REAL Exclusive Magazine

REAL Magazine March 2009

Featuring: 336 West Royal Flamingo Drive, Roger Pettingell, Penny Hill & Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Read More

Casa Amalfi: Emerging From The Jungle

3206 Casey Key Road

By Walton Beacham

It’s not quite the Amalfi Coast—no thousand foot precipice dropping to the rocky shores of the Mediterranean, no tourist buses veering along breath-takingly cliffs, no five mile line of traffic—but as you drive meandering Casey Key Road with the beach an arm’s length from your car, you’ll feel the drama and romance of the sea pulling you toward a simpler life that celebrates the sand between your toes, the sun’s warmth in January, and sea turtles nesting as the moon rises. Read More

Lora Bedford

Law Office Of Lora L. Bedford, P.A.

Attorney at Law

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photography by Chad Spencer

When Indiana native Lora Bedford discovered Sarasota, she knew she was on to something good.  A graduate of the Florida State University College of Law, Lora went on to garner a coveted post-commencement position with the Florida Senate.  A colleague invited her to her home in Sarasota, and Lora was hooked. Read More

February 2009 Exceptional Properties

Fine Homes and Luxury Estates over $1,000,000

Read More

On Effective Recruiting: Co-Branding For Success

By Michael Saunders

Recruiting the top agents in any given market is as essential to the success of a real estate company as finding the right buyers, having the best listings and closing the most transactions.  Once you’ve signed the best and brightest agents and fortified them with the layers of support they need to succeed, the listings, closings and market share typically follow in kind.

To attract and retain the top people in any field you have to continually prove that having your company’s name emblazoned across their business cards is the best career move they could possibly make; that winners just naturally want to co-brand with winners.  Real estate agents are constantly peering over their shoulders; paying close attention to which companies are signing the most successful agents; and, equally important, why and how long these agents remain with the company.  I am extremely proud to say that I have a large percentage of agents who have been with me almost from the very beginning. That’s nearly 33 years now, and counting.
 
That being said, the relationship between agent and company is a two-way street.  At Michael Saunders & Company, for example, we are a value-driven organization.  Being a top-producing agent, therefore, is not necessarily all it takes to strike a match.  Our mutual values must mesh completely; meaning you must demonstrate an ethic of unquestionable integrity while striving at all times to maintain the highest standards of excellence and innovation in your daily business practices.  As well, you must demonstrate excellent communications skills, be accepting of others—including their differences—and understand the value of teamwork.  Finally, you must be willing to make maximum use of the latest technologies that improve and speed our communications.   In exchange you will be given every support mechanism you need for the two of us to be mutually profitable.

At our company we strive to attract the market’s top professionals by demonstrating in both words and deeds that the substantive support we provide our agents—especially in the areas of marketing, continuing education and cutting-edge technology—is second to no other company they could possibly work with.  We show them our latest (and long-term) market share statistics—culled from Trendgraphix, a verifiable, independent source—then show them the high number of buyer-controlled transactions we close each year.  Finally, we take them on a physical walk-thru of our Agent Support Center, where they catch a glimpse of the work being done, meet the various department heads and their team members, sample the daily business routine; and get a realistic feel for the possibilities of working with us.

I think what really sets a company apart in the mind of a potential recruit is its ability to change swiftly and deftly with the times, while remaining financially solid.   For example, it was with no small amount of chagrin that I took immediate steps last year to launch our company’s Assets Management Division the moment it became crystal clear that the mounting number of residential and commercial foreclosures was far from being a temporary aberration.  As soon as we recognized the scope of the problem and knew our agents would need the skill sets necessary to deal with foreclosures, short sales and the like, we set up this entire division to address the crisis; then hired someone with a great degree of appropriate experience to oversee its operations.  As much as I look forward to shutting this division down the moment rampant foreclosures become a thing of the past, I think it demonstrates to potential new recruits that as a company we will always put ourselves out there where it makes the most sense; so that we can be part of the solution rather than simply sit back and bemoan the problem.
 
