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How To Boost Your Credit Score FAST
I think we all know that the higher your credit score, the better chance we have at getting a loan, and on better terms. For example, if your credit score is around 660, you might qualify for a car loan, but at what percentage rate? Maybe 7, 8, or 10 percent. But what if you had a credit score of 760? You might qualify for very low 3, 4 percent--or maybe even ZERO percent financing--saving you thousands of dollars over the course of the loan. So you can see how having a good credit score can be invaluable and a real asset to you financially. It opens doors that would otherwise be closed.
This holds especially true for buying a home. Because of the large dollar amount that you will be borrowing to purchase a home, banks are very critical of your credit history and how you present yourself as a borrower. Did you make payments on time? Did you max out your credit cards? Did you satisfy car loans or let them go back to the bank? Follow these tips to get your score SOARING in no time!
3 Ways to Remove negative credit
1. Obtain your credit report and score. This is the first step in identifying any problems. Your credit score is like a test grade. The higher, the better. It's important to know what your score is so you know where you stand. Generally speaking, a score of 600 or less is bad, 601-660 is fair, 661-740 is good, and 740+ is excellent. You can obtain a free report from several different sources online.
2. Verify bad debt. To do this, find a "fill-in-the-blank" form online for disputing old accounts. Get the name and addresses of the Debt Collection companies, and mail out dispute letters via certified mail. This forces them to provide evidence and ownership of the debt.
3. Dispute the Debt with the Credit Agencies. This is critical. The credit agencies--Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax, all have built-in dispute resolution departments designed specfically to help consumers maintain accurate credit reports. Tell them either on-line or over the phone about the debts and that you're disputing the debt. They will follow up on your behalf and in many cases get it removed from your record.
6 Ways to IMPROVE the credit you DO have
1. Make your payments ON TIME. This is the most obvious advice, and the advice your father gave you when you were a kid, but it still holds true. Especially car payments and credit cards. Put your other utility payments or cell phone bills down the list if you have to choose which to pay first.
2. Keep the balances LOW. One of the biggest ways to improve your score is to keep the total balances on ALL accounts below 30% of the max. This shows that you can manage your debt responsibly.
3. DON'T close old accounts. It might seem like a good idea, but one of the factors is LENGTH of debt. A long track record of on-time payments looks good. So try to keep accounts active, open, and in good standing.
4. Obtain a SECURED Loan. Can't get a loan on your own because of bad credit? Go to your bank and ask for a secured credit card or a personal loan. This is done by placing a fixed dollar amount, say, $500, into a bank account. You then draw against that $500 (credit card) or get the $500 back instantly (secured loan). You make monthly payments and pay off the debt. In the case of the loan, you get the $500 back at the end of the payoff, and the same is true of the credit card if you close your account.
5. Make sure you have ENOUGH credit. Sometimes not having enough credit can hurt you. If you've sworn off credit cards because you think they're bad, you're half right. But the truth is, you will have a hard time getting a good credit score without enough good credit history. A rule of thumb is you should have about 5 lines of good credit, with a mix of credit cards (lines of credit) and installment loans (auto loans/personal loans, etc.).
6. Don't apply for credit too FAST. While it's important to have good credit, try not to open up new credit accounts too fast one after the other or it will appear that you're trying to charge like there's no tomorrow. This has the same effect of maxing out your credit--very damaging to your score. Wait at least 6 months between applying for credit.
HOW DO I START INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE?
The buy and hold and rent strategy has made millionaires of many, many people. It’s a strategy that works. Here’s how to do it.
You have to first get a solid feel for how much you'll be able to charge in rent for the type of property you're thinking of buying. So you first want to research rental listings in your area. Use the newspapers and drive through the neighborhoods in which you are interested. Call owners of property for rent ask questions about the property. Talk with a competent Realtor to find out what the rental market is like. Don't even think of buying until you're confident you understand how much renters are paying.
Then it's time to start looking at properties for sale. When you do, you'll need to come up with a realistic, conservative (i.e. on the low side) estimate of what you think you could charge in rent for the property you're considering. (If you can't, go back and look at more rental properties.)
Use a competent Realtor to help you in your home search. He/She should be able to provide you with information on home prices in the neighborhood. Your goal is to buy the property at a discount to improve your cash flow on the property.
Once you've found a property and made your rent estimate, you then need to work out your monthly costs: mortgage, upkeep, taxes, insurance, etc. If you can't cover these costs with your estimated rent, you’ll have a negative cash flow. Ideally, you want to make sure you have "positive cash flow" (i.e., rent minus expenses equals more than $0).
If you calculate zero or below, you might still make money if the property appreciates in value, but with the recent run-up in prices, you certainly can't count on that happening. History has shown that property values and rents both go up. Many people use an average estimate of 5% per year.
You'll also want to talk to a tax advisor to find out what impact this rental income has on your return. If set up properly, rental property should have a positive impact. But you'll want to know all of the tax angles before you buy. You may have to pay a fee to a tax expert for this. But it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. (Consider it a tuition payment in real estate school.)
Make sure to ask as many questions as you want at every stage. No question is too basic. To get a loan, you'll have to show enough income and assets to meet the lender's minimum requirements. But it's not their job to decide whether you can really afford it or whether the property will make money for you over the long term.
If you've gotten this far, take a deep breath and re-check everything again. Don't buy until you're satisfied you understand every detail.
If you are like most people your own home is probably one of the best investments you have ever made. My advice is buy one more! Just get started. Most people never start and let opportunity pass them by.
Dealing With Counter-Offers
You're a serious buyer in the middle of negotiating the second round of counter-offers with the seller.
All at once, it happens -- the seller has accepted another offer from a brand new buyer!
