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        <title>Living in Sarasota, FL - Sarasota Real Estate</title>
        <link>https://www.mattleicht.com/blog/2019-03/</link>
        <description>Living in Sarasota, FL - Sarasota Real Estate. Learn more about where is Sarasota on a map, Sarasota housing options, and things to do in Sarasota, Florida. </description>
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    <guid>https://www.mattleicht.com/blog/sarasota-real-estate-report-february-2019.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mattleicht.com/blog/sarasota-real-estate-report-february-2019.html</link>
        <author>matt@mattleicht.com (Matt Leicht)</author>
        <title>Sarasota Real Estate Report: February 2019</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 






Single-Family Home Sales Increase Amid Rising Inventory


SARASOTA, Fla. (March 22, 2019) – In February 2019, inventory continues to increase across the two-county area, reaching a more balanced supply. Median sales prices increased in Sarasota but decreased in Manatee County. Compared to last year, closed sales increased for single-family homes but decreased in the condo market. Compared to last month, closed sales are up overall, indicating a start to the season.


Single-family home sales increased by 4.8 percent in Manatee County and increased by 4.2 percent in Sarasota. Manatee condo sales decreased by 14.9 percent and Sarasota condo sales decreased by 12.1 percent.




Compared to last month, regular closed sales and cash sales increased, as well as the overall dollar volume,” said Amy Worth, second generation REALTOR® and 2019 President of the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee. “It indicates our season is ramping up.”




Median sales prices increased in Sarasota County, but decreased in Manatee County. In Sarasota County, single-family home prices increased by 5.3 percent to $287,000 and condo prices increased by 10.5 percent to $242,000. Single-family home prices in Manatee decreased by 0.5 percent to $298,500, while condo prices decreased by 11.4 percent to $189,000.


Pending sales, or the number of properties that went under contract during the month, decreased in Sarasota County, but increased in Manatee County. In Manatee County, single-family homes increased by 3.3 percent, while condo pending sales increased by 10.5 percent. Sarasota single-family home pending sales decreased by 2.8 percent while condo pending sales in Sarasota decreased by 13 percent.




Month-over-month, the combined pending sales continue to increase, a good indication of future closed sales,” said Worth. “Buyers are becoming more active in the market, taking advantage of low interest rates and more inventory to choose from.




Across the two counties, inventory increased year-over-year in February. Single-family home inventory in Sarasota increased by 13.6 percent from last year, while Manatee County increased by 5.2 percent. Condo inventory increased by 16.2 percent in Sarasota and by 2.9 percent in Manatee.


When the months’ supply of inventory reaches 5.5 months, the market becomes more balanced. In Sarasota County, single-family homes are at a 5.4-month supply, while the condo market has shifted to favor the buyer with a 6.5-month supply. As for Manatee County, the market continues to favor the seller with a 4.5-month supply for single-family homes and a 5-month supply for condos.


The two-county area experienced a decrease in new listings in February 2019. New listings for single-family homes decreased by 6.5 percent in Sarasota and decreased by 1.2 percent in Manatee. Sarasota condo new listings decreased by 6.8 percent and Manatee condo new listings decreased by 3.8 percent.


The median time to contract, or number of days on market, increased for the condo market in February 2019. Sarasota condos increased by 11.9 percent to a median 75 days on market and Manatee condos increased by 54.5 percent to 68 days. Single-family homes in Manatee spent fewer days on the market with a 21 percent decrease to 49 days, Sarasota experienced a 30.4 percent increase to 60 days on the market.














Monthly reports are provided by Florida REALTORS® with data compiled from My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. For comprehensive statistics dating back to 2005, visit www.MyRASM.com/statistics.


Contact Matt 


Matt Leicht, Realtor®


Cell - 941.256.3321


Email - Info@MattLeicht.com






 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2019 16:58:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mattleicht.com/blog/three-new-construction-communities-in-palmer-ranch.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mattleicht.com/blog/three-new-construction-communities-in-palmer-ranch.html</link>
        <author>matt@mattleicht.com (Matt Leicht)</author>
        <title>Three New Construction Communities in Palmer Ranch</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Three New Construction Communities in Palmer Ranch


I love Palmer Ranch, mainly for its amenities, low car traffic, and top-notch neighborhoods. Palmer Ranch, located in Sarasota, is a flourishing community and a coveted area to live in Palmer Ranch has many newer neighborhoods, such as Arbor Lakes, Cobblestone, and Sandhill Preserve. But they also have 3 neighborhoods that are still under construction. I want to educate you on the three NEWEST Palmer Ranch communities, Esplanade, Hammock Preserve, and Sunrise Preserve. There is value in using a Realtor (which is free to the Buyer) when purchasing new construction. I am a local expert in these three communities. Scroll to the bottom to see available listings and charts that compare and contrast these three communities 







1. Esplanade on Palmer Ranch


ABOUT


Esplanade on Palmer Ranch is a new community that broke ground by Taylor Morrison in 2018. It is maintenance free, gated, and has an HOA. Esplanade is a combination of single-family homes and detached villas. There will be 650 homesites when the community is completed, many of these homesites offering lake views. Esplanade on Palmer Ranch is located south on Honore and zoned to Gulf Gate Elementary, Sarasota Middle, and Riverview High School.


