There is talk of making Lakewood Ranch into it's own city.  Even though it's a huge community with just about everything you need already in place, I'm not sure how happy the residents living there would be about this.  What would be the cost of turning Lakewood Ranch into it's own city?  What are the positives and the negatives of doing this?  I wonder how many people would move out of the area if this was passed?  I've not actually ever seen a community transition into a city, so I'm not sure what all is involved with the process and the expense to the residents if they do decide to do this.I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens and what is voted on.  Has anyone ever seen this process happen and how it works?  What was the outcome of it? 08/01/2007

More Choices Even in a down market, people are still selling property. In fact, the inventory of homes in our area is greater than ever. NegotiationBecause of the great amount of inventory, there is more pressure for the seller to accept your offer. The sellers have to compete, which leads to lower prices. Check how long the home has been on the market. The longer it was on the market, the more likely the seller will be willing to negotiate. Other benefits sellers may offer could include buyer bonuses, e.g. seller paid closing costs or vacation getaways. Chance to Trade upIn a down market you may afford the home you always dreamed of. Even if you sell and buy simultaneously, you'll still be ahead of the game because the price reduction on the purchase is greater than the loss on the sal... 07/31/2007

After months on the market your listing just expired?  You are probably upset with your Realtor, frustrated with the market, and trying to figure out what to do next.You don't want to make the same mistake twice.  Your mind is full of questions.  Did my Realtor do a good enough job?  Should I try to sell it myself?  Why aren't buyers interested in my property?  Why did no one even make an offer? If I do re-list the property, how do I find the right Realtor?These are all excellent questions that deserve some thought.Did my Realtor do a good enough job? Most sellers have a tendency to blame the Realtor when their house doesn't sell.  That's human nature.  None of us want to believe that WE could be the reason our home didn't sell.  Sellers tend to blame the Realtor; Realtors tend to blame... 07/31/2007

Flamingo Cay is a very quiet residential area with canal and bay front homes and condos and a neighborly community. It is located right next to Perico Bay. Enjoy wonderful sunsets and views of the water.Flamingo Cay is also a boater´s paradise. You have easy boat access to the inter coastal Waterway, only minutes to Open Gulf.A five-minute drive will have you at the Gulf of Mexico to enjoy the beautiful pristine sandy beaches.The community features a pool and tennis court.If you are interested in a Flamingo Cay Home, please give us a call @ 941.866.1666. 07/31/2007

The increasing number of foreclosures in the current down market does not only hurt those homeowners who loose their properties, but it influences housing prices throughout entire neighborhoods.Not only that low sales prices of foreclosed homes affect the market value of comparable homes in the area. Often these homes are vacant for months and nobody really takes care of them. What do you think will be the result for the neighborhood? Usually the values of the neighbor´s homes suffer, too! If there´s only one home, there may not be much of an effect. But if there is more than one, you'll see a significant effect - and the numbers of homeowners facing foreclosure are rising steadily all across Florida.If you are living in a neighborhood where a foreclosure sits vacant for a while and nob... 07/30/2007

I just commented on a post about attracting buyers with incentives and thought I would turn the comment into a post of my own....There is one phrase I've been using at every listing appointment, "Mr. and Mrs. Seller in order to sell your home in today's market your home must be the obvious best value."I then talk about the 4 factors that will determine WHEN and for HOW MUCH their home will sell: Location, Condition, Marketing, and Price.  Financing is a 5th factor that I sometimes talk about.Location: It is what it is, but it's important to highlight the good about the location.Condition: Buyer's expect the home to be in perfect condition and not sold "as is".Marketing: I tell them "That's my job, and I have a proven marketing strategy to get your home sold."Price: I tell them, "Price i... 07/29/2007

According to the Bradenton Herald, Bradenton City Officials want the owner o the 6 vacant acres on the southwest corner of Ninth Street East and Sixth Avenue East to change his building plans.The owner, a local developer - is usually focused on commercial and retail projects. But city officials want him to consider apartments for the site with retail spaces on the first floor. The Downtown Development Authority hopes a market study may convince him to do the project as they suggest or sell the land to another developer who will.The study will profile recent trends for rental apartments in Bradenton and compare it with other nearby areas. The property is located in an area the master plan labels "Intown Manatee," an area "already well established as a commercial Design District," accordi... 07/27/2007

