This year will be the VABR (Venice Area Board of Realtors) Green Committee's 2nd year as a committee.  Our mission is "To be a resource for the preservation of our environment and natural resources as it pertains to real estate." To help raise awareness of Green Living to the Venice FL community and to help raise money for the VABRs Habitat For Humanity Fund (we are half way there); the "Green Committee" has organized the Venice 5K Run and 1 mile Fun Run to be held at the corner of Beach Road and Harbor Drive in Venice Florida on April 18th, 2010 to kick off Earth Week. This pet friendly event will be fun for everyone.  Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 18 and under.  The course begins at corner of Beach Road and Harbor Drive and goes to Caspersons Beach and back.... 01/30/2010

Wait until the Last Freeze Before Trimming Those Damaged Shrubs in Florida, Yes, it usually makes good sense to leave things as they are until after thelast frost/freeze. Weather patterns are usually long term in their reach and repeat both "good" and "bad"spells. So, the odds are at least fair that we, in Florida, will get another "blast" from the North this winter.The plants that suffered freeze or frost damage this week may even be helped if you leave the trimming until March, because they have sealed off the deadtissues  from the living tissues.  Remember, they are living organisms and have innate mechanisms for coping with damaging influences, like freezes.  The damage is usually restricted to foliage tips, unless subjected to "killing frost or freeze".  To make further cuts of the... 01/14/2010

    The weather woman has said that the odds are good for freezing weather in Venice Florida and the neighboring parts of Paradise within the coming 5 days!  I see all kinds of covering being installed over shrubs of small to medium size, but most of what I see could be labelled "I Feel Good Attempts".  I mean that the installer feels that they have done their "poor, helpless shrubs" a big favor, when usually they have done nothing to prevent 28-32 degree weather protection. The key to really helping a plant avoid freeze damage is to thoroughly cover the plant with a blanket or fabric tarp ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND!  Why? sez you. Because the goal is to keep the plant warm long enough for the chill to pass, about 7-9:00 in the morning, and you need to use the good old warm EARTH for hel... 01/07/2010

  I Posted (see my Featured Post on e-Pro Group) a month ago about not being able to send e-mails to unknown numbers of customers, including my wife sitting 6 feet away with her laptop.  I have spent hours, literally, all over the Internet Forums on many subjects dealing with mail, smtp, and much more.  Yesterday I ran across a comment somewhere that said "Not only can Mail sent to Comcast.net recipients be Spam-Blocked (we all know that), but the Sender can be permanently Blocked from any future transmissions, without any notification provided to any one!"   Sure enough I found that 3 of my Comcast.net'ers, my broker, my associate and wife all use Comcast.net.  Apparently, back in early November I did something that put me into 'permanent' SpamBlock.  Ironically, it was about that time... 01/06/2010

Read All About Recycling that treasured Christmas Tree that brought such cheer to you, your family and friends!  There is a right way and a wrong way, like in most of life's challenges, so read about it at this link here.  What a wonderful thought:  That Tree that brought such JOY can now become MULCH and continue serving the landscape as mulch.  There have to be some guidelines/rules or the Recyclers would be at curbside for hours taking off decorations, bags, etc. You will have a good time with this disposal project and maybe even increase you recycling efforts in the future! 01/01/2010

  My Friends in The Rain, I'll swear that I got here 5 minutes late and yet I got these spectacular shots!  On the left, it was as though the beach was on fire, and the other photogs said you should have seen it.....  On the right, it showed a somewhat eery look just a trifle right of the "fire".  I hope that you Rain-People  get some really spectacular sunsets this winter and some warm weather early in the Spring to shake those winter doldrums soon.  Be sure to look West on evenings when there is decent cloud "texture" on or near the horizon.  I remember a few months ago taking an unbelieving Hoosier to the beach at sunset but without cloud "texture" the glowing sun merely set as an Orange Ball in a perfectly clear sky. I was thoroughly disappointed; he said it was spectacular.  What d... 01/01/2010

