REAL Exclusive Magazine

Seeing Red

By John and Rose Brasgalla

JRB Group General Contractors

When the owners of this West of the Trail home purchased the property, they knew they were getting a great deal. Of course, buying a home for the price of the lot alone is an even better deal if the house is worth keeping. Updating a 60 year-old house is challenging enough, but it is even more work to fix a place that has had decades of experimental projects and repairs. Having done a loft in Boston as a DIY project, the owners knew that this job required professional services from design through completion, so they contacted JRB Group General Contractors (Sarasota Home Makeovers).

When they saw the company’s complete transformation of a 5000sf Siesta Key waterfront home from vintage 1986 to a modern dream straight from HGTV, the owners knew who to call. DIY was out of the question this time!

At first glance, you notice the striking red exterior highlighted by crisp white trim, a metal roof, and dark chocolate doors.  On a street where each home is unique and different shades of slate blue, terra-cotta and lemon are at home, why not? After decades of neutral everything, a well-planned wash of color is invigorating and welcome in the right context. How could the color of love and Sarasota sunsets not be the right context?! The palette of this home would do just as well in Rosemary Beach, New Orleans, Stockholm, or Barcelona.

While the exterior is striking and inviting, it is the interior that will impress with its practicality, efficiency, and attention to every functional detail. Major modifications include a 500+ square foot master suite and laundry addition, garage reconversion and load-bearing wall removal for a very open great-room kitchen. The entire great-room was gutted, restructured from foundation to rafters, and then re-finished. The two existing bathrooms were completely rebuilt as well. All old systems were removed and replaced with new – electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas, insulation. All floors, doors, trim and hardware were replaced with large porcelain tile, new doors and broad-faced trim boards.

With removal of the obstructing walls, the kitchen space doubled in size and now provides all the conveniences an owner with exceptional culinary talents requires. There is also ample seating at the 12 foot peninsula for his audience. The focal point for the space is the red fired-porcelain mosaic wall tile that is the perfect complement to the spice-tone maple cabinets and creamy quartz countertop. A work of art on the walls as a prelude to the works of art from the kitchen! Every component from corner to corner was placed for optimum function and storage.

On the exterior, insulated impact windows and doors replaced leaky casement units. The garage was re-built adding a 130mph door. The entire roof was repaired and sheeted with metal. All overhangs were corrected to add height to the façade and re-built with new finish materials, new sand-finish stucco, and of course a bright new paint job to complete the look.

How long does it take to build an addition from foundation up AND re-build an entire existing home? Only 4-1/2 months from ground-breaking! And the budget? The perfect finish to a property purchased by a very savvy buyer!

Design/Build services by JRB Group, Inc. General Contractors. Experienced, licensed, and insured. Providing excellence in construction on the West Coast of Florida for 20 years. For all “Before and After” photos and a full design and construction portfolio, please visit Sarasota Home Makeovers on Facebook or www.SarasotaHomeMakeovers.com. Office: 941.953.7963

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged

Does Your House Need A Trusted Advisor?

By John Lambie

The big ticket items for most people are houses and cars. Most of us have, or wish we had, a trusted mechanic. Your mechanic knows how your car operates, keeps your service record and lets you know when maintenance is needed and what to do in the event of a fender bender or mechanical breakdown. And for improving on the original, only real “gear heads” dig in to their own cars to improve performance.

But What About Your Home?  

Most homeowners were not involved in the design and construction of their home. Many of us have only a vague idea of how it works and its current and potential level of performance. And no wonder! A home’s performance is more complicated to assess than a car. Of course we would like it to perform better and be more efficient but where do we even start?

Saving on utilities and insurance is usually a first concern. Home health, especially air quality is a big issue. Whether it will survive the next big storm is another. Then there is home safety and adaptability to the needs children, seniors and multi-generational households. Is the landscape growing food, keeping your home cool and delivering pure water to the Bay? Does your maintenance and replacement schedule for the A/C and appliances or even the roof and windows capture opportunities for economical performance upgrades? Energy and water use are only a small fraction of total performance and even general maintenance can deliver continuous improvement.

If you want to build a new high performance home you would look for a green builder or an architect and a certifying agent that would help you plan and build the home you want. For existing homes, DwellGreen is pioneering the new field of assessment and planning total home performance. The goal is to help homeowners understand their home better and provide guidance to deliver appropriate and cost-effective maintenance and improvement projects.

The key is the DwellGreen trusted advisor. They are building experts with deep knowledge of structural, energy, water, and quality of life opportunities for this climate, but first of all an expert in listening. One size does not fit all and every home will have different potential for improvement depending on your personal preferences. That is why the 3-hour home assessment begins with a half hour interview around the kitchen table. What are you goals and vision for your home? How do you plan to use it? What’s working, what’s not? What are your return-on-investment expectations?

Then the advisor looks “under the hood” of the house, checking its vital signs using tools like the infrared camera for hints for performance, including its safety, air quality, structural soundness, air and water tightness, insulation, roof condition, landscape design, air conditioner, and appliance efficiency. Suggested improvements are based on the personal interview and home performance evaluation.

The result is a simple, clear sequenced action list detailing suggested improvements that serve to guide. The home assessment and action list is kept as a permanent record on your own private portal – DwellPort™.
 
DwellGreen has assembled a network of reliable trades people and service providers who can then execute your house plan. Also, your DwellGreen trusted advisor is available free of charge for any further questions about maintenance and updates on home technology and government incentives.

It only makes sense to exercise due diligence with your home maintenance and upgrade. At the least they should be as well managed and documented as your car’s maintenance.

John Lambie, a LEED Accredited Professional and former adjunct professor in Environmental Studies at Sarasota’s New College, brings more than 35 years of expertise in the fields of green building, solar energy, and sustainable community development to DwellGreen. He holds the 2008 Florida Green Building Coalition’s award for highest performing building and was the executive director of the Florida House Institute for Sustainable Development for 10 years. John may be reached at (941) 866.7628 or via email at questions@dwellgreen.com.

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged

If You Are Waiting To Buy – Think Again!

By C.J. Coury

Most prognosticators agree that home prices have somewhat stabilized from the days of annual double-digit deflation – others predict continued downward movement in home prices. No matter which group you chose to believe there is one absolute certainty – interest rates have increased substantially and are likely to continue their upward trend as inflationary pressure continues.

The impact of rising interest rates on your monthly payment is even more impactful than a decrease in the purchase price of the home, even if they should continue to fall a bit more. Take a look at the following examples for a clear demonstration of why I caution you not to wait any longer to buy.

Example 1: Sale price of home   = $300,000
  Mortgage Loan   = $240,000 (after 20% down payment)
  P & I Payment at 4% = $1,145.80
  Sale price of home   = $270,000 (10% decrease from above)
  Mortgage Loan  = $216,000 (after 20% down payment)
  P & I Payment at 5% = $1,159.53

In Example 1, even though the price of the home went down by 10%, the mortgage payment went up by almost $14.00 per month due to a 1% increase in the interest rate. This 1% increase in interest rates has already taken place with further increases likely. The 10% reduction in purchase price from this point forward, in the opinion of the majority of pundits, is highly unlikely.

Now let’s look at what will happen if you continue to wait while prices fall another 5% while rates increase another 1.5% from today’s levels:

Example 2: Sale price of home  = $300,000
  Mortgage Loan  = $240,000 (after 20% down payment)
  P & I Payment at 5% = $1,288.37
  Sale price of home  = $285,000 (5% decrease from above)
  Mortgage Loan  = $228,000 (after 20% down payment)
  P & I Payment at 6.5% = $1,441.12

In Example 2, even though the price of the home went down by 5%, the mortgage payment went up by over $153 per month due to the 1.5% increase in the interest rate.

It isn’t possible for anyone to know for certain what the future will bring in the way of housing prices and interest rates. The above examples are merely intended to illustrate what could occur and to encourage you to be mindful of both of these factors when considering whether or not now is indeed the time to buy. So, if you are sitting back and waiting for home prices to drop just a bit more before buying you may want to think again.

C. J. Coury is a Private Mortgage Banker with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He has been a mortgage finance professional since 1983. C. J. may be reached at (941) 730-2444 or by email at cj.coury@wellsfargo.com.

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged

Master The Short Putts

By Golf Pro Nick Arthur

To master the art of short putting, a golfer needs two things. The first is the confidence to make the putt and the second is an accelerating putter head down the target line. To improve your short putting, try this drill. All you need is a shaft and three tees.

Place the shaft along the target line (or the toe of your putter.) Then make a gate from two tees. The first tee will be just outside the toe of your putter. The second tee will be just on the inside of the heel of your putter. Then place the third tee directly behind the golf ball, and no further back than your right foot.

The two tees that you have used to create the gate will insure that you are impacting the putter in the center of the face. The third tee which is behind will insure that the putter itself will not travel too far on the backswing. This will create acceleration on the forward stroke. Set up this drill three feet from the hole with a straight putt. Now go out and practice this drill and watch your short putting dramatically improve.

Unusual for a Florida course, The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club has been strategically sculpted by moving nearly 1.9 million cubic yards of earth. This massive undertaking has created elevation, relief, contouring and framing for each hole. The layout gracefully rolls among 12 picturesque lakes and extensive landscaping, forming a fair and memorable test of golf. There are six sets tees ranging from 5,175 to 7,417 yards, all designed to provide maximum playability without sacrificing strategy or beauty. Pines, palms, maples, ficus, mature oaks, colorful flowering shrubs, marshes with aquatic plants, beautiful native areas and white sand bunkers all provide significant visual appeal. Our distinguished Caddie Concierge Program and extensive practice range facility ensure a most unique on-course experience.

Nick Arthur is an Assistant Golf Professional at The Ritz Carlton Members Golf Club. He has been with The Members Club for 5 years. Nick holds a degree in Golf Complex Operations Management from The Golf Academy of the Carolinas, Nick’s technical experience began with the position of Golf Club Technician at Tour Tradition Golf in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nick is also a certified instructor from The Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott in Orlando, Florida and has spent time teaching at The Faldo Golf Institute in Seaview, New Jersey. Nick can be reached at nicholas.arthur@ritzcarlton.com.

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged

Have H.A.F.A.?

By Anne L. Weintraub, Esquire

Anne Weintraub P.A.

It was billed as an exciting new government program to assist homeowners who did not qualify for loan modifications under the Obama administration’s HAMP program. Under the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, or HAFA, a borrower could qualify for a short sale by submitting a HAFA application to their lender to receive a pre-approved listing price within 10 days. With the pre-approved price, the borrower would receive total forgiveness of the note on the first mortgage AND the second mortgage, with an additional $3,000 in relocation expenses as an incentive.

But, what is HAFA in reality? Well, it depends on who your servicer is. The bank that is the servicer or “face” of your loan is the one who calls consistently for payment and sends your statements. It also depends on who the owner of your loan is. I like to bill it “the Wizard of Oz,” but the proper terminology for the bank that owns your loan is your investor. In any event, if you have a servicer and investor who owns your loan and does participate in HAFA, you may be in luck–or not.

So far, I have seen very few HAFA approvals issued by my clients’ servicers. Out of all of my HAFA cases, it appears the best responses have been from Aurora, Chase, and Wells Fargo. These servicers appear to have successfully implemented the program. Other servicers have not delivered results so far. For example, it appears Bank of America has outsourced its HAFA program to sub-vendors. The sub-vendors, such as Prommis, UTLS, and Loan Resolution Company, are supposed to collect the homeowner’s HAFA application and then send it back to Bank of America for underwriting approval. So far, only one of my clients has actually closed with a BOA HAFA approval; in that case, the sub-vendor was Prommis. That approval was not issued without a struggle. It took months and numerous emails and complaints to supervisors and their employees. I would equate obtaining that particular approval to a mental jello wrestling match–interpret as you wish.

