Cape Deb - your Guide to Paradise » Florida

24 Hr Cape Coral Real Estate Market Watch…

CapeDeb — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:00:14 +0000

10.15.11

24 new Residential listings, 18 under agreement, and 26 SOLD!!!

9.24.11

27 new Residential listings, 26 went under agreement, and 26 SOLD!!!

9.22.11

22 new Residential listings, 31 went under agreement, and 20 SOLD!!!

4.8.11

31 new Residential listings, 24 went under agreement, and 29 SOLD!!!

4.5.11

36 new Residential listings, 29 went under agreement, and 33 SOLD!!!

3.31.11

29 new Residential listings, 28 went under agreement, and 48 SOLD!!!

3.30.11

29 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 19 SOLD!!!

3.23.11

32 new Residential listings, 31 went under agreement, and 25 SOLD!!!

3.19.11

35 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 29 SOLD!!!

3.15.11

35 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 33 SOLD!!!

3.2.11

34 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

2.4.11

44 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 18 SOLD!!!

9.11.10

52 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

9.10.10

35 new Residential listings, 26 went under agreement, and 20 SOLD!!!

9.8.10

33 new Residential listings, 30 went under agreement, and 29 SOLD!!!

8.24.10

39 new Residential listings, 26 went under agreement, and 25 SOLD!!!

8.21.10

33 new Residential listings, 29 went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

8.14.10

42 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 16 SOLD!!!

8.7.10

40 new Residential listings, 31 went under agreement, and 18 SOLD!!!

8.4.10

46 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 19 SOLD!!!

7.30.10

40 new Residential listings, 22 went under agreement, and 24 SOLD!!!

7.29.10

35 new Residential listings, 16 went under agreement, and 18 SOLD!!!

7.28.10

38 new Residential listings, 24 went under agreement, and 29 SOLD!!!

7.27.10

41 new Residential listings, 17 went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

7.24.10

32 new Residential listings, 26 went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

7.23.10

44 new Residential listings, 28 went under agreement, and 12 SOLD!!!

7.22.10

33 new Residential listings, 24 went under agreement, and 15 SOLD!!!

7.21.10

34 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 15 SOLD!!!

7.15.10

33 new Residential listings, 21 went under agreement, and 18 SOLD!!!

7.1.10

35 new Residential listings, 33 went under agreement, and 43 SOLD!!!

6.29.10

31 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 36 SOLD!!!

6.28.10

9 new Residential listings, 6 went under agreement, and 5 SOLD!!!

6.24.10

33 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

6.22.10

39 new Residential listings, 13 went under agreement, and 21 SOLD!!!

6.18.10

38 new Residential listings, 19 went under agreement, and 20 SOLD!!!

6.17.10

34 new Residential listings, 25 went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

6.16.10

41 new Residential listings, 38 went under agreement, and 28 SOLD!!!

6.15.10

54 new Residential listings, 33 went under agreement, and 30 SOLD!!!

6.12.10

51 new Residential listings, 23 went under agreement, and 23 SOLD!!!

6.11.10

45 new Residential listings, 17 went under agreement, and 20 SOLD!!!

6.10.10

62 new Residential listings, 23 went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

6.9.10

47 new Residential listings, 21 went under agreement, and 38 SOLD!!!

6.8.10

46 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 30 SOLD!!!

6.5.10

46 new Residential listings, 37 went under agreement, and 27 SOLD!!!

6.3.10

39 new Residential listings, 30 went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

5.29.10

35 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 39 SOLD!!!

5.27.10

35 new Residential listings, 39 went under agreement, and 25 SOLD!!!

5.26.10

40 new Residential listings, 29 went under agreement, and 25 SOLD!!!

5.25.10

46 new Residential listings, 31went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

5.22.10

44 new Residential listings, 24 went under agreement, and 31 SOLD!!!

5.19.10

39 new Residential listings, 40 went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

5.15.10

28 new Residential listings, 35 went under agreement, and 33 SOLD!!!

5.12.10

29 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 20 SOLD!!!

5.11.10

35 new Residential listings, 30 went under agreement, and 24 SOLD!!!

5.7.10

36 new Residential listings, 30 went under agreement, and 45 SOLD!!!

5.6.10

54 new Residential listings, 26 went under agreement, and 28 SOLD!!!

5.5.10

48 new Residential listings, 28 went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

5.4.10

37 new Residential listings, 38 went under agreement, and 41 SOLD!!!

4.30.10

31 new Residential listings, 44 went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

4.29.10

44 new Residential listings, 42 went under agreement, and 33 SOLD!!!

4.28.10

46 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 21 SOLD!!!

4.27.10

47 new Residential listings, 30 went under agreement, and 34 SOLD!!!

4.23.10

44 new Residential listings, 52 went under agreement, and 38 SOLD!!!

4.21.10

51 new Residential listings, 39 went under agreement, and 27 SOLD!!!

4.17.10

50 new Residential listings, 37 went under agreement, and 21 SOLD!!!

4.15.10

48 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 16 SOLD!!!

4.14.10

53 new Residential listings, 22 went under agreement, and 26 SOLD!!!

3.30.10

48 new Residential listings, 37 went under agreement, and 33 SOLD!!!

3.27.10

32 new Residential listings, 35 went under agreement, and 31 SOLD!!!

3.26.10

39 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 31 SOLD!!!

3.25.10

44 new Residential listings, 35 went under agreement, and 23 SOLD!!!

3.24.10

43 new Residential listings, 52 went under agreement, and 22 SOLD!!!

3.23.10

41 new Residential listings, 33 went under agreement, and 26 SOLD!!!

3.20.10

44 new Residential listings, 37 went under agreement, and 23 SOLD!!!

3.19.10

45 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 33 SOLD!!!

3.18.10

55 new Residential listings, 22 went under agreement, and 27 SOLD!!!

3.15.10

18 new Residential listings, 31 went under agreement, and 12 SOLD!!!

3.13.10

39 new Residential listings, 31 went under agreement, and 22 SOLD!!!

3.12.10

33 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 25 SOLD!!!

3.5.10

60 new Residential listings, 42 went under agreement, and 19 SOLD!!!

3.3.10

43 new Residential listings, 33 went under agreement, and 40 SOLD!!!

2.26.10

44 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 24 SOLD!!!

2.25.10

44 new Residential listings, 44 went under agreement, and 18 SOLD!!!

2.24.10

39 new Residential listings, 33 went under agreement, and 25 SOLD!!!

2.23.10

54 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 30 SOLD!!!

2.20.10

34 new Residential listings, 42 went under agreement, and 19 SOLD!!!

2.19.10

47 new Residential listings, 35 went under agreement, and 38 SOLD!!!

2.18.10

55 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 30 SOLD!!!

2.17.10

37 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 23 SOLD!!!

2.16.10

31 new Residential listings, 27 went under agreement, and 22 SOLD!!!

2.13.10

45 new Residential listings, 34 went under agreement, and 19 SOLD!!!

2.11.10

49 new Residential listings, 43 went under agreement, and 16 SOLD!!!

2.10.10

51 new Residential listings, 40 went under agreement, and 11 SOLD!!!

2.9.10

56 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 19 SOLD!!!

2.5.10

43 new Residential listings, 32 went under agreement, and 13 SOLD!!!

2.4.10

68 new Residential listings, 36 went under agreement, and 18 SOLD!!!

2.3.10

57 new Residential listings, 43 went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

2.2.10

35 new Residential listings, 31 went under agreement, and 29 SOLD!!!

1.30.10

67 new Residential listings, 46 went under agreement, and 36 SOLD!!!

1.29.10

43 new Residential listings, 28 went under agreement, and 24 SOLD!!!

1.28.10

37 new Residential listings, 44 went under agreement, and 23 SOLD!!!

1.27.10

45 new Residential listings, 29 went under agreement, and 20 SOLD!!!

1.26.10

43 new Residential listings, 36 went under agreement, and 32 SOLD!!!

1.25.10

13 new Residential listings, 9 went under agreement, and 3 SOLD!!!

1.24.10

9 new Residential listings, 10 went under agreement, and 2 SOLD!!!

1.23.10

37 new Residential listings, 44 went under agreement, and 11 SOLD!!!

1.22.10

47 new Residential listings, 33 went under agreement, and 16 SOLD!!!

1.20.10

48 new Residential listings, 28went under agreement, and 17 SOLD!!!

Cape Coral Real Estate – June 2011 Absorption rate….

CapeDeb — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:10:19 +0000

Paradise is selling fast!

There are currently:

1475 single family homes for sale in Cape Coral, FL

1565 homes have sold in the past three months

That leaves us with an absorption rate of: 2.8 months

What does that mean?

Let’s say that not another house went on the market. How long would it take to sell the existing inventory? Only 2.8 months….

Rule of thumb:

A ‘normal’ real estate market (if there is such a thing) has an absorption rate of 6%

When is it a buyers market? When the absorption rate is over 6 %

When is it a sellers market? When the absorption rate is under 6%

You can have some of this FABULOUS weather too but you better hurry.

RUN don’t walk…..

Paradise is selling fast!

