Brought to you by Linda Grimshaw Broker
 April 1st 2004

Linda Grimshaw
Broker


Tax Time....
As that dreaded day nears we're all looking for the best ways to reduce what we owe to Uncle Sam. We may have to look no further than our own home. Current tax laws allow substantial savings when selling a home that has appreciated.
If you're thinking of a new home and have gains sitting in your current home you may find yourself in a more comfortable position than you might have thought. We'd love to help you find that new home. Be sure to contact your financial advisor regarding your particular tax situation.
---Linda---

  
 
News from Sarasota Life Realty Group
COMMUNITIES

Waterford at Imperial Lakewoods
Classic Series.
Brand New Home Designs at a Great Price.

  • Single Family Homes for under $200K
  • Three bedroom, two car garage home ranging form 1630 to 2757 square feet
  • Conveniently located to Bradenton and St. Petersburg, one exit north of Ellenton on I-75
  • Next to the Imperial Lakewoods Golf Course

General Real Estate News

MORTGAGE RATES

Thankfully job creation is on the rise. Statistics just out indicated that over 300,000 new jobs were created in March. The downside may be higher mortgage rates in the future. With the economy gaining steam some analysts think that short term interests rates may rise soon. This will inevitably be reflected in the cost of the 30 year mortgage. More good news is, rates are still at historic lows.
Feature Article of the Month

SAVING FOR THE FUTURE

Once you've settled into your new home, you'll probably take more time to settle into your new mortgage. Right about this time, you may receive offers in the mail for services that can help you save thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan. Here's how they do it.

What the service offers to do is 'speed up' your mortgage by paying half the payment every two weeks instead of making one payment monthly. Instead of making 12 payments, you will make 26 biweekly payments, which will result in an extra payment each year.


You can achieve the same end by making one extra mortgage payment every twelve months. Another way to do this is to divide the total mortgage payment by 12, and then add that amount to your regular, monthly check. Indicate that this amount is to be applied to the principal.


Let's say your monthly mortgage payment is $1,500. Divide this amount by 12, and you get $125. Add this amount to your payment and submit $1,625 each month. By doing so, your thirty year mortgage will be paid in about 23 years and you will save about $92,000 in interest (depending on the rate.)


Financial analysts say that paying down a mortgage earlier is very much like investing. You'll get an eight percent return by 'investing' in your eight percent mortgage. Instead of investing in an unpredictable stock market, you can 'invest' to reduce your mortgage debt directly.
For Your Information
WHAT CAN SARASOTA LIFE REALTY GROUP DO FOR YOU?

Realtors in general are often perceived as a group of overpaid do-littles. In an attempt to set the record straight, here is a list of some of the more important things you should expect from your realtor.

  • The ability to locate and show you ALL properties that are currently for sale. Florida is a MLS state. That means we can show you every property available...not just our own listings.
  • To show you NEW construction and represent you with the builder. Sarasota Life Realty Group is a BUYERS AGENT. We work only for you...no one else. We are your independent representative and owe allegiance only to you.
  • To assist you with every facet of your purchase, construction, and move. We provide a list of Inspectors, Mortgage Brokers, Contractors, Movers, Handymen.......etc. These are independent contractors that have proved themselves to be reliable and make our recommendation credible. And, we receive no compensation from them.
TIME FOR A CHANGE!


It's that time again - time to reset your clocks this weekend! Remember to Spring Forward at 2:00 AM Sunday morning. As you go around the house changing your alarm clock, as well as the display on your microwave, your VCR, and your coffee pot to indicate an hour earlier, there's one other item you need to check.

Take this opportunity to check out your smoke detectors. Change the batteries and test them to make sure they are in good working condition. In fact, it's a good idea to check them once a month. And keep the grill work free of dust and debris. It only takes a few minutes and it could be a life saver.




Kenny Rogers

April 13th

As one of country music's biggest crossover successes, he's best known for such hits as Lady, She Believes In Me, Through the Years and You Decorated My Life.

Tickets: $60, $50.

Chicago the Musical

There's no denying, CHICAGO: THE MUSICAL is one of the biggest musical triumphs of all time. Winner of over 50 awards internationally including Broadway's Tony Award, London's Olivier Award and the recording industry's Grammy Award, the stage production has solidified itself in history as one of the hottest shows the world has ever seen. Six years after the revival's debut in New York, followed by two national tours and multiple foreign companies playing over 10,000 performances to date, CHICAGO: THE MUSICAL continues to entertain millions of people around the globe. Sponsored by ABC 40, Wilde Lexus of Sarasota and YPG.s.

April 27th, 28th

Tickets $60, $50, $49

  • If you build, local monitoring of all phases of construction, including periodic photographs of your home construction in progress.
  • REMEMBER, Our fees are paid by the seller or the builder. A builder cannot discount to you because you choose not to be represented nor charge you more if you choose representation. Additionally, we can often save you money when you use our services. Contact us for details!

CONTACT INFORMATION
Linda Grimshaw, Broker
Sarasota Life Realty Group
4312 Longchamp Dr. Sarasota Fl. 34235
941-359-8020, 941-359-8072 FAX
linda@sarasotalife.com

We at Sarasota Life used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident or other causes.