For those who are looking for their dream home, one of the big questions is whether to buy one that's already on the market or build their own. Considering that a home is usually the single largest investment a person can make, it's not a decision that should be made lightly. I want to offer you a few of the bigger considerations to help you make the best educated decision you can.

Consider the Convenience

Purchasing a home that's already built is generally a much simpler process. After you get pre-approved for a home in your price range, you have the ability to shop around and pick out a home you think will work for you. If you have a good realtor working for you, it really helps to streamline the process, and once the deal is closed, it may

Sarasota may be most well-known for its beautiful beaches, and since they are an integral part of paradise, I thought you might want to know which ones are not to miss and what to expect from each of them.

Siesta Beach

Having earned a No. 1 rating on Dr. Beach’s annual list of America’s Best Beaches, Siesta Beach is a favorite among visitors and residents alike Having recently received a complete upgrade on its parking, playgrounds, and more, people travel from around the world to feel the 99 percent pure quartz, powder-sugar soft sand between their toes. The amenities are endless, and the upgrade included a 450-foot Mobi-Mat pathway that allows for easy handicap accessibility for pedestrians and users of wheelchairs, strollers, and beach carts.

The community of Lake Sarasota started around one of the Florida tourist attractions that helped make Florida the destination it has become. From 1955 to 1959, the Sunshine Springs & Gardens offered visitors twenty acres of tropical gardens, complete with swan boat tours, and a water ski show on a 400-acre, man-made lake, featuring water-skiing elephants and the "Aquabelles" female ski tea. What remains of the lake is now the 16-acre Lakeview Park, which features a playground, picnic area, canoe/kayak access to the lake, and a paw park, and parts of Bent Tree Country Club, which borders Lake Sarasota, to the east.

The neighborhood is also bordered by I-75 to the west, Bee Ridge Road to the north, and Proctor Road to the south. Given Lake Sarasota's

Wherever you live in the Sarasota area, you have year-round access to fresh produce. With snowbirds flying home for the summer months, not all of the area farmers markets are open year long. However, there are still plenty of options to get locally grown and organic produce.

SEASONAL MARKETS

Phillippi Farmhouse Market

Every Wednesday from October to May, Phillippi Estate Park at 5500 South Tamiami Trail hosts a farmers market from 9am-2pm. In addition to fresh produce, more than 40 vendors gather to offer plants for home gardens, prepared food, and other specialty items.

Englewood Farmers Market

Also from October to May, the Englewood Farmers Market takes place on Historic Dearborn Street on Thursdays from 9am-1pm. With over 50 vendors,

One of the greatest places to live in Sarasota is Downtown. With new condominiums on the rise and some of our classics just as popular as when they first opened, I wanted to feature what is currently available for those who want great views within walking distance to restaurants, shops, theatres, and everything else Downtown Sarasota has to offer.

988 Boulevard of the Arts #1514, Sarasota
To prove that you can get a waterfront condo for under a million dollars, let's start with the Van Gogh unit on the 15th floor of the highly sought-after Condo on the Bay. This completely remodeled condo offers 1,729 square feet with mesmerizing water views, motorized, remote-controlled shades in all rooms, and crown moulding throughout. The two bayfront

There are a number of great places in Sarasota to listen to live music. Over the years, venues have changed hands and changed names, but there are a few standouts that consistently offer places for musicians to share their songs and for music fans to enjoy the experience. If you're looking to either kick up your heels or to sit back and soak in the tunes, these are the places you should most consider putting on your list.

Blase' Cafe - Siesta Key's Blase' Cafe offers upscale dining and live music seven nights a week. Located on Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Key Village, the restaurant features indoor and outdoor dining, where diners can enjoy some of Sarasota's local bands while under the stars. It's also just a few steps away from the Siesta Key

The suburban paradise of Sarasota Springs offers a number of single family homes, perfect for the health conscious, working family. Houses and condominiums built over the last several decades with a variety of architectural styles, it’s a great location with access to local beaches, shopping, dining, and Downtown Sarasota. Sarasota Springs encompasses 3.6 square miles north of Bee Ridge Road between Beneva and Cattleman. It includes the beautiful Forest Lakes neighborhood, Colonial Gables, and Doctor's Hospital.

Sarasota Springs is largely residential, but is surrounded by a number of shopping plazas around the perimeter, full of grocery stores, chain restaurant favorites and local fare. This includes some of the best pizza in town at Solorzano's,

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 spectacular custom-built luxury home at 7412 Weeping Willow Boulevard is in the gated upscale community of Woodlands II. Situated on over half an acre of pristine beauty, this lakefront home is a wonderful place to appreciate Florida’s nature and wildlife. The 4,093 sq. foot home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a 3-car

The Easter season is upon us again, and there are a number of ways to get out and celebrate the coming of Spring with the family this year. Here in Sarasota, we're especially fond of Easter egg hunts and Easter morning sunrises.

Things kick off at the First Church on March 18 with their Easter Egg-stravaganza. In addition to the egg hunt, this free event will also include free lunch, crafts, stories, games, face painting, and more fun activities. Find out more at www.firstsrq.com.

Also on March 18, Harvest UMC will host their Easter Egg Hunt from 11:30-1:30 while also collecting canned goods for the Food Bank of Manatee. Food trucks will be on hand for people to buy lunch, and there will be bouncy houses, face painting, crafts, and Candy Land