Both pictures taken within 30 minutes of each other on 12/30/2009.  The Blue Moon at Dusk and the Sunset looking the other way (West) in Venice Florida. JAPDIP..."Just Another Perfect Day in Paradise"...we are always proud to say! Hey, what do you know about the "Blues"?  There are close to 29.5 days between Full Moons and when both occur in the same Month, they are BLUE.  So, they occur about every 2+ years, but only every 19+ years on the last day of the year....so, Get outside now, blow the clouds away and use the exclamation...WOW! Tell me some of the stories (myth) about what happens tonight????   12/31/2009

What a Thrill it was for this Biologist!!!  Shortly after 10 AM, when up in the sky behind a lake (pond) and wild area at Saint Andrews East in Plantation Golf & Country Club, it looked like a "swarm" of African Locusts, but they were PURPLE MARTINS!  My Canadian friends quickly alerted me to the Identification...Purple Martins, both adult and sub-adult, had just arrived from their non-breeding grounds in South America, and by the thousands they arrived.  I had never seen so much diving, turning, diving and at times with hundreds in almost synchrony.  My "expert" Canadian-Physician friend puts up his re-carpeted (YES, re-carpeted) Purple Martin Condominium every Spring for nesting/breeding, and he is very successful, says he!  So, these were 'HIS" Purples swarming around on their way ba... 12/31/2009

The number of properties available for sale in the Venice/Englewood area real estate markets are continuing to decline, down -36.51% from the same month one year ago; 3113 single family homes for sale to 1977, sales that are pending in the area are remaining strong for November 2009, up over 25% from one year ago; 240 properties pending to 336 properties pending and closed sales have increased from one year ago today by 25%, from 180 properties sold to 225 for month of November:* an indicator of buyers interest in the Venice/Englewood real estate market. Even though the number of homes available for sale in our area continues to decline, we are still in a Buyer's market. If you are considering selling your home there are steps you can take to ensure a successful sale.     Contact Kari A... 12/31/2009

I recently completed and was awarded the designation Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) by the Seniors Real Estate Specialist Council of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®(NAR).  The SRES® designation became an official member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® family of designations in June 2007. The designation was originally developed 10 years ago to focus on the needs of home buyers and sellers aged 50 and over. It has been reported that in five years 40% of the U.S. population will be age 55 or older.  By earning my SRES® designation I have an understanding that seniors have very specialized needs when it comes to purchasing and selling property and have received extensive education on topics such as:  tax laws, probate and estate planning.  I can also offer you releva... 12/29/2009

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN VENICE, FLORIDA! For the past few years it was not uncommon to receive an offer on your property that was more than 20% lower than the asking price. When accepting a listing in the past 3 years we have come to the realization that offers submitted were more than 20% lower than the listing price. We had to prepare our sellers that they should work with any offer than came in no matter how insulted they may have felt because another offer might not be coming. We are the bearer of bad news to home sellers. Every time I went to get a price reduction I had to put on my bullet proof vest knowing that I was going up against a firing squad. They didn't care that it was not your fault they wanted to take it out on someone. The situation especially here in Florida was incr... 12/15/2009

My goal is not simply to sell your house, but to help you realize the best price obtainable for your property in the shortest period of time. In today's buyers market, there are things you should do to prepare your home for sale.  These suggestions require a minimum amount of time and expense to complete and are designed to make your house stand out from the competition and capture the homebuyers attention. You have probably heard how important first impressions can be. But did you know that within 15 seconds a homebuyer has developed an opinion of your property? This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale. The Home Front Your property's landscape is not limited to the lawn and shrubs but encompasses everything from the street to your d... 12/14/2009

Contact Movers Get estimates from at least two movers. Choose one and set the date. Check on cargo insurance covering your personal belongings. Change of Address Pick up a change of address card at your local Post Office. Also contact life, health, auto and homeowner's insurance companies, credit card companies, magazine/newspaper subscription offices, clubs and organizations, banks, doctors' offices, friends and family. Insurance Policy Transfer Be sure your personal possessions will be covered en route and upon arrival at your new home. Utility Companies Notify local utility companies of cut-off date and where to send the final bill, if necessary. Also notify the utility companies (gas, oil, electricity, water, phone, cable) in your new community of your expected start-up date. Find o... 12/11/2009

  Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit according to the National Association of Realtors... Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?                   Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit. Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit?            ... 12/11/2009

Claudia McNeely from Texas Tweeted this Thomas Jeffereson quote this morning.  I just love quotes from Thomas Jefferson and wanted to share with my fellow ActiveRainers.     "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it & hang on."-Thomas Jefferson   Contact Kari A. Battaglia PA, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your home, answer general questions or to help you search for homes for sale in Venice Florida.  I currently serve customers in Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Casey Key and Manasota Key communities.  As a private landowner, I also have Tennessee properties available in the Chattanooga area. Call or email me to receive a list of Tennessee properties available for sale. Contact me by email a... 12/07/2009

Whether you are buying or selling a home in Venice Florida or surrounding areas of Nokomis and Englewood, the process can be stressful. Most home buyers, when buying a home, typically have a home inspection, mold inspection or termite inspection completed for peace of mind.  Home buyers want to know if there are any major defects with the home, if anything can potentially lead to a major defect or if there are any safety hazards that they should be made aware of before they purchase a home.  Not many home buyers or sellers are aware of another kind of inspection that should be ordered, a Wind Mitigation Inspection. What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?  A Wind Mitigation Inspection can identify how to strong your home is built.  Florida homeowners may be able to receive a discount on th... 12/05/2009

The Associated Press and the Herald Tribune report this morning that the House of Representatives has followed the lead of the Senate and both extended and expanded the popular Home Buyer tax Credit!  This is very good news for Venice Florida, Sarasota County and the entire US of A.  I am calling your attention to this as it is a really good effort on the part of our Government to both encourage home buying and to boost the weak economy. President Obama is expected to sign the Home-Buyer Bills TODAY!  Here are the highlight details:    FIRST-TIME-BUYER...$8000 Tax Credit, yes, $8000!   If you have not had interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase, Uncle Sam will credit you with $8000 at tax time.  You will be sent a refund for the difference between what you owe an... 11/05/2009

The Associated Press and Los Angeles Times reported this AM what we have been "Toes and Fingers Crossed" over for the past month...that home buyers would be given further incentives.  Yes, by a 98-0 vote the Senate has passed their Bill to: Extend the popular $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit to April 30, 2010 (it was due to expire at the end of this month); Provide a NEW $6,500 tax break for existing home owners who choose to move up to a new home, as long as they have lived in their current home for 5 years out of the previous eight; Increase the level of qualifying incomes somewhat; and Set a limit of $800,000 for qualifying home purchases. This is certainly good news in the real estate industry's drive to reduce the over-supply of homes currently on the market.  One economist ... 11/04/2009

For those of you looking to start a website or thinking about changing your website and your not sure what you want to do yet, you owe to yourself to check out www.UltraAgent.com.  It is very simple to navigate and there are many templates to choose from.  You can even customize the header with a stock photo or any photo that you may have. The photo I for my site I took myself on Nokomis Beach. I switched over to UltraAgent months ago and I love it.  I can update my site whenever I want without getting charged for labor and I have received many compliments from customers. They love the way it is laid out, very easy to follow.  I also just found out that UltraAgent now offers IDX and I am considering incorporating that into my website shortly.  I was iframing my MLS IDX and I received a... 11/02/2009

    My creative mind said "Take advantage of the Traffic on Halloween Night  to  sell some of the plots that have been plugging our inventory in  Venice Florida years" and all   of my colleagues thought that it was  one of my most brilliant of ideas (and I have had MANY!).   So, armed with flash light and 80 full-sized candy bars, ranging from the ever-popular Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, to Almond Joys, Baby Ruths (remember them?), and Hershey's Dark Chocolates, I awaited the first customers at dark.   Knowing that I have never been referred to as "Handsome" but a lot of other inhumane things that I no longer find derogatory, I took my colleagues advice and hid behind on of the overgrown shrubs at property's edge so that the   oncoming customers would not see me head-on, be frightened an... 11/01/2009