Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

    Yes, having student loans does not automatically prevent you from buying a house. Mortgage lenders generally consider the monthly payment associated with your student debt along with your income, credit, other debts, down payment and proposed housing expense. One important measurement is your de

    A useful starting point is to budget about 1% to 4% of your home’s value each year for maintenance, repairs and replacements, according to Fannie Mae. That means a $500,000 home might have a general savings target of $5,000 to $20,000 per year, but the right number depends much more on the indiv

    The best golf communities near Dunedin depend on whether you want to live directly beside a course, belong to a private club, play an executive course within your community, or simply keep several strong golf options nearby. Fairway Estates stands out for buyers who want to remain in Dunedin bes

    Before buying a home with a pool, inspect more than whether the water looks clean. Buyers should investigate the pool surface, structure, decking, coping, pumps, filters, heaters, plumbing, electrical components, drainage, safety features and any screened enclosure. Ask about the age of major eq

    Sarasota-area sellers hoping to reach winter buyers should begin preparing before peak snowbird season is fully underway. Visit Sarasota County identifies December through March as the area’s traditional high season, while Hunt Brothers Realty’s Sarasota seller guide notes that winter can be an

    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 individu

    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 bayo

    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

    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 se

    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

    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

    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 bayfro

    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

    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 h

    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

    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 ins

    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 sou

    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 appl

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 h