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

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.

981 Caloosa Drive is updated and move-in condition with stylish finishes, open great room for entertaining, and living options include in-laws suite, studio, or duplex rental all on ground level living. Large oak trees create character and curb appeal. There is an abundance of drive space for your parking needs

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

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

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