Your first question might be, is this even legal? After all, your counter-offer gave the owner twenty-four hours to accept the proposal that's currently on the table.
It's probable that your second question would want to determine what you could have done differently, especially as a serious buyer.
First let's review the bargaining issues involved.
The seller was under no obligation to accept your counter-offer and was free to accept another offer from the new buyer who entered the picture.
Why?
Because a counter-offer is regarded as a brand new offer that the seller does not have to accept. Even though you and the seller might have agreed to some or even most of the terms of the purchase/sale, any change in the offer -- such as a counter-offer -- makes it void. In other words, all previous bets are off and the parties are back to square one in the negotiations. In your case during this mid-stream process, the seller chose an offer from another buyer.
You may not ever know why the seller accepted the other offer. It could be that the buyer came in with a higher price, better terms, and/or fewer contingencies. The buyer might have flashed more earnest money in front of the seller to entice him. Or perhaps the seller got tired of the tedium and stress of counter-offers with you and wanted to bring the volley to a halt.
The lesson for you is to determine your priorities before you find a new property. The following can help you decide:
Begin with the end in mind.
In other words, know which issues are most important for you to win as well as which are you're willing to give up? It's best if you prioritize the three most important wins you ideally seek in the purchase.
For example, fair price, minimizing closing costs and quick closing may top your list. If you can win only one, it will be price. If you can reach for two, you'll ideally pay fewer closing costs. Also know the degree to which you'd minimize or even sacrifice all three in order to obtain the house you want. Knowing this, you're less likely to find yourself in needless counter-offers that could have disastrous results.
Communicate your position.
Make sure you fully communicate the desired outcome to any real estate professional that's representing you. For example, if a buyer's agent is negotiating on your behalf, outline to the agent just how much you want this house and what you're willing to do to get it. As a trained professional, he/she will then evaluate the best approach to take in price, terms and negotiating tactics to help you realize your goal of obtaining the property.
Show your interest.
Be honest with the seller about your interest in purchasing the property. This doesn't mean that you'll reveal all of your purchase strategies or back away from negotiating a fair price. It just means that you'll express the appropriate amount of interest, involvement and motivation to signal to the seller that you're a serious purchaser. Sellers often "choose" one buyer's offer over another based on the level of personal interest and commitment the buyer appears to have to the seller's home.
If a buyer's agent represents you, it's good to reduce to writing exactly what the agent can share with the seller about your level of interest in the property. That way there's less chance that inappropriate, harmful information could be leaked to the seller to potentially erode your negotiating power.
While counter-offers are designed to let the other party know you're still in the negotiating game, using them haphazardly without a definite game plan can drive you away from -- not closer to -- a home purchase.
Welcome to Manatee County
The jewel of southwest Florida’s gulf coast, Manatee County lies along the Gulf of Mexico between Sarasota and Tampa. Here, residents enjoy an incomparable quality of life defined by 150 miles of shoreline along the Gulf, Sarasota and Tampa Bays, and the Manatee River. Shore birds and shell seekers share white sand beaches that stretch for miles along the island-fringed coast. Residents and visitors alike flock to Gulf and bay shores for swimming, boating, fishing and just plain taking it easy. Named for the West Indian Manatee, the county treasures this large, easygoing aquatic mammal. In the warmest months, manatees can be seen in area waters grazing through pastures of sea grass. They are constantly threatened by humans using the same waterways and are in danger of extinction. As a result, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Picturesque villages and resort communities dot the barrier islands and bay shores. Inland are bright cityscapes, modern family oriented developments, luxurious country club communities, and thousands of acres of peaceful countryside. The eastern part of the county, with its rural atmosphere, is an area of recent development and a center for fruit and vegetable production and colorful crops of flowers and cattle. Area history takes you deep into the past, to the arrival of Hernando DeSoto in Tampa Bay in 1539. In May of that year, he led an army of 600 conquistadors ashore at the mouth of the Manatee River in search of gold and other riches. DeSoto never found the gold he sought, and ignored the riches of land and water all around him. It was another three centuries before anyone discovered the treasure that DeSoto overlooked. But finally in 1842, Josiah Gates came upon the haven of the gentle Manatee, and when he and others laid out their settlement, they gave it the name of the creature the Spaniards had called the sea cow.
When the railroad came shortly after the turn of the last century, and bridges and highways made access easy, the once rural area became a mecca for retirees and vacationers. The first winter residents came in 1924, and by the 1930’s, major league baseball players were regular springtime residents. Some, like St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Dizzie Dean, stayed through the winter. In 1969, the Pittsburgh Pirates began spring training in Bradenton, and today, they train at a newly renovated McKechnie Field.
Today, it is not surprising that so many people have chosen Manatee County. Their choice attests to the vitality of the area that continues to draw people from all walks of life, whether young families, corporate executives, or retirees.
Interstate 75, the major north-south route through the county, brought a boom in residential development to surrounding areas. The unincorporated community of Parrish in northeastern Manatee County is also developing rapidly.
In the past two decades, the county’s population has more than doubled, attracting national attention when Money Magazine ranked our area as the 21st Best Place To Live in America in 1997 and PC World ranked us as the 2nd Best Mid-Size City To Work From Home.
SEVEN COMMUNITIES
Residents of Manatee County enjoy convenient access to interstate and state highways, including I-275, I-75, US 301, US 41, State Road 64 and State Road 70. This access makes it easy for travelers to commute to and visit nearby cities and towns
Fort Myers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 miles
Sarasota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 miles
Tampa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 miles
Orlando . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 miles
as well as other southern population centers, including:
Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 miles
Jacksonville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 miles
Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496 miles
Manatee County also offers its residents and visitors convenient use of a public transportation bus system, which operates six days a week
Fares start at $1, enabling riders to travel as far south as Sarasota’s John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and as far north as Palmetto. Senior citizens (age 60+) and physically challenged individuals are entitled to discounted fares. To learn more about Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) and its schedules, visit its information booth located just outside the county courthouse (115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton) or call 749-7116. Daily service to a variety of other destinations within Florida and the United States is also available via Greyhound Bus Line.
The Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport is located just 10 miles south of the city of Bradenton, offering air travelers their choice of seven major carriers and four commuter airlines. In addition to a wide range of customer and general aviation services, this global thoroughfare is also a U.S. Customs port of entry. Each year, in excess of 2 million people travel through its gates, helping to inject more than $800 million into the local economy.
Tampa Bay’s southern shore is home to one of Florida’s major seaports. Located in Palmetto, Port Manatee not only harbors facilities for shipboard cargo transportation, but – because of its close proximity to major highways and airports – also serves as a docking facility for the state’s thriving cruise industry.
About Registering Your Motor Vehicle
The Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office requires newcomers to register their vehicles within 10 days of employment or enrolling children in school. In order to register a vehicle, drivers must present a current driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance (from a Florida-licensed agent), title to the vehicle and a previous registration certificate. Newcomers can register vehicles, obtain license tags and purchase disabled parking permits at any of the following offices:
Bradenton/DeSoto Office: 819 U.S. 301 Blvd.
Downtown: 415 10th St. W.
Holmes Beach: 3340 E. Bay Dr.
Palmetto: 1341 U.S. 301
Sunshine State Tag Office: 6807 S.R. 70 E.
Vehicle identification numbers are verified when application is made for a license plate. Fees are based on vehicle weight. The state also requires its newcomers to obtain a Florida Title Certificate; if there is a lien against a vehicle, a transfer of title is also necessary. To learn more about this process or to make an appointment, call 741-4811 (24-hours-a-day). You can also access the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office via the Internet at www.taxcollector.com
about Obtaining a Driver’s License
The state requires newcomers who drive to apply for a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of becoming a resident. In order to obtain a license, be prepared to show proof of Florida registration of your vehicle, an out-of-state driver’s license and Social Security card. Drivers who currently possess a valid out-of-state driver’s license and have a driving record free of violations are only required to pass a vision test. However, drivers who have offenses against their license or drivers attempting to acquire a license for the first time must also pass a written exam (based on the Florida Driver’s Handbook) as well as a driving test. For additional information, call the Division of Drivers’ Licenses at 741-3017.
about Local Government
Manatee County operates under a constitutional form of government adopted in 1921. A seven-member commission based out of the Manatee County Government Administration Center in Bradenton meets weekly to address issues and concerns relative to county residents. In addition, the county also has an appointed administrator and its citizens, who take their voting rights very seriously, regularly elect a tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, sheriff and clerk of the circuit court.
about Proving You’re a Resident
Proof of residence may be required before some employers will hire newcomers. In order to establish residency in Florida, a Declaration of Domicile must be filed; this document certifies that the applicant lives at a specified address. To file this declaration, visit the Clerk of Court’s Office; the document can also be notarized at this location.
about Registering To Vote
Newcomers interested in obtaining a voter’s registration card can do so by visiting the Supervisor of Elections Office (305 15th St. W., Bradenton; 741-3823) or any Department of Motor Vehicles office. To qualify, potential voters must be U.S. citizens of at least 18 years of age. Keep in mind that registration books close 29 days prior to elections.
about Obtaining Sporting Licenses
Manatee County requires its anglers and hunters to obtain the appropriate licensure. In addition to most sporting goods outlets and bait shops, these licenses can be obtained at any Manatee County Tax Collector’s office as well as area Wal-Mart and Kmart stores. Children under the age of 16 do not require licensure. Seniors over the age of 65 possessing a valid Florida driver’s license or Florida voter’s registration card are also not required to obtain sporting licenses. The fee structure for hunting and fishing licenses varies according to residency and use. License can also be purchased online at www.manateechamber.com:
about Local & State Taxes
Many newcomers are drawn to Manatee County because of its favorable tax structure, which features no personal income taxes or inheritance taxes. In lieu of this form of taxation, the government relies primarily on sales (the sales tax in Manatee County is seven percent; medical items and groceries are exempt from taxation) and property taxes for its main sources of income (homeowners in Florida who use their home as their residence and meet certain other requirements may be eligible for a $25,000 homestead exemption).
Bonds, stocks, accounts receivable and certain other personal property are subject to a small annual tax
This tax is based on the value of these assets beginning on January 1 of each year and only applies to values in excess of $20,000 for individuals or $40,000 for husbands and wives filing jointly. Currently, the rate is 1 mill, which equates to $1 per $1,000. Other assets, including accounts receivable, annuities and mortgages held outside the state, are levied at a rate of 2 mills per $1,000. Additional information about this taxation is available from the Florida Department of Revenue at 800/352-3672 and on its website, located at http://sun6.dms.state.fl.us/dor
With the exception of real estate, personal property belonging to a business is subject to a tangible tax
To comply with this requirement, businesses must file a return prior to April 1 of each year; failure to file this return results in a 10 percent penalty. Tangible personal property and ad valorem (real estate) tax bills are mailed in mid-November of each year. For additional information about these taxes, contact the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s office at 748-8208 or visit its website at www.manateepao.com.
Immigrating to the United States (USA)
America is the land of the business entrepreneur and the most prosperous economic market in the world. People from all countries desire to move to the US because of the tremendous opportunities for individuals and families. Possibly, the easiest way to move permanently to the US is by means of an investor visa, of which there are basically two: the E2 visa and the L1 visa.
1) THE E2 VISA
The E2 is the most practical and popular of the 2 visas. It requires a minimum investment, which varies by country but is at least $100,000 US dollars for British nationals. Canadian nationals can also expect to invest a minimum of $100,000 US. The investment requirements can be as much as $500,000 US for other countries. A list of those countries which qualify for a visa follows below.
