Major Milestone in West Villages (Venice)

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The development of the West Villages reaches a major milestone this week with the groundbreaking of the community’s first retail center. For the approximately 5,000 homeowners who now live in the West Villages’ seven neighborhoods, retail is a top priority since none exists yet in this Mattamy Homes master-planned community. “Retail transforms neighborhoods,” Christine Masney, West Villages Continue Reading

2018 will be another GREAT YEAR for Florida real estate: the 30 second explanation

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In the spirit of full disclosure, this has been our market forecast for 2015 – 2016 – 2017 and now 2018. The only revision is the final 3 major risk factors we identify. Conventional wisdom states 3 key metrics drive housing prices: Economy Consumer Confidence Interest Rates The US economy is in good shape, but further improvement would be welcomed. Consumer confidence is Continue Reading

SRQ market area update (Sarasota | Bradenton | Lakewood Ranch | Venice | West Villages) boasts 2 of the top 10 selling MPCs in all of USA

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FLORIDA Master planned communities 2017 sales report. “Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota has made regular appearances near the top of the list for several years, benefiting from high-quality schools, a location adjacent to I-75, great recreational amenities, and the inclusion of a substantial employment center and numerous retail and entertainment options. West Villages, located several miles south of Continue Reading

Doctors in southwest Florida report increase in patients reporting breathing problems.

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NBC NEWS by Annie Rose Ramos / Sep.02.2018 / 6:08 AM ET SIESTA KEY, Fla. — It started with a tickle in her throat. Then came the coughing, then the headaches. When the symptoms began earlier this summer, Monet Sexaure, 40, who is four months pregnant, couldn’t understand what was causing them. “I thought I was coming down with a cold,” she said. “But I never got a cold.” Then Sexaure Continue Reading

Florida declares a state of emergency as red tide kills animals and disrupts tourism

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Reprinted from The Washington Post August 14, 2018 By Joel Achenbach, Washington Post Reporter, Kate Furby, AAAS Mass Media Fellow, Alex Horton, Washington Post Reporter Florida’s governor this week made official what residents of southwest Florida already knew: The bloom of toxic algae that has darkened gulf waters is an emergency. The red tide has made breathing difficult for locals, 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.