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!!!

State and National News:

• Free advice to help owners keep their homes   Read more….
• Florida consumer confidence up   Read more…
• Government in talks to rent out foreclosures   Read more…
• Foreclosure activity down   Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

• Some Cape Coral residents may see decrease in taxes   Read more…
• Florida Insurance cost comparison made easy   Read more…
• Tax exemption for military now available   Read more…
• Tax break on gas prices   Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

• Tax rate to remain the same in proposed budget   Read more…
• Violent Crimes down in Cape Coral   Read more…
• Cape’s first ‘Net Zero’ house   Read more…
• Cape gets dredging permit   Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

• Turned down for a loan?  Find out why   Read more…
• Hurricane Preparation Guide   Read more…
• Family Emergency Plan   Read more…
• 7 smart fertilizer tips   Read more…

Green News:

• Off the beaten track – Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key   Read more…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my website at

www.CapeDeb.com

_______________________________________________________________________

This month’s feature property…..  asking price $29,900

Location! Location! Location! FABULOUS GULF ACCESS LOT!…….This GREAT home site is located in Unit 59… Imagine building your dream home….walking out your back door…..getting in your boat and heading out to any where in the world. That’s ACCESS!!! Boating access to the Gulf of Mexico, beaches, and surrounding islands such as Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key, Sanibel, Boca Grand… Not to mention…this area offers some of the best fishing to be found anywhere.

“LOOKING FOR NEW LISTINGS!  Most of mine are under agreement or sold….”

(click picture for more info)

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

______________________________________________________________________

7 Hot Home Improvement Trends that Make Your Home Work for You

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Published: May 13, 2011

Home improvement trends embrace energy efficiency, low maintenance exteriors, and double-duty space.

Trend #1: Maintenance-free siding

We continue to choose maintenance-free siding that lives as long as we do, but with a lot less upkeep. But more and more we’re opting for fiber-cement siding, one of the fastest-growing segments of the siding market. It’s a combination of cement, sand, and cellulosic fibers that looks like wood but won’t rot, combust, or succumb to termites and other wood-boring insects.
At $5 to $9 per sq. ft., installed, fiber-cement siding is more expensive than paint-grade wood, vinyl, and aluminum siding. It returns 80% of investment, the highest return of any upscale project on Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value Report.
Maintenance is limited to a cleaning and some caulking each spring. Repaint every 7 to 15 years. Wood requires repainting every 4 to 7 years.

Trend #2: Convertible spaces

Forget “museum rooms” we use twice a year (dining rooms and living rooms) and embrace convertible spaces that change with our whims.
Foldaway walls turn a private study into an easy-flow party space. Walls can consist of fancy, glass panels ($600 to $1,600 per linear ft., depending on the system); or they can be simple vinyl-covered accordions  ($1,230 for 7 ft. by 10 ft.). PortablePartions.com sells walls on wheels ($775 for approximately 7 ft. by 7 ft.).
A Murphy bed pulls down from an armoire-looking wall unit and turns any room into a guest room. Prices, including installation and cabinetry, range from $2,000 (twin with main cabinet) to more than $5,000 (California king with main and side units). Just search online for sellers.
And don’t forget area rugs that easily define, and redefine, open spaces.

Trend #3: A laundry room of your own

Humankind advanced when the laundry room arose from the basement to a louvered closet on the second floor where clothes live. Now, we’re taking another step forward by granting washday a room of its own.
If you’re thinking of remodeling, turn a mudroom or extra bedroom into a dedicated laundry room big enough to house the washer and dryer, hang hand-washables, and store bulk boxes of detergent.
Look for spaces that already have plumbing hookups or are adjacent to rooms with running water to save on plumbing costs.

