Venice Bits

On the horizon (November 2012) is a well deserved, very needed property tax relief for non homestead property such as  vacation/second home buyers, investors and commercial owners. Amendment 4 offers a solution.

Amendment 4 would:

1.  Lower the cap on property tax assessment growth for rental and non homestead property ( commercial, second/vacation and investment) from 10 percent to 5 percent. 

2.  Continue with a 5% cap per year, more in inline with the current homestead property owners.

3.  Empower the Legislature to prohibit local government from raising property tax assessment when property values decline.

4. Permit first time homebuyers and buyers who haven't had a homestead exemption in the previous 3 calendar years to a tax discount of 50 percent of the home's assessed value, not to exceed the median homestead value in the country. 

VOTE YES FOR AMENDMENT 4!! 

Information obtained from Florida Realtor Jan/Feb 2012 Magazine

Happy New Year to every one and I hope 2012 is your best year ever! 

Below are December figures for 2011 and 2010:

December                             2010                        2011

Units Sold                              148                          126

Median Price                     139,950                      127,900

Average Price                    166,032                     169,235

Total Volume                 $24,572.77               $21,323.597

While we see a slight decline in sales for the month, overall throughout the year was an increase.

Total Yearly Figures                  2010                        2011

Units Sold                               1406                        1538

Median Price                        143,000                    142,950

Average Price                      179, 270                    177,865

Total Volume                 $252,053,986             $273,556,934

Home purchases were 64% cash and 36% financed.

What to do in Venice for January, here are some suggestions:

Farmer's Market every Saturday at Centennial Park Downtown 8:00 a.m. to noon.  Produce, plants, pastries, crafts flowers available.  I always try a different pastry.  

Pioneer Needlework will be on display at the Triangle Inn every Mon. thru Wed. 10 am.  to 4p.m.  The Triangle Inn is always nice to visit to learn the history of Venice.

Jan. 12 thru 14 Venice Symphony Pops at the Church of Nazarene.  On the 12th and 13th  at 8:00 p.m.  On the 14th at  at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Jan. 14th and 15th Downtown Craft Festival  from 10:00 a.m.  to 5:00 p.m.  Located in the historic Venice Main Street District.  You can always find something unique here. 

Jan 14th Pioneer Days at Lord Higel House, 409 Granda Ave., Bring Chairs!!!  from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  Demonstrations of pioneer crafts, food and a play by Venice actors. 

Jan 21st. Pups at Historic Point in the morning. I'm there!!

Jan. 21 and 22 Venice Rotary Arts and Craft Festival.  10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Located at Venice Municipal Airport.  for further info call 941-468-1254

Don't' forget to attend Venice Little Theater.  "Almost Maine"  runs Jan. 5th to the 22nd.  "Smokey Joe's Cafe"  is playing Jan. 10 to 29.  "Tribute to John Denver"  is showing Jan 15th and 16th. 

Our cold weather is behind us and enjoy the weekend and the sunny weather!  It's going to be a beautiful January.   

Real estate is active and well in Venice.  Below are the month end figures for November:

November                            2011                     2010

Total units sold                        95                        78

Median Price                   $150,000                $141,250

Average Price                  $175,230                $175,910

Total Volume                $16,646,812            $13,720,953

We are up across the board in every category. Cash purchases continue to  dominate the market  rising from 55% last November to 61% this year.

Christmas in Venice is going full steam ahead.  Residents are merry and having a festive time, many homes are decorated with  wonderful light displays. 

Tonight don't miss the Holiday  Boat Parade on the intracoastal.  It begins north of Albee Road bridge and follows along the Intercoastal Waterway. 

The Farmer's Market is every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to noon on West Tampa Ave. in downtown Venice.

Dec. 17th, Pups at the Point,  9:00 a.m. to noon at Historic Spanish Point. Bring you dog.  Cost $8 to $9 adult and children 6-12 $3.   

