Our New Blog

Welcome to all the visitors from out of town visiting our area to languish in  the warm, sunny weather??  Well, the weather has been a bit uncooperative, but there is lots to do in Venice. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday this month there will be a free concert, from 3 - 5 p.m.,  at the Gazebo on downtown Venice Mainstreet.  Every Wednesday is the Historic Homes Walking Tour 10:30 to 11:30 am.  Our office, Venice Hometown Realty,  is on the tour.  Stop in say hello, we love to brag about the building.   Horticulturists this is your weekend with the Orchid Show and Sale at the Community Center this weekend, Sat. and Sun. 10 to 5.  On Valentine's Day, 1 - 3:30p.m.,  cruise the gazebo area for a ride back in time with the Antique Autos on display.  On the 20th and 21st at the Community Center from 8 - 11:30 a.m. see the Antiques Show.  The Italian Feast and Carnival is partying at the Airport Fairgrounds, Thursday the 18th  through Sunday the 21st.  United Way Walkathon takes place on the 27th at the Centennial Park Gazebo, 9 a.m. to noon.  Venice Little Theater has wonderful performances,  so plan to attend. 

This is a must see.  February 4th, at 9:00 a.m.  in Sarasota, Nik Wallanda (of the Flying Wallandas) will perform a 600 foot high wire walk between the Ritz-Carlton and One Watergate condominium.   

Sales of homes in Venice is off to a brisk start compared to January of last year. Even with the median and average prices rising, many buyers know its worth while to take advantage of the existing home owners tax credit up to $6,500.  Don't wait too long, you have until April 30th to be under contract and close by June 30th.  

January 2009 closed  with a total of 77 homes as compared to January 2010 of 88 homes.  Total volume for Jan. of 2009 was $9,705,350 and this year a jump to $15,055,800.  The median price in 2009 was $120,000 and rose to $133,500 this January.  The average price for Jan. last year was $156,538 and that rose to $171,089.  Appears the market is onward and upward. 

It's approved  an overpass on 41 at the north bridge will connect  the bike path in Venice to the Legacy Trail.  Monies have been allotted and it will be a great asset our town.   Another nice improvement, is the shower area at Paws Beach.  The concrete helps keep fido's paws clean for the car ride home.   

Hope you enjoy your stay here, we are glad your here,  and if we can assist you in any way with your real estate needs, just let us know. 

Alice Salaices

Hello again, feeling a little sorry for you snowbound snowbirds.  Come on down the weather is great.  Here's a little update on what you missed and what you can look forward to when you get here.

Last week was really filled with some great stuff!  The warbirds came to town again and drew quite a crowd.  There was a nice art show over by the airport.  The vendors had some extraordinary jewelery and various other items.  We also had David Oliver Relin, author of  Three Cups of Tea, NY Times Best Seller List 3 years in a row, visit the Venice High School for a presentation about his book.  I had the good fortune to get tickets, my daughter is in the literary club.  The auditorium was sold out!  All 700 seats.  It was very interesting, if he comes to your town, check it out.  Our February event schedule is filled.  Here are a few of the highlights:

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Music in the park at the gazebo by various artists, from 3 - 5.

Historic Walking Tour of Homes 10;30-11:30, meet at the Triangle Inn.  Our office is on the tour.

Feb. 6th & 7th the Orchid Show at the community Center 10-5.

Feb. 13th Neil Diamond Tribute at the community center 7pm.

Valentines Day 1 - 3:30 Cruising at the Gazebo, Antique Autos

Feb. 18th the Italian Feast & Carnival starts 4- 10:00 pm running through the 21st of Feb.

Feb. 27th United Way Walkathon 9-12 Gazebo downtown.

If you are planning a trip and don't have a rental booked, do so before you leave.  Everyone seems to be completely booked for February (Vacation Rentals that is.)  Not sure how much availability the hotels have, but it would be a good idea to give them a call as well.

That's it for now, see you soon,

Janet Thomas, Broker

Venice Hometown Realty, LLC

Hi, hope everyone had a great holiday season.  Like many of you, we have been freezing here in Venice.  It was nice to have a cold snap around Christmas but not to continue on for 2 weeks!  We thin blooded Floridians can't cope when temps are 20 degrees colder than normal.  Thankfully we are back in the 70's today and the sun is shining bright.

I decided to check out the numbers for foreclosures and short sales last year, partly because of watching 15 or so short sales from last May that still haven't closed, and thought you might also be interested.  So for anyone thinking of pursuing these, here are the hart fast numbers.  Also included are the foreclosures.  We don't have as many in our area as most, but do have a few.

2009 Homes sold in Venice, per mls data        1501

171 were foreclosures, 65 of these sold at or above list price

156 were short sales, 45 of these sold at or above list price

2010 Homes for sale in Venice 1250

32 are foreclosures

164 are short sales

323 homes under contract

22 of these are foreclosures

170 of these are short sales

An interesting side note* It appears that short sales, or the greater bulk of them, appear to be on hold.  Some, as before mentioned have been under contract since May of 2009 or before.  Before you think of tying yourself up time wise, look at other options.  You can see from the numbers they make up a small portion of our market.  With the inventory down from last year, waiting for that short sale deal could cost you money if it doesn't close.

