SWFL Impressions - Downtown Fort Myers Art Walk - Cinco de Mayo

Known as the core of the River District, Downtown Fort Myers is where old Florida meets new. Once the area's shopping and business district, Downtown Fort Myers has undergone a myriad of changes. From it's early heydays as commercial center, the Downtown saw a downturn with the introduction of one-way streets and the Edison Mall during the 1970s. It went through a rather abysmal period during the 1980s and into the '90s. In the early 2000s, there was a rediscovery as the original commercial buildings were renovated and small businesses moved in to set up shop as part of the Downtown Redevelopment Project. With lots of trial and error and lots of startups and closures over the past 15 to 17 years, the Downtown is now a vibrant events venue, entertainment district and dining center. With its array of restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, along with luxury high-rise condo communities to the east and west, the River District has become an alternative lifestyle opportunity with high walkability and tremendous curb appeal.

Pavered brick streets and side walks lend aesthetic appeal to pedestrian and vehicle traffic alike.

Downtown is THE Events Venue.

Architectural Integrity Preserved for All to Enjoy.

Beautiful Waterfront Extension

Fountains and Piped-in Music along the promenade offer a unique atmosphere.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Drive

The Neighbors-helping-Neighbors Harry Chapin Food Drive Underway - Donation Bags being distributed in the community of Eagle Ridge today. Pick up is on Saturday between 9:00 and 11:00 am.
04/15: 21 Bags of donations collected from the residents of Eagle Ridge - This was the first of several pickups until May 15. So, Thank you!! And a big thank you to Randy Dunwody for volunteering his time.
04/17: Delivery to Harry Chapin Food Bank - 153 lbs - Just 847 lbs to go.
05/05: Distribution to Eagle Ridge: Aries Way Drive; Eaglet Court; Triple Eaglet Court. Pickup 05/07 between 4:00-6:00pm

Contract to Closing - This is what I do...

It’s both exciting and stressful negotiating a real estate purchase contract. Once it’s signed by the sellers, buyers can relax a bit, but I can’t. There are still more negotiations, document deliveries, inspections, title details and mortgage tasks to be accomplished to reach a successful closing and walk away with the keys to your new real estate property.
There are more than 50 specific due dates and tasks on our average transaction checklist, but an overview of a few includes:

• Post contract delivery of documents to the title company and ordering of a title binder or commitment.
• Deposit of earnest money and delivery of receipt to the buyer client.
• Helping my buyers to order inspections and coordinating them and providing access to assure they’re completed on time.
• Coordinating timely delivery of any documents objecting to disclosures, inspection results, or title binder issues discovered.
• Coordinating appraisal and appraiser access.
• Working with mortgage company and coordinating delivery of documents they require.
• Assisting my buyers with any negotiations related to contingencies, inspections or documents.
• Constant monitoring of status of all processes at the title company.

There are a number of companies and people involved in a real estate transaction, including attornies, surveyors, appraiser, title company, mortgage broker, lender, loan underwriter, both agents, and possibly others. Each has specific duties and requirements, and each is concentrating on doing a good job for you. However, their focus is narrow, targeted on their specific niche in the deal. As your buyer agent, I'm your “go-to” resource to bring it all together. I'm here to coordinate the activities of all of these companies and people for you.
I'm constantly monitoring those 50+ document delivery items and the work done by these people. Daily we check the progress against contractual deadlines and act on our project requirements. A lot of this activity goes on behind the scenes and you’re not even bothered. Some of it requires that we contact you and request documents or actions. Please understand that my overriding goal is a smooth transaction, and getting you through meeting all deadlines is one of our jobs. I’ll only bother you when necessary, telling you what I need and when, and moving you through to a successful closing.
There is a lot more, but those are the highlights, and many sub–tasks are related to each of them. I'm obsessed with proper follow–up and detailed coordination of every step of the closing process for my buyer clients. It’s critical that I make all deadlines and keep the transaction on track to avoid defaulting on any terms of the contract. I’ll keep your real estate transaction on track, and you’ll have the time and advice you need to assure you’ve covered all of the bases prior to closing.

Inspections and Repairs

Many buyers forget that the price isn’t the only or the last negotiation point in a real estate purchase. There are a number of contingencies and processes that happen before closing, and one that frequently causes deals to evaporate is the inspection and repair negotiation process.

