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,

    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

    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

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

    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

    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 ho

    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 v

  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

  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 h

    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

    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 buy

    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, revie

    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 landsca

    If a home inspection finds problems, the next step depends on what was discovered and, importantly, what the purchase contract allows. A buyer may decide the findings are ordinary maintenance, obtain additional evaluations, ask the seller to address certain issues, propose a credit or price chan

    When a Florida property is sold as-is, the seller is generally offering the property in its existing condition without agreeing in advance to make repairs or improvements. That does not mean a buyer should skip inspections, accept undisclosed defects or assume there are no contractual protection

    Fall 2026 brings a busy calendar of festivals and community events to Sarasota and Venice, with outdoor art shows, food and wine gatherings, farmers markets, beach events and seasonal celebrations scheduled from September through November. Highlights include the St. Armands Circle Art Festival,