Every community that has condo units, carriage homes or coach homes has something unique and special about it.  It could be the amenities, the location or the view.  Some boast of being elite golfing communities such as Crown Colony, The Legends, and Colonial Country Club.  They have impressive country clubs with plenty of social activities centered around the golfing lifestyle.   Crown Colony- Golf, Country Club, Tennis, Community Pool, Fitness CenterOthers are located near the beaches and offer tremendous family friendly amenities like Laguna Lakes and Parker Lakes. Laguna Lakes - Children's Play Area, Fitness, Tennis, Sand Volley Ball, Community Pool  Parker Lakes- Community Pool, Basketball, Fitness, Children's Play Area, Tennis, Shuffle Board And, not all HOA and Condo Associations... 09/04/2007

Build in 1997 with 1312 square feet under air this home is aggressively priced at $199,500, located in Marco Blvd a quality location of San Carlos Park in Fort Myers, with "motivated sellers". Courtesy of C-21 Sunbelt.It has an oversized lot and an elegant overall architecture style and well build lanai..a 3/2.    Build in 1995 with 1554 square feet.This home is a short sale at an asking price of $199,900.One of the favorites due to the vaulted ceiling, quality kitchen cabinets and large lanai among other points Courtesy of Sellstate Professional Realty.3/2 with dual sink and tub and shower in master bathroom. Located also in a top residential area of San Carlos in Arizona rd.     1997 build with 1294 square feet feet at $208,900 asking price this home is very well maintained.The tiles ... 09/04/2007

 Mille Sapore Mediterranean Cuisine My husband and I recently tried a rare gem of a wonderful restaurant in Fort Myers that has received rave reviews from Gulf Shore Life.  Located near Health Park Hospital / Medical Center on Summerlin Rd.  Sapores Mediterranean Cusine is on your way to Sanibel Island, however you might not noticed it tucked away next to the Publix Shopping Center on the corner of Summerlin and Winkler Ave. The food is an eclectic blend of several different Mediterranean Cuisines.  Sapore serves everything from  Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco and Greece.  I enjoyed the grilled lamb with couscous, stuffed grape leaves, and a glass of Chianti.  The quiet, artistic and romantic ambiance along with the scents of spices in the air will awaken y... 09/03/2007

            In the last 5 years I have seen The Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District, also known as the Historic District and part of the newly called River District transformed into one of the great areas of South West Florida. The proud Royal Palms and landscaping  breaks Mc Gregor's center and side streets with grandiose beauty. It is after all called the City of Palms.   This pristine  area flows from Bay and Lee Street, Anderson and Monroe Street . nestled between the Caloosahatchee river and a few blocks Est of the famed Mc Gregor Blvd.Its center piece de resistance the Edison estate and Henry Ford summer house.It became a full fledge Historic District in 1990. There are now over 60 registered historical homes Because the town was not officially platted and created until 1876 w... 08/31/2007

If you read a newspaper or watch tv, I don't have to tell you this is a bad time in real estate...you already know it.  In spite of that, there are many agents who are having a good year this year.  While I won't be breaking any records in 2007, I really can't complain either.  That's because i have maintained contact with buyers I have been showing property to for a couple of years now.  They know prices have fallen and they  recognize a bargain when they see it.  A true buyer's market exists here in Fort Myers.  Many, many owners really need to sell .  They are happy to just get out from under their mortgages and have forgotten all about the huge profits they were once expecting.  I encourage all my buyers to "make an offer", even if it is really a low-ball offer.  As often as not, th... 08/28/2007

As if the market isn't tough enough !     We are all tired of the negative real estate news served up on a daily basis.  Hopefully agents have been able to tune it out and not get too bummed by the daily slamming of the market.  Well, this morning may have seen a new low to this fiasco.  The annual hurricane guessing game has been downgraded and I hoped it would allow a few more buyers to get serious.  Here on Fort Myers Beach, FL we gat a lot of questions about the threat of hurricanes.  Even though nature has mostly spared us. I watch MSNBC and the weather guy, not having any real hurricanes to talk about, decides to have a " test your memory "  quiz about when was the last hurricane to make U.S .  landfall ?   Well, it turns out that the correct answer was  " One year and 10 months a... 08/27/2007

               Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty 239-560-0726 writes, The real estate market may allways revolve in time, but the "Old Charm" of the McGregor Blvd will always be there! This location in Fort Myers is very special maybe that is why so may people tour the neighborhood each year looking at the waterfront estate homes that line the river shore or touring the open houses each season and admiring the large homes with lust landscaping which helps create each one of the homes very own personality! The updates, in some of these homes are something to see! There is just about every style, size, construction you can think of , well "just about" anyway. I suggest If you are looking for a older home or a large estate home with maybe a guest house? I would suggest you check out ... 08/26/2007