Ultimately, the new recruit wants to wake up every morning feeling energized about the day ahead; secure in the knowledge they’ve made the right decision by co-branding with your company.  That decision should be rewarded every day by a management team that wakes up each morning pledged to finding innovative new ways to support their daily activities.

Bio
Wherever the heavyweights of national and international real estate convene, you’re likely to find Michael Saunders—founder and chairman of Michael Saunders & Company—helping to set the agenda.  With principal offices in Sarasota, Florida, Ms. Saunders presides over one of America’s most prestigious independent real estate brokerages—comprised of more than 540 sales associates and 155 staff members.  Michael Saunders & Company is ranked as the 75th largest brokerage in the nation according to the 2008 Power Broker Report, compiled annually by RIS Media; and is included among the 35 most influential Realtors in luxury real estate in the United States.

Sarasota Style- Let’s Light It!

By Pamela Hughes

In our last column, we wrote about the beautiful Sarasota sunsets and skies, the special colors we enjoy in our gorgeous Sarasota natural environment, and of how we use all of these elements to enhance the interiors we create.
 
We spoke of sparkling azure blue, clear aquamarine and effervescent sea green hues.  The neutral effects of soft whites and sand colors completed our palette.

So how do we make the most of these incredible colors and truly show them to their best advantage? The answer is Lighting, with a capital L.

REALTORS® have a mantra; we have all heard it because it is so true: location, location, location. As designers, we have a few mantras as well, and one of them is: lighting, lighting, lighting.

Even the best designs in the world will fall flat, literally, without proper lighting.

So how do we achieve proper lighting? Several ways. My favorite answer to that question is to remember human scale. People enjoy lighting at their level, whether they are reading, walking through a space, focusing on artwork, or lighting a kitchen or workspace.

Table lamps give a glow to a room, are at a human scale, and add warmth. Even in minimalist and very modern or contemporary rooms, we use table lamps liberally as they offer pools of light where you need them, and add romance and comfort to a room. In most spaces, table lamps are the perfect solution.

Floor lamps also create lighting magic if used in the correct way. They are a wonderful functional and aesthetic light source. Try using them in corners to light up the perimeter of a room and, of course, by that favorite chair for reading.

Speaking of reading, if you love to read in bed be sure that your bed lamps are about 30” high. That height will work if you are sitting or lying in bed, devouring your favorite juicy novel.

Table lamps and floor lamps need not just be functional. One of the joys of using both is that they can become sculptural and artistic objects that add to the design interest of your room. Just about anything can be made into a lamp: a vase, an actual sculpture, something from the natural environment, a found object. Be creative…design something unusual and interesting!

Shades are really important too. If you want that lovely glow from your table or floor lamp, make sure you use a light-colored, see-through fabric rather than a dark fabric shade or a paper shade. One of the best benefits of table and floor lamps is their glow, and the light needs to be able to transmit through the shade.

Lighting work areas can be fun as well. Kitchens, laundries, and workrooms need very bright and functional lighting in general, but these spaces also require the ability to adjust the light source. In the “old days”, we had to rely on down lights and track lighting for these spaces, but today, the market offers varied and fascinating light fixtures that attach to ceilings in all sorts of configurations and wattage. Having the ability to tone down or “brighten up” these rooms is necessary, and having dimmers throughout gives us that flexibility.

And we all know that room where the lighting needs to be ultra-flattering! The bathroom! Bathrooms require a general, overall light source so we use decorative ceiling fixtures that spread light throughout the room. Down lights are used over the sink and vanity areas to provide good, functional light for shaving and make-up application (separate shaving and make-up mirrors are a real plus for this also). Sconces on the sidewalls of the vanity or the back wall provide soft light to illuminate the sides of your face.

So, the bottom line is, we need light that is both functional and “does the job”, as well as light that creates and enhances a beautiful room. Both objectives are achievable with a little knowledge and a free rein on your creativity!