Cape Coral Real Estate Market – February 2011 Absorption Rate…

CapeDeb — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:05:59 +0000

Paradise is selling fast!

There are currently:

2441 single family homes for sale in Cape Coral, FL

1225 homes have sold in the past three months

That leaves us with an absorption rate of: 5.9months

What does that mean?

Let’s say that not another house went on the market. How long would it take to sell the existing inventory? Only 5.9 months….

Rule of thumb:

A ‘normal’ real estate market (if there is such a thing) has an absorption rate of 6%

When is it a buyers market? When the absorption rate is over 6 %

When is it a sellers market? When the absorption rate is under 6%

You can have some of this FABULOUS weather too but you better hurry.

RUN don’t walk…..

Paradise is selling fast!

October 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

CapeDeb — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:02:23 +0000

October 2010

State and National News:

Where do people want to live Read more….
Major settlement in Drywall Litigation Read more…
Banks resume foreclosures Read more…
5 Traits of today’s Home Buyer’s Read more…
Smaller homes to remain popular Read more…
States with the highest and lowest Property taxes Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

National Flood Insurance extended to 2011 Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Fall 2010 Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Guide Read more…
Lee County foreclosures down Read more…
Classes enlighten local homebuyers Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

Dos and Don’ts for Sellers and Buyers Read more…
10 Reason to Buy a Home Read more…
Budget makeover ideas Read more…
How to organize your linen closet Read more…

Green News:

Fighting Conchs stump scientists Read more…

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Check out my website at

www.CapeDeb.com

_______________________________________________________________________

This month’s feature…..

Beautiful Affordable home in Paradise!!!!!! PRICED AT $52,000

(click picture for more info)

{Search all properties here }

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5 Tips for buying a Foreclosure

By: G. M. Filisko

Published: March 29, 2010

Get prequalified for a loan and set aside funds, and you’ll be ready to purchase a foreclosed home.

1. Choose a foreclosure sale expert. Lenders rarely sell their own foreclosures directly to consumers. They list them with real estate brokers. You can work with a real estate agent who sells foreclosed homes for lenders, or have a buyer’s agent find foreclosure properties for you. To locate a foreclosure sales specialist, call local brokers and ask if they are the listing agent for any banks.

Either way, ask the real estate professional which lenders’ homes they’ve sold, how many buyers they’ve represented in a foreclosed property purchase, how many of those sales they closed last year, and who they legally represent.

If the agent represents the lender, don’t reveal anything to her that you don’t want the lender to know, like whether you’re willing to spend more than you offer for a house.

2. Be ready for complications. In some states, the former owner of a foreclosed home can challenge the foreclosure in court, even after you’ve closed the sale. Ask your agent to recommend a real estate attorney who has negotiated with lenders selling foreclosed homes and has defended legal challenges to foreclosures.

Have your attorney explain your state’s foreclosure process and your risks in purchasing a foreclosed home. Set aside as much as $5,000 to cover potential legal fees.

3. Work with your agent to set a price. Ask your real estate agent to show you closed sales of comparable homes, which you can use to set your price. Start with an amount well under market value because the lender may be in a hurry to get rid of the home.

4. Get your financing in order. Many mortgage market players, such as Fannie Mae, require buyers to submit financing preapproval letters with a purchase offer. They’ll also reject all contingencies. Since most foreclosed homes are vacant, closings can be quick. Make sure you have the cash you’ll need to close your purchase.

5. Expect an as-is sale. Most homeowners stopped maintaining their home long before they could no longer make mortgage payments. Be sure to have enough money left after the sale to make at least minor, and sometimes substantive, repairs.

Although lenders may do minor cosmetic repairs to make foreclosed homes more marketable, they won’t give you credits for repair costs (or make additional repairs) because they’ve already factored the property’s condition into their asking price.

Lenders will also require that you purchase the home “as is,” which means in its current condition. Protect yourself by ordering a home inspection to uncover the true condition of the property, getting a pest inspection, and purchasing a home warranty.

Be sure you also do all the environmental testing that’s common to your region to find hazards such as radon, mold, lead-based paint, or underground storage tanks.

