18 minute read
REAL ESTATE
36 THE SUN REAL ESTATE
Homebuyers getting hit every day
Buying a home was once a happy time for families. Homes were plentiful to choose from, and imagining your grandmother’s credenza in the dining room and the Christmas tree in the living room front window made for happy thoughts.
Now, however, looking for a home is a stressful event if you’re just the average potential homeowner. Inventory is low, prices are high, and, of course, now we have to stress even more about the increase in mortgage interest rates.
As of June 23, according to Forbes, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 5.89% and the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 5.13%. These numbers are slightly down. However, typically they are going up, forcing buyers to make some serious decisions, especially if they may not qualify for the additional monthly cost of the increased financing rate.
They can come up with more cash and apply for a smaller loan - usually not a good option for marginal buyers. They can lower their criteria for what kind of home they want at a lower price point and hope it exists. Or they can drop out of the market completely with the hope things improve in a year or whenever. Unfortunately, this is an option that is happening more and more as the interest rates and the selling prices keep going up.
New home buyers are getting hit even harder. Buyers who are in contract for new construction but haven’t closed are facing mortgage interest rates that are getting close to doubling since they agreed to purchase the home. In addition, they are also confronting construction that is taking longer than usual due to supply-chain and labor constraints. Some new home buyers also have to make difficult decisions; how long can they hold out while they’re watching mortgage interest rates go up and the construction on their new home crawling along?
Time now for the May Manatee County sales statistics published by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
Single-family homes closed 7.3% less than last May. The median sale price was $550,000, 37.5% higher, and the average sale price was $715,504, 26.1% higher. The median time to contract has not changed at six days but the month’s supply of available properties has changed to 1.2 months availability. The good news is new listings are up 17.2%.
Condo sales were up 6.3% over last year. The median sale price was $369,900, 51.9% higher, and the average sale price was $441,674, 41.5% higher. The median time to contract is six days, the same as single family, and the month’s supply of available properties is one month. The good news for condos is also that new listings are up 15.5%.
A combination of higher interest rates and our normal summer slowdown is resulting in a fewer number of sales and more available properties on the market. However, prices, both average and median, remain very strong, according to the president of the Realtor Association, and are still increasing.
Making the biggest investment of your life has always been a stressful event, but it was also mixed with pleasant thoughts of the future and paint colors. Now, however, for the average buyer who needs to watch their dollars, the pleasant thoughts are gone, and they’re left with the stress. My heart goes out to them.
Castles in the Sand
LOUISE BOLGER
HUNTERS POINT: Dock permit challenge begins
FROM PAGE 3 examined, Gobuty said the Hunters Point docks are designed to accommodate boats no longer than 25 feet, while the marina accommodates vessels as long as 35-38 feet. It was also noted the marina and storage facility accommodates approximately 350 vessels.
On June 15, Captain Dane Fleming was called as a witness for Cortez Road Investments. Fleming said he navigated and measured the canal on two different occasions prior to the hearing. Fleming expressed his opinion that the canal is wide enough to accommodate the Hunters Point docks without hindering or impeding navigation.
Fleming called into question a video previously provided on behalf of the marina owners. He noted the captain of the boat from which that video footage was filmed was navigating on the wrong side of the canal while filming. Fleming said this resulted in camera angles that “skewed” the marina’s claims regarding visibility and the canal being too narrow for safe navigation in some areas. Fleming noted there are some areas that are too narrow for two boats to pass side-by-side, but one boat can wait in the wider area until the other boat navigates the narrower area.
Stantec ecologist and permit expert Elizabeth Eardley helped Gobuty’s development team acquire the environmental resource permit granted in 2021. While testifying Wednesday, Eardley said the state permitting process did not require a navigational impact study because the canal is privately owned. She also testified the Hunters Point docks are designed to allow adequate remaining navigational space in the canal and are not expected to impede navigation.
When the hearing continues, SWFWMD attorneys will present their arguments regarding the environmental resource permit being properly issued. After that, the Cortez Village Marina attorneys will present their arguments.
OWNERSHIP AND RIPARIAN RIGHTS
Even through riparian rights will not be determined during the administrative hearing, testimony was still given pertaining to the history and ownership of the canal.
When testifying on behalf of Cortez Road Investments, attorney and property title expert Adron Walker said the man-made Hunters Point canal did not exist when Florida was granted statehood in 1845, thus the canal’s submerged lands are privately owned and are not state-owned submerged sovereign lands. Walker also testified that the man-made canal did not exist when the property now known as Hunters Point was first platted in 1921.
During Walker’s testimony, property cards and images from the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office were displayed. One property card shows the Hunters Point-owned canal that extends from 127th Street West to the western boundary of the Cortez Village Marina property. Walker said he could not locate any easements or usage agreements ever granted to the marina or any other potentially impacted upland property owners regarding their right to use the privately-owned Hunters Point canal.
Walker referenced another property card which revealed the portion of the canal located directly in front of the marina is not owned by the marina but is owned by the Cipriani family trust that previously owned the Hunters Point property and canal. Walker also said he’s not aware of any use agreement between the marina and the Cipriani family trust for the use of that portion of the canal.
Walker said the only existing right the marina and the other upland owners might have would be a prescriptive easement granted by a court. Walker said a declaration of that nature usually requires an existing historic use of at least 20 years.
Martin noted the original petition for hearing states the Cortez Village Marina has operated in its current configuration since 2008. The petition also notes that site RECENT LAWSUITS
In late May, Cortez Road Investments filed a civil lawsuit in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Manatee County seeking to prohibit the marina and its clients from using the Hunters Point canal.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction that would prohibit Cortez Village Marina clients and employees from using the privately owned Hunters Point canal. The lawsuit notes the canal was constructed in the 1950s.
In early June, Cortez Road Investments filed a separate lawsuit against upland canalside property owners Jonathan and Sheila Graham, Mark Ibasfalean, Jacquelyn Shepard, Mary Norman, Timothy Fitzpatrick and Wendy and George Kokolis. That lawsuit complaint states those property owners have constructed and are maintaining docks, lifts and other structures on and in the Hunters Point canal without the property owner’s authorization. The complaint notes that the Cortez Village Marina petition contends, in part, that the existing docks that extend into the Hunters Point canal could impede navigation for the marina customers.
“This has left plaintiff (Gobuty/Hunters Point) with no choice but to file this suit against defendants,” according to the lawsuit complaint.
Parking changes scheduled for final vote
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are scheduled to decide this week whether to require motorists to park with two or four tires off the road.
The final discussion, public hearing and vote are set for Tuesday, June 28 during the regular commission meeting. The first reading of the ordinance passed with a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Jayne Christenson and Kim Rash dissenting.
If the proposed parking changes pass a second and final vote, anyone parking on the side of the road in Holmes Beach will be required to park with all four tires off the road instead of the two that are currently required. The change would apply to all vehicle types including low-speed vehicles and golf carts.
Currently, Holmes Beach is the only Anna Maria Island city to allow for two tires to be on the road when parked on the street.
While city commission meetings are available to view through Zoom, to comment, members of the public are required to be present during the meeting at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!
Business As Usual…..Just A Li le Differently. If you’re looking to buy or sell in Perico Bay Club, or know someone who is, please give me a call!
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Bridge crash
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
Manatee County EMS responded to a motorcyclist who was struck by a car on the Cortez Bridge on Friday. According to Bradenton Beach police, the man's motorcycle, traveling east on the Cortez Bridge, came to a stop and was hit from behind by a female driving a late model sedan. The driver was not found to be under the influence, but was cited for careless driving. The man on the motorcycle suffered a broken arm and a separated shoulder.
FREE
HOME DELIVERY
601 GULF DR N UNIT 112, BRADENTON BEACH
SOLD FOR $780,000
Lindsey Leech Strickland
SUBMITTED | JAYNE CHRISTENSON
Love in Las Vegas
Even the King himself loves The Sun! Holmes Beach Commissioner Jayne Christenson and her husband Joe took The Sun along to the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas where they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows.
BUSINESSES: Join forces for ultimate beach day
FROM PAGE 29 and restaurant industry, working at some of the finest restaurants in America and consulting with some of the country’s biggest food brands and restaurants. A visit to Graze Street AMI will not disappoint, with quality ingredients and freshness being priority number one.
Beach Suites can be reached at www.beachsuitesami.com or by calling 941- 926-6749. 24 hours advance notice is required for booking to assure the highest standard of quality in the beach experience. Graze Street AMI is located at 3218 E. Bay Drive in Holmes Beach, or call 941-896-6320.
SUBMITTED Beach Suites offers luxurious relaxation and fun, elevating the beach day with a wide variety of amenities and experiences.
JUNE 13 - MODIFIED STAPLEFORD First Place - Tom Nelson with a score of +3 Second Place - Bill DiMenna and Jim Hill with a score of +2
JUNE 14 - LOW NET SCORE Flight A Helen Pollock 34 Sue Wheeler 35 Debbie Milder 35
Flight B Terry Westby 34 Anne Klein 41
JUNE 16 - SCRAMBLE First Place Team - with a score of 28, 4 under par, Cliff Lanning, Debbie and Dave Richardson and Kurt Snouffer JUNE 20 - MODIFIED STAPLEFORD First Place - Art McMillan with a score of +4 Second Place - (tie) Mike Clements, Cliff Lanning, Fred Miller and Dave Richardson with a score of +3
JUNE 21- LOW NET SCORE Flight A Sue Wheeler Helen Pollock
Flight B Terry Westby 32 Marilyn Niewijk 38 Helen Pollock had a birdie on Hole #2
JUNE 23 - SHAMBLE First Place - Art McMillan, Diane Miller, Scott Mitchell and Kent Newbold with a score of 45
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SOLD | 214 Coconut Ave | Anna Maria | $7,285,000 SOLD | 311 62nd St | Holmes Beach | $2,316,450
SOLD | 6408 Gulf Dr #8 | Holmes Beach | $2,600,000 SOLD | 112 Mangrove Ave | Anna Maria | $3,550,000
Contact Hannah & George today to discuss your real estate goals. 20-YEAR ISLAND RESIDENTS & REALTORS®
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REALTOR®
941.744.7358
44 THE SUN SPORTS JUNE 29, 2022
Solid Rock, Progressive start off summer hot
BY MONICA SIMPSON
SPECIAL TO THE SUN
ANNA MARIA – Youth indoor soccer on the first night of summer brought the heat on The Center’s indoor pitch.
Thanks to the hot leg of Progressive Cabinetry’s Ethan Angel and teammates Barret Raina and Alonso Valle, the team handily defeated Moss Builder. Raina and Valle each had a single goal in the game, contributing to the 5-0 final score.
Progressive’s win puts them at the top of the rankings as the only undefeated team in the U13 league.
The U9 league leader, Solid Rock Construction, also goes into week three of indoor action with a 2-0 record.
Solid Rock shut out their opponent Ugly Grouper last Tuesday night in U9 play, putting in seven goals in the game.
Matthew Darak scored a solo goal and had two assists. Darak’s sister, Mckenna, had a hat trick, adding three goals to the score. Roadman brothers Isaac and Eli contributed to Solid Rock’s 7-0 win with three total goals. E. Roadman made two shots and Isaac added to his stats with an assist.
The two undefeated teams match up against worthy opponents in week three. Solid Rock plays Bridgetender Inn and Progressive Cabinetry goes up against Shady Lady.
Bridgetender Inn narrowly lost to team Blalock Walters last week with the final score 5-4. Shady Lady lost their game against Freckled Fin with the score 7-5.
In the final game of the night last Tuesday, Shady Lady’s scoring came from Ava Mason with two goals and Alex Monserrate with a hat trick. Making the teamwork happen, Jesse Zaccagnino is recorded to have an assist for Shady Lady in the close game.
For the win, Freckled Fin’s Chandler McRae heated up the field with four of his shots making it past the Shady Lady defense. Tucker McRae had a goal of his own for Freckled Fin. Teammate David Zupa scored two goals in the last game of week two play.
The U9 match-up of Blalock Walters against Bridgetender Inn had powerful shooting and dominating defending on both sides of the soccer ball.
Olivia Wyatt scored three goals for Blalock Walters, while Campbell Collins and Paul ten Haaf each had single scoring strikes for the Bridgetender Inn team.
Wyatt’s scoring was nearly matched by teammate Gavin Angel with two goals. Matching in goals, Bridgetender Inn’s Colton Cook also put two into the indoor soccer net.
The four games of week three start Tuesday, June 28 at 6 p.m., marking the start of the second half of play in week four.
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN Moss Builders’ Callin Westfall handles the ball with the support of teammates Elisabeth ten Haaf and Riley Karecki during last Tuesday night’s indoor soccer action against Progressive Cabinetry. SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JUNE 21 YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER WEEK TWO U9 Solid Rock Construction (2-0-0) 7 Ugly Grouper (1-1-0) 0
Blalock Walters (1-1-0) 5 Bridgetender Inn (0-2-0) 4
U13 Progressive Cabinetry (2-0-0) 5 Moss Builders (0-2-0) 0
Freckled Fin (1-1-0) 7 Shady Lady (1-1-0) 5
