Wood stork, Dancing in the Street   On my way home after showing  a mobile home  in Colonial Manor at 220 W Inner Dr.  Venice FL  34285, I was attracted to an interesting and very unique free entertainment - dancing in the street by a bird: wood stork – a large wading bird which is listed as an endangered species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.   Relax and enjoy the video!         12/29/2013

  Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, holidays that brings joy, love and peace, bright smiles and laughter… I hope this year brings you memories to cherish forever. Some people around the world may say “Happy Holidays” as show in the photograph below.         Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you and yours!         12/25/2013

    Big Deal or No Big Deal - You Decide   This post is inspired by Debbie Reynolds’s ActiveRain challenge on “A Really Big Deal or No Big Deal "   About ten years ago, I helped a small business owner selling his business in Sarasota County, Florida. The listing went under contract quickly, due diligence was done on time, buyer was satisfied with the report and everyone in the transaction was excited and happy. However, a week before closing the buyer got cold feet, walked away and lost his escrow deposit.  And the seller also decided to withdraw the listing. After all the effort and the time spent, it was wasted for nothing because no closing no pay.  Is it a Big deal or no big deal?     A few years later I received a call and the caller said “Do you remember me, I am….   I want to inv... 12/24/2013

  There is a blood shortage at the Suncoast Communities Blood Bank (SCBB), now is the time of great giving, after the festive food of Thanksgiving and the coming of the Christmas. Come donating plasma, donating blood, save lives.   Suncoast Communities Blood Banks (SCBB) is an independent non-profit charitable organization that was established in 1949.  It provides all blood types required by local hospitals and health centers in southwest Florida.   Where:  539 Bird Bay Plaza, 539 North US 41 Bypass, Venice FL 34285Hour:     Monday – Thursday from 8:00am – 6:00pm              Friday from 9:00am – 4:30pm              Saturday from 8:00am – 1:00pm      Contact: 941-941-735-4223       Blood Types There are 4 types of blood – Group A, Group B, Group AB and Group O. The most common type is ... 12/22/2013

  Search pool homes for sale in Venice FL   Just listed – pool home for sale at 1794 Dagon Rd., Venice FL 34293   Price: $169,900 MLS number: N5782840 Bedroom: 2 Bathroom: 2 Car garage: 1 Heated square footage: 1449   Call or text Kwee Huset at 941-716-3090941-716-3090 to find out if this property is still available and make appointment for showing.   This updated 2 bedroom 2 bath 1 car garage home is waiting for you to move in.  It has brand new refrigerator, dryer and washer in 12/2013 and a sparkling pool that looks inviting, peaceful and relaxing. The bright and open home has a 209 square foot front screened porch and a large fenced in backyard with room for boat, RV and truck parking.  ADA accessible Venice Gardens playground, Community Center, Community swimming pool and Fitness T... 12/18/2013

Holly Tree - Florida Gardening   On my way home after previewing a new home-site for a new construction in Grand Palm; a green community, these bright red colorful holly trees along the road attracted my attention. I stopped by and took pictures to share with you all.       Holly trees are a hardy evergreen tree and have many bright red berries with dark green glossy leaves. The tree is slow growing in general, does not require a lot of care, and it will grow up to over 50 feet tall. It has been planted as a specimen tree for gardens, parks and yards.  It flowers in the spring and the fruits ripen in winter.     It likes sun light or partial shade. The best propagation is from cuttings.   There are more than 400 species of shrubs and trees of holly growing around the world. Many species... 12/15/2013

 Kwee Huset Named as Five Star Professional in 2014   Once again Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty was named as a Five Star real estate professional in 2014. Please see the email below which is self- explanatory.   From: Five Star Professional [mailto:info@fivestarprofessional.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 10:24 AMTo: Five Star ProfessionalSubject: 2014 Five Star Real Estate Agent award announcement           Five Star ProfessionalResearch that Recognizes Outstanding Service Professionals     View email as Web page Kwee Huset Kwee Huset Realty We are pleased to inform you that you have been named a 2014 Five Star Real Estate Agent. Congratulations on being selected as part of this exclusive group of professionals. You are being recognized by the largest and most widely published... 12/12/2013

  In my 22 years in Venice FL, this is the first time I came across a hilarious and dare to be different comfort zone like this. (Armchairs from living room set up on the street, for tonight’s the 38th Annual Holiday Parade at downtown Venice.) This popular holiday event will attract more than 50,000 attendees from far and near…read more here.           Happy Saturday!       11/30/2013

  NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1, 2013-Part III    This is the last post of the continuation series from NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1, 2013. This important information was obtained from Mary Elizabeth Petty of AAA Insurance Agency.       Result of NFIP changes – Exclusion of Certain Property from Receiving Subsidized Premium Rates (Renewals)  The NFIP will no longer allow renewals for certain Pre-FIRM buildings in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or zone D to receive subsidized premium rates. Renewals of these properties will experience rate increases of up to 25% annually, until an elevation certificate is provided and indicates dull risk rates are lower than current rate applied.    Severe Repetitive Loss(SRL) properties (a) A ... 11/29/2013

      Wishing you, your family, friends and loved ones a very Happy and Grateful Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Day and Happy Holidays. We give thanks for the food before us, the family and friends beside us  and the love between us, also the beautiful sunny day shining on us in Venice Florida. I thank all the readers, friends and staff of ActiveRain for your encouragement, friendship and support.     11/28/2013

  NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1, 2013-Part II   This post is a continuation series from NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1, 2013 - Part I. This important information was obtained from Mary Petty of AAA Insurance Agency.   Result of NFIP changes – Elimination of No Waiting Period due to Lender Requirement     Impacts policies where there is a loan on a structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).     Zones beginning with A or V   Lender determines a flood insurance policy has not been issued.  Structure owner is required to purchase a flood insurance policy.  30 day waiting period will be imposed on these new business policies     Result of NFIP changes – No Extension of Subsidy to New Policies or Lapsed Policies for Pre-FIRM Propert... 11/26/2013

Boomers Flock to Venice, FL! Its Not Some Sleepy Retirement Village! Looking for a great place to retire? Maybe some sleepy hollow where you can fade into obscurity? Then steer clear of Venice, FL! What our buyers and sellers tell us to tell other Baby Boomers is, "Boomers flock to Venice, FL. It's not some sleepy retirement village." Venice is a fun place to live and a terrific place to invest in real estate. What is there to do in Venice, FL When you move to Venice, FL you'll be close to many beaches and the warm water from the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches in and near to Venice include; Venice Municipal Beach, Casperson Beach, Brohard Paw Park, and Nokomis Beach.  Venice is a community that includes golf, sailing, yacht clubs, marine life, biking trails, tennis. There are art shows, ga... 11/26/2013

  Thanksgiving Dinner in Venice FL, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church 2013   Every last Sunday of the month, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice FL, offers a free meal to about 120 people of all ages in the community.  They served about 180 people at a free Thanksgiving Dinner today November 24, 2013      Who are the attendees?  Many of the attendees were from all walks of life, especially the needy and low income residents and a handful of the church members who do not feel like cooking for the day. In the last nine months, a total of 1066 people have been served with full meals including soup, dessert and beverages. All the attendees enjoyed the delicious Thanksgiving dinner in a friendly family environment. While eating, they fellowshipped and chatted with each other at the same table, some... 11/24/2013

  Venice FL 34285, Homes for Sale Market Report – October 2013   How is the home for sale market doing in Venice FL34285, 34292 and 34293? Check out the October 2013 report prepared by Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty.  The data is based on single family homes sold in Venice FL per postal zip codes.   Search Homes for Sale in Venice FL 34285  There were 16 new listings, 6 went under contract and 10 sold. The median sold price was $272,450.00 with 20 median days to contract and the sold price to list price ratio of 97%   Compared to last year October, median home prices went up 15.93 % from $235,000 to $272,450     Search Homes for Sale in Venice FL 34292  There were 25 new listings, 12 went under contract and 20 sold. The median sold price was $280,000.00 with 32 median days to contract ... 11/23/2013

  NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1,2013, Part I   The National flood insurance program (NFIP) changes effective on October 1, 2013, are due to the U.S Congress passing the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. The changes affect many property owners.     Result of NFIP changes – Premium increases   1.       Flood insurance premiums will increase an average of 10% for policies written or renewed on or after October1, 2013.  2.       25% increases for certain Pre-FIRM(Flood Insurance Rate Map) policies on (a) Non-Primary/Non-Principal residences (b) Severe Repetitive Loss(SRL) properties  (c) Properties that have incurred flood-related damages in which the cumulative amount of the NFIP claim payments exceeded the fair market value of the property(as a... 11/21/2013

Plantation Venice FL, Golf Homes for Sale The Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice FL is a lovely golf home community developed by C & M Associates, The Plantation Development Company and The Plantation Golf Club of Venice. The first homes were built in 1980, and are still being built up to today.  Find golf homes for sale in Plantation Venice FLThere are more than 2500 homes in over 30 communities, which were built on a premier golf course covering  over 1300 acres of land with a Master Association.  Each community has its own HOA fees and rules.Plantation is nestled between US 41 and Center Road with entrances on both ends of Rockley Blvd. Homes in Plantation are surrounded with tropical foliage. Residents have convenient access to I-75 and minutes to schools, banking, restaurants... 11/20/2013

 Venice FL, Holiday Parade 2013 A happy time of the year is around the corner, because the largest night time parade in the area, which bring smile to all faces - the traditional Holiday Parade 2013 in Venice FL is less than two weeks away.   When: November 30, 2013 Saturday Time:  5:00pm pre- parade entertainment. Parade starts at 7:00pm Where: Venice downtown starts at corner of Park Blvd and W. Venice Av. Tickets: Free to the public Contact:  941-488-8780 or email: vhparade@verizon.net Major sponsors: The city of Venice and the Gulf Coast Community FoundationStreet closing: Venice Ave. on the island will be closed at 3:00pm from Business 41 to Venice Beach.    Who are the Holiday Parade’s participants? There are more than 3,000 participants representing about 120 local businesses, no... 11/19/2013

  Floss Silk Tree (Chorisia speciosa) – Flowers and Trees, Florida   This large tree in Florida which has many thorns and beautiful flowers is called floss silk tree. Its scientific name is Chorisia speciosa.   On my way to show properties I saw this tree in Pinebrook, a deed restricted community within the City limits of Venice.      Floss silk tree likes warm weather and is drought tolerant. The younger tree trunk is green in color due to high chlorophyll content. When the tree is mature it can grow up to about 50 feet tall, and its trunk which has thick thorns will change to a gray color.  It is suggested to plant on oversize lot. The thorns serve to store water for the dry season.  This ornamental tree’s leave have five leaflets, and it blooms from the fall through winter. The flowe... 11/17/2013

  Home Safety Checklist, When You Are Away On Vacation   The holidays are around the corner. Many people have plans to go away on vacation visiting their out of town families. This home safety checklist will help to keep your home safe when you are away.     Home Safety Checklist # 1  1.    Set your daily or frequently used lights and TV on timers with different on/off times, so that others may not know there is nobody home.  2.    Install motion detectors on outside lights. Use deadbolt locks on all the outside doors. And set the  loud alarm system on.  3.    Make arrangements for your lawn care.  4.    Stop all your newspaper and mail delivery or have a trustworthy relative or friend pick up these items daily.  5.    Ask a relative or a friend you can trust to check your home at rando... 11/15/2013

  Red Flag, No Home is Perfect  including New Construction   Post for the “Real Deals of Real Estate” … Let’s Dish!  November contest by Erin Bates of Aspen Lane Real Estate in Aurora, Colorado.    To avoid a red flag, because no home is perfect, buyers of residential properties are always recommended to do home inspections, including for new construction. Some sellers may not tell you and want to cover up the major issues by using a simple fix to make the house look nice; for new construction, the builder may hire low cost contractors as a way to save money and make more profits.   The following are Red Flags – 6 major problems, the seller will not tell you.   Red Flag # 1.  Leaky roofs. Two weeks ago I showed a nice house to a couple who were first time home buyers.  The walls and cei... 11/12/2013