REAL Exclusive Magazine

New Year Resolutions Undone…

What’s In Your Closet?

By Becca Smith

Ring out the old, ring in the new, and get REAL with your Closet in 2014. If de-cluttering your closet is on your New Year’s to-do-list it’s time to do some spring cleaning. In this issue REAL Style will help you obtain a workable, wearable wardrobe, a wardrobe that expresses your best self.

How would you like to open your closet and have everything in it match your fashion personality, lifestyle, and your body type? It’s possible by taking a long, critical look at what’s in your closet. Read More

Vintage Hair

(Part 2)

By Sheila Venancia

1950’s

The 1950’s were a time defined by tremendous social and political change as women challenged nonsensical ideas about their role in society and African-Americans spoke out against inequality. Factor in the introduction of more television sets into households and the widespread emergence of rock ‘n roll, and it’s no wonder we refer to this decade as the “Booming 50’s”.

In the 50’s, it was mostly the teenage girls that were exploring new trends. One trend was to bleach their own hair with Ivory Snow Flakes and peroxide. Read More

Looking to Buy a Home?

Strategies for Success

By Patricia Tan

When buyers embark upon the search for a new home, they usually have an idea of the kind of property they want to purchase, the size, location and some key features that are important to them. Basic decisions such as a condo or single family home are usually made early, and a budget for the purchase is established by deciding how much cash is available and going through a mortgage qualification process if financing is needed.

Then what? Read More

Premises Liability From A Design Expert’s Standpoint

By William Henry, PhD

Avoiding the pitfalls and detecting the guide posts for success in personal injury claims

As an experienced court certified forensic expert, I am often retained by personal injury and construction litigation attorneys. As an architect, they seek my opinion regarding potential design errors and omissions, code violations, as well as any and all construction defects that may have contributed to a premises liability claim. These claims are filed in order to seek recovery for slip and fall victims, injuries sustained by construction workers, and other injuries or wrongful deaths stemming from the construction environment. Read More

Cash Can Make You The King, Queen Or Jester

By Anne L. Weintraub, Esquire

Anne Weintraub P.A.

The sales professionals in the movie “Pretty Woman” were not the only ones who made a big mistake when they ignored Julia Roberts, cash buyers make big mistakes too. For example, a cash buyer will insist a survey is not necessary to close on real property. For cash buyers, this concept rings true. However, buyers who close without a survey take a big risk. Some buyers learn the hard way. It is not fun to know your home intrudes onto your neighbor’s property and you-not the title underwriter-have to pay for the removal. Without a survey, no underwriter is obligated to pay. This is mistake #1. Read More

LOVE is in the Air!

By Becca Smith

Valentine’s Day is February 14 and celebrated around the world to recognize the love we have for that special someone. Women have become very conscious about fashion trends for this most special and romantic day. They want to know what would be the best of the dresses and outfits to put on to look smart, stylish and impressive to their special ones. A woman dressing up in her own favorite way is a fundamental part of her personality and look. In this issue REAL Style will share some HOT trends that will help women look their best this Valentine’s Day; trends that will last much longer than a bouquet of roses or box of chocolates. Read More

Daniel Matusiak – Action Realty Of Sarasota

A Worldwide Marketplace

By Lalanea Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photography by Giovanni Lunardi

Design by Christian Lunardi

For real estate professional Daniel Matusiak, the platform to success has been rooted in a strong work ethic and a relationship-driven business. The Canadian native, bilingual in English and French, has plied his skills throughout the course of his thirty-year career. Driven to excel, he continues to pursue opportunities to assist his clients in realizing their objectives.

Daniel launched his real estate business after establishing a successful outside sales career with IBM. His professional acumen had earned the trust and respect of a notable clientele; a national bank recognized his talents and asked him to join their group. Under 30 at the time, Daniel found himself bucking the trend. “At the time it was rather uncommon for an inexperienced young agent to acquire the opportunity I did,” he recalls. Read More

162 Osprey Point Drive

Understated Bay Front Splendor

By Ed Bertha

Photography by Detlev von Kessel

Once in a while, a great gem becomes available on the market in Sarasota. A gem that makes you scratch your head asking, “Why would anyone ever want to leave this place?”

