10/10/2008-The bail out and its effect on Siesta Key!  No one ever wants to have the U.S. Goverment bail them out, but in times like this it seems as something that was effecting each and every American and had to be done.  The best part for us is the fact that the tax dollars were used and should end up being a substantial profit to our country.  Siesta Ket Real Estate has already seen progress even though not much has happened so far.  People are starting to have confidence in the market again and properties are actually closing and going pending at a substantial rate.  Siesta key Condos for sale are down to 2005 numbers and the number of properties coming on the market is being eclipsed by the number of properties going pending for the first time in years!  This is good news if you own a condo on Siesta Key or thinking of buying one as things are starting to turn around.  Values have decreased so drematically that you can now put as little as 20% down (in some instances) and be able to cover your expenses with the rental income!  YOu haven't been able to do that since 2003.  Everyone seems to think with the economy being bad people are not taking vacations to Siesta Key, but to the contrary.  Our call volume is up and are current rentals are up over 30% at this time of the year compared to last year.  I guess everyone is pulling their hard earned money out of the market and going on vacation.  We are working with our owners as well to get better pricing to our valued guests and to do our part in helping our friends that continue to patronize all of our lovely vacation rentals to do so at stronger pricing.  This, I believe, helps everyone from the owners getting more rentals and our customers to getter better pricing so they can forget about the economy for a short while.  Thanks again for your support and we look forward to seeing you on Siesta Key soon!

9/25/2008- So you want to know about Short sales and Foreclosures on Siesta Key.  I will be more than happy to clue you in!  They are here for sure, maybe not in the abundance as other areas, but they are here.  Here at RE/MAX Tropical Sands we have all been extensively schooled on the processes in closing these sometimes difficult properties.  The general rule of thumb in short sales is that you have to wait approximately 30 days for a response from the bank.  We have been having better luck than that, since we ride the banks like Secretariat.  The last one I did I had bank approval in less than 2 weeks!  Foreclosures tend to be easier, but you need to come in strong as they look at numerous contracts and sometimes the $$$'s aren't the only thing.  Less contingencies helps tremendously and these usually take no more than 5 days.  Keep in mind for investors these can be great ways to buy Siesta Key Real Estate at a reduced cost, but there are a lot of sellers that currently can't qualify to do a short sale and you can make extraordinary deals out of regular properties as well!  I am in the process of becoming the first designated by the National Foreclosure and Short Sale Institute on Siesta Key, so I would be more than happy to explain the processes further at any time.  Thanks and I look forward to talking with you soon!

9/23/2008- What a great time to be here on vacation!  The island is a ghost town for the most part, the weather is beautiful and the deals are a plenty.  Our property owners certainly know the best time to be here as 50% of our vacation rentals are full with owners.  It is that time of the year I guess most people are so busy with their kids back in school or whatever else.  The Real Estate showings on the key are up, I'm guessing that with all of the people that already own down here they realize the value of purchasing in this current market.  Mortgage rates are so low, it is almost a no brainer to be buying Siesta Key and Sarasota Real Estate right now.  We seem to be at 2003-2004 pricing and now you can put as little as 20% down and still break even with rental income...What a great concept!  The second home buyers, buyers that don't require rental income, haven't skipped a beat as they are buying things up quickly.  The investors seem to be coming back slowly but surely for the investor oriented properties and I feel that once these investors quit running scared they will open their eyes and see these tremendous values.  I look forward to talking with you soon on more Siesta Key Real Estate and Vacation rentals!

9/16/2008- Sorry for the delay as things seem to finally be slowing down here with Siesta Key vacation rentals!  Our current renters have the island to themselves as you can now actually drive the speed limit down Midnight Pass Rd.  Things have been amazingly busy though throughout the season and thru summer, I wasn't sure if we would ever be able to catch our breathe!  The Real estate market seems to be heating up with worldly investors and people buying their second homes realize that property values have become very affordable once again.  We continue to watch inventory drop out here and that is a good sign of a turn around.  The Siesta Key Real Estate market had been extremely slow, but with the relatively small number of foreclosures and short-sales, I guess people just decided that the timing wasn't going to get any better!  Thanks to our strong showing so far at our newest office, Tivoli by the Sea, things are heating up with other associations wanting to jump on the bandwagon, but we will be careful in choosing just the right ones that will compliment our current vacation rental inventory as we don't want to jeopardize are relationships with you, the general public, that calls Siesta Key home at least for a week or two.  My right hand man, John, has got are Real Estate arm in full motion as we are taking on only the pick of the litter, Real Estate wise, and the pricing has got to be right and as we ad them to the list you will find them on the real Estate page, just a click away!  Also, keep watching our two sister sites www.trysiestakey.com and www.tryaccommodations.com these will be constantly changing to help make your search for Siesta Key Real Estate or  Siesta Key vacation rental, hotel, etc. that much easier.  Talk to you soon!

6/5/2008- My goal for today (actually the last few weeks) was to talk about buying and owning vacation rental properties on Siesta Key, but I have been so busy opening our third office that I haven't had time to put much together.  I will get back to that ASAP because it is very important to understand the right and wrong ways and right and wrong complexes (because of restrictions) to buy in.  I wanted to take a minute to talk about our new office at Tivoli by the Sea Condominium.  We have officially opened our doors and Tivoli is up and running.  Tivoli is an amazing property being the closest weekly rental property to the Siesta Key village and just slightly North of Siesta Keys' main public beach.  All the units are 2 bedroom/ 2 baths with private washers and dryers and they all are remarkably updated!  They had done very little advertising and needed a great company (mine) to come in and shake things up.  Things are off to a great start.  We have amazing pricing there and great availability, although we are filling fast!  It is are second on-site office and I look forward to adding several more by the end of the year!  So all of you Siesta Key property managers out there; you better watch out! ha,ha.

4/10/2008- I think this blogging is going to be fun!  Ive been wanting to write something new every day.  We are still 80% occupied in our vacation rentals, but it sure seemed to slow down this week.  Its kind of a blessing because we have all been running on empty.  Although this break is nice, It is also short lived because May, June and July are right around the corner.  Sales figures are up almost 40% so that is great and the RE/MAX agents have all been showing countless properties.  I'm guessing That May is going to be a heavy closing month as well.  Its great to see Siesta Key holding its own with the vacation rentals and and the Real Estate.  Next week I will focus on buying and owning a great vacation rental on Siesta Key.  I'll see you soon!

4/3/2008-  Welcome to my NEW weekly blog!  Boy is it busy out there.  Siesta Key Florida is alive with spring breakers and the beautiful beach is packed.  We had a couple walk-ins for vacation rentals today and had to turn them away!?  All of our rentals are full!  My star Real Estate agent Geoff Rossman is having an amazing year with 8 closing alone for the month of April.  The Real estate walk -ins are strong and the sales volume is going to eclipse the 2007 year ten fold.   Im going to Ophelias (the best restaurant on Siesta Key)  and I can't wait to taste that amazing Tuna!  Thanks for listening.