BIO
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.
www.hughesdes.com

Representing A Buyer Purchasing A Bank Owned/REO Property

By Steven R. Greenberg

It should come as no surprise to you that there are a glut of foreclosed (“Bank Owned” or “REO”) properties on the market. Many Buyers are looking only for “foreclosed” or “short sale” properties to purchase since it is perceived by Buyers that these are the best bargains on the market. This article will focus on the Counter-Offer Addendum used by the banks in the sale of REO properties.

It is critical that REALTORS® understand that the REO Counter-Offer Addendum supersedes all conflicting provisions of the Contract. There are often times when there are subtle differences between the two documents. For example, time periods may be different for the same matter and, in fact, the computation of time periods may also be different in the documents.

Some other points of concern in a typical REO Counter-Offer Addendum are as follows:

1. The Deposit is held by an Escrow Agent of Seller’s choosing, usually the closing agent selected by Seller.

2. The Buyer must submit a prequalification letter from either a direct mortgage lender (or from the bank that owns the property) or in a cash transaction, proof of liquid funds on deposit in the U.S. sufficient to close the transaction.

3. The Closing Date is modified to be the specific date set forth in the Contract, or five days after Buyer’s receipt of the loan commitment, “whichever is earlier.” This can be a real trap for the unwary.

4. The Seller is only required to provide insurable title, not marketable title. If the Seller’s closing agent will insure the title to the property, the Buyer is obligated to accept it. The ramifications of this modification to the Contract are far reaching, and will be addressed in a future article.
 
5. The Buyer is purchasing the property in its “as is, where is” condition without any warranties whatsoever. Accordingly, the Buyer must rely solely on inspections to ascertain all matters pertaining to the condition of the property.

6. No personal property is included in the sale even though items of personal property may have been included in the Contract. Some Counter-Offer Addendums provide that no personal property is included in the sale unless specifically described in the Counter-Offer Addendum. Accordingly, it might be necessary to include the items of personal property both in the Contract and the Counter-Offer Addendum.

7. The Buyer waives all rights to file and maintain an action against the Seller for specific performance. The only right afforded to Buyer in the event of default by the Seller is to receive a refund of the Buyer’s Earnest Money Deposit. This is of significant concern since the Seller can intentionally default under the Contract at the last minute, e.g. someone offers more money for the property and the Buyer’s only recourse is to receive a refund of the Earnest Money Deposit. It should be noted that in my experience, rarely does the bank default under Contracts for the sale REO  property, but it is possible and the Buyer has an inadequate remedy.

This article is intended to be only an overview of some of the difficulties with the REO Counter-Offer Addendum. It is imperative that a real estate lawyer represent the interests of the Buyer in a REO sale of property. In next month’s article, other problematic areas of the REO Counter-Offer Addendum will be discussed.
BIO

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 REinfo@icardmerrill.com.

Real Estate Investing

By Jeff Riddell

Andrew Carnegie said:

More money has been made in real estate than in all industrial investments combined

The big boys know all about it and have made fortunes for generations through real estate. Even the railroad barons of the 19th century knew that wealth was in real estate. When they built the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s, the government gave them 640 acres of land for each mile of track they built. They believed they could sell the land for millions as business was drawn to the railroad, and they were right.

Real estate is a long term investment. Patient real estate investors will be rewarded. So don’t let age hold you back—there are few investments that will treat you better. Although there are times when the stock market looks inviting, the averages show that the stock market does not outperform real estate over the long haul but we’ll come.

Think where you would be if you started with $25,000 and kept it invested in real estate for 40 years, doubling every five years. You would end up with $1,600,000. If you had $100,000 to invest instead of $25,000, the result would be $6,400,000. If you started at 25, you would be there by the time you turned 65.

The “Rule of 72”—divide 72 by any annual interest rate and it will tell you approximately how many years it will take to double your money—says that you need 15% equity growth each year to double your money in five years (try it out at www.moneychimp.com). The value of your real estate would need to appreciate about 5% per year for your investment to double in five years.  Although 15% annual return may be higher than the norm, you should strive to do it even if you need to invest some sweat equity. Consider this example: $5,000 compounding at 10% for 30 years equals $87,247 but at 15% the number is $331,059 and at 20% the number is $1,186,882.  No, your eyes are not deceiving you—the compounding rate makes a big difference in overall returns over long periods of time, and with leverage (mortgage) it is possible to achieve even higher equity compounding—but more on mortgages later.