Amenities


Esplanade speaks to residents of all stages and interests. The laid-back lovers can enjoy the resort style pool, hot tub, full menu Bahama tiki bar, day spa, dog park, and fire pit. The exercise lovers can check out the tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, fitness center, and direct access to the Legacy Bike Trail. (Residents in Esplanade get a key fob that opens up the gate to provide access onto the Legacy Bike Trail) The kids and grandkids won’t be able to get enough of the splash pad and pool And everyone can enjoy the full-time activities director on staff organizing a wide variety of events for the residents. 









2. Hammock Preserve on Palmer Ranch


About


Hammock Preserve on Palmer Ranch is a gated new construction community that broke ground by DiVosta Homes in 2017. It is maintenance free, gated, and has an HOA. The finished community will have 388 homesites with a combination of single family homes and detached villas. Hammock Preserve is located directly across the street from Esplanade on Palmer Ranch, which is south on Honore. Hammock Preserve is zoned to Gulf Gate Elementary, Sarasota Middle, and Riverview High School.


Amenities


Hammock Preserve has a beautiful amenities center with a resort style pool, clubhouse, fire pit, and fitness center. For the dog lovers, this community even has its own dog park Hammock Preserve has the increasing popular sport of pickleball, tennis courts, and even bocce ball courts. The full-time activities director will keep all the residents busy with plenty of options, which may even include use of the community’s event lawn. 








 


3. Sunrise Preserve at Palmer Ranch


ABOUT


Sunrise Preserve at Palmer Ranch, built by Mattamy Homes, is a gated and maintenance free community that opened in 2019. This is the NEWEST of the new construction communities in Palmer Ranch. Offering both single family homes and attached villas, the community have 412 homesites. These craftsman and coastal style homes are light, bright, and stunning Sunrise Preserve is also located on Honore and zoned to Ashton Elementary, Sarasota Middle, and Riverview High School.


 Amenities


Sunrise Preserve amenities center includes a resort style pool, fitness center, fire pit, clubhouse, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a full-time activities director There will always be plenty to keep you busy in this beautiful community. 











 


Comparative Charts


 






Let me help you


Whether you’re ready to buy today or just gathering information, let me help educate you on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota and what these new construction communities have to offer.


Contact Matt 


Matt Leicht, Realtor®


Cell - 941.256.3321


Email - Info@MattLeicht.com
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2019 12:31:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mattleicht.com/blog/why-should-i-use-a-realtor-when-purchasing-new-construction.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mattleicht.com/blog/why-should-i-use-a-realtor-when-purchasing-new-construction.html</link>
        <author>matt@mattleicht.com (Matt Leicht)</author>
        <title>Why Should I use a Realtor When Purchasing New Construction?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
New Construction and Using a Realtor


New construction is increasing in popularity, especially in Florida. I mean, who wouldn’t want to build their dream home? You or your wife can finally design the perfect house that you’ve wanted for the past 30 years, or you can buy an inventory home. A brand-new home that has already been beautifully built and designed and is simply move in ready   A common real estate question being asked today is, “Why should I use a realtor when I can just go directly to the builder or the community on my own?”








1. A Realtor Can Represent You a Builder Does Not


Builders hire their own sales staff to show the model homes and home sites. And, you got it, sell the new homes However, working with a realtor is a more personal relationship.  A trustworthy agent will have your best interest in mind and work with you to ensure success. When I work with Buyers who are purchasing new construction, I help explain each step and use an attorney to review the contract. I communicate frequently with my Buyers, making the process more than just a transaction, but a positive experience. Even if my Buyers decide not to purchase the new construction, they now have already built a trustworthy relationship with me, and I can assist them in any home purchase they choose.


2. A Realtor Can Negotiate Price Reductions


Builders do not work with as many prospective Buyers as a realtor does. Therefore, they offer many incentives for realtors to bring clients to them. The clients then benefit from these incentives.  For example, I have worked builders that will give my prospective Buyer $10,000 off any build or $10,000 in free upgrades to any build. If you, the Buyer, were to go directly to the builder, you may not receive these types of price reductions or incentives.


3. A Realtor Knows the Right Questions to Ask


Many times a Buyer will walk through a model home and be completely “wowed” by everything inside More often than not, these models contain the most premium upgrades available. A builder will tell you that the base price is $300,000 when in reality that model you just viewed would cost over $500,000 due to the upgrades in it A realtor can guide you through this process and ask the right questions to ensure you get what you “think” you are paying for. When I work with Buyers I make sure my clients know what the base price is, what the upgrades cost, and what the lot premiums are. Sometimes Buyers can forget important questions to ask, and that’s where your realtor comes in For example, I have worked with a Buyer who hoped to put in an outdoor kitchen one day, but the current cost was out of their means. I made sure the builder pre-plumbed the lanai, so the Buyer would have the option to put in an outdoor kitchen in the future. Had this kitchen not been pre-plumbed, the Buyer would not have been able to add this to their lanai later down the road.


4. Using a Realtor is Free to a Buyer


At no cost to the Buyer, you get someone who represents you, negotiates, asks questions on your behalf, and is always a quick phone call or text away. See what past clients have said about buying a home with me.



Building a home is one of the greatest investments a family can make; having a realtor on your team is critical. I’d be honored to explain the process, negotiate on your behalf, and ask all the right questions to ensure the best transaction Check out my client testimonials to see how I build trustworthy and professional relationships to get the job done


Contact Matt 


Matt Leicht, Realtor®


Cell - 941.256.3321


Email - Info@MattLeicht.com
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:16:00 -0400</pubDate>
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