KNOCK - KNOCK -You Need to See the Signs Having a background in the investment banking business has given me some insight into viewing some similarities to the current real estate market. I can remember during the "Jimmy Carter Era" when I was selling municipal-bonds and the interest rate was at record rates, some as high as 12 - 16% tax free. I remember people saying, "I don't think we are at the top yet!" I would always ask do you not feel that a 12-16% return tax free is a good rate. So the truth of the story is that some people missed an opportunity to own good bonds that produced a great tax free return because they thought the rate would rise and thought they could pick the perfect time to buy tax free bonds. Let me ask you what I used to ask them, how much more do you have to see... 01/05/2007

December showing numbners are out for the RE/MAX office in Fort Myers, Florida.  December numbers were actually very strong considering showings decrease a few weeks before Christmas.RE/MAX Showing Index SW Florida can be found here along with October and November showing statistics. 01/03/2007

Since being a kid I was always curious to find out why people chose a profession and not another. You have had these mature classmates in high school who had always known they would be doctors. I had no idea. A friend of mine, Daniel, knew at the age of 13 that he would be a doctor.He sounded goofy but when he had to he would always get A's in science and math.At that point I didn't know if I was going to stay in France, being raised there, or go to college in the USA.I thought at one point to make it a go in tennis, got ranked , but when a friend of mine came back from some training in Winbledon for talented kids,beat me without trying very hard I knew I was good but not good enough.    Paris was an exciting city, it is a Moveable Feast. One could enjoy the slower pace of the europeen ... 12/28/2006

Hello AR members! I wanted to tell a bit about Joan B, Lindauer, Home Loan Consultant for Countrywide. A short while ago I invited Joan to join AR. Since she has arrived and because she has been busy she just put in a basic profile. I know where her office is because Her office is also at the same Real Estate company I work for.  I had met Joan at some party which celebrated the opening of our second office we now have in Cape Coral.Joan had now a plush office and was doing some promotion for her business with each of us getting an appraisal coupon discount of $300 for our next buyer.Outside the new office, boss Jack Solloway, owner of Real Estate Network Services had set up a tent with kharoki for agents, family members, clients and guests.My wife was singing The Wall by Pink Floyd and... 12/28/2006

With all the experience that we are acquiring while staging homes ourselves, and the strong amount of knowledge exchanged at Active Rain or with the help of a  consultant, shouldn't we use all of this knowlege when representing a buyer?Many of us work with buyers who are either relocating or investing from afar. While presenting these potential properties to your clients, we can also use the technique of reverse staging. You may still look at all the details and flaws(after, of course, you emphasize the pluses of the home), therefore providing an objective description. In the case of  a family who wishes a prime location but is limited by income and budget, conducting a reverse staging will inform your client as to what is expected to be fixed and for roughly how much, and this will sol... 12/27/2006

We have heard many times our friends in Canada complaning about their taxes on US soil. This is a dicey situation  as if a Canadian does not return to his country within 160 days they may just cut off their cherished health care. Germans for example are a big part of the growth in Lee County and in Cape Coral alone they add over $200 millions a year in business. Mexicans, specially Argentinians, Venezuelians are buying more then ever and are not to be denied.England and Holland are at the top of countries who invest the most in the USA in Real Estate. Ireland with its new found success since joining the Europeen Common Market has become the top or near top country in Europe for growth, unemployement and overall increase in GNP. India as we have seen is a center for high tech ( though ta... 12/20/2006

Sometimes when I try to mix pleasure with work I wonder around the area of Ft Myers also known as the Historic district, and drive not only with a client or two in my mind, but am taken by the Old Florida area of Mac Gregor and take another look at these South West FLoridian Victorian homes where Edison and Ford used to reside in the winter months side by side. The homes where build in 1916 and still have their original furniture"   Edison & Ford Homes. I bought with me a couple of addresses of homes of interest for one of these clients and was surprised by the willingness of the present owners to have kept this Old Florida charm as it was but restored and modernized.Under is an example of a home which caught my eye and is for sale for $449,000 with over 1800 square feet with its orgina... 12/19/2006

