Top 10 fun things to do in the Sarasota - Lakewood Ranch area
1. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 #941-359-5700 Website
This treat for the senses includes the amazing Museum of Art, the State Art Museum of Florida, with 21 galleries of internationally known European, American and Asian art; the Venetian-Gothic Cà d?Zan mansion overlooking Sarasota Bay, winter home of John and Mable Ringling; the historic 66-acre grounds and gardens, two Circus Museums including the Tibbals Learning Center and the Historic Asolo Theater.
2.Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 S. Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-366-5731 Website
Explore the world's most spectacular display of rare orchids, bromeliads and tropical plants in this 9.5-acre oasis on the shores of Sarasota Bay. Gifts, plants and books at the Garden Shop and the Banyan Treasures store in the historic Selby House. Café on premises, poison dart frog exhibit, free-range butterfly garden and ever-changing botanical art and photography exhibits. Group rates for 20 or more. Allow two hours viewing time.
3.Mote Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., City Island Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-388-4441 #800-691-MOTE Website
Explore the secrets of the sea from the smallest critters to top predators. Both entertaining and educational, this unique attraction showcases Florida's fascinating marine life and the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. Viewable, working laboratories offer a rare glimpse of marine science as it's unfolding. Exhibits include a shark habitat, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits, stingray touch pool and interactive HD theater. Open 365 days a year 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
4.G.WIZ - The Hands-On Science Museum
1001 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-309-4949 Website
Discover the cool side of science with 85 hands-on exhibits the whole family can explore together.
5.LeBarge Tropical Cruises
Highway 41 at Marina Plaza (downtown)Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-366-6116 Website
Enjoy a narrated Sightseeing Cruise combining Sarasota?s abundant wildlife, a bit of history and spectacular shoreline homes or a Dolphin Watch cruise narrated by a marine biologist. Sunset Cruise featuring live entertainment, dancing and a fabulous gulf sunset. Two full cash bars and a light menu available. Reservations recommended.
6.Red Barn Flea Market
1707 First St. E.Bradenton, FL 34208 #941-747-3794 #800-274-FLEA Website
One of Florida's most popular and progressive flea markets. Now with 80,000+ sq ft of air conditioning. 600+ unique retail shops and flea market-style booths. Enjoy family fun, bargain hunting, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, fresh produce, souvenir shopping and a great variety of delicious foods. Watch our Web site for exciting events; our Birthday Bash and antique appraiser in the summer. Free roaming peacocks live in oak filled site. Free admission, parking.
7.Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34234 #941-355-5305 #877-861-6547 Website
Have you ever seen a cockatoo ride a bicycle atop a high wire? The area's only zoological garden, this wild jungle is a natural paradise with more than 75 species of animals, birds, reptiles and thousands of exotic and native plants. Within ten acres of winding jungle trails and interactive show arenas, visitors can pose with a parrot, hand feed a flamingo and come face-to-face with alligators and crocodiles. Stop off at the Flamingo Cafe for refreshments and hit the trails again.
8.Circus Sarasota
8251 - 15th St. E. Sarasota, FL 34243 #941-355-9335 Website
Known as the "Circus Capital of the World," Sarasota is home to an amazing one-ring, five-star international circus. The Sarasota Herald Tribune calls the show "impressive - sends your mind soaring!" Join the thousands of people who have witnessed the magic of Circus Sarasota. International circus stars will amaze and astound you. Affordable family entertainment at its best.
9.St. Armands Circle
300 Madison Drive, Suite #201 St. Armands Circle, FL 34236 Web Site
St. Armands Circle is an enchanting circle of fine shops and gourmet restaurants. There are more than 150 stores located on this renowed Key and you can spend the day exploring the shops and relaxing in the restaurants. St. Armands Circle is located on St. Armands Key - just south of Longboat Key and west of Sarasota.
10.Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 5118 Ocean Boulevard Siesta Key, FL 34242 #866-831-7778
There's always something to do at Siesta Key Beach, and it's within easy walking distance of the many shops and restaurants in Siesta Village. Come to enjoy the day or evening, and be sure to stop by the “Drum Circle” on Sunday evening, a theatrical feast for the eyes and ears as sunset falls on another perfect Siesta Key day.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
A Simply Green Idea :)
The smallest things can add up to a real difference. I (and greenies) encourage you to change out the light fixtures or bulbs at home that use the most energy efficient qualified models. If every American home replaced their five (5) most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating, we would save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs, and together we would prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars.The energy used in the average home can be responsible for more than twice the greenhouse gas emissions of the average car. When you use less energy at home, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and help protect our environment from the risks of global climate change. So ... when a light burns out in your home replace it with a compact fluorescent bulb. Save some money and the planet one bulb at a time. Simply Green.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Bargain hunters boost home sales in some markets
With prices falling in many parts of the country and the number of foreclosures rising, a small yet growing number of bargain-hunting buyers are seeing an upside to the real estate market.
MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS
First-time home buyers priced out of the market during the frenzied 2001-2005 market are among those most attracted to real estate today. In November 2007, 39 percent of buyers were first-timers, up from 36 percent in 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors. The key impediment to buying? Meeting tighter bank qualifying criteria.
International buyers increasingly are looking at opportunities in the U.S. real estate market. Declines in the value of the dollar against other currencies and lower prices translate into a discount of up to 30 percent for some foreign buyers.
Investors from other states also are seeking bargains in those markets hardest hit by the real estate downturn. Some are even buying properties sight-unseen for conversion to rentals until the market heats up again – a risky proposition, according to some observers.
MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS
First-time home buyers priced out of the market during the frenzied 2001-2005 market are among those most attracted to real estate today. In November 2007, 39 percent of buyers were first-timers, up from 36 percent in 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors. The key impediment to buying? Meeting tighter bank qualifying criteria.
International buyers increasingly are looking at opportunities in the U.S. real estate market. Declines in the value of the dollar against other currencies and lower prices translate into a discount of up to 30 percent for some foreign buyers.
Investors from other states also are seeking bargains in those markets hardest hit by the real estate downturn. Some are even buying properties sight-unseen for conversion to rentals until the market heats up again – a risky proposition, according to some observers.
Lakewood Ranch Resident Dick Vitale
Interesting Area Factoid:
One of Lakewood Ranch's more famous resident is Dick Vitale, who is entering his 28Th year as ESPN's high-energy college basketball announcer, does most of his work from his 12,000-square-foot home in Lakewood Ranch.
Dick is not shy about boasting about his Lakewood Ranch home. "My home was the best decision I ever made. My heart is there, and I just love it," says Vitale. "I struck gold."
He spends most of his time in the home's office and 1,200-square-foot cinema-style theater, which has eight leather chairs, a 135-inch screen, and doubles as the production studio for his ESPN broadcasts. "It's a combination of luck and a lot of hard work, and I've been very lucky. I only wish my parents were around to see me today, because they would go wild."
Dick is not shy about boasting about his Lakewood Ranch home. "My home was the best decision I ever made. My heart is there, and I just love it," says Vitale. "I struck gold."
He spends most of his time in the home's office and 1,200-square-foot cinema-style theater, which has eight leather chairs, a 135-inch screen, and doubles as the production studio for his ESPN broadcasts. "It's a combination of luck and a lot of hard work, and I've been very lucky. I only wish my parents were around to see me today, because they would go wild."
Real Estate Ramblings...Short Sales?
Short Sales - What are they and what does it really mean.
Short Sale Listings: In instances where the listing broker becomes aware that the listing price may not be sufficient to permit seller to fully satisfy all encumbrances and pay seller’s closing costs, including the listing broker’s offer of compensation, the listing broker may:
(1) Obtain seller’s informed written consent (in either the listing agreement or an addendum thereto) to disclose the Short Sale Circumstance to cooperating brokers, buyers and the public;
(2) Clearly and promptly disclose the Short Sale Circumstance to all cooperating brokers and, when and if appropriate, disclose that the sale of the listed property may be conditioned upon the approval of a court, a lender, or other third party. Such disclosures may occur at any time, but it is suggested they occur at the time of MLS input, if known, or within one (1) business day upon receipt of knowledge. Such disclosure may be included in the “Realtor Only Remarks” and the “Public Remarks” Sections of the listing. If after the initiation of negotiations the listing broker receives knowledge of the existence of a Short Sale Circumstance, or that the sale of the listed property may be conditioned upon the approval of a court, a lender, or other third party, then such disclosures may be made in writing in the “Realtor Only Remarks” and “Public Remarks” Sections of the MLS listing and in either the Contract for Sale and Purchase or an addendum thereto. This disclosure must be word-by-word and disclosed at the time of input, if known, or within one (1) business day upon receipt of knowledge.
“Listing price may not be sufficient to cover all encumbrances, closing costs, or other seller charges and sale of Property at full listing price may be conditioned upon approval of third parties. Call for details.”
An offer of compensation to cooperating brokers which states that it may be adjusted after execution of a contract for sale and purchase by a third party without the consent of the cooperating broker, is not an unconditional offer of compensation under these rules.
Contracts which are subject to approval by a court, lender or other third party must be reported as “pending” consistent with Article 4 Section 15 of these Rules.
If you have any questions please email or call me. As you can see our position is disclosure and that the coop compensation to the Selling Broker can't be negotiated down by the Listing Broker's office. Fact is a third party is not a party to the contract and can't do that either. The offer of compensation is Unconditional. The third party approval is nothing more than a contingency like any other contingency that needs to be met by the contract terms.
If the third party does not accept the offer as presented they will counter to the listing broker as to what they will receive and just like a price adjustment is made to a contract if the property does not appraise then the contract price is increased to meet the cost of selling the property. The buyer can then accept or reject the counter not unlike the seller can accept or reject the lowering of a price to meet the appraised value.
I hope this helps....
Short Sale Listings: In instances where the listing broker becomes aware that the listing price may not be sufficient to permit seller to fully satisfy all encumbrances and pay seller’s closing costs, including the listing broker’s offer of compensation, the listing broker may:
(1) Obtain seller’s informed written consent (in either the listing agreement or an addendum thereto) to disclose the Short Sale Circumstance to cooperating brokers, buyers and the public;
(2) Clearly and promptly disclose the Short Sale Circumstance to all cooperating brokers and, when and if appropriate, disclose that the sale of the listed property may be conditioned upon the approval of a court, a lender, or other third party. Such disclosures may occur at any time, but it is suggested they occur at the time of MLS input, if known, or within one (1) business day upon receipt of knowledge. Such disclosure may be included in the “Realtor Only Remarks” and the “Public Remarks” Sections of the listing. If after the initiation of negotiations the listing broker receives knowledge of the existence of a Short Sale Circumstance, or that the sale of the listed property may be conditioned upon the approval of a court, a lender, or other third party, then such disclosures may be made in writing in the “Realtor Only Remarks” and “Public Remarks” Sections of the MLS listing and in either the Contract for Sale and Purchase or an addendum thereto. This disclosure must be word-by-word and disclosed at the time of input, if known, or within one (1) business day upon receipt of knowledge.
“Listing price may not be sufficient to cover all encumbrances, closing costs, or other seller charges and sale of Property at full listing price may be conditioned upon approval of third parties. Call for details.”
An offer of compensation to cooperating brokers which states that it may be adjusted after execution of a contract for sale and purchase by a third party without the consent of the cooperating broker, is not an unconditional offer of compensation under these rules.
Contracts which are subject to approval by a court, lender or other third party must be reported as “pending” consistent with Article 4 Section 15 of these Rules.
If you have any questions please email or call me. As you can see our position is disclosure and that the coop compensation to the Selling Broker can't be negotiated down by the Listing Broker's office. Fact is a third party is not a party to the contract and can't do that either. The offer of compensation is Unconditional. The third party approval is nothing more than a contingency like any other contingency that needs to be met by the contract terms.
If the third party does not accept the offer as presented they will counter to the listing broker as to what they will receive and just like a price adjustment is made to a contract if the property does not appraise then the contract price is increased to meet the cost of selling the property. The buyer can then accept or reject the counter not unlike the seller can accept or reject the lowering of a price to meet the appraised value.
I hope this helps....
My First Blog - A new Me again
I have been working on the new me for years. Today again starts a new chapter for me as I write my new blog. Blogging, fish oil and exercise are all on for today. Can I keep it up the the regiment? Is this the real new me that I can stick with? Can I work on my spiritualism, be green and be successful at real estate? Questions and some answers are also part of my day. It reminds me off a poem I wrote some years ago (not really I just liked the how the words make me feel). It starts like "A new day came upon the world and I was refreshed...". And that is how I will end my first new me blog. To be continued...
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