CASTLES IN THE SAND

THE SUN REAL ESTATE

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Merry mortgage rate Christmas

It’s Christmas, and many of us in the country are spending the day much quieter than in years past. We can only hope that the vaccine they have promised us will bring our world back to normal and next Christmas will truly be a time to celebrate. But there is still much to be celebrated, and historic low mortgage rates may very well be at the top of Santa’s list.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 3% in July and stayed there. On Dec. 10, the 30-year fixed rate hit a low of $2.71%. So far, the low rates are holding steady at between 2.5% and 3%, but there are signs that those rates may not hold into the new year, so there is a lot of scrambling around to lock in this month.

According to industry research firm Inside Mortgage Finance, during the first nine months of the year, lenders extended $2.8 trillion in mortgages. And

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

it didn’t slow down in the last quarter of 2020 with a predicted volume exceeding the prior record of $3.7 trillion in 2003. It is forecasted by industry firms that more than 9 million homeowners saved money by refinancing this year.

Like so many other byproducts of the COVID-19 pandemic, home lending has surged, producing record low interest rates. With the economy seriously impacted by the pandemic, homeowners were looking to lower their monthly payments or pull some equity out of their homes for needed renovations. The timing was perfect, with homeowners having the time to work through the documents required for a mortgage refinance, and the mortgage industry more than willing to find a way to do paperwork and closings digitally to accommodate homeowners.

However, if you haven’t done a refi or a new mortgage since the financial crisis, the Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection Act enacted in July of 2010 may be a bit of a shock. There are pages and pages of disclosure forms for the borrower to read and agreed to. Fortunately, they are all available digitally and every lender is doing their best to get this required information out to their clients as quickly and easily as possible. Still, don’t be surprised if you feel your eyes starting to cross halfway through.

In addition to homeowners taking advantage of low interest rates, many are moving, as we’ve reported before. Leaving cities to work virtually in the suburbs has been an ongoing trend for white collar professionals who are requiring more space indoors and outdoors resulting in a demand for more expensive homes. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly one in four homebuyers between April and June bought houses priced at $500,000 or more. This is up from 14% of buyers during the preceding nine months.

And, if you’re a renter, that’s going to cost you more as well. In September, single-family home rentals climbed an average of 3.8% from a year earlier across 63 markets in the country. This increase is being accelerated for the same reason that buyers are moving, leaving cities for suburbs and wanting more space.

Wishing everyone happy holidays and good health. Hopefully, this will all be over soon; stay safe.

FROM PAGE 4 request to be allowed to operate at this county public facility, any business proposition would have to be thoroughly vetted through a competitive process to open this opportunity to any prospective vendor who would likewise enjoy the benefit of using this public facility without the charges invoked at many private marinas in Manatee County that offer commercial fueling capabilities,” Hunsicker wrote.

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

During public comment at the Tuesday, Dec. 15 county commission meeting, Baldwin read his email aloud to county commissioners.

During the discussion that followed, commissioners Vanessa Baugh and Kevin Van Ostenbridge were among those who expressed strong opposition to a business owner being arrested for refueling his boat.

County Attorney Mickey Palmer told the commission the loading dock is located in a county-owned public park and trespassing someone from that public space is not advised.

Palmer also said he’s not aware of any county code or regulation that currently prohibits refueling at the county dock. Palmer recommended the county “stand down” and take no action until this matter is further researched and sorted out.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore expressed concerns about other commercial boat owners, operators and fishermen engaging in similar fueling activities if Baldwin is allowed to do so.

The commission was in unanimous agreement that boat fueling is not a desired activity at that location.

Van Ostenbridge made a motion directing the county attorney’s office to prepare a document that formally prohibits refueling activities at the loading dock – and potentially at county boat ramps as well. That document is expected to be discussed and potentially adopted in January.

REFUELING RESUMES

On Thursday, Dec. 17, Baldwin and Capt. Justin Jones resumed their refueling operations at the county dock. Baldwin said he realizes a county prohibition is likely forthcoming, but he can still experience at least one month’s worth of fuel cost savings until then. Baldwin said he’s looked for alternative locations to continue refueling in this manner and has not found one.

