REAL Exclusive Magazine

June 2009 Exceptional Properties

Fine Homes and Luxury Estates Over $1,000,000.

Exceptional Properties Cover Feature

Candy Swick, Candy Swick & Company, 941.954.9000

7116 Teal Creek Glen, Lakewood Ranch Country Club, MLS #A3906635

 To relish in the lifestyle afforded by this luxurious estate home you must be fortunate enough to be one of a select few. Gracefully poised overlooking expansive golf course views, this home offers best in finishes and craftsmanship. Appointments include extensive architectural elements; columns, sculptured wood, soaring custom ceilings, marble, stone-tile, granite, aquarium glass windows and accent lighting. Entertain your guests formally in the spacious living room, dining room or informally on the outdoor entertainment area complete with a pizza oven. Truly an exceptional home for a discriminating buyer.
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Jennette Properties

Leasing the Most Desirable Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Janet Bassett

Lifestyle Photography by Chad Spencer

On Florida’s West Coast the skyline at night time is dramatic but it is the world renowned cultural offerings, sugar fine white beaches, healthy lifestyle and plethora of activity, which makes Sarasota attract visitor’s, travelers and annual customers from around the globe and across the street. Read More

My Community Makeover Fund Raiser.

Friday, July 17, 2009  – 7:30 pm Doors Open … Show 8-11 pm.
Lake Osprey Cabaret – 6265 Lake Osprey Drive – Lakewood Ranch
2 minutes from I-75. Read More

REAL Networking Event
The Concession Golf Club Residences – Royal Melbourne

June 25, 2009 – 6:30-8:30PM – 19208 Ganton Avenue 34202

Featuring Internationally Renowned Interior Designer, Pamela Hughes
Providing A Sneak Preview Of The Interior Design Elements Of 
The Concession Golf Clubhouse

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May 2009 Exceptional Properties

Fine Homes and Luxury Estates Over $1,000,000.

Exceptional Properties Cover Feature

Deborah Beacham, Michael Saunders & Company, 941.376.2688

Villa di Fiori 2880 Casey Key Road Nokomis MLS #A3902227

Villa di Fiori is a bucolic Tuscan villa set in a lush tropical garden overlooking beautiful Sarasota Bay on Casey Key. You approach this waterfront estate through a secluded gated entrance meandering down the stone motor court past fountains & cascading plants. Double mahogany doors open to this fabulous villa that embodies Old World elegance and quiet sophistication. Throughout the home are crown moldings, travertine flooring, plantation window treatments, & walls enhanced with delicate faux painting. Entering, The focal point of the gourmet kitchen and family room is the Old Turkish pine central work station with a wrought iron chandelier. The many additional features include an office, game room, a 3-bay garage with capacity for 7 vehicles, work shop, & fitness room. Enjoy boating from the private dock with a 13,000 pound lift. The beautiful gardens and unique Tuscan residence make Villa di Fiori one of the undiscovered, secluded waterfront jewels of southwest Florida.
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Berlin Law Firm: Full-Service Representation in Real Estate-Related Matters

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photography By Chad Spencer

A full-service practice dedicated to handling all aspects of real estate transactions and litigation, Berlin Law Firm, PA works with real estate agents, lending professionals, builders, developers, buyers and sellers to facilitate successful transactions. One of the region’s only firms focusing exclusively on real estate-related issues, the group distinguishes itself through its exceptional level of customer service. Read More

Kim F. Frazier
Diane K Salon & Spa

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photography by Chad Spencero

For stylist Kim F. Frazier, the art of beauty is more than a profession; it’s a passion. Three decades after launching her career in Sarasota, the New York native continues to love what she does. From makeovers and hairstyles, to special event and fashion work, Kim enjoys the opportunity to make a positive impact on the looks -and lives- of her clientele. Read More

Design Lines – Artful Floors

By Pamela Hughes

Often people ask us, “Just how do we start a design? What are the first things we do?” Well, there is a lot that we do prior to starting, such as research, lots of listening, etc., but when we actually start to design, we often start with the rugs.