Trend #4: Souped-up kitchens

Although houses are trending smaller, kitchens are getting bigger, according to the American Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trends Survey.
Kitchen remodels open the space, perhaps incorporating lonely dining rooms, and feature recycling centers, large pantries, and recharging stations.
Oversized and high-priced commercial appliances—did we ever fire up six burners at once?—are yielding to family-sized, mid-range models that recover at least one cabinet for storage.
Since the entire family now helps prepare dinner (in your dreams), double prep sinks have evolved into dual-prep islands with lots of counter space and pull-out drawers.

Trend #5: Energy diets

We’re wrestling with an energy disorder: We’re binging on electronics—cell phones, iPads, Blackberries, laptops–then crash dieting by installing LED fixtures and turning the thermostat to 68 degrees.
Are we ahead of the energy game? Only the energy monitors and meters know for sure.
These new tracking devices can gauge electricity usage of individual electronics ($20 to $30) or monitor whole house energy ($100 to $250). The TED 5000 Energy Monitor ($240) supplies real-time feedback that you can view remotely and graph by the second, minute, hour, day, and month.

Trend #6: Love that storage

As we bow to the new god of declutter, storage has become the holy grail.We’re not talking about more baskets we can trip over in the night; we’re imagining and discovering built-in storage in unlikely spaces–under stairs, over doors, beneath floors.
Under-appreciated nooks that once displayed antique desks are growing into built-ins for books and collections. Slap on some doors, and you can hide office supplies and buckets of Legos.
Giant master suites, with floor space to land a 747, are being divided to conquer clutter with more walk-in closets.

Trend #7: Home offices come out of the closet

Flexible work schedules, mobile communications, and entrepreneurial zeal are relocating us from the office downtown to home.
Laptops and wireless connections let us telecommute from anywhere in the house, but we still want a dedicated space (preferably with a door) for files, supplies, and printers.
Spare bedrooms are becoming home offices and family room niches are morphing into working nooks. After a weekend of de-cluttering, basements and attics are reborn as work centers.

Lisa Kaplan Gordon is a HouseLogic contributor and homebuilder.

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. © Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

Deborah ‘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

To remove your name from our mailing list, plea

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!

State and National News:

• Buying a Short Sale   Read more….
• Housing Affordability Reaches 20 year high   Read more…
• Banks want higher down payments   Read more…
• Florida’s real estate outlook perks up   Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

• Home Ownership offers plenty of Tax Benefits   Read more…
• Some procedures changing for taxpayers this season   Read more….

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

• Sneak peek at Burnt Store Road widening project   (Drop me an email at deb@CapeDeb.com and I will forward plan to you)
• Residential Permits are up   Read more…
• Red Sox’s Spring Training Dreams   Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

• Showing tips for Sellers   Read more…
• Get a jump on Spring Cleaning   Read more…
• 24 Cleaning Problems – Solved   Read more…
• How to fix cracks in concrete   Read more…

Green News:

• State Senator wants to get rid of Florida Fishing Licenses   Read more…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my website at

www.CapeDeb.com

_______________________________________________________________________

This month’s feature property…..

BACK ON THE MAREKT….HOT PROPERTY!!!  only $239,000

3 bedroom/3  Bath Pool WATERFRONT home with over 1900 sq feet of living area…

Fabulous Basin View, Access to the Gulf of Mexico,   and much more!!!

(click picture for more info)

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

______________________________________________________________________

1. Will remodeling make your home better than everyone else’s?  To make the right move-or-remodel decision, you have to know: 

• Your home’s value. Easy. Just ask a REALTOR® to estimate it and tell you how it compares with the value of the other homes in your immediate neighborhood. Ask her what she thinks your house will be worth after the improvements, too.

• Your neighbors’ home value. Hit some open houses. Seeing the inside of area homes will inspire you; help you make good choices about finishes, room sizes, and how much to spend; and, admit it, entertain you.

• Your remodeling costs. Once you’ve got your renovation vision, get a quote from a home improvement contractor or, if you’re remodeling it yourself, tally the costs of the items on your supplies shopping list.

Then add the remodeling costs to the value of your home. If the number you get is more than 10% above the average value of homes in your neighborhood, you’re over-improving and probably won’t be able to sell for what you put into the remodel.

