Analysis: Fla.’s Tax Burden One of Lowest in U.S.

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By David Lightman Calif. Gov. Newsom says his state is “well worth the price” compared to Fla., but an analysis finds Fla. at No. 45 for overall tax burden while Calif. is No. 9. SACRAMENTO, Calif. – How do California’s taxes rank compared to other states like Florida or Texas? Californians do have a bigger tax burden than rival states Texas and Florida. WalletHub, a financial services firm, Continue Reading

Moves to a New State? Fla. Says ‘Hi’ More than ‘Bye’

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By Erica Plemmons Florida Realtors economist: For do-it-yourself moves, Fla. ranks second in the number of new entrants. Do-it-all movers rank Fla. as one of only four “inbound states.” ORLANDO, Fla – You can feel it on the roads – more people are moving to Florida. You’ve likely seen the trailers and moving trucks filled with their belongings too. The phenomenon is nothing new, and the latest Continue Reading

LAKEWOOD RANCH RANKS NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

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Press Releases,Waterside,Waterside Place Thursday - January 5, 2023 Lakewood Ranch was recognized as the best-selling, master-planned multi-generational community in the country for the fifth year in a row by RCLCO and John Burns, two independent real estate consulting firms. The Ranch saw 1,846 new home sales in 2022. Although sales were down from a record-breaking 2021, Lakewood Ranch Continue Reading

Ian Hit, First-Floor Condos Flooded: Who Pays?

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By Richard DeBoest II - 12 December 2022 - Sarasota Herald Tribune Staff Reporter A community association doesn’t have flood insurance and every first-floor unit had flood damage. Also: Do storms temporarily change Fla. law requirements? SARASOTA, Fla. – Question: I live on the bottom floor of a condominium building. My unit was flooded by Hurricane Ian. The association did not carry flood Continue Reading

First the Hurricane – Now Construction Scams

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By Derek Gilliam - Staff Writer - Sarasota Heard Tribune - 7 November 2022 Hurricane Ian victims are laser-focused on recovery, making some of them easy marks for scammers offering quick help. And scammers know that. SARASOTA, Fla. – Kathryn Schweitzer worked recently in the yard in front of her small, yellow house in a North Port neighborhood where mildewing furniture, drywall and other 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.