My point is that even though the program is a good start, it is not where it needs to be. Any assistance program for homeowners–government or not–must be transparent to the homeowners and all parties assisting them, including the attorney and realtors. Every servicer should post the HAFA guidelines for each investor on their web site so homeowners are not surprised if they are denied. For example, most homeowners do not know that if their investor is Freddie Mac, they cannot participate in the HAFA program if there is an existing offer on the property. By posting this information on their sites, servicers can prevent shock among homeowners and increase the amount of HAFA approvals.

HAFA is not a right–it is only a program. There is no law mandating that servicers and investors participate. In fact, the government incentives are so low that most servicers find participation in the program to be politically correct but probably not as profitable as the fees they receive if the homeowner is in foreclosure.

If you are a homeowner who wants to participate in HAFA, call your servicer BEFORE you list the property so you have plenty of time to learn about the program as it relates–if at all–to you. Some servicers do not even participate in HAFA, so it’s important to eliminate it as on option early to avoid unnecessary delay of your short sale. Be sure to call your servicer to inquire, and provide them with your loan number. The loan number will reveal who your investor is and what you should know about their HAFA requirements. It is also a good idea to call back and repeat the question to multiple customer service representatives to insure consistent answers. For more information, visit makinghomeaffordable.gov.

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Anne L. Weintraub is the driving force behind Anne Weintraub, P.A. practicing in Residential Real Estate Closing, Issuance of Title Insurance & Title Services, Refinancing, Contracts & Deeds and Short Sales & Alternatives. Her practice covers Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, University Parkway, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Bird Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key and Downtown Sarasota.

Anne Weintraub, P.A. is located at 1800 Second Avenue, Suite 882, in Sarasota. You may reach Anne via email at aweintraub@anneweintraub.com or via phone at (941) 685-4300.

Meet The “REAL” Alexa Models

Victoria Warren, Irina Vishneva, Jessica Myslikowski, Katie Holliday, Keren Ericksen Macklin, Kim Ulmer and Leigh Songer
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REAL Magazine 2nd Anniversary Issue Featuring: Alexa Model and Talent Agency, United Way, CornerStone Title and more.

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CornerStone Title: Creating Partnerships in Title and Beyond

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photography by Jennifer Soos

When founders Tom and Mary Howard opened CornerStone Title in 2006, they did so with a well-defined vision for their company and its purpose. During a transitioning real estate market, the couple went into the industry understanding the challenges that awaited. Read More

John Cannon Homes REAL Tauri Event

Guests gathered at John Cannon Homes’ latest model, the Tauri, in Camargo Place at Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch for an entertaining evening event. The home combines a California Mediterranean exterior juxtaposed by a light and airy interior. Read More

REAL, Ritz & Ringling Year III

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club hosted the third annual REAL, Ritz and Ringling event December 10th. A much anticipated, and at capacity, gathering Ed Bertha welcomed the crowd and thanked Leslie Cornell Anders, Membership Director, for the club. Leslie then greeted the attendees in Ritz-Carlton style. Read More

Design Lines – Modern Design

By Pamela Hughes

There is lots of talk and awareness of “Modern Design” today, so for this month’s column I thought it might be interesting to explore the history of how this design style evolved. Sarasota is a place known for its Modern Design heritage, and in fact, has numerous wonderful examples of this design dialect, which we will delve into in a future column. So, let’s look at a bit of history first.

Design is all around us, whether we are aware of it or not.  Any time a human being has applied paint to a pot, adorned a garment, or manipulated a surface to make something utilitarian more pleasing, design has happened. 

As societies and civilizations have developed and changed, the definition of what is beautiful changes too. The rich and ornate baroque of the 16th century led to the lighter, more refined and neo-classically influenced style of the 17th century. What once was thickly carved and often gilded became a painted surface, with less elaborately carved details, still highlighted in gold leaf perhaps, but not so extravagantly.

In the last part of the 19th century, the heavy and pervasive ornamentation of the Victorian era led to a reactionary series of design movements that stripped away the layers of color, pattern and texture of that time and asked the world to look at things with new, more informed eyes.

The Arts and Crafts movement, which had a strong beginning in England during that time, fostered sympathetic colonies of artists, craftsmen, architects and designers in America and Europe. As a reaction to the mass-produced products of the Victorian age, these groups encouraged the hand-wrought object and venerated the individual artist, who often found inspiration in motifs of the natural world.

But things took a major shift at a remarkable school in Weimar, Germany. Called the Bauhaus, it was a place where all the old means of learning were thrown out and the students were taught to look at the world from the most basic elements of color, shape and form, as well as the nature of materials – wood vs. steel vs. glass, etc. In addition, they studied the function of an object or building, before applying any form or style to it. It was a remarkable time and place, with the most energetic and passionate individuals coming together.

Within those plain walls a rich design stew was concocted. For instance, furniture was formed out of bent chromed steel tubes with wicker seats. These chairs remain in the designer’s lexicon and are still looking crisp and new. Pottery and china, silver serving pieces, woven and printed fabrics, typography and ultimately architecture were the curricula of this remarkable place.

Artists that taught in the school are names that are familiar: Klee, Albers and Kandinsky.  Architects Gropius and van der Rohe headed the school at different times.

Many of the faculty ultimately came to this country as Europe and Germany became less hospitable to artists and other free-thinkers. They settled in design and architecture schools, and had a profound influence on the development of cities, buildings, interiors and what we have come to call Modern Design.

One of the things that Modern Design has done is open up the box that is the room, both literally and figuratively. A great example of this is the use of glass. Glass is now able to be made in large sheets, and in contemporary homes and buildings sometimes the entire wall surface is glass. Other materials such as steel and concrete are used in similarly innovative ways.

When we think of Modern Design we think of bright, open spaces, often lightly colored, and embellished with furnishings that are simple but bold of line, and art that is colorful and strong. In Modern Design, fewer pieces are used but each piece has its own interesting character and uniqueness.

Sometimes, whole rooms are created with all new and custom furnishings, with each piece being designed for that particular client or project. These rooms have a consistency and cohesiveness that is special and powerful, as do period rooms from other ages. One can think of great rooms in museums or mansions, where all the furnishings are from the same period, and they have a richness and strength. New rooms can have this same strength where all the furniture, rugs, lighting and art are created and assembled to make an environment that is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you are ever in Chicago, try having lunch in the restaurant in the modern art wing of The Art Institute and you will see how fabulous a tightly designed room can be. This recent addition is by the internationally acclaimed Renzo Piano and the restaurant is named for him. The room is one of those places where every surface and fixture is just right. All glass and white with a pale wide plank oak floor, the expansive space is subdivided by graceful banquettes, the tables are topped with pale white resin slabs, the china and silver are all simple, unique and contribute to the experience. The ceiling is simple and plain, and provides lighting, ventilation, sprinklers, speakers and security, and yet is detailed in such a masterful fashion that one is unaware of all those necessities unless you look for them. These sorts of experiences inspire designers to continue improving and refining what we do as well.

Other times and situations will require a blend of old and new. At Hughes Design, we sometimes create big spare rooms, where there is nothing more striking than a fabulous antique console or commode against a stark and daring wall. We love to mix the old and the new. One rule we have, however, is that quality always blends with quality. You want to buy the best that you can, even if that means buying fewer pieces. So, feel comfortable creating those clean-lined, spare and dramatic rooms that Modern Design has inspired, whether with furnishings all from that period or with a well-vetted mix from other times as well. Somehow, good design always goes beautifully with good design.

