Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

Condo association insurance and your individual condo policy protect different parts of condominium ownership. In Florida, the association generally insures the condominium property and common elements it is responsible for, while an individual unit-owner policy, commonly called an HO-6 policy, can

The best places to live in Punta Gorda for golfers depend on whether you want golf bundled with your home, a smaller established golf neighborhood, private-club access, public golf nearby, or golf combined with boating. Heritage Landing stands out for newer resort-style golf-community living, while

A fixer-upper may be the better choice if you can buy at a price that leaves enough room for realistic renovation costs, have the time and tolerance to manage projects, and can finance both the purchase and improvements. A move-in-ready home may be better if you value predictable costs, want to occu

Some of the best golf courses in St. Petersburg, Florida include Mangrove Bay for straightforward public golf, Vinoy Golf Club for a historic private and resort experience, St. Petersburg Country Club for private championship golf, and Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club for golf near the southern wat

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 debt-t

A mortgage lender generally requires an appraisal to obtain an independent opinion of the property’s market value and determine whether the home provides adequate collateral for the proposed loan. The lender is not simply financing the buyer, it is making a loan secured by the property. An appraisal

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 individua

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 beside

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 equipm

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 attr

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

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