In the third quarter of 2011, the national average risk-return premium was 5.4 percent for rental properties. During that quarter, Bradenton-Sarasota rental properties performed 2.1 percent better than the national average, which helped propel it to one of the best markets in the country.

The rankings were calculated by comparing the three-year forecasts of home prices and gross rents for potential cash flow to investors.

The area fell 1 place over second quarter results, but still remains strong in the overall hunt. Las Vegas topped the third quarter list with a 5 percent better risk-return premium over the national average.

Several other Florida cities also ranked well including Orlando (third), Ft. Lauderdale (fifth), Tampa-St. Petersburg (seventh) and West Palm Beach (tenth).

If you are considering purchasing a rental property in the Sarasota area, call Roger Pettingell today at 888.309.5714.

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The key to getting a good deal on a home and being able to afford it on a limited budget is looking for a home when mortgage rates are down. This is especially true if you're looking to relocate to a new community (like Longboat Key for example!).

So what would you think a good mortgage rate would be? Say, five or six percent? Well, right now across the country banks are handing out mortgage loans with very, very low rates. In fact, they're the just about the lowest they've ever been; Average rates for a 30-year loan have dipped all the way to 3.99%, while at the same time 15-year loans have been going for 3.30%.

This is only the second time in history that rates have been below four percent, so you're not likely to get a deal on a home mortgage like this in quite some time. That means right now is the time to be looking for a new home, either for investors or for those who are looking to get their first home.

Either way, some of the best and most profitable real estate is right here in Longboat Key, and Roger Pettingell is the real estate expert you need to talk with. Call their offices at 888.309.5714 and they'll help you find a great deal on a waterfront home in Florida.

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It's of no surprise to those of us that are already living in Florida that homes in this part of the country are in such high demand. With some of the best schools, weather, job market, and of course beaches, everyone's envious of our fantastic life here in the Sunshine State.

Of course, we can make claims all day, but where's our proof that Florida real estate is so coveted? We're glad you asked! Reports released in recent months showed that Florida dominated in terms of lowering total inventory listings. What this means to you is since the total number of homes available for sale is going down in most areas across the state, that means home prices are almost certain to see a rise in the coming year.

As more and more homes get sold, the demand will go up and, therefore, prices will too. This means homeowners in Sarasota and Longboat Key who've been thinking about selling their homes might be approaching a great time to sell.

If you decide your time to sell is coming up soon, you'll definitely want to talk with Roger Pettingell. Roger's years of real estate sales and experience make him the top choice for sellers in Florida, so call his office today at call today at 888.309.5714.

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The positive trend that the Sarasota region has presented is due to several factors. The inventory supply for both single family homes and condos have maintained a steady decline over the past nine months, even reaching a decade low in August of 4,408 properties.

The area has also experienced ten straight months of sales over 500 including four months of sales over 700. Home prices are on the rise as well; they have experienced a 23 percent improvement since February’s low.

These factors are helping tilt the scales to make Sarasota a seller’s market. The successes that Sarasota has had mirror those on a national level. The national inventory of properties for sale has declined by about 1 million since the highs from the summer of 2008.

For more real estate news from the Sarasota and Longboat Key area, continue reading Roger Pettingell’s Real Estate Blog.

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Living here on the coast of Florida sure is nice. The beautiful weather, the friendly people, the thriving community; it's all a part of something really special.

What draws people here the most, of course, are the incredible beaches, and with good reason. Everyone wants to live at the beach for the beautiful views and warm sun, but would you believe us if we said it's good for your health?

It's actually true; there are several health benefits to living by the ocean that people might not think about right away. Here's a few of the best health benefits you get from living right near the ocean:

• Exercise: From bike riding to jogging on the beach or swimming, beach lifestyle promotes being active and staying outside
• Clean air: Being near the ocean means constant winds blowing in fresh air, free of pollutants that you might find closer inland
• Stress-free living: The relaxing, care-free beach life helps you reduce stress and stay calm, making life so much more enjoyable

Can't you just picture yourself living a healthier, happier life here in a community like Longboat Key? If you want a slice of healthier Florida life, call Roger Pettingell today at 888.309.5714.

Source: ArticleSnatch 
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Everyone wants a slice of the beautiful life here in Longboat Key and Sarasota areas, and it looks like it's becoming more of a possibility for those who've always dreamed of owning a home on Florida's beautiful gulf coast. 

What makes us say that? Recently, the National Association of Realtors released a report saying that home affordability is higher than it's just about ever been. How has that happened? It's attributable to two simple factors that combined together make it incredibly easy to afford a new home.

As we've talked about, mortgage rate averages are hovering around historic lows, which combined with the stabilization of home prices across the country means more and more people are being able to finally afford the homes they've always wanted. Rates are staying low and prices are stable for now, but conditions could change before you've had a chance if you don't start planning now.

Roger Pettingell can help you find the perfect beach home in Florida for your family, so take advantage of the current real estate market conditions and buy a home with Roger's help. Call his offices today at 888.309.5714. 

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Are you a true Facebook fanatic? Everyone's favorite social media site is the best place to share info, links, and photos with friends, and most of all it's the perfect way to stay connected with people and businesses that you care about.

Why not add your favorite realtor in Longboat Key and Sarasota to your Facebook friends? That's right, Roger Pettingell is on Facebook, and we want to connect with all of you out there in the social media world.

Once you add Roger's page to your Facebook account, you'll be instantly connected. You'll get all the updates from the Facebook page right in your daily feed, as well as links to posts here on the Roger Pettingell Real Estate blog. 

It's easy and simple to do, and you'll be even more in-the-know with everything going on in the world of Florida real estate. So drop by the Facebook page and 'like' us today!

