CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Homeowners Facing Foreclosure In Central Park Subdivision Get Short Sale Relief In Lakewood Ranch Florida The so called "mortgage crisis" has hit the west coast of Florida like a hurricane, leaving few communities unaffected, including the Central Park subdivision in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Central Park residents are finding that a Short Sale is an effective alternative to Foreclosure, and a superior choice vs. Foreclosure. The benefits of a Short Sale over Foreclosure are many: Preserve your credit. Most likely avoid a deficiency judgment. Be able to qualify for a new mortgage in as little as 24-months, compared to 7+ years after Foreclosure. Avoid the stigma of Foreclosure on your financial record. Get back on your finan... 01/23/2011

Keep Time on Your Side with These 5 Time Management Tips  RISMEDIA, January 22, 2011-Time management is a crucial part of any business, especially if you're looking to cross things off your to-do list and leave the office feeling like you got something accomplished. As our day-to-day lives-both in the office and at home-continue to become more hectic, knowing how to manage your time can be a successful skill. Here are five tips from the Moola Days blog to help you manage your time more effectively. 1. Create a schedule and stick to it. Having a daily schedule is the first step toward managing your time more effectively. When you come into the office in the morning, the first thing you should look at is your schedule. By mapping out when you will make time for certain tasks, you won't fi... 01/22/2011

RISMEDIA, January 21, 2011-Sales of existing homes and condominiums in Florida rose in December, a positive trend also reported at the close of 2010 as statewide sales activity posted gains over the previous year, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.A total of 15,550 existing single-family homes sold statewide in December, up 4 percent from the 14,923 homes sold in December 2009. The statewide existing home median sales price last month was $133,100; in December '09 it was $139,800 for a 5 percent decrease, according to Florida Realtors' data. However, December's statewide existing home median price was higher than the $132,700 reported in November 2010. The national median existing single-family home price was $171,300 in November, according to the latest... 01/21/2011

CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Help Tele-seminar Free Tele-seminar Explains How To Short Sale Your Home and Avoid Deficiency Judgments - Free to Lakewood Ranch Florida Homeowners Facing Foreclosure!On Tuesday, January 18th, at 6:30 pm, Lakewood Ranch property owners faced with foreclosure are invited to a Free Informational Tele-seminar. You will learn exactly how to stave off foreclosure, how to Short Sale your property even if you've failed in the past, and the truth about Avoiding Deficiency Judgments (the difference between the mortgage balance and property sale price). This is a community-service outreach effort presented by nationally recognized preForeclosure and Short Sale Expert John Michailidis, GRI, CRS, JD - Broker/Owner - SaraMana Properties and the SaraMa... 01/16/2011

(CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Tele-seminar) Many Country Club of Lakewood Ranch Residents Seek Short Sale Instead of Foreclosure in Manatee County Florida The nationwide foreclosure crisis is affecting homeowners at all socioeconomic levels and in all communities. The Country Club of Lakewood Ranch homeowners are themselves coming to grips with the realities of today's Manatee County Florida real estate market. More and more of the residents are coming to realize that the issues created by the bursting of the housing bubble are neither their fault, nor a reflection of their personal integrity. It is what it is, and it "is" an issue affecting millions, including homeowners at the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch. While it's not something generally shared amongst... 01/09/2011

A lifestyle that is clean, healthy, and green is what makes Summerfield community draw continuous notice from homebuyers. This gated village was the first community established when Lakewood Ranch  started to rise from an 8,500-acre site in Manatee County, Florida, during the mid-1990s. From a modest start of two hundred Summerfield homes for sale sold the first year, Lakewood Ranch sales soon more than doubled. By the year 2000, house keys were turned over for some two thousand new residences. At last count, some 15,000 have taken up residence in the Lakewood Ranch Development which now consists of eight sprawling communities.A choice to live at Summerfield means acquiring a home built to the green code of the Florida Green Building Coalition. These homes are energy-efficient, single-f... 12/16/2010

For family-oriented reasons, many young couples and retirees, wind up their search for a home at the Greenbrook village of Lakewood Ranch. Made of up of three neighborhoods—Ravines, Preserve, and Banks—this village hosts affordable single-family dwellings in an 8,500-acre real estate property masterfully developed to be a self-contained community in Manatee County, Florida. One thousand two hundred business establishments providing the comforts of modern-day living have set up shop in Lakewood Ranch since its development started during the mid-1990s. The business park in this seven-village real estate development project is now a beehive of activity for restaurants, shops, and a diverse selection of entertainment places. Public schools in the elementary, high school and middle levels ha... 12/09/2010

Luxury, elegance, and sophistication all rolled into one—this is Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch. One of the eight communities at Lakewood Ranch, this 768-homesite village is a masterfully planned enclave of homes with complete resident amenities and juxtaposed with lakes, wetlands, parks and nature preserves. Partaking of such wonderful integration involves a choice in lot sizes between half an acre up to an acre and a half .       Homes at this gated community are all custom-built creations from the drawing boards of some of the best builders in the US. These studies of fine architectural masterpieces are all fittingly integrated into 1500 acres of a well-preserved natural environment in Manatee County, Florida. For a residence to be constructed in Lake Club, its builder has to ensure tha... 12/08/2010

It would indeed be a delight if a Spanish fifteenth and sixteenth century explorer prominent in Florida’s history, Juan Ponce de León, would have his imprints found at the Riverwalk community at Lakewood Ranch today. Far-fetched as it may sound, this community of five neighborhoods at Manatee County, Florida, shares some of the romance that de Leon has been associated with.De Leon, after all is the explorer who sailed to the American continent in search of the mythical fountain of youth and reached this territory that he called “Florida” or the “place of flowers” in Spanish. Riverwalk, on the other hand, is a village that is laced with miles of nature trails linking its five neighborhoods to an assortment of lakes and woodlands that might as well have been the harbor to the fabled fount... 12/08/2010

Homes of unprecedented value not only in terms of dollars and cents give Country Club East an edge over other real estate developments.  Single-family homes at this gated village, one of the eight in Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County, Florida, cost anywhere between the $300s and the $400s.  There are also maintenance-free and traditional homes that cost from the $200s to the $800s.Beyond these valuations, however, are some appraisals that cannot be captured by mere figures and some pencil pushing.  The location of the village for one can be a priceless gem, for golfers specially, as Country Club East hugs an 18-hole premier golf course.  This layout was the product of the architectural savvy of Rick Robbins, renowned worldwide for his outstanding designs.  Likewise close to the village are... 12/07/2010

Golf is more than a passion to live for in the Country Club village of Lakewood Ranch. This game adored by many is one of the prime factors that made the green way of living become a dream come true in this gated community in Manatee County, Florida. This village, one of the seven in the 8,500 estate of Lakewood Ranch, was masterfully built within the periphery of three world-class golf courses. These layouts include two—King Dunes and Cypress Links—designed by the revered golfer Arnold Palmer. The other course, Country Club East, boasts of a similar pedigree, having been created by the genius of world-renowned architect Rick Robbins. Playing conditions at these three courses have been adapted to varying golfer handicaps, levels and abilities. Complementary to these is a plush clubhouse... 12/01/2010

A client of mine recently went under contract with Gibraltar Homes to build them a home in the Country Club East section of Lakewood Ranch. About 2 weeks ago I escorted my buyers to all of the models in the Country Club East and Lakewood Ranch Country Club. I was amazed at the activity out there. There was an organized Tour of Homes and every model was busy with potential home buyers. I spoke with the owner of Paradise Homes of Sarasota. He told me that he has sold 40 homes in 2010 in Lakewood Ranch Country Club East. My guess would be the average price is somewhere around $500,000. Not too shabby eh? Neal Communities is still building in the original Lakewood Ranch Country Club. There are home sites available in several communities within the Country Club. You can get some great deals... 11/29/2010

Chief Circuit Judge, Lee Haworth of the 12th Judicial District will be the guest speaker along with Troy Funk, Broker/Associate, as well as Cristian Tramontozzi, Short Sale Manager of the Troy Funk Team at Keller Williams Realty, along with Bryan Sands, CPA with Sands and Associates at a Special Event held by Mary Howard of CornerStone Title.   For information on the event call 941-957-3737. For a free and confidential consultation of issues facing foreclosure.  Troy has developed a community service website (www.TroyFunk.com) to help homeowners understand possible solutions to foreclosure.  Troy leads the Troy Funk Team at Keller Williams Realty in Sarasota, Florida.  Having personally experienced foreclosure, Troy has had to Short Sale his own properties, and has successfully closed ... 08/20/2010

