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SENATE OFFERS HOME BUYERS $15,000 TAX BREAK TO STIMULATE HOME SALES IN SARASOTA AND VENICE FLORIDA
Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 9:50am. 337 Views, 0 Comments.
The Senate on Wednesday voted to expand the economic stimulus package with a tax credit for homebuyers of up to $15,000, a provision championed by Republicans as addressing a root cause of the recession.
The vote to add the tax credit, at a cost of about $18.5 billion, came as Senate leaders seemed to be nearing completion of negotiations. The majority leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, suggested that a final vote on the stimulus plan could come on Thursday.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO GIVE THE $7,500 HOME-BUYER TAX CREDIT ANOTHER LOOK IF YOU’RE BUYING A HOME IN SARASOTA, FL!
Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 9:50am. 356 Views, 0 Comments.
According to an article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, Congress may be on the verge of transforming the $7,500 tax credit into a true tax credit -- one that never has to be paid back.
On Jan. 15, the House Democratic leadership outlined its $825 billion economic stimulus package. In the tax section was a significant improvement to last July's congressional effort to stimulate home sales. That program offered a credit of up to $7,500 to purchasers who had never bought a house or hadn't owned one during the previous three years. To qualify, taxpayers would need to close on a house between April 8, 2008, and this coming July 1.
But relatively few consumers were attracted to the plan because unlike virtually all other federal tax credits, this one had to…
TEN THINGS TO DO IN VENICE, FLORIDA!
Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 9:42am. 3392 Views, 0 Comments.
1) MAIN STREET -. Main Street is a Palm tree lined boulevard with small shops, restaurants and a park with something for everyone. Some of the stores are filled with typical tourist fare but there are also art stores, clothing stores, specialty shops and some great sidewalk cafes. Stores are open in the evenings during 'the season' from January through April when the snow birds come down to escape northern winters. You can window shop all year and there are two ice cream shops always open late and plenty of park benches along the way. The small park downtown now has a water feature that kids can run through on hot days.
2) VENICE BEACH - Venice Beach is just four blocks from Main Street, down along a beautiful tree lined boulevard. The huge oaks are…
BIRDS AND BIRD WATCHERS LOVE SARASOTA FLORIDA
Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 9:42am. 281 Views, 0 Comments.
According to an article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, there are swarms of birds on the marsh-like 300 acres that was once a working celery farm. The main event each day is the return of the Sandhill Cranes, large gray birds with 6-foot wingspans made for soaring. "They stand in the ponds overnight because it's safer," says Jeanne Dubi, a lifelong bird-watcher and Sarasota Audubon Society president. The cranes come by the hundreds, which makes this place a birding hot spot in what Dubi calls one of the "birdier" states in the nation.
This is birding season, when some birds flock to west Florida for the winter and many more pass through, in coming months, on their way to their summer haunts.
Along with them come the bird lovers, who must eat and stay…
DOWNPAYMENT FOR YOUR HOME IN SARASOTA
Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 9:41am. 250 Views, 0 Comments.
According to an article by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there is some misinformation in the media lately about the required size of a down payment for a mortgage in today’s market, and the blog world is abuzz with misperceptions. Not all so-called experts are knowledgeable in this area, and some experts are being misunderstood.
The facts:
1. An individual may be required to put down 20 percent based on that person’s financial situation. But that is not an across-the-board requirement for all borrowers.
2. A borrower who puts down less than 20 percent is required to obtain mortgage insurance.
3. Even in a declining market, a borrower is required to make at least a 5 or 10 percent down payment.
4. FHA requires a 3.5…TIPS FOR MOVING OR TRAVELING WITH PETS!
Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 9:39am. 279 Views, 0 Comments.
According to The Move Advocate, expert Rachel Farris, Relocation Specialist at PetRelocation.com, gives her the three top things to keep in mind as a pet owner moving with pets.
1. Make Friends with the Travel Crate—Whether you travel by car or by air, the crate your pet travels in will be his “home” during the trip and it’s crucial that your pet feels comfortable in it ahead of time. If you don’t already have a crate, now is the time to get one and get your pet used to it well in advance of the actual move. This will help your pet’s stress levels on your move date. Many pet stores offer crate training classes. Additionally you can try feeding your pet in the crate on a daily basis to help ease the transition.
2. Pick a Frequent Fido Flier—Did you…
BUYERS LURED TO BARGAIN LUXURY PROPERTIES IN SARASOTA, CASEY KEY AND SIESTA KEY, FLORIDA
Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 8:36am. 212 Views, 0 Comments.
According to an article in Newsweek International, prices for luxury second-home markets are falling out of the stratosphere–and attracting buyers who were previously priced out of the market.
The active buyers have changed from the typical 65-year-old retiree who has sold his business or retired from a high-salaried job to a younger person who sees opportunity in declining markets.
“Those who need to sell will do so for substantially less than they would have six months ago,” says Charles Weston-Baker, managing director of Savills, U-K real estate services provider.
TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA
Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 8:25am. 606 Views, 0 Comments.
1. Siesta Key Beach – Beach connoisseurs and travel experts (not to mention a team of scientists and “Dr. Beach,” an esteemed coastal geologist) have long sung the praises of Siesta Key’s sand. There are countless tales confirming its sparkling purity, each angular grain near perfect in its undiluted fineness. Ironically, the sand is soft and cool because the quartz is hard. Like a diamond, it's a gem in its own right. The beautiful turquoise water of the gulf and sunsets certainly add to the beauty. Don't forget Siesta Key Village that is just a hop, skip and jump away from the beach. There are great restaurants and stores to wander though.
2. Ringling Museum of Art - John and Mabel Ringling were avid art collectors, and they left their collection,…
TIPS FOR PACKING FOR A MOVE INEXPENSIVELY FOR YOUR MOVE TO SARASOTA
Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 8:23am. 185 Views, 0 Comments.
An article in RISMEDIA had some great tips for packing for moving your household whether you’re moving across town or across the country.
Here’s a list of tips designed to save time and money.
1. Pare down. Clean and downsize (dispose of things you haven’t used in a while) before you even start the process. It’ll be easier to set up afterward.
2. Create a system. As you pack, put room labels on each box. For instance, write “kitchen” on the box of dishes and “living room” on the box containing trinkets for the coffee table. This system will save steps whether you use professional movers or friends.
3. Prepare a kitchen kit. Create a “start-up box” for your new kitchen. You don’t need a full set of pots or utensils. You just need the basics to make…
ENGLEWOOD FLORIDA IS A TOP U.S. DESTINATION FOR A VACATION IN 2009
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 11:36am. 168 Views, 0 Comments.
According to an article by Trip Advisor, you should make your way to some of Florida's best beaches and scenic nature preserves to enjoy the Florida lifestyle. Englewood is considered to be the 'gem of the Suncoast' with its tropical climate and gorgeous views of the bay. You can take a boat out onto the ocean, practice your golf swing at an area golf course, or just enjoy the Caribbean and Cajun fare at one of several beachfront restaurants.
You can also head up the ‘Trail” a little and also visit the Venice area as well as Sarasota and all it has to offer. Siesta Key is another beautiful beach community. It has been voted the “best white sand beach” in the nation. You could easily spend weeks enjoying all that the Southwest Florida area has to…
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