kitchen. Miele cappuccino/espresso maker, double dishwasher, 6 burner Dacor cooktop with pot filler. Spacious hidden pantry. Top of the line cabinets. Office floors are cherry wood. Sink has a foot pedal for controlling water on and off. Nutone CD Intercom, two-way fireplace from family room to bonus room. Impact re... 02/26/2011

Lakewood Ranch Homes & Lakewood Ranch Properties.....  Feb. 27th from 1-4 pm 13309 Palmers Creek / $ 1,500,000 7802 Mathern Court /  $1,289,000 8075 Royal Birkdale / $629,000 7915 Royal Birkdale / $ 750,000 6503 The Masters Ave. $439,000 7494 Edenmore / $500,000 7335 Edenmore / $550,000 7712 US Open Loop / $365,000 6710 Pirate Perch / $439,000 [ Greenbrook in the Ravines ]   02/26/2011

Those who have never had Lakewood Ranch homes for sale before often think selling is as simple as hiring an agent and putting a sign in the yard. It's not, however, as you'll soon discover. The Inside of Your Home The exterior of Lakewood Ranch homes for sale is the first up-close impression buyers get. So, when buyers make it inside, they're one step closer to actually buying. However, if the interior is a mess, it could blow the whole deal.                             Here's a checklist to make your home's interior buyer ready: Make sure the front door doesn't stick Test windows to ensure they open and close easily Wash windows inside and out Move pets and pet supplies to a temporary home if possible Fix leaky faucets Update fixtures on your cabinet hardware and door knobs De-clutter ... 02/26/2011

CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar Homeowners Facing Foreclosure In Central Park Subdivision Get Short Sale Relief In Lakewood Ranch Florida The so called "mortgage crisis" has hit the west coast of Florida like a hurricane, leaving few communities unaffected, including the Central Park subdivision in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Central Park residents are finding that a Short Sale is an effective alternative to Foreclosure, and a superior choice vs. Foreclosure. The benefits of a Short Sale over Foreclosure are many: Preserve your credit. Most likely avoid a deficiency judgment. Be able to qualify for a new mortgage in as little as 24-months, compared to 7+ years after Foreclosure. Avoid the stigma of Foreclosure on your financial record. Get back on your financial... 02/25/2011

Some home buyers have an advantage that others don't in today's housing market. They can qualify for an FHA loan. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans help home buyers who would otherwise have trouble being approved for a mortgage. You can qualify for a loan if you have less than perfect credit. FHA loans are available even after bankruptcy and foreclosure, if you have maintained good credit for the following two to three years. What are the requirements for FHA loans? FHA loans have strict home appraisal guidelines. The appraisal value helps determine the FHA mortgage limit. Each state has its own rules regarding maximum loan limits. What are the advantages to FHA loans? One advantage of an FHA loan is lower down payment requirements. You may qualify for a down payment as low as ... 02/23/2011

Lakewood Ranch is Tagged..... http://video.foxnews.com/v/4549805/barcode-city/   Do you know about TAGS? The Soda Group is also Tagged. Look for our JIM SODA TAG in front of the homes we have for sale in Lakewood Ranch & Sarasota..... www.jimsoda.com 941.809.7759 / 941.961.5857 sodasells@gmail.com / donnasoda@gmail.com   02/22/2011

Searching for the right home takes time and patience. Before you start looking at Lakewood Ranch homes on the market, you need to know exactly what you want in your new home.                                  Create a list of the features you want in your new home, so you make the most of your time by looking only at Lakewood Ranch homes that meet your criteria. Here is a quick guide to help you create a checklist: •1.      Must Have. These are deal breakers; features that you cannot live without. Do you need a certain number of bedrooms? Do you work from home and need an office or maybe even an outside entrance to your home office? Perhaps you have small children or large dogs and need a fenced yard. Decide now what you must have in your new home. •2.      Like to Have. Features you wou... 02/21/2011

19416 Ganton Ave.  Concession and Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club Virtual Tour: http://www.pix360tour.com/slideviewer.php?id=19416-ganton Magnificent Custom Built Masterpiece. Quiet Private Setting. Concession Golf Course. Designed by Jack Nicholas. Walnut wood flrs. French Doors. 3 Stone Fireplaces. Antique Argentinian Doors. Wet Bar & Wine Cellar. Gourmet Kitchen w. Granite Counter Tops, Designer Cab./Wolf Appl. Sub-Zero Refrig. Huge eat in kit. Coffee Bar. Large Isl./Ceiling Beams. BUilt-ins. Tray Ceilings. Dining rm w, coffered ceiling/crown moulding. Window treatments throughout / Office w/ hardwood flrs & built-ins. Theatre Rm. Bonus Rm. Massive Masterbath w/ Marble Counters. Oversized Shower. Huge walk-in closets. Private courtyard off master. Surround Sound. Plantation Shutte... 02/18/2011

