Blog
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5 Places in Sarasota to Volunteer This Holiday Season
Our real estate agents know about all the things that make Sarasota such a great community to live in. And one of the best things is the people. Many people in our city like to volunteer during the holiday season, and Sarasota has no shortage of opportunities to help make our community a better place. The holidays often bring an increased need for community services and the groups that provide those services have an increased need for volunteers. So during this season of giving, consider giving some of your time to help one of the many organizations that make Sarasota a better place. Whatever your skill set, you can find meaningful work that supports the community. Not sure where to start? We have a few suggestions to help.
- The Salvation Army Sarasota, 1400 10th Street, Sarasota, Florida 34236
The Salvation Army Sarasota has a wide variety of ways to volunteer. Successfully providing over 700 meals per day to those in need takes a lot of volunteers! There is always a need for food prep, service and clean up. Other programs provide shelter and life recovery services and those programs need volunteers to help with laundry, teaching, and mentoring. Additionally, volunteers answer the phone, drive the van, help at special events, and provide other essential tasks to help the Salvation Army serve those in need.
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There's No Place Like a New Home for the Holidays
So you have decided it's time for a new home, and are eagerly counting the days until spring to begin the search. But should you really wait that long to get started? While spring is one of the most popular times for buying a house, there are some advantages to making your purchase in the off-season, particularly around the holidays. So, perhaps it is time to talk to our real estate agents about finding your new home. After all, there's no place like a new home for the holidays.
Here are some advantages of making your home purchase over the holiday season:
- Less Competition
Off-season home shopping generally means less competition with other buyers, which means that there is a smaller chance of there being multiple offers on a home you're interested in purchasing. Fewer buyers to compete with can also translate to more room to negotiate with sellers, providing the potential to get a better price and better terms than you might if you were purchasing in the spring or summer. Finally, with fewer buyers shopping for homes, there will be less competition for the time of real estate agents, allowing yours to put a lot more time into helping you find your dream home than might be possible in the peak buying season.
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8 Great Holiday Gifts for the First-Time Home Buyer
Decking the halls in your new home for the first time is a cause for celebration. If you've got a first-time home buyer on your holiday gift-giving list, you'll want to spend some extra time choosing the perfect item. Whether you decide to take the sentimental route or opt for something more practical, you'll want to give a memorable gift that they will love for years to come.
Our real estate agents spend plenty of time with first-time home buyers, so we have some insight into the things they need. Here are eight of the best ways for you to help your loved ones turn their new house into a home.
- Smart Home Electronics
Smart home technology is all the rage now, with good reason. Not only are smart upgrades cool and convenient, but they can also make your home safer and more energy efficient. Video doorbells, programmable thermostats, and smart lighting technology all make excellent holiday gifts.
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Where to See Santa in Sarasota
Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, Christmas wouldn't be the same without a glimpse of Jolly Old Saint Nick. Luckily, Santa loves soaking up the sun in Sarasota before he gets too busy preparing for his big night.
Our real estate agents have the inside scoop on his favorite spots to hang out while he's here, and we're ready to let you in on the secret. Here are six of the best places to see Santa in and around Sarasota.
- The Mall at University Town Center: 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota
The Mall at University Town Center isn't just a great place to do all of your holiday shopping; it's also one of the best places to see Santa. Bring the kids to the mall's Grand Court where they can visit with Santa and become official members of his flight crew. They'll get to try on an official flight suit, learn how to fly Santa's sleigh, and play under magical lights and snowflakes. Santa and his helpers will be at the mall starting on November 9th and running until Christmas Eve.
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Thanksgiving Day Runs for Sarasota Area Families
Family-friendly Thanksgiving Day runs, also known as Turkey Trots, first began way back in 1896. Since then, the tradition has grown hugely popular across the United States, offering families and friends a fun way to burn some extra calories before indulging in the day's festivities.
While most of the country will wake up to cold, blustery weather on Thanksgiving morning, Sarasota area residents and visitors will enjoy mild temperatures that are perfect for an early morning run. This year why not start a new family tradition that will allow you to gobble guilt-free all day long? This list of the area's most popular Turkey Trot races will help you get started.
First Inaugural Florida Turkey Trot: Nathan Benderson Park, Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
Our real estate agents love visiting beautiful Nathan Benderson Park and are excited for the First Inaugural Florida Turkey Trot 5k. This centrally-located first-class venue is perfect for families coming from Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch.