Monthly Archives

May 2018

Real Estate in Sarasota

Sarasota is on the Gulf Coast of Florida, overlooking a bay with an abundance of white sandy beaches. The place is considered a perfect vacation spot, and there is an array of facilities that cater to a vacationer or a retiree’s needs. Sarasota generally makes it to the list of America’s best places to live, work and raise a family. The city’s clean air, sparkling beaches and sunny climate have made it world-famous as a center for the good life.

The areas’ vibrant recreational and cultural scene offers activities for every taste and budget. The city offers a good balance of big-city amenities and small town ease of living. Business owners and employees enjoy not only the good life but a thriving business climate. Along with it’s top-rated schools, talented workforce and affordable cost of living, these factors make Sarasota home to some of the most successful and productive companies in the country.

Sarasota Is a Property Treasure Trove

Sarasota is usually noted a real estate hot spot, where prime real estate is in demand. The weather is more attractive than almost anywhere else in the Americas, and this fills in especially for people with a lot leisure time to work on. Currently, the housing market is being gobbled up by vacationers, retirees, and young families who are making their way to areas like Sarasota in large numbers. Sarasota, along with its neighbors to the north and south, Manatee County and Charlotte County, has the 7th largest market in Florida, and it’s also Florida’s third-largest growing market.

With over 600,000 people, the Sarasota/Manatee/Charlotte area is one of the largest, most affluent markets in the state. In the last 5 years, the area has grown 4 times faster than the national average. The per capita retail sales are almost 20% above the national average. It has a strong base of retirement age people; however, the fastest-growing segment of the market is middle-aged adults and their children. It has approximately 1/4 of the population of the Tampa/St. Petersburg area so there’s still a lot of room for development.

At present, the average median price for single-room units is $187,000; 2-bedroom units cost around $253,000, 3-bedroom homes cost $370,000 and a 4-bedroom house would run from $405,000 upwards. Currently, there is a lot of movement in buying and selling single-family homes. The good news for buyers is that there is an abundance of properties to choose from, home prices are adjusted, and interest rates are still historically low, which makes home- sellers a more motivated bunch.

For prospective home-seekers, after searching for a lot of houses to purchase, it is time to choose which type of property suits fits your qualifications, as well as your tastes and comfort patterns. You could choose from a number of sea-side apartments, mid-town condos and housing units, or get a large estate. You could choose to buy seaside homes from Longboat Key to Casey Key, as well as investing in properties in South, Central and Downtown Sarasota. As soon as you pick out the property you want to purchase, confer with local agents on what appropriate payment terms are best suited for you.

Cities of Florida Florida Miami Travel

Why People Flock to Miami

The City of Miami, and Miami Beach as well, has always been enshrined in the American psyche as the “nation’s playground”, for its year-round tropical climate, elegant waterfront homes and condos, lively nightlife, world-famous beaches and its vibrant ethnic diversity.

With its Hispanic essence and live-and-let-live attitude and lifestyle, this area is considered as the most “foreign” city in the US. The area boasts of a psychedelic mixture of architecture and nationalities, fashion and food. On South Beach, at the southern end of Miami Beach, the senior citizens and baby boomers that used to come in droves here have been replaced by the young and trendy; stylish Coral Gables now booms with the posh offices of multinational corporate giants.

Topless sunbathing is also tolerated on certain designated areas of the beach. The TV show Miami Vice helped make the area immensely popular. Miami Beach, particularly Ocean Drive of what is now the Art Deco District, was also featured prominently in the Al Pacino movie Scarface.

photo credit: http://www.miaminewtimes.com

South Beach is a major late-night haunt, where revelers eat breakfast at lunchtime, and can choose from a wide array of restaurants and cafes serving continental, European, South American and Asian cuisines. One of the beaches’ best food haunts is 11th Street Diner, which is open 24 hours a day and Nemo, along 100 Collins Avenue, for its eclectic cooking focusing on seafood, and outstanding desserts. Visitors could also go for a relaxing swim in the sea or in a pool at any of the over-the-top hotels on South Beach, like at the Marlin hotel, or in the extravagant Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. Most visitors would say that it’s a public pool that looks like a Hollywood film set.