2) THE L1 VISA
The L1 visa is available to people who own businesses in their home countries and wish to acquire a business in the US. The person designated by the acquiring business may obtain a L1 visa based on an inter company transfer, which gives them permanent residency status in the US with convertibility to a green card in time (two or three years.)
E2 and L1 Visas are not difficult to obtain as long as you stick to the proper process and understand all the issues involved. Always use people with in- depth experience to assist you. The most critical decisions involve choosing where to live and what kind of businesses there are in that area. Securing a business which qualifies can be a challenge; a visa qualifying business must have good tax returns, adequate and properly documented employees. Such businesses are very much sought after by Americans and thus one has to be coached to adopt the correct negotiating posture if you want to be successful.
Important Telephone Numbers
(Unless otherwise indicated, the area code is 941)
Emergency Services
Access Center Helpline 741-3117
American Red Cross 792-8686
Coast Guard 794-1607
Emergency Ambulance, Fire, Police 911
Emergency Management 748-4501
Humane Society 747-8808
Poison Control 1-800-282-3171
Spouse Abuse Information 755-6805
Wildlife Rescue Service 750-9453
Police Department Non-Emergency Numbers
Florida Highway Patrol Bradenton Post 751-7647
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office 747-3011
Anna Maria Island Police Department 778-4711
Bradenton Police Department 708-6273
Bradenton Beach Police Department 778-6311
Holmes Beach Police Department 708-5804
Longboat Key Police Department 316-1977
Palmetto Police Department 723-4585
Fire Department Non-Emergency Numbers
Anna Maria Fire Department 741-3900
Bradenton Fire Department 708-6233
Braden River Fire Department 751-5611
Cedar Hammock Fire Department 751-7090
Duette Volunteer Fire Department 776-1782
Longboat Key Fire Department 383-5666
Myakka City Fire Department 322-2292
North River Fire District, Palmetto 721-6700
Parrish Fire Department 776-1459
Southern Manatee Fire-Rescue District 751-7675
Trailer Estates Fire Department 758-6453
Whitfield Fire Department 355-2013
Art and Culture
Art League of Manatee County 746-2862
Artist's Guild 746-4469
Arts Council of Manatee 708-3896
Asolo Center for the Performing Arts 351-9010
Bishop Planetarium 746-4131
DeSoto National Memorial 792-0458
Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum 365-5738
Gamble Plantation State Historic Site 723-4536
John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art 359-5700
Lemily & Son International Art Gallery 727-1146
Longboat Key Art Center 383-2345
Manatee Community College Fine Art Gallery 755-1511 x4251
Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre 748-5875
Manatee Village Historical Park 749-7165
Mote Marine Science Aquarium 388-4200
Selby Gardens’ Museum of Botany & the Arts 366-5730
Sweet Adelines 794-6252
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 953-3366
Village of the Arts 795-6499
Business Information
Better Business Council 748-1325
Economic Development Council 748-3411 Fax 745-1877
Manatee Chamber of Commerce 748-3411 Fax 745-1877
Internet: www.ManateeChamber.com
E-mail: Info@ManateeChamber.com
Civic Center and Auditoriums
Bradenton Municipal Auditorium 708-6220
Manatee Convention & Civic Center 722-3244
Neel Auditorium, Manatee Comm. College 755-1511 x4240
Education
Public Schools Administrative Offices 741-7200
Manatee Vocational-Technical Center 751-7900
Colleges and Universities
Eckerd College 957-3397
International College 906-8627
Manatee Community College
Main Campus 755-1511
South Campus 493-3504
National-Louis University 1-800-366-6581
Ringling School of Art & Design 351-5100
University of Sarasota 379-0404
University of South Florida
USF/Sarasota 359-4310
New College 359-4200
Webster University 365-7040
Government/State
Port Manatee/Tampa Bay 722-6621
Insurance & Treasurer Consumer Hotline 1-800-342-2762
Jobs and Benefits 741-3030
Proof of Residency Clerk of Court 741-4040
Property Appraiser 748-8208
Tax Collector/Tag Offices
819 US 301 Blvd., Bradenton 741-4800
415 10th St. W., Bradenton 741-4800
1341 US Hwy. 301, Palmetto 741-4800
3840 East Bay Dr., Holmes Beach 741-4800
Driver’s License
1600 First St. W., Bradenton
Information 741-3010
Appointments 741-3015
Manatee County
Animal Control 742-5933
General Information 748-4501
Clerk of Circuit Court 749-1800 Fax 749-7194
Library Services 748-5555 Fax 749-7191
Parks & Recreation 742-5923 Fax 749-7172
Sheriff’s Office 747-3011 Fax 749-5401
Voter Registration 741-3823 Fax 741-3820
Government/City
Anna Maria City Hall
10005 Gulf Drive 708-6130 Fax 708-6134
Bradenton City Hall
101 Old Main Street 708-6200 Fax 708-6256
Bradenton Beach City Hall
107 Gulf Dr. North 778-1005 Fax 778-7585
Holmes Beach City Hall
5901 Marina Drive 708-5800 Fax 708-5812
Longboat Key Town Hall
501 Bay Isles Road 316-1999
Palmetto City Hall
516 Eighth Avenue West 723-4570 Fax 729-9177
Healthcare
Elder Helpline 742-5818
Columbia Blake Medical Center 792-6611 or 798-6140
Health Department 748-0747
Kid Care 748-0747 x1250
Manatee County Dental Society 755-4860
Manatee County Medical Society 755-3411
Manatee County Public Health Clinics 748-0666
Manatee Memorial Hospital 746-5111 or 745-7233
VA Clinic - Ellenton 721-0649
Libraries
Central Library 748-5555
Braden River Branch 727-6079
Island Branch 778-6341
Palmetto Branch 722-3333
Rocky Bluff Branch 723-4821
South Manatee Branch 755-3892
