Wishing you, your family, friends and loved ones a very Happy and Grateful Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Day and Happy Holidays. We give thanks for the food before us, the family and friends beside us  and the love between us, also the beautiful sunny day shining on us in Venice Florida. I thank all the readers, friends and staff of ActiveRain for your encouragement, friendship and support.     11/28/2013

  NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1, 2013-Part II   This post is a continuation series from NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1, 2013 - Part I. This important information was obtained from Mary Petty of AAA Insurance Agency.   Result of NFIP changes – Elimination of No Waiting Period due to Lender Requirement     Impacts policies where there is a loan on a structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).     Zones beginning with A or V   Lender determines a flood insurance policy has not been issued.  Structure owner is required to purchase a flood insurance policy.  30 day waiting period will be imposed on these new business policies     Result of NFIP changes – No Extension of Subsidy to New Policies or Lapsed Policies for Pre-FIRM Propert... 11/26/2013

Boomers Flock to Venice, FL! Its Not Some Sleepy Retirement Village! Looking for a great place to retire? Maybe some sleepy hollow where you can fade into obscurity? Then steer clear of Venice, FL! What our buyers and sellers tell us to tell other Baby Boomers is, "Boomers flock to Venice, FL. It's not some sleepy retirement village." Venice is a fun place to live and a terrific place to invest in real estate. What is there to do in Venice, FL When you move to Venice, FL you'll be close to many beaches and the warm water from the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches in and near to Venice include; Venice Municipal Beach, Casperson Beach, Brohard Paw Park, and Nokomis Beach.  Venice is a community that includes golf, sailing, yacht clubs, marine life, biking trails, tennis. There are art shows, ga... 11/26/2013

  Thanksgiving Dinner in Venice FL, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church 2013   Every last Sunday of the month, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice FL, offers a free meal to about 120 people of all ages in the community.  They served about 180 people at a free Thanksgiving Dinner today November 24, 2013      Who are the attendees?  Many of the attendees were from all walks of life, especially the needy and low income residents and a handful of the church members who do not feel like cooking for the day. In the last nine months, a total of 1066 people have been served with full meals including soup, dessert and beverages. All the attendees enjoyed the delicious Thanksgiving dinner in a friendly family environment. While eating, they fellowshipped and chatted with each other at the same table, some... 11/24/2013

  Venice FL 34285, Homes for Sale Market Report – October 2013   How is the home for sale market doing in Venice FL34285, 34292 and 34293? Check out the October 2013 report prepared by Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty.  The data is based on single family homes sold in Venice FL per postal zip codes.   Search Homes for Sale in Venice FL 34285  There were 16 new listings, 6 went under contract and 10 sold. The median sold price was $272,450.00 with 20 median days to contract and the sold price to list price ratio of 97%   Compared to last year October, median home prices went up 15.93 % from $235,000 to $272,450     Search Homes for Sale in Venice FL 34292  There were 25 new listings, 12 went under contract and 20 sold. The median sold price was $280,000.00 with 32 median days to contract ... 11/23/2013

  NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program Changes October 1,2013, Part I   The National flood insurance program (NFIP) changes effective on October 1, 2013, are due to the U.S Congress passing the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. The changes affect many property owners.     Result of NFIP changes – Premium increases   1.       Flood insurance premiums will increase an average of 10% for policies written or renewed on or after October1, 2013.  2.       25% increases for certain Pre-FIRM(Flood Insurance Rate Map) policies on (a) Non-Primary/Non-Principal residences (b) Severe Repetitive Loss(SRL) properties  (c) Properties that have incurred flood-related damages in which the cumulative amount of the NFIP claim payments exceeded the fair market value of the property(as a... 11/21/2013

Plantation Venice FL, Golf Homes for Sale The Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice FL is a lovely golf home community developed by C & M Associates, The Plantation Development Company and The Plantation Golf Club of Venice. The first homes were built in 1980, and are still being built up to today.  Find golf homes for sale in Plantation Venice FLThere are more than 2500 homes in over 30 communities, which were built on a premier golf course covering  over 1300 acres of land with a Master Association.  Each community has its own HOA fees and rules.Plantation is nestled between US 41 and Center Road with entrances on both ends of Rockley Blvd. Homes in Plantation are surrounded with tropical foliage. Residents have convenient access to I-75 and minutes to schools, banking, restaurants... 11/20/2013