Flipper Leaves Florida No it's not the dolphin, it's the property flippers, those investors hoping to turn a quick profit on the buying and turn around sale of real estate.  Speculators in the past often realized huge profits in a very short time during the hot market 12-18 months ago.  The stabilization of the current real estate market in Southwest Florida is not good water for those hoping to cash in on a quick profit. It is however a great time for those people buying for the right reason.  If you plan on holding your investment 3-5 years, real estate remains one of your best investment opportunities.  With the current inventory levels there is a huge pool of homes and buyers are in a great position at the bargaining table. As these inventories are reduced the ability to negotiate a... 12/18/2006

Great investment property. New roof in 2005. Tile throughout. Long term Tenant occupied-rented month to month of $600 a month. Low maintenance house for a great price. Your price only $60,000 - Pics and More here - http://www.buyahousefromray.com/1787henderson  Ray HigdonRLH Holdingshttp://www.buyahousefromray.com 12/17/2006

Three rental income houses on half acre (2 parcels). Fully rented Rental income of $2350 a month. Owners willing to hold a small second or open to creative offers. 133 is a 3/1 currently rented for $650 a month. 137 is a vacant 3/1 that can be rented for $650, back house(137) is a large 3/3 currently rented for $1,000. Your price only $235,000 - Pics and more - http://www.buyahousefromray.com/135lucille Ray HigdonRLH Holdingshttp://www.buyahousefromray.com 12/17/2006

Througthout the years I have worked with clients who want to either buy a business or buy a business/property included. Restaurants are a different animal all together. Some for reason of disclosures and privacy will not "open their book " only if you make an offer.I have reservation on these type of deals but of course one may always put a contengency with the offer which says in layman terms that if the numbers stink I am out of there and I have the right to do so and you have to give me back my deposit held in escrow. The assessed value is certainly different from residential properties but above all I use a check list.Some may use some added point as Gross Income, Operating Income, Net Income and if the previous owner also pays  himself. With restaurants in Ft Myers and Cape Coral a... 12/13/2006

 Is time running out? Recent reports have shown an increase in the volume of buyer interest in the Fort Myers Real Estate market. Reports indicate that more buyers were active in the month of November than previous months. This may be a key indicator that the buyer's market conditions may be drawing to a close. Although this doesn't indicate a rapid turn to a Seller's Market it does indicate that the chance to pick up a bargain may on the decline. Recent reports on the strong Florida economy and job market may be the fuel for this recent up-tick in buyer enthusiasm. There are also indications that the terrific incentives that developers are currently offering has fueled the recent improvement in the market. Time may be running short to take advantage of the strong position that buyers c... 12/13/2006

Let your competition turn the snooze button on during the Holidays! If you want to hit the ground running in 2007, you want to attend this seminar! WhereBeacon Executive Suites8359 Beacon BlvdFort Myers, Florida 33907December 16, 20069:00AM-5:00PM   John Tur will be speaking on Foreclosure Investing. John is a leading expert from the East coast of Florida. Ray Higdon will be speaking on how to make big profits in Wholesaling. Admission is $20 or you can bring a wrapped toy for the RLH Holdings Toys for Tots Drive and get free admission. This event is being put on by Foreclosure Help Center. Come out, learn and support a great cause! Ray HigdonRLH Holdingshttp://www.buyahousefromray.com239-248-2182 12/12/2006

No matter the age of the property,( in Fort Myers and certainly along the coast of Florida ), you are purchasing you are better off getting  a mold inspection  added to the general inspection. It should be written in black and white within the Contract or as an Addendum. Some sellers think that bleaching walls and baseboards will get rid of mold. If its light mold yes but you may need more treatment like the following:Professional Mold Remediation and Fogging Products or you may want to use a High Ozone Shock Treatments - Air-Zone Ozone Generators. Of courseyou are always better off using a professional and get 3 estimations as it is very easy to run a bill of 1000's of dollars. If you are confident about doing it yourself  buy also a kit which will measure the level of mold.;o) Even if... 12/11/2006

