Come to Sarasota - Things are Looking Up

And It's Warm and Sunny Here
At the close of 2009, home and condominium sales in the metropolitan Sarasota - Bradenton - Venice area were better than they have been for a long time, up by 86% over November,2008.

There is little doubt that, to some extent, the numbers were bouyed by the Federal first-time buyer tax credit program. But, in the Sarasota market, that influence was minimal. The big factors, I believe, were that prices are down substantially from their highs, interest rates are at historically low levels and, frankly, consumer confidence has begun to pick up, if ever so slightly.

The expansion of the tax credit program through April 30, 2010 including a $6,500 tax credit for people who already own a home will continue the positive direction in Sarasota area home sales. Some local families may be wanting to move up to a bigger home. Ihe snowbirds may be looking at now as the right time to move to our warmer climate, especially those retired or about to retire. Many of them until now have only been able to dream about moving to our fair city because the sky high prices in the past put our homes out of reach,-- but not anymore.

Some snowbirds are already here and more are on the way. And, many of them are coming from places where it has been bitterly cold in recent weeks. They come for the warmth and the sun every winter, but now we have a chance to show off our Florida Sun Coast as not just a winter get-away, but as a great place to live - permanently

The improving consumer confidence, the low mortgage rates, the dramatically lower home prices, and the tax credit program are all reasons for optimism.

If you live up North now, there is just so much to draw you to the Sarasota Florida area including Lakewood Ranch and our Island Keys, Siesta Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key.

Whether you're dream is a waterfront home, a golf course home or an urban living space right in the middle of everything downtown, you'll find it here this winter at dramatically reduced prices -- prices that will likely begin to go back up as the economy improves in 2010.

I invite you to visit my Sarasota Florida website to learn more about the many attractive attributes of Florida's Sun Coast.

If you are interested in pursuing your potential of getting up to a $6,500 tax credit even if you already own a home, I'd be delighted if you would E-Mail Me or call me on my cellphone at 941-266-1799. There has probably never been a better time to buy a home or condominium here in the Sarasota - Bradenton - Venice area.