More from HouseLogic

What you need to know about the homebuyer tax credit

How to claim your homebuyer tax credit

Other web resources

How to buy a foreclosure from Fannie Mae

What to consider when buying a foreclosure as your first home

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who purchased a foreclosed condominium and found herself in the middle of a months-long dispute between the former homeowner and the bank over whether the foreclosure was conducted properly. Six months after paying the full purchase price, she was finally able to enter the property. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

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Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

deb@CapeDeb.com

www.CapeDeb.com

239.233.2322

Sign up to receive a free copy of the monthly newsletter click here

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August 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

CapeDeb — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:12:45 +0000

August 2010

State and National News:

Mortgage rates hit another record low, 4.44% Read more….
The worst is over, come conclude Read more…
Economic forecast paints brighter picture Read more…
Florida homes and condo sales up Read more…
Capping of well brightens economic outlook for Florida Read more…
Canadians told it’s time to buy a US home Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

Vacant Homes–Insurance coverage changes Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Cape Coral Parks and Recreations Fall Guide Read more…
New Trash bin distribution Read more…
For South Florida market, a hopeful sign Read more…
Pine Island Road widening comes down to money Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

5 surprise reasons to buy a home now Read more…
Tips on how to grow grass Read more…
Garbage Disposal troubleshooting Read more…
Inspecting Roof condition Read more…

Green News:

Cape Coral nature trails Read more…

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Check out my website at

www.CapeDeb.com

_______________________________________________________________________

This month’s feature…..

Gulf Access….Basin View!…..PRICED at $239,000!!!!!!

(click picture for more info)

-Pool Home

-Two Master Suites and more….

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

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8 Tips for Adding Curb Appeal and Value to Your Home

By: Pat Curry Published: March 25, 2010 Appraisers and real estate agents offer advice for curb appeal that preserves value and attracts potential buyers. Adding architectural numbers to the outside of your house gives it a distinct style. Image: CustomHouseNumbers.comCurb appeal has always been important for homesellers. With the vast majority of today’s homebuyers starting their search on the Internet, the appearance of your property is more critical than ever. You only have a few seconds to catch their attention as they scroll through listings online to get them to stop and take a closer look.But the role of curb appeal goes beyond just making a good first impression. The way your house looks from the street can impact its value. It can also shorten the time it takes to sell your house.

We asked real estate agents, appraisers, home stagers, landscape designers, and home inspectors which curb appeal projects offer the most value when your house is on the market, both in terms of its marketability and dollars. Here is what they told us:

1. Paint the house.

Hands down, the most commonly offered curb appeal advice from our real estate pros and appraisers is to give the exterior of your home a good paint job. Buyers will instantly notice it and appraisers will note it on the valuation.

“Paint is probably the number one thing inside and out,” says Frank Lucco, managing partner of Houston-based IRR-Residential Appraisers and Consultants. “I’d give additional value for that. If you’re under two years remaining life (on the paint job), paint the exterior because it tends to show wear badly.”

Just make sure you stay within the range of accepted colors for your market. A house that’s painted a wildly different color from its competition will be marked down in value by appraisers.

2. Have the house washed.

Before you make the investment in a paint job, though, take a good look at the house. If it’s got mildew or general grunge, just washing the housecould make a world of difference, says Valerie Torelli, a California real estate agent with a background in accounting.

Before she puts a house on the market, Torelli often does exterior makeovers on her clients’ homes, a service she pays for herself to get higher selling prices. Overall, she says her goal is to spend less than $5,000, with a goal of generating an extra $10,000 to $15,000 on the sale price.

Torelli specifies pressure-washing—a job that should be left to professionals. Pressure washing makes the house look “bright and clean in addition to getting rid of unsightly things like cobwebs, which may not be seen from the yard but will detract from the home’s cleanliness when seen up close,” she says.

The cost to have a professional cleaning should be a few hundred dollars—a fraction of the cost of having the house painted.

3. Trim the shrubs and green up the yard.

California real estate agent Valerie Torelli says she puts a lot of emphasis on landscaping, such as cutting down overgrown bushes and replacing them with leafy plants and annuals mulched with beautiful reddish-brown bark. “It runs me $30 to $50,” says Torelli. “Do you get a return on your money? Absolutely. It sucks people in.”

You also don’t want bare spots. Take the time to fertilize the yard, throw out some grass seed, and if need be, add some sod.

4. Add a splash of color.

It could be a flower bed of annuals by the mailbox, a paint job for the front door, or a brightly colored bench or an Adirondack chair. “You can get a cute little bench at Home Depot for $99,“ Torelli notes. “Spray paint it bright red or blue and set it in the yard or on the front porch.”

It’s not a bad idea, but don’t plan on getting extra points from an appraiser for a red bench, says John Bredemeyer, president of Realcorp in Omaha. “It’s difficult to quantify, but it does make a home sell more quickly,” Bredemeyer says. “Maybe yours sold a couple weeks faster than the house down the street. That’s the best way to look at these things.”

5. Add a fancy mailbox and house numbers.

An upscale mail box and architectural house numbers or an address plaque can give your house a distinctive look that stands out from everyone else on the block. Torelli makes them a part of her exterior makeovers “I’ve gotten those hand-painted mailboxes,” she says. “A nice one runs you $40 to $50.” Architectural house numbers may run as high as a few hundred dollars.