Here’s why: No one wants to buy the most expensive home on the block (your home) if they can spend the same money to get a similar home on a block of higher-priced homes. Would you pay $200,000 to live on a block where all the other homes are valued at $100,000? We hope not.

Make home improvements that are typical for the neighborhood. Don’t put granite countertops in a trailer, and don’t put laminate countertops in a Trump Tower condo. Your tour of open houses gives you a chance to verify that your planned remodel isn’t an over- or under-improvement for the neighborhood.

2. Do you love where you live?

Want to keep your kids in the same school district, but can’t find or afford a bigger, better house? Love the neighbors? Have an easy commute to work? Stay put. If you’ve soured on the traffic, the neighborhood’s crime rate, or the nosy neighbors, move on.

3. Do you have room to expand?

If your remodeling plans include increasing the overall size of your home, the size of your lot may be the deciding factor in whether to move or remodel. If you live in a 1,500 sq. ft. ranch on a 3,000 sq. ft. lot, you might be able to add a second story to turn it into a 3,000 sq. ft. two-story, but you’re not likely to add 1,500 sq. ft. at ground level. And if you have a septic tank and well, the location of those will limit how and where you add onto your home (or cost you a bundle to move).4. Can you afford to move?

Consider these moving costs: sale costs for your existing home, shipping your household goods, buying window treatments and possibly furniture for the new house, costs to fix up your existing home before sale, higher utility costs (if your next house is bigger), insurance cost differences, and property taxes.

  
More from HouseLogic
Q&A: Author Sarah Susanka Talks Budget-Smart Remodeling
Should You Move or Improve?
Other web resources
Find your local remodelers 
Average project cost 
Dona DeZube, HouseLogic’s news editor, moved across the same street twice when she remodeled two houses in Columbia, Maryland,
before she moved to a house in Clarksville, Maryland.

She remodeled that house and then moved back to the same street in Columbia.
She despises moving, but her husband loves remodeling.

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

To remove your name from our mailing list, please click

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!

State and National News:

• Mortgage rates fall to fresh low   Read more….
• Florida job growth expected to rise next year   Read more…
• Promising signs that growth will continue   Read more…
• Lee County looks at cutting fees   Read more…
• Florida condo sales up   Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

• Florida Tax Guide   Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

• Christmas in Florida   Read more….
• Gateway project makes comeback   Read more…
• Downtown Fort Myers’ project launced again   Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

• Christmas Decorations Dos   Read more…
• Tips for hanging Christmas lights   Read more…
• Getting your house ready for Winter   Read more…

Green News:

• First Fruits sprout   Read more…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my website at

www.CapeDeb.com

_______________________________________________________________________

This month’s feature…..

Own a piece of Paradise…..

This WATERFRONT Homesite offers boating access to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond for only $49,900…..

(click picture for more info)

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

______________________________________________________________________

Published: August 24, 2010

When your house no longer suits you, you can move or remodel. Find out which big change is the right investment of your housing dollars. Just about everything else—remodeling costs, the hassle of living in a construction zone, or the ability to live happily without one more bathroom–is a personal preference. After all, your home isn’t just your largest investment; it’s also the place where your family lives.

1. Will remodeling make your home better than everyone else’s?

To make the right move-or-remodel decision, you have to know:

• Your home’s value. Easy. Just ask a REALTOR® to estimate it and tell you how it compares with the value of the other homes in your immediate neighborhood. Ask her what she thinks your house will be worth after the improvements, too.

• Your neighbors’ home value. Hit some open houses. Seeing the inside of area homes will inspire you; help you make good choices about finishes, room sizes, and how much to spend; and, admit it, entertain you.

• Your remodeling costs. Once you’ve got your renovation vision, get a quote from a home improvement contractor or, if you’re remodeling it yourself, tally the costs of the items on your supplies shopping list.

