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

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

With the recent cold fronts and storms, many people are experiencing how much damage freezing temperatures can do. Fortunately, here in Florida, we don't have to deal with the blistering cold, snow, and sleet that our neighbors to the north have to endure. Yet, as we have seen recently, it sometimes does get below freezing in the Sunshine State.

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for freezing weather.

Take care of the plants

Smaller potted plants should be brought indoors. For those that are too big to move or landscaping, cover them with sheets.

Take care of the pets

Even if your pets normally spend their time outside, bring them indoors during a freeze. While a dog house may protect from some of the elements, it won’t help during a

As one of the oldest communities in Sarasota, the Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores neighborhood offers plenty of homes with incredible architecture as well as beautiful views. In walking distance to Sarasota Jungle Gardens, The Ringling Museum, and Asolo Theatre, this neighborhood is also only a few minutes from Downtown Sarasota and the airport. As North Tamiami Trail continues its renovations, this is a wonderful neighborhood for growth.

The contemporary home at 924 Indian Beach Drive was built in 1998 and has only had one owner. The open great room plan features a gallery entry, volume ceilings, and white walls and tiled kitchen. The spacious screened porch overlooks a deep backyard with lush foliage and room for a pool. The master suite has a

Often called “Florida's Cultural Coast,” Sarasota is well known for its many theatres. Each offers a wonderful variety of shows where audiences have been delighted for decades. With so many standout area theatres, residents are almost guaranteed a new show every week.

Historic Asolo Theater – America's only 18th century European theatre, the Historic Asolo Theater is one of the most beloved objects in The Ringling collection. Crafted in Asolo, Italy in 1798, it was brought to Sarasota, piece by piece, in the early 1950s and painstakingly restored in 2006.

Asolo Repertory Theatre - A world-renowned acting company known for producing the highest quality professional theatre in true rotating repertory, the Asolo company started performing in the

While Siesta Key has gained some notoriety lately from the television show that bears its name on MTV, life is not always like what you see on television. Although Sarasota does have beautiful beaches, an active nightlife, and plenty of watersports, with a median age of 62.8, it's not entirely the 20-something playground it's made out to be. However, with over 6,000 residents and over 2.2 million visitors a year, it's still a really wonderful place to live and visit.

Of course, it wasn't always so. Up until the 20th century, the barrier island was mostly inhabited by wildlife and the occasional fisherman, and went by a variety of names, like Sarasota Key, Little Sarasota Island, and Clam Island.

After the Siesta Inn opened in 1906, guests,

While Florida got its name from being a "festival of flowers," many residents are more appreciative of its fruits and veggies. Due to its tropical climate and the growing "foodie" trend, Florida is a great place to grow food, and several people are opting to forgo the traditional lawns and landscaping for gardens and edible plants. With a wide variety of annual and perennial plants, edible landscaping can help residents create a beautiful, abundant, and tasty Florida yard.

Whether you want to help save the planet or save money on your grocery bill, growing your own food may be the way to go. Commercial gardens use up to two to three times the amount of water as a home or community garden, and according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, every

Since Sarasota Magazine named Paver Park as one of its "Next Great Sarasota Neighborhoods," people have been realizing how much the neighborhood now commonly referred to as the "west of Tuttle" district has to offer. Paver Park was initially developed in the 1950's by Martin Paver, whose development motto was "build better than the building codes require and create a place where you would like to live and raise a family." Paver's vision has stood the test of time, as today the neighborhood features a wide diversity of families and housing options. Within walking distance to Downtown Sarasota and Payne Park, some of the original homes in the Ringling/Paver Park area have been restored to their original charm, while others have been razed for modern, energy

With the summer blockbusters out of the way, the next few months will see the release of a good number of the films that will be nominated for Oscars and other awards. The question is where you should go see them. Here is a little rundown on Sarasota's movie theaters and what you can expect from your visit.

Galleria Stadium 12 - If you're down in Venice, the Galleria is the go-to theater, largely because it's the only one. If you're looking for something a little more modern, you're going to have to come north.

AMC Sarasota 12 - Opened after the $50 million expansion of the Sarasota Square Westgate in 2006, these twelve theaters have stadium seating, large screens, and they're located right next to the food court if you'd like to sit down

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