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September 3rd, 2010
Florida property owners who have experienced a reduction in the value of their property may qualify for lower property taxes, according to Chris Boss of Yesner & Boss, a Tampa Bay area law firm with offices in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Sarasota.
“If your property value has decreased because of the economy, damage from natural disasters, surrounding foreclosures in the neighborhood, your home’s general need for repair or improvement, or if it can be shown that similarly assessed homes in the neighborhood are being charged lower property taxes, a reduction in your property tax may be warranted,” Boss said.
Each year in August, the county property appraiser distributes the Proposed Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice which notifies homeowners of the appraised value of their home and resulting taxes for that year. Homeowners who feel their property taxes are unreasonably high may petition the Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of receiving the notice in most counties. The property appraiser reviews petitions and approves those who qualify. For petitions unresolved by the property appraiser, the Value Adjustment Board will hire a special magistrate to conduct hearings regarding the property’s value.
Homeowners who feel their taxes are too high should start by gathering information about their neighbors’ assessed property values and taxes online at the county appraiser’s website. It is wise to hire an independent property appraiser to assess the value of the home because the county appraiser typically estimates tax value based on the surrounding neighborhood whereas an independent appraiser can account for more discrete but important factors (such as economic downturn, natural disaster damage, sinkhole damage, surrounding foreclosures, Chinese drywall, or other similar factors).
Pursuant to Florida Statutes, the property appraiser is required to consider several factors when estimating property value: 1) the present cash value; 2) the highest and best use of the property; 3) location of the property; 4) quantity or size of the property; 5) condition of the property; 6) the income generated by the property; and 7) the net proceeds from the sale of the property.
If an appraiser determines that property is assessed too high, or it can be shown that the property is comparable to other surrounding properties but taxed at a higher rate, then the property should qualify for a reduction in its taxable value, Boss said.
If you have questions, please contact Yesner & Boss for a free consultation or call (727) 471-0039 in St. Petersburg, (813) 251-2921 in Tampa, or (941) 362-0020 in Sarasota.
For more information about Yesner & Boss, or to schedule an interview with Chris Boss, please contact Sheila Longo at (941) 355-3006 or sheila@thomasbrannan.com
Tags: Florida, Florida Property, Florida Property For Sale, Florida Property Values, Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Property Taxes, Sarasota Real Estate, Southwest Florida Homes
Posted in Florida Real Estate, Sarasota Homes | View Comments
August 27th, 2010
SARASOTA, FL – Realtors, homebuyers and homesellers who are losing real estate deals because of low-ball appraisals from out-of-town appraisal management companies will benefit from a series of appraisal seminars scheduled in September. Sponsored by HomeBanc, “Appraisals 2010” will educate participants on how to secure sound appraisals in the era of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). The seminar will also benefit homeowners who wish to refinance.
Effective May 1, 2009, HVCC compliance is required for any loan backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. “HVCC standards were intended to assure appraiser independence and prevent pressure on appraisers to produce a desired property value,” explains CJ Coury, Vice President and Mortgage Branch Manager for HomeBanc. “However, the cure has been worse than the disease. Many appraisal management companies just don’t know the local market.” People mistakenly believe that HVCC requires you to use an appraisal management company, but that is a recommendation, not a requirement, says Coury. “This seminar will show you how you can still secure accurate appraisals while maintaining HVCC compliance.”
The panel of presenters includes Craig DiCecco, SRA, of Futurehome Appraisal Services Inc., Kevin Goodale of Atlas Appraisals LLC, Howard Greber, SRA, CRB, of Greber Appraisal Services Inc. and Mary Patterson, SRA, of Patterson Appraisal Group Inc.
The seminars will be held at three different venues from 8:30 to 11 am. The attendance fee is to cover the breakfast.
Tuesday, Sept. 7 : Longboat Key Club – John Ringling Room, 301 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
Presenters: DiCecco, Goodale, Greber, Patterson / $15 per person
Wednesday, Sept 8: Boca Royale Golf & Country Club – 1601 Englewood Road, Englewood
Presenters: DiCecco, Goodale, Patterson / $6 per person
Thursday, Sept. 9: Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch – 6231 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch
Presenters: DiCecco, Goodale, Greber, Patterson /$10 per person
 C. J. Coury
To register for the seminar, call C.J. Coury at (941) 730-2444 or email CJ.Coury@HomeBanc.com.
HomeBanc N.A. is located at 6230 University Parkway, Suite 101, Sarasota, FL 34240. Telephone: (941) 806-1140. Website: www.homebanc.com.
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 Seminar Panel of Appraisal Experts To schedule an interview with the seminar sponsor or presenters, please contact Sheila Longo at (941) 355-3006 or sheila@thomasbrannan.com.