Then add the remodeling costs to the value of your home. If the number you get is more than 10% above the average value of homes in your neighborhood, you’re over-improving and probably won’t be able to sell for what you put into the remodel.

Here’s why: No one wants to buy the most expensive home on the block (your home) if they can spend the same money to get a similar home on a block of higher-priced homes. Would you pay $200,000 to live on a block where all the other homes are valued at $100,000? We hope not.

Make home improvements that are typical for the neighborhood. Don’t put granite countertops in a trailer, and don’t put laminate countertops in a Trump Tower condo. Your tour of open houses gives you a chance to verify that your planned remodel isn’t an over- or under-improvement for the neighborhood.

2. Do you love where you live?

Want to keep your kids in the same school district, but can’t find or afford a bigger, better house? Love the neighbors? Have an easy commute to work? Stay put. If you’ve soured on the traffic, the neighborhood’s crime rate, or the nosy neighbors, move on.

3. Do you have room to expand?

If your remodeling plans include increasing the overall size of your home, the size of your lot may be the deciding factor in whether to move or remodel. If you live in a 1,500 sq. ft. ranch on a 3,000 sq. ft. lot, you might be able to add a second story to turn it into a 3,000 sq. ft. two-story, but you’re not likely to add 1,500 sq. ft. at ground level. And if you have a septic tank and well, the location of those will limit how and where you add onto your home (or cost you a bundle to move).

4. Can you afford to move?

Consider these moving costs: sale costs for your existing home, shipping your household goods, buying window treatments and possibly furniture for the new house, costs to fix up your existing home before sale, higher utility costs (if your next house is bigger), insurance cost differences, and property taxes.

——————————————————————————————————————————————– 

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

To remove your name from our mailing list, please click

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…

_____________________________________________________________________

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)

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

______________________________________________________________________

5 Tips for buying a Foreclosure

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.

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

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

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

State and National News:

• Foreclosures down from last year   Read more….
• CPSC identifies manufacturers of problem drywall   Read more…
• Mortgage rates sink to lowest level this year   Read more…
• America’s Top Places for 2010   Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

• Tax credit extended for Armed Forces   Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

• New Production Plant in Cape Coral begins pumping water   Read more…
• Median Home Prices raise in Lee County   Read more…
• Cape Coral nixes San Souci Bay project   Read more…
• Cape Coral BMX   Read more…
• Incentives help Cape Coral commercial real estate   Read more…
• Cape Coral owners responsible for foreclosures   Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

• Outdoor Room Design ideas   Read more…
• Hottest new paint colors   Read more…
• Quick Fixes   Read more…
• How to fix a screen   Read more…

Green News:

• Free mulch   Read more…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

_______________________________________________________________________

This month’s feature…..

Waterfront Pool Home! $199,000

(click picture for more info)

-High ceilings and French doors

-one of Cape Coral’s most extensive freshwater canal-ways

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

______________________________________________________________________

LAWN MAINTENACE CALENDAR…..

Article From HouseLogic.com

By: Douglas Trattner
Published: February 04, 2010

Regular lawn maintenance gives your home maximum curb appeal and preserves the value of your property.

A healthy, well-maintained lawn is more than just good-looking-it’s a key to preserving the value of your home. Regular lawn maintenance enhances curb appeal, making your home-and neighborhood-attractive to passersby and potential buyers.

According to Su Chi Straka-Phillis, a residential real estate appraiser with Central Appraisal Services of Parma, Ohio, a well-kept lawn preserves a home’s value.

Put off routine maintenance, and you risk devaluing your home. In fact, an unkempt lawn can be a warning sign to buyers of other potential home maintenance issues, explains Cecilia Sherrard, a real estate agent in Rocky River, Ohio. “The outside of the home is the first thing people see, and if it’s not properly maintained, many will not be interested in scheduling a showing to see the inside.”

Know your grass type

There are two main types of lawn grass: cool-season and warm-season. Homeowners living in the Northeast, Midwest, and Northwest should grow cool-season grasses. As depicted on the Plant Heat-Zone Map (http://www.ahs.org/publications/heat_zone_map.htm) provided by the American Horticultural Society, the regions for cool-season grasses are approximately zones 1 through 7.

Cool-season grasses do most of their growing in spring and fall, often going dormant in the summer. Cool-season grasses include bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and St. Augustine grass.

Those living in the Southeast and Southwest (zones 8 through 12) will generally have warm-season grasses. Warm-season grasses thrive from late spring to early fall and go dormant in the winter. Varieties include tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass.

If you’re unsure which zone applies to you, check your state extension service (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/).

Mowing

Grass type: All
Maintenance schedule: Spring to fall

“The taller the grass, the deeper the roots, the fewer the weeds, and the more moisture the soil holds between watering,” explains Richard Hentschel of the University of Illinois Extension (http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/index.html). Hentschel recommends the mower blade height be permanently set to 3 inches.

In prime growing season (spring and fall for cool-season; summer for warm), homeowners should mow frequently enough so they’re removing no more than one-third of the grass blade. If possible, resist the urge to mow the grass when wet, as the practice can spread diseases that affect lawns.

Mower blades should be sharpened monthly to ensure clean, sharp cuts. A dull blade tears the grass, leaving jagged edges that discolor the lawn and invite pathogens. Consider spending about $20 for a backup blade so that a sharp one is always on hand.

Watering

Grass type: All
Maintenance schedule: Spring to fall

Deep and infrequent watering is better for lawns than frequent sprinkles, which promote shallow root growth, says Hentschel. In general, lawns need about one inch of water per week to maintain green color and active growth.

Lawns that receive less than that will likely go into dormancy. To stay alive, dormant lawns should still receive at least 1 inch of water per month.

To check the output of a sprinkler, scatter some pie tins around the yard to see how much water collects in a specific length of time. Having a rain gauge ($5 to $20) will help you keep track of how much water the lawn receives naturally. Allowing a cool-season lawn to go dormant in the summer can save hundreds of gallons of water, depending on the size of your lawn.

Feeding

Grass type: Cool-season
Maintenance schedule: Early fall

Grass type: Warm-season
Maintenance schedule: Late spring

“It used to be common to fertilize a lawn three or four times per year,” says Hentschel. “Now we suggest just once a year when it will do the most good.” For cool-season grasses, that time is early fall, so the grass enters winter dormancy in a much healthier state.

For warm-season grasses, the best time to fertilize is late spring, just as the grass begins its most active growth. For best results, closely follow the application directions on the product. Cost is around $50 to $75 per application.

People interested in organic fertilizers have never had an easier time finding them at local garden centers. Homeowners who mow regularly with mulching mowers are encouraged to leave the clippings on the ground, where they’ll decompose and recycle nutrients into the soil.

Weed-control herbicide application

Grass type: Cool-season
Maintenance schedule: Fall

Grass type: Warm-season
Maintenance schedule: Late winter

Homeowners should embrace the idea that an occasional weed is OK, says Hentschel. For minor weed invasions, removal by hand of the entire plant and roots is recommended. When the situation becomes impossible to contain by hand, it might be necessary to apply an herbicide.

For cool-season grasses, the best time to apply a weed killer is in fall, when both old and new weeds can be eliminated before winter. Warm-season grasses often benefit from a late-winter application of a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from growing.

In place of weed and feed products, which are spread over the entire lawn, Hentschel prefers liquid-based herbicides that are applied only where needed. It’s imperative to read and follow all directions on herbicide labels. Cost is around $15 to $45 per application.

Grub control

Grass type: Cool-season
Maintenance schedule: Early summer

Grass type: Warm-season
Maintenance schedule: Late summer

Grub worms, the larval stage of June, Japanese, and other beetles, feed on the tender root systems of lawns. Affected lawns exhibit browning and wilting patches.

