Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty writes, I get lots of phone calls from people thinking about doing a short sale and asking questions? Like, What is a short sale? Will the bank really work with me?  Well without getting to in depth I just want to briefly go over what is in a bank package of requirements. I can not speak for every bank and they all are a little bit different , but I would like to give you the most common documents that are request from the home owner by the banks.Hardship letter,  Explanation of the owner hardship requesting for assistance, Supporting Documentation, any letter, or form to support a hardship Financial Statement, Form is sent to you from the bank to be signed and dated. Federal Income tax returns, Copy of the last two years with W-2"s Bank State... 01/31/2008

I am wandering if anyone else feels that since the governments are going to have to redo their budgets, the fire departments, police officers, etc will band together to try increase the millage rate?  We just passed Amendment 1 which will make our SOH portable, keeps the 3% rise on homestead assessed property values, and will double our homestead exemption.  For example lets say your home is worth $200,000.00.  According to the lee county property appraiser office estimated taxes will be 3121.00 for non-homesteaded property.  Lets say the market goes up next year and your property now is assessed at 206,000.00.  you will now pay 3215.00 a savings of 94.00.  this estimate was found using the current millage rate of 17.3401.  Now lets see what would happen if the millage rate goes up to 1... 01/31/2008

I am wandering if anyone else feels that since the governments are going to have to redo their budgets, the fire departments, police officers, etc will band together to try increase the millage rate?  We just passed Amendment 1 which will make our SOH portable, keeps the 3% rise on homestead assessed property values, and will double our homestead exemption.  For example lets say your home is worth $200,000.00.  According to the lee county property appraiser office estimated taxes will be 3121.00 for non-homesteaded property.  Lets say the market goes up next year and your property now is assessed at 206,000.00.  you will now pay 3215.00 a savings of 94.00.  this estimate was found using the current millage rate of 17.3401.  Now lets see what would happen if the millage rate goes up to 1... 01/31/2008

       Florida Foreclosure Property, This one located in Cape Coral Florida. This home is a Gulf Access waterfront pool home goes pending after 14 contract offers where made on this home! Who says there are no Home Buyers? And Yes there are Home that are selling and Some people are getting some unbelievable Deals! Now is the time to buy your waterfront home in Southwest Florida. Search hundreds of homes from My Web site www.ViewSwFlorida.com   Search hundreds of waterfront homes from My web site www.JoeSellsCapeCoral.com Sign up for a free Home Buyers Account for access to the local MLS service visit www.Joekendall.listingbook.com     Pending 01/24/08Listing # 2008043195218 Tamiami Ct Cape Coral, FL 33904-5844Listing Price: $230,000County: Lee Prop TypeResidentialProp Subtype(s)Single F... 01/30/2008

There is a lot of confusion out there about short sales in our current market - and I'm sure many other markets as well.To clear things up some, I'm going to share a personal experience. In the past week, I've had 3 of our short sale listings close. All three of these short sales were single family homes in Cape Coral, Florida.Yes, they all took just over 100 dom (days on market) start to finish but that is not bad considering how long a short sale can take.  Many 'normal' sales take longer than that.Two of the listings actually would have closed much sooner, but one previous cash buyer, ended up not having cash when it came down to closing day - that wasted some time. And another listing was a similar situation, previous cash buyer *disappeared*  - yep their agent couldn't find them an... 01/29/2008

I just can't believe what the Cape Coral Real Estate Market is doing.  When you do a home search 70 percent of what comes up are short sales.  A short sale is when the Seller is selling the home for less than they owe on the property.  Trying to sell the short sale properties is very difficult because the banks are unresponsive.  They have become inundated with these properties and it is pretty evident they are swamped and in some cased have no clue as to what they are doing.When you write an offer on a short sale it can take the banks weeks or months to respond to the offer.  Most Buyers do not want to write an offer on a home and then wait weeks or months to find out if the banks will accept the offer.  As a result of this many Agents are not showing short sale properties.  What is le... 01/29/2008