 Venice FL, Holiday Parade 2013 A happy time of the year is around the corner, because the largest night time parade in the area, which bring smile to all faces - the traditional Holiday Parade 2013 in Venice FL is less than two weeks away.   When: November 30, 2013 Saturday Time:  5:00pm pre- parade entertainment. Parade starts at 7:00pm Where: Venice downtown starts at corner of Park Blvd and W. Venice Av. Tickets: Free to the public Contact:  941-488-8780 or email: vhparade@verizon.net Major sponsors: The city of Venice and the Gulf Coast Community FoundationStreet closing: Venice Ave. on the island will be closed at 3:00pm from Business 41 to Venice Beach.    Who are the Holiday Parade’s participants? There are more than 3,000 participants representing about 120 local businesses, no... 11/19/2013

  Floss Silk Tree (Chorisia speciosa) – Flowers and Trees, Florida   This large tree in Florida which has many thorns and beautiful flowers is called floss silk tree. Its scientific name is Chorisia speciosa.   On my way to show properties I saw this tree in Pinebrook, a deed restricted community within the City limits of Venice.      Floss silk tree likes warm weather and is drought tolerant. The younger tree trunk is green in color due to high chlorophyll content. When the tree is mature it can grow up to about 50 feet tall, and its trunk which has thick thorns will change to a gray color.  It is suggested to plant on oversize lot. The thorns serve to store water for the dry season.  This ornamental tree’s leave have five leaflets, and it blooms from the fall through winter. The flowe... 11/17/2013

  Home Safety Checklist, When You Are Away On Vacation   The holidays are around the corner. Many people have plans to go away on vacation visiting their out of town families. This home safety checklist will help to keep your home safe when you are away.     Home Safety Checklist # 1  1.    Set your daily or frequently used lights and TV on timers with different on/off times, so that others may not know there is nobody home.  2.    Install motion detectors on outside lights. Use deadbolt locks on all the outside doors. And set the  loud alarm system on.  3.    Make arrangements for your lawn care.  4.    Stop all your newspaper and mail delivery or have a trustworthy relative or friend pick up these items daily.  5.    Ask a relative or a friend you can trust to check your home at rando... 11/15/2013

  Red Flag, No Home is Perfect  including New Construction   Post for the “Real Deals of Real Estate” … Let’s Dish!  November contest by Erin Bates of Aspen Lane Real Estate in Aurora, Colorado.    To avoid a red flag, because no home is perfect, buyers of residential properties are always recommended to do home inspections, including for new construction. Some sellers may not tell you and want to cover up the major issues by using a simple fix to make the house look nice; for new construction, the builder may hire low cost contractors as a way to save money and make more profits.   The following are Red Flags – 6 major problems, the seller will not tell you.   Red Flag # 1.  Leaky roofs. Two weeks ago I showed a nice house to a couple who were first time home buyers.  The walls and cei... 11/12/2013

  Bougainvillea, Florida Gardening   Bougainvillea is named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French scientist, lawyer and explorer whose name also graces an island in the South Pacific. Its bracts have a showy beautiful variety of colors that stand out from the crowd, and make it popular in landscaping design.     The papery leaves are called bracts, and flowers are in many different colors, including magenta, pink, purple, red, salmon, variegated, white and yellow. The bracts which surround the tiny white flowers are three sided and provide a protective enclosure. It is also referred to as paper flower. The branches have spiky thorns and may grow from 3 to 40 feet.   There are dwarf bougainvillea, shrubs and vines. The dwarf variety is slow growing and the shrub and vine are fast... 11/10/2013

  Brazilian Pepper Tree, (Schinus terebinthifolius) – Invasive Species   The commonly named Brazilian Pepper tree is an invasive plant, which has been called Florida Holly - however it is not a holly.  Its scientific name is Schinus terebinthifolius.  The plant is a native from Brazil, South America.                 Enjoy the video!   Brazilian pepper trees like warm weather and are sensitive to cold.  The tree grows up to about 30 feet tall. It flowers from September to November and its fruits ripen from November to December.     It has clusters of white flowers that form into clusters of bright red fruits/berries among the green leaves. It looks so pretty that some people use it to make a wreath for Christmas decorations.   Birds (especially the migrating robins) love the Brazilian pe... 11/08/2013

