Blog - Gina Larouche

Local INFO, SRQ RE Market Updates

Sarasota is booming, and our readers are noticing… 2019

Condé Nast Traveler readers cast hundreds of thousands of votes for the best cities in the U.S. in the 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards survey—in fact, we got so much feedback, we had to divide our list in two. Here we honor the country’s smaller cities, with populations under one million, and its major hubs, with […]
Local INFO, SRQ RE Market Updates

The word is out & the Chinese have heard it…. 2019

Fla. has more Chinese buyers seeking non-luxury homes ORLANDO, Fla. – Jan. 10, 2019 – Chinese homebuyers have been the top foreign buyers of residential housing in the U.S. for six consecutive years, and they’re now expanding their footprint beyond luxury markets to lower-priced tiers as well, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reports. Chinese […]
Local INFO

NEW Sandcastle to replace an Aged-Out Castle …. 2019

Aging Sandacaste Resort to be Re-Built as A New Resort ….. 2019 From Sarasota Herald Tribune LIDO KEY — Plans to transform the aging Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach — long known as the Helmsley Sandcastle — into a luxury contemporary resort were rubber-stamped by the Sarasota City Commission this week. The commission unanimously approved […]
Nuts & Bolts

Wire Fraud is Real – Before wiring any money …

Wire Fraud is Real Before wiring any money, call the intended recipient at a number you know is valid to confirm the instructions. Be safe. Review recommended steps below to safeguard your hard earned dollars…. There are steps homebuyers should take to make sure they are protecting themselves from falling victim to fraudsters, […]

Local INFO Sarasota is booming, and our readers are noticing… 2019 Condé Nast Traveler readers cast hundreds of thousands of votes for the best cities in the U.S. in the 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards survey—in fact, we got so much feedback, we had to divide our list in two. Here we honor the country’s smaller cities, with populations under one million, and its major hubs, with […]

Local INFO The word is out & the Chinese have heard it…. 2019 Fla. has more Chinese buyers seeking non-luxury homes ORLANDO, Fla. – Jan. 10, 2019 – Chinese homebuyers have been the top foreign buyers of residential housing in the U.S. for six consecutive years, and they’re now expanding their footprint beyond luxury markets to lower-priced tiers as well, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reports. Chinese […]

Local INFO NEW Sandcastle to replace an Aged-Out Castle …. 2019 Aging Sandacaste Resort to be Re-Built as A New Resort ….. 2019 From Sarasota Herald Tribune LIDO KEY — Plans to transform the aging Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach — long known as the Helmsley Sandcastle — into a luxury contemporary resort were rubber-stamped by the Sarasota City Commission this week. The commission unanimously approved […]

Nuts & Bolts Wire Fraud is Real – Before wiring any money … Wire Fraud is Real Before wiring any money, call the intended recipient at a number you know is valid to confirm the instructions. Be safe. Review recommended steps below to safeguard your hard earned dollars…. There are steps homebuyers should take to make sure they are protecting themselves from falling victim to fraudsters, […]

Nuts & Bolts Reverse Mortgage ? Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1105 Reverse Mortgages: Understanding the Basics BY: 1Michael S. Gutter, Selena Garrison, Brent Litchfield, and Lisa Leslie2 Introduction For most people, their largest single investment is usually the home where they reside. One thing that most families don’t realize is how to use this investment of equity in their house to help fund their […]

Buyers Dreaming FIRPTA – Foreign real estate owners ….. Excellent FIRPTA Overview IRS FIRPTA info Video FIRPTA WithholdingWithholding of Tax on Dispositions of United States Real Property InterestsThe disposition of a U.S. real property interest by a foreign person (the transferor) is subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA) income tax withholding. FIRPTA authorized the United States […]

Buyers Dreaming FEMA 50% Rule Substantial Improvement/Damage FEMA 50% Rule Substantial Improvement/Damage March 23, 2018. – Berlin Patten Ebling Blog Post LINK “Sarasota in the 1950s was one of the most important places in the world for architectural creativity, where the greatest design movements of the day came together.”- Carl Abbott FAIA, original […]

Local INFO 2018 OCT- Sarasota & 2 other Fla. cities top U.S. News & … NEW YORK – Oct. 23, 2018 – The top recommendation for a U.S. retirement? Lancaster, Pa. But three Florida cities – Fort Myers, Sarasota and Lakeland ranked in the top 10. Fort Myers took the No. 2 spot in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 list of the “100 Best Places to Retire in the USA.” According […]