But you’ll never achieve wealth from real estate investing unless you take the plunge.  Laurence J. Peter said:

There are two kinds of failures: those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought

Unfortunately, many people read about real estate investing but never get started in a serious and meaningful way. They keep their day jobs and dream about financial independence. These are the people who later say “I missed my chance, prices are so high now—I’m just too late.” You will never just happen to be in the right place at the right time.  Comedian Bob Hope said

I’ve always been in the right place at the
 right time. Of course, I steered myself there.

You can do it. Thomas Edison said:

If we did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves

So don’t procrastinate, get started.  Life is not a golf game—you only get one round.

BIO
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.

As a licensed securities registered representative and real estate broker, Jeff is uniquely qualified to assist those who wish to avail themselves of 1031 and 1033 exchange tax savings and also guides investors in diversifying their portfolios with non-publicly traded REIT, LP and LLC real estate investments. Jeff’s new book, 21st Century Real Estate Investing Featuring 1031 + TIC has recently been published and is available at Amazon.com. Jeff may be reached at 941-366-1300 or via email at jeff@us1031.com.

Navigating Through Fannie Mae’s New Condo Guidelines

By C. J. Coury

On January 15th, Fannie Mae changed their requirements for the purchase of condominium mortgage loans in the state of Florida. While these changes are certainly going to make it more difficult to obtain financing on these purchases there are some things that you can do to help mitigate this obstacle. Below are the most significant changes as well as some helpful tips.

Full Review of Existing Projects: Many lenders will have the ability to review and approve existing projects. This will save substantial costs ($1,200 + $30 per unit) vs. obtaining project approval through Fannie Mae. It will be necessary for the lender to contact HOA management to have their full review form completed. Help to expedite loan approval by providing them with the contact information.

Fannie Mae Review of New and Newly Converted Projects: On any newly constructed or newly converted projects a PERS review by Fannie Mae is required. The cost of this review is $30 per unit as they are currently waiving the $1,200 fee. Once a review has been completed the results will be posted on their web site at www.efanniemae.com. Prior to listing any Florida condominium for sale you should first check this site and obtain approval if it is not yet listed there. Set the right expectations and allow them time to complete their review – currently projected to take 2 weeks.

Pre-sale Requirements: The pre-sale requirement for new or newly converted attached projects has increased from 51% to 70%. However, this requirement can be waived on a project that has received a PERS review (see above) so I don’t see this as being much of an issue at this time.

HOA Dues: No more than 15% of the unit owners can be 30 days or more past due on their condominium/association fees. Not much you can do about this one other than ask the HOA management in advance.

Insurance Requirements: Although it has always been a good idea, individual “walls in” coverage has never been a requirement. This will now be required of the buyer on most projects. This will be determined during the project review process (see above). Again, best practice is to obtain project review in advance.

There are a few other changes to their approval requirements but these are the primary ones that you should understand and discuss with your seller or buyer.

Be proactive when listing or selling a condominium to learn if financing the purchase will be an issue.

BIO
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.

Go Global South of the Border

By Patricia Tan

Why is Mexico one of North America’s favorite destinations? Is it the miles of white sandy beaches, emerald-green reefs of the Caribbean, state-of-the-art hospitals and medical care, or something more?

Mexico’s attractions are many and varied and will be viewed differently depending upon the motivation of the visitor to this friendly, welcoming country. Tourists will undoubtedly be drawn by the natural beauty, Mayan history and the opportunity to enjoy unspoiled beaches and water sports in the clear blue seas.

Once smitten with Mexico’s attractions, many tourists visit over and over again and eventually decide to settle in the country. Many of those people decide to make Mexico their retirement home. The fact that American and Canadian money can buy much more south of the border is probably the most significant benefit to retirees living on a fixed income, or those who want to enjoy a lifestyle that would be beyond reach in their home countries. 