A major player in the pop-music world, Miami in general, and South Beach in particular, loves to party. The best clubs are on Washington Avenue, South Beach. Clubs like Crobar, The Mansion, Opium Garden and Shadow Lounge, and a lot more, are filled up on weekend nights, while on nearby Ocean Drive, one could hear live bands clutter the outdoors.

Miami, as well as Miami Beach, may not be like Los Angeles or New York, cities where movies are constantly being shot around every corner. However, Miami has certainly has its fair share of filming. The movie Scarface, which is considered a cult classic, is a tale about Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, who comes to Florida as a Cuban refugee. After becoming a gangster, as a result of the 1980s cocaine boom, he rises to the top of Miami’s organized crime world, only to fall back down.

Most of you would still remember the equally zany film, There’s Something About Mary. One of the funniest movies to ever hit the screen, this film starred Cameron Diaz as Mary, a girl whom men were willing to go to great lengths to impress. Among the Hollywood blockbusters shot on location in Miami Beach and its environs are the Al Pacino football thriller Any Given Sunday, as well as the Martin Lawrence and Will Smith action-flick Bad Boyz.

Cities of Florida Florida

Florida’s Legal Forms

Each state, under the federal constitution of the United States of America, is given the freedom to litigate or debate on a particular legal issue through their own judiciary system.

Every state judiciary adopts their own effective procedures in dealing with the cases under their jurisdiction. The hierarchy or the movements of the cases from the district courts up to the Supreme Court and back again to the Court of Appeals is one example of a procedure that the judicial branch of the states have. This does not exempt Florida being a member of the federal government.

The judiciary department of the state of Florida has their own adopted rules and regulations in treating cases and other movements in their legal facet. All states’ judiciary have several similarities particularly in the general scheme however, there are differences because of the varying state legislations that is passed for the constituents.

Among these differences are in the forms that each state uses. Florida legal forms, though different from other states, still is incorporates the basic entries that most other legal forms have.

The need for the legal forms to be original is rooted on the primary problems of fraud and forgery. Because these crimes are ever growing not just in Florida but as well as in other states, authorities must make their own legal form authentic and original. However, there are forms that are easily downloaded in the internet. These forms are those that have something to do with agreements tri-part covenant forms. Here are some of the Florida legal forms that can be obtained over the net:

Bankruptcy Forms – these are submitted to the government to claim for assistance in case that a business has basically lost market. This form is often submitted together with several proof of bankruptcy including the declaration of assets and loses.

Bill of Sale – this is a form that is similar to a binding contract of sale which is submitted to a counsel for proper documentation. Bill of sale is often given to both parties; the seller and the buyer.

Divorce Forms – the primary form submitted for the nullification of marriage.

Heirship Affidavit – this is an article that gives proof to a person of being a legitimate heir over a particular property and asset.

Premarital Agreement – this is filled to ensure financial security over spouses before marriage. This also tackles conjugal claims in the events of divorce or death. This form is also known as the pre-nuptial agreement.

Promissory Notes – this form is a financial form that specifies delay of payment and the corresponding conditions due to the delay.

There are other legal forms used in Florida. All of which, when properly processed, are admissible in courts in the state. These forms are not valid if there are no legal intervention in the contents and agreements thereof.

Florida State legal forms can also be acquired through packages. This is because one particular case or issue may need as many forms possible and it is a requirement for one another. For example, Divorce Forms may contain one or more forms that are needed for the whole case. Just the same, the form packages can be acquired in their respective department or through the internet. Just be sure that when Florida legal forms are downloaded from the internet, those are the ones that are authorized by authorities.

Cities of Florida Florida Travel

Mend Your Broken Heart In South Florida, Refinance Your Move

A nasty breakup with a lover of six years can be traumatic. Wherever you go, you see painful reminders. Isn’t it about time you move on – literally?

Beat the blues

Moping and moaning about a lost love won’t get you anywhere. While the object of your affection is having fun, you are at home wading through your tears and drowning your sorrows in ice cream. Instead of wasting your time, latch on to a computer. Look for best home buys in South Florida. Refinance your one big leap to the future and a new love.

