Tips on Buying a Foreclosed Property

Buying a foreclosed home could be a good idea for someone looking for a bargain, here are a few things to think about before making the decision.

Hire an Agent

Consider hiring a real estate agent with experience in foreclosed properties so that they will be able to better assist you in the process. If you work with an agent, make sure they know your priorities. Make sure to ask any potential agents if they have experience with foreclosure sales.

Prioritize

Make a checklist of what is important to you in a home and then prioritize them so that you are able to stay focused while searching for your new home or investment.

Keep Focused

Once you begin looking at properties, make detailed notes and compare them to your checklist to determine if each home is the right fit for you. This will help you to make your final decision by weeding out properties that do not have the qualities that you are looking for.

Do Your Research

Once you have made a decision and found the property that you would like to buy, you need to find out as much as you can about it and the circumstances that contributed to its' foreclosed status. The primary sources for this information are county assessors and recorders offices, title companies, your real estate agent and the owner.

To determine whether a foreclosed house is a good buy or investment, your agent should research sales comparables, property history, and title status that may affect the value of the property. Before you close the deal on any property, it is recommended that you do a complete title search through a title company.

Factor in the Cost of Repair

Depending how long a property has been vacant and whether the last owner maintained it well or not, a foreclosed home may have a lot of fixing up to be done. In addition to inspecting the property yourself, it is important to have the property professionally inspected. Banks generally require a home inspection when lending money for a mortgage anyway. Estimate the cost of repair to determine whether the property is still the right one for you.

To search foreclosed properties in any area, please visit alexisglanz.com.

December Events in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL 2009

With the holidays fast approaching and the temperature dropping below beach weather, many of you may be wondering what there is to do in the Bradenton / Sarasota area in December. The area has a number of events for you and your family to enjoy together and this is a short list of some ideas to keep you busy and entertained during the holiday season.

Holiday Lights Tours


"Tooties SRQ Trolley offers it annual Holiday of Light Tour - Starting December 5th, through December 27th. See Sarasota's most spectacular holiday lights in Sarasota's, most comfortable trolley. Padded seats and air conditioning, along with holiday music will make this a must for your holiday traditions." The cost is $15 per seat and it is sure to be worth it!

Meadowland Worship Center invites the community to a FREE 20-minute continuous drive-thru Christmas route. Enjoy drama, a live Nativity, hot chocolate & cookies – and you never have to leave your car! Get a free family picture taken, with or without Santa. Friday, Saturday & Sunday, December 11, 12 & 13, 6:30 – 9:00 pm.

Shopping


Holiday Galleria 2009 - A "Unique Holiday Shopping experience featuring gifts handcrafted by over 30 Florida Artisans. Come in and see this exclusive selection of gifts to purchase including baskets, small quilts, jewelry, purses, fiber art, pillows, blown glass, lamp work beads, ornaments and more." This event is located at Beads, FOB 2312 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota, FL, 34231 and is happening now through Dec. 24th 2009 from 10am - 5pm on select days.

Atomic Holiday Bazaar -This is Sarasota's first and only indie holiday craft show which will be celebrating it's forth year by introducing an additional Saturday night (December 12th from 5pm to 11:30pm) at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Saturday night's event will be 18 and over with a charge of $7 per person. There will be libations and snacks for sale as well as the creations of 40 designers and crafters. The night will also include burlesque shows and live bands. On Sunday, Dec. 13th the event will be open to all ages from noon to 6pm and the entry charge will be $5, children get in free. Sunday's show will offer double the vendors as well.

Historic Burns Square Artists' Market - Local artists display and sell one of a kind works of art including but not limited to jewelry, photography, greeting cards, quilts, seashell gifts, metal sculpture, magnets, tee shirts, black-white sketches, oil paintings, and pottery. Saturday December 12th from 10am to 5pm

Mainly Art - The Bradenton Downtown Development Authority hosts a monthly art, craft and antiques bazaar called MAINLY ART. This community event runs 9a.m.-2 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month on Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton. MAINLY ART is looking for arts, crafts and antiques, including consignment pieces and recyclables. (December 19th 2009)

Food and Dining


Wine Cellar Open House at Michael's Wine Cellar -For admission bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army holiday toy drive. Join the festivities at our holiday open house wine tasting for one of our largest wine tasting events of the year, with 70 wines to sample! Carol "The Chocolate Lady" will be here with Sirard's Chocolates, truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels and chocolate-almond bark.

Jazz on Broadway with Katt Hefner Every Tuesday Night 8-11PM. Jazz at it's finest in a Lounge Setting with a lite and full menu. Upstairs ... above The Broadway! Fine wine, Martini's and full bar. 1001 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota, FL, 34236

Dinner with Santa Claus - On December 13th from 6pm to 8pm, bring your family to Cosimo’s Too! for a special dinner with jolly ol’ St. Nick. Babbo Natale, will come visit with you, at your table, while you are dining. Enjoy our special family style dinners, featuring pastas, pizzas, and salads, for a family of four, for as little as $7.99 per person. 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Located at Westfield Sarasota Square, Sarasota, FL, 34238

All You Can Eat Fish Fry - December 18th 4:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Council Hall, 4880 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. 371-8326. $8.50, Adults and $4 Children. All are welcome.

Performing Arts


Moscow Ballet: Great Russian Nutcracker - Tuesday December 29th at 7:30 pm at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall "Featuring spectacular sets and beautifully costumed Russian dancers, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is an annual treat for the whole family. Whimsical and imaginative storytelling blends with the richness of Russian classical dance to make the Great Russian Nutcracker a unique performance not to be missed!"

The Sounds of Christmas - Ringling Museum of Art, Asolo Theater December 18th through the 20th

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus: Illuscination - Robarts Sports Arena beginning on December 31st at 4:30pm

The Golden Dragon Acrobats - Experience the ancient tradition of Chinese acrobatics in this spell-binding, family-oriented performance of daring acrobatics, jaw-dropping feats, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, and traditional and contemporary music. Tuesday December 29th at 2pm at The Players Theatre in Sarasota

Reels at Rossi Park - FREE movie in the Park. Reels at Rossi Park are shown on an over sized screen in a relaxing environment right on the Manatee River. Food and beverage vendors available or bring your own picnic basket to this downtown family event. Movies are the 3rd Friday of each month throughout the year. Residents are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy the movie, or park your boat on the Manatee River and watch it from there. On December 18th at 7pm The movie will be Elf.


These are just some of the exciting events happening in the Sarasota / Bradenton area this December, I truly hope that you and your loved ones get the time to enjoy some of them and soak up the Florida lifestyle!


As always, please visit alexisglanz.com to search real estate listings and feel free to contact me for any of your real estate needs!