First, Mexico makes it easy (and cheap!) to qualify for a retirement visa. There are no high entry fees, and retirees can import their personal belongings, including a car, duty free. Money buys much more south of the border, where you can enjoy all the modern conveniences of life, including medical coverage to a very high standard at a fraction of the cost in USA or Canada. Retirees often talk about a very high standard of living that includes domestic help, being achieved for only $20,000 a year.

Foreigners are often concerned that Mexico’s system for property ownership is very different from their home country. First, Mexican real estate transactions are not regulated in any way, and real estate agents and brokers are not required to be licensed. The old saying “let the buyer beware” is very appropriate and it is imperative that anyone looking to invest in Mexican real estate seek the guidance and advice of a competent attorney to draw up contracts and review the terms and conditions of sale. Additionally, an attorney can do a title search and point out any issues. American title insurance companies are now operating in Mexico and title insurance can provide the buyer with peace of mind. The foreign buyer should always engage his own attorney, rather than using the attorney of the seller or the real estate company.

The Mexican Constitution prohibits direct ownership by foreigners, of real estate in the “restricted zone.” This zone comprises all land located within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of any Mexican border, and land within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of any Mexican coastline. However, in order to permit foreign investment in these areas, the Mexican government created the “fideicomiso,” which, roughly translated, is a real estate trust. Essentially, it is similar to trusts set up in the United States, but a Mexican bank must be designated as the trustee and, as such, has title to the property and is the owner of record. The Mexican Government created the “fideicomiso” to resolve the problems involved in developing the restricted zone and to attract foreign capital. This enabled foreigners, as beneficiaries of the trusts, to enjoy unrestricted use of land located in the restricted zone without violating the law.

Foreigners who decide to make Mexico their vacation or retirement home can choose from a variety of real estate options: Modern beach houses or condominiums, dramatic views of the sea from a hillside retreat, or tranquil living in colonial home set in a rustic highland valley. 

Interested to find out more about real estate in Mexico? Call Patricia Tan (941-504-9232) for more details on Mexico and information on upcoming educational seminars regarding Mexican developments and real estate opportunities.

BIO

Patricia Tan was born in England, and moved to Sarasota in 1997. Her career in international sales and marketing has 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. Patricia spent five years as a Director of an American real estate franchise in England in 1990s, when American real estate companies were just entering the European market.

Patricia has earned the REALTOR® designations of Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI), and Transnational Referral Certification (TRC). She 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 in Sarasota, where her focus is to bring international buyers to the local market. In 2008 she organized and took part in marketing trips to Canada, Asia and Europe, to promote Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Sarasota area in particular. Pat may be reached at 941-487-5107 or patriciatan@prudentialpalmsrealty.com.

A Little Bit of Green Goes a Long Way

By Tracy Eisnaugle

If one of your 2009 resolutions is to take a few steps toward reducing some of your living expenses while at the same time becoming more environmentally conscious, then I have a few simple ideas to help. Just over a year ago I resigned from a wonderful job to take some time and focus on myself and my family, the concept was good but it was definitely a financial awakening. My spending on day-to-day items and monthly transactions needed to be analyzed to live within our new budget. I started reviewing our monthly expenses and was slightly surprised at the cost of our general utility bills. Thus, I set out highly determined to conserve funds and at the same time lower our carbon footprint. I might be using the term “our” as I am including my husband, who at first was not an active participant, but after he saw the bills lowering he quickly jumped on the “green-saving” bandwagon. With some spare time to think clearly and to do some research I was able to take a few simple steps toward greening our home and our wallet.