Chief Circuit Judge, Lee Haworth of the 12th Judicial District will be the guest speaker along with Troy Funk, Broker/Associate, as well as Cristian Tramontozzi, Short Sale Manager of the Troy Funk Team at Keller Williams Realty, along with Bryan Sands, CPA with Sands and Associates at a Special Event held by Mary Howard of CornerStone Title.   For information on the event call 941-957-3737. For a free and confidential consultation of issues facing foreclosure.  Troy has developed a community service website (www.TroyFunk.com) to help homeowners understand possible solutions to foreclosure.  Troy leads the Troy Funk Team at Keller Williams Realty in Sarasota, Florida.  Having personally experienced foreclosure, Troy has had to Short Sale his own properties, and has successfully closed ... 08/19/2010

Chief Circuit Judge, Lee Haworth of the 12th Judicial District will be the guest speaker along with Troy Funk, Broker/Associate, as well as Cristian Tramontozzi, Short Sale Manager of the Troy Funk Team at Keller Williams Realty, along with Bryan Sands, CPA with Sands and Associates at a Special Event held by Mary Howard of CornerStone Title.   For information on the event call 941-957-3737. For a free and confidential consultation of issues facing foreclosure.  Troy has developed a community service website (www.TroyFunk.com) to help homeowners understand possible solutions to foreclosure.  Troy leads the Troy Funk Team at Keller Williams Realty in Sarasota, Florida.  Having personally experienced foreclosure, Troy has had to Short Sale his own properties, and has successfully closed ... 08/19/2010

>> Market Update  INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE  Last week began nicely with June New Home Sales UP 23.6% to an annual rate of 330,000, well ahead of expectations. This was a sharp rebound from May when New Home Sales sank to record lows not seen since 1963. This volatility of course is all about the homebuyer tax credit (requiring a contract by April 30 and a closing by June 30, now extended to September 30). Consequently, new homes sold at a 422,000 pace in April, fell to a 267,000 pace in May, then went to 330,000 in June. Demographic trends say sales should continue to rebound, as we eventually need to sell new homes at a 950,000 annual rate to meet population growth and replace teardowns. The supply of unsold new homes is now down to 7.6 months, just above the ideal 6-month level... 08/03/2010

As reported this month in the Lakewood Ranch Spotlight, Lakewood Ranch's newest community (Central Park) is moving ahead quickly and Central Park is scheduled to open in JULY! The grand opening will feature 8 new home models to browse through and just like its famous namesake, this beautiful gated community surrounds an amazing park full of amenities. Residents will enjoy a kid's splash park, walking and jogging trails, a recreation center and much more. For more information on Central Park, click here. Gated Living in Central Park - Lakewood Ranch, FL Home prices from the mid 100's Amenities include: Amazing Central Park Recreation Center Kid's Splash Park Walking & jogging trails Posted by Jamie Bullock The Burish & Serena Team www.USA-Floridahomes.net  06/28/2010

  Sarasota Polo Club, Sarasota, Florida When discussing Sarasota real estate, we have already spoken of the beaches, the Bayfront, the city and the country. We've discussed great family neighborhoods and great retirement communities. But here is a subject rarely written about - polo! In 1991, the Sarasota Polo Club began hosting sensational polo matches in Lakewood Ranch. With about 130 acres, consisting of nine meticulously groomed and irrigated polo fields, 2 stick and ball fields and a regulation size arena, Sarasota Polo Club is one of the largest clubs in the country. Every Sunday afternoon during season, the public is invited to bring out their picnic baskets and enjoy the thrill of the "fastest game on four feet". With wagon and pony rides for the kids, tailgating parties and ent... 06/01/2010

Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch Condos for Sale in Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch Florida - Homes and Real Estate by Communities. This is an MLS search for: Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch Condos for Sale, in the Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch Real Estate market of Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch, FL. School information, Buyers tips and relocation guide for home buyers avaiLakewood Ranchble. We're your Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch Realtors with experience, knowledge, and dedication to service. Here you will find listings in the Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch community / subdivision but may include Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch town homes, Lakewood Ranchnd, and Homes on a custom MLS search. 05/31/2010

OVERVIEW ~ April 26 through April 30, 2010 ~ The stock and bond indices worked hard to hold their own with several powerful forces buffeting them all week. The stock and credit markets, lacking a strong sense of direction, moved up and down with each day's predominant economic news story.   FOCUS ~ Perhaps most telling regarding the certainty about where the economy is headed was the weak reaction in the markets to Friday's announcement that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had grown by 3.2% in the first quarter of this year. Let's look deeper.   The good news in the GDP data was that consumer spending was up markedly, growing at a 3.6% rate, and spending by businesses was up, while inflation remained very low. (All of these aspects of economic growth are considered and included in the ... 05/12/2010