Inspections in a real estate deal encompass ... read on ...

http://www.capecoral-realestateagent.com/Buyers/How-I-Serve-Buyers/Inspections-and-Repairs

Winter Predicted to Return Next Year - Are You Ready to Make the Move? Southwest Florida Home Opportunities Unlike Any Others

This may finally be the year to make the right decision to invest in Southwest Florida Residential Real Estate.


Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs and other SWFL communities offer high-quality lifestyles and certainly more home for the dollar than in many other parts of the country.

This is the lifestyle many dream of... sunny weather, backyard pool - never snow or ice.


www.capecoral-realestateagent.com

The savvy real estate investor knows when to buy... how can I help you achieve your goals?

Take a look at these beauties

 www.capecoral-realestateagent.com

Who Pays What? A Closer Look at Closing Costs

Who pays closing costs when buying a home? Does the buyer pay everything, or do the costs get divided between buyer and seller? Is it negotiable? These are some of the costs that are "customarily" borne by Buyer and Seller during a residential real estate transaction in Lee County Florida. Take a look...


The BUYER Can Generally Be
Expected To Pay For:
•   "Lender's" title insurance policy premium
•   Escrow fee
•   Document preparation (if applicable)
•   Notary fees
•   Recording charges for all documents in buyer's name
•   Termite inspection (defined by contract)
•   Tax proration (from date of acquisition)
•   All new loan charges (except those required by lender for seller to pay)
•   Interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to first payment date
•   Assumption or change of records fee for takeover of existing loan
•   Beneficiary statement fee for assumption of existing loan
•   Inspection fees (roofing, property inspection, geological, etc.)
•   Home warranty (defined by contract)
•   City transfer or conveyance tax (defined by contract)
•   Hazard insurance premium for the first year
•   Messenger fees (if applicable)

The SELLER Can Generally Be
Expected To Pay For:
•   "Owner's title insurance policy premium
•   Escrow and title fee
•   Real estate commission
•   Document preparation fee for deed
•   Documentary transfer tax (typically $0.70 per $100.00 of sale price)
•   City transfer or conveyance tax (defined by contract)
•   Any loan fees required by buyer's lender (FHV,VA)
•   Payoff all loans in seller's name (or existing loan balance if being assumed by buyer)
•   Interest accrued to lender being paid off, statement fees, reconveyance fees and prepayment penalties
•   Termite work (defined by contract)
•   Home warranty (defined by contract)
•   Any judgments, tax liens, etc., against the seller
•   Tax proration (for any taxes unpaid at time of transfer of title)
•   Any unpaid homeowners dues
•   Recording charges to clear all documents of record against seller
•   Any bonds or assessments (defined by contract)
•   Any and all delinquent taxes
•   Notary fees
•   Homeowners transfer fee
•   Messenger fees (if applicable)

Please Note: The above-listed Seller and Buyer closing costs are negotiable in any transaction
and are defined by the Contract between the two parties.

Call or email me with any questions you may have: 858-603-7879 or robertmoore@coldwellbanker.com

Preparing to Sell

Repaired - Neutralized - Staged

Selling your home doesn′t just mean hiring a realtor to stick a sign out front. There are a lot of preparations you should make to ensure you get the best offer possible in the shortest time.

Repair. Just because you’ve gotten used to the cracks in the walls and the rattles in the radiators doesn’t mean a buyer will too. If you have hardwood floors that need refinishing, be sure to get it done—hardwood is a huge selling point. Buyers like to snoop around, so be sure to fix any sticky doors or drawers as well. Finally, don’t forget to address any issues with the exterior—fences, shingles, sidewalks, etc. After all, without curb appeal, some buyers may never get to see the inside.

Neutralize. You want buyers to see themselves in your home. If your living room has lime green shag, wood-paneled walls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be much harder for them to do. Try replacing any bold color choices in your floors and walls with something more neutral—beiges, tans, and whites. Repainting and reflooring will make everything look fresh and new, and help prospective buyers imagine all the possibilities.

Stage. Once your house is clean and updated, it’s time to play dress up. Home stagers can add small details and décor touches that will bring out the possibilities in the various spaces in your home: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps and towels, patio furniture. Home staging can be particularly useful if your home is especially old or if the exterior looks dated. Think of it as a little mascara and rouge—if it’s done right, you notice the beauty, not the makeup.