Where to Retire? WalletHub Ranks Fla. No. 1

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By Kerry Smith, January 2021 To determine the best state for retirement, WalletHub weighed 45 variables, such as affordability, quality of life and healthcare – and Fla. was, and is, No. 1. ORLANDO, Fla. – For many people, a Florida retirement means warm year-round weather and no shoveling snow. But retirement living is a big decision. It’s not paradise if you run out of money. A state with Continue Reading

Fla.’s Housing Market: Strong Gains in Dec. Despite Pandemic

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By Marla Martin, 1/22/2021 Florida Realtors Dec. data: More closed sales (single-family sales up 21%, condo-townhouse sales up 27.7%), more new pending sales, higher median prices and more new listings year-over-year. Chief Economist O’Connor: Higher pending sales “strongly signal” higher closed sales into 2021. ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite the ongoing pandemic and a still struggling jobs Continue Reading

LAKEWOOD RANCH FLORIDA – #1 MULTI GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE USA – 3 YEARS RUNNING 2018-2019-2020

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There’s no better place to live the Florida lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of than Lakewood Ranch. For three years running, Lakewood Ranch has been the #1 multi-generational community in the country, meaning more people of all ages chose Lakewood Ranch as their home than any other community. Here, year-round outdoor living and deep-rooted community connections meet the largest selection of Continue Reading

This Sunny City Is the Best Place to Retire in America

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Florida cities swept the top four spots — but only one could be the winner. BY PATRICIA DOHERTY DECEMBER 23, 2020 If spending your retirement in a warm and sunny locale sounds good to you—and if you’re planning ahead for those days of leisure—you’ll be interested to know that a city in the Sunshine State was just named the best place to retire in America. In fact, in the recently released Continue Reading

12 Florida Master-Planned Communities Make Top 50 List

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John Burns Real Estate Consulting recognized the nation’s top 50 master-planned communities, saying more than 37,000 people moved to one of them in 2020. NEW YORK – The John Burns Real Estate Consulting team recently recognized the nation’s top 50 master-planned communities. The list of top U.S. developments included 12 in Florida. According to the report, more than 37,000 home buyers Continue Reading

BRENT LEATHWOOD, MBA

LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER | BK 3300751

CROSS BORDER REALTY LLC | CQ1046895
2100 CONSTITUTION BLVD. #207
SARASOTA, FL, 34231
(941) 882-2995
Contact
3 Big Mistakes Buyers make:

  1. 1. NOT KNOWING THE NEIGHBORHOOD...ContinuedReal estate always has been and always will be a local business. Know your neighborhood is a cardinal rule in this business. A real estate professional knows what is going on in their local market area. Hire a knowledge, local professional. When we see folks wandering around with a notebook and a list of questions, we know they are the most likely to make a costly mistake. A PROFESSIONAL Realtor, (please note the word professional), can spend 15 minutes listening to your needs and wants, and probably rule out 90% of the local market options, and focus your attention, on the 3 or 4 or 5 communities that will meet your needs, and make sense from both a financial and lifestyle point of view. I am amazed at how many people from out of State, go it alone, end up buying in the wrong community, and come to regret it. I meet people like this everyday, and everyone single one of them will say to me: “I wish we had met you first.”
  2. 2. GETTING STUCK IN AN HOA NIGHTMARE...ContinuedHome owners association nightmares are the stuff of legend in our State. Do not buy the wrong property in the wrong community. A knowledgeable real estate professional can explain to you upfront, the ins and outs of the HOA regulations of the community you are considering, and help you avoid 99% of these potential pitfalls. This is another very costly mistake.
  3. 3. THINKING YOU DO NOT NEED A REALTOR WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME...ContinuedEverybody knows you need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a resale home. Many do not know, you also need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a new home. The new home sales person in the model home works for the Builder, not the Buyer. They are paid to look out for their employer’s interests, not yours. You will not save $1 by going it alone. You will lose money. A lot of money. One of our largest local builders reported 872 annual sales, of which, 762 were handled by Realtors representing the Buyer. That is 87% of the total. The Builder has already factored paying a finder’s fee into the price. The Builder will not rebate $1 of this money back to you. Builders laugh under their breath, when Buyers try this negotiating tactic, even though they will politely agree with you. Professional representation costs you $0, why would you fend for yourself, in a market you know almost nothing about? Buyers know less than 20% of what they actually need to know, to get a great deal. Having gone through the new home buying process hundreds of times with clients, we know all the pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the process go smoothly. Do not go it alone, get professional representation, it costs you $0. Not doing this is the most costly of the 3 mistakes. But everyone has heard the old saying, you can lead a horse to water. We are in the business of helping our customers solve a problem. Our ability to do that, is the sole reason we have a thriving business. We are here to help you through the entire process, and get a great deal.

4 Big Mistakes Investors make:
  1. INCOME... ContinuedThe rental income does not justify the $/sq. ft. purchase price.
  2. EXPENSES... Continued The monthly expenses are too high, relative to the property type and rental income produced.
  3. CAP RATE... Continued The capitalization rate is too low to justify the investment.
  4. HOA REGS... Continued The home owners association regulations are too restrictive, or do not permit the intended use. Frequently overlooked or glossed over by some sales people, the long run financial consequences are catastrophic if a mismatch occurs.
Avoid Costly $$$ Mistakes: Hire Brent. Costs you $0.