David Barr's Sarasota and Venice Real Estate Blog

When you're working with me as your real estate agent in Sarasota, Venice, or Lakewood Ranch, the state of Florida treats our relationship with customers differently than you may be used to in your current state. In Florida, real estate agency (relationship or representation) with customers is by default termed as a "transaction brokerage relationship". A transaction broker provides a limited form of representation to a buyer or home seller, but does not represent either in a fiduciary capacity.  In other words, when you hire me to buy or sell, we do not act as a single legal entity, for which you can be sued for my actions, or I can be sued for your actions.  Transaction broker duties (which most customers expect anyway) are: Dealing honestly and fairly; Accounting for all funds (such as escrow deposits); Using skill, care, and diligence in a transaction; Disclosing all known facts that may affect the value of residential real property which may not be rea...

Harbor Acres is an upscale neighborhood, west of the Trail , close to downtown Sarasota , Lido Beach, and Siesta Key beaches.  Harbor Acres features a mix of new construction, waterfront homes and original ramblers and split level homes without water frontage. Harbor Acres, Sarasota FL map courtesy of Bing Maps The wide range of architecture and waterfront property versus non-waterfront property creates a wide range of prices in Harbor Acres.  As of this writing there are 3 homes in Harbor Acres actively listed for over $5 million.  However, since December 8, 2012, only 4 homes have sold in Harbor Acres, the most expensive being $1.1 million.  This property was at one time originally listed for sale for $1,885,000, a dramatic price reduction of 29%. See the report here by clicking here . Some interesting information comes out of this data.   One fact that jumps out is that a couple of brokerages control most of the listings.  The second is...

Today I had a visitor to my website ask me about a Canadian-based company called Florida Home Finders.  I had not heard of them, but took the opportunity to visit their website and investigate. What they are doing may not be illegal, but it is highly misleading for their prospective clients. As a Canadian national, there are NO legal or contractual differences between a Canadian citizen and a US citizen buying property in Florida, with the exception of course, of currency exhange.  You can read more about this on my page for Canadian buyers on my website.    You absolutely do not need to go to a seminar in Canada to buy real estate in Florida!   You should not sign any kind of representation agreement in these seminars, nor should you pay a dime to attend.  You may lose your legal ability to purchase FL real estate without their involvement. My research shows that Florida Home Finders are licensed real estate brokers in Canada only, not in Florida...

This question came up on Trulia forums today, and it was a timely coincidence.  I was thinking about this just yesterday. I was watching Bravo TV's Million Dollar Listing.  What can I say?  I love seeing other people's houses, part of why I love being in the real estate business.  This show also happens to be a great example of what does NOT make a great buyer's agent. I recently blogged about the Realtor Code of Ethics and Florida real estate law, which says a Realtor may not convey a minimum price to either party without the express consent of the buyer or seller they represent.  This did not happen on this program. Cut to one scene with the two cooperating brokers negotiating price on a golf course, without consulting the buyer or seller.  Cut to another scene with one agent saying "I'll take $X....".  He'll take?  He is not the seller.  Cut to another scene with the agent concerned about a cut in compensation over a price reduction....

Find out what people who live here already know about why Sarasota is so great, according to a study by TopRetirements.com and an article on Moneywatch.com: http://bit.ly/y9Woon

I represent a lot of buyers, and a recent conversation I had with a short sale listing agent about a possible offer raised a major red flag. My client wanted to make an offer on a short sale listing.  The attachments on the MLS listing directed me to contact the short sale negotiator, who told me they would put together the paperwork for me to send to the buyer to sign with the information I provided.  That sure would would save me a lot of work.  So far, so good! I verbally provided the buyer's offer price and purchase terms.  The short sale negotiator then told me (in writing) the listing agent had to "review the offer and if he was 'comfortable' with it, would then submit to the seller".  Whoa nelly!  The listing agent would not even accept a written offer below a certain amount, which the listing agent set himself. Under FL real estate law, and the Realtor Code of Ethics, it is the responsibility of the listing agent to submit ANY and ALL offers t...

A new article is out regarding FHA certification of condo buildings for buyers trying to obtain low down payment FHA insured mortgages. These types of mortgages attract mostly first time home buyers.  While the Sarasota area is not a mecca for first-time buyers, and our housing market is healthier than most, it's yet another example of supposedly well-intentioned government regulation putting a damper on the housing market. The FHA "certifies" a condo building for approval for FHA financing based on financial health of the condo association and a raft of other analyses of condo ownership and legal issues.  Of course, the burden of providing paperwork to the FHA falls on the condo association management, many of whom are already scrambling with owners in short sale or foreclosure.  To make matters even worse, the goverment apparently has not made rules and regulations for condo managers easily available.  Like the good public servants they are, the FHA hopes to ...

Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange – Save Money on Currency Exchange In an effort to save save my real estate clients more money and provide value, I have negotiated special deals with Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange when you need to purchase US dollars with Canadian dollars.  Simply put, using them will allow you to get better exchange rates than the banks, and better exchange rates means more savings for you. Many Canadians don’t know that banks include a currency exchange margin hidden within the exchange rate they see when they purchase US dollars. This margin can be up to 2-4%. Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange guarantees to beat your bank’s exchange rate. The process is fast, easy, secure, and will save you money. I invite you to contact Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange at www.KnightsbridgeFX.com and mention David Barr as the referral code to receive preferred pricing and free wire transfers.