Tags: Florida, Home Buyers, Home Sales, Real Estate, Real Estate News, Sarasota
Posted in Florida Home Buying, Florida Home Purchase, Florida Properties For Sale, Florida Property, Florida Real Estate, Home Loans, Home Purchase, Real Estate Agents, Sarasota Homes | View Comments
August 24th, 2010
Summer is in full swing on Florida’s Southwest Coast. Our gorgeous coastlines remain pristine and highly populated with visitors and residents alike. Whether the avid angler, sun worshiper or eco-enthusiast, the coast of Southwest Florida continues to offer the ultimate in natural bounty, and has remained unscathed by the oil off the coast of Louisiana. Get a coastal experience, via live web cam of award-winning Siesta Key Beach at http://seesarasotalive.com/siesta-key.php.
The newest statistics from the National Association of Realtors’® 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity, indicate the US remains a strong destination for international buying interest. The states of Florida and California, again, hold the position as the top two destinations, while Canada represents 23% of the international buying population, the largest buying group for the past three years.
As of June 22, 2010 the International Property Journal named “Sarasota Florida is the best buy in the Western World!” The report, published in www.GlobalEdge.co.uk ranks popular resort and second home locations globally.
Housing Snapshot
As the recent US national headlines have read “Housing Falls off a Cliff,” the Southwest Florida Market continues to attract real estate buyers and post positive indications of market stability. With real estate being truly “local,” the following snapshot offers an overview of area activity.
Sun Coast
June 2010 sales continued a strong showing in the Tampa area market with 2,069 total residential sales, the highest since August of 2006, with April and May posting 1,951 and 1,851 respectfully. The Tampa market presently posts a 6.5-month inventory level, nearing the point of market balance.
Cultural Coast
Property sales in Sarasota have continued strong right through June 2010. Property sales hit 776, the highest of 2010, and the greatest total since December ’05, while pending sales were once again strong at 767.
Paradise Coast
During the month of June 2010, the median sold price of a home in the Naples area was $245,000, versus $198,000 in June 2009. The $1M, and above, price points posted the greatest increase in pending and closed sales. A consistent increase in both pending sales and closed sales, along with a median price increase offer the greatest confirmation of the overall housing market recovery in Naples.
Results You Can Count On
Florida Homes Magazine’s online presence www.FloridaHomesMag.com is a top-ranked website featuring digital editions of each issue, Southwest Florida Real Estate News, and feature Cover Stories of some of the areas finest homes. With an Alexa (web traffic) rank of 1,439,223, FloridaHomesMag.com is in the top 4.63% of all websites globally.
Posted in Florida Lifestyle, Florida Real Estate, Florida Waterfront Homes, Naples Real Estate, Sarasota Homes | View Comments
July 12th, 2010
The May, 2010 Toronto Events and Realtor Quest Trade Shows were a great success for allparticipating! Two seminars offered by Florida Homes Magazine “Investing in Florida” were attended by packed rooms at 2 locations. Thanks to a great line-up of presenters the crowds were provided outstanding information in which to make informed decisions on “Where there Lifestyle will begin.”
Special thanks to Rochelle Herman, “Today with Rochelle” radio 1280 am WTMY for an exceptional live broadcast from the Toronto Congress Center. Our deepest appreciation is extended to all of the presenters who made this seminar such a great success: Carla Rayman, Patricia Tan and Valentina Pippin of Prudential Palms Realty International Divison; Laura McLoughlin, Regional Manager of Moneycorp; Alain Forget, RBC Bank USA; David Altro, Altro & Associates; Sang Park, Ecoterra International; David Smith, Jaymor Group and Garry Levy, Strategic Alliance Financial.
Florida Homes Magazine has an informative radio program each Thursday on “Today with Rochelle,” from 1 to 2 pm, Eastern, on 1280 am WTMY. Going Coastal with Florida Homes Magazine, with your hosts Rochelle Herman and publisher Mike Mattina, can be heard and viewed online at www.WTMY.com. The program offers valuable insight on domestic and international topics relative to the Southwest Gulf Coast Lifestyle and purchasing Florida Real Estate, with an array of guests including attorneys, banking professionals, real estate
professionals and related international real estate specialists.
Housing Snapshot
The first quarter of 2010 offered a tremendous increase in home sales and pending home sales all along the Southwest Gulf Coast, providing increased optimism for the months to come. An increase in median home values for the Sarasota/Bradenton and Naples markets are primary points of enthusiasm that should be noted. Fueled in part by the homebuyer tax credit, the incentives and attractive pricing have buyers poised to purchase.
Sun Coast
The numbers continue to remain strong in the Tampa area market, with 1,866 homes sold in April 2010, versus 1573 in April 2009, for an increase of 18.63%. Year-to-date 6,281 homes were sold across all price points versus 5,347 for April 2009, for a 17.47% increase. In all price ranges, homes reflect a sale price of 95% of ask price, an average of 99 days on the market and a reduced overall inventory standing at 7.2 months.
Cultural Coast
Reaching the highest pending sales numbers in the past four years, the 1,160 sales contracts accepted for the Sarasota area market reflected a sense of buyer urgency. April 2010 sales outpaced the April 2009 sales by 50%, while the first quarter of 2010 indicates an 8% increase in the median value of area homes.
Paradise Coast
April 2010 is the second consecutive month that the median closed price has increased in the Naples area market. For properties over $300,000, the median price increased 3 percent from $534,000 in April 2009 to $550,000 in April 2010. Additionally, traditional sales outpaced distressed property sales two to one. Overall sales increased 46 percent in April 2010 over April 2009, while the pending sales of single-family homes $1M to $2M price range increased 200% from April 2009.
 Live the Southwest Florida Lifestyle
Posted in Florida Real Estate, Florida Waterfront Homes, Naples Real Estate, Property in Florida | View Comments
June 27th, 2010
SARASOTA, Fla. (June 11, 2010) Prudential Palms Realty associates Marilyn Alston , Paula Cashi, Debbie Corsile, Mary Hale, MaryBeth Hudson and Janice Litke have been coordinating efforts to host the “Make-A-Wish Make It Happen” sunset cruise aboard Le Barge for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & Northern Florida Chapter.
Helen Sosso of Prudential Palms Realty and Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty is no stranger to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She began donating to the organization years ago in Pittsburgh, PA. Since the chapter has a new executive director, Prudential Palms Realty and Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty have “adopted” the local chapter here in Sarasota. In the yearlong effort to raise awareness and funds, our downtown office is setting sail on Monday, June 14, 2010 aboard Le Barge. Tickets are $25 per person and is sold out. Event sponsors include: Whole Foods, Preferred Settlement Services, Inc., Blalock Walters Attorneys at Law, Alert Inspection Service, Neal communities, Preferred Lending Services and American Home Shield.
For more information, visit www.prudentialpalmsrealty.com or call 941.926.7000, ext. 1400.
Contact: Sheryl Vieira, Office 941.926.7000, Cell 941.928.5508
About Prudential Palms Realty and Lakewood Ranch Realty (A Sister Company):
Prudential Palms Realty and Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty combine top local agents with the latest technology to provide powerful strategies for finding or selling homes. The brokerage has offices servicing Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties with over 250 sales professionals. The companies are independently owned and operated members of the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., one of the leading real estate brokerage networks in North America. For more information on Prudential Palms Realty, call 941.926.7000 or visit www.PrudentialPalmsRealty.com or Lakewood Ranch Realty, call 941.907.2000 or visit www.LakewoodRanchRealty.com
Tags: Florida Homes, make a wish foundation, Prudential Palms Realty
Posted in Real Estate Agencies, Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Update, Realtor | View Comments
June 27th, 2010
 SARASOTA, Fla. (June 9, 2010) Carla Rayman, Director of International Business Development for Prudential Palms Realty, just returned from recent business related travel to Dubai. A client from Hungary found Carla Rayman through research he conducted online and had her consult on his extensive residential and commercial portfolio to include investments in Dubai. The client met Carla in Florida and again in a joint meeting with a developer in London recently. Her recent trip to Dubai was to meet the developer and her client so she could visit the country firsthand to better understand the current real estate opportunities being offered.
Rayman experienced extensive, private tours of Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi. “The market has not stopped there and what we hear in the news is only partially true”, says Rayman. “There is so much construction and numerous new projects and developments; cranes in the sky, construction workers on many sites under development and many new projects breaking ground. Of all the places I have visited, the vision this country has is unbelievable. The infrastructure is incredible; the country is immaculate and is absolutely free of any litter or graffiti. Service is impeccable and the atmosphere is truly inspiring. While one should respect the local culture and traditions, dress code of tourists is relaxed and acceptable. The country has not stalled – the airport was bustling with arrivals and departures and the resorts were at full capacity. Everyone speaks English so language is not an issue. I would encourage anyone that has set expectations to release them. Dubai and Abu Dhabi were simply amazing to say the least.”
CARLA RAYMAN
Originally from Pennsylvania, Carla Rayman moved to Sarasota in 1996. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in communications and special interest in American Sign Language. She has earned the real estate designations: TRC, GRI, e-Pro and CIPS. She currently serves on the following boards and committees:
Florida Realtors Board Directors
Sarasota Association of Realtors Board of Directors and International Council
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce International Business Council
FIABCI
US-Panama Business Council SE Chapter, Board of Directors
President, Sarasota Sister Cities responsible for Sister City relationships in Canada, Scotland, Russia, France, Italy, Israel and China
Carla serves as Director of International Business Development for Prudential Palms Realty in Sarasota, where she works extensively with developers in the Caribbean and Latin America.
About Prudential Palms Realty and Lakewood Ranch Realty (A Sister Company):
Prudential Palms Realty and Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty combine top local agents with the latest technology to provide powerful strategies for finding or selling homes. The brokerage has offices servicing Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties with over 250 sales professionals. The companies are independently owned and operated members of the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., one of the leading real estate brokerage networks in North America. For more information on Prudential Palms Realty, call 941.926.7000 or visit www.PrudentialPalmsRealty.com or Lakewood Ranch Realty, call 941.907.2000 or visit www.LakewoodRanchRealty.com
Tags: Carla Rayman, dubai development, prudential palms realtory
Posted in Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Update, Realtor | View Comments
June 9th, 2010
 Sarasota, Florida – June 8, 2010 – Grapevine Communications, Sarasota’s leading full-service advertising, marketing and PR agency, has been awarded the 2010 Frank G. Berlin, Sr., Small Business Award by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Grapevine principals accepted their most-recent award during the annual Small Business Awards luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton on June 8th.
John Fain, Executive Vice President and Partner of Grapevine Communications, said, “In this daunting ecomony, it is gratifying to receive the highest accolade from our Chamber. We are continuing our unprecedented business growth this year, and fully expect the growth to continue. And, as a small business, thank you Small Business Council for representing us in all aspects of business.” dscape and Extreme Remodelers. Grapevine – Your Award-Winning Creative Agency Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Chamber of Commerce, Florida, Sarasota Chamber, Sarasota Small Business
Posted in Small Business | View Comments
May 30th, 2010
SARASOTA, Fla. (May 26, 2010) Helena Nordstrom, REALTOR® ASP, CIPS, GRI, SFR, TRC of Prudential Palms Realty will be awarded the prestigious Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation and will join a worldwide referral network of elite global real estate practitioners with expertise in working with international clients as well as immigrants. The CIPS Designation is awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which represents over 1,200,000 REALTORS® in the United States. Helena Nordstrom will be formally recognized at 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Trade Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 6, 2010.
Members of the Global Network are crucial players in today’s global real estate market. The CIPS designation recognizes members who have achieved the necessary training and experience to work successfully with international clients and properties. To earn the CIPS designation, REALTORS® complete rigorous coursework devoted to learning cultural differences and international business practices. Designees must also prove achievement in international real estate transactions. Nordstrom joins a distinguished society of over 1600 real estate professionals throughout the world who have earned the CIPS designation Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Florida Real Estate, Florida Realtors, International Real Estate, Prudential Palms
Posted in Florida Realtors | View Comments
May 19th, 2010
 SARASOTA, Fla. (May 19, 2010) Michael Bruno and Michael Cochrane sales associates with Prudential Palms Realty, recently sponsored the opening night after party for the debut of “Backwards in High Heels, the Ginger Musical” by Lynnette Barkley and Christopher McGovern at the Asolo Repertory Theatre.
Anna Aimee White headed the cast as Ginger that also included Elizabeth Ward Land, Christianne Tisdale, Matthew LaBanca, Benjie Randall, and Craig Waletzko. Backwards in High Heels is a celebration of the life and times of Ginger Rogers Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Lakewood Ranch Realty, Palms Realty, Prudential Palms, Prudential Palms Realty
Posted in Lakewood Ranch Realty | View Comments
May 5th, 2010
 It takes a village to buy a home. Well, not really, but it is helpful to have a qualified team of professionals on your side to help you take advantage of opportunities and to avoid pitfalls along the way. The list of professionals you may engage throughout your purchase transaction includes: Attorney, Realtor, Mortgage Loan Professional, Home Inspector, Appraiser, Surveyor, Insurance Agent, and Bartender. Actually, the Bartender is optional. But if you choose the right team of professionals then any visit to your Bartender will be to celebrate and not to commiserate.
Generally, your Realtor will be the Team Captain coordinating the responsibilities of the other team members while keeping track of their progress. Your Realtor is the person who will take your calls on nights and weekends. Experienced Realtors are knowledgeable about the different types of neighborhoods, the homes within them and the prices thereof. After asking you a few qualifying questions they should be able to greatly narrow down your search, saving you countless hours of aimless meandering about town in the left lane Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Buy a Home, Buy Florida Home, Buying a Florida Home, Florida Homes, Home Buyers, Home Buying
Posted in Florida Houses | View Comments
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