To be certain that the culprits are grubs, Hentschel suggests that homeowners pull back the sod and look for white, C-shaped grubs. If they’re present at a rate exceeding 10 per square foot, they should be treated with a chemical pesticide.

Milky spore is an environmentally friendly way to control some species of grubs. When using insecticides, read and follow all label directions and water the product into the soil immediately. Cost is around $50 to $75 per application.

Patching

Grass type: Cool-season
Maintenance schedule: Early fall

Grass type: Warm-season
Maintenance schedule: Early summer

The best time to patch bare or thin spots in a lawn is at the start of the grass’s most favorable growing period. For cool-season grasses that means waiting until the hot, dry days of summer have given way to cooler fall temps.

Warm-season grasses thrive in summer, so it’s best to sow seeds at the start of that season. Hentschel says to buy only high quality disease-resistant seed with good germination rates, which by law have to be listed on the label. Cost is anywhere from $20 to $75, depending on the size of the areas to be patched.

Cleanup

Grass type: All
Maintenance schedule: Spring to fall

Although small particles of grass are fine to leave on the lawn, large piles that exit a side-discharge mower should be removed. Fallen leaves, twigs, and debris should be raked up regularly. In climates where it snows, it’s best to remove fall leaves before winter. A thick layer of wet leaves can smother a lawn if not immediately removed in early spring.

Download our free PDF worksheet for an easy-to-use seasonal maintenance task chart.

Douglas Trattner has covered home maintenance and improvement topics for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. During the 10-year stewardship of his 1925 Colonial, he’s upgraded the furnace, added insulation, replaced most appliances, and mowed his lawn every time but once.

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.

________________________________________________________________

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

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

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!

State and National News:

• New Federal Short Sale Program   Read more….
• Fed: Homes with Chinese Drywall must be gutted   Read more…
• Home Sales show healthy gain   Read more…
• Federal Foreclosure Program announced   Read more…
• Condo Lending   Read more…
• The Recession is over, but not officially   Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

• IRS info on Tax Credits   Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

• San Souci Bay gets mixed reactions   Read more…
• New Life for River Hall   Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

• Is your house in a Flood Zone?   Read more…
• Simple Spring Decorating Tips   Read more…
• Gardening Ideas   Read more…
• 8 Things to get rid off   Read more…

Green News:

• Manatee rescued in North Fort Myers   Read more…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

______________________________________________________________________

7 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

Article From HouseLogic.com By: Oliver Marks
Published: March 15, 2010

Novice gardeners can get their landscapes off to a healthy start by heeding some tried-and-true tips from the pros.

Gardening is just about the simplest do-it-yourself home improvement work there is. If you can dig a hole, turn on a spigot, and snip a dead flower off a vine, you’ve got the basic skills down. Still, you do have to make some judgment calls, so it helps to know the ground rules, so to speak, that can help you avoid making some rookie mistakes.

Mistake #1: Making changes too soon

Take the excitement of buying a home, add a nice stretch of spring weather, and you get a lot of enthusiasm for doing yard work. That’s great; seize the day, but don’t jump into wholesale landscape changes, like pulling out plants or reorganizing the layout quite yet.

“That weed that you want to yank out in the spring might turn out to be a gorgeous fall-blooming vine,” says Gary Blondell, owner of Gary’s Gardens, a nursery in Severna Park, Md. Plus, it takes time to learn the landscape and figure out exactly what changes make sense.

Avoid this by: Living with the landscape for a full year, so you can observe it in all seasons.

Mistake #2: Planting too close together

You buy a wheelbarrow full of young shrubs and perennials and plant them in a pleasing arrangement. But if they look properly spaced now, they’re actually way too close together.

Unless you’re creating an evergreen hedge, when the idea is packing things tightly together, the immature plantings will grow into each other in a few years and struggle to compete for sun, water, and soil nutrients. You’ll either have to dig them up and transplant them-or possibly throw them away.

Avoid this by: Following the spacing requirements on the plant label-even though the results will look absurdly sparse at first.

