Don't Forget To File For Your Homestead Tax Exemption By March 1st

Did you recently move to the sunny state of Florida? If so, please do not forget to file for your Homestead Tax Exemption by March 1, 2009. All you have to do is visit your local Property Appraiser's office to file for your exemption. All applications for Homestead Exemption must be made between January 1st through March 1st of the tax year, if you miss the deadline or you will have to wait to apply for the Homestead Exemption the following year.

What is the Florida Homestead Exemption? Any person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the state of Florida, and who is a legal and full time resident of the State of Florida is eligible to receive an exemption up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes and the additional $25,000 applies to any assessed value over $50,000. What does this mean to you?

Your propertys assessed value: $150,000
Your Homestead Exemption: $50,000
You pay property tax on: $100,000

There are also additional exemptions for Veterans, Widows/Widowers, Disabled Persons, persons over 65 and Blind Persons. For full details regarding State of Florida's Homestead Exemption please visit MyFlorida.org.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Some recent pictures of favorite state park, Fall Creek Falls TN

Our family visits Fall Creek Falls TN every year. We love it here. Fall Creek Falls is approximately 20,000 acres and is located on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. The park has many gorges, streams, several waterfalls one of which is 256 tall and is said the be the tallest waterfall in the eastern United States and Southern Magazine has voted Fall Creek Falls the best state park in the Southeastern United States. It is about a 11 hour drive from Venice Florida and our family visits Fall Creek Falls annually.

Me by the Fall Creek Falls tallest waterfall in the winter time (brrr, it is cold out here).

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com
http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Is a home protection plan a good investment?

A home is typically the biggest investment most people will make in their lifetime. In these challenging times and unexpected repair or replacement cost can be difficult to manage and trying to find the right professional to fix your problem can be stressful. Having a home protection plan won't stop your appliances from breaking down but will help cover some or all of the costs of covered repairs and replacements.

Some of the items that a home protection plan may cover are plumbing, water heater, electrical, pool and spa equipment, air conditioning, and appliances. How much money do you think it would cost to repair your air conditioner should it break down? Depending on the problem, it could range in the thousands of dollars.

There are many different home protection plans available. You can customize your coverage and premiums to best fit your needs and sometimes the premium can be included in the closing costs of a home purchase.

If you have any questions about a home protection plan or home warrantys give me a call, I would be happy to help.


Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com
http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Winter Stinks

This is too funny not to share to share with everyone.
For those of you up north having to deal with the terrible weather, has this ever happened to you on the way to an appointment?

LOL and enjoy.

Why Winter Stinks Video

Home inspections are different than appraisals

A home inspections are different then appraisals. Home inspections are for buyers and appraisals are for lenders.

A home inspection will provide the buyer with detailed information about the condition of the property before the closing. You should always employ a qualified home inspector, one who is certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors. The home inspector will evaluate the condition, structure and mechanical systems of the home looking for any major defects (such as structural damage) and alert you to any safety hazards that may exist. You will also be provided with a written report, photographs and a checklist of items that will need to be addressed.

An appraisal are for lenders and are required to several reasons; to estimate the market value of the property, to make sure the property is marketable and to make sure the property meets FHA standards.

You have the right as a buyer to carefully examine the property with a home inspector. This can be done before you sign a contract or after. Just make sure that your contract specifically states the sale of the home depends upon the inspection. It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer, make sure what you are buying is acceptable to you.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com
http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Dunlap Tennessee, A great place to live

Over the past few years land in Tennessee has become a very sought after part of the real estate industry. My husband and I have been visiting this area of southeastern Tennessee for over 12 years. Dunlap is just a short 30 minute drive to Chattanooga Tennessee which has been voted one of the best 50 places to live by National Geographic Magazine.

Dunlap Tennessee is the fastest growing town per capita in the state of Tennessee, is an obvious example of rural achievement. Nestled in the center of the Sequatchie Valley, the charming community of Dunlap boasts low moderate climate, affordable cost of living, low real estate taxes, no income state tax and extraordinary hospitality. Southeastern Tennessee's Sequathie Valley is one of the most unique valleys in the world; one of only two 'rift valleys,' the other being the Great Victoria Valley in Africa (Southeast Tennessee Tourism, 2004).

Attractions such as the Dunlap Coke Ovens, , Lookout Mountain, Southern Belle Riverboat, Ruby Falls at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Aquarium (my childrens favorite place to see) and the Appalachian Trail bring thousands of people to the area, as do events like the Riverbend Festival, World's Longest Yard Sale and the O.K. Hege Memorial Horse Show. Come explore the area's outdoor activities which include hang gliding, bass fishing, mountain climbing, canoeing, hunting, cave expeditions and within minutes from Dunlap TN discover some of the best state parks in the east. Our family's favorite state park to visit every year is Fall Creek Falls Tennessee.

If you are considering moving to the Tennessee area give me a call, I would love to talk to you about the Chattanooga area and all that it has to offer.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com
http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Venice FL Real Estate/Englewood FL Real Estate Market Report

Is the Venice FL real estate and Englewood FL real estate getting any better? If you look at the statistics as compared to 15 months ago, September 2007; YES it is getting better but we are still in a declining market. The inventory is down (not as many homes available for sale) and more homes have sold and were are under contract to sell. The number of homes for sale in the Venice FL and Englewood FL markets combined as compared to 15 months ago has dropped 13.8%. Homes that have closed has risen 25.9% and homes under contract are up 115.3%.

The average days on the market (DOM) has dropped from 146 to 112 and list to sales price ratio although has fluctuated over the past 15 months is still at 91%, which means that the average home is selling for 8% - 9% off the stated list price.

If you want to sell your property you need to dramatically increase the Buyers attention. Buyers are looking for the best home at the best possible price. Did you know that within 15 seconds a Buyer has developed an opinion of your property? Sellers need to work on the curb appeal of your home (see my September 2008 post on curb appeal), tear down that old funky old wallpaper, put on a new coat of paint, remodel the kitchen, and whatever else is needed to attract a Buyer. Showing attention to detail and understanding the Buyer's needs is essential for a successful sale.

All reports are based on data supplied by the Mid Florida Association of Realtors, Venice Association of Realtors or their MLS. Neither Kari Battaglia, Associations nor their MLS's guarantee or are in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or their MLS COPYRIGHT©TRENDGRAPHIX, Inc.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI
Realtor®, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285
941-270-1851 direct
941-484-9715 office
800-969-1990 toll free
Kari@KariBattaglia.com

www.KariBattaglia.com
http://www.veniceareahomesblog.com/
www.FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia