Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

    A jumbo loan is a mortgage with an original loan amount above the conforming loan limit that applies to the property. For 2026, the baseline conforming limit for a one-unit property in most of the United States is $832,750, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Sarasota County also ha

    You can spot possible water damage in a home by looking for ceiling or wall stains, peeling or bubbling paint, swollen trim, damaged drywall, warped flooring, musty odors, visible mold growth, condensation, deteriorated caulk, and moisture around plumbing or air-conditioning equipment. Outside,

    The best golf courses near Longboat Key, Florida begin on the island itself, where The Resort at Longboat Key Club offers 45 holes across Links on Longboat and Harbourside Golf Course. Those courses are limited to club members and resort guests, so golfers seeking public access can also consider

    Some of the best restaurants near Port Charlotte, Florida range from local Italian restaurants and steakhouses to seafood spots, live-music venues, and waterfront dining around Charlotte Harbor. Standouts include Rossini by Chef Rocco, Prime Serious Steak, The Twisted Fork, The Grill at 1951, Br

    Before renewing homeowners insurance in Florida in 2026, review more than the premium. Ask your insurance agent about dwelling limits, deductibles, hurricane and wind coverage, flood insurance, exclusions, available mitigation discounts, and any material changes from your current policy. For hom

    Beach House Resort is a small Gulf-front condominium community at 1000 Gulf Drive North in Bradenton Beach, directly on the white-sand shoreline of Anna Maria Island. Current property and rental information describes an eight-unit complex with Gulf-facing residences, direct beach access and a sh

    Anna Maria Island Club is a Gulf-front condominium community at 2600 Gulf Drive North in Bradenton Beach, offering direct beach access, Gulf views, private balconies, a heated pool and spa, elevators and covered parking. Residences are primarily two-bedroom, two-bath condos, making the community

    Island Cedars is an established single-family-home neighborhood in the City of Anna Maria, with residences along Los Cedros Drive and Hammock Road and a mix of interior and waterfront settings. Unlike a newer master-planned development, Island Cedars has evolved over decades, creating variation

      Gulf View is an established residential subdivision in the City of Anna Maria where buyers can find single-family homes close to the Gulf of Mexico and some properties west of Gulf Drive just a short distance from the beach. The neighborhood is especially appealing to buyers who prioritize bea

    Bimini Bay Estates is an established single-family-home neighborhood in the City of Anna Maria where luxury island living can include saltwater canal frontage, private docks, pools and boating access. The community contains homes from different eras, including older island residences, extensivel

    Luana Isles is an established waterfront neighborhood in the City of Anna Maria where many single-family homes are positioned along saltwater canals. For buyers who want to keep a boat behind the house, the neighborhood can offer private docks, seawalls and access toward Anna Maria Sound. The im

    Wells Bay Harbor is an established residential pocket in the  where buyers can find canal-front and other waterfront-oriented single-family homes near Bimini Bay, Tampa Bay and the north end of Anna Maria Island. Homes vary from older island residences to extensively renovated properties and new

    Anglers Cove at Villa Rosa is a small deed-restricted waterfront enclave in the City of Anna Maria at the north end of Anna Maria Island. Homes along Villa Rosa Way are oriented around canal-front living, making the community particularly relevant to buyers who want boating access together with

    Esplanade Golf & Country Club at Lakewood Ranch is a private gated community of approximately 1,250 homes built around an 18-hole championship golf course and an extensive resort-style amenity program. The community offers single-family homes and attached residences, three resort pools, fitness

    Plaza at Five Points is an established luxury condominium building at 50 Central Avenue in the heart of Downtown Sarasota. Its defining advantage is location. Residents are positioned at Five Points near Main Street, restaurants, Sarasota Opera, Selby Public Library, Five Points Park and the bro

    The best golf communities near Safety Harbor are generally found just outside the city, particularly East Lake Woodlands in Oldsmar, Countryside in Clearwater and the residential areas surrounding Belleair Country Club. East Lake Woodlands provides the strongest combination of a gated residentia

    Choose a mortgage lender by comparing more than the advertised interest rate. Ask multiple lenders to price the same type of loan, then compare their Loan Estimates, APRs, lender-controlled fees, points or credits, projected payments and cash needed at closing. Also evaluate whether the loan off

    Some of the best golf courses in Englewood, Florida include Boca Royale Golf & Country Club, Lemon Bay Golf Club and Oyster Creek Golf Club, plus the five-course Rotonda Golf & Country Club collection in nearby Rotonda West. The choices range from private championship golf at Lemon Bay to semi-p

    Yes, you can make an offer on the first house you love. There is no required number of homes you need to tour before buying one. The better question is whether the property fits your priorities, budget and location needs after you look beyond the initial emotional reaction. Before making an offe

    The best golf communities in St. Petersburg depend on whether you want island condominium living, a traditional country-club neighborhood, proximity to downtown or a home directly along a golf course. Isla del Sol stands out for combining golf, boating and condominium living near the beaches. Pa