Pre-Closing occupancies can be a tricky area to navigate for both sellers and realtors as there are many factors involved which open doors to a dead end contract along with other problems if not done thoughtfully. It is important for sellers to be aware of the issues and to know what is at stake before engaging in this kind of contract. For most, it would not seem an issue to allow new buyers to move in before the contract is fully accepted. If anything, it could only be solidifying the contract? Wrong. There are many legal and financial considerations to take place beforehand.

To start with, the seller should discuss with their insurance agent that he/she will be protected during the term of the agreement. Equally, the buyer should ob...

We are seeing many bizarre trends becoming increasingly popular from avocado bars, unicorn toast, lattes, and to the latest: goat yoga! Various, new and improved yoga classes have been sweeping across the nation but nothing as weird and wonderful as stretching with goats. The idea for goat yoga began in Portland, Oregan and it has continued to grow. In fact, it has become so popular it is now an international hit, with farms all over the world now offering yoga classes with goats. Goats are very friendly and enjoy to nuzzle and engage with humans!

To encourage investments statewide, Governor Ric Scott has introduced tax incentives to investors called, ‘Opportunity Zones.’ There are 427 counties under the low tax opportunity scheme including Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The idea is to target and build up distressed communities. By lowering taxes it should in return help grow jobs and business opportunities in areas that are in need of more growth. These tax cuts allow investors to invest their capital gains in certain investment funds called qualified opportunity funds. They will enjoy exclusion from income for a portion or all of deferred gain.

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said ‘The new Opportunity Zon...

It’s no secret to the locals that Sarasota is a fantastic place to live. From nationally acclaimed Siesta Key beach, to the abundance of parks, amenities, museums, and restaurants; Sarasota is a hidden gem of a city.

But that gem isn’t quite so hidden anymore, and word has spread a lot further than local talk. Conde Nast Traveler, a prominent high-profile and high-end travel publication, recently ranked Sarasota No. 5 on its list of 15 Best Small Cities in the U.S. for 2018. The results came from 429,000 responses to its Readers Choice Award survey.

The city as we know it is evolving. Moving away from its origins as a charming beach town and progressing into a trendy cultural hotspot, Sarasota is making its way to the top.

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