Home Staging during the Holidays

Selling your home during the holidays can be stressful. You may think that keeping the decorations in storage until next year is best. Home staging during the holidays can help with the sale of your home.  The goal is to create a welcoming inviting scene. Here are a few tips

Curb Appeal

Keep the large distracting decorations to a minimum. You want your home to be the focus. Simple white lights and a holiday wreath can add the prefect touch.

Focal Point

Accentuate the positive features of your home whether it be a beautiful view or entry way. A fireplace can become a beautiful focal point by adding some pine garland with lights for a little sparkle. A warm cozy fire lit will bring attention to the fireplace. Hanging some pretty ornaments from the fire place ledge is simple but elegant.  

Tree

A tall Christmas tree can help accentuate your vaulted ceiling or two story loft area. Keep the decorations simple. Try using colors that complement each other. All white and gold ornaments can add a nice touch.

Decorations

Avoid overly religious flourishes

Snacks

Freshly baked warm cookies are sure to bring holiday cheer and make your home smell wonderful and inviting. It also encourages people to stay a while and look around.

Clutter

Remember less is more. Remove all clutter. Put away mail and other personal items. Keep the counter tops in bathrooms and kitchens clear. By keeping the personal items away it gives the crisp and clean appearance.

Haunted places on Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island is a beautiful vacation destination that people come from all over the world to visit. The white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters are inviting when the sun is out. Just after sunset can be a little spooky, especially if you know some of the ghost stories and encounters that have been told and seen on the shores of Anna Maria.

Curry House

On the southern tip of AMI on Gulf Drive sat the Curry House. It was built around 1923 by Henry Curry.  The Curry House was said to be inhabited by more than one spirit. A sailor or captain dressed in seaman’s clothes was seen smoking a pipe. A little boy with a Dalmatian and a women drowned at sea when her ship wrecked have all been seen. Another odd report told was that you could often smell orange blossom perfume coming from the home. At 103 years old the Curry House was torn down no one wanted to live there. The newly built home is reported to have increasing paranormal energy.

Bali Hai Hotel

The Bali Hai Beach Resort is located on Holmes Beach. It is said that a newlywed bride and groom checked in but NEVER checked out! The bride lost her husband to the sea. In the month of August in the early morning she can be seen searching for her husband along the shore line in her wedding gown.

Sign of The Mermaid

Sign of The Mermaid is an old home that was renovated into a restaurant and opened in 1992. They are known for the unique menu and delicious cuisine. Recently the Paranormal Society of Bradenton conducted an investigation there surrounding the sighting of a women, young girl and a cat. The staff reported feelings that they were being watched and seeing shadows. The team found evidence suggesting that Sign of the Mermaid is indeed haunted.

If you are interested in learning more about Anna Maria Island you can take a tour with The Paranormal Society of Bradenton. Tickets can be purchased here https://paranormalsocietyofbradenton.wordpress.com/ghost-tours/bradenton-beach-ghost-tour/

Favorite Places to Eat on AMI

Anna Maria Island is home to some of the best restaurants in Florida! AMI is known for its award-winning cafes, bistros and restaurants. You have a variety of options to choose from, Tex-Mex to traditional Florida sea food. If you are looking for fresh sea food you will find it! Our waters are home to grouper, red snapper, mullet and blue crab. The atmosphere and views are unique and beautiful, indoor and outdoor. It was hard to choose just 10 but here are some of our favorites!

The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Beer

111 Bay Blvd. South,  

Anna Maria, FL

Hours:11:30am-9:00

https://thewaterfrontrestaurant.net/lunch-menu/

The Water Front is an award winning restaurant featuring indoor and outdoor dining. Enjoy views of Tampa Bay and The Sunshine Sky Way Bridge. They offer modern and traditional dishes made fresh with local ingredients. We recommend "Bimini Bay Lobster Bisque" a rich and creamy seafood dish with a touch of sherry from the lunch menu.

