We just got our statistics for February and our closed sales for the Venice FL board are up 28% from January's and for the county of Sarasota they are up 27%. It's a good sign that things are leveling out here in SW Florida. I have teamed up with a partner and we are busy listing, we now have some pendings which will cover some of the expenses we have since January. Have to go but will be back to fill you in on the move to Venice and how we are adjusting. 03/18/2008

   Venice Florida is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the world. If you walk the beaches in Venice at some point, if you are looking down, you will find a sharks tooth. They are extremely plentiful. My favorite place to look for teeth is at Casperson Beach which is on the southern end of Venice. I've found in the past that this beach is not as crowded and I usually find more teeth here. You can find this beach just south of the Pier.   Now for the shocker ..... the teeth that you find on the beach are NOT recently lost sharks teeth. They are actually estimated to be between 5 Million and 10 Million years old. YES.....you read that correctly. The scientist believe that for some reason Millions of years ago, the Venice area was a large breeding ground or some sort of attraction area fo... 11/28/2007

Hello everyone, Well my move has gone well and I've met some wonderful people. Aside from my allergies, which by the way I have never had until I moved here, I love living here. It truly is paradise. Everyone who comes to vist loves it and would love to move here. The biggest issue is the taxes would be triple to what they are paying now because they have been in there homes for many years. Between the taxes and insurance they say it would be tough on them since they are just hitting retirement age. We had no choice and have made the best of that situation. We will make it up in other areas. As for the market here, I have been trying to keep the spirit by being proactive. I've been doing open houses every Saturday and Sunday in the month of October. It has worked out well. I actually go... 10/15/2007

I am in Venice Florida and usually our influx of northerners begins later.  It seems that we are seeing more and more people come down earlier.  Is it chilly up north?  We need you all down here!  I think that people who have been shopping for a property will finally buy this season because prices have dropped so dramatically.  Our sellers have really reduced their prices and inventory is healthy.  It is an awesome time to buy property in Venice Florida.  We were also just rated by US News one of the TOP 10 Cities to reitre!  10/05/2007

While we were out with clients today we stopped for a late lunch at T. J. Carney's on the island in Venice - yes, there is a difference - part of Venice is on the mainland and part of it is on the island - T. J. Carney's is on the island, on Venice Avenue. It is styled as an Irish restaurant and serves the burgers with large, thick yummy fries that you can add malt vinegar and salt to!!! REALLY GREAT!!! Since we had our British couple with us after a morning of looking at condos in the area, we decided it was a good place to eat. Our guests were surprised about the malt vinegar on the table! And pleased! Seems that is what they use at home on their fries too! Now here is something strange - Eddie (one of our clients) ordered an Orange Fizzie - the waitress came back and said nobody knew... 09/18/2007

Well, I've gone ahead and moved to Venice Florida. We are located in one of the most beautiful places in Florida. I am starting my business all over again and having to learn their MLS and IMAPP systems.  The market here is picking up somewhat. The town of Venice is mostly populated with 65 and older, but we have a fast growing number of younger families moving in. I love the area and so have the friends and family that have visited me. I will let you know how the business goes once I get started. The best is we are close to Sarasota and great restaurants, theater, and the most beautiful beaches in Florida. 08/27/2007

RealFacts research firm has compiled the following data for rentals in the areas that I service for property management. According to the study, monthly apartment rents in the Manatee, Sarasota and Venice markets averaged $973 for the first quarter of 2007. This represents a 3.5% increase over the same reporting period in 2006. The greater market area of Manatee and Sarasota counties is the third most expensive in the state of Florida behind Naples and Miami.  Apartment occupancy rates at an average of 91.5% were down 3.5% over the same reporting period in 2006.  The Englewood area was not included in this study due to the low number of actual apartment communities that the area has to offer. Being a still relatively "undiscovered and under-developed" area of the Florida coastline, Engl... 05/19/2007

I just finished reading and commenting on an inspiring "true-life" post by Maggie Dokic that should help many of us continue to have faith in our choice to maintain our status as a REALTOR.  Read it and you'll see.  The life and times of a REALTOR are challenging enough without drastic economic changes impacting our market places. Today, our profession is more challenged than ever with markets declining and continued negative press.  Even the Real Estate Giants, who appear above the risk range, are reporting sharp concern for the negative impacts to their business.  For Maggie and for all of us, I share this comforting story that appeared recently in my email inbox....from an unknown author....on a day when I needed the inspiration.....perhaps you know someone who would be warmed by the... 05/17/2007

Why is it that you can get right down to the day before closing and still have a hiccup in the lender process? I just don't get it. Here's an example of what I mean and maybe somebody can tell me why the consumer (both the buyer and the seller, actually) must suffer through a lender's inability to do their job with an eye for detail, accuracy and down right pride in providing excellent service to their customers. (Not all of them, mind you, but enough are deficient in these areas that this example happens quite often!)Here's the example: Information on length of employment is requested of the Mr. Consumer who is obtaining a mortgage so he can buy his lovely wife a lovely home. The application indicates that Mr. Consumer must provide his last 2 years employment history. Which he does.  T... 05/11/2007

Mortgage Wizard: "I see by your ad on Craig's List that you are selling your home on your own. Your ad says it is priced way below the appraisal value, that's too bad, but I think I can help you out."Florida FSBO Seller: "Well that would be great. Are you going to buy my house?"Mortgage Wizard: "Well, let me explain...I am a mortgage broker who has made a great living over the past several years doing mortgages for people.  My mortgage business has really slowed down, so I have gotten together a large group of investors who are buying properties.  I find 'em, they buy 'em.  Plus we get to help out people like you who are backwards in the market or close to deperate to sell their homes. Would you like for me to tell you how it works?"Florida FSBO Seller: "Sure, I am interested in selling... 05/11/2007

  The vacation rental inventory in the local Florida market (from Casey Key to Boca Grande) for both annual and seasonal rentals along the coast line has sky-rocketed over the last couple of months.  Luckily, the demand for seasonal cottages, condos, villas and single family homes is quite high as well.  Visitors are seeing fantastic deals on rental accomodations along the coast right now.Europeans and South American visitors generally come to Florida during the summer months with our traditional US visitors still flocking to the Florida coastline in winter.  I need more inventory to keep up with the demand, especially for seasonal rentals that are on or near the beach.  I need your help...and maybe together we can help out some of those investors who have too many vacant homes sitting ... 04/22/2007

mox·ie (mks) n. Slang 1. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.2. Aggressive energy; initiative: 3. Skill; know-how.Noun1.moxie - fortitude and determination; "most woulnd't have the guts to try....but this guy's got MOXIE!" guts, backbone, grit, gumption, sandfortitude - strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courageThese were cut and pasted from thefreedictionary.com just so we are all on the same page for this blog.  My family uses the word MOXIE all the time, but many people I know have never heard of the word.  My family has used this word for as long as I can remember to describe a person who is determined in spite of severe challenges.  I love the word and its meaning....to me, the word itself has the feeling of a determined spirit and strengt... 09/17/2006