At Preferred Properties of Sarasota, we know two Florida counties like the back of our hands:  Sarasota and Manatee.  Those two counties contain countless neighborhoods, which contain countless choices of homes.  We sell them all.

The heart of Sarasota is Downtown. A cultural mecca, with the hustle and bustle of businesses, restaurants and theatre, yet only a stone’s throw from beautiful Sarasota Bay.  There are remarkable historic homes and apartment buildings nestled between soaring condominiums with breathtaking views.

Travel west from downtown for amazing beach properties. Siesta Key, Lido, and Longboat Key provide a wide variety of homes, from a laid-back bungalows to spacious, elegant luxury homes.  The beaches here consistently rank among the best in the United States.  On the water, enjoy boating, fishing, snorkeling, and more.  Land lubbers will have to settle for boutique shopping, fantastic night life, and high-end cuisine.

Venture to the south part of Sarasota County and you can explore Osprey and Nokomis, which boast some of the most desirable developments in the area.  Both cities provide easy access to the area beaches as well as to I-75, the main artery connecting the major cities up and down the west coast of Florida.

In the southern most part of Sarasota County are the cities of Venice and North Port.  These sleepy little towns are anything but, and are just great places to live.  To play golf, or not to play golf – that is the question.  Or go to the beach.  Or stroll through downtown or one of the many parks.

Not far north, by way of I-75, you’ll discover a little city called Lakewood Ranch.  So little, in fact, part of it is in Sarasota County, and part in Manatee County (okay, maybe not so little).  One of the fastest growing planned communities in the country, LWR (as we affectionately call it) offers several “A” rated public schools, private preparatory schools, and several campuses for higher education.  The Ranch also offers top notch athletic facilities, attracting talented individuals from all over the world.  Over 15,000 residents, who chose from single family homes, condos and townhouses, can’t be wrong about this being a great place to live.

Now that you’re in Manatee County, take a look at the diverse neighborhoods offered here. In East Bradenton, Myakka City and Parrish you will find lovely communities cropping up amongst the citrus groves and cow pastures. Peace and serenity abound here, yet it is steps from I-75, linking you to civilization.  Go west from here, and find exquisite homes along the mighty Manatee River.

Next you will land in the heart of Bradenton.  This is a city of people from every walk of life.  With the location at the southern tip of Tampa Bay, there are ample employment and educational opportunities here.  Home prices from the very low to the very high of the spectrum exist here, making the area appealing to all.

The icing on the cake is that Manatee County, like Sarasota, offers pristine beaches and a wide variety of homes from which to choose.   Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, and the northern half of Longboat Key are the destinations of choice for thousands of visitors. These towns often become the second homes, if not primary homes, for many of these travelers.

Home is where the heart is.  We at Preferred Properties of Sarasota can help you find the home of your dreams.  Just call!  Bri Hays (941) 321-7772, or Kris Kesling-Hays (941) 321-5638.

By Kris Kesling-Hays, Sales Associate, Preferred Properties of Sarasota

One of the greatest joys in my long career in mortgages and real estate, is watching homebuyers, who were previously crippled by the thought that they could never own their own home, be given the keys to their first house. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me, even when it took us months, in some cases years, to get to that moment.

Oh, there are obstacles to buying a home. You bet. But with some planning and effort, it can be done.  If you are serious about home ownership, the very first thing to do is talk to me. Or someone like me, but preferably, me.

Kidding aside, understanding what those elusive obstacles are is key in overcoming them. The #1 obstacle to homeownership is saving for a down payment.  Do you even know how much of a down payment you need to save? That depends. The next obstacle is having dings on your credit. Or too much credit. Or not enough credit.

How much of a monthly payment do you qualify for? Equally important, how much of a monthly payment do you feel comfortable with? Is your employment stable? If your self employed, how much of your reported income will be used to qualify for a mortgage? You need to discuss these things with  someone (me) who can help you understand them and make them work for you.

And that’s just the mortgage side. What about real estate? Are home prices rising or falling? What is the inventory of homes for sale in the area where you want to live? You need a professional to help you wade through this information and make an intelligent decision.

I mentioned that it sometimes took years to get some customers to the closing table. That’s not an exaggeration. Lenders typically look for at least 2 years of stability in the same employment field. They look for 2 years of credit stability, with on-time payments and not a lot of new credit. It takes time for some folks to get to that stage and I have stayed with them along the way.

Recently, Preferred Properties joined forces with Home Partners of America who has an interesting program for people who wish to buy a home, but for one reason or another, are not quite ready. It’s a pretty simple program, really. You find a home you want to buy. If the property meets Home Partners’ criteria, they buy it and turn around and lease it to you. The minimum lease period is 1 year, and you can rent it for up to 5 years. At any time during the lease period, you can buy the property for a price that you’ve already agreed to. You can find more details on our website, www.prefhomes.net, or by talking to someone who knows things. (Me.)

Ask me how you can buy a home and borrow additional money to make it beautiful again!

Many buyers find themselves renting because they feel they can’t afford a nice, newer home. Indeed, many of the homes in an “affordable” price range are back-owned as a result of a foreclosure. These homes are distressed, some severely, and many have been stripped down to bare walls. The banks sell these homes in “as-is” condition, with no offers of repairs.

However, there are mortgage programs available that allow you to buy a distressed home and set aside additional funds to make repairs and improvements in one transaction! These loan programs are designed to revitalize neighborhoods and expand home ownership opportunities!

Call me today to find out how you can make an ugly house into your dream home! (941) 321-5638 or email kris@prefhomes.net.