Offered at: $1,346,000
See Virtual Tour under Featured Properties......

I'll See You On The Ranch.......

Homeowners!

Great time to freshen up your lanai and screen enclosures! We recommend a few companies that do repairs and upgrades on screen enclosures. Do it now while there are no bugs. Call MGA Insurance Group for a list of referral companies - 907.3828.

I'll See You On The Ranch........

Stunning Lakewood Ranch Home on a private lot. Glass leaded entry doors & 2 columns as you enter. Large dining room. Living room with fireplace/marble trim. Gourmet kitchen with Island. Long counter and breakfast area. Crown molding. Double tray ceiling in family room. Tile and carpeting. Office with built-ins and wood flooring. Massive Upstairs bonus room. 4 bedrooms. 3 full baths. Surround Sound. Master bedroom with generous walk-in closet. Master bath has dual sinks/center tub & separate two sided shower. Pool and spa with outdoor kitchen has fireplace. Pavers. 3 car garage.

Price: $849,900
4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
1 Partial Baths
4001 Square Ft.

Listing # A3955250

Additional Rooms: Bonus Room
Air Conditioning: Central
Appliances Included: Dishwasher,Disposal,Dryer,Microwave,Range,Refrigerator,Washer
2 Bedrooms: 13x12
3 Bedrooms: 13x14
Bonus Room: 27x22

I'll See You On The Ranch..........

Inside the gates of the Lakewood Ranch Country Club, the home offers more than 2,500 square feet under air, four bedrooms, two and a half baths, a three-car garage with plenty of storage, and an expansive lanai with self-cleaning, solar-heated pool and spa.

Built in 1999, this fabulous property is located at 6556 The Masters Avenue in Lakewood Ranch, an award-winning community featuring 54 holes of golf in three championship courses designed by the Arnold Palmer design team. The 8,500-acre community includes a medical center, higher education institutions, nature parks, a polo club, cultural venues and upscale shopping and dining.

The home's upgraded features include crown molding in the foyer, dining room and formal living room, tile in the living areas, hurricane safety film on the windows, custom draperies and window coverings, plantation shutters and built-in closet organizers. The spacious kitchen offers an upgraded GE five-burner range with dual fuel Convection ovens, pull-out drawers in the cabinets for easy access, Corian countertops and a built-in lighted curio cabinet. The lanai was re-screened in 2009, a new air-conditioning unit was installed in 2009, a new water heater was installed 2007. This home is a must see!

The home is being offered at $429,000.

I'll See You On The Ranch..............

Looking for privacy and a great view? Look no further! This custom John Cannon built home is immaculately maintained.Situated in the desirable neighborhood of Oakmont in The Country Club, Lakewood Ranch. Upgraded to a high standard throughout with crown molding, high ceilings, surround sound, quality fans and light fixtures. The kitchen has wood cabinets with great storage space, granite countertops, tiled backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a dry bar with wine cooler & lit glass fronted cabinets, there is also a separate built in desk area. Aquarium windows and pocketing sliders look out to the extremely spacious lanai which has two covered areas, one with kitchen area and under counter refrigerator, large heated pool and spa. South facing exposure to rear with beautiful expansive view over preserve to lake beyond. Recently painted outside, new brick paved drive and walkway, additional landscaping with accent night lighting around the whole yard. Zoysia grass. A lovely home not to be missed! 3 bedrooms / 2 baths. Offered at $599,900

Visit The Virtual Tour on : www.jimsoda.com
2695 Square Ft.
Listing # A3951582
Year Built: 2000

I'll See You On The Ranch........

John Burns Consulting from California stated that Lakewood Ranch is a top selling master planned community in the United States with 391 new homes sold in 2011. Being # 9 Lakewood Ranch moved it dirt faster than many other well-established communities like Stapleton in Denver, Summerlin in Las Vegas and more.

Lakewood Ranch has a new sports campus and new commercial construction this year totaling $150 million, also new rental projects to meet their demands.

I'll See You On The Ranch....................

Setting the Right Price For Your Home

We have the buyers to get your property SOLD !

I'll See You On The Ranch...............

Florida's housing sales activity higher as 2011 ends
NAR:

Dec. existing home sales show uptrend.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Jan. 20, 2012 - At the close of 2011, Florida's existing home and condominium markets reported higher sales compared to the previous year, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. It was the third consecutive year for statewide home and condo sales activity to end the year on a positive upswing - higher year-over-year sales also were reported at the close of 2010 and 2009, records show.

