I just want to keep everyone informed of what is really happening in our little corner of the world, Cape Coral and Ft. Myers! This "dead" real estate market that everyone is telling you about, must have been kept secret from the agents in our office! Why? Well this week, a historically slow week, has been awesome. We processed 10 commission checks this week for 10 different agents! The largest of which was $27,000 and that was just for the buyers side! That is a pretty good year for a lot of agents and considering he is on a 95% split I know he is extremely happy, but he does those deals a few times a year! We also had 11 new contracts processed in the office this week! One "lucky agent" sold a $450,000 lot because he did floor time! Oh by the way he also picked up a listing from the s... 05/23/2008

It does not matter what you feel about the situation in Iraq, we must take time out this Memorial Day weekend to remember all of the men and woman who will not be spending this weekend at home with their families. We also need to remember all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to allow us all to live free! Not only those who gave their life in Iraq, but all those who have died over the years in the various wars and conflicts!  Here is a link that someone shared with me and I wanted to now share it with you: Enjoy and pass it on! Three soldiers wrote the song and put this together in their 'free time' over there. The Singer needs a Recording Contract when He comes Home!  http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm In your travels please remember to say thank you to a vet o... 05/22/2008

This is great news.  #1 it is a key evacuation route for Pine Island.  There is only one section left that is not 4 lanes.  It is preventing the regional mall concept from going further.  If all the stars align and the funding comes thru (years earlier than anticipated) we will be in fat city and closer to being the big city we are meant to be.  05/21/2008

Cape Coral Home Prices have gone through some downward changes over the past twelve months.  As consumers we want to know that we're getting the best deal and we're making a secure investment.  A common question consumers have been asking is "How Low Will They Go?"  Real Estate is a market that has ups and downs.  Just as we couldn't time the exact point at which prices were going to peak we're not going to be able to time the exact point when prices will stabilize. So what should we do as consumers with all of this information... We should look at the positive situation we are presently faced with.  Southwest Florida is filled with multitudes of property For Sale. The benefit is that you can pick the cream of the crop home that is exactly what you are seeking.  You have a wide variety ... 05/20/2008

      Joe Kendall, Realtor with Sandals Realty writes, When some people hear of bank owned properties in Florida, the first thing that comes to their minds are poor conditioned, stressed properties.  this is not always the case here in southwest Florida, Here in Lee County Florida there are several bank owned property that are brand new and have never been lived in ! Several of these homes where purchased within the last 3 years with the attention of the investor flipping and upgrades where purchases in the mind set of standing out in a crowd of thousands of investment property! Hundreds of these homes never sold and have been foreclosed on by the banks. Cape Coral Florida in the last 90 days has shown Bank short sales are selling at fair market value and the bank owned property is sell... 05/20/2008

So says the News-Press.  I observed 2 1/2 years after the real estate market started to dive the city and county are just now starting to react to what was happening all around them.  I've never understood why government is reactive and not proactive.  Why did they seem to turn a blind eye to the doubling and then tripling of taxes in a 2 year period and think this would not have an effect on real people.  This is basic economics 101.  If you hurt property owners that do not have the benefit of homestead  they are going to leave and find a friendlier place to live and own property. And leave they did and yet our government seems surprised. Now more people are losing their jobs at the city and county. I don't like anyone losing their job. But, local businesses have already cut employees,... 05/19/2008

Florida Future Realty Inc. has developed a plan to help you make a unique, educated and secure decision for your economic stimulus check. This is a one of a kind offer.  Double you economic stimulus check now up to $600!!!  That's the equivalent of you receiving $1,200!!! Florida Future Realty Inc. will match your economic stimulus check up to $600.00 when you purchase a residential property between now and August 31st 2008. For more information contact me today at (239) 340-1384 or stop by our office located at 2816 Del Prado Blvd S Unit 2 Cape Coral FL 33904. Search Residential Properties For Sale in Cape Coral FL Present this blog for redemption of this special economic stimulus offer. Scott Slocum, REALTOR®Florida Future Realty Inc.2816 Del Prado Blvd South, Unit 2Cape Coral FL, 339... 05/19/2008

    Want to invite everyone to a shake of a time.  I have joined and lost 11 pounds.  It is worth your time to take a look at this.  You meet new friends and gain alot of encouragement.      THE BIGGEST LOSER CHALLENGE Join Our Weight Loss Challenge for 12 weeks! $29.00 registration fee includes: Your own personal coach FREE metabolism test Weekly weigh ins 30 minute Nutrition class Group support and much, much more!! No specific weight loss program required (Shapeworks Program available) Men, women and children welcome.  May 21st - 2 sessions available 11am & 6:30pm You'll receive your registration packet, weigh in and measure. Check-in, either session, each Thurs. after that for 12 weeks * $ PRIZES $ awarded to the 1st & 2nd places. GRAB A FRIEND AND CALL - IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN! ... 05/19/2008

Well the office continued to be buzzing with buyer activity all week. We are still seeing out of state buyers on a daily basis. We even had  a walk in on Friday and even though the latest statistics say 93% of buyers are going to the internet first, we are still getting 2 or 3 walk ins a month! I am sure that is due to our highly visible and convenient location on Cape Coral Parkway! We are looking forward to another busy week and hopefully a busy Memorial Day Weekend! The news press our local paper reported that the median price for a home in Lee County is $212,500 which is a declining of 34% since December 2005! And as expected there were only 84 building permits applied for in April less than 25% of a year ago! There are still unbelievable deals on the market for first time home buye... 05/18/2008

  I could not believe the strength I had after drinking this water.  I just had to share this with all of you. My clients are buying this for their health and children are loving it. Guys give it a try!!   Perfect empowered drinking water.  Buy this water and it will change your way of working.  click on site below and check out these products.  www.luisito.mychoices.biz   A refreshing drinking water  a proprietary process that stabilizes oxygen in the water.Enjoy it daily and experience all the ways Perfect Empowered Drinking Water can quench your thirst. Twenty-four 16.9 fl. oz. bottles Perfect Empowered Drinking Water is a refreshing, smooth-tasting, premium drinking water infused with MBOTM, a proprietary process that stabilizes oxygen in the water. Each bottle of Perfect Empowered... 05/17/2008

Joe Kendall with Sandals Realty writes, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Florida Foreclosures, Bank Short Sale and Bank Owned Property come in all prices, sizes and Colors! The selection, variety and location has never been better! Now is the time to Buy your Dream Home, Your Vacation Home, or Your Florida Investment Opertunity. Call Joe Kendall, Realtor with Sandals Realty for a complete list of what you might be interested? Homes, Condos, New Construction, High Rise, Waterfront, Ocean Front, Gulf Access, Gated Communites, Golf Course Living, the list is endless!        2005 Built 3 bed 2 bath                    3900 sq. ft. Gulf Access                Cape Harbour Condo Cape Coral Florida                          Bank Short Sale. Must See!            Gulf Access Resort Style Livi... 05/16/2008

Greetings from SW FL! It's getting to a point where you can't ignore the headlines about SW FL in almost ever National media newspaper, TV, radio even NPR has done an investigative report on our housing market and the downward effect it has had on the local economy.  But when the headline fade from the public eye and buzz has quieted down my hometown is still one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Know what has been reported in the media, but what brought me to this area nearly 15 years ago is still just as true today as it was then. In fact when I first came to Lee County FL the nation was experiencing an "economic down turn" then as well. But back then we called it a recession, not an economic downturn; it seems to me we spin a lot of things today.  It's not a recession becau... 05/16/2008

The newspapers say there is "Blood in the Streets!" The evening news says,"It is a terrible market!" The 11 o'clock news says,"Foreclosures are at record numbers!"  There may be some truth to these,  but as someone who is on the front lines, we are busier than we have been in a few years! There are unbelievable deals down here in Cape Coral and Ft. Myers! Prices are down to where they were in 2002 and people who were priced out of the market just a few years ago, are now able to buy! The banks have tightened up the requirements for a mortgage, but we are writing contracts everyday for first time homebuyers as well as Baby Boomers! Just this week alone we had two properties with multiple offers, one home had 11 offers! Inventory although still at an all time high, is declining! The deals... 05/15/2008

  Here is the 24 hour report for activity in the Cape Coral Real Estate market according to the MLS. This information is provided directly from our local MLS. Please feel free to check back often for the most accurate and updated information available in the Cape Coral area for local real estate reports and statistics. For more free reports and Cape Coral Real Estate visit http://www.intelligentlisting.com/   New Listings 79   Back on Market 9   Price Increases 6   Price Reductions 112   Contingents 20   Pendings 37   Solds 21   Expireds 30   Inactives 11   SELLERS:  Visit my website http://www.colleenpearsall.com/ for a FREE over the net home evaluation. BUYERS:  Visit my website http://www.colleenpearsall.com/ to be the first to know about hot new listings!   Colleen Pearsall 239-458-... 05/15/2008

