Lakewood Ranch Real Estate Blog

Boo Fest Halloween Celebration in Lakewood Ranch 2009

Jim Soda — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:37:24 +0000

Are looking for something fun to do with your kids for Halloween and you live in the Lakewood Ranch area? How about Boo Fest in the Main Street shopping district. The event is this Friday night October 30th from 6:00 PM till 9:00 Pm . This local event is a Family-friendly night of costume parades, trick-or-treating, a “friendly” haunted house and a dog parade. If your kids want to partcipate in the parade have them show up by 6:15 PM.

November Lakewood Ranch Events and Activities

Jim Soda — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:04:24 +0000

If you are looking for something to do over the next couple of weeks here in Lakewood Ranch take a look at the schedule below. Enjoy.

11/6 - Friday – Music on Main

Lakewood Ranch will host its monthly Music on Main concert every first Friday. A local band (TBD)will take the stage, beer, wine and food sales will benefit a local charity. This is one of Lakewood Ranch’s most popular events.

11/7 - 8th Annual Suncoast Wine Festival

Too many to mention American and international wines, foods from the area’s best restaurants, cooking demos by well-known area chefs, live entertainment, and much more. Don’t miss this event. Remember ticket are not sold at the door. Location is: Sarasota Polo Club 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch Florida 34202

11/8 - Lakewood Ranch Tours (also on 11/12, 11/17, 11/19 & 11/21)

Tour of Home tour bus will depart at 10am, 1pm and 3 pm on all days (see above) except Sunday, from Main Street @ Lakewood Ranch. Take a bus tour with our Lakewood Ranch Community Ambassadors. There’s no better way to see all that the Ranch has to offer.

11/14 – Main Street Farmers Market Kickoff

Lakewood Ranch’s Farmers Market will begin again at Main Street on Saturday (11/14) morning from 8 am to 1 pm and run through April. Come shop for local fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked bread, flowers, and more. Don’t forget to bring your Dog.

Please e-mail or call me if you have any questions or need my Real Estate advice or services.

The Jim Soda Group will be participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk

Jim Soda — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:38:17 +0000

Again this year, The Jim Soda Group of Prudential Palms Realty will be participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk for Sarasota/Manatee Counties on October 24, 2009 at the Sarasota Polo Grounds. Making Strides is the American Cancer Society’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. The Sarasota/Manatee event in 2008 had over 5,000 participants who helped raise $370,000 to help fight breast cancer. This year we are expecting an even bigger event. Making Strides is an opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors especially our colleague, Realtor Beth Barnett. As well as educate women about breast cancer prevention, early detection, awareness, and will raise funds to help achieve a day when no one will have to hear the words “You have breast cancer.” The walk is on October 24^th and starts at 9:00am, with registration opening at 7:30am. Please contact me or any member of the Jim Soda Group if you have any further questions or need more information. Thank you in advance for supporting the fight against breast cancer. We hope to see you there!

Remember Tonight is “Music On Main” in Lakewood Ranch

Jim Soda — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:46:20 +0000

Don’t forget tonight is “Music on Main” in Lakewood Ranch. Tonight’s musical guest will be: Sheri and the Vision. This free monthly music event draws one of the friendliest ranch crowds every 30 days. There is plenty of music, dancing, beverages and food to satisfy every ones taste. You can also shop at 30 boutiques, 7 restaurants, and/or go to the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas and watch a movie. Oh yeah…bring your dog as tonight’s charity is the SPCA Honor Sanctuary. Come and enjoy one of the events that separates Lakewood Ranch from other communities here in Florida. See you there…

No Better Time than the Present to Give Back!

Jim Soda — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:43:49 +0000

Jim and his team feel that giving back to the community is an important part of our daily lives. Recently, Jim donated 75 Sarasota Reds baseball tickets to United Way for less privileged children to enjoy a day at the park! “There is nothing more rewarding than putting a smile on a child’s face” says Jim about his recent donation.

For more information on how you can give back, visit the United Way web-site.

To contact the Jim Soda Group, visit their web-site or email them at info@jimsoda.com.

“If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” — Bob Hope

Sold in 45 Days in Lakewood Ranch Country Club!!