Newspapers - Dailies
The Bradenton Herald
P.O. Box 921, Bradenton 748-0411
The Sarasota Herald Tribune - Manatee AM
905 Sixth Avenue West, FL 742-6120
Newspapers - Non-Dailies
Anna Maria Island Sun 778-3986
Bradenton Shopping Guide 748-4344
El Mensaje Latino 351-8886
The Gulf Coast Business Review 330-1588
Islander Bystander 778-7978
The Longboat Observer 383-5509
Manatee Magazine 921-7228
North River News 722-1088
Other Services
Community Connections
Manatee Aging Network 753-4149
Neighborly Senior Services 758-9969
Manatee Religious Services 753-6749
Volunteer Services 746-7117
Post Office
1-800-275-8777
www.usps.gov
Sports and Recreation
Blackstone Park 722-9053
Buffalo Creek Golf Course 776-2611
Duette Park 776-2295
East Bradenton Center 742-5948
G T Bray Activity Center 742-5974
G T Bray Administration 742-5923
G T Bray Aquatic Center 742-5932
G T Bray Gymnasium 742-5926
G T Bray Softball Complex 792-9816
G T Bray Walton Racquet Center 742-5973
Manatee County Golf Course 792-6773
Palma Sola Park Softball 792-9005
Rye Wilderness 776-0900
75th Street Park 792-9808
YMCA Outpost 753-0954
Others
Anna Maria Island Little League 778-1908
Braden River Little League 794-3070
Braden River Soccer Club 756-2034
Bradenton Horseshoe Club 739-2387
Bradenton Shuffleboard Club 747-6184
East Manatee Bulldogs Football 758-8544
Manatee Area Youth Soccer Organization 794-3159
Manatee County Babe Ruth League 753-7004
Manatee County Church Softball Association 755-3009
Manatee East Little League 747-4996
Manatee East Soccer 744-0320
Manatee Lightning Soccer 795-0670
Manatee Magic Soccer 795-0670
Manatee West Little League 794-1512
Manatee Wildcats Football 746-3021 or 798-3235
North River Little League - American 723-9760
North River Little League - National 721-9008
North River Soccer 729-3071
Pram Sailing 722-3140
13th Avenue Little League 746-7470
Westside United Soccer 792-1947
Professional
Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball 747-3031
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Football 800-282-0683
Tampa Bay Devil Rays Baseball 727-825-3100
Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Hockey 813-229-8800
Tampa Bay Mutiny Soccer 813-288-0096
Transportation
Greyhound Bus Lines 747-2984
Manatee County Area Transit 749-5916
Commercial & Cruise Lines - Manatee County Port Authority 722-6621
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Information Line 359-5200
Utilities
Bradenton Public Works 708-6300
Manatee County Utilities 792-8811
Palmetto Public Works 723-4580
Water, Sewer, Garbage Service
Unincorporated areas
Manatee County Public Utilities 792-8811
after hours 795-5457
Electricity*
Florida Power & Light Co. 917-0708
Peace River Electric Coop 722-2729
*Service determined by area. Call with either former occupant’s name, or serial number on front of electric meter.
Natural Gas
TECO People's Gas System 366-4277
(Hook-ups available in metropolitan Bradenton, Palmetto, and some rural areas.)
Telephone
Verizon*
Business 800-483-5200
Residential 800-483-4200
*Serves all county residents.
Cable Television
Time Warner Comm. 748-1822
Comcast Cable 371-4444
Visitors Information
Convention & Visitors Bureau 729-9177 or 800-733-7935
Lifestyles and Homes in Manatee County
Turn-of-the-century bayside villages, quiet rural settings, country club communities, comfortable urban neighborhoods, and secure retirement enclaves all are a part of the good life in Manatee County. Newcomers continue to be drawn by the area’s climate, natural beauty, easy tempo of life, and friendly atmosphere.
A relatively low cost of living, a $25,000 homestead exemption, and a wide range of affordable housing made Manatee County a mecca for retirees in the first three-quarters of this century, but today, the same incentives are a magnet for a growing number of young families just starting out. Several luxurious golf and country club communities are among at least 25 new housing developments that have broken ground since 1990.
According to 1995 MLS figures, single-family homes make up to 56.8 percent of the housing market, with an average new-home price of $109,678. Condos account for 26.7 percent of the market, with an average price of $74,017. Depending on the community, single-family homes range in price from $80,000 to $300,000 and more for waterfront and country estates. Prices of condos run from $40,000 to $300,000. Typical of moderately priced condo complexes in Manatee County is Mount Vernon, a 434-unit complex on Sarasota Bay in which homes are priced from the high $50,000s to low $90,000s.
Single-family home styles range from traditional to contemporary, with popular features including a separate maser bedroom suite, patios, courtyards and lanais, cathedral ceilings, window walls, and a variety of built-ins. Condos are mainly single-story villas, either detached or in attached groupings, or units in multi-story buildings, where convenience and accessibility account for their popularity with adults 55 and older.
The emphasis in new communities has turned toward making the most of what nature and the Florida climate have to offer, with neighborhoods built around swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and nature preserves. Security, privacy, and low or no maintenance living are added amenities. A golf course is an important feature of River Club, a community of younger families in eastern Manatee County. Golf and tennis are both featured at Terra Ceia Bay in Palmetto, which offers bay vistas and a 500-foot long fishing pier.