162 Osprey Point Drive is just that; a breathtaking gem. The exterior is soft, minimalistic with Mediterranean detail. The exterior entry stairway brings you to an entryway framed by a set of massive bronze and glass doors, 17’ tall. You stand for a moment, breath taken by the magnificent detail and forget to ring the doorbell to let the homeowner know you have arrived. After basking in their brilliance the homeowner notices your gaze and comes to open the doors, beaming with excitement and the background story to this functional piece of art. Read More

New Year Wishes From REAL Magazine

In this issue we visit with Action Realty’s Daniel Matusiak. His insight and marketing initiatives for luxury properties are opening doors and changing the game in Sarasota. We all need a little bit of style and fashion stylist Becca Smith will orchestrate the panache to make us styling smart. Last we go inside the Van Wezel Foundation with Monica Van Buskirk. This behind the scenes look illustrates what the foundation does for our community, beyond supporting the Van Wezel.

Also, it’s time to say farewell to Lauren (Phinney) Dorsett. Besides her anchor role at ABC7 she was a devoted supporter of many causes in our area and a generous donor of her time to help others. Lauren, thank you for your friendship and support of our community. Best in your new endeavors! Read More

Becca Z. Smith

Life, Styled

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

At an early age, Becca Z. Smith was drawn to fashion. Playing dress up with treasures from her grandparents’ trunk, she delved into the glamour of frilly dresses, charming hats, ladylike handbags, unique jewelry and high-heeled shoes. “I remember how beautiful I felt parading up and down the sidewalk, stumbling in heels five sizes too big,” she reminisces.

She never quite grew out of it. For Becca, the idea of fashion evolved from the simple excitement of a new look, to the significant impact of well-placed pieces. Her passion drove her to explore her own sense of style, and it inspired her to help others express themselves. “I became a fashion stylist because I love its transformative nature,” she reveals. “Through fashion we reveal our personalities.” Read More

2014 Panamera E-Hybrid

Making Others Green With Envy

By Fred Krasne

Why has Porsche the leading sports car builder decided to build a hybrid technology based vehicle?

It started in 2010 with the Cayenne S Hybrid. Designed as a parallel full hybrid, it consistently combines typical Porsche performance with continuous improvement in engine efficiency.

At the same time as the Cayenne S Hybrid, the 918 Spyder concept supercar also became the overwhelming star at the 2010 Geneva motor show. A plug-in high performance hybrid with amazing lap times on the Nurburgring Nordschleife and impressively low fuel consumption. The 918 Spyder will go into series production in late 2013. Read More

Island Time At The Winward

Hosted by: Nutter Custom Construction

Featuring: Center for Building Hope

Event Photos Below Read More

Vintage Hair

(Part 1)

By Sheila Venancia

1920’s
The 1920s was a decade defined by social and cultural rebellion. From the bootleggers who smuggled moonshine across state lines, to the women’s suffrage movement that helped to secure the right to vote. Some of us can only think and try to reflect of what things must have been like in the 1920’s.

One of the most observable changes taking place in American society in the 20’s was the evolution of women’s hairstyles. Ladies were saying goodbye to their long Victorian locks and welcoming much shorter hairdos. The ladies of this era began wearing the lovely page boy look that curled gracefully under and gained influence for its femininity and loved by men the world over. From there, the styles evolved into pursuing a more plucky style and many women stormed the salons for the simple straight looking bob. However, the mass appeal of this trend wasn’t accepted by many salons, so barbers became the go-to for 1920’s hairdressing. Read More

What are DreamScapes?

By William Henry, PhD

Over the last 30 years or so I, like many Florida residents, enjoy taking my family to Disney World as well as other theme parks in Central Florida. I hope to take my grandchildren there someday. My favorite has always been the MGM theme park attraction at Disney World. I am also impressed with Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. There seems to be an aura of “Magic” present as well as at the other Disney venues.

Though my background entails practicing both as a designer and researcher, I had not bothered to tap the analytical side– rather than the emotional response to these venues. In other words my attraction mirrored that of other visitors to these theme parks— others who probably aren’t licensed architects and who have not earned doctorates.

Then I happened to attend a lecture at the University of Central Florida presented to a trade association by a dynamic young man named Tony Peluso. I call him young, but Tony physically is probably in his mid-fifties. He is very young at heart. He described how the University of Central Florida has created something called the ‘Knight’s Center’ at UCF. Read More

International Landlords – A Rising Trend

By Patricia Tan

Florida’s still low real estate prices, together with a healthy demand for rental properties have led many investors from overseas to purchase rental properties here. Sometimes the homes are purely for investment, other times they are vacation homes that are rented while the owners are not using them personally.

It can be difficult to find a property that meets both the need of a vacation home and a rental investment. The home that meets the owner’s need for a vacation residence may not produce the best rental returns, but a lower return is often acceptable under these circumstances.

Here are some of the things buyers consider before deciding upon the kind of rental that will work best for them. Read More