Avery and Ayers Blog

Schools as Home Buying Criteria

As the school year comes to an end across the nation, many families plan relocations. Families moving to or from Manatee and Sarasota county for a host of reasons begin this seasonal migration at the natural break of summer vacation. Our home showings typically increase at this time as well as our website traffic. Several examples of home buyer criteria may include proximity to employment, friends or shopping. Other likely criteria could be amenities based on a desired lifestyle. 

Astute home buyers with or without school age children are aware of the correlation of school perceptions and home values. Studies seem to be mixed on actual school district attributes affecting home values. Some suggest school performance is a key factor, others show that the amount of tax revenue spent as the primary factor. The bottom line, the better the school the greater demand for surrounding neighborhoods. As perceptions and image surveys vary across communities it is safe to conclude schools are an important element in the home buying process.

In choosing the location of your new home, time spent researching school districts can add valuable insight to your home buying decision. 

Other resources:

School Performance Map site

Realty Times

Horse What?

Contrary to popular belief there is surfing on Florida's west coast. Yes, some bring the boards out during impending tropical weather. And yes, one could describe our local wave action as "lame". Summer fun in the Sarasota, Bradenton area has a new concept in water adventure. Tim Mattox of Great World Nature Tours added a beach ride to his horse trail tour in 2008. What evolved from the beach ride is known today as "horse surfing". This simple attraction is rated #1 by Trip Advisor for Bradenton and is enjoyed by nature enthusiast world wide. If your ready to immerse yourself for two hours of playful blis, plan early as this tour is quite popular.

Beach horses

Herald Tribune article