FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER  2011    
 Rolling into 2011 sales continued at the record pace of 2010.  January sales were 16 (SF-8, Con-6, Dup-1 & Lot-1) compared to January of 2010 with sales of 14 (SF-8, Con-5, Dup-0 & Lot-1).  Of the 16 sales in January 2011, one was a distressed property compared to 2 of 14 in January of 2010.  Sales looking forward are strong with Pending sales (properties under contract) at 62 (SF-31, Con-20, Dup-4 & Lot-7) compared to last month which was at 38.  With 16 properties closed last month that means 40 more properties were put under contract over the last month.  The current inventory is at 517 (SF-257, Con-186, Dup-29 & Lot-45) of which 37 (SF-14, Con-19, Dup-4 & Lot-0) are distressed properties or 7% of the inventory.  The inventory has been holding at around the 517 mark for the past several months after coming down from a high of almost 1,000 in 2006 to in the 500’s in 2010.  If you look below at the number of sales in the last 12 months (322) compared to the previous 12 months (233) it shows you how sales have picked up for 2010 and continues very strong into 2011. 
 Thank you for responding to my recommendations in Frank & Al’s Great Buy’s.  I put the last three Palm Isle Village units (3204, 3201 & 3205) under contract since the last newsletter.  They were all my buyers and will all close by March 3rd.  They were such good buy’s that two of my previous customers in Palm Isle Village bought their second unit.  In this month’s Frank & Al’s Great Buy’s there are some very good properties and several very close to the beach with great rental income.  If you feel like you got left out at Palm Isle Village there is a unit at Starfish Beach, 2915 Ave E (Unit 1) 2BR/2bath at $359K.  Starfish Beach was built by the same developer who developed Palm Isle Village.  They look the same on the outside and inside except that there are only four units with a common pool.  If you are looking for a lot close to the beach to build your dream home then take a look at Banyan Tree Estates.  There are two lots that are two houses from the beach in this deed restricted subdivision Listed at $699K each.  I sold the two lots one house from the beach the end of last year for $750K and $725K.  Both of these lots are larger than conforming and have very large building footprints.  If you’re thinking of buying in the next couple of years now is the time.
 Island Real Estate is excited to be sending Sybille Petereit to the ITB Berlin show located in Berlin, Germany in early March.  The week long trade conference is one of the largest tourism shows in the world and Island Real Estate will have a chance to connect with leisure tour operators, consumers, future travel groups, etc.   Sybille has done fantastic job marketing to Germans to visit Anna Maria Island and stay in our vacation rentals.  We have already seen several of those visitors show interest in purchasing real estate on Anna Maria Island.   We expect Sybille’s attendance to the ITB Berlin show to further enhance our already extensive direct marketing campaign to Germans.  Great stuff for you current and future property owners.
 Also, for you property owners, Island Real Estate vacation rentals has just implemented standardized linens.  This past year Larry Chatt has focused on the satisfaction of our vacation rental guests.  Larry hired a consultant that has supported hundreds of vacation rental companies and standard linens were identified as a huge win for guest and owner satisfaction.  The operations team has been busy the last several months planning for the implementation of standard linens.  Island has rented a new location to store the more than 5 pallets of linens.  Operations tells me they are cautiously optimistic and we know there will be a few stumbles and falls but in a few months they hope to begin to recruit the remainder of our owners by communicating actual benefits seen by guests and current owners. 
 To summarize, sales into January 2011 continue to build on the great year we had in 2010 of 317 properties sold.  The inventory has stayed down and is hovering just above normal levels.  Pended properties (properties under contract) are at seasonal highs, which bodes well for continued sales growth.  Demand, as demonstrated by the strong sales numbers, is at all time high’s and with inventories at normal levels we are seeing multiple offers again.  Especially on properties with a gross rental income to price ratio of twelve or lower.  The Anna Maria market is looking very healthy.