Thanksgiving Day - A Day To Be Thankful

As we approach another Thanksgiving Day, it seemed a great time to share what we are grateful for this year. What a perfect time to reflect and be thankful for all the positive things that have happened in the last 12 months? Granted, it would be easy to get caught up (like so many others) in just trying to survive and focus on the negatives around us. All that does is to create more stress. To merely focus on the negative, it is easy to miss things like the beauty of a sunset, the serenity in the reflection of the birds, the smile of a child or the encouragement of a friend.

Mark is always talking about the importance of BALANCE and in these difficult economic times there is no better time to make it a priority. Negative energy can come into your life through all those anxious moments and the toll of daily stress… not to mention the added impact of a down economy. What becomes important is to find something that will neutralize that energy and turn it positive.

The answer is right there in front of us. Every moment spent in gratitude creates a mindset that leaves no room for negative energy. A grateful heart and a grateful mind reminds us of all we have to be grateful for... the solid support of our family committed to helping each other in both difficult and easier times… the friends who remain steadfast year after year who with a mere word can lift our spirits… our family pets who are always right there evoking a smile… our clients whom we are able to help navigate this market and even in their difficult time say “thank you”.

Every day is a gift not to be taken for granted. What we do with that day to be grateful for its gift is what has the potential not only to reduce stress but add wonderful positive energy to our lives.

This Thanksgiving Day amidst all the family gatherings, parades and football games, stop for a moment to appreciate the wonder of living in a free society like ours… freedom in itself is a hard won miracle compared to all those in countries without those rights or freedom. The freedom of choice is yours… and ours. We are grateful to have this amazing opportunity to walk on the beach and see such glory!

And to all of our friends and family, have a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

La Vistana - A Gem Of A Location In Redington Shores!

We have said it before that in 2005 it appeared that the national bird should be the crane (the construction one)! Once the market dived in 2007, all new construction literally came to a standstill. Finding a construction crane today is an interesting task and when we find one there is an innate curiosity as to what they know or are banking on.

But the task at hand is to convey that, as the market recovers, finding new property that meets the 2004 updated building codes and is block construction brings the number of properties to a precious few. La Vistana is one of those. Completed in 2006, La Vistana was planned to be a direct gulf-front two-building project with a coordinating retail area right on Gulf Boulevard. The building shown was completely sold out pre-construction and offered a sophisticated gated complex with a dynamic center open air atrium. The large pool and two hot tubs right on the beach were designed to accommodate both buildings.

As buyers closed on their condos in the second half of 2006 in Building 1, Building 2's future was looking bleak. Because of the limitation on density ruling for the space, the units were designed to be sprawling and had price tags to go along with it. At this point, the Building 2 property is tied up in foreclosure and the retail area is an extra parking lot with green space. What did make it, however, is La Vistana's Building 1 that is situated on an absolutely pristine beach location. Gorgeous views of the Gulf and the nightly sunset extravanganza! The 30-day rental policy keeps the building with a residential feel and each 3-bedroom/3-bath unit is definitely noteworthy. The occasional unit that has taken the pricepoint freefall that the market impacted has been swooped up by eager buyers ready to live the lifestyle La Vistana affords... at a fraction of the original pre-construction purchase price!