The Fort Myers Track Club held its August Fun Run tonight at the Ten Mile Canal Linear Park.  The linear park is a designated greenway that is a work in progress that will span the city of Fort Myers when completed.  The Linear Park is only about 8 miles north of Bonita Springs.This race began at Fitness on the Move on Metro Parkway and ran the length of the greenway from Daniels Parkway to Crystal Drive.  The race was only two miles - it's a FUN run and it was 96 degrees at 7:00 p.m.The next Fort Myers Track club sponsored event is the Sanibel Bridge Run.  September 8, 2007.If you would like to learn more about the Fort Myers Track Club visit their website and sign up for an event!The organization is well run and the enviroment is fun.  People of all ages and level off skill are involv... 08/21/2007

Six Mile Cypress Slough (pronounced slew) is a 2,200 acre wetland in Fort Myers, Florida.  This tour was taken in mid August during a somewhat unseasonably dry summer. The foliage and wetlands were active with wildlife and the landscape featured lush swamp plants.  The Slough measures 9 miles long and 1/3 mile wide.  It's located right in the middle of Ft. Myers.  It is easier to get to but you do hear more "human" noise than at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary - Naples Florida.  I've driven by the Slough dozens of times and never went in.  I always figured I'd be a chaperon on a field trip, eventually - not.  The Slough is home to a diverse population of plants and animals, including a few considered to be endangered species. The Slough also serves as a corridor for wildlife by providing a sa... 08/20/2007

                                      Discover the "Florida Life Style" of living in one of the several Golf Communties in Southwest Florida!  Joe Kendall "The Service Specialist"  Realtor with Sandals Realty 239-560-0726 www.ViewSWFlorida.com writes, Fort Myers Florida has lots of choices when it comes to looking for a golf course's or country club communities. Home Owners and Home Builders are pulling out all the stops to catch the eye of current home buyers! They are aggressively pricing the homes with incentives with the home purchase! I am seeing homeowner association fees from 6 months to a year paid at closing! Even full memberships for the Golf Courses, Health Clubs and Spa's paid from 6 months to a year! I would suggest buyers take their Realtor around with them to visit all th... 08/12/2007

The other day I had an associate ask me... Where is all the business ?  Where are you getting your leads ?  My reply may surprise you... Internet Marketing... Now I'm not buying leads... I have several webpages out there and I advertise my listings (FOR FREE) on over 40 different internet real estate search engines. The internet is where the consumer is.  If you're not computer savy, or putting yourself out there on the net for people to find you... you're not going to get business. Of course my other niche is my sphere if influence.  Don't forget to remind your friends and family that they need to use you for all of their real estate needs.  Trust me if you don't train them and remind them they just might go somewhere else... Have a great work week... Scott Slocum, RealtorSellstate Ach... 08/06/2007

       Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty www.ViewSwFlorida.com Direct line 239-560-0726 writes: What would paradise be with out the chance to enjoy a pool 365 days a year! Well in southwest Florida where the real estate market remains a Home Buyers Wonderland! There is every choice of style, color, size, location, on water, off water the home choices are Amazing and the Pool choices are as wide spread as the homes! You can buy a already build home and add a pool or you can shop for a amazing pool builder and build the home with access to take advantage of your well designed outdoor oaiss with one of the qualty pool builders here in southwest Florida. I have a great working realtion ship with several home builders and good quality pool builders too! Let my experience work and busin... 08/02/2007

As Realtors we must keep involved in what is happening in our community.  In an effort to keep the community updated regarding community events I would like to pass on this special event to benefit two local heros. On Sunday August 12th, 2007 there will be a fundraiser to benefit City of Fort Myers Firefigther Anthony Labruzzo http://www.fortmyersfirerescue.org/ and the family of deceased Lehigh Acres Fire Control District Firefighter Paul Dube http://www.floridafirejobs.org/agency/main.cfm?ID=11 who completed his career as the departments Public Education Officer. This event will take place in Fort Myers from 6pm-9pm at Cru Food & Wine http://www.crufoodandwine.com/ located at the Belltower Shops at the corner of US 41 (South Tamiami Trail) and Daniels Parkway. Firefighter Anthony Labr... 07/31/2007