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With a new year comes a new outlook on markets and real estate futures in all parts of the country, but most especially here in Sarasota.

Real estate markets everywhere have seen some unwelcome twists and turns in past years, but what will 2012 hold for investors and homeowners? You can take your own guesses, but you can probably get the best idea of what to expect in 2012 by asking business leaders here in Sarasota.

That's precisely what the Herald-Tribune did, interviewing several of the top business professionals in the area what they thought would come in 2012 in terms of economy and market stability. While others were cautious and reserved in their assessments, still some foresee serious improvement for the area.

Particularly of note were the words of Shaun Merriman, President & CEO of Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida, who predicted coastal areas like Sarasota will see the most profound growth in Florida, especially in terms of job growth and increased lending from banks across the region. Also, Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County President Mark Huey was quoted as saying that health care industries are especially forecast to see plenty of job growth in the area.

It's for all these reasons that Sarasota is a great place to choose if you're wanting to relocate to Florida. To find the perfect home in Sarasota, call Roger C. Pettingell today at 888-309-5714.

For the state of Florida some truly welcome news according to reports from realty experts indicates that things are back on the rise for real estate markets. All the numbers appear to point to a growing recovery for the state, and that could certainly mean that the time to invest could be coming sooner than you might initially think.

According to the National Association of Realtors, across the state home sales numbers are going up, meaning inventories are declining in areas everywhere. This means a major increase in home prices are likely to follow, and could present some great opportunities for homeowners in the future.

There's no doubting, however, that the increase in activity in the market means things are improving across Florida. As well, with gains in employment as well at the tourism and healthcare industries, the overall economy is showing new signs of strength.

That's important for the real estate market, since both of these arenas are so vital to keeping the market stable. With everything looking to be on an upward trend, no doubt we'll be seeing some brighter times ahead for real estate owners and investors in Florida. 

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Sarasota, Longboat Key or the surrounding area, call Roger Pettingell today at 888.309.5714.

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For the majority of the nation, 2011 brought tales of doom and gloom for the housing market. While Florida, in spite of being one of the leading states for foreclosures, ended the year on a somewhat positive note. 

Commercial property sales and rentals increased during the year. That is good news for unemployed Floridians as well as local towns and municipalities. Tourists are returning to Florida for vacations and the snowbirds are once again spending money.

Coastal resorts are reporting an increase in traffic, with guests not only staying longer but also spending more money. This has increased the employment opportunities within the hard hit service industry.

Believe it or not, but 2011 was one of the best years for Florida home sales since the housing bubble burst in 2008. Lower home prices, excellent mortgage rates, and a wide selection of available homes made Florida one of the best states for both first-time homebuyers and investors.

Give me a call today at 888-309-5714 and let’s start the home buying process while prices are low and inventory is high!

Photo: Sarasota Florida: Circus, Art and Elegance By The Sea
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It certainly is a buyer’s market these days and while there are plenty of existing homes for sale, there is nothing like the feeling of owning “brand new.” Plus there are many advantages in owning newer construction.

• New homes are more energy efficient. Heating and cooling systems are the latest models available. They are better insulated and come with energy efficient rated appliances.
• New homes have floor plans designed for today’s active lifestyle. Instead of underutilized rooms, there are now multi-purpose areas, convenient built-ins and gourmet kitchens.
• New homes come with warranties covering everything from carpets to appliances to mechanical equipment.
• New homes can accommodate all of today’s state of the art technology. Also, more builders are constructing a “healthy home,” free of the toxics and chemicals used in past home construction.
• New homes are usually located in a well-designed community. Developers are planning neighborhoods for maximum comfort and convenience, including everything from dining to retail to entertainment.

Give Roger Pettingell a call today at 888-309-5714 to learn more about new construction vs. pre-existing and decide what’s right for your lifestyle.

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Selling your home in Longboat Key or Sarasota can be a very trying time. There's a lot of stress that comes with going through the process, but if you're prepared and have a plan of attack everything will go just fine and you'll sell your house in no time. The key is being knowledgeable and sticking to your strategy. As an overview, we've got some useful tips to share with our sellers today for helping make sure your sales process goes smoothly, courtesy of Realty Times:

• Price: Being realistic and accurate with your asking price will keep your home from sitting on the market month after month without any attention from buyers
• Perspective: Yes, your home likely has a real emotional value to you, but you have to separate yourself from those feelings and remember home ownership is as much a business venture as anything else
• Positiveness: Staying confident and positive will rub off on your agent and anyone interested in the home, and always leads to success
• Communication: Be available and ready to talk at any time, not just with potential buyers but with your agent as well
• Staging: Preparing your home to be shown to buyers is key, and you'll likely have to make changes around the house to have it ready

Another important step for sellers is to find a professional, experienced real estate agent in Longboat Key and Sarasota that will work hard for you. For luxury real estate in these areas there's no better choice than Roger C Pettingell, so give his office a call today at 888-309-5714.

Photo via: stock.xchng
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• Price: Being realistic and accurate with your asking price will keep your home from sitting on the market month after month without any attention from buyers
• Perspective: Yes, your home likely has a real emotional value to you, but you have to separate yourself from those feelings and remember home ownership is as much a business venture as anything else
• Positiveness: Staying confident and positive will rub off on your agent and anyone interested in the home, and always leads to success
• Communication: Be available and ready to talk at any time, not just with potential buyers but with your agent as well
• Staging: Preparing your home to be shown to buyers is key, and you'll likely have to make changes around the house to have it ready

Another important step for sellers is to contact Roger C. Pettingell, your professional and experienced real estate agent in Longboat Key and Sarasota and ask for your personalized home analysis. For luxury real estate in these areas there's no better choice than Roger C Pettingell, so give his office a call today at 888-309-5714. Photo via: stock.xchng