Community Event at Sarasota Polo Grounds - Lakewood Ranch

Paws in Motion
Walk-A-Thon

WHO:
All animal lovers and their pets who want to raise money and have
fun doing it – Individual walkers, business/organization teams, family
teams…all are welcome!

WHAT:
Leisurely 1 mile dog walk, booths, entertainment, games
and contests.

WHERE:
Sarasota Polo Grounds
8201 Polo Club Ln.
Sarasota, FL 34240
(Take University Parkway east of I-75,
then south/right on Lorraine Road)

WHEN:
Saturday, May 17, 2008 (Rain or Shine)
Registration opens at 8:15 am, Walk-a-thon begins at 9:15 am

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Visit www.humanesocietymanatee.org/pawsinmotion.asp for more
information and to download walker/team materials. E-mail walk@humanesocietymanatee.org if you have ~any questions.

What is Foreclosure?

Foreclosure is a process that allows a lender to recover the amount owed on a defaulted loan by selling or taking ownership (repossession) of the property securing the loan. The foreclosure process begins when a borrower/owner defaults on loan payments (usually mortgage payments) and the lender files a public default notice, called a Notice of Default or Lis Pendens. The foreclosure process can end one of four ways:

1. The borrower/owner reinstates the loan by paying off the default amount during a grace period determined by state law. This grace period is also known as pre-foreclosure.
   


2. The borrower/owner sells the property to a third party during the pre-foreclosure period. The sale allows the borrower/owner to pay off the loan and avoid having a foreclosure on his or her credit history.
   


3. A third party buys the property at a public auction at the end of the pre-foreclosure period.
   


4. The lender takes ownership of the property, usually with the intent to re-sell it on the open market. The lender can take ownership either through an agreement with the borrower/owner during pre-foreclosure, via a short sale forclosure or by buying back the property at the public auction. Properties repossessed by the lender are also known as bank-owned or REO (Real Estate Owned by the lender).
   

Cows, Liberals, and Maple Syrup

In Vermont. Foreclosures in the state—known for cows, liberals, and maple syrup—stand at only 1 in every 154,779 homes. Keep up the good work...moo

Sarasota, Manatee and Venice Realtors join with Mid Florida MLS

Local MLS associations, Sarasota, Manatee and Venice are joining together with the Mid-Florida MLS to create a powerful regional Multiple Listing Service entity that will greatly enhance local professional REALTORS the ability to provide a wider range of services and products to the areas home buyers and sellers.

"Forward-thinking REALTOR associations nationwide are looking at consolidation of MLS systems,” said Joe Hembree, 2007 President of the Sarasota Association of REALTORS. “We’ve listened to our members, and I think we’ve made the right decision regarding the future of our MLS system. The consolidation effort strengthens our technology platform, improves our data exchange, and makes life much easier for our members.”

May Aston, President of the Manatee Assn. of REALTORS, is excited about joining MFRMLS. “It is something that our members have wanted for many years,” she says, “and it will provide us with many services that would be difficult or expensive to obtain on our own.

Currently, the MFRMLS member associations include the Bartow Board of REALTORS, East Polk County Assn. of REALTORS, Greater Lake County Assn. of REALTORS, Greater Tampa Assn. of REALTORS, Lakeland Assn. of REALTORS, Orlando Regional REALTOR Assn., Osceola County Assn. of REALTORS, and West Volusia Assn. of REALTORS. The new member associations will include Englewood Area Board of REALTORS, Manatee Assn. of REALTORS, Punta Gorda – Port Charlotte – North Port Assn. of REALTORS, Sarasota Assn. of REALTORS, and Venice Area Board of REALTORS.

Real Estate Term You should Know

FAIR MARKET VALUE
This is the amount of money that would be paid for a property offered on the open market for a reasonable period of time with both buyer and seller knowing all the uses to which the property could be put and with neither party being under pressure to buy or sell.

Interesting facts about Realtors

1. 39% of REALTORS own at least one residential property other than their primary residence.
2. 13% own three or more
3. 17% of REALTORS own at least one vacation home.
4. 11% of REALTORS own at least one commercial property.

Featured Property of the week: 1860 HAWKINS CT, SARASOTA, FL. 34236

Walk to all that's happening in downtown Sarasota, art galleries, shops, restaurants, theaters, & the waterfront. Every detail of this 2005 bungalow style home, inside & out, reflects thoughtful design & master workmanship. 3 bedrms suites, Chef's kit. w/Wolf range, granite counter tops, Brazilian cherry floors, cherry cabinets, fireplace, cypress ceilings & porches. Detached 1924 carriage house offers an artist's studio w/half bath, 2 car garage & a new guest apartment on the second floor. Add a private brick courtyard, tasteful landscaping, a white picket fence & you have the perfect in town hideaway. Price: $995,000.

Virtual Tour: http://www.realtor.com/realestate/1094608422/#Video

*If you or anyone you know are interested in this property please contact me and I will be happy to show or send more information.

Lakewood Ranch is Certifiably Green

Since 2005, every new village in Lakewood Ranch Florida is being built “green.” What this means, is that these new Lakewood Ranch homes now incorporate building products and techniques that result in a healthier, more energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible home. In addition, every home is certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Home Standard.

As one of the largest green communities in the country, Lakewood Ranch appeals to buyers who want to do their part to lessen their homes' impact on the environment. The development works with 22 builders, all of whom are green-certified.