Xena Vallone Realty Moves to Expanded Offices SARASOTA, FL – One year after defying the housing-market collapse and opening a real estate brokerage firm, Xena and David Vallone of Xena Vallone Realty have signed a lease for expanded quarters at 3562-A S. Osprey Avenue in Sarasota. The new office, scheduled to open in August, nearly doubles the firm’s existing square footage and offers room to grow for an expanding staff. We launched our company during one of the worst real estate markets on record with the belief that there would be a re-emergence of ‘the little guy,’” remembers Xena Vallone. “One year later, that premise has proved true. Real estate professionals must now work harder, and transactions are a lot more difficult, but that’s what the market needs.” The new office, located near the intersection of Osprey Avenue and Siesta Drive in an established West of Trail community, reflects the neighborly feel and focus of the boutique firm. Xena Vallone Realty now has seven ass...

Property sales again reach highest level of the year in Sarasota real estate market The Sarasota real estate market remained active and vibrant in June 2010, in spite of the loss of the federal home buyer tax credits, oil crisis rumors, and the sluggish national economy. Property sales in June 2010 in the Sarasota market once again topped the 700 mark, with 776 total sales - once again the highest of the year and the highest total since December 2005 when 784 properties were sold. The figure of 776 sales topped the May 2010 total of 766, the previous high, and was 27.2 percent higher than June 2009, when only 610 homes and condos sold. In June, 576 single family homes were sold, 28.3 percent higher than June 2009, when only 449 single family homes sold.  The median price was also trending higher at $175,000, the highest figure in 11 months.  Not since June 2009 has the market seen single family home values this high. Condo sales in June were 200, a 24.2 percent increase...