Mistake #3: Planting without a plan

Putting in new garden beds without a long-term landscape plan is like tiling, painting, and wallpapering your house before you figure out your future remodeling plans: There’s a good chance you’ll have to undo your efforts in the near future.

Avoid this by: Drawing a simple, bird’s eye view sketch of your yard, and figuring out the rough location of any future construction-additions, patios, outbuildings, pools-so you can plant around them.

A good local nursery or home improvement store can help you with your design. Or you can hire a landscape designer to create a starter plan for as little as $250 to $500. Find a professional at the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (http://www.apld.com) or the American Society of Landscape Architects (http://www.asla.org).

Mistake #4: Neglecting the root ball

Even the hardiest plants need a little help getting their roots established in their new locations. But just turning on the sprinkler every day to douse the foliage isn’t enough to ensure that they get the nutrients and hydration they need. You have to get the water to a plant’s nerve center–the root ball below ground–or it’s going to be stunted or short-lived.

Avoid this by:Placing the hose near the root ball and setting the water to a trickle for about 20 to 30 minutes. Do this twice a week-more during hot, dry spells-for the first four to 12 weeks. Choosing the right irrigation system can help with this task while saving water (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/water-saving-irrigation-strategies/).

Mistake #5: Ignoring your yard’s sun conditions

Too many nursery shoppers pick plants based only on looks-not the growing conditions they need, which are almost always indicated on a label wrapped around the trunk or a marker pressed into the soil. “They put a sun-loving perennial under a dense tree or something that wants partial shade out in full-day sunshine,” says Blondell. “It looks great for about a week, and then it begins to die.”

Avoid this by: Watching the spot where you’re going to put the plant and estimating the amount of sun it gets over the course of the day during the growing season. To translate that to the language on plant labels, use this key:

Full Sun 6 hours a day or more Part Sun/Part Shade 3 to 5 hours Shade Less than 3 hours

Mistake #6: Misusing irrigation systems

An automatic irrigation system is a luxury that allows you to keep your landscape hydrated throughout the growing season with almost no effort. Unfortunately, with the wrong settings, it can also bring disease, root rot, and an untimely death to the plants in your landscape.

“People tend to set their systems to come on for 15 or 20 minutes each morning,” says Blondell. “That provides a nice saturation of the surface, but not a deep penetrating soak to reach the roots of large shrubs and trees.” And a deeper soak is better for the lawn, too, because it promotes deep root systems.

Avoid this by: Watering for longer intervals-say, 40 to 60 minutes-only two to three times a week. Check with the company that maintains your irrigation system for local recommendations.

Mistake #7: Not budgeting for landscaping during construction projects

Whether you’re building a house or an addition, the bulldozers that excavate the job and the pickups that park on the lawn will damage the grass, trees, and shrubs. And the new building configuration will call for new landscape plantings.

Unfortunately, homeowners don’t often include money in their budgets for this work. So you wind up with a beautiful new family room, screened porch, or solarium, with a few azaleas thrown in around the foundation as an afterthought.

Avoid this by:Allocating 10 to 20 percent of your construction budget to the landscape-both hardscaping and plants-or at least making plans to spend that money as soon as possible after the construction job is complete.

A former carpenter and newspaper reporter, Oliver Marks has been writing about home improvements for 16 years. He’s entering his second summer at his house and has big plans for upgrading its scraggly foundation plantings.

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.

______________________________________________________________________

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

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…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

______________________________________________________________________

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.

1. Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to store belongings.
2. 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.
3. Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.
4. 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.
5. Security. Many condos have keyed entries and or even door attendants. Plus, you’ll be closer to other people in case of an emergency.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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®

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

______________________________________________________________________

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

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).

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

There are currently:

• 2414 single family homes for sale in Cape Coral, FL
• 1402 homes have sold in the past three months

That leaves us with an absorption rate of: 5.1 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 5.1 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%

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

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

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®

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

______________________________________________________________________

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

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.

(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

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?…

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…..