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

Since its beginning in 1995, Lakewood Ranch has grown into seven beautiful villages and continues to expand. Beautifully designed and well maintained to allow residents the best in a master-planned community, this neighborhood offers the best in shopping, dining, recreation, and beautiful homes. If you're looking for upscale living, take a look at what's available now.

Let's start with the beautiful, peaceful lake view home at 6343 Robin Cove! Located in Greenbrook Village, this recently updated 3-bedroom home has an open floor plan, 2 baths, and a den. The large, re-modeled chef’s kitchen offers a breakfast bar, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a large pantry, and 48-inch espresso chocolate wood cabinets with soft-closing

Sarasota's malls feature plenty of places for indoor shopping, dining, and entertainment.

As the months get warmer in Florida, several residents are quite thankful for the respite of air-conditioned shopping. Yet the malls in Sarasota aren't just for shopping. Featuring a variety of restaurants and eateries, as well as entertainment venues, Sarasota malls have a little something for everyone.

Our oldest mall is Westfield Sarasota Square. First built in 1977, Sarasota Square received a 7-million-dollar facelift in 1986, followed quickly by another 15-million-dollar expansion. The mall saw more major renovations when Westfield purchased the property in 2005, instituting a 60-million-dollar remodel.

With its most recent addition of a Costco store,

Golden Gate Point has developed over the last century as one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Downtown Sarasota.

Like Bird Key, Golden Gate Point is another community that has been built by Sarasota ingenuity, creating residences with some of the most spectacular views in the entire County. Nestled in Sarasota Bay at the east end of the John Ringling Bridge, Golden Gate Point has become one of Downtown Sarasota's most exclusive neighborhoods. It's hard to believe that much of the 22-acre peninsula was still undeveloped only a few decades ago.

When it was first platted on August 31, 1899, the small strip of land was little more than a mangrove swamp. Thick with cabbage palms and other vegetation at the turn of the century, the only building

If you're really looking to embrace the Florida life, there is no doubt that you've entertained the idea of getting a swimming pool. While there are some great benefits to pool ownership, there is also a responsibility that comes along with it. Fortunately, it's not very difficult to maintain a pool, and it's so simple that some people find it sort of meditative.

However, making a few extra steps to ensure that your pool is in good working order makes a big difference. Not properly maintaining a pool can cut its life span in half, or even shorter, and considering that a pool pump can easily account for half of a home's energy bill, it's a good idea to keep it running smoothly. Many Floridians have already invested in solar heating for their pools,

Now that the improvements to Bee Ridge Road are nearing completion, Sarasota Springs is about to get a lot more popular. Only a few minutes from Downtown Sarasota and the University Town Center, this neighborhood boasts an extensive array of homes in a wide variety of price ranges.

To start off, the 3500-square foot home at 3211 E. Forest Lake Drive includes 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, a 3-car garage, and a detached in-law suite. With an asking price of $975,000, the kitchen comes complete with Bosch appliances and a gas range, the huge living room includes a fireplace, and the family room opens up to the screened in swimming pool and spa area. This spacious home sits on a ¾ acre lot with sprawling mature oak trees in the Old Forest Lakes community,

As we reported a couple of years ago, both the city and county of Sarasota are pretty dog-friendly places. According to BringFido.com, a website that highlights places where dogs are welcome, Sarasota has 194 restaurants that offer doggy dining, including El Greco and Cafe Epicure, two of my dog Nemo's favorites. And in addition to the off-leash Paw Parks we highlighted in 2015, a resolution was passed by the Sarasota County Commissioners last December which designated 71 local parks and preserves as “dog friendly,” meaning that you can bring your dogs as long as they're on a leash.

This is great news for dog owners in Sarasota. For most of us, our four legged friends are part of the family, and if you're like me, you like to take your dog with you

The eight-mile island of Casey Key is an exclusive tropical paradise featuring beautiful estates with mansions, modern homes, and old Florida charm.

While it is now considered home to some of the most coveted properties in Florida, Casey Key was once considered uninhabitable. Wild and overgrown, the island, formerly known as Chaise's Key, was surveyed and mapped out by John Casey, who was also commissioned to convince the Seminoles to relocate. Since Casey's map was published in 1856, the eight-mile-long island has been transformed into a lush tropical paradise where the rich and famous go to relax.

Casey Key Road is the only street, twisting its way through a subtropical canopy of old-growth oaks, pines and lush vegetation. However, although

Home automation and the Internet of Things is changing the way we live and design our homes.

As we move into the future, it seems more and more apparent that technology is the lead aspect of our everyday lives, especially when it comes to communication. The Internet of Things, or the “interconnection via the Internet of computer devices embedded in everyday objects,” has become so engrained in our daily lives that it seems impossible to live without it, or even choose to communicate without it. Therefore, it should be no surprise that even our homes can be interconnected, as the Internet of Things expands its reach to accomplish even the most mundane activities, such as turning on a light or adjusting the thermostat. Today we will highlight the

From income-generating rental properties to full-time waterfront residences, Siesta Key’s abundance of possibilities is irresistible!

Living near the water is an alluring temptation that Siesta Key deals in spades. From long-term getaways for snowbirds to full time residents, Sarasota Property Finders offers our clients a multitude of options of island living at its best. In just a few minutes or less from your doorstep, enjoy the white, pristine beaches of the Florida Gulf coast and the myriad of dining and shopping choices at Siesta Key Village.

Charming Beach Home in the Heart of Siesta Key

If you are searching for a full-time residence, look no further than 632 Calle de Peru. This gorgeous three bedroom, 4 bath home is located in the heart of