Looking back on 2011, Florida's existing home sales rose 8 percent for the year, with a total of 185,921 homes sold compared to 172,462 homes sold in 2010. The statewide existing home median price for 2011 was $131,700; it was $135,900 in 2010 for a 3 percent decrease. In Florida's condo market, a total of 87,581 units sold statewide in 2011, a gain of 15 percent compared to 76,209 units sold in 2010. The statewide existing condo median price in 2011 was $88,300; it was $90,000 in 2010 for a 2 percent decrease.

Sixteen of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing home sales at the close of 2011 compared to 2010; the same number of MSAs also reported higher existing condos sales.

"Florida's economy is continuing to strengthen, which is good news," said 2012 Florida Realtors President Summer Greene, regional manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida 1st in Fort Lauderdale. "Many people are hoping to take advantage of the current record low mortgage rates and affordable conditions to find their Florida dream home - but overly restrictive lending requirements continue to create barriers to homeownership for qualified homebuyers. To re-energize the housing market and the economic recovery, we need improved access to affordable financing options for qualified buyers and investors."

In December, a total of 15,290 existing single-family homes sold statewide, a decrease of 2 percent from the 15,546 homes sold in December 2010. The statewide existing home median sales price last month was $134,300, up 1 percent from the $133,000 reported in December 2010, according to Florida Realtors' data. The national median existing single-family home price was $165,100 in December, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

In the year-to-year comparison for statewide existing condo sales, a total of 6,836 units changed hands last month, compared to 6,985 condos sold in December 2010 for a decrease of 2 percent. The statewide existing condo median sales price in December was $91,900, up 4 percent from the $88,400 reported a year earlier. The national median existing condo price was $160,000 in December, according to NAR.

"Although sales were down slightly in December, they're up strongly for the year, which reinforces the reality that Florida is in a slow real estate recovery," said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. "Our expectation is that recovery will continue through 2012. The major obstacle in the market is the inadequate accessibility to financing. Prices are moderating, but we don't expect too much movement owing to the continuing significance of distressed properties."

In December, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.96 percent, down from the 4.71 percent average during the same month a year earlier, according to Freddie Mac. The annual average rate for a 30-year mortgage in 2011 was 4.45 percent. Florida Realtors' sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

I'll See You On The Ranch..................

USSSA Soccer provides an alternative route for teams to experience state, regional and national championship competition. USSSA Florida Soccer Director Bob Miles noted that "while other programs already cater to the highest competitive levels, the fact is that the majority of youth soccer teams are not in those top percentiles. USSSA Soccer is specifically geared toward levels where the bulk of the teams are." Fifty-four teams from around the country and Brazil are travelling to Lakewood Ranch for the tournament. "We have three boys' teams from Brazil coming in," said Miles. "Two are from Florianopolis FC and the other is from Winner Match/Clube Paulistano. They are teams that compete in Brazil's Division 2. Last year we had two Brazilian teams and both medaled. The Brazilians were class competitors and we are glad they came back this year."

The first games start at 9 a.m. on both days and the last games start at 5:20 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; parking is $5 per car.

I'll See You On The Ranch..................

Homeowners Insurance rates are stabilizing through the first quarter 2012. As spring time approaches soon, it is a good time to update your policies.

Call MGA at 907-3828.

I'll See You On The Ranch.........

Bucking state and national real estate trends, LWR Communities more than doubled its new home sales over 2010, ending the year with 391 new home sales in Lakewood Ranch for 2011. That is a 71 percent increase from 2010. Out of all the homes sold in Lakewood Ranch last year, 56 percent were new and 44 percent were resales. "Buyers realize that it's more valuable to buy new," said Jimmy Stewart, LWR Communities vice-president of sales. "For just about 9 percent more, you can buy a home custom made just for you in Lakewood Ranch, with a new home warranty, in a new community and at a great value."

The average sales price of a new home in Lakewood Ranch last year was $397,149 - more than double the median home sale price in the two county Sarasota/Manatee region of $150,097. The average price of a resale in Lakewood Ranch last year was $364,171, as opposed to the average in Sarasota/Manatee of $229,984. Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc. President and CEO Rex Jensen expressed pride that Lakewood Ranch is "bucking the trend of resales overshadowing new home sales." Jensen also pointed to growing demand for new rental apartments in the successful, master-planned community. "I am pleased that Lakewood Ranch is experiencing a surge in demand for residential product of all types and price points," Jensen said. "We are actually looking to bring on new builder partners in our single and multifamily product offerings. Few other Florida communities can say that.