Brand new in eastern Manatee County, the Summerfield neighborhoods at Lakewood Ranch offer Florida ranch-style homes priced from the $80,000s to the $130,000s. The wooded environment is a plus for the new development at Creekwood, and also for Rosedale, where a small forest of oaks and pines has replaced open pasture land.
Taking care of the environment was a priority in the development of the luxury golf course community of University Park in southern Manatee County. It features lakes, preservation areas, and neighborhoods of tree-lined streets. Prices of homes in this country club community range from $200,000 to $1,000,000.
Ecology conscious homeowners throughout the county take advantage of the Manatee County Extension Service’s Yards & Neighborhoods Program, which helps homeowners to protect the environment and restore native habitats through landscape design and plant selection.
Offering housing to suit every lifestyle and need, Manatee County has a large number of rental and condominium communities - largely apartments, villas, and manufactured (mobile) homes - many of which accommodate the annual migration of nearly 50,000 so-called snow birds, who live in Manatee County only in the winter. Recent figures indicate that 31 percent of county seniors live in manufactured homes
Lifestyles and Homes in Manatee County
Turn-of-the-century bayside villages, quiet rural settings, country club communities, comfortable urban neighborhoods, and secure retirement enclaves all are a part of the good life in Manatee County. Newcomers continue to be drawn by the area’s climate, natural beauty, easy tempo of life, and friendly atmosphere.
A relatively low cost of living, a $25,000 homestead exemption, and a wide range of affordable housing made Manatee County a mecca for retirees in the first three-quarters of this century, but today, the same incentives are a magnet for a growing number of young families just starting out. Several luxurious golf and country club communities are among at least 25 new housing developments that have broken ground since 1990.
According to 1995 MLS figures, single-family homes make up to 56.8 percent of the housing market, with an average new-home price of $109,678. Condos account for 26.7 percent of the market, with an average price of $74,017. Depending on the community, single-family homes range in price from $80,000 to $300,000 and more for waterfront and country estates. Prices of condos run from $40,000 to $300,000. Typical of moderately priced condo complexes in Manatee County is Mount Vernon, a 434-unit complex on Sarasota Bay in which homes are priced from the high $50,000s to low $90,000s.
Single-family home styles range from traditional to contemporary, with popular features including a separate maser bedroom suite, patios, courtyards and lanais, cathedral ceilings, window walls, and a variety of built-ins. Condos are mainly single-story villas, either detached or in attached groupings, or units in multi-story buildings, where convenience and accessibility account for their popularity with adults 55 and older.
The emphasis in new communities has turned toward making the most of what nature and the Florida climate have to offer, with neighborhoods built around swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and nature preserves. Security, privacy, and low or no maintenance living are added amenities. A golf course is an important feature of River Club, a community of younger families in eastern Manatee County. Golf and tennis are both featured at Terra Ceia Bay in Palmetto, which offers bay vistas and a 500-foot long fishing pier.
Brand new in eastern Manatee County, the Summerfield neighborhoods at Lakewood Ranch offer Florida ranch-style homes priced from the $80,000s to the $130,000s. The wooded environment is a plus for the new development at Creekwood, and also for Rosedale, where a small forest of oaks and pines has replaced open pasture land.
Taking care of the environment was a priority in the development of the luxury golf course community of University Park in southern Manatee County. It features lakes, preservation areas, and neighborhoods of tree-lined streets. Prices of homes in this country club community range from $200,000 to $1,000,000.
Ecology conscious homeowners throughout the county take advantage of the Manatee County Extension Service’s Yards & Neighborhoods Program, which helps homeowners to protect the environment and restore native habitats through landscape design and plant selection.
Offering housing to suit every lifestyle and need, Manatee County has a large number of rental and condominium communities - largely apartments, villas, and manufactured (mobile) homes - many of which accommodate the annual migration of nearly 50,000 so-called snow birds, who live in Manatee County only in the winter. Recent figures indicate that 31 percent of county seniors live in manufactured homes.
The Arts & Culture
Manatee County, art, music, and theater have strong community support. An active force in developing that support is the Manatee County Cultural Alliance which promotes the area’s cultural resources and publishes an up-to-date calendar of events.
The Art League of Manatee County is a comprehensive center for the visual arts. With three galleries, several classrooms, and annual programs offering a variety of exhibition and educational opportunities, the League encourages both enjoyment and participation in the arts. Opportunities to exhibit are shared by amateur and professional artists. The League offers classes for artists and aspiring artists of all ages. Art galleries and groups throughout the county and on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key also fill a year’s calendar with classes, exhibits, and other events.
Among regularly scheduled offerings are performances of the Manatee Players at the Riverfront Theatre. On Anna Maria Island, the Island Playhouse has been the scene of live stage productions for more than 40 years. The Manatee Ballet is also active and music thrives in concerts by church and other choral groups.
The Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra performs at several locations, most notable Manatee Community College’s Neel Auditorium. The orchestra offers many programs for children. The 90-member Sarasota-Manatee Community Orchestra gives six concerts a year at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota and at other locations.
An active cultural center, the Neel Auditorium is also the site of many concerts and other events produced by music and theater groups at the Community College. Serving more varied needs, the Manatee Convention Center in Palmetto is an all-purpose auditorium. In Bradenton, the Municipal Auditorium hosts an array of trade shows, concerts, conventions, sports, and other events.
Among the more important cultural resources available to Manatee County residents is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the state’s official art museum. The 66-acre museum complex, adjacent to the New College Campus of the University of South Florida, forms the state’s most important cultural and educational district. Its galleries house the country’s foremost exhibit of Baroque art, including works by Rubens and other great masters. Ca’d’Zan (“House of John” in Venetian) is a mini-palace, which was the Ringlings’ winter home. The Asolo Theater houses an original Italian Baroque theater room brought from Italy and reassembled at the museum. In honor of John Ringling, the Circus Galleries display a collection of circus art and artifacts.
