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Castles in the Sand
Business, Castles in the Sand

The subjectivity of home appraisals

Oct 30, 2021 – Louise Bolger
October 23, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

TDC hears tourism update

BRADENTON – Local tourism is on the increase, according to Ann Wittine, of Tampa-based Research Data Services, who gave a report on Oct. 18 to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC)…
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October 17, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Love is blind

Usually, I write this column around Valentine’s Day, but this year I don’t think I can wait ‘til February. So, let’s talk about the mistakes both buyers and sellers make in an overheated real estate…
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October 10, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Bigger waterfront homes, bigger insurance

Have you forgotten the collapse of the condo in Surfside, Florida yet? Those of us who live on the water in Florida may never get over it, it will just keep coming back like a bad dream. The good thi…
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October 2, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Get ready for sticker shock with flood insurance 2.0

It’s October, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new program, called Risk Rating 2.0 Equity in Action, went into effect on Oct. 1. For many homeowners, this may be the annual Octobe…
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September 24, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Here today, gone tomorrow

If you want to buy a property in the Bradenton-Sarasota area you have to act fast, and I mean lightning fast. Whatever comes on the market today will likely be gone within a week, selling at record-b…
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September 19, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Home renovations not for the faint of heart

So, you think you want to renovate, and you think you should do it before you sell. You’re done with the nasty old bathroom and a large kitchen island has been on your wish list forever. But do you h…
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September 13, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

Are you ready to be an island investor?

Investing in real estate can be a lifelong dream or a recurring nightmare – usually, it turns out to be both. What sounds better than owning an island home that you can rent for outlandish prices…
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September 5, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

How not to derail your transaction

It’s the night before your home closing and your broker calls and says she was just notified by the lender there is a problem with the title and closing is postponed. The moving trucks on both ends o…
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August 30, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Ribbon cutting

Bradenton Beach Spa and Bou-tiki celebrates 10 years

BRADENTON BEACH – Bridge Street is known for its many dining choices and some of the best shopping on the Island. Among the restaurants, gift shops and galleries you will find Searenity Beach Spa &am…
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August 30, 2021
By Louise Bolger
Castles in the Sand

House hunting wars

On the HGTV channel’s show “House Hunters,” they make buying a home civilized and stress-free. A smiling real estate professional shows you three homes all in your price range, all in acceptable cond…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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