6. Repair or clean the roof.

Springfield, Va.-based home inspector and former builder Reggie Marston says the roof is one of the first things he looks at in assessing the condition of a home. He’ll look at other houses in the neighborhood to see if there are a lot of replaced roofs and see if the subject house has one as well. If not, he’ll look for curls in the shingles or missing shingles. “I’m looking at the roof for end-of-life expectancy,” he says.

You can pay for roof repairs now, or pay for them later in a lower appraisal; appraisers will mark down the value by the cost of the repair. That could knock thousands of dollars off your appraisal. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2009-2010 Cost vs. Value Report, the average cost of a new asphalt shingle roof is more than $19,000.

“Roofs are issues,” Lucco says. “You won’t throw money away on that job. You gotta have a decent roof.”

Stains and plant matter, such as moss, can be handled with cleaning. It’s a job that can often be done in a day for a few hundred dollars, and makes the roof look like new. It’s not a DIY project; call a professional with the right tools to clean it without damaging it.

7. Put up a fence.

A picket fence with a garden gate to frame the yard is an asset. A fencehas more impact in a family-oriented neighborhood than an upscale retirement community, Bredemeyer says, but in most instances, appraisers will give extra value for one, as long as it’s in good condition. “Day in a day out, a fence is a plus,“ Bredemeyer says. Expect to pay $2,000 to $3,500 for a professionally installed gated picket fence 3 feet high and 100 feet long.8. Perform routine maintenance and cleaning.Nothing sets off subconscious alarms like hanging gutters, missing bricks from the front steps, or lawn tools rusting in the bushes. It makes even the professionals question what else hasn’t been taken care of.

“A house is worth less if the maintenance isn’t done,” Lucco says. “Those little things can add up and be a very big detractor. When people say, ‘I’d buy it if it weren’t for all the deferred maintenance,’ what they’re really saying is, ‘I’d still buy it if you reduce the price.’”

Georgia-based freelance writer Pat Curry has covered housing and real estate for consumer and trade publications for more than a decade, including covering new home sales and marketing for BUILDER, the magazine of the National Association of Home Builders.
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

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Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

deb@CapeDeb.com

www.CapeDeb.com

239.233.2322

Sign up to receive a free copy of the monthly newsletter click here

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SOLD !!! Waterfront Location! Location! Location! $239,000

CapeDeb — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:30:36 +0000

Location! Location! Location! DIRECT SAILBOAT ACCESS and just minutes to Sanibel and surrounding islands….From the first moment I walked into this unique GULF ACCESS home I knew it was something special and so will you!! The WATER VIEWS are breathtaking and the layout is perfect with lots of open space and plenty of room (almost 2000 sq feet of living area). This home shines with pride at being well maintained and clean as a whistle! If you like to entertainthis is the one! The split floor plan offers 2 master bedrooms both with FRENCH DOORS leading right out to the pool area and both with full baths. Imagine sitting on the lanai relaxing the day away, taking a dip in the pool or boating from your backyard to any place in the world. This is true Tropical Paradise Living!!! Come take a tour todayyou won’t want to leave.

More info on MLS#200952468 | See Map

Contact: Deborah ‘Deb’ Cullen | 239.233.2322
deb@CapeDeb.com

Lee County Lis Pendens filed…..Market Watch

CapeDeb — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:23:48 +0000

Lee County Lis Pendens filed………

First, what is a lis pendens? A lis pendens is a written notice that a lawsuit has been filed with the courts concerning real estate. You could kind of call it…one of the first indicators of a possible foreclosure.

Everyone’s talking about foreclosures. Are they slowing down? Will there be a new wave?

It is important to keep in mind that not every lis pendens filing will turn into a foreclosure but I’ve been watching the overall numbers for a while now…waiting for a sign. You tell me what you see……

If you would like me to email you all the figures and graphs….drop me an email at deb@CapeDeb.com

SOLD!! Gulf Access-Beautifully Furnished-1st Floor CONDO $159,900

CapeDeb — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:30:49 +0000

RARE and UNIQUE! This beautifully furnished GULF ACCESS Spanish Style condo has it all.., enjoy boating to the Gulf of Mexico or anywhere in the world and when you get home you can park your boat at your own deeded dock. Time to relax? Sit in your screened lanai and enjoy the GORGEOUS view of the pool and canal. Inside you will enjoy the beautiful decor and the light and bright spacious feel that high ceilings offer. Unit has 2 bedrooms with split floor plan, one bedroom/bath on each side..offers lots of privacy. Attractive tile throughout main living area. Only 5 units in the community makes a quaint and friendly atmosphere. New a/c compressor in 10/09. This unit has a seasonal rental history

Click Here for more info

Cape Coral FL Market Watch (May 2010)

CapeDeb — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:19:04 +0000

Paradise is selling fast!

