ROBERTA'S BLOG

Your Bradenton, Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch Florida Expert

By Howard Serena | Agent in Bradenton, FL

International Guide Lines to Real Estate Transacting - Roberta Burish - International TRC Agent

Posted Under: Home Buying in Bradenton | September 2, 2010 7:34 AM | 3,178 views | No comments

Purchasing international real estate is becoming more alluring to investors & vacationers world wide.Pragmatcally speaking, it is a way to diversify an investment portfolio and/or to provide rental income.

Whether you're considering a rental purchase in the states, Tuscan villa in Italy or a beach side getaway in Dubai. There are some principles that should be followed when buying real estate anywhere.

Universal Principles of Real Estate Purchasing -

Be certain your contract is with the person or entity that has the full title to the property.
Prepare & research the local tax laws. Some countries have no taxes, other have very high taxes. Some levy taxes only on legal residents, others may tax foreigners at a higher rate.
Verify the government recognizes property ownership. There are still places in the world that DO NOT - notably if you are not a born citizen.
Consider YOUR governments tax laws. If you live in the States and purchase a home in Ireland as your principle residence, you will not escape property taxes. Speak with an attorney regarding Capital Gains repercussions and currency transfer losses.

Familiarize yourself with the culture you wish to invest your time and money in. The marketing of real estate differs from country to country. For instance, in a technologically advanced , super savvy place like Great Britain, they still do not utilize a multiple listing system like we do in the states. Many agents do, however, more DO NOT. This makes purchasing real estate in Europe more of a local affair, and requires research, networking and connections.

Other things to consider when purchasing real estate Trans Nationally:

Political Climate
Currency Exchange
Weather
Transportation
Economy
Ability to work or own a business as a 'foreigner'

Diversifying your portfolio, purchasing a second (third or fourth) vacation home and/or investing in commercial real estate internationally is not for the faint of heart, but can be EXTREMELY EXCITING AND LUCRATIVE. Whether your purchasing real estate in the United States, Mexico or China, competent representation is a necessity along with research, research, research!

Consult Roberta Burish, a trans national referral certified agent for free consultation when considering the purchase of real estate in the states or abroad.

www.USA-FloridaHomes.net

Keller Williams Realty of Manatee Form a Ta-Ta Sisterhood and Begin Training for the S.G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure

Posted Under: In My Neighborhood in Bradenton | August 8, 2010 10:06 AM | 3,039 views | No comments

Six Real Estate agents at the Keller Williams of Manatee office in Bradenton, FL are getting involved in the fight for a cure, and have commited to walk 60 miles in 3 days! Roberta Burish, Priscilla Figueroa, Cinday Warren, Betty Serena, Linda Baril & Ruth Lawler have pledged to raise $15,000 for the 3-day walk in Tampa Bay FL on October 29-31st, and have dubbed themselves the Ta-Ta Sisterhood.

DONATE TO THE TA TA SISTERHOOD!

Whether your male or female, Breast cancer effects each one of us. You may have had a mother, sister, wife or friend diagnosed, or you yourself may be battling this common form of cancer. The Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation is responsible for raising millions of dollars each year toward research, grants, support groups and community out-reach programs. For more information about breast cancer, prevention & the 3-day walk for a cure click here.

Posted by Jamie Bullock

The Burish & Serena Team

Buying a Home in BRADENTON, LAKEWOOD RANCH, and EAST MANATEE COUNTY, still an unbelievable LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

Posted Under: Home Buying in Lakewood Ranch | July 22, 2010 11:24 AM | 2,969 views | No comments

I think by now, we can all agree, that the idea of a buying a home for a short-term investment or 'quick' money making venture proved harmful for investors, homeowners, financial institutions, REALTORS, and home owners all over this great nation.

While we are in a period of hopeful economic upturn, some speculators still say buying a condominium, or home in the BRADENTON, LAKEWOOD RANCH and MANATEE COUNTY areas is not a good investment. I disagree.

Can you 'flip' a non REO or BANK OWNED property today in this market? Perhaps, but not likely. If your looking for fast money now, even an REO or BANK OWNED property is currently being suggested to hold onto for 7 years by national industry guru's.

Purchasing a HOME, is an incredible LONG-TERM investment, especially in the SARASOTA and MANATEE county markets. Prices are low, stabilized and product is in abundance. Currently a FIRST TIME HOME BUYER can find a home that fits nearly all of their criteria, as well as their budget. This would have been laughable and unthinkable 3 years ago. Today's buyer has incredible potential not only to find a home within their means, in sought after sunny FLORIDA, but build generous future equity and wealth by doing so now.

Opportunity is knocking, are you going to let it in? INVEST IN FLORIDA REAL ESTATE, for the LONG-TERM.

CURRENT MARKET STATISTICS FOR BRADENTON FLORIDA(Provided by Trulia)

Avg. Listing Price: $265,937 Wk ending Jul 14

Median Sales Price: $134,000 Apr '10 - Jun '10 +$9,000 +7.2% y-o-y

3,694	Homes For Sale	10	Open Homes
2,460	Recently Sold	1,913	Foreclosures

CURRENT MARKET STATISTICS FOR LAKEWOOD RANCH FLORIDA(Provided by Trulia)

Avg. Listing Price $635,358 Wk ending Jul 14

Median Sales Price $225,150 Apr '10 - Jun '10 -$24,850 -9.9% y-o-y

446	Homes For Sale	5	Open Homes
389	Recently Sold	160	Foreclosures

Condominiums, Duplex's, Commercial Real Estate, Waterfront, Single Family Homes, Multi-plex's, Mobile Homes & PROPERTY are ready for investing. If your a BUYER or an INVESTOR, put your future in EAST MANATEE COUNTY, MANATEE COUNTY, LAKEWOOD RANCH & SARASOTA REAL ESTATE.

The beauty of the Gulf Coast of Florida cannot be argued, and when winter rolls around, tourists and snow-birds will always flock here.

You always hear the same two peices of advice when investing in real estate:

"Location. Location. Location." & "Timing is Everything."

If your considering buying property, or searching for a home in Florida. Research Lakewood Ranch, East Manatee County, Bradenton & Sarasota County.

The LOCATION IS HERE, and with REO's, Short Sales, and well priced real estate in abundance in these locations, I think it is obvious, THE TIME IS NOW.

Contact THE BURISH AND SERENA TEAM for information on the area, our services, fabulous NEW CONSTRUCTION projects, and statistics on EAST MANATEE COUNTY, LAKEWOOD RANCH and BRADENTON FL.

DIRECT: 941-704-4223 EMAIL: Info@USA-Floridahomes.net

Read our 'BUYING A HOME 101' blog series & take advantage of our free 'BUYER NEEDS ANALYSIS'.

Visit us at www.USA-FlORIDAHOMES.net

About The Florida Distressed Condominium Relief Act, Senate Bill 1196. What Do YOU Think?

Posted Under: Market Conditions in Bradenton | July 12, 2010 3:46 PM | 3,362 views | No comments

Realtors, Condo Owners, Developers and Buyers are all hoping this bill will bring lots of sunshine, to the sunshine state.

During this tough economic time, condominium associations and homeowners have taken a beating. On July 1st, 2010, Charlie Christ signed Senate Bill 1196 which included The Florida Distressed Condominium Act...so what does this mean for future buyers and current owners?

"The new law sets the table for condominium associations to become financially stable, Fannie Mae to approve more projects for financing, and bulk buyers to purchase with less risk," according to Bill Worrall, who helps manage an estimated 350,000 condominium units in 1600 communities throughout Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, as vice president of The Continental Group, Inc.

As reported by David Fletcher of Realty Times,in past recessions, the recovery depended on thousands of permanent buyers and small investors buying one or two condominiums at a time. This time, the recovery depends on cash-rich 'buy and hold' investors purchasing hundreds of developer or lender owned condominiums in bulk, who plan to hold them for three-to-five years then resell them.

The bill will have the biggest impact on lenders, condo associations and developers, leaving some current home owners asking..."Is this REALLY going to help ME?". The hope is, yes, in time, what is good for the association and economic recovery, will be good for everyone.

The Highlights:

Associations will see their association collections improve, because the Association has the ability to collect rent from then tenant to pay the association fee if the owner does not pay it. This increased cash flow means they can upgrade their communities, thereby increasing property values.
Fannie Mae will approve more communities for financing, which will bring more real estate agents back into the condominium market.
More properties will become FHA approved, because they financially meet association and other guidelines.
Bulk buyers will become more aggressive, because their liability for unpaid association assessments is greatly reduced under the new law.
Fannie Mae will , on a case-by-case basis, approve condominiums properties they may have turned down. Thanks to tenants paying the monthly association fee, can provide financials that meet Fannie Mae guidelines.

A Few Things Real Estate Agents & Buyers Should Consider

"Tenants are responsible for the monthly association fee, but the law is not clear on how much, if anything, tenants are obligated to pay the association for past due association fees owed by the landlord. This could prove embarrassing for a Realtor who may have placed a tenant in an investor's unit, and the investor, unbeknownst to the tenant, had not been paying his association fee", according to Worrall, who helps manage an estimated 350,000 condominium units in 1600 communities throughout Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, as vice president of The Continental Group, Inc.

When considering the sale or purchase of a unit, always request an account history report from the Association showing the maintenance fee balance on the unit. This can be a helpful negotiating tool (for both buyers and listing agents). This can help if obtained and discussed before the closing, which as agents well know is where many issues occur.

Research and be aware of Fannie Mae-approved Associations. "Fannie Mae approved" means the association is approved for lender financing, which makes the property more marketable as a listing and more saleable to a when representing buyers. For non approved Associations, the buyer may be limited to a cash investor or require 20 percent down.

Other Bullets from Senate Bill 1196 that Effect Associations

Exempts certain elevators from specific code update requirements.
Revises the limitations on the right of members to vote on corporate
matters for certain corporations not for profit that are regulated under
specified provisions.
Specifies the maximum amount of any unit owner's
loss assessment coverage that can be assessed for any loss.

For a list of Fannie Mae approved Condo Associations in Florida, or more information on the local market trends and great places to buy in Manatee & Sarasota County, call The Burish & Serena Team! When experience counts, count on Burish & Serena.

www.USA-FloridaHomes.net

Realty Times, POLL, and Session: Senate Bill information cited.

Central Park by Neal Communities to Open in July! Lakewood Ranch Real Estate Update

Posted Under: In My Neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch | June 28, 2010 8:06 AM | 3,001 views | No comments

As reported this month in the Lakewood Ranch Spotlight, Lakewood Ranch's newest community (Central Park) is moving ahead quickly and Central Park is scheduled to open in JULY!

The grand opening will feature 8 new home models to browse through and just like its famous namesake, this beautiful gated community surrounds an amazing park full of amenities. Residents will enjoy a kid's splash park, walking and jogging trails, a recreation center and much more. For more information on Central Park, click here.