featured a gorgeous Seaside Living Group transaction
The 2024 record sale of 1325 Westway Dr, at a jaw dropping $12 8 million, was Top 10 in Sarasota County for residential home sales
Colleen Waldoch, was the buyer’s agent that helped close this incredible deal
START STRONG IN 2025
A NEW YEAR MEANS NEW HOME GOALS
The new year is a time for fresh beginnings, and there’s no better way to embrace it than by buying or selling your home January’s real estate market offers unique advantages:
Motivated buyers and sellers
Less competition in the market
A chance to set the stage for the year ahead
Whether you ’ re searching for your dream home or ready to list your current home, starting early can give you a strategic edge. Buyers can take advantage of properties priced to move, while sellers can leverage the opportunity to stand out with less inventory on the market.
WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING, JANUARY IS THE TIME TO ACT AND WE’RE HERE TO HELP
2025 NEW YEAR'S GOALS FOR ACHIEVING YOUR DREAM HOME
As we welcome 2025, many of us are setting new goals and resolutions for the year ahead If buying your dream home is on your list, now is the perfect time to start planning Whether you ’ re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, the beginning of the year provides a fresh slate to take actionable steps toward finding the perfect home.
1
GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE
Before touring homes, take time to get pre-approved for a mortgage This will clarify how much a lender is willing to offer and help you stand out as a competitive buyer in the market
2
3
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE FUTURE
Buying a home is a big commitment, so it's important to consider your long-term plans Think about how the home will meet your needs for the next 5 to 10 years and whether it will adapt to your future lifestyle
SET A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT
key resolution when planning to buy a home is setting a realistic budget Review your finances to determine what you can afford for a down payment, mortgage, and additional costs, ensuring you stay within your price range
set yourself up for success this new year
HAPPY NEW YEAR! A FRESH START TO 2025
This New Year is the perfect time to make your real estate dreams a reality whether you're buying, selling, or investing, let’s make it happen!
JANUARY MAINTENANCE
Make sure pool chemicals remain balanced and water circulating, preventing algae
Organize storage declutter
holiday decorations and tools
Check house for signs of mold
Water can get trapped under roof shingles
Inspect HVAC and replace filters to ensure function
Replenish those hurricane supplies
LOCAL EVENTS VENICE AREA REAL
GRAN PARADISO, VENICE
The Gran Paradiso neighborhood is a Tuscaninspired, access controlled community. At over 1,000 acres, you are surrounded by nature’s grandeur with lakes and nature preserve ’ s providing the backdrop to you ’ re awaiting elegant and easy lifestyle
International Wine WalkDowntown Venice MainSt 2pm5pm JAN 15
Dueling Pianos at Solis Hall Stage, Wellen Park 6pm - 10pm JAN 16
Venice Farmers Market - Venice City Hall 8am - 1pm FEB 8 17th Annual Venice Craft Festival - Venice MainSt 10am - 5pm JAN 2526
Inaugural Weekend of Art, downtown Wellen Park 10am-4pm FEB 15
SARASOTA COUNTY DECEMBER 2024 SHOPPING FOR A
*Data source: RocketHomes and SunStats
FRESH SOURDOUGH BREAD IN YOUR OWN KITCHEN
As the new year begins, many people find themselves thinking about eating healthy, learning something new, and finding new passions Making fresh bread at home is a healthy rewarding labor of love that your whole family will be thankful for Plus, it is a healthy alternative to store-bought bread Warning! The scent will attract any nearby noses!
GROWING YOUR FIRST STARTER
a m “ R D u o t 1 m w m h
The bubblier the starter, the more active the yeasts! That means your starter is happy! Keeping it at 7075 degrees is optimal.
Take 500 grams bread flour, 375 grams water - 75% the flour weight Mix into starter well M t
Stretch and fold and form your dough into a seamless mound Do this for 2-3 minutes, allow to rest for 30 minutes and repeat process for 2 hours.
Coat dutch-oven with thin lair of high-heat oil Place in oven Turn the heat up to 450 with dutch-oven inside
Place dough inside dutch-oven, covered for 25 minutes Remove cover and remain in oven for 15 more minutes, bringing temp down to 400
Remove your bread from both the oven and dutch-oven. Allow to cool on air rack for a couple hours. You want middle of loaf to come down in temp My favorite way to enjoy is sliced with warm butter, sprinkled salt and drizzle honey!
To store your starter, keep 30g in a mason jar, refrigerated
Feeding the starter should be once every 2 weeks with a 30g starter to 15g/15g flour/water ratio
JANUARY 2025 Seaside Living GROUP
CONGRATS
SCOTT SWONGER
Scott is making a consecutive appearance in the top 5% of HomeSmart Realtors
The ceremony will take place Thursday, February 20, at the Seasons 52 in University Town Center, Sarasota
A SEASIDE LIVING GROUP LOOKBACK AND OUTLOOK
The overall year had many challenges The benchmark 30 yr fixed rate peaked over 7% in the month of May Home prices, especially existing homes, are still seeing aggressive pricing in many areas That being said, 2024 was still a great year of production for the team
53 transactions, between 7 agents, grossing a combined $38 4 million dollars
Combined AVG Days on Market 81
He will be receivi hi 2024 award for Diamo Status Realtor
It seems the Housing Market is beginning to heat up, as we turn the page into 2025 Rates have been working their way down to the 6% threshold Historically, when the 30 yr fixed dips below 6%, we see an influx of buyers enter the market Consumer confidence indicators have steadily climbed, month over month All good news for the new year
As we head into 2025, let’s take care of ourselves Take care of each other, and let’s make it a year to remember!
