Michele Blethen at Leslie Wells Realty

09/21/2026

🏡🌴 Planning to make Florida your permanent home? The date you establish residency could become especially important 🗓️

🗳️ Florida voters will consider Amendment 3 this November. If approved, Florida residents who establish residency by December 31, 2026, and otherwise qualify for homestead could become eligible for an increased exemption on the non-school portion of their property taxes. 💰

🔑 What does establishing Florida residency generally involve?

To qualify for a 2027 homestead exemption, you must own the property and establish it as your permanent residence by January 1, 2027. Evidence of Florida residency may include:

🪪 A valid Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card showing your permanent address

🚗 Florida vehicle registration

🗳️ Florida voter registration or a recorded Declaration of Domicile

📄 Proof that a previous out-of-state residence or homestead benefit has ended

🏦 Records connecting you to the Florida address, such as utilities, banking, employment, tax documents or a child’s school enrollment

🏠 Living in the home in good faith as your true, permanent residence—not simply using it as a vacation or investment property

📝 You must also apply for the homestead exemption through your county property appraiser. For the 2027 tax year, the regular filing deadline is March 1, 2027.

⚠️ A Florida driver’s license or closing on a home does not establish residency by itself. Eligibility is based on your complete circumstances and is determined by the county property appraiser.

⏳ Those who become Florida residents beginning in 2027 may have to wait until their fifth year of homestead eligibility to receive the proposed increase.

Amendment 3 has not yet passed, but if relocating to Florida is already part of your plan, this is worth understanding now☀️ I’ll continue following the proposal and sharing updates as they become available.

📲 Ready to explore your Florida home options? Let’s talk! 941-737-1245

Michele Blethen
REALTOR® | U.S. Navy Veteran 🇺🇸
Leslie Wells Realty, Inc.

🌴 Serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties

09/11/2026

As I think back to September 11, 2001, I am doing my best to remember the details of where my family and I were and how that tragic day unfolded for us. Twenty-five years have passed, so some of the exact times and locations may not be precise, but the emotions and many of the moments have never left me.

My husband, our two daughters, and I had been camping in Harpers Ferry after attending my brother-in-law’s wedding. We were towing our 25-foot Prowler travel trailer and had planned to visit Washington, D.C., before heading home to Florida.

When we woke on September 11, 2001, the weather was rainy and dreary, so we decided to skip Washington, D.C., and begin our drive home. We left sometime around 8:00 a.m. and, after driving south for about an hour, stopped for breakfast. My family remained in our Chevrolet Suburban while I went inside a Burger King to order our food. It was the first and only Burger King I had ever seen with a television inside, hanging on the wall above the counter. On that television, I saw the news coverage following the first plane striking one of the Twin Towers and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

I took our food to go and told my husband what had happened. As we continued south on Interstate 81, we found a radio station carrying live reports. We had chosen that route because it offered a scenic drive through the mountains, but the peaceful surroundings stood in stark contrast to what we were hearing from those going through this tragic time in New York.

Our daughters were only eight and three years old. The eyewitness interviews we were listening to were frightening and deeply upsetting, so we asked the girls to listen to their Walkmans while we followed the news reports on a few different radio stations. There was no social media at that time. At first, no one knew whether the crash had been a terrible accident or an attack on our country. However, when the second plane struck, the horrifying truth became clearer. 😞

As we drove, we stayed in contact with our family using our Nextel phones. I remember my mother pleading with us to avoid large cities in case other places besides Washington were being targeted, and we took her advice. Our loved ones were watching the tragedy unfold on national television, while my husband and I listened to the fear, cries, and disbelief in the voices of eyewitnesses being interviewed on the radio. Our hearts were breaking for everyone involved. At the same time, we felt profoundly relieved that we had chosen to head home instead of driving into Washington, D.C.

We eventually made it south of Atlanta and stopped for the night at a campground just west of Macon, as my husband recalls. It was sometime between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. when we set up our television and saw for ourselves what had happened. By then, fortunately for us, the coverage was no longer showing certain images, such as people jumping from the towers. Still, nothing could have prepared us for the images of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers and the buildings collapsing.

We tucked our girls into bed that night after shielding them from as much of the tragedy as we could. We thanked God that our family and friends were safe, but that gratitude was accompanied by guilt because so many other families had not been as fortunate. I remember praying intensely for everyone whose life had been forever changed that day.

We arrived home safely in Florida just as an unnamed tropical storm was affecting our area. It was a somber end to an unforgettable journey. Several relatives from my husband’s side of the family had planned to fly home on September 12, and we prayed that each of them would make it back safely. Thankfully, they all did.

Our family will always remember September 11, 2001, as a day of fear, heartbreak, prayer, and overwhelming gratitude. A simple decision prompted by rainy weather changed the course of our trip, and perhaps much more. We have never forgotten how blessed we were to return home together and all of the countless families who were not given that same blessing. 🙏🏼

09/01/2026

Enjoy our special September 2026 Edition of Leslie Wells celebrating her 50th Anniversary in Real Estate 👏🏼 🥂 🏘️ 🎉 🏡

Visit the post for more.

08/28/2026

🏡 New to the Market Today 🏡

Experience elevated lakefront living in this beautifully updated pool home, where organic modern style meets effortless Florida living.

✨ 3 bedrooms plus a versatile den
🛁 2 updated bathrooms
🏊 Custom private pool
🌅 Tranquil lake views
🍽️ Updated kitchen with natural gas range
🚪 Desirable split-bedroom floor plan
☀️ Solar energy
🌴 Covered lanai and fenced backyard
🚗 Two-car garage
🔐 Gated, amenity-rich community

Located on a quiet, low-traffic cul-de-sac, this home features luxury vinyl plank flooring, a fresh neutral palette, stylish lighting, and thoughtfully selected finishes throughout. The bright kitchen offers white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, subway tile backsplash, and a spacious island that opens to the main living area.

Step outside and enjoy your own private Florida retreat with a custom pool, covered lanai, upgraded lighting, enhanced landscaping, and picturesque lake views.

Community amenities include scenic walking trails, parks, a resort-style pool, fitness center, and beautifully maintained common areas.

Could this be your next home? Contact me for additional details or to schedule a private showing 🔑

https://us-east.prospects.com/prospects/m.do?tk=a5c225b214d004fd48365e70aa0efb38

Michele Blethen
REALTOR® | U.S. Navy Veteran
941-737-1245
Listed by Leslie Wells Realty, Inc.

08/15/2026

☀️☕️ Facebook asks, “What’s on your mind?”

Well, this morning, this is what’s on mine. 💭🏡

My broker asked a question this past week that really made me stop and think…

“Why would someone choose you?” 🤔🔑

It sounds like such a simple question. When you really think about it, it’s a pretty important one, especially when someone is trusting you to help with one of the biggest decisions they’ll make. 🏠❤️

So, I spent some time thinking about my own answer and what my background, my experiences, and everything I’ve learned along the way bring to the table as a REALTOR®. 🇺🇸⚓️ 🏥 🩺 📖 🏡🤝

Buying. Selling. Relocating. New construction.
🏘️📍⚒️

📆 💻 📈 There’s a lot that goes into helping someone get from “Where do I start?” to “Welcome home!” 📦 🥂

And it all came down to this…

If buying or selling is on your mind, I’d love the opportunity to sit down, hear what you’re hoping to accomplish, and see if I’m the right REALTOR® for you. 💬📲 😊 ⬇️