Enjoy Lakewood Ranch Homes 7509 Greystone A Fabulous Country Club Home in Lakewood Ranch. This is a Gorgeous Appointed Property that sits on a lake and golf course. 4 bedrooms & 4 full baths. Grand entry w/ column's and beautiful tile throughout, built-ins & fireplace. Gourmet kitchen with island, eat-in-kit., Granite & custom cabinets. Spacious dining Area. Spacious dining Area. Wet bar w/wine cooler. Beautiful beams & faux tray ceilings. Huge family room. Large office w/ deluxe plank wood floors. Bonus & sitting rm. Large master suite, master bath w/ double sink, vanity, glass block shower & step up tub. Designer lighting, custom designer built-ins, coat closet and much storage. Outdoor kit. w/ pool & spa. 2 covered lanai areas.... Offered at $975,000..... http://www.tourbuzz.net/2440... 02/18/2011

CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Help Seminar The Country Club of Lakewood Ranch Owners Who Are Facing Foreclosure Determine Short Sale Is the Better Option In Bradenton Florida The bursting of the housing bubble has led to falling property values, a historic rise in unemployment, and increasing foreclosures throughout the Florida Gulf Coast region, including Manatee and Sarasota Counties. The mortgage crisis knows no boundaries and cuts across all social and economic lines. Unfortunately, many homeowners at The Country Club of Lakewood Ranch are finding themselves in a position they never would have expected to be in just a few short years ago -- facing imminent foreclosure. This educated and savvy group of property owners understands that they are not the cause of the ... 02/17/2011

The Soda Group hard at work for YOU !     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_7SOLewQg   Visit Ua At : www.jimsoda.com sodasells@gmail.com donnasoda@gmail.com 941.961.5857 941.809.7759 02/17/2011

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB HOME Lakewood Ranch Country Club Home.Magnificent Country Club Home with decadent appointments. This home offers 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. A stunning arched custom door with transom leaded glass entry. Designer Draperies. Fabulous Chandeliers and solid casted Spanish Alabaster light fixtures. Diagonal Tile and honey onyx accents on flooring. Exquisite gourmet chef's kitchen. Miele cappuccino/espresso maker, double dishwasher, 6 burner Dacor cooktop with pot filler. Spacious hidden pantry. Top of the line cabinets. Office floors are cherry wood. Sink has a foot pedal for controlling water on and off. Nutone CD Intercom, two-way fireplace from family room to bonus room. Impact resistant Mylar on windows. Another fireplace on outside lanai. Master has 18 JETTE... 02/17/2011

VISIT THE SODA GROUP OPEN HOUSES............ FEB. 20TH  1-4 pm 6710 Pirate Perch in Greenbrook Ravines 8075 Royal Birkdale in LWR Country Club VISIT ALL VIRTUAL TOURS AT :  www.jimsoda.com 941.809.7759 / 941.961.5857 donnasoda@gmail.com sodasells@gmail.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCge_6jfZc   02/14/2011

 The Soda Group hard at work for YOU............ We know how to LIST and SELL your Property..... We know how to BUY a home for the market value price.....Your Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialists............ Call The Soda Group / donnasoda@gmail.com sodasells@gmail.com  941.961.5857 / 941.809.7759   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCge_6jfZc 02/14/2011

We look forward to seeing you at our OPEN HOUSES tomorrow FEB. 13 TH.   6710 PIRATE PERCH  / GREENBROOK in THE RAVINES  1-4 PM 8075 ROYAL BIRKDALE  / THE COUNTRY CLUB IN LAKEWOOD RANCH  /  1-4 PM Seller is offering a $5000.00 allowance to buyer & a two year home warranty! 7712 US OPEN LOOP /  THE COUNTRY CLUB IN LAKEWOOD RANCH  /  1-4 PM   Motivated Seller...Bring your buyers.............. Jim Soda 941.809.7759 941.961.5857 02/12/2011

   THE SODA GROUP on BAY NEWS 9 ...................   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCge_6jfZc   Visit Us At : www.jimsoda.com 941.961.5857 941.809.7759 sodasells@gmail.com donnasoda@gmail.com   02/12/2011