COVID-19, a possible Trump second term — should Canadian snowbirds sell their Florida vacation homes or ride out the storm?

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Toronto Star, by Douglas Quan, Vancouver Bureau Reporter, Published September 2, 2020 Victoria Purchase-Carter is not a fan of winter. This past February, the soon-to-be retired nurse and her husband, Roger Carter, of Corner Brook, N.L., snatched up a cute two- bedroom bungalow in a mobile home park near St. Petersburg, Fla. “The cold comes, I want to be surrounded by palm trees and Continue Reading

Coronavirus hits Sarasota-Manatee tourism hard

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By Laura Finaldi, published 18 August 2020 Sarasota Herald-Tribune - USA TODAY NETWORK Tourism in Sarasota County plummeted in April, May and June, the same time period when Florida as a whole saw a 60.5% drop in visitation. In the three months ending June 30, visitation in Sarasota fell by 67.9%, with the number of visitors falling to 111,800 compared to 348,000 in the same three Continue Reading

Victoria Model Lakewood National Golf

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Cindy Leathwood - Lennar New Home Consultant - Tours The Victoria Model In Lakewood National Golf - Lakewood Ranch - FL #Cindy Leathwood #Lakewood National Golf #Lennar Homes #Lakewood Ranch FL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzGWbBLYw7U&feature=emb_logo Continue Reading

Family Day At Bradenton Beach

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My neighbor is a video PRO and major YouTube content provider. Check out this video, including some amazing drone shots, of a day spent at the beach with the family. #Bradenton Beach # Bradenton FL #Travel Loop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EL1KtjE-SM&feature=youtu.be Continue Reading

New Flood Tool Gauges Risk Based On A Property’s Address – Florida Highlighted

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A nonprofit foundation released an extensive scientific analysis Monday that finds FEMA underestimates risk for 114K Fla. homes. The tool can gauge risk by address.   NEW YORK – The federal government underestimates the flood risk for 113,965 households and properties in Florida, a wide-ranging scientific analysis released Monday found. The First Street Foundation, a nonprofit Continue Reading

Buying A New Home Versus Buying A Used Home – The Pros & Cons

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New Homes:    1) You are the first person to live in your new home, and you get to choose your interior finishes.     2) New homes are built to the most recent hurricane building codes, and energy efficiency standards.   3) New homes comes with a one year warranty from Builder, and a 10 year structural warranty.      Used Homes:   1) You are 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.