Bradenton Waterfront Real Estate

I went jetskiing today off Sarasota, Siesta Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key and into Bradenton. There are so many gorgeous waterfront homes in the area. You really appreciate their beauty when looking at them from the water. If you are interested in purchasing Bradenton waterfront property please give me a call at 941-308-6766

Appraisal problems in this hot real estate market

My clients closed on a wonderful home in Sarasota today. While negotiating the contract, we were competing with other buyers and bid the home up about 5% over list price. Multiple offers are common in this hot real estate market. Homes not appraising at or above the sales price is also common. This usually occurs because there are no good comparable sales in the area. My buyers were required to put a little more money down. Remember, an appraisal is one person's opinion of value. It can be debated and a second opinion/appraisal can be obtained.

Waterfront Homes - Multiple offers

A client of mine wrote an offer yesterday for a $1,499,000 waterfront home. There was another offer on the property as well. Fortunately, our offer was accepted. The demand for real estate stays strong, especially waterfront homes.

13 Riskiest Real Estate Market - Bradenton, Florida is not on the list!

Off the list

You’ll be glad to read the Kiplinger’s Personal Finance list of the nation’s 13 riskiest housing markets and see that Sarasota-Bradenton-Charlotte is not on it.

“Soaring prices and the emergence of a generation of wet-behind-the-ears real estate investors stoke fears that the boom is turning into a bubble that will burst,” says the report, released this afternoon.

“Another reason for concern: the growing number of houses bought as investments: nearly one-fourth of purchases over the past year were investments, and they’re concentrated in a few markets. ”

Here’s the list, with the probability of a decline in prices over the next two years rated as a percentage:1. Boston, 53 percent (the area has lost 200,000 jobs since 2000 and home prices remain high); 2. Los Angeles, 40 percent; 3. San Francisco, 40 percent; 4. Sacramento, Calif., 40 percent; 5. Providence, R.I., 39 percent (no population or job growth); 6. Detroit, 38 percent (auto sales are awful); 7. New York City, 31 percent; 8. Minneapolis-St. Paul, 25 percent; 9. Fort Lauderdale, 23 percent; 10. Denver, 21 percent; 11. Washington, D.C., 19 percent; 12. Miami, 18 percent; 13. Tampa-St. Petersburg, 14 percent.

The problem in the Florida markets, says Kiplinger’s, is that investors are jacking up prices to the point retirees can’t afford them.

From the Sarasota Herald Tribune:http://www.sarasotaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=BLOG12

Investors are not the only ones making the prices go higher. Retirees and people planning on retiring in the next few years are also big buyers in this market.

Anna Maria Island Real Estate

Anna Maria Island homes are very desirable. The slow, laid back "Old Florida" feel appeals to many home buyers. For an up to date list of homes for sale on Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach go to my Bradenton MLS search.

Bradenton New Homes - Builder has eyes on north Manatee

Builder has eyes on north Manatee

Another 1,757 homes proposed along Interstate 75

DUANE MARSTELLER
Herald Staff Writer

MANATEE - If a St. Petersburg real-estate investment company has its way, more than 4,000 people could settle in the northwest corner of Interstate 75 and Buckeye Road within the next decade.

Lerian Investment Corp. wants to transform nearly 825 acres of citrus groves, pastureland and sod farm into Sweetwater Preserve, a residential community of 1,757 homes, according to plans submitted to Manatee County this week.

The project brings the number of homes planned at the crossroads' corners to nearly 4,000, according to The Herald's development database. Although another developer has scaled back its plans, more homes are on the horizon: Nearby landowners are preparing plans to develop another 2,200 acres of agricultural land.

"It's real simple: Land is available there and people are trying to make a buck," land economist Robert Watts, president of Bradenton-based RealtyRates.com, said of the surge of proposed development in northern Manatee.

Rick Neff, Lerian's president, did not return messages left at his office and on his cell phone Friday. But his company is no stranger to Manatee's housing boom: It's also involved in the Creekside Oaks and River Plantation projects in the Parrish area.

