Groupon - Social Saving

months now I have not really paid attention to the hub-bub of new web sites that are hitting the scenes.  It is only recently that I began to review some of these web sites.  The hot craze right now seems to be sites that lean towards the social side of advertising.  That is they use Facebook and Twitter feeds so that you can involve your friends in the purchase of some great deals.  It is through your own work that provides the opportunity.  By involving consumers and facebook we are pooling buyers to buy in bulk although all the buyers do not know each other.  Seems like an interesting concept. 

Let me disclose I am new at all of this myself but thought it would be interesting to provide some options that I have found.  Some I have enlisted and frankly just weighing out the advantages versus my time and others I have not had a chance to try.  It seems as though the most popular bulk buy social program is Groupon.com.  The sign up process is fairly easy with all these, only takes one minute and the toughest part of the entire process is remembering your password the next time an

Living Social

 enticing deal comes your way to take advantage of it.  A similar website to Groupon is Living social however at least at the time of this post there are less deals on Living Social.

So what does this have to do with Anna Maria Island Real Estate….absolutely nothing.  However, as information gets out maybe even a few of our dining establishments will sign up and you can save money on your trip to paradise.  In addition, thought it was an interesting twist to social media.  Have fun with it and happy saving.

Goldstar.com – this site offers reduced event tickets like sports, concerts, theater, etc.

Zozi.com – this website offers deals for outdoor activities like bicycling, kayaking, etc

Zozi Saving

TripAlertz.com – website offers discounts on accommodations and vacation tour packages

Mamapedia.com – website specializes in family friendly saving deals

RetailMeNot.com – this website offers coupons.  This is more of a search for specific discounts in a city.

Wall Street Journal

 deal of Anna Maria Island Real Estate transactions.  While I am unaware of the exact percentage of vacation rentals on Anna Maria I estimate nine out of ten real estate buyers request rental income estimates prior to purchasing.

The article basically explains how investment property transactions are on the rise and in some areas they are seeing minimal appreciation.  Anna Maria City, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach are great examples of the trends the Wall Street Journal is writing about.   Anna Maria Island saw about 235 transactions in 2009 and in 2010 we say 317.  This data comes from MLS.  So, the island has seen a 38% increase in transactions as compared with 2009.   Even more impressive is when you take into account an average transaction for Anna Maria Island is around 230 transactions so 2010 frankly was a fantastic real estate year.

The law of economics talk about supply and demand.  Supply is much lower as compared to the height of inventory for sale on Anna Maria Island.  Anna Maria saw around 900 + properties for sale while we finished 2010 with just over 500 properties for sale.  Supply is low and our Anna Maria Island transactions are way up.  Most analysts would agree that as number of months of inventory for sale is a leading indicator of appreciation of property for sale.

For more information on the Wall Street Journal article visit here.  As always, if you have any questions regarding Anna Maria Island Real Estate send me a note or give me a call.

Wealth thru Real Estate

 If you are currently renting out your home, the Federal government just made it a bunch harder for you to rent out your home annually or seasonally on or off Anna Maria Island.  Effective 2011, all landlords will be required to send out 1099′s to any supporting vendor that was paid more than $600 USD for the year.

That’s right, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has just made investing in real estate a little harder.  If you utilize a property management company such as Island Real Estate, no worries, they take care of the 1099′s.  This of course assumes that your property management company is paying your bills such as lawn, pool, etc.  This even goes for purchasing a computer from a small time store in Bradenton to help manage your vacation rentals.  If the computer was more than $600 then you must send that vendor a 1099.  A 1099 tells the IRS as well as the vendor the amount of income they received in the correlating tax year.

A few more details regarding 1099′s.  They must be sent to the vendor no later than January 31st, 2012 and the correlating 1099′s must be sent to the IRS no later than February 28th, 2012.  This of course assumes you have the vendors Federal ID number and if you don’t, then pull a W-9 form from the IRS.Gov website and send all your vendors the W-9 to be filled out and have in your records.  If you don’t get a tax ID from all your vendors you must with-hold 28% of their annual income and that is a whole-nother can of worms to deal with.  That is something you want to avoid!

Lastly, if you don’t handle this appropriately for your rental in 2011 and beyond, you could be facing civil and criminal penalties up to $250,000.  Most agree that this cross check by the Fed is fairly easy due to the rental income line on your 1040.

Of course this information can change at any time and I suggest you do one of the following…1) consult your tax attorney or call Island Real Estate to handle your property management.  Good luck and hopefully this information helps ensure you as a landlord don’t get into hot water with the IRS.  By the way, a great CPA firm that can help you with more question is Axiom which is located in Bradenton, FL.

Stroll the seven miles of soft sand beaches or just enjoy the sound of the waves.  One of the things you have to do is take a ride on the FREE Trolley to see all of Anna Maria’s hidden treasures.  For more information on things to do on Anna Maria Island be sure to visit Island Real Estate’s attractions page.

See the video below for pictures and images of 744 North Shore.

The beach cottage was just renovated and a new pool was added.  Please review the pictures below and be sure to email or call Island Real Estate for more information.  More information as well as accurate availability can be found on the Island Real Estate listing for this Anna Maria City vacation rental.  If you have property investment questions please dont hesitate to contact me.  Happy vacationing.

Fantastic Pool and hot tub

There has been some great strides made in educating the marketplace on Vacation rentals versus hotels.   Each one has its place for providing good accommodations.  If you are staying on business or as a couple for one – two days then a hotel is probably the best bet.  You don’t need a ton of space and just one bedroom works fairly well for short stays.

Staying for longer than a few nights with multiple people makes a hotel room no longer the best choice.  Taking out multiple hotel rooms which are small and just not built to support multiple folks is where a hotel room no longer makes sense.  What does make sense is renting a vacation rental condo, home or villa on Anna Maria Island.  A few large vacation rental home networks have begun to show the drawbacks to renting a hotel room for a vacation.  On Superbowl Sunday several advertisements will be shown and expect the “Griswold’s,” America’s vacation family to poke a little fun at hotels versus Vacation Rentals.  This is just one post of many and hopefully very soon after the official commercials I will be able to post the videos.

For now I will wet your whistle with vacation rental commercial done by another vacation rental company.  Don’t forget if you are looking for vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island, look no further to Island Real Estate Vacation Rentals.  Enjoy the video!

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The exact address is 619 Rose, Anna Maria City, Anna Maria Island, Florida, 34217

Fantastic Anna Maria Pool

vacation rental has partial views of the Gulf of Mexico as well as our colorful sunsets. This newly remodeled luxury rental has a great location for the perfect Anna Marie Island Vacation.

Everything you could possibly require during an Anna Maria Island vacation has been provided for you in this elegant vacation beach home. Digital cable with surround sound, DVD, five-disk changer Compact Disk player with iPod dock, laptop with wireless Internet in the master bedroom. Board games are also provided for families that love to settle in at night for a relaxing or competitive night of fun. For the family chef, the kitchen is so well stocked you may never want to leave!

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There are so many Anna Maria island things to do you may need to extend your stay. You can stroll seven miles of flour soft sand beaches or just enjoy the sound of the Gulf of Mexico waves. One of the things you have to do is take a ride on the FREE Trolley to see all of Anna Maria’s hidden treasures. Come stay for a week and you will want to return again and again.

Please no smoking and no pets! This just in…large private pool just added Summer of 2009.

This wonderful Anna Maria city vacation rental is located right off the Bimini Bay! This private pool home has a wonderful floor plan and is intended for the active vacationer. The vacation rental home offers a Basketball hoop, Ping Pong Table, Bicycles, extra large Pool, Spa, and Boat Access using the boat dock at the rear of the cottage.

So, sit back and relax on the enormous outdoor second floor deck while you enjoy the sun, pool, and water views. The great room has an extra large kitchen that is sure to allow your family enjoy each others company without feeling cramped. Cool, white ceramic tiled floors and interior laundry room just off the kitchen will make you feel right at home. Kick back, relax and enjoy your Anna Maria Island “peace” of paradise. Enjoy your stay in this private pool/canal home away from home without all the stress of your busy and hectic life.

This 3 bed 2 bath property at 515 Bayview can accommodate up to (6) people; 1 King, 1 Queen and 2 Sleeper Sofas.

Please no smoking and no pets!

More pictures of 515 Bayview, Anna Maria City, Florida, 34216 are below:

Island Real Estate Vacation Rentals has plenty of Vacation rentals just a walk away to ensure if you do make the bayfest and stay until close you can walk home to ensure everyone in the party is safe. Just give them a call for some of the finest accommodations on Anna Maria Island, Florda.

Last but not least, 2008 Bayfest provided an event to further communicate the enormity of the Pine Avenue restoration project. The Pine Avenue project will redefine Pine Avenue to its glory days of the early 1900′s. With over 10 lots involved, a good portion of Pine Avenue will be changed to encompass an advantageous mixture of residential and retail boutique shops. Grab a dinner at the Sandbar or ice cream at two scoops and walk Pine avenue window shopping in any of the ample boutique shops to be added in the next 3-5 years. The size of the project is mind blowing and will redefine the city of Anna Maria. The Pine Avenue Restoration project will provide an old neighborhood feel we all yearn for and an added destination for Anna Maria Island for visitors to enjoy. Led by Mike Coleman, Ed Chiles and listed by Island Real Estate, the project is sure to succeed and provide a ton of walk around boutique shops on Anna Maria Island similar to St. Armand’s circle but further along Anna Maria Island’s old Florida tradition.