BEACH BEAT

HOLMES BEACH 12/11, 12:45 a.m., battery, D Coy Ducks, 5410 Marina Drive. The officer was dispatched to the bar on a report of a fight. Witnesses said the male suspect pushed the female victim to the ground and punched her in the face after she tried to start a conversation with him. The woman’s friends defended her, injuring the suspect. The victim refused medical care, but the suspect was taken to Blake Medical Center. The officer took reports from witnesses and prepared a capias request for the state attorney’s office. 12/13, 12:30 a.m., excessive speed, 700 Manatee Ave. The officer spotted a

OBITUARIES Larry Albert

August 17, 1936 – November 25, 2020. Unexpectedly, on November 25, 2020, Larry left us to be with the Lord. Larry will be sadly missed by sons Steve (Joy) and Alan (Michelle), grandchildren, great-granddaughter, truck going too fast heading west toward the Island. He clocked the truck at 91 mph, made a traffic stop and issued a ticket to the young driver. 12/14, 6:36 p.m., alcohol code violation, Grassy Pointe Park, 3201 East Bay Drive. The officer responded to complaints of two homeless men yelling angrily in the park. They were issued tickets. One of them was intoxicated and taken to the hospital under the Marchman Act. 12/15, 11:30 p.m., code violations, alcohol and marijuana, 240 S. Harbor Drive. Officers responded to the address on a noise complaint and when they arrived, they spotted four males walking down the sidewalk; one was smoking marijuana and another was drinking beer. They received code enforcement violation citations.

poker and golf buddies, wonderful friends and neighbors. He will be missed forever by the love of his life, his wife, Linda, and their loving fur babies, Stevie, Helen and Betsy.

Larry was a very modest man and “didn’t want a fuss” made over him, so raise a cup and remember your happy times with him. Larry will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and love of life.

A new year is just around the corner, and to celebrate, the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island is announcing its January Featured Artist of the Month – Susanna Spann. The theme for January at the gallery is “water dancing,” appropriate for Spann, who is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America and Florida Watercolor Society. A competitive artist, Spann paints for national competitions, judges exhibitions and owns The Dead End Gallery in Cortez. Her artwork will be prominently displayed during the month of January at the gallery at 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. Spann also will be on hand at the gallery on Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Maritime museum reopening

The Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 19 after renovations are complete. Hours will be limited and reservations will be required. Visit Floridamaritimemuseum.org for details.

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FROM PAGE 1

In fact, Vince credits the 52 years he and his wife have spent on Anna Maria Island as the secret to what has kept them healthy for all these years.

“It’s just a beautiful place,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe Larrie will ever want to leave their beachfront home.

“It’s been wonderful,” Larrie said of their home. Her favorite part of the house is the back deck where she said she can watch her grandkids and great-grandchildren frolic in the sand when they can come to visit.

For the couple, it was love at first sight when they met in 1965. Vince had just come back from serving in the Korean War and the two were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. The couple never looked back and were married about a year later with the birth of their two daughters, Dina Mercandante Osburn and Sheree Mercandante Kent, coming within the following few years.

Larrie said they’re still friends with the woman who set them up on that

SUBMITTED Even though the family couldn’t get together in person during the pandemic for Larrie Mercandante’s 86th birthday in October, they all got together virtually to celebrate.

first date. She added that what first drew her to Vince that night was his moves on the dance floor.

“He’s a wonderful dancer,” she said. “I think that’s what I first fell in love with. He makes me laugh. We’ve had a wonderful life.”

Vince said that not a day has passed since that first date that the two have not seen each other. And after all the years together, the two are as happy together now as they were when they married.

“I love my life,” Larrie said. “Vince has been the best husband.”

Even when asked separately, the two agreed on the secret to their success as a couple – communication.

“Listening, really listening, letting them speak,” Larrie said. “Communication is so important.” She recommends not raising your voice when you fight while Vince says to not go to bed angry.

“Don’t stay mad,” he advised. “You’ve got to iron it out. Communication is a big thing. It’s kept us together all these years.”

The Mercandantes have a very simple plan for the future – remain happy and healthy, sit on their porch and watch children play on the beach.

“We really enjoy life now,” Larrie said. “We’re not lucky, we’re fortunate. God took good care of us.”