Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

Lake La Vista offers a distinctive version of waterfront living in the City of Anna Maria on the northern end of Anna Maria Island. Homes around this bayou and saltwater waterway can combine broad water views with docks, boat lifts, seawalls and access toward Tampa Bay, depending on the individual p

Coconut Bayou is a single-family residential neighborhood in the City of Anna Maria on the northern end of Anna Maria Island. Located off the Pine Avenue area, the subdivision includes homes along Hammock Road and Hammock Circle, with several properties positioned on saltwater canals or the bayou. I

Shore Acres is an established single-family neighborhood on the northern portion of Anna Maria Island, within the City of Anna Maria. The subdivision and its additions include a diverse collection of island homes, from established residences to newer elevated construction, along with properties faci

Lacios is a single-family residential neighborhood in the City of Anna Maria on the northern end of Anna Maria Island. Documented Lacios Section B homes along Loquat Drive and Kumquat Drive include canal-front residences with boating features as well as individually designed island homes from severa

Tuttle Terrace is a small single-family residential neighborhood in the City of Anna Maria on the northern end of Anna Maria Island. Properties associated with the subdivision include homes along Jacaranda Road and North Shore Drive, with a mix of older island residences, elevated coastal homes and

Lardas is a single-family residential neighborhood in the City of Anna Maria on the northern end of Anna Maria Island. Centered around streets including Magnolia Avenue and Tarpon Street, Lardas includes individually owned homes ranging from established island residences to newer coastal designs, wi

Bayou Condo is an established waterfront condominium community at 522 Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria, on the northern end of Anna Maria Island. Built in 1973, The Bayou combines low-rise island condominium living with canal frontage, water access and a Pine Avenue location near the bayfront.

The Ritz-Carlton Tower Residences at 35 Watergate Drive offer an established version of branded luxury condominium living on the downtown Sarasota bayfront. Completed in 2003, The Tower Residences combine privately owned condominiums with Ritz-Carlton-managed services, a waterfront setting near Sara

Bay Harbor is a waterfront residential community in the City of Anna Maria on the northern end of Anna Maria Island, Florida. Unlike a condominium development, Bay Harbor is characterized by single-family homes, including properties along Blue Heron Drive with frontage or views around Bimini Bay. Fo

Some of the best golf communities in Venice, Florida include Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club, Plantation Golf & Country Club, The Venice Golf and Country Club, Sarasota National, Wellen Park Golf & Country Club, Venetian Golf & River Club and Waterford Golf Club. The important difference is how g

A mortgage preapproval commonly lasts about 30 to 90 days, depending on the lender. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says preapproval letters typically expire in 30 to 60 days, while many lenders issue letters valid for 60 to 90 days. Your actual expiration date is the one stated by your len

Yes, you can ask to negotiate repairs on an as-is home, but the seller generally is not agreeing in advance to make those repairs simply because an inspection finds problems. In a Florida transaction using the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar AS IS Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase, the inspect

The best golf courses near Tierra Verde include Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club, St. Petersburg Country Club, The Vinoy Golf Club, Mangrove Bay Golf Course, Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club and The Bayou Club. Tierra Verde does not have a major 18-hole course of its own, but its location at the souther

Before buying a Florida condo, review much more than the unit itself. Important documents can include the declaration, bylaws and rules, current association budget, financial statements, reserve information, special assessments, recent meeting minutes, master insurance information and, when applicab

Best Golf Courses in Bradenton, Florida Some of the best golf courses in Bradenton, Florida include Waterlefe Golf & River Club, IMG Academy Golf Club, Rosedale Golf & Country Club, Heritage Harbour Golf Club, The River Club, Manatee Golf Course and River Run Golf Links. For private-club golf, Brade

Yes, a house with an old air conditioner can still be a good purchase. The age of the HVAC system should be treated as a due-diligence and budgeting issue, not an automatic reason to reject the property. A well-maintained older system may still be operating adequately, while a newer system can have

An encroachment in real estate generally involves a structure, improvement or use extending across a property boundary or into an area where it may not have the right to be. A neighbor's fence crossing the lot line, a driveway extending onto adjoining land or part of a building projecting beyond a b

You do not automatically need 20% down to buy a house. Qualified buyers may have conventional mortgage options requiring as little as 3% down, FHA financing can allow 3.5% down for qualified borrowers, and certain eligible VA borrowers may purchase with no down payment. The better question is how mu

Shoreview at Lakewood Ranch is an established single-family-home neighborhood in Waterside, the Sarasota County portion of Lakewood Ranch. Developed by Pulte Homes, Shoreview is organized around expansive lakes and preserve areas, with many residences positioned to take advantage of long water views

Embassy Villas is a small condominium community at 800 South Boulevard of the Presidents on Lido Key in Sarasota. Built in 1972, the community contains 20 townhouse-style residences distributed among six low-rise buildings around landscaped courtyard areas. Lido Beach is approximately one to two blo