Dec 15  from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. is the Third Thursday stroll in in downtown Venice Mainstreet.

Merry Christmas!

Sales figure for the month of October show an increase in the median price, with only a slight drop in total units sold.

Year                                            2010                    2011

Unit Sold                                          94                       89

Median Price                            $132,000              $140,000

Average Price                           $177,948              $168,124

Total Volume                        $16,727,126          $14,963,075

Cash Purchases                                 66                        59

Financed  Purchases                          28                        30

Interesting is the fact financed mortgages increased a slight bit from last year.  Are the protests by people in various cities working? Customers tired of the high bank fees and withdrawing their funds?  Are banks working with customers again  due to these actions?  We will see.    

The bridge connecting the Legacy Trail from Venice to Nokomis is finished and  already popular.  It is an attractive structure.  Bicyclists , joggers, and walkers can safely cross 41 and connect to the rest of the trail all the way to Palmer Ranch.    

Activities in Venice are as follows:

Nov. 5th and 6th   Art Fest at downtown Venice Ave. during the day.  Arts, food and fun.

Nov. 17th, 5:30 to 8 p.m.    The evening stroll at downtown Venice. Merchants keep their stores open later this evening. 

Nov. 26th, 7 to 9 p.m.  Holiday Parade at downtown Venice Ave.

Remember the Farmer Market is held every Saturday from 8 am to noon.  In Centennial Park on the Island.   

Home prices climb during September, 2011,  compared to last year.

         September                                  2010                2011

Total Units                                             105                 103

Median Prices                                  $125,000          $159,000

Average Price                                  $163,000          $171,216

Total Volume                               $15,187,250      $15,923,053

The summer months of Venice have been a good season for home sales.  Many Canadian buyers didn't want to return home without making a purchase of their second home.   They capitalized on the low home prices and putting them in the rental market.   Many of these buyers are realizing a rental income within less than 4 months of purchase.   That is the way to make it work.   

Home sellers seem appeased with the recent upswing activity and we are hearing from home owners considering listing.  That is  good indicators for the upcoming season.  Anyone considering selling, call me, I want to sell your home.   

The weather has been gorgeous here.  Yesterday  I had spent time at Caspersen Beach and you could not ask for a more perfect  day. Sunny, nice breeze, didn't even have to go in the water to cool off. Found some nice teeth washing up on the beach.   There is construction at the Caspersen beach entrance.  They are erecting a new building with concession capabilities, bathrooms, etc.  

At Jacaranda Plaza, where Lifestyle Fitness is located, there is construction of a new restaurant.   The buzz is,  Bonefish Grille.  What an asset for Venice.  Always had to go to Sarasota, well no more.   I'll be there opening day. 

Tonight going to Mc Curdy's Comedy Club to see Flip Schultz.  Saw him in the past and he was a funny man and performed a  great show.  Here are some more upcoming activities in Venice:

Every Sat. in Oct.   Venice Farmers Market 8:00 a.m. to noon.  Centennial Park.  Local produce, plants, flowers, crafts, jewelry, imported oil, soaps, seafoods, pastries and much more. 

October 14th - 16th.   Sun Fiesta "Venice Goes Wild"  Taking place at Centennial Park downtown Venice.  Miss Sun Fiesta Pageant, arts and crafts festival, silent auction, bedraces, food vendors and live entertainment.  Proceeds go to local charities.  Oct. 14th 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m., Oct. 15th 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m., Oct. 16th 9:00 a.m. to  7:00 p.m.

Oct. 20th    Thurs. Stroll Downtown Venice.  Stores keep their doors open a bit later tonight. 

Oct. 21 and 22    Annual consumer Expo at the Venice Community Center.  Venders of home repair, dental,  RV dealers, etc.  Free samples, drawings and health screenings. 

Oct. 29th   Halloween Parade in downtown Venice is led by the Venice Fire Dept. down Venice Ave. and merchants open for trick or treaters.