Real Estate and Mortgage
Curt McGurt
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Posts by Curt McGurt
Sarasota Florida Real Estate – Good Time To Buy?
Nov 16th
Are you looking for a great place to invest your money or buy a vacation home? Consider Sarasota, Florida has a great place to plunk down some money. Home prices have been slashed in half in many areas of Sarasota. Interest rates are near all time lows, property taxes are down, there are plenty of great properties to buy and prices have dropped dramatically.
Sarasota Florida real estate prices are down to the point where it is possible to achieve a break even or positive cash flow. We have not seen that in over 10 years. Some neighborhoods are seeing 2000 or before home prices.
Many investors use cash flows as a way to value property. Commercial real estate is often valued this way. For example, if a strip mall produces a $50,000 net operating income and you can buy the strip mall for $500,000 then the capitalization rate (cap rate) is 10%. Investors will determine the viability of an investment based on the cash it creates.
If you were to analyze Sarasota residential real estate over the years you would notice a dramatic improvement in the rate of return on a single family home. Take a $300,000 home in 2005 that produced a net income of $10,000 a year. That comes to a cap rate of 3.6%. That same house may now be worth $150,000 and still produce a $10,000 net income. The cap rate is now 6.6%.
Where else can you generate returns of 11.25%? You won’t find it in government debt, bank certificate of deposits or most equities. This increased rate of return has brought many real estate investors back to the market. This signals a bottoming of the market.
Some real estate investors figure that the floor in home prices will come when a person can buy a home, get a mortgage and produce a break even cash flow. In the lower end of the Sarasota real estate market this is achievable. As prices continue to fall the rate of return improves. These returns will attract more investors who will eat up the excess inventory of homes for sale. This will ultimately create a balance between supply and demand and kick start appreciation again.
Will you accurately predict the bottom of the Sarasota FL real estate market?
Most likely you won’t. If you do it will be luck. Some will buy before the bottom, at the bottom and after the bottom. If you are within 5% of it then you are probably doing pretty well. If your time frame for owning real estate is many years then it is not as important to pinpoint the bottom.
The real estate boom years of 2003 to 2005 gave people the need for instant gratification. 10 years ago most people who purchased a home had the mindset that it was going to take awhile before they could rich off of real estate. They were in it for the long haul and had a time horizon of many years. That all changed during the real estate boom when people expected to make huge returns every month on their home. We have gone back to how real estate used to be. Rome was not built in a day.
View all Sarasota Real Estate for sale.
St. Armands Circle Real Estate
Nov 16th
* Gorgeous beach within a short walk * Gorgeous homes of all shapes and sizes * Walk to numerous restaurants with tasty meals * Walk to shopping * Walk to Starbucks * Walk to day spa for facial, massage and pedicure
Does the above location sound like the perfect place to live? If that interests you then you should explore St. Armands Circle real estate on the west coast of Florida. Very places offer all of these amenities in one location. This is a great place to call home as you have all of these luxuries within footsteps of your home.
St. Armands Circle is located on St. Armands Key just a few miles west of downtown Sarasota, Florida. Circus mogul John Ringling purchased this property in 1917. “The Circle” as described by locals is a fabulous shopping and dining destination with European flair laid out in a circle. The large roundabout circles a tranquil park which hosts numerous public events year-round.
Real estate is diverse around St. Armands Circle. You will find a modest home all of the way to the palatial waterfront estates on North Washington Drive that overlook the bay and downtown Sarasota skyline. Prices start in the $300,000′s and go into the multi-millions. The highest sale here was $7,400,000. Many of the older homes have been torn down to make way for newer structures.
Residents of St. Armands Circle also have the luxuries of downtown Sarasota, Southside shopping district and Westfield Southgate mall within a very short drive. Take a quick drive over the Ringling bridge and you have a whole new set of shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Sarasota, Florida is a fabulous beach town. It is popular amongst snowbirds escaping the harsh northern winters and those looking to live the nice life in the Florida sunshine. Sarasota offers a good mix of residents with varying age ranges. More and more young families are being drawn to this area for the clean living, safe environment, great schools and gorgeous beaches.