There are currently:

2298 single family homes for sale in Cape Coral, FL

1679 homes have sold in the past three months

That leaves us with an absorption rate of: 4.1 months

What does that mean?

Let’s say that not another house went on the market. How long would it take to sell the existing inventory? Only 4.1 months….

Rule of thumb:

A ‘normal’ real estate market (if there is such a thing) has an absorption rate of 6%

When is it a buyers market? When the absorption rate is over 6 %

When is it a sellers market? When the absorption rate is under 6%

You can have some of this FABULOUS weather too but you better hurry.

RUN don’t walk…..

Paradise is selling fast!

Sold!-Buildable WATERFRONT Lot with Access to the Gulf of Mexico….$49,900

CapeDeb — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:45:57 +0000

GULF ACCESS lot located on the Fishingrod Canal! This fabulous home site offers an eastern exposure making morning sunrises a view to behold. Located in desirable Unit 59…a short boat ride to Matlacha Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. Imagine building your dream home….walking out your back door…..getting in your boat and heading out to any where in the world. Now that’s ACCESS!!! No waiting around for an answer on this one seller promises quick response to all offers.

Cape Coral is one of the magical jewels of SW Florida…hundreds of miles of waterfront canals….palm trees……blue skies and lots of SUNSHINE! Located just a 35 minute ride from the Fort Myers International Airport, 15 mile drive to the sandy beaches of Sanibel, 35 miles to Naples….

For more info CLICK HERE

March 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

CapeDeb — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:08:35 +0000

MARCH 2010

State and National News:

Short Sale Incentives start April 5th Read more….
New Foreclosure Prevention Plan Announced Read more…
Experts says Real Estate is Recovering Read more…
Financial help for homeowners with defective drywall Read more…
Government unveils plan to shrink some home loans Read more…
Health Care Reform Bill passes Read more…
Investors are buying houses again Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

Redrawn FEMA maps Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Cape Coral Sewer summit Read more…
Cape Coral Realtors strive Read more…
Celebrate New Bedford day Read more…
Development excites Cape Coral Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

Get your house ready for Spring Read more…
Landscape Design Courses Read more…
Bathroom Storage ideas Read more…
How to hang artwork Read more…

Green News:

Cape Coral plans to cut consumption Read more…

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Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

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The Pros and Cons of Condos…….

Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in most areas. But consider these facts before you buy.

Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to store belongings.
Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you hate yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.
Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.
Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home.
Security. Many condos have keyed entries and or even door attendants. Plus, you’ll be closer to other people in case of an emergency.
Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees agreed to by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity or not.
Resale. The ease of selling your unit is more dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar. Single-family homes usually are more individual.
Freedom. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.
Proximity. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or townhome. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors before making a decision.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

______________________________________________________________________

Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

deb@CapeDeb.com

www.CapeDeb.com

239.233.2322

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Cape Coral/Fort Myers Real Estate Stats….

CapeDeb — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:45:48 +0000

Newly released by the Realtor® Association of Greater Fort Myers & the Beach, Inc:

February 2010

In February, our members sold 1,141 single-family homes, which is 21.9% above last year and 12% above the prior month. The median price of a single family home in the Greater Fort Myers area was $85,000, down 5.6% from $90,000 a year ago due to the continued influence of distressed properties on the market. Buyers from around the country (and the world) continue to be attracted to our area because of the affordability, the low interest rates and the looming deadline for the home buyer tax credit.

January 2010

In January, a total of 1,079 homes were sold by members of the MLS, which is 22.5 percent more homes than the previous January. 1,799 pending sales were recorded, which is 29.8 percent lower than January 2009 and 48.2 percent lower than the prior month. The decline in pending home sales resulted in the months of inventory growing from 2.0 months in December to 4.1 months in January – this figure is still below what is considered to be a balanced market – 5-6 months of available inventory.

December 2009:

Members of the Association closed 1,340 single family home sales in December, bringing the total for 2009 to 16,789; this is a 91.4 percent increase vs. 2008 when 8,768 homes were sold. Of the December sales, 48.3 percent were bank-owned, 18.2% were short sales and the remaining traditional sales made up 33.4 %. The median price was $89,929, which is 8.0 percent lower than the prior December; however, the median price continues to be driven down by the number of bank-owned and short sales properties. During Quarter 4, the median price for traditional sales was $135,000 (a 3.5 % decrease from the prior quarter), for bank-owned sales it was $69,900 (up 2.7 %) and the median price for short sales was $94,950 (up 6.6 % from last quarter).