Local INFO 2018 – The Bay ! …. Great Public Park Project …. The Bay ! Sarasota’s newest Public Park Design, has been Approved ! The Bay Sarasota has produced a finalized plan for redeveloping the land around the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. by: David Conway Deputy Managing Editor – The Observer The Bay Sarasota, the independent group that’s worked to create a community-driven vision for […]

SRQ RE Market Updates 2018 – Sarasota stays on Top of Luxury Market… Realtor.com: Luxury market picks up speed SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Sept. 19, 2018 – Luxury home sales continued to break records as prices hit double-digit gains in 20 major counties, according to the realtor.com 2018 Luxury Home Index released today. Additionally, the number of sales at or above the $1 million mark rose 6 percent […]

Local INFO 2018 TaxWatch: Fla. still a low-tax state – No. 42 out TaxWatch: Fla. still a low-tax state – No. 42 out of 50 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 19, 2018 – Florida retains its ranking as one of the nation’s lowest-tax states, according to the latest study released by Florida TaxWatch. Out of 50 states, Florida ranks No. 42 in the average amount of money paid […]

Buyers Dreaming 6 Costs Homeowners Overlook and How to Pay for Them… 6 Costs Homeowners Overlook and How to Pay for Them Source; Posted on Aug 15 2018 – 11:05am By the Experts at Hippo Insurance For many people, a house is the biggest investment they’ll ever make. And whether you’re a first-time homeowner or you’re buying your third property, you’re bound to end up covering some unexpected […]

SRQ RE Market Updates 2018- Ultra-luxury home market stays hot in Sarasota … Sales in $5 million-plus range on pace to exceed last year’s mark The red-hot market for luxury residences in Sarasota-Manatee continues this year after a banner sales season in 2017. The most striking aspect of the increase in sales for $1 million or more comes with the most expensive homes — the $5 million-plus transactions. […]

Buyers Dreaming What is the Coastal Construction Control Line? CCCL: What is the Coastal Construction Control Line? https://floridadep.gov/water/coastal-construction-control-line/content/locate-coastal-construction-control-line-cccl What is the Coastal Construction Control Line? In order to protect, preserve, and manage Florida’s sandy beaches and coastal system, the Legislature adopted the Florida Beach and Shore Preservation Act, contained in Parts I and II of Chapter 161, Florida Statutes. The Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) […]

Sellers Sellers Property Disclosure … Florida, like many other states, now requires sellers of homes and other residential properties to make certain disclosures to buyers about the property’s condition and history. This is a shift from the traditional legal principle of “let the buyer beware,” which basically made it the buyer’s responsibility to inspect the home and discover whether there […]

SRQ RE Market Updates Florida’s 2018 profile of International Real Estate Buyers … Florida’s 2018 profile of international real estate activity This is a fascinating overview of 2018 Real estate activity in Florida from Foreign Buyers….. courtesy of Florida Realtors Association. ORLANDO, Fla. – Oct. 22, 2018 – Florida Realtors® has released its latest report on the state’s foreign buyer and seller transactions, the 2018 Profile of International […]

Buyers Dreaming Canadians ! As a fellow Canadian, I know how your winters can be and how we cherish a wish for a warm winter get-a-way close to home…. For years now, we Canadians have been buying up Florida real estate and businesses. I am here to help you through the many phases of a Florida real estate purchase. […]

Nuts & Bolts Taking Title in Florida … NOTE: This article is no substitute for consulting with an Attorney on the best way for you to take Title. HOW YOU CAN TAKE TITLE Title to real property in Florida may be held by individuals, either in Sole Ownership or in Concurrent Ownership. Concurrent Ownership or “Co-Tenancies” of real property occurs when title is held […]

Nuts & Bolts Closing Costs HELPFUL CALCULATORS Closing Costs Calculator Sellers Closing Costs Calculator Title Insurance Calculator Closing Costs are the costs paid by Buyers and Sellers at the closing for various services rendered by the lender, the realtor, the title company, and any other services incidental to the sale. The following are examples of charges to […]

Local INFO 2017 Schools & School Ratings Info 2017 Sarasota Schools Maintain A Average and grow ! Manatee School District Sarasota School District Florida State School Accountability In 2015: 11 Sarasota County schools ranked among best in state, see article: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20150209/ARTI… Great Schools Website Niche Ratings for School District By Elizabeth Djinis Updated Jun 28, 2017 at 4:48 PM Staff Writer The number of A schools increased in both Sarasota and […]