Florida Real Estate & Lifestyle Blog

    Some of the best golf courses near Osprey, Florida include The Oaks Club directly in Osprey, Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club on Palmer Ranch, Mission Valley Golf & Country Club and Calusa Lakes Golf Club in nearby Nokomis, and Serenoa Golf Club in south Sarasota. Golfers can choose between priva

    If you are buying a home in Florida, a termite or wood-destroying organism inspection can be a valuable part of your property due diligence. Florida's climate is highly favorable for termites, and damage may exist even when a home looks well maintained. A general home inspection can identify vis

    As an early planning estimate, home buyers can budget roughly 2% to 5% of the purchase price for closing costs, not including the down payment, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. That means a $400,000 purchase might suggest an initial planning range of about $8,000 to $20,000

    The best golf courses near Bird Key include The Resort at Longboat Key Club for private and resort-access island golf, Bobby Jones Golf Club for outstanding public golf in Sarasota, Sara Bay Country Club for a classic private Donald Ross experience, and The Meadows for additional public options.

    A final walkthrough is a buyer's opportunity to visit the home shortly before closing and confirm that its condition is generally consistent with the purchase agreement and transaction expectations. Buyers typically use the walkthrough to check that agreed repairs were completed, included fixtur

    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,

    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, wh

    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

    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

    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 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 appra

    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