Tortilla Bay

5318 Marina Drive

Holmes Beach, FL

Hours: 11am-9pm

http://tortilla-bay.com/menu.htm

Tortilla Bay is a cute little Tex-Mex restaurant. They have some of the best homemade queso and chips I've ever tasted. You can choose from tacos, quesadillas, salads and more.

We recommend the "Gone Fishing Tacos" 3 soft or hard tacos with the fish of the day

, southwest coleslaw and pico de gallo.

The Donut Experiment

210 Pine Avenue

Anna Maria, FL

Hours: 7am-1pm

http://thedonutexperiment.com/

Located on Pine Ave is a perfect quick breakfast treat, or really all day treat! The Donut Experiment specializes in fresh handmade cake donuts. You get to create your own donut they have a large selection of icings and toppings. They have specialty donuts including Key Lime and Sriracha. The donuts are served to you warm and delicious! Our favorite is vanilla icing with fruity pebbles!

Skinny's Place

3901 Gulf Drive

Holmes Beach. FL

Hours: 11am-8pm

http://www.skinnysplace.com/food_menu

Skinny's has been around for a long time. It is a family owned business known for its delicious burgers and frosted mugs. They offer fresh beef burgers and more made daily. Pair your burger with fries or onion rings with a classic glass coke bottle on the side. The "Skinny's Cheese Burger" and onion rings is our go to meal. Another favorite is the "Spicy Chicken Pieces" with blue cheese for dipping.

Jessie's Island Store

5424 Marina Dr.

Holmes Beach, FL

Hours:

Jessie's is actually a convenience store/gas station, it has a small deli inside. They are known for their sandwiches. They offer several different choices from the original turkey and cheese on marble, to their homemade chicken and egg salads. They also have potato and pasta salad.  If you are headed out to the beach and you need a quick lunch Jessie's is the place to go. We recommend the egg salad on white.

Oma's Pizza and Italian Restaurant

201 Gulf Drive

Bradenton Beach, FL

Hours:11am-Midnight

http://www.omaspizza.com/

Oma's pizza is a classic Italian pizzeria. Their pizza is hand tossed and made to order with fresh and home made ingredients. We have so many favorites its hard to choose. We would go with the calzone stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella and handmade meatballs.

Beach House Restaurant
200 Gulf Drive North
Bradenton Beach, FL
Hours: 11:30am-10pm
http://beachhouse.groupersandwich.com/

The Beach House is one of our all time favorites. I actually got married there in 2005. They offer beachfront dining with a large outdoor deck. They have live music from local musicians and you can see the sun set daily from the deck. We like to start out with the "Spinach Artichoke Dip" Creamy Mornay, Tomatoes and Scallions with Rustic Bread. The Blackened "Grouper Sandwhich" with fries is to die for.


Rod + Reel Pier
875 North Shore Dr.
Anna Maria, FL
http://www.rodreelpier.com/

The Rod + Reel Pier is a casual laid back dining experience you can even bring your pole and fish off the dock and walk ways. The Pier is on the North end of AMI situated directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Start with the fresh "Peel & Eat Shrimp". Try the "Krab Cake Dinner" with two freshly made sides. You will not be disappointed.

Sign of The Mermaid9707 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria, FL
Hours: 9am-2pm
Dinner 5pm-9pm


The Sign of The Mermaid offers an intimate unique dining experience. They are an award winning restaurant. They opened in 1992 the restaurant is in an old island home built around 1912. Sign of The Mermaid is considered haunted by the Paranormal Society of Bradenton. The menu is creative and delicious. You will love the Crème Brule French toast and the Key Lime pie is the best around!

Dips
Anna Maria Island, FL

Dips is a family owned ice cream shop. They offer 32 different flavors of ice cream, soft serve and Italian ice. Dips also has a huge selection of candy. If you are looking for a sweet treat after dining at one of our local favorites, Dips is the place to go. Espresso is one of our favorites!

Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island, Florida is the perfect place to relax and get away. People from all over the world come to tan on the white sandy beaches and splash in the crystal clear waters.

AMI is a 7 mile stretch of white sandy beaches; the beach that stretches around the north and south edges is actually 8 miles long.

It has a latitude of 27.513N and longitude -82.719W

Anna Maria Island was discovered by the Timucan and Caloosan American Indians. Later on is was discovered by the Spanish explorer Hernando Desoto.

At one time the only way to travel on and off the island was by boat.

In 1929 the first bridge was built to connect AMI to the mainland.

Anna Maria is a barrier island.

The beaches are white quartz sand.

You can find some of the most beautiful sea shells on the beaches of Anna Maria.

AMI has 5 Blue Wave Certified Beaches:

AMI Beach

Coquina Beach

Cortez Beach

Holmes Beach

Manatee Beach

Anna Maria has a free trolley service that travels up and down AMI in 20 minute intervals.

You can see some of the most beautiful sunsets from the beaches of Anna Maria Island.

For more information on vacation rental opportunities visit www.sunsandsurfrealty.com

Shelling on Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island is a 7 mile stretch of white sandy beaches. AMI is abundant in unique and beautiful shells that have washed up on shore. Shelling is a great way to have fun and enjoy the warm salt air and sunshine on your vacation. People come from all over the world to shell the beaches of Anna Maria. Here are some great tips for Shelling.

Florida has many different types of sea shells.

Cockle

Olive

Jingle

Turkey Wing

Florida State Shell

Horse Conch

Horse Conch   

1.You will need a bucket and shovel. Make sure to apply sunscreen. Stay hydrated.

2. The best times for Shelling:

Get up early and head to the beach. You will find some of the experts out there shelling just before sunrise.

Low tide: Just before low tide, as the tide goes out fresh ocean bottom is exposed. Look on the sandbars created by low tide.

Stormy Weather: Shell after a storm. Many shells are tossed around and pushed onto shore.

High Tide: When the tide comes in sand from miles out is pushed onto shore.

You can check the tides here. http://cannons.com/anna-maria-tides/

3. Locations for finding shells:

One of the best places to find shells on AMI is between The Rod N Reel and Anna Maria Island City Piers.

Coquina Beach

Manatee Public Beach

Bean Point on North Shore Drive

Bay Front Park

You can also take a Ferry to Egmont Key.

4. Some of the best shells are found just under the surface. Dig and keep on digging you will find some beautiful shells.

5. Look in the tangles of sea weed.

6. Please remember not to take any live animals from the beach. Check inside of the shells for sea life before putting them in your bucket. Live Sand Dollars are brown in color. If you find a live sea animal toss it back into the ocean.

7. After you have filled your bucket full of sea shells, you can take them home to display in a large glass jar, lamp or even place them in a basket or display them on shelves. They will need to be rinsed off and left to dry or you can place them in a bucket of water with a little bleach.

8. The most important thing to remember is to have fun!

Just Listed in Holmes Beach, Florida

Must see! Tastefully updated 3 bedroom/2 bath home located in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. Only a short stroll to the pristine Gulf of Mexico beaches and walking distance to the local amenities. Open floor plan with tiled floors in the main areas and carpet in the bedrooms. Kitchen is open to the dining room and living area and great for entertaining guests, custom granite countertops, Island cook top, and breakfast bar. A large Florida room under air with new carpet and sliding glass doors that open out to a private landscaped yard with plenty of room to add a pool. This home can be the perfect winter retreat or vacation rental for the person that requires rental income for a few years and is buying for when you are ready to move to island living full time. The Island Trolley is at the end of the Street for convenient transportation throughout the Islands.MLS # M5842917
Offered by Sharon Villars, Broker - Associate at Fran Maxon Real Estate. $499,000.00

11910 55th Court East - Lakeside Preserve - Parrish, FL