The developers of Sweetwater Preserve want to build 1,051 single-family homes and 706 townhouse units between 2006 and 2012, according to preliminary plans.

The townhomes would be along the west side of I-75 and would not exceed the county's 35-foot height preference. The single-family homes would be toward the central, southern, eastern and northern portions of the project.

See the rest of the article here:
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/12092738.htm

real estate along the Manatee River

Development marches up the Manatee River
By TOM ARTHUR
tom.arthur@heraldtribune.com

MANATEE COUNTY -- Thirty years on the Manatee River have taught Mark Stukey a thing or two about the wildlife along the waterfront.

On still nights, he can hear the cry of coyotes in woods across the river from his home.But he also knows their existence is threatened by the hundreds of homes being built along what is some of the last undeveloped waterfront property in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The growth is already changing the look and feel of the river, and some fear it could affect the entire ecosystem.

When bulldozers cleared land for a housing development, wild boars dashed across Stukey's property and onto Upper Manatee River Road, where some were struck by cars.

When heavy rains fall, the river swells much more quickly than it once did, a sign that more storm water is being funneled into it with each passing year.

Like many people who live along the river, Stukey is alarmed by the growing number of rooftops jutting over the tree line."They've got to stop," he said. "They can't be putting houses on every square inch."

But that's exactly what is happening, even east of Interstate 75, where less than a decade ago a mobile home park was the only development along the river.

Over the years, thousands of homes have gone up in developments such as River Wilderness, River Woods, Twin River and Waterlefe.

A half-dozen proposed developments along the upper reaches of the river are approved or pending approval by county planners.

If built as proposed, it will add another 1,000 homes.A proposed bridge across the river at Fort Hamer Road and a planned high school nearby will drastically alter the character of what has been a favorite swimming hole for generations of Manatee County residents.

The frenzy to build is being fueled by a number of factors. The land is zoned for multi-unit developments, and the river offers a short boat trip to the Gulf for boaters.

"People love the water," said Tina Underwood, a Realtor with Re/Max properties. "And they love their boats. That's what people come to Florida for."

All of the attention from developers is driving up the asking prices.Underwood has listed a small waterfront home on a half-acre for $1.8 million. The current owners paid $107,000 seven years ago.

See the rest of the article here:
http://www.sarasotaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050710/NEWS/50710007

Lakewood Ranch real estate

San Marco Plaza to offer bit of Italy

Lakewood Ranch center is expected to open in 2006.

By TOM ARTHUR
tom.arthur@heraldtribune.com

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Lakewood Ranch is about to get another jolt of commercial development.

San Marco Plaza, a 65,000-square-foot complex reminiscent of St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, will break ground next week and could be open by early 2006.

It will be within walking distance of the 198,000-square-foot Main Street district set to open in November.Added together, the two developments will offer several new restaurants and theaters, and dozens of upscale shops to Lakewood Ranch.

The $9.5 million San Marco Plaza will have the architectural feel of Venice, Italy, and will feature a dinner theater and have a seven-story clock tower as its focal point.

A grassy area will slope to a pond. Canopies, patios and open balconies will create a courtyard."It's much more than just a shopping environment," said Karen Cook, a leasing and sales agent at Michael Saunders & Co.

"People can walk their dogs, get a cup of coffee and sit out in the grassy area."The two complexes are expected to draw customers from well beyond Lakewood Ranch, where 5,500 homes have been built since its opening 10 years ago.

Within five years, 28,000 homes and 70,000 people are expected within a five-mile radius of Lakewood Ranch."We're very excited," said Robert Turoff, the owner of the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, which will be smaller than his 280-seat theater in Sarasota

We'll be doing the kinds of things we haven't done here in Sarasota," he said. "Small plays, small musicals, comedies."

See the rest of the article here:
http://www.sarasotaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/NEWS/507090480

Bradenton Florida Real Estate

Give me a call if you are interested in Bradenton Florida real estate.

Toll Free: 866-308-6766
Cell: 941-812-6272