Usually a color palette is “built up” from the selection of rugs. As we designers like to say, “It is easier to find a fabric to go with a rug, than a rug to go with a fabric.” So often we start by defining the color palette with the rugs. Rugs can be many styles and colors. In today’s contemporary styling that is so popular now, there are many resources that are producing gorgeous modern-styled rugs in fabulous abstract designs. These designs are often done with muted, soft colors or, depending on your design intent, can be brightly colored. They can be custom designed and colored, and made to the exact size your room requires. Usually they are made of wool (wool simply absorbs color better than other materials, not to mention being phenomenally durable and stain-resistant), and can be ordered to a thickness or specific “yarn count.” These contemporary rugs can look as beautiful on a floor as an abstract painting looks on the wall, and are often used as a floor covering without much furniture on them. They definitely “anchor” the design of a room and can be a major focal point.

Alternately, there are incredible antique rugs available in traditional designs, or new rugs that look antique. One of our favorite sources for new rugs is a company that produces rugs the exact way they were made over 200 years ago. They weave rugs in the same villages in Turkey where they have been weaving them for centuries, while using the same pure vegetable dyes and wool from sheep that have grazed naturally on the same hillsides. In fact, the people making the rugs are descendents of those who perfected the craft so long ago. They have the same method of “finishing” the rugs, creating glossy or matte yarns, muted or bright colors, for an old look or newer look. They can make the rugs look more antique by dulling the colors, and cutting the nap of the rugs to create worn-like areas. The patterns are traditional (though they are starting a new line with more contemporary, simple designs) and the colors original to the design. It is fascinating to see these rugs made on the old looms in charming, quaint villages. The product is superb; often dealers have to inspect the rugs very carefully to determine if they are new or antique. We have used their rugs in grand hotels and private residences with remarkable success, and love the richness and sense of quality that they immediately bring to every room.

Antique rugs can also be used in the same ways, but one is more dependent upon the existing rug in color and pattern when beginning a room design. Whether you buy a “new” antique or have one that’s been in the family for generations, we love the gently worn patina and slight wearing that old rugs give. It speaks of quality and stability, at the very base of the home. And antiques are often so dappled with a myriad of colors it is usually easy to find something in them to go with a color scheme that is being developed.

So now that we have choices as to design, how do we use rugs to maximize their impact on the interior you are creating? Many ways, and there are a few rules. First of all, rugs can be a terrific foundation for a seating arrangement. The rules are to generally keep the furniture on the rugs, avoiding the “one leg on, and one leg off” situation. When designing new rugs or shopping for them, we generally size the rugs prior to buying. It is best to not have the rug too big for the room – we always like to see some of the wood or stone floors at the edges of the room. It frames the rug and allows the floors below to show some of their glory. But we also see rugs too small for a room. A little oriental parked under a coffee table would really be much better suited to an entryway, foyer or small room. And always try to bring some of the colors of the rug up off the floor – use the russets or blues in upholstery fabrics or accent pillows. Similarly, art can have a sympathetic and amplifying affect of having the same hues as in the rug, which works to the benefit of both.

So with that, unroll that ancient rug in the attic, head out to an auction, or go find a lovely new rug and shake up one of your rooms. It will give you lasting pleasure and interest.

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. Pamels’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.

“Show Me The Money” Or How Do I Get Financing For This Condominium?

By Steven R. Greenberg

We are all aware that the underwriting guidelines for purchase-money financing have become very restrictive due to the economic downturn and the subprime lending debacle. As difficult as it is to obtain financing in the current economic environment, purchase-money financing for condominiums has become particularly troublesome. This article will address some of the issues facing buyers of condominium units needing purchase-money financing.

Most institutional lenders are requiring a minimum of 25 percent down by their condominium buyers. This means that a condominium buyer must be prepared to pay 25 percent of the purchase price at the time of closing. Typically, a buyer of a single family home with similar credit would expect to pay 20 percent of the purchase price at the time of closing.

Furthermore, financing for investment-use condominiums is extremely difficult to obtain. Most institutional lenders will require an even larger down payment if they will even loan to a buyer for an investment-use condominium.