February 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

CapeDeb — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:49:56 +0000

February 2010

State and National News:

Interest Rates to remain low Read more….
Foreclosure bargains getting harder to find Read more…
Should buyers try to beat the tax credit? Read more…
10 Cities with climbing home prices Read more…
Bankers: the end of the foreclosure crisis is near Read more…
Vacant lots become hot property Read more…
Company out of drywall trial Read more…
4 Reasons to Sell Now Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

What’s need to claim tax credit? Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Cape Coral at top of the list for affordable housing Read more…
Lee County looking up, but a long way to go Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

The kitchen is still king Read more…
Top 7 credit score mistakes Read more…
Conquering Sentimental Clutter Read more…
10 Home features buyers want Read more…

Green News:

Manatee in Cape Coral Watch video….

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

______________________________________________________________________

10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable…….

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.

5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Clean your gutters.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

______________________________________________________________________

Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

deb@CapeDeb.com

www.CapeDeb.com

239.233.2322

To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here

SOLD! – A TRUE TROPICAL HOME…$149,900

CapeDeb — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:06:15 +0000

Under Agreement in 1 day…

If you are looking for that TRUE TROPICAL HOME – This is it!!! This exceptional home was once the model home for Maxson builders. It’s the only one of its kind and boast numerous upgrades: seven shatterproof sliding glass doors, pullout kitchen cabinet drawers, tile backsplash, Cedar wood exterior trim, 32′ custom Solar Heated Pool with cover, termite prevention system, two a/c returns, Cathedral ceilings, Roman tub in guest bath, separate shower and tub/shower combo in Master Bath, paneled doors, side door in garage, custom mirrors..do I need to continue? And the gardens..ahhhhhh the gardens..you can see them from the sliders in every bedroom, the atrium located off the den area, and the oversized pool deck; all make this the true Florida dream home.

click here for more pictures and info

January 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

CapeDeb — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:06:09 +0000

January 2010

State and National News:

Feds set criteria for Defective Drywall diagnosis Read more….
HUD and CPSC issue guide on identifying toxic drywall Read more…
Federal Short Sale Guidelines could speed up transactions Watch Video for more…
Banks seek payback from walkaways Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

Energy efficiency can bring take savings Read more…
Tax incentives Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

10 Most Undervalued Housing Markets Read more…
Crime drops 15.7 percent in Cape Coral Read more…
Cape Coral crime rate down Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

10 Inexpensive ways to WOW Buyers Read more…
Housing Components don’t last forever Read more…
The world’s 18 Strangest Homes Read more…
7 ways to improve your homes sell-ability Read more…

Green News:

Manatee deaths a record Read more…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

______________________________________________________________________

8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order…….

Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.

Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt—car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards—down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.

Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You’ll probably see some great ways to save.

Increase your income. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want.

Save for a downpayment. Although it’s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down—or even less in some cases—you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.

Create a house fund. Don’t just plan on saving whatever’s left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.

Keep your job. While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.

Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

______________________________________________________________________

Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

deb@CapeDeb.com

www.CapeDeb.com

239.233.2322

To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here

Gardening in SW Florida…

CapeDeb — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:01:11 +0000

Did you know that SW Florida has three growing seasons?

Most buyers from the north who have just purchased real estate in Cape Coral Florida always ask about our gardening seasons…

We are a sub-tropical climate where frosts and freezes during the winter are very rare. Fruit trees and tropical plants grow easily and it is very common to have avocado, mango, bananas, and papaya trees in our backyards. Sound like fun? Head out to your backyard and pick that banana for your morning cereal…..YUMMY!

Most vegetables also grow well, but only in the cooler seasons since many have a tough time surviving our hot and humid summers.

This girl from New England sure has had to learn a lot about gardening in this Hardiness Zone of 10……worth ever moment when I will pick a tomato or two for our Holiday meal.

This little Burrowing Owl is confused….

CapeDeb — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:51:09 +0000

This little Burrowing Owl is confused…nesting season in Cape Coral Florida is from February 15th – July 10th each year…..guess he is just getting a head start…..

(picture taken 11.28.09)

Cape Coral is home to Florida’s largest population of Burrowing Owls.

The burrowing owl is a pint-sized bird standing approximately nine inches tall and weighing only about four ounces. They live in open, treeless areas, spending most of their time on the ground, where their sandy color provides camouflage from potential predators.

As it’s name says: the burrowing owl differs from other kinds of owls……instead of nesting in the trees, the burrowing owl lives underground in burrows.

