Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

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

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

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

Pelican Gardens is a small, established condominium community at 170 Roosevelt Drive on Lido Key in Sarasota. Instead of a high-rise tower, Pelican Gardens offers compact, low-rise residences in a landscaped setting with a community swimming pool. Lido Beach is a short walk away, while nearby Ted Sp

Lido Shores is a distinctive residential enclave at the northern end of Lido Key, known for luxury single-family homes, exceptional waterfront settings and an architectural heritage closely connected to the Sarasota School of Architecture. The neighborhood includes historic mid-century modern reside

Lido Presidential is a classic Lido Key condominium community at 845 Benjamin Franklin Drive in Sarasota, positioned directly across the street from the Gulf of Mexico and Lido Beach. The community contains 40 one- and two-bedroom residences arranged in two- and four-story buildings around a landsca

Orchid Beach Club is a luxury Gulf-front condominium community at 2050 Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key in Sarasota. Completed in 2005, the community contains 54 residences and combines direct Lido Beach access with private elevator entry, expansive terraces, gated security, concierge services, a

Lido Harbour South is an established Gulf-front condominium community at 2100 and 2110 Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key in Sarasota. Dating to 1968, the community includes 69 residences and combines direct access to Lido Beach with a heated swimming pool, clubhouse, fitness facilities, covered pa

Mark Twain condos offer an unusually intimate version of beachfront living on Lido Key in Sarasota, Florida. Located at 1336 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Mark Twain is a boutique condominium of just 14 private beach residences directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The community dates to the mid-1960s and diff

Lido Surf and Sand is an established beachfront condominium on Lido Key in Sarasota, positioned directly along Lido Beach at 1100 Benjamin Franklin Drive. Built in 1976, the condominium combines direct Gulf of Mexico beach access with full or partial Gulf views from many residences, a beachfront hea

1350 Main is a high-rise condominium on Main Street in the heart of Downtown Sarasota, Florida. Its defining advantage is location: residents live directly in the urban core, close to restaurants, shops, cultural venues, the Sarasota Farmers Market and Sarasota Bay. The building combines one- to thr

During a home showing, pay attention to the things that are difficult or expensive to change, including the location, floor plan, room sizes, storage, lot, parking, natural light and relationship to neighboring properties. Then look for visible conditions that deserve further investigation, such as

Neither a conventional loan nor an FHA loan is automatically better for every home buyer. FHA financing can be especially useful for qualified buyers with a smaller down payment or credit profile that makes conventional financing less competitive. Conventional financing can be attractive for buyers

Florida home buyers should start thinking about homeowners insurance before closing is anywhere near the calendar. Once you are seriously considering a particular property, begin gathering property-specific insurance information, and after going under contract, request quotes early enough to identif

A homeowners association, commonly called an HOA, helps operate a residential community according to its governing documents and applicable law. Depending on the neighborhood, an HOA may maintain common areas, operate amenities, collect assessments, manage vendors, adopt and enforce rules, review ce

Yes, HOA fees can increase after you buy a home. Homeowners association assessments are generally based on the association's budget and the obligations established by its governing documents, so the amount owners pay today should not be assumed to remain unchanged indefinitely. Costs for landscaping