The first utility bill that shocked me (literally) was our energy bill. Our home came with digital programmable thermostats, but we never took the time to program them, it took a whole five minutes to figure out the simple system. By adjusting the temperature settings to work with how we lived in our home we instantly reduced the length of time and amount of energy the system was using, only working when and where we needed it. Changing out all of our light bulbs to compact fluorescents was our largest energy saver, it cost a little money up front, but the results were remarkable. While bulk shopping at one of the local club stores we found a great price on the bulbs, and they were the new style with the swirly fluorescent tubes enclosed, they look just like normal bulbs. I must warn you they are fluorescent therefore, they take a few minutes to warm up and get to their maximum light potential. The water heater was my next victim, if you are fortunate enough to have a tankless unit then you have no worries, but we have the traditional large tank in the garage. I hired my neighbor, a licensed electrician to add a simple timer, a tank style water heater keeps gallons of water hot at all times, which is really unnecessary. He was able to program the timer to come on for only a few hours a day to heat water during the times we needed it for showers, the remaining twenty hours of the day it is off. We have a simple 75-gallon tank and even when the unit is off there is enough stored hot water available for random uses throughout the day.

My favorite investment which provides both water and electrical savings is our new (again the use of the word “our,” although my husband has never used them) incredible front load washer and dryer. Larger capacity, less water, energy efficient… I just cannot say enough. A front load washing machine actually uses less than half the amount of water then a top loading machine, has a larger capacity (since there is no agitator) and spins more water out of the clothing yielding less dry time and therefore, saving more electricity. They also use less soap resulting in a lowered amount of toxic chemicals emitted into the environment. Our green dream team, they have paid for themselves already.

When the water bill came I noticed not only were two people consuming way too much water, but we were also paying a ton for garbage removal. Being mindful of keeping faucets off while brushing our teeth and shorter showers was my first instinct, but it just wasn’t enough. The big savings came in two ways; first my new cherished front load washer and dryer and second the installation of rain barrels. Being home also allowed me to notice that my dear landscaper husband was also hand watering from the tap, multiple potted plants and different sections of our property. We have a reclaim irrigation system, but when we built our home I insisted on a jungle and he gave me one, which resulted in what I have been told are “special-needs plants.” After researching cisterns and looking for ways to collect natural water I found a wonderful woman on Laurel Street in Sarasota who makes rain barrels. I purchased my first rain barrel from her; being a designer it was quickly given a makeover to look and feel like a terracotta pot instead of its original use as a plastic pickle drum. Within a few minutes we had it completely installed; creating a fully functional 55-gallon tank actively collecting rain water directly from our home’s gutter downspout. We currently have two barrels, one on each side of our home, the second one I made myself it was a quick and easy successful project.

It’s time for a little trash talk, I was disgusted by the amount of garbage two people and a menagerie of pets could create. I was guilty of driving by the loaded cans on trash day and never thinking twice about the tonnage. But after being home and dragging those cans back into their hiding spot it was an eye-(nose)opening experience. We can recycle way more than we think; it just takes some label reading. When shopping look on the box to see if the package is recyclable if not select the brand that is. We also took the time to investigate composting, I know it sounds very farmer brown but it really works. We have a medium sized compost bin that we discreetly placed in a common area to share with our neighbors, at this time we have three families actively composting. The compost bin came with great instructions and a simple set of copies handed out to our curious neighbors sealed the deal. We are currently creating naturally fortified soil for use in our common areas and my future organic garden. With conscious recycling, and composting our garbage can count has decrease from three cans to just one.

Lastly, this is the easiest and least expensive way to have a big impact and make a fashion statement, reusable shopping bags. Why is it so hard for everyone to bring their own bags? Please, please, please invest in a few trendy shopping bags. I don’t want to be the person who gives you the evil stink eye when you request double plastic or paper at the local market, and don’t give me the animal waste use excuse because those bags are weak and holey. If you cannot find reusable bags that you like I have some fabulous bags leftover from a fund raiser and would be happy to sell them to you at a deep discount. The truth is those plastic bags take 1,000 years to break down in a landfill and they emit toxins into our soil and water.

Becoming a little greener at home was easier than I thought. After a little research and a few simple changes the savings were evident. If you have any questions about greening yourself of any of the products discussed above please feel free to contact me at www.tleisnaugle.com.

BIO
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.

Love and Rack of Lamb Alexander

By Chef John Zakarian, Owner of Zak’s Prime Steakhouse

Recently I had an e-mail from a friend that caught my attention and I’d like to share it with you.

