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Manatee County Home Buyer's Guide
Manatee County sits just north of Sarasota County and includes Bradenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch and growing areas like Parrish and Ellenton. This guide walks through the basic steps for buying a home here.
1. Get your financing in order
Talk with a lender before you shop. A pre-approval shows sellers you are ready and tells you what monthly payment fits, including taxes, insurance and any HOA fees.
2. Pick the areas that fit your life
- Bradenton: a range of older neighborhoods, riverfront areas and newer subdivisions.
- Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key: island living with Gulf beaches.
- Lakewood Ranch: a master-planned community spanning Manatee and Sarasota counties.
- Parrish, Ellenton and Palmetto: communities north of the Manatee River, including newer construction.
3. Ask about insurance and flood risk early
In coastal Florida, insurance can change the true cost of a home. Check the flood zone, ask about the roof age and get quotes before you make an offer. Older homes may need a four-point inspection, and a wind-mitigation report can affect premiums.
4. Review community rules
Many Manatee County neighborhoods have HOAs or CDD (community development district) assessments. Read the documents and include those costs in your budget.
5. Inspect, close and file for homestead
Schedule a professional inspection during your inspection period. If the home will be your primary residence, look into Florida's homestead exemption through the Manatee County Property Appraiser after you close.
Ready to look at homes in Manatee County? Call 941-315-2727.
Michael Petrone, MBA
Mirabelle SRQ, brokered by eXp Realty
Office: 941-315-2727 | MirabelleSRQ.com
This article is general information, not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Market conditions change; contact us for current details.
Meet Michael Petrone, MBA
REALTOR® and Sales Associate with eXp Realty, LLC, serving buyers, sellers and investors in Sarasota and along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
A considered approach to Sarasota real estate.
Mirabelle SRQ is the real estate practice of Michael Petrone, MBA, REALTOR®, a Sales Associate with eXp Realty, LLC. Mike has spent more than 30 years in real estate, and what sets him apart is how he thinks about value: he is also a Florida State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, with over 30 years and 5,000+ valuation assignments behind his read of the Southwest Florida market.
For his clients, that background means pricing grounded in evidence. Whether he is helping a seller set a list price, a buyer judge an offer or an investor weigh an acquisition, Mike brings an appraiser’s discipline to comparable sales, income and condition — because in this market, pricing is key.
His practice spans luxury and residential homes, commercial property and investment real estate, including bank-owned (REO) and short-sale transactions. Over his career he has invested in and owned property, rehabbed single-family homes, managed rentals and worked through REO, short-sale and probate matters — experience that helps him anticipate the details that can make or break a closing. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and a B.S. in Business Finance from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys time with his family in Florida, along with tennis, golf, travel and SCUBA diving.
- Brokerage
- eXp Realty, LLC
- Role
- REALTOR®, Sales Associate
- Florida License
- Sales Associate SL3338293
- Years in Real Estate
- 30+ (since 1992)
- Property Valuations
- 10,000+ property valuations completed
- Designations & Certifications
- MRP — see all
- Professional Memberships
- National Association of REALTORS®; REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM)
- Areas Served
- Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte counties, including Sarasota and Venice
- Languages
- English
Education, designations and training
Education
- MBA, FinanceSimon Business School, University of Rochester
- B.S., Business FinanceRochester Institute of Technology
NAR Designations & Certifications
- Military Relocation Professional (MRP)National Association of REALTORS®, 2026
Specialist Certifications
- Residential Real Estate Probate Specialist CertificationResidential Real Estate Council, 2024
- REO Certification (REO Specialist)Corcoran Coaching, LLC
- Florida State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, RZ3609Florida DBPR — background in property valuation
Selected Training
- Florida Military Specialist courseFlorida Realtors®, 2026
- GRI 201 — Personal Promotion, Sales & MarketingFlorida Realtors®, 2026
- Buying & Selling Waterfront Property, Parts 1–2Florida Realtors® / RASM, 2026
Michael Petrone, MBA is a Florida State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser (RZ3609). Appraisal services are not offered through eXp Realty, LLC. Pricing guidance provided in his capacity as a real estate sales associate is a comparative market analysis, not an appraisal.
Senior-level attention, start to finish
I work with a small number of clients at a time, so each engagement receives focused attention from first conversation to closing.
Candid Advice
Straightforward perspective on pricing, value and trade-offs — even when it isn’t what you expected to hear.
Meticulous Preparation
Careful research and attention to the details, deadlines and documents that protect your interests.
A Calm, Private Process
Clear communication, discretion and steady guidance from first conversation to closing.
Let’s talk about your next move.
Whether you’re buying, selling or investing, I’m glad to help — no obligation.
EXPLORE
CONTACT
2875 Ashton Rd, Unit 22051, Sarasota, FL 34276
© Copyright 2026. Mirabelle SRQ. All Rights Reserved.
Mirabelle SRQ is a real estate brand of Michael Petrone, MBA, REALTOR®, Sales Associate, affiliated with eXp Realty, LLC, a licensed Florida real estate brokerage. Mirabelle SRQ is not a real estate brokerage. eXp Realty, LLC | Equal Housing Opportunity. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.