Anna Maria Island Real Estate Sales Blog

Hi, Friends and Neighbors, Buyers and Sellers,

I have just reorganized my website to make things a bit easier and more informative for everyone. There is now a 'button' on the home page for "Anna Maria Island Sales Info," where you will find the latest month-to-month and year-to-year comparisons.

That way, sellers can see what the averages are for their types of properties, and buyers can see what the averages are for the kinds of places they're interested in purchasing.

And you'll begin to see different blog topics in this space. More news, information and pictures you can use to keep in touch with my favorite place: Anna Maria Island.

Best wishes, as always,

John van Zandt

john@calltheislanders.com

941-685-8822

It may well be too early to tell, but sales of existing single family homes on Anna Maria Island, including Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach may be on the increase.

Certainly, the numbers of sales are up for April so far, at least in the Island Real Estate office, and conversation among the Realtor community on the Island would lead even a casual observer to think that sales will show an increase when it comes time to report April results.

According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune's article yesterday, the Sarasota-Bradenton area is seeing some good news. They're keeping a tight lid on enthusiasm, though, which is probably wise.

To see the article, click here:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090424/ARTICLE/904241035

We'll see if the potential for increases in sales will prove more than a flash in the pan as we head on through the spring and into summer.

Why not bookmark or subscribe to this blog to keep in touch? As always, you can contact me for my opinion.

An article in today's Sarasota Herald Tribune reports that local supplies of previously owned homes are shrinking. And that's normally a sign of stabilization in pricing. But the writers say, "Not so fast...."

There are other signs that the full wave of foreclosures has not yet hit. And that short sales and foreclosures will continue to exert a downward pressure on existing home prices.

Of course, real estate is extremely local. Here on Anna Maria Island, we are seeing a big boost in contract-writing activity, with what I think are the smart buyers getting in near (or at) the bottom of the market. Really, though, no man knows the future, and the bottom may be in different places for condos on the beach than for homes on canals. That's just how local things are.

The article may be found by clicking here, or pasting the link into your web browser:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090419/ARTICLE/904191071/-1/NEWSSITEMAP

For more analysis, and specific numbers on prior sales activities based on Mid-Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service sales data, go to www.calltheislanders.com/salesinfo where you will find numbers that may be helpful.

Or call 941-685-8822 or email John@CallTheIslanders.com and we'll chat.

Easter weekend has coincided with local schools' spring break on Anna Maria Island and resulted in long lines of traffic to the island in the early part of the day, and long lines leaving the island later on.

So many have come to enjoy the surf, sand and sun and other charms that there are insufficient parking spaces at the public beach. The result? Parking along Manatee Avenue and even more traffic tie-ups.

Saturday morning has dawned foggy. Right now the island is quiet. Soon enough, though, we'll be bustling again.

Just be patient with the traffic. Get on 'Island Time.' Open the windows and breathe the salt air. Be open and generous in your driving style. Have fun! It's spring break.

And peace be with you. It's Easter, too.