  Traffic Update, Venice FL – November 10, 2013    This is an important traffic update for Venice FL residents and all the drivers on the road on Sunday November 10, 2013. Due to the Rev3 Triathlon sporting event, expect traffic delays as follows:   Traffic update – November 10, 2013 Sunday   To avoid running late at your appointment, check the information below and leave your home earlier, so that you may arrive at your destination on time.   Roads                                                                      Time  Harbor Drive (from W. Venice Ave. to Caspersen Beach) 5:00am 4:00pm Venice Ave (from Harbor Dr. to Jacaranda Blvd. traffic circle) 7:30am 10:00am Pinebrook Rd. (from Center Rd. to Laurel Rd. 7:30am 11:30am Center Rd. (from Pinebrook Rd. to Stoneybrook) 7:30am 10:00am ... 11/04/2013

  Pagoda Plant – Ornamental Shrub for Florida Gardening   Pagoda plant is an ornamental shrub that enjoys tropical weather more than the cold. It is a perfect plant for Florida gardening. It originated from the South East Asia.      It is a fast growing plant that can be propagated from semi hardwood cuttings or seeds and does not like to be over watered.  It can also be grown in a flower pot as an indoor plant near windows or doors for sunlight.   They bloom between spring and fall with clusters of showy flowers in tiers like the shape of a pagoda. The orange reddish flowers have some white, stem from one trunk, and will attract bees, butterflies and birds.   Pagoda plant’s leaves are in heart shape.  As the shrub grows taller, the leaves closer to the top will become smaller in shape.... 11/03/2013

  Venice FL Real Estate Market Report – September 2013   Is the real estate market in Venice FL cooling down? Check out the market report - September 2013 for single family homes provided by your real estate agent Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty    There were 151 new listings in the month of September. 44 pending and 97 sold. This report will be divided into three categories as follows:   Market Report for Standard Sales in September 2013    Total new listings                          115  Total pending                               28  Total sold                                     80  The highest sold price                   $825,000  The lowest sold price                    $  70,000  The average sold price                  $269,591  The average days on market         85 The sale pri... 11/01/2013

  Blues Festival, Venice FL – 2013 Exciting news! Venice Florida is hosting its first Venice Brew and Blues Festival next month 2013 by Venice Main Street Inc. and the Tampa-based Suncoast Blues Society. It will attract many blues fans from around the country to town.                                                     image from bing.com   When: November 16, 2013 SaturdayTime: 10:00am – 7:00pmWhere:  vacant land between East Tampa Ave and East Venice on Venetian Waterway on the island. Contact: 941-484-6722 for more informationTickets: $20 in Advance, $25 day of event. Click to buy tickets here or you may get your ticket at one of the following locations:  Blu Island Bistro -         625 Tamiami Trail S, Venice FL 34285 Venice Wine & Coffee – 201 West Venice Ave., Venice FL 34285 Venic... 10/30/2013

  Rev3 Triathlon in Venice FL – 2013   Welcome Back! Residents of Venice FL are so excited that the Half Rev3 Triathlon 2013 coming to town for the second year in a row. It will attract many athletes and visitors from around the world.   When:               November 8 -10, 2013  Friday to SundayWhere:             1600 South Harbor Dr. Venice FL 34285 ( Start and Finish location)To register: http://rev3tri.com/news/team-rev3-2014-application-form/Cost: FreePurse Prize:      $50,000(HalfRev)Local sponsors: Chiropractic Sports Medicine, Lake Venice Golf Club, Power Bar, Sharky’s on the Pier Restaurant, Tempo Cyclery, TriBling and Visit Sarasota County.     This multi variation of sporting event attracted about 1000 athletes and 550 volunteers last year. It also improved the local businesse... 10/26/2013

In VeniceFlorida you will find the popular community of Stoneybrook.  This 900 home, gated community was recently voted by Builder Magazine as one of the TOP 10 BEST SELLING communities in America. The community center includes a resort-style swimming pool, a kid’s splash pool, and an in-line skating park. For grown-ups, there’s health club with an on-site-activity director, aerobics studio and four lighted tennis courts. For kids of all ages, there’s a basketball court, two sand volleyball courts, greenbelt, tot lot and a multi-purpose sports field.  Stoneybrook is minutes away from some of our areas most beautiful beaches, close to lots of fantastic shopping and short drive to our area’s famous cultural activities. Selling your house in today's market takes more than knowing how to co... 10/23/2013

  Homemade Halloween Decorations - Venice FL   Halloween is approaching, are you looking for some ideas for your homemade Halloween decorations?  I found these homemade items that were for sale from the 2013 Venice Sun Fiesta this afternoon. I got permission to take these pictures and would like to share with all my readers and friends in the Rain.         Enjoy and Happy Sunday!       10/20/2013