I recently had a buyer contact me through my yahoo profile. He is someone looking for an investment property. After further talk of what kind of property he wanted, and where he wanted the property, he started throwing around a term I had never heard of. The term was APOD. He was somewhat in shock, that I, a licensed real estate professional wasn’t familiar with this term. Instead of getting angry, I decided this was good, as I could learn something new here. After extensive research on the term, I found that an APOD is an acronym for Annual Property Operating Data and serves as the real estate equivalent of an annual income and expense statement. In other words, it's a concise one-page document that reveals a rental property's income and expenses projected for one year. Consider it a s... 07/31/2007

How do I become a Firefighter ?  As you may or may not know by reading my bio on Active Rain, I also serve my community full-time as a Firefighter Paramedic.  This is a common question asked to those of us in the industry by members of the public that are interested in becoming public safety professionals in southwest florida or there own hometowns.  The process is pretty similar for most communities throughout the nation, but this blog will specifically focus on becoming a Firefighter right here in Florida. First and foremost you have to be 18 years of age or older and have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.  This is the minimum requirements that most agencies require for you to become employed. Next you have to find the agency or area that you would like to perform this occupation.  Diff... 07/30/2007

Laguna Lakes Escape to tropical Laguna Lakes!  Live like you are on vacation everyday ! Laguna Lakes is an upscale community in Southwest Florida.  Laguna Lakes is literally just a few short miles to some of the best beaches is in Florida.  Sanibel Island and the barrier islands are favorite vacation destinations and they are practically in your backyard. Laguna Lakes is a family friendly community with activities for everyone.  Included is a children's playground, community pool, tennis courts, volleyball court, clubhouse complete with workout room, and many peaceful sparkling lakes that give most everyone a water view.  Laguna Lakes is comprised of a community which includes estate homes, single family homes, and condominiums complete with their own garages.  Prices start from the low... 07/29/2007

   Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty writes, People that I meet from the Midwest always tell me,"What am I going to do with out my basement" here in southwest Florida?  I have always had a basement to store my stuff! I said  store your stuff? I said now truthfully, how much of that "stuff " did you ever use on a regular bases? I always get 9 out of 10 answers stating it's well, not that often. I know from formally being from Michigan and lived in three different homes and owning a vacation home that, " the more space you have the more you buy and store"! Just talk to my wife! I always suggest, if you really feel you need the extra space? Then may I suggest a home with a 3 car garage! Most people do not understand, that it's not all about the extra car space, but the Attic space a... 07/25/2007

       When Charles Joseph Crist, Jr. ran for Governor of Florida I had doubts.I still do. First of all he was our Attorney General and like it or not I am not crazy about attorneys. The major reason is because in our own town of Fort Myers Beach two of the 5 elected congressman are lawyers. They are Real Estate lawyers and as such I have used their services as a Realtor® and know them.They are excellent Real Estate attorneys but as congressman its another matter. I thought it would be the same.I am givingCharlie Crist the benefit of the doubt.  Its all going to be up to the voters on January 29th 2008. They can talk until the cows come back home.One has to take a stance Check the article by Rainer Marc Blassi of Palm Beach Gardens:6/5 Update on Florida Property Tax.   Are we going to g... 07/17/2007

After starting a comment on What can a Real Estate Assistant do legally?by Melissa I realize that the answer would be too lengthy so I might as well make it a blog. I am sure that Melissa knows most of the answers and she does raise an important question and I am giving her the credit for the subject. Open House Assistant with louzy training  AN unlicensed assistant may host an open house. The key word is host. They can open the house and the doors to the visitors, give them refreshments ( woop de doo ), have them sign the guest sheet, and overall greet them, as long as the seller's or lessor agrees to this in writing. All this has to do with fiduciary duties and what is considered what is considered General Public Information. I will get to that later on. What is interesting is that un... 07/11/2007

Enjoy the Crown Colony LifestyleAre you tired of the golf courses you have been playing?  Are you ready to make your next home in a community where you wake up every morning feeling like you are on vacation?  If so, the Magnificent Crown Colony community in Fort Myers, Florida is for you.  Top 10 Reasons to choose Crown Colony as your exclusive community:1. Crown Colony boasts one of the top rated most challenging golf courses in SW Florida.2.  All golf carts are quipped with state of the art GPS to help golfers read their distance to the hole at any point on the fairway.3.  Crown Colony has a golf training center with a turf practice range featuring real greens for targets.4.  Crown Colony has a 15,600 square foot elegant clubhouse complete with formal dining room, pro-shop, grand pia... 07/10/2007