Pamela Hughes, the founder and owner of Hughes Design Associates, is well known nationally and internationally. Hughes Design Associates is one of the premier interior design firms known throughout North America for specializing in prestigious custom interiors. In Sarasota, Pamela has completed many exceptional projects including The Ritz-Carlton, The Members’ Beach Club, The Tower Residences, and Plaza at Five Points. Her portfolio also includes some of the most luxurious and distinctive residences in Sarasota. Pamela’s work has been published in the best interior design magazines such as Architectural Digest and Veranda, as well as numerous other publications. Also, Home and Garden Television (HGTV) featured her in the program, “Public Places, Private Spaces”, showcasing her work on the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia, and a luxurious private home in Chicago. In addition to their work in Sarasota, Pamela and her firm design projects throughout the US, Canada, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.  Pamela may be reached at 941.922.4767 or visit www.hughesdes.com.

Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged.

Habitat For Humanity – Myths And Facts

By Renee Snyder

Take a moment and learn the true facts about Habitat for Humanity. You’ll be surprised at the misconceptions you may have.

MYTH: Habitat gives away homes to welfare recipients and poor people.
FACT: Applicants must have sufficient income to pay mortgage payments of approximately $650 monthly, not to exceed 30% of their take-home pay, and have an acceptable credit record and payment history.

 They also have to make a down payment of $2,000 and contribute 300-500 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home or another Habitat home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.

MYTH: Only minority families get Habitat for Humanity homes.
FACT: Habitat builds houses in partnership with those in need regardless of race, religion or any other difference. Prospective homeowners must meet three criteria: need; ability to repay the mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat. Statistically, 33 percent of Habitat homeowners are Anglo and 67 percent are people of ethnic minorities. Habitat for Humanity Sarasota is an equal housing provider.

MYTH: Habitat Homeowners really don’t own their homes.
FACT: The homes are sold and belong to the homeowner as long as they pay their 30-year, zero interest mortgage loan.

MYTH:  Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values.
FACT: Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and the local property tax base.

MYTH: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
FACT: Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat’s abiding belief that God’s love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world. Habitat for Humanity Sarasota is an equal housing provider.

MYTH: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity is not an arm of the government. Habitat is an independent, nonprofit organization that accepts some government funds and other resources to help provide houses for those in need. Local affiliates, such as Habitat Sarasota embrace a philosophy to avoid becoming dependent on or controlled by government funds.

MYTH: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
FACT: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by the late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.

Renee Synder is the Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity Sarasota. She attended the University of Kentucky and is a certified U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant writer. Renee received certification in Laws and Practices of Real Estate and Real Estate Contract Law from Manatee Community College, and holds credentials or has had specialized training in the areas of finance, accounting, management, diversity and professional fundraising. Renee may be reached at (941) 365-0700 or rsnyder@sarasotahabitat.com.

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged

It’s Alignment, Not Your Swing

By Golf Pro Nick Arthur

Have you ever hit a golf shot that you thought should be perfect, however it ends up going in a different direction from what you intended? This could be an alignment issue rather than a swing issue. Proper alignment is one of the most important fundamentals in golf, yet it is one of the most overlooked. To correct an alignment issue you must first understand the proper alignment points.

The first point is your target line. The target line is the direction in which the golf ball is intended to travel. The second point is your body line. Your body line consists of your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders. The body line should travel parallel to the left of your target line. The best way to see the proper alignment is to visualize a set of railroad tracks. The right track would head to your target, and the left track would run parallel left of your target.

To practice your alignment you can use two fiberglass alignment rods as illustrated in the picture. If you do not have fiberglass rods, simply use two golf clubs. Set one rod on the intended target line, set another rod parallel left. This will be your body line. By setting up this practice tool you will be able to tell if your alignment is the issue or if there is a problem with your golf swing.

Unusual for a Florida course, The Ritz~Carlton Members Golf Club has been strategically sculpted by moving nearly 1.9 million cubic yards of earth. This massive undertaking has created elevation, relief, contouring and framing for each hole. The layout gracefully rolls among 12 picturesque lakes and extensive landscaping, forming a fair and memorable test of golf. There are six sets tees ranging from 5,175 to 7,417 yards, all designed to provide maximum playability without sacrificing strategy or beauty. Pines, palms, maples, ficus, mature oaks, colorful flowering shrubs, marshes with aquatic plants, beautiful native areas and white sand bunkers all provide significant visual appeal. Our distinguished Caddie Concierge Program and extensive practice range facility ensure a most unique on-course experience.