St. Armands Circle real estate will not match everyone’s budgets or tastes. There are plenty of other home and condo options in Sarasota. Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Casey Key, Lakewood Ranch are a few of the other great spots to consider living. Real estate is diverse and can accommodate most desires.
View all St. Armands Circle Real Estate
categories: Sarasota,Florida,real estate,home,condo,property,finance,retirement,investing,travel,destinations,condominium,leisure
Bird Key Real Estate
Nov 12th
Need water for your boat? Consider the homes of Bird Key. Imagine jumping on your boat behind your house and spending a day on the waters around Sarasota, Florida. Bird Key is a fabulous neighborhoods of just over 500 homes off the coast of Sarasota. It provides a fabulous quality of life, great weather, magnificent homes and a great place to live.
Bird Key real estate offers some of the most amazing homes in Sarasota, Florida. There are no condominiums on Bird Key as it only allows single family homes. Take a drive through the island and you will be impressed by the pretty homes, lush landscaping and tremendous pride of ownership.
If you want to do something fun then take a trip around the island on a boat. This is one of the best way to look at Bird Key real estate. You will see some amazing homes on the bay and canals. The island was developed in the 1960′s however many of the older structures were torn down to make way for newer, modern homes. The Bird Key homes on the bay offer some of the most majestic water views in Sarasota, Florida.
Many people live on Bird Key because of the convenience it affords. Need a little beach action? Lido Key beach is within a long walk, short bike ride or even shorter car ride. Siesta Key and Longboat Key beach are also not very far. If you are a shopper or enjoy eating out both St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota are minues away.
Sarasota offers many amenities that will allow you to live the Florida lifestyle in comfort. If Bird Key does not meet your needs or wants there is always Longboat Key, Lido Key, Casey Key, Siesta Key and Lakewood Ranch. Sarasota offers a variety of housing and condo options to fit just about any budget.
Chance McGee will show you all Bird Key Real Estate for sale.
categories: bird key,sarasota,florida,real estate,home,condo,investment,vacation home,finance,mortgage,travel,destinations
Three Beachfront Longboat Key Condos
Nov 10th
Are you heading towards retirement or looking for the perfect vacation or winter residence on the beach? If you want your day to consist of swimming in a heated pool, walking along a gorgeous beach, dining at a fabulous restaurant on St. Armands Circle, going boating in the Sarasota bay or just lounging on your terrace overlooking the beach then you should consider owning a place on Longboat Key, Florida.
Longboat Key is a beautiful barrier island off the coast of Sarasota and on the west coast of Florida. It is very easy to get to. If you live outside of Florida you can fly right into Tampa or Sarasota and be playing in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in no time. This 11 mile long barrier island is a popular destination for many around the world who wish to slow down and enjoy the good life.
People from the north come down to Longboat Key, Florida during the winter to escape the harsh, cold winters and spend some time on the beach relaxing and soaking up the sun. Longboat Key condos are a popular option for people who want the maintenance free option. Here are are 3 fabulous Longboat Key condo communities to consider:
1) Sunset Beach – This is a fabulous community on the south end of Longboat Key. There are 65 units in three buildings on the beach. One building sits right on the beach and offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and the beach. Amenities include swimming pool, covered parking, gated and lush landscaping. As far as prices go Sunset Beach is in the middle of the road.
2) Water Club – This is another popular Longboat Key condo. There are 2 two towers with a total of 172 units. Most of them have fabulous water views. One tower was built in 1996 and the other in 1999 so they have large windows, plenty of natural light, high ceilings and spacious terraces. Water Club is located on the south end of Longboat Key so residents have easy access into Sarasota and St. Armands Circle.
3) Sanctuary – Behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club on the south end of the island sits the charming beachfront community of the Sanctuary. This lovely community provides residents with easy access to the beach, world class golf and tennis facilities at the Longboat Key Club and exciting times at St. Armands Circle and all of the luxuries of Sarasota. These condos are spacious and offer fabulous water and beach views.
There are a variety of Longboat Key condos to choose from. You can find anything from a cozy studio apartment not too far from the beach all of the way to a lavish penthouse unit overlooking the majestic Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of your budget and tastes you are sure to find something that offers you the best of the Florida lifestyle.
