Anna Maria Island Real Estate Sales Blog

After 589 days on the market, the three-bedroom, two bath home at 508 72nd Street in Holmes Beach has finally sold for $380,000.

It was a rare combination of short sale and reverse mortgage, and the huge trees in the back yard that the owner loved so well were a big turn-off to the dozens of prospective buyers that saw the place in the last year or so.

Yes, the place needed some work, but it could easily have been refurbished for nominal money and turned into a quite livable family home. And the new owners may well decide to do that, or -- on second thought -- tear it down and build anew.

It happens that way frequently on Anna Maria Island, as the older built inventory is replaced by newer properties with granite counter tops, high ceilings and a LOT more space than the 1,500 or so square feet in many of our canal homes (like this one).

So, as it turns out to be, it was good for the sellers to be shut of a surplus home no longer needed, and good for the buyers, to obtain a lovely homesite on a deep water canal.

I'm just glad to have facilitated this transaction, from both sides.

With the new cap in place, it appears that we might be a bit closer to a final (temporary) solution to the Gusher in the Gulf.

BP has placed the new cap and is testing its valves to attempt to shut off the flow of oil.

Take a look at CNN's live, streaming coverage of the well site:

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream3&hpt=T1

The final solution will be completion of relief wells and installation of a totally cemented well. Here's hoping that occurs soon.

BP

Three 'tall ships,' that is, traditionally rigged sailing ships, are due to appear in Tampa Bay on Saturday, July 10, on their way to an appearance in "Sail Tampa Bay," which will take place on the Tampa Bayfront through Wednesday, July 14, 2010.

Having seen these ships coming through the Bay before, the likely best spot for viewing for those of us who live on Anna Maria Island will be very early in the morning near the Egmont Channel.

For details on the event, go to http://sailtampabay2010.com/schedule.php

Sales data for Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach are now in for June, 2010, revealing an astounding 47 percent increase in the year just ended compared with the year ending June 2009.

Get all the scoop at www.CallTheIslanders.com/SalesInfo.

Average price per square foot continues to decline. It's still a buyer's market.

According to an article published today in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, there's very little risk of oil coming ashore in Southwest Florida, and area that emcompasses Anna Maria Island.

Low risk seems attributed to two main factors, the clockwise "loop current" that runs south well offshore our coast, and the wide continental shelf that keeps water very shallow even 50 or 75 miles west of the island.

Here's the complete story:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100703/ARTICLE/7031058/2416/NEWS?Title=Oil-risks-seen-as-low-here

Of course, a hurricane or big tropical storm could change everything. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope we are plagued by neither storms nor oil.

By the way, Chris and John got married on May 30, 2010. After 20 years, it was time.

According to the Florida Realtors' website, the Congress has passed an extension to the National Floor Insurance Program, valid from May 31 (when the old one expired) through September 30, 2010.

Since there's been one hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico already this season, that's good news for property owners and buyers.

Be aware that flood insurance, if in force, can be assumed by a buyer of real estate with the seller's cooperation. This makes for easier transactions and continuous, uninterrupted flood coverage.

Here's the view looking south from Holmes Beach's 77th St. Beach access, taken at about 3 pm 6-23-10.

The view looking straight out from the same vantage point.

Below, the view looking toward the north.

It's beautiful, isn't it? If you'd like to schedule your vacation experience here, at the southern opening to Tampa Bay, why not contact Island Real Estate's rental department?

Call 1-877-778-6066. Or book live online at www.islandreal.com.

Here's a nifty video streaming live from the Beach Bistro, according to many, the very best restaurant in Florida. It shows the beach from the restaurant, white sand (free of any hint of oil) and all.

Thanks to the Bistro for providing this fun and important service. Just remember, you will not see much at night, since it's turtle nesting season, and it's lights-out at the beach.

You may need to install an active-x control to get this video. But it's OK. I did it without hurting my computer.

http://www.beachbistro.com/About/StreamingCamerafromHolmesBeachFL/tabid/128/Default.aspx 

Enjoy!

Here's the Bradenton Herald take on my sales information. they give the company, "Island Real Estate," a bit too much credit here, as the numbers relate to real estate sales on "Anna Maria Island." 

Anyway, here's the link.

http://www.bradenton.com/2010/06/16/2365206/real-estate-sales-soar-on-anna.html