VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL, SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Choosing what to do on any given night (or day!) in SARASOTA is always a challenge! There are SO many options! SARASOTA has many, many wonderful and diverse restaurants and bars, live theater, concerts, symphony, ballet, gardens and on and on! The VAN WEZEL Performing Arts Hall is always hosting something or someone special. I was fortunate to see Aaron Neville there a few years ago. It is a beautiful venue, inside and out, right on the bay front.

Friday night I decided to go to the Reggae Fest on the grounds of the Van Wezel. The band, Impulse, played energetic reggae, both covers and originals, as well as Zouk and Calypso and had the audience on their feet for hours! I was up and dancing with singles, couples, kids and a lovely senior "hippie" with pig tails who never stopped smiling! Vendors provided food and drink and Mother Nature provided a stunning sunset for the background.
 I highly recommend checking out the up coming schedule and putting the VAN WEZEL on your "to do" in SARASOTA list!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ar8xWbZDog

ADVANTAGES OF MAINTENANCE FREE LIVING

I am working at home in SARASOTA today, on the computer, at my desk in the kitchen. LOVE LOVE LOVE having a desk right in the heart of my home...I can cook and work at the same time! Today there is a lot going on outside. The landscape crew is busy pruning, weeding, mowing, raking and more. I moved to a maintenance free community from a single family home a few years ago. I still have the advantage of a free standing home with a yard and a lanai, where I can plant (with approval..no big deal) my own garden. HOWEVER, I have a crew that shows up and cares for it all! They haul away the debris and I get to enjoy the results. So, I still have fun digging in the dirt, planting and watching my choices grow and flourish, while someone else cares for them!

Last spring, during some very heavy rains, I noticed wet spots on my bedroom ceiling.  I called the property management company and promptly the roofers were out inspecting the situation. Within a few weeks, I had a brand new barrel tile roof and skylight! I am not sure exactly how much a brand new roof on a 1500 sq ft house would be, but I venture a guess it would take YEARS of my monthly fee to cover that!

This spring, it was time for power washing and painting all the trim on my home and that was done quickly and painlessly! Even the driveway was power washed. I had just asked for an estimate from an independent contractor as I was not aware that was included! In 4 more years it will be time to re paint the entire exterior. I get to choose from a pallet of colors and, again, it's paid for!

Particularly for couples or singles who travel a lot, maintenance free living is a great choice. You can leave and come back months later and everything will look the same! No checking up to ensure your landscaper has kept up with the lawn and trimming in your absence. Since the sprinkler system is also automatic (and, in my development, comes from a holding pond), there is no need to worry if your beautiful plantings have wilted in a drought.

Each association is different, so be sure to find out what is included in your monthly payment. In my SARASOTA  neighborhood of LONGWOOD RUN, the exterior homeowner's insurance is also included. Buyers often shy away from these neighborhoods because of the monthly cost, but I always point out that these are things they would be responsible for on their own and they have to take that into consideration.

For me, it's an easy choice! Then again, each association has different fees and some neighborhoods are more expensive than others so always find out what is included.

Have a great weekend in YOUR neighborhood of SARASOTA!

COMEDY IN SARASOTA

Real Estate can be extremely rewarding and often stressful! Living in SARASOTA, there is a great release for tension found at McCurdy's Comedy Theater http://www.mccurdyscomedy.com/
Prior to the show, I enjoyed GREAT Chinese food at YUMMY HOUSE (right across 41 from McCurdy's). I highly recommend the Salt and Pepper Shrimp and Sesame Chicken, which is actually crispy! The wait can sometimes be a bit long, but the food makes it worthwhile! Coming from New Jersey, my standards for Chinese food are high, and with YUMMY HOUSE, Sarasota finally has a winner.
After dinner, it was time for the show at McCurdy's. Wednesday is open mic night, so there were 3 comedians on stage prior to the headliner. They were actually pretty funny. The main act, Ron Feingold  http://www.ronfeingold.com/ had me belly laughing all night. His impersonations and creative use of  a capella combined with jokes was hysterical. I really loved every minute of his performance. I had never been to McCurdy's before and will go back for sure. It is a small intimate venue, where you can have light fare to eat and great drinks as well.
There is no way you can hang on to tension or worry about anything while you are laughing, and the effect has lasted into today. Thank you Ron Feingold for a great dose of lightening the load!

So, this past week I learned there is one area in the Real Estate training that is lacking, and that is effective handling of people!

 In each transaction, so many personalities are involved on so many levels: sellers, buyers, insurance agents, mortgage brokers, attorneys, title companies, secretaries, receptionists, appraisers, inspectors...the list is endless!

 It gets particularly "dicey" when dealing with family or friends. Bottom line, however, is that everyone involved should be treated with respect and dignity. Whether their level of expertise is years and years or they are newbies...all should be treated the same.

I think we need to be trained more effectively in people skills! Patience, listening, resolving, thanking, etc. etc. 