Today I celebrated another anniversary of the day I was born! I stopped celebrating B-Days a long time ago! My wife found it amusing to call and email everyone that I know and remind them, that today was my b-day! Because she was so thoughtful my phone started ringing at 7:45 this morning and it is now 10:00 PM and for the first time today I have been able to put my phone down for more than a few minutes! I am usually on the phone for 3 to 4 hours a day, so you can imagine what today was like! Quite a few times today I was asked,"Why are you working on your B-day?" I actually had to stop to ponder that question and I realized that I did not feel that I was working. Oh, I am not talking about all the calls I was answering from family, friends, fellow Realtors, clients and business associ... 05/13/2008

I have started to see a trend in our market that is very disturbing! There seems to be agents who are beginning to tell people, what they think they want to hear, instead of the truth! I am talking specifically about listings and pricing! There were always agents who would do anything to get a listing when the market was hot, but it seemed to have stopped as the market was declining! Recently we have seen an increase in this type of activity and I guess it is because we have had an increase in buying activity and these agents are looking for sign calls! These agents are misleading these home sellers by inaccurately pricing their homes and then locking them into a listing contract with penalties for early termination! This is wrong and very unethical to say the least! My experience has s... 05/12/2008

  Joe Kendall, Realtor with Sandals Realty writes. Here is an example of a home, I help one of my clients purchase! Listed for $128,000 offered $119,000 plus $10,000 toward the buyers closing costs and the Bank said, Drum Roll!  Yes! They will take the deal! No fancy charts or numbers for you to figure out, Just Old Fashion Service! Lets my years of experience work for you! It's not about how many listing's a Realtor has, or how many agents are on their team,  It's all about you and your home purchase! It's not about me, it's all about You!  Search Hundreds of Bank Short Sale Homes ! Visit www.joekendall.listingbook.com Sold 04/23/08 Listing # 200803557 1715 SW 3rd Ter Cape Coral, FL 33991-1383 Listing Price: $128,000   County: Lee       Property... 05/12/2008

It seems everywhere we look, someone is promoting a new diet that praises the power of protein. But whether you want to lose, gain, or maintain your current weight, the importance of protein goes far beyond physical appearance and muscle building. A necessity for every body Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It is an organic compound, composed of 22 amino acids, otherwise known as the building blocks of life. Protein is stored in muscles and organs and the body utilizes it to build and repair tissues, as well as for the production of enzymes and hormones. Proteins also make it possible for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a "macronutrient," meaning the body needs relatively large amounts of it. The Institut... 05/09/2008

I wanted to share some surprising figures with you to shed light on our real estate market. Many buyers still remain on the fence about pulling the trigger. I urge you to read this email - we are down to inventory levels of 9 months. Most of the offers I am placing are up against multiple offers and my buyers have been beaten out of many homes because they have either low balled the offer or did not get in quickly enough. The investors are back and are blowing through our inventory.Interest rates are going to rise in the months to come and lenders are tightening their guidelines - do not miss your opportunity. I have personally closed over 30 transactions this year and the time to buy is NOW. We had a 1% price increase last month and all indications are showing that now is the time to b... 05/08/2008

Cape Coral Real Estate | Riverfront Homes Under 1 MillionCape Coral riverfront homes can now be purchased for under 1 million dollars. These prices were unheard of until recently. The Caloosahatchee river is the separator of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. The river goes out to the Gulf of Mexico. The views are just amazing from the river in Cape Coral. Riverfont under 1milCape Coral - Cape CoralAddress: Read MoreEdith EsplanadeCape Coral, FL 33904Price: $899,900Photo 1 of 9 See MoreMLS ID: 200823402Property Type: Single Family HomeStatus: ActiveBeds: 3     Baths: 2     Sq Ft: 2237Agent Remarks:Don't let the age fool you on this updated pool home located on the Caloosahatchee River in Cape Coral. Home features updated kitchen with granite counters, new carpet, newer roof, hurricane shutter, ... 05/07/2008