Fund established, funeral set (12:37 p.m.)A fund has been established for the young daughter of Christine Lozier-Dunn, who was killed Friday afternoon at Bobbie Noonan's Child Care in Cape Coral, allegedly at the hands of her estranged husband. The girl, 2, is the daughter of both the victim and the suspect, Robert Dunn, 44, and was said to have been inside the school at the time her mother was killed. Donations can be made at any Wachovia bank location. A bank representative said Tuesday the fund had not been given a name, so those wishing to donate should simply tell the clerk they want to donate to Lozier-Dunn's daughter's fund. Funeral arrangements for Dunn, a teacher for eight years at the center, have been made. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fuller-Cape Coral... 01/29/2008

       Cape Coral Florida Bank Pre-Foreclosure Short Sale Closings  Last 30days.  Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty writes, here are the last 30 days short aking deals!sale closing in Cape Coral. Now is the time to buy! Banks are ready to deal!  Search hundreds of homes on line visit www.JoeSellsCapeCoral.com   Free Home Buyers Account Visit www.JoeKendall.Listingbook.com  Property Type  Residential    Property Subtypes  High Rise (8+), Low Rise (1-3), Mid Rise (4-7), Single Family, Townhouse, Villa Attch/Half Dup   City  Cape Coral Status  Sold (12/29/2007 to 1/29/2008) Short Sale  YesListings as of 01/29/08 at 8:36amProperty Type: ResidentialStatusDOM  StatusDateListing#PriceAddressCityGEO Area  BD  BALot SizeLiving AreaSold160  01/18/08200744741142,000 1055 SE 43rd StCape Coral... 01/27/2008

  Cape Coral Florida Bank Foreclosure Short Sales Lee County Florida. Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty writes: One of the most often questions I receive about bank short sales, People always ask, when is it the right time to make an offer to the bank on a short sale? Well I always say every deal is different, but on an average the home owner must be at least 4 months behind in the mortgage payments.  The owner must write a hardship letter explaining what has happen in their recent life that reflects the fact they no longer can afford their current home. The bank will require the seller to present the bank with several documents ( last two weeks pay stubs, last year tax return, current bank statements to name a few ) supporting the fact they can no longer afford the current home. ... 01/27/2008

Lee County home sales ended a horrible year with a sharp two-month drop in prices, according to a report Thursday by the Florida Association of Realtors.Nationally, the news was grim as well: The median price of an existing single-family home fell 1.8 percent - the first year there's been a drop since the Great Depression of the 1930s.For single-family homes in Lee County, the median price in December was $215,200, down 18 percent from $263,700 a year earlier and 10 percent off October's $239,300. November's numbers weren't available.The year 2007 showed a median price of $257,000, off 6 percent from $273,600 in 2006."I've seen in the last couple of months some pretty big price declines," said Brett Ellis, an agent with Remax Realty Group. "A lot of sellers are getting caught unaware of... 01/25/2008

You are friendly, kind and caringSensitive, loyal and understandingHumorous, fun, secure and trueAlways there... yes that's you.Special, accepting, exciting and wiseTruthful and helpful, with honest blue eyesConfiding, forgiving, cheerful and brightYes that's you... not one bit of spite.You're one of a kind, different from othersGenerous, charming, but not one that smothersOptimistic, thoughtful, happy and gameBut not just another... in the long chain.Appreciative, warm and precious like goldOur friendship won't tarnish or ever grow oldYou'll always be there, I know that is trueI'll always be here... always for you. 01/25/2008

Friends Make it a Better PlaceA friend is someone we turn towhen our spirits need a lift.A friend is someone we treasurefor our friendship is a gift.A friend is someone who fills our liveswith beauty, joy, and grace.And makes the whole world we live ina better and happier place.   01/25/2008

I am so close to being out of debt,  Just a few more investments, credit score is up there, I am just tickled pink and happy for myself.  I just had to tell the whole AR members.  I am sad for all the people who are struggling in this market, I know it takes one bad mistake or one bad decision to make things go wrong. I believe we are all realizing we can not be slaves to our creditors, we work harder just to pay bills and interest.I cannot tell you what to do but I know how important it is to not spend money you do not have.  If I have to use a credit card, I have one card with a great rate of 1.9% on purchases for 9 months.  I use it carefully and then put the money in a money market savings to earn 5% interest and then I will pay it off at the end of 9months.  How did I get this, wel... 01/25/2008