Activity is very brisk now.  Many are out looking to purchase their vacation or retirement home before the prices rise!  Don't miss the boat, it is pulling away....

Janet Thomas, Broker

Venice Hometown Realty

The old adage "Great Things Come in Small Packages" can also be true of real estate companies.  The general thought throughout the real estate industry is the larger the company the better it is for the customer.  When in reality, the larger company with the most agents actually benefits the owner of the company-not the customer.

Venice Hometown Realty is the new style company.  We are a small organization dedicated to the service of our customers.  When a customer contacts our office, they actually talk to a person who is familiar with their file.  If you call a large company, most of the time they are not familiar with who your agent is, much less who you are.

A real estate company is gauged by its production.  Venice Hometown Realty is presently ranked 15th out of 77 companies in the Venice Board of Realtors based upon sales and volume for the year of 2009.  That does not tell the whole story.  The companies ranked above us have from 15 to 60 more agents.  If you really want the true picture of production, divide the sales and volume by the number of agents.  In that category, Venice Hometown Realty is at the top of the list.

In real estate, the most important factor is location.  In real estate companies, the most important factor is service.  When you get service, you get production and if you want service and production then you want......

VENICE HOMETOWN REALTY

Call us today and talk to us, not a machine about all of your real estate questions and needs.

Allen Ramsey, Broker Associate

Buyers swarm the town of Venice and keep sales climbing.

November 2nd, 2009 9:41 AM

The buyers are back in town and there is lots of good news!

Total units sold in October, 2008 was 62 for a grand total of $12,442,379. This year for October there was a total of 108 units sold with a grand total of $14,651,800 in sales. The median price in 2008 was $143,500 as compared to $136,700 for this year. The average price in 2008 was $200,684 and in 2009, $152,623. Cash remains king with 57 sales in 2009, compared to 34 in 2008. Conventional financing remained even with 17 units for both years. FHA increased to 10 units versus 6 in 2008. 1 VA financed in 2009.

On the government front the homebuyer credit continues. Hooray!!! This should continue the upward sales trend. The Senate has tentatively agreed to extend the existing $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and also offer a new $6,500 credit for existing homeowners who have resided in their current residence for a consecutive 5 year period during the last 8 years. You must be under contract by April 30, 2010, and close before July 1st.

Congress passed a congressional resolution that would extend the current higher Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA loan limit through 2010. It extends Fannie and Freddie at 125 % of local median home sales prices, up to a maximum of $729,750 in high-cost areas. The floor for FHA is $271,050, the floor for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan limits is $417,000.

What’s happening in Venice? The Art Fest runs Nov. 7-8^th on Venice Ave. The Holiday Parade is Nov. 28^th at 7-9 p.m. downtown Venice Ave. Beginning Nov. 21^st through mid Dec. visit Historic Spanish Point for the Heritage Holidays Living History. Contact (941) 966-5214 for further info for Spanish Point.

Be thankful and have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Alice

Ok, I know I am usually not that great about frequent blogging, but I have been busy and here is why....

click this link to see why you should buy right now in Sarasota

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33191501#33191501

Have a super day!

Janet

July, August and September

Single Family Homes Sold on Venice Island:  10 Priced from $133,650 - $785,000

13 are under contract, priced from $87,800 - $395,000

74 Homes are currently for sale, priced from $135,000 - $2,900,000

Condo's & Co-ops Sold:  19 priced from $46,000 - $391,000

16 are under contract at this time, priced from $149,000 - $824,900

167 Currently for sale, priced from $39,900 - $1,599,000

Nationally Closed and Pending sales have been up for the last 5 months.  Mortgage rates are predicted to rise next year, so if you are planning to buy and are sitting on the fence, it may be time to get off.

On another note, the Gulf has been just beautiful this year.  No big storms just our nice afternoon rains to green up everything.  When they named Venice Paradise, it had to be in the summer, it's never looked prettier.  The flowers are gorgeous and the air smells like perfume.  The gulf temp has maintained at about 87 degrees all summer, that's the temp. for me!  We took a vacation to the beautiful Exumas this year.  The Exuma Islands are paradise too, just without conveniences.  We did miss our Publix!! 

Janet Thomas, Broker

It is hard to believe that we almost half way through 2009. What a difference a few months make. At the beginning of the year our future was a cause for extreme worry.

In my 24 years in real estate, I have seen three previous down cycles occur. None of those were as long or as deep as this one has been. What they all had in common was the general consensus- "We will never see that market again." Each of those down cycles were followed by a bottoming of property values or a correction period. Then came the slow turn around where the smart Buyer realizes there is no better time to purchase the home, permanent or second, that they had been waiting for.

Home prices are the lowest we have seen in many years. Interest rates are fluctuating around 5% and first time permanent home buyers receive an $8,000.00 tax credit. FHA-VA financing is available as is 100% USDA financing, and Sellers are ready to negotiate. Are we at the bottom yet? No one can be sure. We can be sure of one thing- Now is the time to buy that home that you have been dreaming about.

Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investment minds of our time, says, "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." Do not hesitate and miss your chance. Take advantage of the market at the bottom, not when it moves to Pre-Boom

E-mail or call us today to get the answers to your real estate questions and how we can assist you with the purchase of your home.

Allen Ramsey

Broker Associate