Because of some criminal activity in Historic Wares Creek Neighborhood in Bradenton, there will be a neighborhood watch.Everybody who is interested is invited to join.The motto is: "Be a good neighbor. Be aware - Become involved. Let´s make crime more trouble than it´s worth!"There will be a phone chain, where everybody who is interested may be registered.The group is meeting next Monday 07-30-07 at the women's club @ 7pm. 07/26/2007

The Historic Wares Creek Neighborhood Association received the 2006 Program Volunteer Award from Keep Manatee Beautiful, based on its efforts to keep Wares Creek free of litter by hosting regular creek cleanups, according to Ingrid McClellan, executive director of Keep Manatee Beautiful. "This group surpassed the norm in doing litter cleanups," she said, adding that the Historic Wares Creek Neighborhood Association also received a 2006 Outstanding Adopt-A-Shore Program Award.      The award caught the attention of Sen. Bill Nelson, who sent the neighborhood association a letter of congratulations.  "This accomplishment represents a well-deserved recognition of the Historic Wares Creek Neighborhood's commitment and dedication to Manatee County," Sen. Nelson wrote. "I celebrate this achie... 07/26/2007

According to the National Association of Realtors, the Bradenton - Sarasota Real Estate Market rose 5 % in June, bucking the Florida trend.Statewide home sales still fell 30 percent during the month, comparing ro a year ago. In contrast, the sales in our area rose 5 percent.Only two other markets in Florida increased in June: Naples-Marco Island and Panama City.But despite of the increasing number of sales, the median price continued to fall to $ 292,700 which is a decrease of 10 percent.If you are looking for a home in the Bradenton - Sarasota area, give us a call @ 941.866.1666.For more information about the area visit our website @ www.SaleFL.com.  07/26/2007

Our local paper reported a 5 percent increase in home sales in our Bradenton - Sarasota market. This is good news since other Florida markets continue to face declining sales.Bradenton - Sarasota sales +5%Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater -35%Punta Gorda -33%Miami -47%Fort Myers-Cape Coral -37%You may read the article here.=================I'm Dan Forbes and I want to be your Realtor and resource for all your Bradenton Real Estate needs.(Copyright © 2007 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.) Dan Forbes, PL is a licensed Broker-Associate and Certified Residential Specialist serving the Bradenton - Sarasota, Florida market. He leads the Forbes Advantage Team at RE/MAX Gulfstream Realty's Lakewood Ranch Office. To learn more about buying a home or selling a home in the Bradenton - Sarasota Florida ... 07/26/2007

The Bradenton – Sarasota, Florida housing market slump has many sellers perplexed. How do you sell a home in a down market? This article will help. Only about 3 to 4 percent of the homes in our local Multiple Listing Service are selling in any given month this summer of 2007. That’s a far cry away from our hot market of 2005 when 50 percent of the active listings sold each month. What can sellers do to attract buyers? Here are a few tips. Tip #1 – Remember that price is about 80 percent of selling a home. If buyers can easily find your home for sale in the Multiple Listing Service and it’s still not selling, it’s probably a price problem. Getting the price right is imperative in a down market. If you miss pricing the home correctly and months pass by, you have lost valuable time and mon... 07/26/2007

Perico Island is located only minutes from the finest sand beaches on Anna Maria Island. You will find a perfect winter get-a-way or the perfect home for you and your family. Easy living in a private, tranquil setting in Association with heated pool with BBQ area, sauna and a lakeside tennis court. Perico Bay club is a bayfront community on Perico Island. It is surrounded by water and situated on an island in Palma Sola Bay. This gated + monitored community will impress you with it's elegant resort lifestyle, tennis courts, pools, walking paths,club house with library. View Homes for Sale on Perico Island @ www.perico-island.info. 07/25/2007

