Bradenton Real Estate

Manatee County Utilities  (MCUCS) is offering several programs to help home owners in the Bradenton, Longboat Key

Water Barrel

and Anna Maria Island areas save money and go green.  As of late MCUCS is offering potential rebates for replacing old high volume 3.5 gallon toilets.  There is a limit to two per household but if you have purchased an Anna Maria Island investment property that needs some updating you might be able to put some extra cash in your pockets if replacing two old toilets.

In addition, MCUCS is offering rain barrels and a low low rate.  It is actually a rain barrel kit that includes a 55 gallon drum to collect rain water.  The price is unbelievable at $39 per kit.  Just go to the utilities department at 4410 66th Street West, Bradenton, Fl or call (941) 792-8811 Extension 5327

Wind Insurance

If you live on Anna Maria Island and you have a home built prior to 2002 there is a good chance that you are paying way more than you need to on wind insurance. Due to Anna Maria Island being in a wind zone most builders used methods to lower the risk of wind damage when constructing homes. Just yesterday I visited a home built prior to 1965 and the home was eligible for at least a 25% reduction on their wind insurance.

Lets first discuss the details of what an Anna Maria Island, Sarasota, Longboat Key or Bradenton home owner should look for. First thing is to review the openings in your home. Have the windows and doors been updated since the home was constructed? If so, there is a good chance the wind rating on your openings are much improved compared to the rating the wind insurance company has used when calculating your wind insurance premium. There are a few more details that can help your wind insurance premium, is your under-layment for your roof plywood and secured with 8d nails? Do you have a newer roof with secondary underlayment and a hip or gable roof? If yes you are probably eligible for a insurance discount.

Lastly, the most important search of all. Go up to your home’s attic where you

Clips = Discount

can see the rafters. Review how your roof rafters are tied into the walls of your home. If you can see metal clips that are nailed into the rafter better tying the rafter to the exterior wall then you have a very high chance you are eligible for a wind insurance discount!  See diagram to the right.

Unfortunately you cannot just fill out a form and send it to your insurance agent and expect your discount. However, it is still pretty easy. Call a wind mitigation expert and they will come out and in a half an hour the wind construction expert will have everything they need to send in a report for your property. I have a great contact that will guarantee a discount on your wind insurance after their inspection or the $100 inspection fee will be waived. Just contact me for additional information.

So, climb up in your roof and check for tie straps. If you have tie straps contact me for a wind mitigation expert and lets get your wind insurance reduced. One other aid is the State of Florida wind survey that helps give you a guide of how much you could save on wind insurance.

As if the real estate industry is not hurting enough, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just made it a little 

Lead Guidelines

tougher for property investors all across the United States.   The EPA has enacted a guideline in section 402 (c) (3) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that requires qualified contractors to work on property constructed prior to 1978. 

The TSCA focus much of their attention on lead-based paint hazards that are created by renovation, repair, painting activities, etc.  The new guideline is set to go effective April of 2010.  The targeted housing is mostly related to children facilities as well as Commercial buildings constructed prior to 1978.  Unfortunately there is one other area that is affected that plays a very large part of Anna Maria Island Real Estate.  Buildings which are planned to be leased require a certified trained general contractor.  This of course correlates to larger costs for Anna Maria Island property investors. 

If you plan to paint very small areas of your Anna Maria Island investment property then you are probably fine.  Check the guideline to be sure at last check it was 6 square feet per room.  So the bottom line, if you are planning to purchase an investment property that will require significant renovation, plan to rent it and was built prior to 1978, then be sure PRIOR to purchasing you receive a few quotes to be sure your renovation doesn’t cost significantly more than you planned.  The extra cost is yet to be determined but keep it in mind. 

For more information on the exact language used by the EPA visit the informational page on this new guideline.  Of course if this all seems overwhelming then please feel free to contact me for more information.  I would love to help find your “peace” of paradise on Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Sarasota or Longboat Key or just answer a few questions.  For that matter contact me for any Florida area as my work with the best of the best Real Estate professionals in the Florida Leadership Academy will allow me to refer you to someone that will be sure to help! 

Check renovation costs

Are you renting on Anna Maria Island or in Bradenton? Why rent annually when you can begin to build equity in real estate? Fantastic 2 bedroom 2 bath furnished condo located in Wildwood Springs for $89,100. That’s right, $89,100. With assistance for first time home buyers and property prices rolled back more than 5 years now is the perfect time. The lowest 2 bedroom condo in Wildwood Springs is ripe to be picked up by a renter that wants to start to build equity and potentially take advantage of some Federal Income Tax relief.

More details on the second floor Bradenton Condominium… The enclosed lanai opens to wonderful tropical landscaping. The condominium complex has tennis courts, pools, and plenty of sidewalks. Property includes one carport and includes furnishings. Kitchen is equipped with newer appliances including a ceramic top stove with built in stove fan and microwave. Tons of closet storage, outdoor storage and big master bedroom with attached bath. Just minutes from lots of shopping and gorgeous white Anna Maria beaches. Lowest price on market and ready to move in. Price has just been reduced, act now before it is too late.

For more information on this fantastic condo please give me a call at (941) 345-1288. I am a Real Estate Professional with Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island, Inc

News and Information

There is some fabulous news for Florida home owners. More specifically, Anna Maria Island vacation home owners and potential buyers of Anna Maria Island Real Estate.

Firstly, HB 521 was passed which puts the home owner in the drivers seat when appealing assessment values of their home. Currently the burden of proof lies with the Anna Maria Island home owner to prove the property assessment is incorrect with Ken Burton Jr. Not any more. Bill HB 521 changes the burden of proof to be on our local tax assessor to prove their estimated value is correct.