Jim Soda — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:04:37 +0000

Luxury Foreclosure listed by the Jim Soda Group in Lakewood Ranch Country Club – Custom Pruett with over 5000 square feet was only listed by Jim Soda and his team for 45 days before an offer was received, accepted and closed!

Let us help you sell your home in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club and surrounding area! Contact us at info@jimsoda.com or 941/809.7759. You can also find us at www.JimSoda.com. We look forward to working with you!!

Some Green Living Ideas on Earth Day

Jim Soda — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:59:30 +0000

What better day than Earth Day to start thinking green?

Seven great “Green Ideas” That will save energy, money and make for a healthier living environment.

1. Buy a programmable thermostat and reduce your energy consumption by planning your energy needs.

2. Avoid buying plastic bottled water. Try to reuse everything, especially plastics…and recycle.

3. Reduce your water use. Make sure you have low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets.

4. Buy locally made products and locally produced services. Healthy food, environment and economy.

5. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. By using energy-efficient light bulbs you will save energy and money.

6. Turn off lights and electronics when you leave the room. Unplug your cell phone charger from the wall when not using it. Turn off energy strips and surge protectors when not in use (especially overnight).

7. Recycle your newspapers, plastics and other items that your local waste pick-up will take.

If you’re looking for a green certified home in Lakewood Ranch Florida, Sarasota Florida or Bradenton Florida, let our Green Certified team member help you! Randy Huartson has made it a point to understand the ins and outs of Green-Certified Communities and Homes in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton and Sarasota Florida. He can be reached by email or phone 941-586-9635. You can also visit the Jim Soda Group web-site to start your own home search!

Lakewood Ranch Market Statistics

Jim Soda — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:59:35 +0000

As a homeowner, seller or buyer it is imperative to understand the market around you. The Jim Soda Group is here to help! Please find market statistics for Lakewood Ranch, Manatee and Sarasota Counties. If you’re interested in getting more detail or looking at another micro-area, please don’t hesitate to email info@JimSoda.com or call us at 941.809.7759. To view homes available in your area, visit the Jim Soda Group Web-site.

If you would like to receive our quarterly newsletters highlighting important market information, please email us at info@jimsoda.com.

Jim Soda and Zillow.com

Jim Soda — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:29:59 +0000

Jim Soda has just returned from the International Prudential Real Estate conference in Las Vegas. While in Vegas at the convention Jim announced a new “showcase” alliance with Zillow.com for the 34202 zip code. This working agreement will solidify both the Jim Soda Group and Zillow.com as an important starting place for buyers to search for new and resale homes in the 34202 area. Jim is considered the key Real Estate professional and consultant for the Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton, Florida area. Zillow.com’s nearly 9 million monthly visitors and low mortgage rates ( at or below 5%), Jim believes that this working relationship with Zillow will bring two respected organizations together to assist Real Estate buyers and sellers of southwest Florida together.

Cutting Corners when Purchasing a Short-Sale or Foreclosure Could end up More Costly!

Jim Soda — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:16:56 +0000

In today’s world of short sales and foreclosures there are more and more vacant homes that do not receive the TLC that homes require. While managing funds up front when purchasing a home is important, spend the money when it comes to home inspections! Make sure that your Realtor is providing you with a proven list of inspectors for:
   1.    General Home Inspections from floor to roof
   2.    Mold Inspections – this is especially important when a home hasn’t been lived in, A/C not run, etc …
   3.    Termite Inspections

Also, if any of the utilities have been shut off in the home, have your Realtor ask to have them turned back on for the inspections. It’s worth a try and will eliminate any disappointing surprises! Having all of these inspections done will run you anywhere from $650 - $850, but could pay off ten-fold in the years to come. The Jim Soda Group sold a home that had been vacant for about a year and had a small amount of water damage in the kitchen; as a precaution we had a mold inspection done and came to find that the mold count in the A/C handler was at a very high level! Had there not been anything visible, there would have been no red flag! We recommend a mold inspection for all of our clients; it’s still always your choice though.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Jim Soda Group with any questions you have regarding purchasing a short sale of Foreclosure home!

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