A lawyer is questioning a doctor on whether or not he took the proper steps befor signing a deceased client's death certificate..." Did you check the man's pulse?" asked the lawyer." No." said the doctor" Did you check for any other signs that might indicate my client might still be alive?"" No." said the doctor." So you admit that you did not follow the proper steps befor signing the death certificate."" Well," the doctor explained," I'll put it to you this way. The man's brain was in a jar on my desk, but for all we know he could be out practicing law somewhere." A lawyer opened the door of his BMW, when suddenly a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely. When the police arrived at the scene, the lawyer was hopping up and down with rage, complaining bitterly about t... 01/24/2008

Naples Florida Activities and Attractions Babcock Wilderness Adventures If you wish to experience the thrill of meeting panthers, bison, birds, and dozens of wild alligators face to face, then this tour is a must Bird Watching View pictures of birds found in the Everglades and 10,000 Islands, such as Osprey, Blue Heron, & Roseate Spoonbill Camping Information on how to obtain FREE camping permits, and pictures of campsites Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens Rediscover natural fun in the heart of Naples. Explore this nationally accredited zoo with animals from alligators to zebras blended into a historic botanical garden - two attractions in one! See Tiger Forest, Panther Glade, and African Oasis. Enjoy exciting wildlife presentations all day and a cruise past islands of monkeys. Golf For 1... 01/24/2008

Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. The first thing he said was, "Don't.""Don't what?" Adam replied."Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said."Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey, Eve...we have forbidden fruit!""No way!""Yes, way!""Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God."Why?""Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering why he stopped creation after making the elephants.A few minutes later, God saw his children having an apple break and he was ticked! "Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God, as our first parent, asked."Uh huh," Adam replied."Then why did you?" said the Father."I don't know," sa... 01/24/2008

This is a test for all you couples.  Pick a topic and ask your partner a question.  Find out how well you know each other.  Do you like the same or are you totally different.  Here are a few sample questions:  Run with the idea and lets add more questions and answers from all of you AR. Personality, Feelings & Emotions   -  How would you describe yourself?  What bothers you most?  Favorites   -  What is your favorite car?   What is your favorite subject in school?   Pets -   How many pets do you have or want?       Do you love animanls?Attractions    What color hair and eyes do you perfer?   Do want to follow or lead the pack?  Strong or weak?Health, Food & Well Being -  Do you like to work out or do you like to play sports? Vacations -- Where would you go if you had no limit?Morals, Co... 01/21/2008

Be prepared for Valentine's this year.  Here are a few love songs you should take advantage of them and use them this year for Valentine's  Learn the song and get a bonus.I will always love you A Natural Woman - Carole KingA Whole New World - from AladdinAchy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus Again - Janet Jackson Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now) - Phil Collins Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana RossAll By Myself - Celine Dion All I Ask of You - from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd WebberAll I Have To Do Is Dream - Roy Orbison / Everly Brothers  All For Love - Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart  All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You - Heart All My Life - KC and JoJoAll of Me - Louis Armstrong All of My Life (It Might Be You) - Stephen Bishop All Out of Love - Air SupplyAll R... 01/21/2008

Comebacks to Pickup Lines   Man: Haven't I seen you someplace before?Woman: Yes, that's why I don't go there anymore. Man: Is this seat empty?Woman: Yes, and this one will be if you sit down. Man: Your place or mine?Woman: Both. You go to yours, and I'll go to mine. Man: So, what do you do for a living?Woman: I'm a female impersonator. Man: Hey baby, what's your sign?Woman: Do not enter. Man: How do you like your eggs in the morning?Woman: Unfertilized. Man: Your body is like a temple.Woman: Sorry, there are no services today. Man: I would go to the end of the world for you.Woman: But would you stay there? Man: If I could see you naked, I'd die happy.Woman: If I saw you naked, I'd probably die laughing. 01/21/2008

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the nameof St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint  is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christianand ancient Roman tradition.So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single me... 01/21/2008