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:

• 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

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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

State and National News:

• Mortgage rates drop to another low, 4.58%   Read more….
• Big changes to condo laws take effect    Read more…

Taxes and Insurance:

• Tax credit extension passes   Read more…

Cape Coral and SW Florida News:

• 1st Quator 2010 Local Market Report   Read more…
• New model: SWFL has less than one percent chance of getting oil   Read more…
• City issues more single-family home permits   Read more…
• Lee County Community Gardens   Read more…
• 2010 Summer Cape Coral Parks and Recreations Guide   Read more…

Real Estate Tips:

• Beach style for your home   Read more…
• Organize your Garage   Read more…
• 4 cheap cleaners that work   Read more…
• Before and After Basements   Read more…
• What to look for in an outdoor kitchen   Read more…

Green News:

• Frequently asked questions in Cape Coral  Read more…

_____________________________________________________________________

Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

_______________________________________________________________________

This month’s feature…..

Rose Garden Villa Condo….

(click picture for more info)

-High ceilings, Bright Corner Unit

-one of Cape Coral’s best kept secrets

{CapeDeb’s Listings here}

{Search all properties here }

______________________________________________________________________

10 Tips for Saving Energy in the Kitchen…..

Article From HouseLogic.com

By: Douglas Trattner

Published: August 28, 2009

Spending less money on utility bills doesn’t mean you need to rush out and purchase a whole new suite of Energy Star appliances. With occasional light maintenance and good habits, you can greatly improve the energy efficiency of your large kitchen appliances—up to about $120 annually—without sacrificing convenience.

Refrigerator/freezer

Energy-efficiency experts tell us to focus our efforts on the biggest energy hogs in the house, and that definitely includes the fridge. Because it cycles on and off all day, every day, the refrigerator consumes more electricity than nearly every appliance in the home save for the HVAC systems. The average refrigerator costs about $90 per year to operate, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The good news is that a few simple adjustments can trim roughly $38 to $45 off those utility bills.

1. Adjust the thermostat. By setting the thermostat colder than it needs to be, you might increase your fridge’s energy consumption by as much as 25% on average. Adjust the refrigerator so that it stays in the 37-40 degrees F range. For the freezer, shoot for between 0-5 degrees F. You could save up to $22 per year. If your model doesn’t display the current temps, invest in two appliance thermometers (one for the fridge, one for the freezer). They cost roughly $3-$20 apiece at online retailers.

2. Clean the coils. As dust accumulates on the condenser coils on the rear or bottom of the fridge, it restricts cool-air flow and forces the unit to work harder and longer than necessary. Every six months, vacuum away the dust that accumulates on the mechanism. Also, check to see that there is at least a 3-inch clearance at the rear of the fridge for proper ventilation. This routine maintenance can trim up to 5% off the unit’s operating cost, says energy savings expert Michael Bluejay, saving you about $4.50 a year.

3. Use an ice tray. Automatic ice makers are a nice convenience, to be sure, but it turns out the mechanisms are energy hogs. An automatic ice maker can increase a refrigerator’s energy consumption by 14% to 20%, according to Energy Star. By switching off the ice maker and using trays, you can save about $12 to $18 off your annual electricity bill. Most units require little more than a lift of the sensor arm to switch them off. To reclaim the space remove the entire unit, a simple DIY job on many models.

4. Unplug the “beer fridge.” Many homes have an extra fridge that runs year round even though it’s used sparingly. Worse, these fridges tend to be older, more inefficient models. By consolidating the contents to the main fridge and unplugging the additional unit, you eliminate the entire operating cost of a fridge. The second-best solution is to make sure the extra fridge remains three-quarters full at all times. The mass helps maintain steady internal temps and lets the fridge recover more quickly after the door is opened and closed, according to the California Energy Commission.

Ovens and ranges

“Green” cooking all comes down to proper time and space management. By using gas and electric stoves more effectively, you can painlessly save a few dollars a year.

5. Cut the power early. As anybody who’s ever bumped a burner on an electric stove can attest, those heating elements stay hot long after they’ve been switched off. Put that residual heat to work by shutting off the burner several minutes before the end of the cook time. The same technique can be applied to the oven. The savings can add up to a couple bucks every month.

