Today my son and I spent about 2 hours within the trails of the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve right here in Cape Coral, Florida.  Located just south of the Midpoint bridge, right on the Caloosahatchee River. We both brought our cameras so I hope you enjoy our photos. I'm going to showcase my son's photos first! Did I tell you he is only 5 years old? Ok, so I took some photos as well to share with you of Cape Coral Park and Recreation's Four Mile Cove Ecological Park:           So that's it. Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is located in Cape Coral just north of the Midpoint Bridge. It is a 365 acre preserve with wildlife and plants. You can buy native plants there, rent kayaks and walk through the trails. FREE Admission. Open year round. Kayaks and plant sales are seasonal. Call... 07/20/2008

I departed Southwest Florida International Airport yesterday morning with a temperature of 88°.  I boarded a flight to Newark, New Jersey,and when we landed in Newark, the pilot said the temperature is 92°!  So much for escaping the Southwest Florida heat for a week or so! I am on the monthly training run again, with stops in Watchung, New Jersey, Northfield, New Jersey, and possibly Baltimore, Maryland. This trip however is a combination of both business and pleasure.  Having grown up in the Bronx for the first 20 years of my life, I had many opportunities to attend baseball games  at Yankee Stadium!  Having been raised by a Brooklyn dodger fan, I did not have the option of becoming Yankee fan like most of my friends!  So when the New York Mets came into the National League in 1962, my... 07/18/2008

  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 95   Back on Market 16   Price Increases 12   Price Reductions 101   Contingents 14   Pendings 66   Solds 38   Expireds 37   Inactives 21     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 239-45... 07/17/2008

Something is going on In Cape Coral, Florida. Sales are up dramatically and are matching 2006 for 2008. Why is that? You can buy affordablea Cape Coral GULF ACCESS homes for under $230,000. Did you hear this right? Yes, you did. The following homes are not all turn key but they have more then potential to make a great new home. I will not tell you stories. These homes may need some upgrading. Yes, they do.Still they caught my eyes because they are Cape Coral waterfront homes, are in a good area and are decent looking.In fact with a bit of upgrading they could be very attractive homes. They are the kind of homes investors or buyers who are looking for a deal.Don't except granite counter tops. But you will be surprised. These are solid good homes. They are just sound deals in Cape Coral:m... 07/15/2008

The rainy season has really kicked in down here in beautiful Cape Coral and it actually rained all day today! We have had our share of rain this year and I am sure the water levels are starting to rise!  Anyway, here is a little story I read about two friends from Cape Coral! I hope you enjoy it! Bill and Sam, two elderly friends, met in the park every day to feed the birds, watch the squirrels and discuss world problems. One day Bill didn't show up. Sam wasn't concerned; he thought Bill might have a cold or some urgent appointment. But after Bill hadn't shown up for a week or so, Sam really got worried. However, since Sam didn't know where Bill lived (the only time they ever got together was at the park) he was unable to find out what had happened to him. After a month had passed, Sam ... 07/15/2008

There is something happening in the Cape   SFR sales are doing great. These sales are golden; these people will not regret their purchase. Here are the numbers; judge for yourself    01/01/08 thru 7/14/2008 SFR SOLD   2008 Sold: 1891 AVG $214,833  2007 Sold: 1189 AVG  $307,557  2006 Sold: 1804 AVG  $331,875  2005 Sold: 2336  AVG $336,146  2004 Sold: 1748  AVG $234,037  2003 Sold: 1236 AVG  $200,014  2002 Sold: 806   AVG  $182,468  2001 Sold: 638  AVG   $162,114  2000 Sold: 576  AVG  $142,486     In June 59 percent of the Cape Coral SFR sales were conveyed by a Corporation. The vast majority of those being banks. Rents are starting to creep up. It's not all bad out there. There is a market to do business in, If you choose to find it.    search the MLS for free, like a pro click here -- w... 07/15/2008

