David Barr's Sarasota and Venice Real Estate Blog

A recent Bradenton Herald article says that Manatee County development review fees are scheduled to increase 22% effective June 1. The county cites the need for increased oversight of land management plans due to the expansion of new home communities and planned future communities. Pat Neal, President of builder Neal Communities, says that government costs account for 12% of a typical $160,000 new home. New home in Lakewood Ranch Here's a link to the article:   http://www.bradenton.com/2014/05/22/5164840/manatee-county-commission-raises.html?sp=/99/179/186/ With increased prices for homes that are continually built further east, away from our area's biggest ttraction, our beaches, is this going to bite the hand that fuels much of Manatee County's recent growth? This is a perfect example of why you need a good buyer's agent, especially when buying a nturew home.  Economic factors such as government regulation can make the difference in good or bad fut...

2013 was a year of continued sustainable growth in the Manatee County FL real estate market. Manatee County includes the well known cities of Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, Parrish, and Ellenton.  The 2013 median sales price of single family homes increased to $215,000, an 18% increase over 2012's $182,000 median sales price. Condos in Manatee County fared slightly better, with a 21% increase in 2013 and a median sales price of $127,500. Interestingly, Manatee County's median single family price was higher than Sarasota County for 2013.  While Sarasota is generally considered slightly more expensive than Manatee, the Manatee number likely was bolstered by a flurry of new home construction at higher price points. The numbers are reversed for condos.  Sarasota had a higher median sales price than Manatee County at $165,500, while the median sales price for Sarasota condos only increased 10% over 2012. Please visit my real estate website for 10 year sales tr...