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Tourist tax increase will be on November ballot
Business, Featured, Taxes, Tourism

Tourist tax increase will be on November ballot

Aug 5, 2024 – Jason Schaffer
July 17, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Appraisals an art form

The last time I did a column about property appraisals was almost four years ago in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when the real estate market was all over the place and a fair appraisal was dif…
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July 9, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Bargains on the beach

Realtor.com is part of my everyday life. I check it for new listings, sold listings, open houses and sometimes just to look at the pictures on what may be an otherwise slow day. Sometimes I even lea…
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July 1, 2024
By Louise Bolger

The three-month sofa

Tomorrow is July 4, a festive day for the country and Anna Maria Island, where small-town vibes and celebrations still happen. Flags flying, parades, fireworks and barbecues will be on full display…
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June 28, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
DeSantis vetoes vacation rental bill

DeSantis vetoes vacation rental bill

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed proposed state legislation that would have significantly hindered city and county governments’ ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals locally. The F…
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June 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Hot Dog Guy coming to Jewfish Key sandbar

Hot Dog Guy coming to Jewfish Key sandbar

JEWFISH KEY – The sandbar off Jewfish Key, a popular spot for weekend boaters to drop anchor, now has a floating food service option in the form of Capt. Marc Bouclier’s The Hot Dog Guy boat. Boucli…
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June 25, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Home sales and hurricanes

This is one of those times when I just want to put my head in the sand or at least lay on top of it and totally zone out. The weather is hot, hot, hot, the real estate market is cold, cold, cold and…
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June 25, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bill transmitted to DeSantis

Vacation rental bill transmitted to DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE – The fate of the Florida Legislature’s latest attempt to reserve the regulation of vacation rentals to the state lies in the hands of Gov. Ron DeSantis. On June 17, DeSantis received th…
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June 19, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Roofs: Need I say more?

It’s Florida, it’s hurricane season and your insurer is taking a good look at the most important thing over your head, and it’s not your favorite baseball cap. It used to be that a roof needed to be…
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June 19, 2024
By SUN contributor
Sarasota brunch restaurant to take place of local favorite

Sarasota brunch restaurant to take place of local favorite

HOLMES BEACH – The community said goodbye last week to Peach’s Restaurant, a long-time Anna Maria Island staple for breakfast and lunch on East Bay Drive. The restaurant’s doors officially closed at…
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June 19, 2024
By Jason Schaffer
Tourist tax increase one step closer to ballot

Tourist tax increase one step closer to ballot

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) again discussed raising the tourist tax at its June 10 meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island. A revised Manatee County ordinanc…
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