Manatee County is also pleased to announce the restoration of the Crosley Estate, located on Sarasota Bay. The Spanish revival style mansion features towering walls of cast stone, hand-carved wooden doors, stone portico custom windows, fireplaces and a grand panelled compass room. The mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes, was once the home of one of the greatest entrepreneurs the world has ever known - Powel Crosley. By the year 2000, the site will also house the Powel Crosley Museum of the American Entrepreneur.
SCIENCE & NATURE
The best way to discover Manatee County and Florida is by a trip to Bradenton’s South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium. History, natural history, and archaeological exhibits depict South Florida from the Stone Age to the Space Age. The museum’s Mary E. Parker Aquarium is the home of “Snooty,” the oldest living manatee born in captivity and the county mascot. Since his arrival at the museum in 1949, the manatee has greeted more than one million visitors. Adjacent to the museum, the Bishop Planetarium features daily star shows, spectacular laser light and sound shows on weekends, and nighttime use of the observatory telescope.
Marine life is the theme at the Mote Marine Laboratory on City Island south of Longboat Key. It features a shark tank and other aquaria occupied by creatures native to Sarasota Bay.
A special treat for nature lovers are the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which feature native and tropical plants in a peaceful, waterfront setting. The gardens are a world center for the cultivation and study of orchids.
HISTORY
Going back to the area’s very earliest residents, the Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site, north of Palmetto on Bayshore Road, is a flat-topped ceremonial Indian mound. It contains artifacts dating from the beginning of the Christian era to the arrival of the Spanish.
The arrival of Hernando DeSoto is marked by the DeSoto National Memorial in Bradenton. From December to April, park rangers re-enact what life might have been like for DeSoto and his men in their camp on Tampa Bay. Visitors may also follow a nature trail through a mangrove swamp to add to their sense of what the Spaniards’ trek was like. Exhibits emphasize the life of the Southeastern Temple Mound builders whose culture disappeared with the coming of the Europeans.
Heritage is preserved by the County Historical Commission in the Manatee Village Historical Park. On the site are seven authentically restored buildings: the first Court House, a "Cracker Gothic" style rural home, a historic 1889 church, a general store, a one-room school house, a replica of a 19th century barn, and a smokehouse and sugar cane mill.
Manatee County’s oldest building is a mansion built in 1844 by Major Robert Gamble who fought in the Seminole Wars. The Gamble Plantation is one of the largest antebellum sugar plantations in the U.S. and the only one surviving in Florida. Operated by the Florida Parks Service, the mansion is furnished with period pieces and sits in a 16-acre park.
The railroad played a critical role in opening Manatee County to settlement. That story is told at the Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum in Parrish. Visitors may take a 1950’s-style train ride or wander among antique cars and more than 1,000 music makers from hurdy-gurdies to calliopes at Belm’s Cars and Music of Yesterday just south of the Sarasota/Bradenton Airport.
The City of Palmetto boasts a beautiful historical park, named Heritage Park, complete with the original old post office, brick pathways, wrought iron fences and gorgeous trees. The Park is adjacent to historical Carnegie Library.
FESTIVALS
A kaleidoscope of festivals celebrate the history and collective heritage of its people, and the unique lifestyle this spot in southwestern Florida offers.
In Manatee County, a kaleidoscope of festivals celebrate the history and collective heritage of its people and the unique lifestyle this spot in southwestern Florida offers.
In early spring the county celebrates Manatee Heritage Days with a parade, boat and walking tours of old Manatee and other historic sites, concerts, and arts and crafts exhibits. Parrish celebrates in March with a parade and a railroad train tour starting from the old depot. Terra Ceia Day at the Madira Bickel Mound features arts, crafts, tours, and lunch. Spring is welcomed with a flower show at historic Gamble Plantation. In April, the annual Florida Heritage Festival, its Grand Parade, and Riverfest bring as many as 200,000 people to Bradenton to celebrate Florida’s cultural diversity, and to commemorate the European discovery of Manatee county. Also at this time of year, Anna Maria Island holds its Springfest at the Holmes Beach City Hall with live entertainment, food, and fun.
Two highlights of summer are the 4th of July celebration in Palmetto and the giant birthday party given for county mascot, Snooty, at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. The family-oriented party is paired with a Wildlife Awareness Festival.
Autumn brings the Manatee Riverfront Art Festival in Bradenton; a Party in Bradenton’s Waterfront Park with fireworks, boat and water ski shows, and a parade; Bradenton Beach’s Bridge Street Festival; the Manatee Convention Center Craft and Folk Art show; and the annual Tomato Fiesta in Palmetto, center of the tomato packing industry.
Highlighting the winter season are the Anna Maria Island Festival of Fine Arts; an antique and collectibles show in the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium; the Palmetto Winter Craft Fair; the Manatee County Fair; and the annual seafood festival in the fishing village of Cortez.
RECREATION
Manatee County is a treasure trove of recreational pursuits. The climate is ideal for getting out of doors. Here, nature has provided a wonderful playground of beaches and parks.
Anna Maria Bayfront Park on Bay Boulevard North along the calm, shallow waters of Anna Maria Sound. For swimming, shelling, fishing, picnicking and boating.
Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island. A wide sandy beach with jetties for fishing.
Coquina Beach at the southern end of Anna Maria Island. A 96-acre park with full recreational facilities, shelter and picnic areas.
G.T. Bray Park, county park with gymnasium, swimming pool, tennis complex, athletic fields, picnic sites, jogging and bike paths. Programs for all ages are held at this 140-acre park. The county also operates two 18-hole golf courses and two public Gulf beaches with lifeguards.
