Study: Florida No. 1 in Welcoming New Residents

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Lendingtree.com: In 2016, new residents brought $30.2 billion into Fla., with about 72% of that increased income coming from new residents age 55 and over. NEW YORK – Using IRS data from 2016, LendingTree found Florida the most popular place to move. New residents that year bought in a combined adjusted gross income of $30.2 billion. According to the study, the age 55 and up demographic Continue Reading

Florida Faces Apartment Shortage

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The state needs to add more than 600K new apartments by 2030 to keep up with the state’s growing population and demand for rentals, according to the Florida Apartment Association. TAMPA, Fla. – A growing number of residents in Florida are turning to renting instead of homeownership, spurring a shortage of apartments. Data from the Florida Apartment Association indicates that the state would Continue Reading

Florida Senators Introduce the “Canadian Snowbirds Act”

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Senate Bill 2507, introduced by Scott and Rubio, would allow Canadian snowbirds to stay in the U.S. for up to eight months – an increase from the current six months. WASHINGTON – Florida’s U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott think Canadians should be allowed to stay in the United States longer than the current mandatory six months, so they introduced the Canadian Snowbirds Act (S. 2507) in Continue Reading

More Lakewood Ranch Development Coming Near Waterside Place

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By Laura Finaldi, Staff Writer, Bradenton Herald Tribune, published September 11, 2019 A new 50-acre mixed-use development called Center Point is planned for a parcel on the south side of University Parkway, according to plans. More retail is coming to Lakewood Ranch, near the massive Waterside development designed to transform the area south of University Parkway and east of Interstate Continue Reading

FLORIDA IS NOT PREPARED FOR A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE

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Florida has hardened building codes and has the toughest storm-resistant homes in the U.S.  But they still can’t endure Cat 4 or 5 hurricane winds and storm surge. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Since Hurricane Andrew targeted South Florida in the early 1990s, the state has consistently adjusted its statewide codes and systems to account for an increasing intensity of hurricanes. The Continue Reading

LAKEWOOD RANCH NO. 1 IN THE NATION – FOR HOUSING STARTS IN SECOND QUARTER – PRESS RELEASE

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Lakewood Ranch led the nation in housing starts for the second quarter of 2019, according to Metrostudy, a leading research and consulting firm specializing in U.S. residential markets. The Ranch’s 1,561 new home starts exceeded those of other top-selling communities in Florida, Texas, Nevada and California. “With a broad offering of new homes for every stage of your life coupled with a long Continue Reading

Florida to see population boom over coming years as SALT deductions remain capped. Source Brittany De Lea, Fox Business News, 8/13/2019

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Florida - already the recipient of the largest number of out-of-state movers in the country - is likely to see its population boom while temporary provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act remain in effect. According to upwardly revised population estimates from The Demographic Estimating Conference, growth in the Sunshine State will spike over the coming years. A number of the tax law's Continue Reading

Lakewood Ranch makes list of top wellness communities

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By Michael Moore Jr., Writer Herald Tribune, July 14, 2019 Lakewood Ranch may be one of the healthiest communities around, based on a recent rating by a Southern lifestyle magazine. The 31,000-acre community, with more than 36,000 residents, was named to the "Best Wellness Environment" category in the fourth annual "Best of the Best" issue of ideal-LIVING. The community was recognized for Continue Reading

Atlanta Braves turn biker bar into baseball bar in West Villages FL

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By Chris Anderson, Herald Tribune, 7-1-2019 It used to be an old biker haunt called Tarzan’s Jungle Bar, and you couldn’t miss it. Just look for the strange giant elephant on the side of the road, turn, and there it was. Of course that was before the Atlanta Braves came to town and changed everything. Tarzan’s is now called Jo Jo’s Stadium Café & Pub. It’s still nestled in the pines on the Continue Reading

Taylor Morrison building 2 new communities in LWR

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By John Hielscher, Staff Writer, Herald Tribune, 6-27-2019 The company plans to build 1,750 signature homes in two neighborhoods on 991 acres. Home builder Taylor Morrison has started land development on what will become a 1,750-home community in LWR. The company plans to build two neighborhoods on 991 acres. Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch, one of its signature Esplanade resort 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.