I would love to hear from anyone on books they have read or courses they have taken which address effectively dealing with all those involved in any transaction.

I learned gratitude, patience and persistence last week. I learned to ask more and more questions if I was not comfortable with the answers and not to be ashamed to ask! In return, I must remember that when my clients are asking me endless questions, I need to reply with respect and clarity.

In the end, we all want the same result, which is a smooth, successful closing that leaves everyone happy with the result and with the people who have been involved.

Susan McDavit
http://susanmcdavit.yourkwagent.com
www.facebook.com/SMcDavitKWagent
susanmcdavit@kw.com

Lakewood Ranch Farmer's Market

LAKEWOOD RANCH  may have it's own zip code but it is still a part of SARASOTA! Every Friday morning there is a great Farmer's Market held in San Marco 

Plaza.

 https://www.facebook.com/SanMarcoPlazaFarmersMarket

It is easy to walk, not too large, but has many diversified vendors. Living in LAKEWOOD RANCH OR NORTH SARASOTA, this is such a convenient venue to pick up farm fresh local fruits and vegetables, home made breads, oils and sauces, and so much more. You might even find a wonderful dog to adopt!

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKh8ghTuemg

Susan McDavit
http://susanmcdavit.yourkwagent.com
www.facebook.com/SMcDavitKWagent
susanmcdavit@kw.com

SARASOTA SHOPPING: LARGEST MALL AND SMALL LOCAL SHOPS!

Sarasota has wonderful shopping opportunities for whatever you might need! Coming in October 2014 we will have the largest shopping mall between Tampa and Naples! http://themallatuniversitytowncenter.com/ This is certainly a prime sign of our economic recovery and because of that recovery, Sarasota should be on top of your list if you are contemplating a move or investment!

I am, however, a strong supporter of shopping local i.e. Farmer's Markets and small shops found on many a street corner and neighborhood in Sarasota.

Two of my favorite areas are Burns Court and Towles Court found just south of "Downtown" Sarasota. Here is a video I put together highlighting some of the retailers in these colorful areas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEKJJvNjDxM

Love sharing all that makes SARASOTA so special!

Susan McDavit
http://susanmcdavit.yourkwagent.com
www.facebook.com/SMcDavitKWagent
susanmcdavit@kw.com

LAKEWOOD RANCH MUSIC ON MAIN

Although Lakewood Ranch has it's own zip code, it is still part of the Sarasota community. On the first Friday of each month, Main Street, Lakewood Ranch,http://www.lakewoodranch.com/musiconmain is blocked off for a great party that focuses on food, music and fun for all ages. Each month a different Non Profit receives the benefits. Last night, http://www.kettleoffish.net/ entertained to a huge crowd! At the other end of the street, a DJ seemed to get the focus of the younger guests who danced for hours! Food, beverage, and other vendors line the street with their offerings. It is a great venue to come with a date, the family or a group of friends!

SARASOTA LOVES DOGS

Just one more reason to love Sarasota is the local love of pets. There are several no kill shelters, but my favorite and one with which I had personal contact is Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.  http://www.nateshonoranimalrescue.org/

Last night on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HonorAnimalRescue

there was a story about rescuing many, many dogs from a hoarder. They provide veterinarian care, love and comfort for these mistreated animals. 

The shelter is located in the "country" with lovely colorful cottages where the dogs have access to the outdoors as well. They have play time with other dogs and through the generous contributions from volunteers, training and walking on leash. There are also many cats for adoption here as well.

I adopted a puppy in March, but after three months, my one cat would NOT make peace, so I tearfully had to surrender him back. He was adopted within a month, and to my surprise (and hers!) it was to a co-worker at Keller Williams Realty. He is now doing great and enjoying boat rides and water play to boot!

As well as wonderful shelters and adoption agencies, there are 32 restaurants that allow dogs in SARASOTA  http://www.bringfido.com/restaurant/city/sarasota_fl_us/

Southeastern Guide dogs http://www.guidedogs.org/about-us/sarasota-training-center/ also has a strong presence in the community.

All in all, if you are a pet lover SARASOTA may be the place for you to live!

Walking in Sarasota

SARASOTA has MANY MANY gyms from which to choose. There are yoga and pilates studios and the YMCA. We are very health minded here and there really is NO excuse not to find your perfect place to get into shape. You can walk the beach or walk the bridge but what I particularly love is that there are so many neighborhoods which afford nature walks right from your front door. I live in the LONGWOOD RUN community, which is no more than 5 minutes from numerous retail stores, big box AND local, several gyms and countless restaurants. But 2 minutes from my front door, I am surrounded by nature. I walk on a shell path, over a bridge and onto an island to an old oak grove where each and every branch is dripping with Spanish moss. It is magical every time of day. This is just one of so many communities in Sarasota that offers the opportunity to be close to the "city" but allows you to feel that you are in the country!