RECORD LOW Average Rates for 30-year fixed mortgages!

Here is a very positive sign for the real estate market moving into 2010.
Average rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage are more than a FULL percentage point below what they were a year ago!

http://alturl.com/sd4o

Oct. Condo Sales Soar 120%!

Here's a great article about condo sales and condo prices:
http://alturl.com/kfrm

SALES of NEW HOMES rose 6.2% in October

6.2% was much better than expected. You can read all about it here at:
http://alturl.com/xntf

Last Siesta Model, then it's gone.

3/2/2 With Pool/Waterfall, 1,678 sq.ft.! Here's the last one of this model left in Venice. Would love to show it to you! 877.306.2626 or 941.685.1624. This one has lots of upgrades, like 18x18 floor tile, washer/dryer too. Pretty unbelievable for $224,900!

HOME SALES UP 50%

This article has great news about how home sales are up 50%! http://alturl.com/zn58

Buyers in the driver's seat in the Sarasota area

http://alturl.com/omhe

Here's an article about home buyers in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, according to a Zillow report that ranked regions where buyers have the most leverage.

NUMBER OF HOMEOWNERS LOSING THEIR HOME DROPPED FOR 3RD MONTH

Foreclosure prevention programs are helping more borrowers.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=226707

Just have to let you know about these in Venice!

Lennar is having a Year End Inventory! I would love to show these to you! These are great buys in Venice, and the timing is perfect. Must Close by 11/30/09. Here are a few examples:
Manor Homes: MLS# M5807724 – 11755 Breadfruit Lane $229,900 Siesta Floor Plan – 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom with pool and waterfall, 2 car garage – 1678 sq.ft. under air!

Maderia on Lake and Preserve Lot…with pool $259,900 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom and 2 car garage – 2047 sq. ft. under air! Beautiful Location!

MLS #M5807725 – 11470 Conch Court $319,900 Monte Carlo – 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom with pool and spa to include a 3 car garage on a preserve lot is 3,231 sq.ft. under air!
Perfect for the family!

These are the last of the Siesta’s and Maderia’s to be built in Stoneybrook! Call 877.306.2626 or 941.685.1624 to see these unbelievable offers. Wow.
To see photos, go to "Venice Florida New Home Offers" at StanRolle.com

Fed all but declares recession over

This upbeat assessment from the Federal Reserve is more positive news for the housing market.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=223944

Want to Live by the Water?

What should you expect with waterfront living?

I'm sure this information would give you a more realistic impression of waterfront living.

http://www.frontdoor.com/Buy/What-to-Expect-When-You-Live-by-the-Water/2376

CNN/MONEY'S "BEST PLACES TO RETIRE!"

Port Charlotte, close to Venice, makes CNN/MONEY Magazine's "BEST PLACES TO RETIRE" list! Here's the CNN/Money article:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/moneymag/0909/gallery.bpretire_top25.moneymag/index.html

Remax Alliance Group won "Best of Venice 2009" for Real Estate Franchise! The "Best of Venice 2009" winners were announced in Wednesday's Venice Gondolier newspaper. This is great news for everyone in our franchise, because I believe that we all work as hard as we can to do the best job possible in the real estate industry. Congratulations to all my associates at Remax Alliance Group - GREAT JOB!

VIRTUAL STAGING for empty homes?

Great idea! Digitally enhancing empty homes to make them more visually appealing, to spark vacant home sales. Click on link to read more. What do you think?
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n6-072109.cfm

Bidding Wars in South Florida?

Could bidding wars be the result of low mortgage rates and the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers that expires November 30th? Below is a link to this article. I would love to hear your feedback about this!
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/12-072109.cfm

Recession finally coming in for a landing in Venice! Great News!

The economy may finally be nearing the bottom of the recession in Venice, Sarasota, and Bradenton, plus 22 more of the nation's metro areas, according to the latest Adversity Index data on jobs, manufacturing and housing from Moody's Economy.com and msnbc.com. Click on link for interactive map showing details.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31910726/ns/us_news-the_elkhart_project/

Who wants to save $$$ on your current home???

Are you a homeowner? Help is here for you! Are you eligible? Please use the self-assessment tools provided on this website to see if you are among the 7 to 9 million homeowners who may be able to benefit from Making Home Affordable.
http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov

Venice Council meeting on Tuesday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m

Here is a message from the CEO of the Venice Chamber.
We need your help and participation at an upcoming Venice City council meeting. As you are aware, the Venice Area Chamber has been reviewing the proposed Comprehensive Plan and asking the Council to increase the flexibility within it. The plan itself is a moving target and is currently in its 6th Draft phase. Due to our actions, we have been able to get some relief for building heights but there is still much work to be done to make this plan economically feasible.

We need business owners, voters, property owners and concerned taxpayers to come to the Council meeting on TUESDAY, JULY 14th at 1:30 P.M. you do not need to speak, just be there for the "open to public" portion of the meeting. The proposed Comp Plan, as drafted, could have a significant negative impact on our community. In almost all cases, the proposed densities and building heights are reduced from those currently allowed.

We believe these reductions will lead to more sprawl, create many new non-conforming structures, and increase the cost of doing business within the City of Venice. We are also concerned that these reductions will lead to property owners seeking relief through lawsuits against the City in an effort to maintain their property rights.

We need you at this meeting to "Stand up and be counted". Please let me know if you can attend by replying to Michelle Ryan at myryan@venicechamber.com.
We only need you there for the first hour of the Council meeting. Thanks for your support and please contact us, John Ryan or Michelle Ryan, at the Venice chamber, 941-488-2236 should you have any questions.

Bargain HUNTERS See The Bottom in Some Markets

I found a great article that says "Snowbirds from Canada, New York, Ohio, and the Midwest, already know the deals are here in Florida". Read more about these BARGAIN HUNTERS; click on the link below:


http://www.realtytrac.com/News-Trends/Agent-Newsletter/Current.html?a=b&Year=2009&Month=July&Article=4&accnt=214173

"Nationwide Foreclosure Activity Decreases in May"

Here's some good news that I wanted to share with you: The total foreclosure filings in May decreased 6% from the previous month. Click on this link below to read the article (I appreciate your feedback too!):
http://www.realtytrac.com/News-Trends/Agent-Newsletter/Current.html?a=b&year=2009&Month=July&Article=2&accnt=214174

$8,000 to help first-time homebuyers

Are you looking for more info about that FL $8,000 Downpayment Assistance Program for first-time homebuyers? It's effective now! Click on the link below for some updated details:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-070109.cfm