On an island lived all the values and feelings of man, and with them was Love.
Soon rumors began to fly that the island was going to sink
Everyone packed up their boats and left except Love because he loved the island so much
After a few weeks when his food ran out Love started to look for someone to take him to shore
Nearby, Fortune was sailing with his rich boat
Love asked him to take him along
“No”, replied Fortune, “I have lots of gold and silver on my boat and there is no space for you.”
Soon Beauty sailed by with its incredibly beautiful boat
Love asked him to take him to shore
“No”, said Beauty, “My boat is too beautiful and I don’t want you to tarnish it”
Desperate, Love started begging Sorrow who was floating by
“No”, said Sorrow, “I’m so sad I’d rather be alone.”
“Good Mood, I beg you please take me to shore!”- Love was crying
Good Mood was so happy that he didn’t hear Love pleading for help
Suddenly a voice from nearby said to Love
“Come on Love I’ll take you to shore.”
It was an old man, who held Love’s hand and took him to shore.
Love was so happy and excited, that he forgot to ask the old man for his name and thank him properly
So he turned to Knowledge
“Knowledge, who was the old man that helped me?”
Knowledge replied, “That was Time…”
“But why would Time save me?” asked Love.
Knowledge armed with all his wisdom said, “BECAUSE ONLY TIME KNOWS THE VALUE OF LOVE FOR ALL OF US!”

Speaking of Love, love and time, which go hand in hand, are essential to create spectacular meals.
Put in a little love and time and we can achieve the plateau of culinary greatness.
If you don’t love your kitchen, and don’t have time to cook, all the pots and pans are just useless rusting tools.

Today’s recipe which was created with love is named after my son Alexander.

Rack of Lamb Alexander
Serving for 4

Ingredients:
2- 8 chops lamb racks (preferable American) Frenched
1 oz fresh rosemary chopped finely
1 oz dry rosemary leaves
6 cloves of garlic
2 cups of plain bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 plum tomatoes
1.5 cups plain long-grain rice
1 stick of butter
Worcestershire sauce
Olive oil

Preparation:
Trim the excess fat from the lamb rack
Generously salt and pepper the back and front of lamb rack
Sprinkle Worcestershire sauce over the lamb rack
Crush all the garlic and rub the rack front and back attentively (For this you are going to need gloves)
Sprinkle dry rosemary and oregano, .25 oz each, over lamb rack and let sit 15-20 min.
In a medium bowl mix 2 cloves of crushed garlic, remainder of dry rosemary and oregano
Add olive oil and mix until it is sticky to touch
After resting the lamb, cover the chops with the mixture over the eye part and the back of the chops leaving the bones clear
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees, cover the bones with aluminum foil and place the chops on a baking sheet Cook for 20 minutes, med-rare

Rice:
Crush remaining 2 cloves of garlic
Finely chop 2 plum tomatoes
Combine plum tomatoes with 3/4 stick of butter in a casserole over medium heat until soft and saucy
Add the rice and 2 cups of water, turn to high heat
After 1st boil mix the ingredients and cover with a lid, turn to the lowest possible heat on the stove top (do not disturb until all water has evaporated about 20/25 min.)

Sauce:
Place the remaining of the butter into saucepan. Add freshly chopped rosemary leaves and sauté on high heat.
Add a glass of red wine (your choice) and a small ladle of veal or beef stock and cook until thick

Plating:
Place the rice in the middle of the plate, cut the rack to 8 equal chops, 4 per person. Mound over rice and add sauce over the chops

Enjoy with a nice Pinot Noir or Merlot

Tell me what’s not to love…

Southern Belle

REAL Magazine February 2009

Featuring 1233 Hillview Drive, Debra Pitell, Pamela Hughes, Melissa Fach, The Children’s Rainforest, Lora Bedford and Casa Amalfi.

Read More

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.

Keeping Sarasota Cool

by Tracy Eisnaugle.

photography by Chad Spencer.

Proudly offering the latest technologies and best products to keep you comfortable year round, while saving clients money and protecting our environment.

Read More

January 2008 Exceptional Properties

Fine Homes and Luxury Estates over $1,000,000

Read More