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Business, Castles in the Sand

Appraisals an art form

Jul 17, 2024 – Louise Bolger
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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June 19, 2024
By Jason Schaffer
Data shows tourism drop after spring break

Data shows tourism drop after spring break

ANNA MARIA – Tampa-based Research Data Services (RDS) consultant Ann Wittine presented her state of tourism update to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on June 10, pointing out the…
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June 11, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Reinsurance causing rate hikes

I know, not more talk about insurance, especially a week after the beginning of hurricane season. But if the Wall Street Journal can put it on their front page, I can report it. Reinsurance is appar…
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June 3, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Reverse mortgage loans explained

Anyone who considers themselves a senior, which I certainly do, at some point will probably have considered a reverse mortgage. It’s not a conventional mortgage designed for the majority of home purc…
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May 28, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Everyone’s talking about home prices

I challenge you to enter a room with at least four adult homeowners and not hear the conversation eventually gravitating to the price of homes. Some of the conversation centers on fear that what the…
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May 28, 2024
By SUN contributor
Local restaurant to close its doors

Local restaurant to close its doors

HOLMES BEACH – A local favorite for more than two decades, Peach’s Restaurant in the Anna Maria Island Shopping Center will close its doors for good on Sunday, June 16. The Father’s Day closure was…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting