David Barr's Sarasota and Venice Real Estate Blog

People seeking refuge from winter weather or retiring have a lot of choices when it comes to Florida real estate.  Does renting for a year to see if you like an area make sense? I've been posting neighborhood market reports for the past couple of weeks.  Values are increasing dramatically (in Venice and most of the rest of Florida) because of demand.  Take a look at the numbers for an entry level neighborhood, South Venice: The median sales price for a South Venice single family home increased $26,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period last year.  If you decided to rent a home in South Venice, rental rates for a single family home on an annual basis are around $1200 per month, equaling $14,400.   Renting for a year in South Venice could cost you $40,400.  Look at that equity you missed out on. I like to say that homes are homes and people are people, no matter where you live.  What makes towns and cities di...

You have a lot of choices for destinations in Florida when considering a seasonal or retirement home. One of the many reasons to buy a 2nd home or retirement home in Venice FL A house is a house and people are people.  What makes you decide on where to buy in Florida boils down to the area's amenities, and Venice has amenities in spades. With an active downtown, 3 beaches within 15 minutes of most neighborhoods, numerous golf courses, a symphony and a theater troupe, Venice has what you're looking for. Visit my website , with answers to frequently asked questions about living in Venice.