Lake Manatee State Recreation Area, on Rte. 64 east of I-75. A remote area of 556 acres around a 2,400-acre lake. Offers camping, picnicking, a swimming beach, boat ramp, and fishing.
Longboat Key. A resort area with few public beaches.
Manatee Public Beach on Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. An all-around spot for beach lovers. Surfing is even possible at times.
Myakka River State Park, 11 miles east of I-75 on Route 72. Florida’s largest state park, with nature trails, air boat rides, tram tours, biking, camping, and canoeing.
Palma Sola Causeway and Palma Sola Bay on Manatee Avenue West. Popular for swimming, boating, water skiing, and walking dogs.
Easily accessible water makes boating and fishing popular pastimes. The county’s boating public is served by 30 marinas and eight boat ramps. In bays, bayous, and along the shores of the Gulf, fishermen find trout, redfish, pompano, and flounder. Offshore they go for kingfish, mackerel, grouper, and tarpon. Among the public fishing piers are the Anna Maria City Pier at Pine Avenue; the Bradenton beach Fishing Pier at Bridge Street; Manatee Beach Fishing Pier on Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach; and the Rod ‘n’ Reel Pier on Bay boulevard in Anna Maria. The Manatee and Pinellas ends of the old Skyway Bridge have been converted to fishing piers. The 1.59-mile Manatee County section is the longest fishing pier in the world.
A golfer’s paradise, the county boasts over 25 public and private golf courses with another 200 golfing facilities scattered throughout southwest Florida.
Excellent city and county parks offer tennis courts, racquetball courts, softball, basketball, volleyball, and flag football leagues, and a wide variety of other sports opportunities. The Nick Bolletieri Tennis Academy is headquartered in Bradenton and offers training to players of all ages. Among other events, the Parks and Recreation Department sponsors an annual Olympic-style Gulf Coast
Senior Games.
With the spring come several major league baseball teams. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ winter home and spring training is held in Bradenton at the beautiful McKechnie Field. Recently renovated, the field has received national awards for its innovative design. Nearby Sarasota is the home to Major League Baseball spring training and summer leagues. Just 25 minutes to the north are the newly acquired Tampa Bay Devil Rays professional baseball team who will call Tropicana Field home. Football fans cheer for the Tampa Buccaneers and the professional Arena Football Team, the Tampa Bay Storm. Hockey fans cheer for the Tampa Bay Lightning, an NHL team in St. Petersburg. Professional soccer fans get their kicks with the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Tampa Bay Terror.
Only you can decide if a short sale is right for you.
If you can no longer afford your mortgage payments and/or have fallen behind with your payments you must consider your options.
If you decide to attempt a short sale you must understand the process from a lender’s perspective. In today’s Bradenton - Sarasota market a lender is more willing to work with borrowers facing financial hardship. A short sale is likely to be approved under the following conditions:
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You are facing a hardship that makes paying your mortgage unlikely. A lender will not accept a short sale if you simply don’t want to pay your mortgage. You must be able to demonstrate a true hardship like death of a spouse, illness, disability, loss of job, or some type of financial crisis.
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You are at least one month behind on your mortgage payments. Typically lenders will not consider a short sale if you are current with your payments. Even if you are only one month behind, you will probably be dealing with the Customer Service or Collection Department. Their job is to collect the payment. Short sales are handled by the Loss Mitigation Department.
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You have a ready, willing, and able buyer. If you try to find out what short sale price the lender will agree to before you find a buyer, you will not be successful. The correct order is to put the home on the market, find a buyer, execute the contract, and then contact the lender. Expect to negotiate the pay-off acceptable to the lender and the price acceptable to the buyer.
- You have depleted your savings. If you have savings enough to cover the payments your short sale will not likely be approved. Remember, it’s not that you don’t want to make the payments, but that you cannot make the payments.
I previously wrote about the Borrower’s options. Here is a summary:
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Contact your lender and ask for their suggestions: Homeowners facing financial difficulties often make the mistake of avoiding their lender, which is exactly the wrong thing to do. If you are unable to make your mortgage payments, contact your lender as soon as possible and explain your situation. Find out your options from your lender.
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Try to reinstate the mortgage: If you think you might be able to catch up the back payments in time, ask the lender to work with you. If you can show your ability to bring the mortgage payments up to date, your lender will probably agree not to foreclose.
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Work out a forbearance: A forbearance is when the lender agrees to allow you to skip payments or make reduced payments for a period of time. Eventually you will be responsible for the repayment of the accrued interest and principal.
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Refinance the loan and consolidate your debt: With a good credit history, you may be able to consolidate your debt with a loan that requires a total monthly payment of less than you're paying on all your other loans put together. Be careful with this approach because you may only be making matters worse. Lenders will typically not accept a short sale when the loan is less than one year old.
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Give a deed in lieu of foreclosure: You may be able to offer the lender the deed in exchange for them not foreclosing on you. You lose the house and your equity, but retain your credit rating. In a market with declining values it is unlikely that the lender will accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
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Foreclosure: This is, by far, the worst option for most people because of its wide ranging effects emotionally, financially, and credit wise. With foreclosure you lose your home, lose your credit rating, and any equity you may have built up. You will probably not be able to buy another home for years to come and your credit will be ruined for years. You may also face a deficiency judgment. This is when you still owe what the lender lost.
- Negotiate a short sale: Lenders typically want to avoid foreclosing, because of the costs associated with it. Most lenders are open to negotiating a short-pay on the loan. If you can demonstrate your financial hardship to the lender this may be your best option. This isn't something you should attempt alone. Talk with a knowledgeable Realtor.
Once the Manatee County, Florida homeowner has decided that a short sale is their best option they should IMMEDIATELY contact an experienced Realtor®. A Realtor® who is knowledgeable about short sales can skillfully guide the homeowner through this challenging process.
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