Visit here to search Fannie Mae properties for sale and learn more about this new program. Contact me if you see something that catches your eye! Financing is available through Landmark Bank of Florida- Contact Deborah Peterson (Tel: (941) 954-5100).

Check out all that Sarasota has to offer… from the arts, to entertainment, dining, shopping and all our local hot spots!
Watch the videos here.

Making this a better time to buy a home, Congress is now offering a tax credit to help first time home buyers. If you qualify and buy a principal residence before December 1, 2009 then you’re eligible for the credit- allowing you to deduct 10% of the purchase price of your home up to $8000 when you file your taxes. Click Here for more information.

Are you interested in learning more about Sarasota’s History? Sarasota History Alive has a great weekly email newsletter that is informative and fun to read. Their website offers accurate historical information along with an interactive discussion forum.

Click to sign the Petition for Red Sox

I think Sarasota would be hitting a home run if they can win over the Red Sox and entice the team to make Sarasota their new Spring Training home. Within reason, I hope the city of Sarasota does all it can to put the deal together and the tough to convince residents of the area had better open up their minds on this one! See here for a recent article on the topic.

My First Baseball Game!

Yankee Stadium, New York — Yankees vs. Blue Jays— Yankees won 9 to 8!

Trip Highlights: Taking the train and subway, amazing club seats at the game, baseball food- 1/4ft hot dog and choc ice cream, watching out for flying foul balls, seeing the new stadium under construction. A fun night in the city… FAO Schwarz, Pop Burger, The Plaza Hotel, Starbucks at Trump Tower, Salvatore Ferragamo, Rockefeller Center, Jimmy’s Corner, seeing what was Chumley’s and what hopefully will be again, One If By Land Two If By Sea, Sushi Samba, and Stoned Crow.

Press Release from the Florida Association of Realtors – May 23, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. – May 23, 2008 – Florida Realtors® statewide reported an upswing in existing home and condominium sales from March to April 2008, according to the latest housing statistics released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). A total of 11,200 existing single-family homes changed hands in April, a 20 percent increase over the previous month when 9,330 homes sold. Existing condo sales statewide rose 21.6 percent, with 3,900 units sold in April compared with 3,207 condos in March. Read the full article here.

Press Release from the Sarasota Association of Realtors- May 23, 2008. 

Home sales in the Sarasota MLS for April 2008 stood at 567 – the highest level in 10 months, and approximately 72 percent higher than the sales in January 2008. In 2008, sales have been progressively stronger month by month, possibly due to the influence of the new property tax portability law adopted in late January. Sales have climbed from 329 in January to 423 in February, then 514 in March. Read the full article here.

Year Visited: 2008 (January 10-16)

Areas and Sites Visited: Henderson, Ethel M Chocolate Factory, Fashion Show Mall, Tao- at the Venetian, Revolution Lounge – at the Mirage, The Joint- at the Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel, 9 Fine Irish Men & Coyote Ugly- at NewYork New York, The Palazzo, Game Works, Monte Carlo, Blush Lounge & Tryst- at the Wynn, Pure- at Caesar’s Palace, Hilton, Stratosphere, Border Grill & House of Blues & House of Blues Foundation Room – at Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Studio 54- MGM, Ghost Bar- at The Palms.

Gemma’s Trip Highlights: Being there with JJP, X-Scream and Big Shot rides up top the Stratosphere, the House of Blues Foundation Room and its view, meeting Skid Row, the buffet at the Wynn, first flight with JJP, shabu-shabu, night club hopping, the excellent Johnny Cash cover band that was playing at The Joint, the wheel of fortune slot machines (?), and checking out all the different hotels.

Other: Stayed at Sunset Station in Henderson for the first two nights and stayed at MGM Grand on the strip the remaining four nights.