Sue Carroll, Bradenton, FL REALTOR

09/20/2026

Well, I finally did it. After doing open houses for 11 years, I locked myself out of the house.

As soon as that door shut, I realized I didn’t have my phone or my car keys in my hand which was also a first. Honestly, I didn’t think the door would lock, but it did.

So there I was, standing outside in the heat, sweating bullets. Not glistening. Full-on sweat running down my face.

After 30 minutes, and with the help of a very gracious neighbor who let me make phone calls on his phone, I finally got back in the house.

Luckily, I did, because it ended up being a busy open house. 😂

Moral of the story to every real estate agent out there, if you run out to your car to grab something, take your phone, at the very least, with you.

09/19/2026

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I get a little giddy over a great floor plan. This one is one of those that I just love.

8005 Waterview Blvd in Lakewood Ranch has the kind of floor plan that just makes sense — 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,671 square feet and a private pool, with space that feels useful instead of just big.

Open Sunday, September 20 from 1–3 PM in Edgewater Village.

09/16/2026

Well, this got my attention.

Manatee County condo and townhome sales were up 20.5% in August compared with last year, while inventory was down 16.1%. Months of supply also dropped from 6.4 to 4.9 months. In August!

July showed a similar pattern, so I’m watching this one.

After a long stretch of high condo inventory, this is interesting.

09/15/2026

After Hurricane Irma, Anna Maria Island was full of line workers trying to get power restored. Most of us were out for about a week, so we kept an eye on those trucks like private investigators.

I may have bribed some guys with b**r. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do when she’s tired of “bathing” in the Gulf, even if the water was warmer.

At the time, Irma felt like a lot. Now it pales in comparison.

09/10/2026

This is the same family room.

The first photo shows how it looks with furniture. The second photo shows how it looked vacant when we first saw the house.

I immediately fell in love with the house because of this room. But I also know a big vacant room can overwhelm buyers who don’t automatically look at a room and know how to place furniture in their minds or how to define the space, or how to make it feel comfortable.

This is where putting the sofa against the wall is a massive mistake. In a room this big, that just creates a dance floor in the middle. All we’d need is a disco ball where the ceiling fan goes.

The walls stay neutral, but that doesn’t mean the furniture has to be boring. Color and pattern are fine when the room is cohesive.

This room is antique and traditional with a little modern mixed in from the red chair. The rug pulls it together and gives the room personality.

For listing photos, I’d still edit it. I’d remove most of the family photos from the back table, put a larger lamp in the middle of it, and reduce some of the coffee table decor so the room photographs cleaner.

That’s how I stage. I work with what you have as much as possible. If it's not cohesive and flowy, I'll make it that way. The goal is for a buyer to say "I really like this room" or "I can see us hanging out in here."

09/08/2026

Yes - Solar panels can save you money on your electric bill. But when it’s time to sell your home, the financing behind those panels can potentially create issues you weren’t expecting.

My experience with solar panels has involved sellers paying off a loan at closing if they financed them.

This is all something you want to know before you list — not a week before closing.

I broke down what Florida sellers need to know here:

Selling a Florida home with solar panels? Learn how solar loans and PACE financing can affect buyers, closing costs and your sale.

09/01/2026

Florida has always had a strong pull for Canadian buyers and owners, and I get it.

For many people, it’s not just about the house. It’s the weather, the water, the winter routine, and whether the property still makes sense for how life looks now.

If you’re Canadian and you’re buying, selling, or trying to make decisions about a Florida property you already own, there are practical things worth thinking through: insurance, HOA rules, rental options, travel, currency, and long-distance ownership.

I added a Canada page to my website as a plain-English starting point for those questions.

Not legal or tax advice. Just practical Florida real estate context.

Link in comments.

08/25/2026

My heart hurts…❤️❤️❤️

Country music icon Dolly Parton, whose career spanned music, film and philanthropy, has died at 80, leaving a lasting cultural legacy.

08/15/2026

Open House Tomorrow
Sunday, August 16 | 12–3 PM
11837 & 11841 Moonsail Drive, Parrish

Two brand-new homes, side by side, both with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, partial pond views, vaulted great rooms, pocket offices, quartz kitchens, and low HOA fees of $150/year.

11837 is priced at $419,500 and includes refrigerator, washer/dryer, blinds, and a finished pantry.

11841 is priced at $414,500.

CDD: $3,809

Come compare both in person and see which one makes more sense for real life.

08/13/2026

What could your home sell for in today’s market?

An online home valuation is a good place to start — but it’s not the whole story. Condition, updates, location and what buyers are doing right now all matter.

Start with a quick estimate here:
https://yourbradentonrealtor.com/home-valuation