Nick Arthur is an Assistant Golf Professional at The Ritz Carlton Members Golf Club. He has been with The Members Club for 5 years. Nick holds a degree in Golf Complex Operations Management from The Golf Academy of the Carolinas, Nick’s technical experience began with the position of Golf Club Technician at Tour Tradition Golf in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nick is also a certified instructor from The Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott in Orlando, Florida and has spent time teaching at The Faldo Golf Institute in Seaview, New Jersey. Nick can be reached at nicholas.arthur@ritzcarlton.com.

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged

Manasota Key, A Natural Choice

By Catherine Seress

Dawn on a misty May morning and I cannot sleep.  I roll out of bed, determined to go walk the beach in the early morning light and look for shark’s teeth. Instead of choosing Manasota Beach, closest to my house, I choose Blind Pass, halfway down the Key and the middle of the 3 Manasota Key public beaches. I had heard recently that Blind Pass was the best for shark’s teeth.

I don’t find shark’s teeth; instead I find Fred from Maine, a member of the Mangrove Coast fly fishing group, out there casting into the surf. We chat and I watch him pull in 2 ladyfish and a grunt on his barbless hook. 

Manasota Key, Sarasota’s most southern key, is shared by Charlotte and Sarasota counties, the line being roughly 2/3 the way south from the northern end. On the most northern tip, you have an exclusive enclave behind gates, a wonderful mixed batch of architecture, age, and beach-to-bay or one or the other. Then comes Manasota Beach and the community boat ramp that sits just west of the intracoastal drawbridge, where everyone puts their boat in. It is a wonderful place, especially if you want to get out to the Gulf which is quick and easy through the southern end Stump Pass. It’s also a place where my son and I did see not only courting manatees, but on another occasion, a mother manatee and her calf. There is also a regularly visiting dolphin who will do tricks for you while you stand upon the bridge.

South of Manasota Beach, underneath the canopied roads, you find many extraordinary residences, most tucked neatly behind established groves of trees. Cruise along at the appropriate 25 mph on this residential Key, and you will come across the residents of the Key, cycling, jogging, and briskly walking. 

Homes on the Key date from the 1950s and if you are a fan of classic beach architecture, you can find some impeccable older properties nestled in the dunes and sea oats. You can also find many more recently built, modern style properties with expansive balconies to make the most of barrier island life. Just about every age and taste is catered for in terms of a unique beach or bay home.

Residential and exclusive without being reclusive, Manasota Key offers quiet enjoyment of island living in Sarasota County. It has 15 miles of beaches along the Gulf, a lower millage rate than other barrier islands in the county and a historical reputation for nudity. 

June. My son is out of school and I have cabin fever. I go down to the Manasota Beach Club, a once naturist resort, and talk with Sydney Crampton, 2nd generation owner / manager.  Nestled within a grove of old oaks and Spanish moss, the Manasota Beach Club is a classic treasure – croquet, tennis, swimming, and incredibly wonderful historic guest cottages, all on the beautiful sands of the Key. You can also take art classes, T’ai chi and yoga here.  Aware of the hotel’s reputation as a “naturist” resort, when Mr. Crampton came to purchase the hotel in 1961 he was greatly relieved to see that it was already entirely fitted out with wicker furniture.

Another day, I promise myself to get down and investigate the Hermitage Artist Retreat, another collection of classic Florida beach cottages that have been renovated and restored to create a residential retreat space for artists from all callings. It has taken many years and many people’s passion, interest, courage and fortitude to make the reality of the Hermitage Artist Retreat complete. And … of course ..  once upon a time, this resort, too, was advertised for the “naturist.” 

December.  Midnight and I cannot sleep.  I walk down the beach under the full moonlight.  Just me, the surf and the long shadows I cast in the blue glow. 

For people looking for a less urbanized feel to their coastal living style, Manasota Key is a natural choice.

Catherine Seress is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate. Manasota Key is one of the many locations she represents. Catherine may be contacted at (941) 928.1187 or sarasota1realtor@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged

Tips For International Buyers Of Real Estate

By Patricia Tan

In recent weeks I have worked with people from several countries who purchased homes here. Their motivations to purchase a property were different, the kind of homes they preferred were diverse, and their budgets varied widely. The buyers also came from different parts of the world, so there were cultural and language considerations when dealing with them too. However, it did strike me that there were many similarities in the questions they asked and the amount of information they required before they felt comfortable making a decision to purchase property here.

We recently made several trips to Canada, where we partnered with one of their leading banks, and made a series of presentations to more than 2,500 bank customers in Quebec and Ontario. While the bank talked about options for Canadians to finance their Florida property purchase, we taught the audience how the real estate market in Florida worked, what they could expect when working to locate the right property, and some of the pitfalls they may encounter along the way. We did a similar series of seminars in England in October, and found many similarities in the questions asked and misconceptions held by members of the audience.

International buyers, just like Americans, invest in property for a variety of reasons. They may be relocating here and buy a primary residence. They may look to purchase a holiday/second home to enjoy for part of the year, escaping winter weather for instance. Some of these purchasers also choose to rent out their properties for short periods when they are not using the homes themselves. The third and growing group of buyers is made up of those simply looking for a return on investment from long term rental properties. Bargain basement prices on real estate, coupled with a healthy demand for rental properties make this kind of investment very attractive to someone who has cash sitting in the bank earning interest at a very low rate.

The first question many foreigners ask is “If I purchase a property in U.S.A., how long may I stay here and enjoy the use of my American home?” It is important for realtors to understand, and convey to their clients, that purchase of property here does not entitle the purchaser to reside here indefinitely, or indeed at all! Questions of this nature are best referred to an experienced immigration attorney as the answer will depend on the individual’s circumstances. Despite popular opinion, and as much as our real estate market may like it if it were true, purchasing a group of rental properties does NOT qualify the purchaser for a green card! Unlike several Central American countries, the U.S.A. does not have a retirement visa, so those looking to spend long periods of time here have to pursue a different immigration strategy, and for that, they need expert advice.

Many international investors ask questions about the tax implications of owning property here. Well, they are many and varied! There are income tax implications if the property is to be rented. Capital gains tax considerations when the home is sold, and possible estate tax issues. It is important to consider these BEFORE a purchase is made, and take appropriate professional advice on how the property should be titled – the buyer’s personal name, a limited company, cross border trust etc. The approach will vary depending upon citizenship, existing tax treaties and the buyer’s personal circumstances. Once again, timely expert advice is needed.

Florida property taxes are also a source of confusion and consternation to overseas buyers. They often think they are penalized and pay more in property taxes than an American citizen. While it may be true that they pay more property tax than a full time resident of Florida, a foreign owner will pay the same property tax as an owner from New York or New Mexico.

Many international buyers come from countries where real estate agents do not have to be licensed and the way in which a consumer searches for property is very different. In their home country, they may be accustomed to working with several real estate agents to be sure that they see all properties that are available in the market. They do not have the benefit of a computerized Multiple Listing System (MLS), and agents can present and show only properties that are listed directly with them. Buyers will often think they have to work directly with the agent who has listed a particular property, and forego the many benefits of working with a single agent who represents them as a buyer.

Working with buyers from a different country can present some challenges to a real estate professional, but international buyers represent a growing segment of our market so it is important that we give them best possible advice and guidance.

Patricia Tan was born in England, and moved to Sarasota in 1997. Her career afforded her the opportunity to live and work in many countries around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. She spent five years as a Director of an American real estate franchise in England in 1990s. Patricia has served as Chairperson of Sarasota Association of REALTORS®’ International Council, and serves on Florida Association of REALTORS®’ International Operations Committee. She currently works as International Sales Director for Prudential Palms Realty. Patricia may be reached at 941-487-5107 or patriciatan@prudentialpalmsrealty.com.

Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine

Links to this article are encouraged