David Barr's Sarasota and Venice Real Estate Blog

Sometimes a map isn't enough.  Here's some pictures of my real estate office in Sarasota with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty. Our Palmer Ranch office, located next to Outback Steak House, on the south Trail. Our office is close to the well known West of Trail neighborhoods. Looking north toward Stickney Point Road, with downtown Sarasota on the horizon. Buccaneer Bay, Coral Cove, and Southpointe Shores are just across Tamiami Trail from our Palmer Ranch office. Buccaneer Bay looking west over the ICW toward Siesta Key and Point Crisp Stop in and see me if you're interested in selling your Sarasota home in these areas.

The real estate industry as a whole probably isn't known for it's marketing genius.  That's how we came to have Zillow.  But I digress. I'm seeing a lot posts on social media comparing the Polar Vortex to the Florida climate.  Come on, fellow Realtors. Gloating about temperatures isn't going to move the needle when it comes to selling your Sarasota , Venice , or Lakewood Ranch home. I've said it many times in many blog posts.  Home buyers are searching in depth about real estate markets.  More buyers than ever have the flexibility to telecommute, so they can live practically anywhere.  This means I employ the latest technology and apply it in imaginative ways to reach potential buyers for your home or condo for sale.  I think a smart buyer already knows the basics of winter weather, but they probably don't know much about why they should live in your neighborhood, in your home. That's what I'm here for. Contact me when you'r...

There's a lot of home and condo buyers in the Venice FL area, and over half of them are paying cash.  This suggests two things about our market: 1) Cash buyers are renovating and flipping; 2) Cash buyers are holding and renting for cash flow. In either scenario, how you stage the property for sale and the colors you pick create an emotional (positive or negative) reaction in a potential new buyer. One of the things that can create the biggest emotional reaction is paint color.  And there's one paint color you should avoid in FL at all costs:  RED. This bathroom color may be great in cold Norway, the NE US or Canada, but the color red does not work in Florida. Red is hot.  Red is danger.  Red means stop.  Florida is hot.  So don't use this color in your home.  Florida home buyers want soothing, cooling spaces after being out in the Florida sun and heat. The pale green glass tile makes this bath feel more sedate and cool. If yo...

I've been blogging lately about staging Venice FL homes for sale and how color affects buyer's emotions about a home. Here's some really good examples of how light colors, and spare use of color, can make any home feel larger and also help a potential buyer imagine their furnishings in a space. Photos courtesy www.dwell.com.  See more of their slideshow here : Light colors soften the transition between the floor and walls A coat of white paint makes a huge difference: Before versus after, below. Light colors and minimal decor will help buyers imagine their furnishings in a room, even in an older home.