Talk to your boss about a transfer and present the advantages of having you based in the South Florida office. Surely, the boss can see the light of day with your convincing argument. When the go-signal is given, start packing. You need not panic at the financial aspect of the move to South Florida. Refinance your existing loan and get a little extra for the refurbishing expenses of your new place. With all these hectic preparations and shopping for a house and a South Florida refinance company online, you’ll soon be forgetting that cute heart breaker.

A single’s place

Being single and employed, your budget will be perfect to get a mobile home when starting a new life in South Florida. A mobile home can take you around the State during the weekends and holidays. In addition, you can meet new friends and find new things to do. Make yourself at home anywhere with your mobile home. A little apartment will do well for you too but if you are still on the mend, get around South Florida. Refinance your current loan to purchase a mobile home. Getting on the road is more fun than watching the clock tick time in a small apartment.

Prep yourself to living in a mobile home. Look out for rusts and cracks when checking out the unit for sale. Go over the anchoring straps because good working straps will assure your mobile home’s safety from strong winds. Just a tip: when you hear a hurricane alert, go the safest area. You don’t want to be gone with the wind, mobile home and all.

Keeping yourself busy in South Florida

If you have an artist’s eye and hand, paint the beautiful landscapes. You can put up your paintings for sale. If you love snorkeling, join a snorkeling crew. Get yourself certified and make a living giving lessons. Join the local clubs and meet new people.

You can go to the museums, art centers, theme parks, and to Disneyworld. You can visit a lot of places, really, but you will find you lack the time, so ask the locals for the top ten things you have to do in the south of Florida before getting around.

You will be amazed at how quickly your life has turned around in sunny South Florida. Refinance your future now while you are still full of life and vigor. In this part of the US, you can have a piece of the Caribbean anywhere you take your mobile home. You’ll forget you ever had a broken heart.

Cities of Florida Florida Lakeland Miami Orlando Sarasota Tampa Travel

Care Options In Florida

In the state of Florida, almost one quarter of the residents are over the age of 60. Quality long-term care is very important for many of these older Floridians. The Florida Agency of Health Care Administration (AHCA) regulates Health Care Facilities throughout the state and also administers Florida’s Medicaid program.

Below are a few of the long term care facilities regulated through AHCA:

Assisted Living Facilities: Provides housing, meals and some personal services for residents. Residents have to meet certain functional criteria and must be ambulatory and able to perform daily living activities like eating and able to care for basic bodily functions. Bed ridden residents are not accepted. Medicaid will pay for such a facility if both the resident and facility are eligible.

Adult Day Care: These are less than 24 hour care facilities. They offer therapeutic programs impaired adults. These centers offer many activities such as exercise, education, health screening and behavior modification. These centers also serve as a reprieve to the primary caregivers. These programs may be covered by Medicaid.

Adult Family – Care Homes: These family-type living arrangements provide a private home for up to 5 aged or disabled people (not related). The owner lives with the residents. The residents must not be bed ridden and are subject to other criteria as described in Florida law. Adult family care homes are for residents that do not require more care than can be provided by the owners. In some cases Medicaid will pay if both the resident and the AFCH are eligible.

Hospice: Hospice is a program that coordinates professional services including nutritional counseling, pastoral services, social work, and many other services for the terminally ill. These services can be provided at the hospital, hospice facility or the patient’s residence.

Medicare or Medicaid will pay for these services if the patient is eligible.

Attractions Cities of Florida Florida Tampa Travel

A Trip To Busch Garden in Tampa

If you love the exhilaration of twisting, turning, and flipping at high speeds then you will love the roller coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. There are so many roller coasters to keep you busy that the park will be closing before you know it. But, even if you aren’t a fan of the rides you will still love this amusement park. There are many different shows, restaurants, gift shops, and games that will entertain you as well. If you like rides and the other activities then you will really get a good deal for the entry price!