  Joe Kendall,Realtor with Sandals Realty Waterfront and Fforeclosure Sspecialist phone 239-560-0726 email joek4realestate@aol.com writes, Cape Coral Florida a waterfront community features several city parks and public boat ramps to enjoy the great outdoors by land or on the water. You do not have to own a waterfront property to take advantage of our waterfront Paradise! If you are thinking about relocating to Florida? You should take a look at the waterfront community of Cape Coral Florida.       The Cape Coral Yacht Club Boat Ramp (pictured above ) and the Horton Boat Ramp have a machine that takes $1.00 and $5.00$ bills and print a ticket to leave on the dash of your car the cost is $5.00 per day (24 hours ) for boat trailer parking while they are out of the water. The BMX Boat Ramp... 07/13/2008

    Intersecting canal view, just off the "Dolphin Canal " Located in south east section of Cape Coral Florida Joe Kendall,Realtor with Sandals Realty waterfront and foreclosure specialist, phone 239-560-0726 or email at jok4realestate@aol.com writes you always here the term location,location, location when buying real estate. If you are looking to Buy a Home on the waterfront in Cape Coral Florida? The word "location " takes on an even more importance toward you enjoying your boating experience as well, here in southwest Florida! Knowing the boating distances, water depth and knowledge of the canal system is a key in buying a home and enjoying your boating experience as much as your new home. Cape Coral has 300 miles of gulf access canals that lead to the open waterBoating distance to ... 07/13/2008

Many property owners in the Cape Coral FL area are having REALTORS® sell their homes as a "Short Sale."  A Short Sale is where a property owner sells the property for less than what is owed on the 1st and sometimes 2nd mortgage. With the change in real estate pricing over the past two years many property owners are finding they can no longer continue to hold these properties that they purchased a few years back because they are creating financial hardships on their families and themselves. If you are in financial distress and have thought about selling you home as a Short Sale to avoid foreclosure, follow this link for assistance.  Florida Future Realty Inc can help you and your family.  We are a proven leader in our community when it comes to listing, negotiating, and closing short sal... 07/11/2008

 Short Sale Experts Vadala Realty : Call 239-898-2120    We Can Help: Guaranteed. Free Consultation.                                                      We Specialize in Short Sales & Lender Negotiations.   What is a Short Sale? In real estate, a short sale is when a bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance due to an economic hardship on the part of the mortgagor. The home owner/debtor sells the mortgaged property for less than the outstanding balance of the loan, and turns over the proceeds of the sale to the lender in full satisfaction of the debt. In such instances, the lender would have the right to approve or disapprove of a proposed sale. Extenuating circumstances influence whether or not banks will discount a loan balance. These circumstances are usually related... 07/11/2008

F.Y.I - Dry lots in Cape Coral are selling for $10-$13K; Freshwater Lots are selling under $20K; Gulf Access Lots are listing as low as $50K-$60K.  Cape Coral homes off water are selling all day long under $100K; Gulf Access Homes are Listing as low as the high $100's to the low $200's.  If you or if you know of anyone that would be interested in the SW Florida Area please contact me.  Scott, 07/09/2008

I just received this from my clients and I wanted to share it with everybody on Active Rain. My wife just left for Las Vegas, and for now I am the man of my house -while she's gone.  She will be back on Friday and things will be back to normal in Cape Coral! Of course I'm just kidding, Patti!  Has anybody read this book? The husband had just finished reading a new book entitled, 'You Can Be the Man of Your House.'He stormed to his wife in the kitchen and announced, 'From now on, you need to know that I am the man of this house and my word is law. You will prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm finished eating my meal, you will serve me a sumptuous dessert. After dinner, you are going to go upstairs with me and we will have the kind of sex that I want.Afterwards, you are going t... 07/08/2008

  Here is an example of hundreds of freshwater homes located in Cape Coral Florida for sale. This is a 2006 built 3 Bed 2 bath including a den with a swimming pool located on a freshwater lot. This home is being offered for sale and is currently in the Pre-Foreclosure, Bank Short Sale process in which the home owner and the Bank are waiting for offers! The asking price is $197,000 subject to 3rd party bank approval Search hundreds of waterfront foreclosures with access to the local mls service thru my name. I offer all my clients a free account by signing up and creating a password. Click here on my name to get started! Joe Kendall Realtor Sandals Realty             07/08/2008

