With the tax deadline looming, I thought it would be good to remind you what you can itemize on your returns, and what you should consider if you're planning to sell your house this year. While many home improvements can't be used for deductions in the year you spend the money, those expenses can help to reduce your taxes in the year you sell your house.

Homeowners are able to claim their home mortgage interest payments, their real estate taxes, and their mortgage points each year, but there are a number of other things that can be deducted as well.

If you have refinanced your home and taken out a second mortgage or equity loan in order to implement some home improvements, all or some portion of the points can be deducted in the current tax

Bent Tree is one of Sarasota's oldest communities, offering spacious lots and wonderful amenities. The golf course was established in 1975, and the old growth oak trees, with accompanying wildlife, are merely a few of the benefits to living in this beautiful area. Only a short drive to Downtown Sarasota and Gulf Coast beaches, Bent Tree offers resort-like living through a variety of neighborhoods, both open, and gated.

The Woodlands II at Bent Tree is a special neighborhood and 7342 Weeping Willow is a special home. Built in 1997, it has features of newer construction, like higher ceilings in every room and a kitchen/family room area that is open and functions as the hub. Brand new AC and brand new floors throughout in March 2019! A durable

Finding amazing pizza is one of the first orders of business whenever you find yourself in a new town. Fortunately, Sarasota has plenty of options, from New York to Chicago, and everything in between. Of course, you can always settle for the standard chains that taste the same anyplace you may go, however, I invite you to try some of our local pizza chefs and the incredible pies you can only experience in Sarasota.

Rico's  - With five locations throughout Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch, Rico’s is one of our most successful local pizza chains. Featuring online ordering from each of their locations, Rico’s is a safe bet wherever you might be.

Solorzano's  – Opening in Gulf Gate in 2004, Solorzano’s pizza paved the way for other locations on Siesta

From fabulous estates to exciting fixer-uppers, Hudson Bayou has great appeal for the optimal Sarasota experience.

If real estate really is all about location, that could explain why the Hudson Bayou neighborhood is in such high demand. Located within walking distance of Selby Gardens, Burns Court, Downtown Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and the Southside Village, residents of Hudson Bayou enjoy not only being surrounded by some of Sarasota's most popular venues and delectable restaurants but also a plethora of beautiful homes, both state-of-the-art and vintage. Cap that off with a blend of majestic oak trees and waving palms, delightful views of Sarasota Bay, and a fifteen-minute drive to either Siesta Key or Lido Key beaches, and you have

When you're buying a home, getting a good home inspection is crucial and could save you from a home improvement nightmare. An inspection will cost you a few hundred dollars, but finding out about possible structural damages or other pitfalls make it well worth the money. In order to make the most of this experience, here are a few things to keep in mind then having a home inspection done on a house you may want to buy.

Do Your Own Pre-Inspection

Before the inspector arrives, be sure to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the house. Try the light switches, look for peeling paint, inspect the decks and porches, find out where the electrical panels are, and take a look at the appliances. Make notes of anything you want the inspector to look

Desoto Lakes offers residents the opportunity to feel like they are living in the country while being less than twenty minutes from Downtown Sarasota. Although many of the streets are quite suburban, with quarter and half acre lots, the neighborhood also features a number of larger lots as well.

As one of the older neighborhoods in the Sarasota area, many of the bigger lots have been left largely in their natural states, providing a lovely natural habitat of tall pine trees, stately oaks, and plenty of palmettos and other lush foliage for the "Old Florida" feel. Many of the residents appreciate the diverse population of both domestic and native animals. It is quite common to spot eagles, hawks, and osprey flying overhead and armadillos, opossums,

It’s not difficult to believe that Sarasota is considered a perfect destination for anyone who loves riding a bike. Due to the warm and sunny weather all year-round  and very little elevation gain, even the most inexperienced of cyclists can handle the majority of trails and neighborhoods available to explore. Of course, there are always concerns to address no matter where you choose to bike, and as the years have passed, Sarasota has become more and more populated, causing the roadways to be ever congested. As long as a rider is prepared in both safety precautions and bicycling rules and regulations, Sarasota is the perfect playground for both the experienced and the beginner.

Many neighborhoods offer easy access to popular destinations, whether

Longboat Key has long been considered the lap of luxury in Sarasota. With dozens of palatial condominiums, many are drawn to the exclusive nature of this key, replete with beautiful golf courses, fabulous shopping, and incredible restaurants only a few short minutes from Downtown Sarasota. Here is a look at just a few of the beautiful homes currently available on this world renown island paradise.

Built in 1988, the 2,555 square foot home at 3431 Winding Oaks Dr #16 is a gorgeous waterfront villa in the exclusive Bay Isles Community of Longboat Key. Nestled in the heart of maintenance-free Winding Oaks is this two Bedroom, two-and-a-half Bath home with a spacious two car garage. You will be captivated with the tropical feel as you enter through

In 1995, the master-planned community started developing seven different villages on a former timber ranch on the border of Sarasota and Manatee counties. Summerfield, the first neighborhood development, has since evolved into the fourteen different villages of Lakewood Ranch, offering a wide range of single-family homes, condominiums, villas, townhomes, and luxury estates. Each village in Lakewood Ranch has its own distinct vibe, catering to a certain sort of lifestyle.

Condominiums in the gated enclave of the Esplanade and the 55+ Del Webb start in the mid $200s, while the downtown vibe of the Waterfront at Main Street start in the high $300s. Beyond the gates of Country Club East and Lakewood National are some of the finest golf courses around

With an average of 3.7 million burglaries a year in the United States, home security is an important issue. Not only do people lose things of material value, but there is an emotional toll as well. The best way to help curb losses is to be prepared, so here are the best ways to get your new home security ready when you move in.

1. Put a security system sign in your yard or on your window. According to a study by the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, about 60% of convicted burglars said that the presence of a security system made them more likely to pass up the home. Even if you don’t have one yet, letting burglars think that you do is a good start.

2. Install an actual alarm