Another obstacle facing condominium buyers is financing for a “rental complex.” If the condominium project offers rental services, it may be considered a rental complex by lenders thereby making it harder for the condominium buyer to obtain financing. Although the availability of on-site rental services may add value to the units in a “resort complex,” it can also be a detriment to obtaining financing.

 Conventional financing is also difficult to obtain for condominium conversions and condominium complexes which are still under Developer control. Another impediment to purchase-money financing for condominiums is delinquencies of maintenance fees by more than 15 percent of the unit owners in a condominium complex. Additionally, condominium complexes having less than 75 percent of the units owner occupied is difficult to finance for buyers.

The above factors are intended to be guideline. A loan officer can ask for an exception or variance depending on the particulars of the loan application and the condominium complex. In some cases, a down payment of more than 25 percent will reduce the amount of diligence and inquiry by the lender regarding the condominium complex.

REALTORS® taking a listing of a condominium unit may wish to speak with a lender at the onset in order to learn what financing may be available for this particular condominium complex. Otherwise, their seller may tie up the unit with a contract having a financing contingency of which there is no reasonable expectation that the buyer will be able to procure a mortgage. A REALTOR® representing a buyer of a condominium unit should also consider checking with a lender before submitting an offer with a financing contingency in order to determine the amount of financing that may be available for the purchase of the unit. REALTORS® have traditionally focused on the creditworthiness of the buyer when considering financing. It is now necessary to also consider financing availability from lenders for the purchase of a condominium unit.

Steven R. Greenberg has practiced Real Estate law in Sarasota since 1986 and is a shareholder in the law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A. He is board certified by the Florida Bar in real property law and frequently lectures on matters involving real estate transactions. Steven may be reached at (941) 365-6216 or by calling Linda Witt, Director of Marketing, directly at (941) 586-4412 or by email at mzwitt@aol.com.

Homeowner Affordability And Stability Plan

By C. J. Coury

I have been asked by many real estate professionals to clarify some of the key points of the new refinance mortgage loan available under the provisions of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan (HASP). As all of you have customers who could benefit from this program it is important that you completely understand a few of the factors that determine eligibility.

• Payments must be current on existing loan with no 30-day delinquencies in the last 12 month period.
• The new first mortgage must not exceed 105% of the homes current market value. Their current loan can be paid down to a qualifying amount if need be.
• Existing subordinate financing (2nd mortgage’s, HELOC’s, etc.) must be re-subordinated by the servicing lender in order to allow for the 1st mortgage to be refinanced.
• There is no maximum combined loan to value as long as the 1st mortgage does not exceed 105% of homes value.
• Fannie Mae allows any approved lender to process the HASP refinance while Freddie Mac requires the current servicer to be the new lender as well.
• Borrower must qualify for new loan via standard income and asset guidelines.
• 2nd homes and investor owned homes are eligible for HASP refinance loans as long as they were originated as such when the current loan was obtained.
• No supporting documentation is required, as a general rule, if the current lender is used for HASP refinance processing.
• No PMI is required on new mortgage as long as the current mortgage is not insured. This is true regardless of the new LTV.
• The current mortgage that is being refinanced MUST be owned by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This can be determined via the following phone numbers or web sites:
o Fannie Mae: 1-800-7FANNIE   www.fanniemae.com/homeaffordable
o Freddie Mac: 1-800-FREDDIE  www.freddiemac.com/avoidforeclosure 

This could be a very helpful program to the millions of homeowners who qualify for it across the country. Please advise your customers to inquire about their eligibility if a refinance of their first mortgage will improve their situation as this could save them thousand’s of dollars per year.

For further information about this and other homeowner’s assistance program availability please pass on the free HUD counseling hotline number: 1-888-995-4673.

C. J. Coury is a Senior Vice President with Bank of America and oversees their residential mortgage division serving Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties. Prior to joining Bank of America in 1995, C. J. was President of Mortgage Brokers of America in Birmingham, MI for 7 years. He has been an active mortgage finance professional since 1983. C. J. may be reached at (941) 952-2888 or by email at charles.j.coury@bankofamerica.com.

Stressed Out By Short Sales

By Anne L. Weintraub, Esquire

Anne Weintraub P.A.

Unless you live under a rock, you or someone you know has been affected by the process known as a short sale.  A short sale occurs when the seller will not receive enough funds from closing to pay their mortgages in full and pay all closing costs.  The seller’s lender(s) agree to accept less than what the seller owes them so the seller and lender can avoid foreclosure.  It looks like this: seller is upside down-their home is worth a lot less than their outstanding mortgage balance-so they list the property for sale.  A willing and able buyer makes an offer and the seller accepts.  The listing agent lists the property as “pending” in the multiple listing service as required under Mid Florida Regional rules.  Then, the seller submits the offer to all of their lenders with an entire package showing their income, monthly expenses and obligations, the listing agreement, contract, written authorization to speak with third parties, i.e. realtors and attorneys, comparable values, verification of the buyer’s financial ability to close, and any other documents the lender requires for review.  The lender receives the package, conducts a valuation of the property, appoints a representative to your case and either approves the short sale with conditions, such as repayment of the difference owed between the net proceeds to the lender after the short sale and the loan amount, or the lender lets the seller off the hook.  The seller may or may not be able to avoid taxes for the amounts the lender forgives.

It all seems so easy-but is it?

Unfortunately, short sales have become a nightmarish process for the parties involved-the seller, buyer, attorneys, realtors, and short sale negotiation companies.  Every lender has its own process on how to deal with short sales and it can take between weeks and months-sometimes up to a year-to complete the process from beginning to end.  Most lenders will not disclose how much an offer must be to satisfy their in-house requirements, which leads to a cloak-and-dagger process leaving sellers frustrated and buyers running away from deals.

Before you embark on a short sale, no matter what your role is in the process, it is a good idea to refer the seller to a real estate attorney who can properly advise them about the process and refer them to other professionals who can advise them about tax and other consequences that can occur after a short sale has been accepted.  There are also other great resources available, such as Legal Aid of Manasota, an agency who offers free legal assistance to those who cannot afford attorneys. You can reach Legal Aid of Manasota by calling 941-366-0038. Alternatively, for everyone involved, it is a great idea to visit www.scgov.net/homehelp where you will find valuable information on local programs that are available, including a discussion about foreclosure, short sales, and other types of work-out arrangements, plus valuable phone numbers for non-profit agencies willing to help.

If you are the person talking to the lender and sending correspondence to get the short sale approved, you should keep a timeline of who you spoke with at the lender’s office, their full name, the date, and what you discussed.  By keeping track of conversations, you will save time when a new lender representative answers your call.  It is also a great idea to follow up and make sure the lender has received the correspondence you have sent and is conducting the valuation of the property to bring the short sale to a conclusion.

There is no doubt- short sales are not easy. Until lenders streamline the process and communicate with third parties, we have to do the best we can with the resources we have to accomplish the short sale and close the transaction.

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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.

It’s Never Too Late To Invest In Real Estate

By Jeff Riddell

You can start investing in real estate at any age. If you are young and want to start the conventional way by purchasing a single family house or small rental property, build a team first—relationships are everything in real estate. Find a real estate broker or agent, admit you’re a beginner, show enthusiasm, demonstrate that you have read up on real estate investing and ask him to help you find a property. You might be able to find a “fisbo” (for sale by owner) property to buy net of commission but having a real estate broker or agent looking for properties for you is the most economical approach in terms of both time and money, and they usually help you for free because sellers normally pay commissions.

Using a broker can free up your time to concentrate on other aspects of real estate investing such as negotiation, inspection and other due diligence; mortgage application, closing and tenants. Other team members should include a knowledgeable real estate attorney, CPA, title insurance/closing agent, property inspector and mortgage lender or mortgage broker. Although you may want to shop around for a mortgage, it’s a good idea to try to find a mortgage professional who will at least be your first “go to” person for all your mortgage needs. Take your team members to lunch as often as you can—it’s usually cheaper than paying hourly fees and builds stronger relationships.

If you are older and just getting started, you can take the approach I suggested above or you could take another route to adding real estate to your investment portfolio. Especially if you are already in a time consuming business or career, you could try to team up with someone who is an active real estate entrepreneur; it is amazing how many of them are looking for partners—and partners can be working partners or passive partners. If you can afford time to be active, offer to take on some work; if not, offer some money. There are people in almost every community putting together groups for real estate “deals.”  Such groups are what I call private syndications. Look for those “joint venture” signs up and down the highway, but be careful who you throw in with.

Public syndications are also a way to participate in real estate with little or no work, just money. These include public REIT, private REIT, TIC, LLC and LP investments.  Your source for these will ordinarily be a knowledgeable securities registered representative. Ask your financial planner—especially if he or she has been quiet about adding real estate to your portfolio—but don’t be satisfied with only public (stock market) REITs. If your financial planner doesn’t handle private REIT, TIC, LLC and LP real estate, ask for a referral to a securities registered representative who does.

Jefferson F. Riddell is a Florida Board Certified Real Estate attorney with thirty-five years of experience assisting people with a variety of residential and commercial real estate matters. U.S. 1031 Exchange Services, Inc is a 1031 exchange qualified intermediary (QI) and a member of the Federation of Exchange Accommodators (FEA). As President of U.S. 1031 Exchange services Jeff has been facilitating 1031 exchanges for more than twenty years. Jeff has been awarded the Certified Exchange Specialist (CES) certification. Jeff may be reached at 941-366-1300 or via email at jeff@us1031.com. www.us1031.com

It’s All in How You Say It

By Tracy Eisnaugle

Having a longtime fascination with reading the weekend real estate section and those road stand listing publications has created my vast interest in the home descriptions. In the past they were simple, just a quick blurb about the home itself giving the basic room count and address. Then they started getting sophisticated and adding catchy phrases about the school district and the neighborhood. Today in our flooded real estate market with abundant listings everyone is searching for the right words to make their listing stand out, which lends itself to some entertaining reading.

With my past employment being focused on new home sales and model merchandizing I came from a completely different world than re-sale real estate. The benefit of selling new construction and selling from a model home is the amount of available information on the product. As a designer I created marketing tools to assist the sales team with proper demonstration of the homes and selling the potential materials and finishes. After gaining that knowledge and sales style I found it difficult to compare re-sale listings. I felt that existing homes, renovated homes, and even investment new construction needed the same marketing tools and seller information in order to compete in today’s market. I began reaching out to real estate agents and walking their listings creating a room- by-room outline of all the materials and finishes. This list which I refer to as an Individual Listing Script, provides potential buyers with an informative outline of the homes’ features, while also establishing a sense of value by utilizing brand cognition. The seller gains the security of knowing that their home will be properly demonstrated by their agent or an outside agent because the information to do so is on site for each potential buyer to review and to keep. Providing thorough and accurate information will instill customer confidence and satisfaction.

Some listings do not require nor do they need an Individual Listing Script, which led me to begin working with agents to create comprehensive copy for their brochures and websites with the goal of stirring an emotional interest and creating the desire for the potential buyer to visit the listing in person. I was watching a television program recently where a gentleman’s job was to create enticing restaurant menus. I found his work very intriguing and very similar to what I have been doing. Although he was working with food options on a menu and I have been working with house features in print and on the web, we have the same focus and we are both working toward the same goal = making someone buy one thing over something else. He was able to rework a restaurant’s menu in order to increase overall sales, increase the sales of higher priced items, and increase prices overall. Although some of his tricks don’t apply to our scenario he knew it was all about how you say it, why “fry” when you can “pan sauté.” When we are competing in a congested market the only way to get ahead is to have your listings stand out and be appetizing.
 
Today’s buyers are web-friendly and they have often built in the past or renovated and they are familiar with the products and materials that are available. They want to know what is in that home, “Loaded with options” is longer acceptable nor does it tell anyone anything, people deserve more and want to know more. Great photography is a must and paints a beautiful picture but its leaves out the fine print. I also have a tip about photography just as words become overused so do images, we all know what a bedroom looks like and more than likely they all look the same so, unless it has some incredible feature leave the bedroom photos off the brochures and place then toward the end of the web photos. Kitchens, master bath rooms, outdoor living areas, pools and views sell homes, and women are generally the end decision makers on the purchase therefore, if the listing has an incredible utility room or remarkable master closet then show it.

When it comes time to write the copy and create the marketing pieces for your next listing take the time to think about what really makes this house special and then hype it up. Forget about all the clever phrases from the past, loose the clichés and create unique alluring copy, I promise it will greatly pay off.

Tracy L. Eisnaugle has practiced interior design in Sarasota since 1997 and is currently self employed providing design consultation services in the area. She is a graduate from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and continues her education by attending annual conferences. Her past experience includes, Design Center Manager for Lee Wetherington Homes, high-end residential design and model merchandising. Tracy may be reached at 941.232.3358 or by e-mail at tleisnaugle@msn.com.

Go Global ….
Where are the International Investors?

By Patricia Tan

Despite recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar, interest in our area from overseas investors remains high. I am pleased to report that we continue to see very high levels of interest in our real estate market from overseas investors. This view is supported by my own recent experiences at a property show in London, England, and the experience of colleagues who attended a similar show in Paris, France. Both events were well attended by Europeans looking to purchase property in other countries.  We showcased Sarasota and Florida’s beautiful Gulf coast, and educated visitors about the tremendous value and investment potential offered by our local real estate market.

Exchange rates for both the Euro and Sterling against the U.S. Dollar have weakened recently, so why the sustained interest from overseas? For sun lovers coming out of a dreary European winter, the attraction of a home in our balmy climes is not a hard one to sell, but this alone is not enough for the astute overseas investor. Many look for a combination of lifestyle and investment returns – both from rental income and capital appreciation, and they are finding this right here!

As residents we fully appreciate, but often take for granted, the benefits offered by our beautiful beaches and climate. The opportunities to pursue outdoor activities year round – boating, water sports, golf, tennis and more is not something our European cousins can boast. Sarasota’s position as the cultural center of Florida is also not to be underestimated. Many overseas residents plan their visits here around the opera season or film festival, for instance.

In many European countries, the range of homes available may be somewhat limited. Scarcity of land in heavily populated areas often forces residents to live in small condominiums where they yearn for the opportunity to own their own house and gardens. Architectural styles may be governed by tradition and history, rather than modern day tastes and convenience.  Sarasota can offer many choices to the discerning buyer. Country club living, a contemporary home on the water, casual beachfront living, Gulf views, downtown convenience and so the list goes on.

Generally speaking, international investors see great value for money in our real estate offerings. However they look at price and value – size of home, location, condition, amenities on offer, potential for rental income, accessibility and desirability – these factors all stack up well in our favor.  In particular, I see a lot of interest from overseas in foreclosures and short sales, as there is a general feeling that these properties offer the best value.

Foreign investors are also attracted by the transparency of our market. They appreciate the opportunity to make informed decisions about the true value of a property, based on real data and statistics, not on hearsay or personal opinion, as is the case in many other countries. Knowing that they are purchasing a property with good, clean title and one where all of the permitting requirements have been met is a key consideration.

While we may consider the U.S. tax regime to be punitive in some respects, it compares very favorably with those of many other countries. U.S. income tax and capital gains tax rates are much lower than in many other countries. If an investor gets the right tax advice prior to making a purchase, they can reap the benefits of greatly reduced tax liability in the future.

One of the things we need to be aware of when working with an investor from another country is that we are operating in a global marketplace, and the competition to win the investor’s business may not be coming from another town or state. The investor may be looking at several countries as possibilities for his real estate investment. For this reason, it is imperative that we understand what is happening in markets beyond our own shores and what our strengths and weaknesses are in comparison. That’s why I find attendance at overseas conferences and property shows to be an invaluable tool in building my personal knowledge so I am better able to serve the needs of an international purchaser.

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.

REAL Magazine May 2009

Featuring: The Founders Club Golf Cottages, May Aston, Heart Gallery of Sarasota, Berlin Law Firm & Kim Frazier.

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