Ray ( Kevin Costner) may as well stand in the middle of the baseball park, City of Palms Park, where if not for Shoeless Joe Jackson standing in the mythical cornfield of "is it Heaven?" and "no, Its Iowa, " they seem to come in drove to the City of Ft Myers. "Build it and they will come!"During the last five years, job growth in Fort Myers/cape Coral jumped 32.5% and we have experienced the fastest job growth among the 100 largest metropolitan areas. The jump in building permits, which has certainly slowed down this past year, still benefits the Fort Myers area and Sarasota with the lowest unemployment in the country. This study of data taking us thorugh October of 2006 shows an addition of close to 1000 jobs a month.It is clear that with such an influx of newcomers, we will need more ... 12/08/2006

Many of us do know that having "good"listings, that are are properly priced, is the back bone of a long real estate career. In South Fl and here in Ft Myers tons of listings are coming in the MLS every week, but surprise, they are not selling. There is to much inventory of course and then some people think that we are still in 2005.They are in denial. If they are selling with buying another home in mind, its clear what they have to do: lower their price so its competitive because after all you will buy more home on the other end....so its not so bad: you get less $ but you will pay less in return. So its not so bad at all and all relative. How much is your client going to net after he/she buys the new home? That is the whole question.   LLoyd  11/21/2006

Two Triplexes in East Ft Myers, FL - CBS with good structures and roofs. I have an executable interest in this property and am assigning my contract. This is 6 units on one parcel so this is a commercial deal. Currently on a large tract of land, being broken out into a half acre tract. Address is 2626 WRIGHT ST, FORT MYERS FL  33916 Types of repairs, cosmetic, drywall, flooring is mainly tile, new kitchen cabinets, clean up, minor electrical and plumbing. Pics show the windows boarded up, there are only a couple broken windows, and they are boarded up as the owner does not want to rent them while selling them. The rehab SHOULD NOT be more than $5k per unit. The units are (4) 2/1's and (2) 1/1's. The 2/1's should rent for $700-$750 per month and the 1/1's around $600. Total possible inco... 11/20/2006

Local Investor and CPA Rick Donner speaks on Entities Richard (Rick) Donner, CPA has been serving clients in SW Florida since 1987. Rick and his wife Lisa are investors and have won "Deal of the Month" twice. Rick and Lisa are "Masters" in Ron LeGrand's real estate program and are members of Ron's elite "Commercial Platinum Group" and are networked with investors from across the country. Accordingly, Rick works with and helps real estate investors from across the country. Rick is instrumental in helping clients save money on taxes by adequately helping them plan their financial future through the use of entities. Rick has many clients come to him that are told to set up an LLC or an "S" or "C" corporation but they don't really have an understanding of why let alone the underlying tax tr... 11/19/2006

When a buyer makes up his or her mind to purchase a single family in Florida, they already have an idea of the type of lanscaping they are looking for to make their home special. These days with an inventory larger than privious years, focusing on making that right first impression is crucial to selling. Some owners just possess that special knack of transforming a bland yard into an exciting retreat. Due to the extreme heat in the summer months, it is recommended to have a few palm trees that provide some shade and depending on the size and condition of your lawn, it is a plus if the front yard has an island or at least river rocks that inspersed with small gardens.  Indiginous plants such as Bougainvilla, Hybiscus, Crape Myrtle, Palmettos, Weeping Whillow, Fire bush, buttonwoods, orch... 11/17/2006

Less then 2 weeks ago the NAR started a campaing with ads in major Newspapers in the country and I thought: This is what a lot of us realtors have been saying! It is the "Buy Now"campaign.It is a buyer's market:* we can negotiate more.The interest rates are still low.The prices are starting to stabilize. The choices of properties is larger hence your buyers have more chances to find their dream property.We do know that  a Housing investment is a great investment with the right Realtor.The vice chairman of the Federal reserve himself is saying that there are signs that the market is improving and the NRA thinks that prices for sellers will rise next year.Even if its modest rise, we do know that something is happening little by little. These days sellers may even pay part of the closing c... 11/14/2006