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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/</link>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/florida-insurance.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/florida-insurance.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Florida Insurance</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The Herald Tribune had a terrific article this morning listing ratings of more than 50 companies that insure residential homes in Florida.&nbsp; The top&nbsp;6 insurers without any major red flags are: ACA Home Insurance, American Strategic Insurance, Castle Key (formerly Allstate Floridian), Florida Farm Bureau Casualty, Nationwide Insurance Company of Florida, and Safeway Property Insurance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Six with red flags are: Homewise Preferred, Magnolia Insurance, Northern Capital Insurance,... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:44:32 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/sarasota-in-top-10-places-to-retire.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/sarasota-in-top-10-places-to-retire.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Sarasota in TOP 10 Places to Retire</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Once again, Sarasota has earned a spot in the top places to retire. &nbsp;This comes as no surprise to those of us who live here. &nbsp;Check out the full article.... &nbsp;http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retirement/article/108918/the-top-10-places-to-retire?mod=fidelity-livingretirement

&nbsp;
... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:37:44 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/extension-for-first-time-home-buyer-credit-unlikely.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/extension-for-first-time-home-buyer-credit-unlikely.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Extension for First Time Home-Buyer Credit Unlikely</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The last time that lawmakers extended the first time home buyer tax credit, they made it abundantly clear that they would not extend it yet again.&nbsp; So what does this mean to those of you thinking of taking advantage of this credit?&nbsp; 

For starters, you'll need to have a contract finalized for a purchase by midnight April 30, 2010.&nbsp; And secondly, you'll need to close on the purchase by June 30, 2010.&nbsp; 

With interest rates still low and real estate prices equally low, now is ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:34:49 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/mortgage-rates-hit-record-low.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/mortgage-rates-hit-record-low.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Mortgage Rates hit record low ...</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The average interest rate for 30 year mortgages hit a new record low since Freddie Mac began tracking interest rates in 1971 !!&nbsp;&nbsp; The&nbsp;interest rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage dropped to&nbsp;4.71%.&nbsp;&nbsp; So what does this mean in terms of a consumers buying power?&nbsp; The 4.71% gives a factor of $5.19 per every $1000 borrowed.&nbsp; This means that for a $100,000 loan, your mortgage payments would be just $519.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Of course, you need to remember that the... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:38:44 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/fha-considering-tightening-lending-policy.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/fha-considering-tightening-lending-policy.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>FHA Considering tightening Lending Policy</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ The FHA announced today that they are considering tightening their lending policies.&nbsp; Under current policy, borrowers can purchase a property with only 3.5% down payment as long as they have a credit score of 620 or higher.&nbsp;&nbsp; This has enabled many first time home buyers to purchase homes.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more information on this topic in weeks to come.&nbsp; I will post any changes as they are announced.&nbsp; ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:54:28 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/black-friday-weekend-was-defined-by-bargain-hunters.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/black-friday-weekend-was-defined-by-bargain-hunters.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Black Friday Weekend was defined by Bargain Hunters</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I wasn't surprised at all at the news reports that shopping over the weekend was defined by bargain hunters.&nbsp; The report said that more people were shopping, but that sales were fairly flat.&nbsp; The real estate market is showing similar signs.&nbsp; There are more people out shopping for homes than there were just six months ago.&nbsp; But they are all looking for bargains.&nbsp; 

The lower end properties are being snapped up fairly quickly - especially bank owned properties.&nbsp; But ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:39:28 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/new-tax-credit-for-longtime-homeowners.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/new-tax-credit-for-longtime-homeowners.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>New Tax Credit for Longtime Homeowners</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Congress has extended the tax credit for home buyers to current homeowners who have owned and lived in their residences for at least 5 years.&nbsp; This credit is for&nbsp;$6,500 rather than the $8,000 that first time home buyers qualify for.&nbsp;&nbsp; All the other provisions of the first time homebuyer tax credit apply.&nbsp; ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:22:26 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/tax-credit-for-first-time-homebuyers-extended.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/tax-credit-for-first-time-homebuyers-extended.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers Extended</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Congress has extended the tax credit for first time homebuyers.&nbsp; 

How much is the credit?&nbsp;

This credit is for the higher of $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price of the home.&nbsp; So if you purchase a home for, say, $70,000, then your credit will be for only $7,000.&nbsp; And remember that a tax credit is a return of the whole amount.&nbsp; It's not like a deduction, where it benefits you by only 15% or so.&nbsp; Also, you may file an amended tax return and get your refund immediatel... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:17:55 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/sarasota-named-one-of-americas-10-best-undervalued-places-to-live.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/sarasota-named-one-of-americas-10-best-undervalued-places-to-live.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Sarasota named one of America's 10 Best Undervalued Places to Live</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The U.S. News &amp; World Report&nbsp; just published an article on America's 10 Best Undervalued Places to Live, and Sarasota is listed as Number 5, behind only Las Vegas, Houston, Naples (FL), and Oklahoma City.&nbsp; Oklahoma City?&nbsp; Yikes!&nbsp; 

The article points out Sarasota's wonderful arts and culture as well as the terrific boating and our currently depressed housing prices.&nbsp; It's time to buy!&nbsp; 

Read Entire Article ...&nbsp;
... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:57:33 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/have-we-reached-the-bottom.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.sarasota101.com/blog/have-we-reached-the-bottom.html</link>
            <author>Leads@sarasota101.com (Sandra Israelson)</author>
            <title>Have we reached the bottom?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ I&nbsp;hear this question frequently.&nbsp; Many buyers want to wait to purchase until we reach the bottom.&nbsp; The problem with this strategy is that one can never know when we've reached the bottom until we are past the bottom.&nbsp; So by definition, if you are waiting for the bottom to appear, you will surely miss it.&nbsp; A better strategy is to purchase when you find a home that you love at a price that you are comfortable with.&nbsp; And as always, real estate should be viewed as a lon... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:46:42 -0500</pubDate>
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