  Currently there are over 100 homes within the foreclosure / Bank Short Sale process under $100,000 dollars listed for sale in our local Mls Listing Service. These homes are located in Cape Coral Florida, they have been built from 2005 to 2007 many have upgraded cabinets, some may even have a swimming pool. Now is the time to Buy Florida! I provide all my Clients looking to purchase a home here in southwest Florida, access to the local Mls service thru my name. This service is free all you have to do is set-up your very own account with a password you create. Where in the united States can you buy a home built within the last 3 years for under $100,000 with lot included? Real estate investors should take notice! Anyone that has looked for a vacation home in Florida should consider buyi... 07/07/2008

Short Sales  The new fad of Real Estate.  Many agents find them necessary to bail there sinking clients out of a bad situation.   On the other hand many agents run for the hills at the shear mention of a short sale.  So how do you handle a market laden with them?  No two short sales are alike, therefore each must be researched, and negotiated on an individual basis.  I tell my buyers to think of each short sale as it's own personality.  Each with it's own set of character flaws.   When it comes to listing short sales it is imperative to research not only how much is owed on the property in relation to the true current value of the market but also just how many liens are on the property.  If the seller is seriously upside down and have used the home as an ATM machine at some point......I... 07/06/2008

Today we were a sponsor at the Red, White and Boom here in Cape Coral, Florida. First of all, let me say that this year's event was SOOO Much better than last years. Well besides the flash rain we had. We were able to meet so many new people today. It was a lot of fun. We had candy for the kids, fans for everyone and we even had a raffle for a digital camera - we'll be choosing a winner on Monday! We had some people stop in and ask us about short sales and foreclosures. We also had some people stop by to ask for help in finding a great deal as well. The fans were a HUGE hit. Especially BEFORE the rain. We'll have to bring these to the next outside event we sponsor for sure. In the summer in Florida it is not unusual to be a muggy 90-95 degrees. Fans are a great thing to have :) If you w... 07/04/2008

Boy oh boy....am I excited to see this happening...and "no money down" sounds fishy....lil bit! HOWEVER...NOW .... HERE in Cape Coral...I just put up a rental listing for a 3/2.   It's got large bed rooms, but a cramped kitchen, no pool, and no enclosed porch area.   It's $1000 a month.      I've got folks BUYING 3/2's with pools and granite counter tops for 120k preapproved going thru FHA with thier payments at 716 a month + 48.50 for Mortgage Insurance....NO MONEY DOWN using a gifting program/seller contribution!   With taxes and insurance around 200 a month, they're still spending LESS than they would if they paid $1000 in rent! Its not always the case everytime, there are 3/2s for rent for 800 dollars, but not with pools!! You have a job and decent credit, maybe a car note or credit... 07/03/2008

I just wanted to take a few minutes to wish all of our agents, clients, associates and friends a happy and safe 4th of July weekend! I am sure many of you will be at the Cape Coral, Red, White and BOOM extravaganza and I will try to get some pictures to share with those of you who won't be lucky enough to see it! Enjoy the weekend, whatever you are doing and please just take a short moment or so to reflect and to remember all of those who have made the sacrifice for us so we can live in the greatest country in the world! Sure we have some challenges ahead as a country, but I know one thing for sure we will make the right choices, so we all can live together as a free nation! Enjoy your weekend and "God Bless America!" Mike Kelly, Broker/Owner, Sellstate Advantage Realty, Cape Coral, Flo... 07/03/2008

Living in Cape Coral, Florida and having most of my family up north I get a lot of emails from them daily! I guess it is how we communicate in today's world! Many of them are funny and I share them with everyone from time to time. Others are hysterical but not suitable for this forum! This one however I must share! I do not know who to credit with putting this together but thank you whoever you are!! I am sure they will not mind that I shared it with you! What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . Slow down for three minutes to read this.  It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes. A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined . See what you... 07/02/2008

    I provide a free consultation to home owners in southwest Florida. (Cape Coral, Fort Myers , Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs and Sanibel Island) Helping people avoid loosing their home to foreclosure. I will listen to your situation, I will discuss in detail your options, suggest who you may want to talk to and explain in detail the short sale process from what discussions you may what to have with your lender for getting approved for a short sale. I will explain the requirements your lenders may request from you for a short sale, and explain the process from start to finish. I have written a lot of information over the past year regarding Foreclosures and Short Sales on my real estate blog, I understand it is not an easy thing to discuss, but not putting it off for another day waiting... 07/02/2008