Lakeside II @ Creekwood is a popular neighborhood just minutes from I-75 and SR 70. You will find a quiet well established neighborhood of single-family homes. Great location near to shopping and dining and only a short drive to the most beautiful beaches on the gulf coast or to downtown Bradenton and Sarasota. The community features community pools, tennis courts and great events.Homesites offer views of lakes, wooded preserves, parks and natural wildlife and are arranged in small, family-oriented villages where neighbors are likely to become friends. See Homes for Sale @ Creekwood: www.creek-wood.info. 07/25/2007

    Helping you with your unique buying need is something I take professionally serious. I realize that you are currently in the information gathering stage, and may not be ready to "open up" about who you are, or what your needs are at this time. Be assured this is perfectly okay, and that I completely respect your online privacy.    Also, keep in mind that our ability to help you is dependent upon understanding your particular needs and wants with respect to finding a home. So when you are ready to explore your real estate needs further, I will be happy to assist you.    People often make their home purchase decisions based on "WHO" they will work with, as well as "WHAT" they have to offer.  I would like the opportunity to  share who Premier Team is and what we can offer you, should y... 07/25/2007

I just found this on MSN real estate"A new report projects home-price declines for the next two years. The riskiest markets are in Florida, California, Nevada and Arizona. Here's how to ride out the hard times. "As if the housing market isn't bleak enough. The Standard & Poors' Case-Shiller Home Price Index reported in late June that home prices dropped more in the first quarter of this year than at any other quarter in the last 17 years. Now, a report from PMI Mortgage Insurance says home values could decline across much of the country for at least two more years. "There's a 34.6% chance on average that home prices will drop in the nation's top 50 markets in the next couple of years, according to PMI Mortgage Insurance's new U.S. Market Risk Index, which heavily factors in recent price... 07/19/2007

Meet Premier Team Inc., Realtors of Bradenton, Florida.  Front: Dan Forbes and Marie Avery, Brokers and business partnersBack: Lee Forbes, Realtor, Buyer's SpecialistJean Trousdale, Client Care ManagerJenean Avery, Support Specialist We specialize in smooth transactions.  As Certified Residential Specialists we have the credentials, expertise, and experience to provide the best to seller and buyers in the Bradenton real estate market.Please visit our web site at http://www.BradentonRealEstate.com and our Investor club's site http://www.BradentonRealEstateClub.com(Copyright © 2007 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.) Dan Forbes, PL is a licensed Broker-Associate and Certified Residential Specialist serving the Bradenton - Sarasota, Florida market. He leads the Forbes Advantage Team at RE... 07/17/2007

I have just created a new Squidoo lens for Bradenton Real Estate.  Feel free to pop over and check it out.  I contains information about Bradenton and links to other real esate areas near by.  If you have any questions feel free to email me and I will be happy to answer your questions. Bradenton Real Estate Lens Here 07/14/2007

A few months ago I listed a small home in Bradenton for $200,000. It was a cute home in a nice established neighborhood.I explained to the Seller that we would know if the price was right but the number of showings and feedback from buyers.We had a lot of showings!We also received about 5 offers all around $185,000. Each offer was rejected by the seller, against my advice. (I always counsel that we should, at least, make a counter-offer).This was a difficult seller and I ended up terminating the listing.I see the home listed in the MLS now with another agent for $189,900. Since the market has declined significantly, I'm wondering if even $185,000 is possible today.In this Buyer's market, most sellers are praying for at least ONE offer. POINT: If you receive multiple offers all around th... 07/13/2007

According to a new study by Bizjournals, the Web site of American City Business Journals Inc., the Bradenton, Sarasota area makes place 2 on their list of the best 10 places to start a business in the country!Bizjournals used a 12-part formula to rate the vitality of small businesses in the nation's 75 largest metropolitan areas. Place 1-3 went to Florida!!!The top 10 areas for starting a business are:   1. Orlando   2. Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.   3. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla.   4. Las Vegas   5. Jacksonville, Fla.   6. Raleigh, N.C.   7. Washington, D.C.   8. Salt Lake City, Utah   9. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks, Calif.  10. Minneapolis-St. PaulIf you´re interested in moving to this area, please give us a call. We will be glad to help you with all your Real Estate and Financing needs! 07/12/2007