" The Ranch's newest rental apartment complex, Lost Creek Resort, is now open for leasing and has been a big draw for commercial construction in the area as well.

Lakewood Ranch officials expect the new home sale upswing to continue in 2012, due to a recovering economy, new communities like the active-lifestyle neighborhood Esplanade by Taylor Morrison, and bold, creative moves to revive the local economy like the creation and development of the Premier Sports Campus, which opened in early 2011 in Lakewood Ranch. In 2011, the economic impact to the region totaled more than $30 million from events and tournaments at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. "From the beginning, our philosophy has always been centered on economic development," said Jensen. "We have always and will always strive to create two jobs for every home in Lakewood Ranch, and the sports campus is just one more way we have figured out to draw people to this area."

With more than 20 events already scheduled for 2012, the economic impact is projected to be more than $70 million this year.

"We are seeing a lot of visitors coming in to our information centers when they are here for sporting events at the campus," said Lakewood Ranch Ambassador Greg Spring. Visitors like Phil and Jane Levene from Connecticut. Their son Scott competed in soccer tournaments at the campus in 2011 and the family is now looking to move to Lakewood Ranch permanently. "Soccer is what introduced us to this area," said Jane Levene. "We would have not been here if it wasn't for soccer and now we have absolutely fallen in love with the area and plan to either retire here or buy a vacation home here."

Lot sales to builders in Lakewood Ranch's newest Country Club community were up from 2010 as well, with 107 lots sold compared to 61 sold the year before. "Most of these lot sales were made during the second half of the year," said Stewart, "leading us to believe this upward trend will continue into 2012."

I'll See You On The Ranch..............

You may owe federal income taxes in 2013 if you have a short sale, foreclosure

WASHINGTON - Jan. 9, 2012 - You may owe federal income taxes in 2013 if you have a short sale, foreclosure after this year. Now is the time to make the hard decision: Are you going to walk away from your underwater home?

Uncle Sam is still giving homeowners until Dec. 31, 2012, to go through a short sale or foreclosure without tax consequences - as long as the lender officially releases the debt.

But on Jan. 1, 2013, the rules change: The amount a lender forgives, ether in a short sale or foreclosure, on a primary residence will be taxable on federal income taxes.

So if a house sold $50,000 short of what is owed on the mortgage, then the selling homeowners will owe federal income taxes on that $50,000. Homeowners would owe $12,500 if they're in the 25 percent bracket; $7,500 if in the 15 percent tax section.

Homeowners would be on the hook even if the house sold but the bank had not formally forgiven the loan in a letter: The banks must officially sign off in writing before Dec. 31.

"It's a huge issue - it will be a shock to many taxpayers after 2012," said Mark Steber, the Florida-based chief tax officer for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.

The law first came into affect five years ago as the housing market went bust nationwide.

The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 "generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence," according to the Internal Revenue Service. "Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualifies for the relief."

Up to $2 million of forgiven debt can be forgiven this year, $1 million if married and filing separately, according to the IRS.

Homeowners declaring bankruptcy could escape paying income taxes on any cancellation of debt income if the debt is forgiven in the bankruptcy even if the debtor is solvent, said Nick Jovanovich, a board-certified tax attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"Bankruptcy trumps everything," he said.

Or homeowners might not have to pay income taxes on any cancellation of debt income to the extent that they are insolvent immediately before the cancellation - that is, their debts exceed the value of their assets, Jovanovich added.

Steber and Jovanovich said homeowners should decide now what they are going to do - to give themselves time.

Short sales can take a long time, said Timothy Singer of Coldwell Banker in Fort Lauderdale.

He said he knows of one that had been pending for three years.

But lenders "have been gearing up" and speeding up the process, Singer added.

But even if banks quickly approve a short sale, the would-be buyer may get cold feet and the deal fall through, Singer said.

Then the sellers have to begin again, he said.

Copyright © 2012 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Donna Gehrke-White. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

I'll See You On The Ranch...................

"Prized collectibles need to be insured! At time of claim, almost all homeowner's policies have a sub-limit; say $2,500 (after deductible) for collectibles. Don't find yourself caught short: Call MGA Insurance Group at 907-3828 and ask for Darlene or Karen. Tell them it's time to update your homeowners insurance."

I'll See You On The Ranch........