6. Match the burner to pan. When a small pan is placed on a big burner you can practically see the money disappearing into thin air. By matching the burner to the pan, electricity won’t be squandered heating the kitchen rather than the food. The reverse is true, too. A small burner will take considerably longer to heat a large pan than would an appropriately sized burner. For gas stoves, don’t let the flames lick the sides of the pot. Follow these tips and watch the utility bills shrink by a few dollars a month.

7. Do away with preheating. You can save about $2 a month by not preheating your oven (20 cents per hour to operate electric oven; eliminate 20 30-minute preheats a month). Many cooks agree that the practice is wholly unnecessary for all but a few recipes, namely baking breads and cakes. This approach may add a few minutes to the overall cooking time, but it eliminates all that wait time on the front end.

Dishwasher

As with washing machines, most of a dishwasher’s energy needs go to heating the water. Still, says Lane Burt, an energy policy analyst with The Natural Resources Defense Council, a 10-year-old dishwasher can be made nearly as efficient as a newer model simply by knowing when and how to run it. Follow a few simple tips, and you can reduce your annual utility costs by roughly $35-$54.

8. Manage the load. Most dishwashers use the same amount of water and energy whether they’re run full or half-full. You can cut your operating costs by one-third or one-half by running the machine only when it’s full. It costs about $54 to run a pre-2000 model dishwasher per year, based on government data. Proper load management can save up to $27 each year.

9. Activate energy-saving features. A dishwasher’s heated dry cycle can add 15% to 50% to the appliance’s operating cost. Most machines allow the feature to be switched off (or not turned on), which can save $8-$27 per year, assuming an operating cost of $54 annually. If your dishwasher doesn’t have that flexibility, simply turn the appliance off after the final rinse and open the door.

10.  Use the machine. Many homeowners believe they can save water and energy by hand washing dishes. The truth is that a dishwasher requires less than one-third the water it would take to do those same dishes in the sink. By running the machine (when full), you can cut down the operating time of the hot water heater, your home’s largest energy hog. Not only will you save a buck per month, you won’t have to do the dishes.

Douglas Trattner has covered household appliances and home improvement for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. During the 10-year stewardship of his 1925 Colonial, he’s upgraded almost every household appliance. After lengthy deliberation, he recently replaced an aging top-load washing machine with an energy-efficient front-load unit

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

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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!

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

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).

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….

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Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

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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®

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

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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:

• 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…

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Check out my new website at

www.CapeDeb.com

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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.

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?…

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…

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…..

Students attending Cape Coral’s Public Schools comprise nearly one-quarter of the Lee County District School’s enrollment. This is a dramatic departure from just four decades ago, when a handful of students from the community’s “pioneer” families bounced from school to school located everywhere except in Cape Coral.

Several Schools located in Cape Coral have earned Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Honors from the State of Florida, and many of those have taken national honors as well. See school ratings…

The City of Cape Coral operates under the Council-City Manager form of government. City Council members are elected at large from seven districts. The Mayor also is elected at large and is the eighth member of Council.

Our city has one of the best Recreation Departments in the state, providing all kinds of services for young and old.  Our economic growth and education system, combined with our top public safety-standing, make Cape Coral one of the most desirable locations in the entire world.
The City Council enacts ordinances and resolutions, adopts the budget, and oversees comprehensive planning and land-use regulations. The Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, as well as the members of all boards and commissions.

The City Manager hires all department directors and oversees the day-to-day operations of the city.

eCape (Cape Corals online services page)
Cape Coral Demographics

Crime Rates…

Also known as “Paradise”, Cape Coral offers all the beauty that you would expect from Southwest Florida – palm trees, blue sky and sunshine. With over 400 miles of canals – boating, fishing, and water sports are a significant part of everyday life.

Encompassing 114 square miles, Cape Coral has something for everyone. Golf courses, tennis courts, athletic parks, nature preserves, beach and more.

With Fort Myers just over the bridge, Miami just a few hours away, Naples just south, and Sanibel around the corner, Cape Coral has access to a diverse cultural life. With museums, local and national parks, an international airport, city vibrancy, restaurants, and some of the best beaches within driving range, you can see why Cape Coral is so desirable.

And the weather… ahhhh…the weather…