The best time of year to visit Busch Gardens in Tampa is in early spring or late fall. The reason why is because there will be less crowds and the weather is warm and comfortable, which makes walking around all day enjoyable. If you go in the dead of summer you will be scorched by the hot Florida sun and wait for hours to get on the rides. This can turn an amazing vacation destination into a miserable day of waiting and sweating. Of course, if you visit in the summer you will still have a lot of fun, but it will be considerably more enjoyable in the spring months of March and April or the fall months of September and October.

photo credit: orlando attractions

Another really cool attraction at the Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, that is worth a visit on its own is the safari. Here you can take a tram, or even a private safari, and see zebra, giraffe, lions, and other wild animals. It is excellent and a whole lot of fun. You will feel like you are in Africa and it’s the easiest way to safari while you are still in North America !

You can come to Busch Gardens Tampa for a day or you can create a full week of fun and include nearby Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and the like in your vacation itinerary. When you visit Tampa, Florida there are so many fun things to do in and around Busch Gardens that you really should take advantage of everything while you are here!

If you are worried about having tickets before you arrive then consider buying them online. There are websites that offer discounted tickets and even combination Busch Gardens-Sea World tickets where you can save some money. You can also buy your tickets at the gate when you arrive. Just make sure you have some cash on hand to pay for parking!

Cities of Florida Florida Travel

Guide to Living in Florida

If you’re new to Florida, then you’ve probably already realized how diverse culture is in the Sunshine State. The cost of living, schools, and people will vary from the Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama connections of life in the Panhandle, to Latino influences in the most southern tip. The good news about getting adjusted to life in Florida is that you’re not alone. Most of the people who live there have relocated from another state; therefore, you are surrounded by millions who know exactly what it feels like to be a newbie. Besides contacting the Chamber of Commerce in whichever community you end up in to get all of their new resident information, you can count on the following to be consistent throughout most parts of Florida.

photo credit: americanprogress

Big tax breaks on property and personal income tax are some of the big bonuses to living in Florida. Be sure to file for the Homestead Exception to see if you qualify for further cuts. Unlike getting a driver’s license, filing for the Homestead Exception, registering to vote, or filling out a declaration of domicile, will establish your residency in Florida. A driver’s license will only establish your intent to reside in Florida.

Various permits, forms, and licenses are also necessary for boats, the use of beaches and coastal areas, docks, burning, vehicles and fishing. These will often vary according to county. StateofFlorida.com offers information specific to each of these needs and breaks them down into categories. It also has links to Florida State agencies to help relocating individuals or businesses.

photo credit: travelchannel

Getting the right insurance for your Tampa Bay Florida real estate property and belongings while you live in Florida is a necessity. The recent rash of hurricanes has inspired the Office of Insurance Regulation to reorganize themselves to serve this important aspect of Florida living. Crosscheck some of their links to make sure that your insurance covers all of the possibilities.

Be sure to call or visit the website for the Florida Department of Education to find out how local schools rate in your area. In fact, selecting your property according to school districts may be a good idea if you have, or expect to start, a family in Florida. Each school also has a report on it done by the School Advisory Council Report which rates schools on performance, attendance and various features.

Afternoon thunderstorms are a part of life almost everyday for Floridians during the summertime. This is just one of the features of Florida’s weather that relocators should know about. Being prepared for Florida’s weather will make the transition of relocating much easier. Be sure to ask your neighbors how they prepare for hurricanes and heavy rain. Make sure that you have supplies on hand throughout the year. Also, ask your local authorities about what you should have on hand, what to expect, and who to contact for help.

Expect to see a lot more of your friends and families now that you live in Florida. Visiting you will become a vacation for many of them. It may save you money in the long run to buy year passes to some of the attractions in or around your town or city. It also wouldn’t hurt to collect some brochures from the local Chamber of Commerce, so you have a mini-library of resources at your fingertips for day trips and exciting attractions. Remember that Florida relies on tourism for one of its biggest economies. Your loved ones will still consider Florida one of the top vacation spots long after you have become accustomed to living in the Sunshine State. Be sure to keep any welcome packages you receive from your real estate agent or home owner’s association at finger’s reach for yourself, and for visitors.

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