The View from Here
A Message From Michael Saunders

My good friends:
Welcome to the premier issue of Saunders@Home, a new e-newsletter intended to keep you abreast of the real estate market in Southwest Florida, along with the issues and dynamics that affect it.

As I travel the world promoting the wonders and opportunities available to those who live and work in Southwest Florida, I am always heartened when someone asks me how the worldwide real estate correction has translated into our home markets here along the Gulf Coast. That means the questioner is savvy enough to understand that all real estate is local; that issues of relevance in other markets may not be the least bit relevant here in Sarasota or Bradenton.

You will see no better example of how vastly markets differ by reading our first news feature entitled "An Upswing in Confidence." Then in "Discovery Data" you will notice a set of graphs and in the blink of an eye spot an amazing difference between Sarasota-Bradenton and all other Florida's major markets. We are enormously proud of that difference, as it demonstrates rather convincingly that we have done an outstanding job as a real estate community convincing sellers that the wild and unsustainable pricing of recent times no longer makes sense in a market filled with competitive inventory. While other Florida markets have barely made a dent in that perception, the return to realistic pricing that has taken hold in Sarasota-Manatee has truly buoyed our market while others are barely treading water.

On the lighter side, Saunders@Home will regularly include features to keep you in the loop about the various retail, culinary and cultural offerings that make our slice of the Gulf Coast so irresistible to cultivated newcomers from around the world.

We would love to hear your comments and suggestions as to what you would like to read in the weeks and months ahead. Please email them to me, care of editor@michaelsaunders.com. Meanwhile enjoy our first issue.

Cordially,

Tax Amendment Q&A
by Nicholas Azzarra

The overwhelming majority of Florida voters wanted some tax relief when they approved Amendment 1 a few weeks ago.

Now you probably want to know when you'll start noticing your savings.

Three of the four provisions set forth in the amendment were enacted automatically and immediately. Here's a closer look at how Amendment 1 may affect you. View entire article.

Discovery Data
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but graphs speak volumes. Based on the number of single-family homes sold over the past fourteen years, only one major destination market in Florida—Sarasota-Manatee—has leveled-out in unit sales following the post-boom decline. (Florida Association of Realtors) View entire article.

An Upswing in Confidence
Even though all real estate is local, the press tends to toss it all into one big bucket using oversimplified headlines that reflect the national overview. Yet people don’t buy real estate nationally; they buy it one property at a time, one market at a time. To get the real picture of what’s truly happening in your market of interest, you have to drill down and examine the statistics that apply there. View entire article

Market in Review: The Wells Fargo View
Opportunities are available for qualified consumers. The spring buying season is right around the corner and this is a "buyer's market." Qualified consumers may have advantages when shopping for a home… View entire article.

Food and Wine
by John Bancroft

The following stories are presented by John Bancroft:

  •  Winning Numbers
  •  Southern Comfort
     at 5-One-6 Burns
  •  A successful opening
     for Paul Mattison's 41

If you haven't visited 5-One-6 Burns in downtown Sarasota since last fall, go now. You have a treat in store... View entire article.

Contact
Michael Saunders & Company®
1801 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
EMAIL

888.552.5228