Many Cape Coral residents help their feathered friends by securing off the area around the burrow and offering a “T” stake for the birds to perch on.

Owls are very site specific, which means they are likely to return to the same territory year after year to raise their young. This may be Mr. Confused’s case….

Currently Florida’s burrowing owls are listed as a ‘species of special concern’ meaning “those facing a moderate risk of extinction in the future”.

Many people wrongly believe that it is not possible to build real estate on a vacant lot if burrowing owls occupy it….Not true! However, there is a process that a builder needs to follow to protect our little friends….

Feel free to contact me for more info about our burrowing owls or how to build near a nest…

Deb Cullen, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS

deb@CapeDeb.com

239.233.2322

New Housing Guidelines announced 11/30/09

CapeDeb — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:46:19 +0000

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA)

Wow! New Housing Guidelines announced yesterday by the Obama Administration….
–Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sale terms before they list the property
-Prohibits servicers from requiring a reduction in commission (up to a certain percent)
-Requires borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the 1st mtg debt
-Provided financial incentives: 1,500 for borrower relocation assistance, 1,000 for servicers to cover admin and processing costs, and $1,000 for investors.
Program does not take effect until 4/5/10 but servicers may implement it before then if they meet certain requirements. Program expires 12/31/12
What do you think about them apples?…

Who says there’s no snow in SW Florida?

CapeDeb — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:37:32 +0000

Who says there’s no snow in SW Florida?

Cape Coral’s ‘Holiday Festival of Lights’ is an annual event where thousands of people stroll along Cape Coral Parkway watching performances, eating, visiting with Santa, playing in the snow, etc…

It was a bit cold December 5th….60°….which set the Holiday mood.

Cape Coral Florida is a wonderful place to live, play, and raise a family…..

Come purchase your home in snowland today…

Cape Coral FL Absorption Rate…

CapeDeb — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:23:32 +0000

You can have some of this AWESOME weather too but you better hurry. Paradise is selling fast!

There are currently:

2275 single family homes for sale in Cape Coral, FL

1594 homes have sold in the past three months

That leaves us with an absorption rate of: 4.2 months

What does that mean?

Let’s say that not another house went on the market. How long would it take to sell the existing inventory? Only 4.2 months….

Rule of thumb:

A ‘normal’ real estate market (if there is such a thing) has an absorption rate of 6%

When is it a buyers market? When the absorption rate is over 6 %

When is it a sellers market? When the absorption rate is under 6%

The tide has turned…but the deals are still available. But RUN don’t walk…..

Cape Deb - your Guide to Paradise » Florida

24 Hr Cape Coral Real Estate Market Watch…

Cape Coral Real Estate – June 2011 Absorption rate….

Cape Coral Real Estate Market – February 2011 Absorption Rate…

October 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

October 2010

State and National News:

Taxes and Insurance:

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Real Estate Tips:

Green News:

Check out my website at

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

5 Tips for buying a Foreclosure

Get prequalified for a loan and set aside funds, and you’ll be ready to purchase a foreclosed home.

More from HouseLogic

Other web resources

Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

239.233.2322

Sign up to receive a free copy of the monthly newsletter click here

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August 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

August 2010

State and National News:

Taxes and Insurance:

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Real Estate Tips:

Green News:

Check out my website at

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

8 Tips for Adding Curb Appeal and Value to Your Home

1. Paint the house.

2. Have the house washed.

3. Trim the shrubs and green up the yard.

4. Add a splash of color.

5. Add a fancy mailbox and house numbers.

6. Repair or clean the roof.

7. Put up a fence.

Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

239.233.2322

Sign up to receive a free copy of the monthly newsletter click here

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SOLD !!! Waterfront Location! Location! Location! $239,000

Lee County Lis Pendens filed…..Market Watch

SOLD!! Gulf Access-Beautifully Furnished-1st Floor CONDO $159,900

Click Here for more info

Cape Coral FL Market Watch (May 2010)

Sold!-Buildable WATERFRONT Lot with Access to the Gulf of Mexico….$49,900

March 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

MARCH 2010

State and National News:

Taxes and Insurance:

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Real Estate Tips:

Green News:

Check out my new website at

The Pros and Cons of Condos…….

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

239.233.2322

To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here

Cape Coral/Fort Myers Real Estate Stats….

February 2010 Newsletter….Cape Coral FL Real Estate News from Cape Deb………

February 2010

State and National News:

Taxes and Insurance:

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

Green News:

Check out my new website at

10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable…….

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

Deb Cullen, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS, SFR

239.233.2322

To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here

SOLD! – A TRUE TROPICAL HOME…$149,900

Under Agreement in 1 day…