View hundreds of Longboat Key Florida condos for sale
categories: condos,real estate,property,longboat key,sarasota,finance,investing,travel,destinations,leisure,retirement,florida,property
Getting Rich With Sarasota Florida Real Estate
Nov 7th
Looking for a great place to invest? Now might be a great time to explore owning rental properties. Sarasota FL real estate offers the potential for a high rate of return on your money. Sarasota offers several clean and safe communities to own a rental property that generates a good cash flow.
Despite the current real estate meltdown, incredible wealth can be created by owning rental properties. The real estate market runs in cycles. Sometimes it is hot, sometimes it is not. If you purchase property with the mindset that you will own it for many years to come you can increase your net worth and cash flows nicely. This real estate market has been declining for nearly 5 years. The market is showing signs of a bottom.
Currently, in Sarasota, Florida you are able to find a nice home in a safe neighborhood for under $100,000. Don’t expect a waterfront mansion but a simple house that would make a good home for a family. The lower end of the market has been hit hard because of the distressed sales. A $250,000 home in 2005 may only be worth $100,000 today.
Creating wealth with Sarasota FL real estate
Imagine how much wealth will be created through Sarasota real estate for those who bought near the bottom. Even if real estate stays sideways for awhile and then appreciates slowly you will see plenty of wealth created.
Imagine buying a rental property today for $100,000. If you achieved a modest 4% a year appreciation rate in 20 years that home would be worth $219,112. The great thing is that these homes can now be purchased with little to no negative cash flow every month.
Now imagine if you bought 5 or 10 of these homes over the next 5 years. If you paid off the mortgage on all of these homes over the next 20 years you would have a nice little portfolio of homes producing a comfortable cash flow every month and sizable estate.
Great Sarasota Neighborhoods
There are several great places in Sarasota, Florida to find these types of homes. A few of them include Sarasota Springs, Gulf Gate, South Gate, Greenbrook Village in Lakewood Ranch and Lake Sarasota. These neighborhoods are clean, safe and can be rented relatively easy. I would feel comfortable owning homes in any of these communities. Consider Sarasota real estate for making a quality long term rental investment.
View thousands of Sarasota Florida real estate opportunities
categories: sarasota,florida,home,rental property,real estate,condo,investing,finance,business,wealth,investment
Live In Paradise – Positano Longboat Key
Nov 3rd
If you ever wanted to own a slice of paradise on the beach then this may be the perfect time. Real estate prices have declined even in the luxury market on the beach. Longboat Key, Florida is a fabulous place to invest in a retirement or vacation place. It offers a variety of home and condos to choose from.
Longboat Key, Florida is a charming barrier island in Sarasota and Manatee county. It conveniently located just off Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida. All of the amenities of these 2 cities are within a short drive. This 11 mile long barrier island attracts people from all over the world. Northerners come down to Longboat Key to escape the harsh winters and enjoy the sunshine, golf courses, tennis, pretty beaches, abundance of fine and casual dining spots, fun activities and a superior quality of life.
One community in high demand are the Positano Longboat Key condos. These magnificent beachfront condos will provide you with comfort, relaxation and style.
Positano condos on Longboat Key, Florida were finished in 2007. There are few new beachfront condos in the Sarasota, Florida area. Many of the condos on the beach don’t offer the luxuries of a newer property like large windows, high ceilings, numerous amenities and spacious terraces. Because they are newer they are in high demand.
Positano is a low density complex. Unlike other Longboat Key condos where there are hundreds of condo units Positano only has 29 units on 10 acres. Thus the community is more peaceful with fewer people running around. It is great for those who wish to live the beach lifestyle in privacy.
Condos in Positano start around $2 million. It used to be more but the current real estate market has corrected prices a bit. This makes it a great time to buy that luxurious beachfront condo that you have always dreamt about.
View all Positano Longboat Key FL for sale.
categories: real estate,condos,florida,longboat,sarasota,travel,destinations,retiring,investing,mortgage,outdoors,leisure
Longboat Key Real Estate – Buy A Vacation Home
Nov 2nd
Is it time to start looking for that vacation home or condo that you have always dreamed about? Real estate prices have declined in most areas across the country. Now may be the perfect time to invest in a second home in a fabulous place to spend the winters or your retirement.
Life is short and sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses. You can only chase the almighty dollar for so long before you need to enjoy them. If you have the capital to own a vacation home then this might be the perfect time to start looking.
You should look into Longboat Key, Florida. This is a fabulous island paradise off of Sarasota on the west coast of Florida. People from all over the world come to Longboat Key to enjoy the sun, sand and water. Northerners come here every year to escape the snow and dreariness.
Condos and single family homes are plentiful on the island. Longboat Key real estate ranges from a small home on the north end of the island to a palatial waterfront estate to a magnificent penthouse on the beach. Regardless of where you live on Longboat Key you can rest assure that the beach is not very far away.
Condos range from converted apartments in the $100,000′s all of the way to a magnificent newer condo home in the multi-millions. Some of the finest beachfront condos include Positano, En Provence, Water Club, La Firenza and Vizcaya. Other beachfront condos with great value include Sunset Beach, Beachplace, Seaplace, Longboat Key Towers, Islands West and the Islander Club.
Many don’t want to live in such close proximity to neighbors and decide on a single family home. There are many great neighborhoods on Longboat Key. Some of them include Country Club Shores, The Bayou, Bay Isles, Corey’s Landing and “The Village” on the north end of the island.
Longboat Key offers easy access to Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida where you can find a variety of shopping, restaurants, attractions, arts, culture and golf courses. Residents of Longboat Key can also head south to the St. Armands Circle which is a popular shopping and dining destination.
A vacation home is a great way to stay healthy and unstressed. Imagine days where your biggest decision consists of whether to spend your time on the beach, golf course, shopping, dining or boating. That is healthy living. If this sounds fantastic then put Longboat Key, Florida on your list of places to explore.
Stunning Longboat Key FL real estate for sale.
categories: florida,longboat key,sarasota,real estate,home,condo,travel,destinations,outdoors,investing,finance
Tips To Locating The Best Sarasota Homes For Sale
Sep 17th
Finding a home to purchase has never been easier. The internet has transformed the real estate industry and how home buyers seek out and find their next purchase. Buyers used to scour the Sunday newspaper or various real estate magazines to view homes for sale. Times have definitely changed. It is so much easier to look at property now.
Locating a home today is much easier than it used to be. Before the internet change the real estate industry buyers would either get a list of homes for sale from a Realtor, scour the Sunday newspaper or real estate magazines. Today a home buyer can access just about every property for sale via the internet from the comfort of their own home. Photos of the home, virtual tours, movies, neighborhood information, maps and property descriptions are all available 24 hours a day 7 days a week from several real estate websites. Here are 5 tips to help you find your next dream home:
1) Surf the internet – If you want to view virtually everything for sale then hop on the internet and scour your local real estate websites. In my town a buyer can view thousands of Sarasota homes for sale within seconds. It is so easy to stay on top of what is available for sale.
2) Hire a great Realtor – If you don’t feel like searching on your own then let your Realtor do that for you. Find a reputable agent that is experienced and has great market knowledge. They can save a bunch of time.
3) Establish a budget – too many go running out to look at homes before they figure out what they can or want to afford. If you are only able to purchase a $200,000 don’t go looking at homes for $400,000. You will only be heart broken when you fall in love with that house you can’t buy.
4) Sit down with a lender – Make an appointment with your bank, mortgage lender or broker. Many people assume that they can get financing when they really cannot. Five years ago just about anyone get a mortgage. Times sure have changed. Today you have to prove income, have reasonably good credit and a steady history of both. There are exceptions to this. Banks wants to lend money but they just want to make sure that they are going to get it back.
5) Make a list of wants/needs – Before you start your real estate search make a list of all of things you need and want. Do you need 4 bedrooms? A swimming pool? Large yard? Certain school district? There are plenty of homes for sale out there. You need to narrow down what will work and not work for you.
Follow these 5 tips to finding a home and you will save yourself plenty of time and energy. You would be surprised how many people start looking at homes first and then do all of these things later. If you hire a good Realtor, figure out what you like and don’t like and get pre-approved for a mortgage then finding a home to buy will be easier than you think.
Juan Allon – Finding The Best Sarasota Homes For Sale
categories: real estate,home,house,sarasota,florida,business,finance,investing,travel,destination
Real Estate In Florida For Beach Lovers
Sep 8th
Florida is the perfect destination for beach lovers. If you are looking for scenic beauty, Florida is where you can make a real estate investment. Florida sports incredible beaches and offers a wide variety of options for investing in real estate. In addition, beach destinations like Sarasota offer you the long awaited break and seclusion you deserve. Potential home buyers have a wide array of Sarasota FL real estate to choose from.
The tropical beaches here are relaxing and breathtakingly beautiful with palm trees swaying in the wind blowing over pristine sand. The water is clear, mild, and calm, and the beaches are lush as well as cozy. The beaches in Sarasota are a paradise for surfers, and the breakers here are intoxicating. Siesta Key is surely a treat no one should miss. The glistening sand on the beach is fine and is made up of pure quartz. Every year, the authorities hold a competition here for Sand Sculpting. You would love the feel of the soft, clean white sand at Crescent Beach as well. A key feature of some beaches such as Vero Beach is Treasure Hunting, and there is a story of a Spanish Fleet hitting the East Coast reefs in the year 1715.
Some beaches are well known for their shells. A few of them have nearly 400 different kinds of shells. A short distance from Sarasota, Sanibel organizes its Sanibel Shell Fair once every year, and the Sanibel community is dedicated to preserving its magnificence. Shark teeth that have fossilized for over centuries are another special attraction. People even rent mesh scoops to dig them out. While bigger ones are generally found if you go snorkeling, smaller ones can easily be found the beach itself.
The beaches are famous for their cleanliness and safety. A romantic beach in Sarasota is always a perfect place to walk hand in hand with your loved one. It drains out your exhaustion and refreshes you, not to mention there is ample scope for scuba diving, yachting, cruising, and water skiing.
Investing in these types of properties is the best bargain if one enjoys the sun and water. Condos are available to suit everyone’s needs as regards to size, location and other details. There are several firms in Sarasota that can help you in your quest. Realtors can aide you in finding the exact kind of property you desire. However, one must budget for it first. Certain factors like conveyance, parks, churches etc must be account for before investing in any property. In addition, as more people are showing interest in such properties in Sarasota, the prices may have bottomed as inventories have decreased dramatically. This could be a tremendous time to make a great investment.
View all Sarasota Real Estate for sale. Updated daily with beautiful homes and condos for sale. This article, Real Estate In Florida For Beach Lovers has free reprint rights.
categories: florida,real estate,homes,home,beaches,travel,vacations,destinations,finance,investing,investment,vacation homes
Five Sarasota, Florida Condos To Escape The Northern Winters
Sep 7th
Have you ever wondered why so many people visit Florida during the winter time? It is pretty obvious – people trade the snow, clouds, ice and cold weather for sun, beaches, golf and tennis.
One fabulous place to consider is Sarasota on the west coast of Florida. It is located about an hour south of Tampa Bay. People flock to this lovely area because of the relaxed lifestyle, gorgeous beaches, abundance of great weather and plenty of outdoor activities. Instead of fighting the snow and ice you could be enjoying the crisp, comfortable weather of Sarasota, Florida.
Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key and Casey Key are four magnificent barrier islands off the coast of Sarasota. They all are wonderful in their own way. They eash have their own flavor and appeal to a variety of people. You will find wonderful beaches on all of them as well as highly sought after Sarasota real estate, great places to dine, a multitude of amenities and close proximity to world class golf and tennis facilities. Here are five great Sarasota condos to enjoy the sunshine and escape the snow.
1) Aquarius Club – This beachfront condo sits on the south end of Longboat Key. World class golf, tennis, exquisite dining, shopping, boating and gorgeous beaches are a few things to keep you busy while you escape the winters up north. Longboat is a fabulous 11 mile long island with a variety of condos and single family homes to choose from. You can do as much or as little as you want here.
2) Banyan Bay – This is a smaller, more quaint community near the north end of Longboat Key. It sits right on the beach so vacationers have easy access to fun, sun and the Gulf of Mexico. There are only 44 units here so you it is very peaceful and quiet. Amenities include the beach, swimming pool, clubhouse and tennis courts. Minimum lease is 3 months in Banyan Bay.
3) Siesta Dunes – This fabulous community sits right on Crescent beach on Siesta Key. All of the units in Siesta Dunes have easy access to the beach and Gulf of Mexico. This community allows short term rentals. Amenities include an on-site rental office, swimming pool, beach, gated community, clubhouse and exercise facilities.
4) Siesta Gulf View – The water and beach views from this Siesta Key condo are lovely. Imagine sitting out back on the lanai enjoying a sunset and a meal or drink with your significant other while the snow accumulates back home. You are within footsteps of the highly sought after Siesta Key beach. You can rent these condos with a one month minimum lease.
5) L’ Elegance – Need convenience? Lido Key is where you need to be. This smaller barrier island is only a couple of miles off the coast of downtown Sarasota. Vacationers and residents of Lido Key have easy access to all of the amenities of St. Armands Circle and Sarasota. L’ Elegance condos are one of the most sought after Lido Key condos. It was built in 1996 so there are large windows, expansive terraces and high ceilings. Amenities include the beach, concierge, swimming pool, exercise facilities and tennis courts. The minimum lease period is 3 months.
Isn’t it time to try something different this winter? Instead fighting the ice, snow and bitter cold weather try out the fabulous Florida lifestyle during the winter.
Chance McGee loves using LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com because of all of the valuable information.
categories: florida,sarasota,condo,real estate,condominium,vacation,destination,travel,leisure,outdoors,beach,travel tips,home,holidays
Top 10 Things You Can Do While Touring Florida
Aug 6th
With umpteen beaches, animal parks, theme parks, museums, state parks and aquariums, there is no dearth of things to do in Florida. The Sunshine State has a good communication and transportation network and it is not difficult to get from one place to another. Since no part of this state is very far away from the coast, the climate is mostly pleasant.
Water Sports is something which you can make the most of while in Florida. You can enjoy the ultimate adventure of swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin World which is located in Florida Keys or take surfing lessons at the Cocoa Beach. The Grayton Beach State Park allows you to go kayak or canoeing down the Lake.
If you are looking forward to relaxing in the serenity of nature, Miami beaches are just the ideal place for you. You can also go for a guided tour to Orlando’s new Water Park, Aquatica. Here, you can get the chance to get “up close and personal” with Shamu, the famed orca whale and other exotic aquatic life. The place is really great for a family outing.
If you love to feel the mad rush of adrenaline pumping in your system, do not miss Xtreme Indoor Karting in the South Florida area. It is adventurous and state-of-the art with numerous interactive game arcades and an indoor asphalt track.
For an art and history lover too, there are numerous art museums across Florida, like the Florida International Museum and also the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, the Gulf Coast Museum of Art at Largo and also the Orlando Museum of Art to name a few.
For shopaholic women, Florida presents an endless slew of flea markets, shopping malls as well as signature stores of famous international brands. While shopping in Florida, do not miss out visiting the Dedeland Mall in Miami and the Sarasota Square Mall in Sarasota, Florida.
There are more than twenty impressive golf courses and resorts in Florida and there is one at Kissimmee which boasts of a 90 holes championship course. Incredulously true, these give you all the more reasons to take a leisurely golf vacation in Florida.
Sailing down the Suwanee River, in a houseboat in the lap of nature, will be a wonderful getaway for you and your partner. A diverse range of cultural events and festivals take place across Florida throughout the year. You can also enjoy the various festivals depending on the time you visit the state.
You won’t feel a single moment dull and slothful with attractive destinations like Siesta key, Disney World and the Miami beaches in the Sunshine State.
Visit www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com to view more information about Sarasota, Florida. If you are looking for a home to buy visit Sarasota homes for sale.
categories: sarasota,florida,miami,orlando,travel,destinations,travel tips,destinations,leisure,real estate

