The summer months are upon us and that means that air conditioning units will be working overtime.  In southern Oregon, where I live and manage rental properties, we've been having some pretty hot weather with most days in the mid 90's. I've gotten several calls already this summer from different tenants indicating air conditioners were not working properly. I always dread these calls because I know how much repairs to air conditioners can cost but I realize as a landlord that having properly functioning cooling and heating is the law.By law landlords must repair the primary heating and air conditioning unit and major appliances swiftly. Failure to do so breaches the rental contract and poses a safety risk. Generally speaking, as long as the landlord makes all reasonable efforts to repa... 07/15/2013

Best deal on Fort Myers Beach, listed at $264,900, 2 br/2bath upstairs, and an efficiency apt below  Short walk to shopping and the beach. Metal roof and maintenance free exterior. Screen porch and screened balcony.  Workshop. Garage, 2 cars. The Island of Fort Myers Beach is a rarity, a small Island and beach community, seven miles in length, there is yet easy access to the mainland by way of bridges, Fort Myers to the North and Bonita Springs to the South.  Within those seven miles:  A preserve: Matanzas Pass Preserve is nearly 60 acres of unspoiled sanctuary.  Historical sites such as the Mound House and the Newton Park.  Times square filled with restaurants and boutiques, and, of course, seven miles of white sand and the Gulf of Mexico.  Our beach is both people and dog friendly.   ... 06/16/2013

Fort Myers Beach at Island Sands.  Expansive view of the Fort Myers Beach Golf Club course, you can enjoy expansive views from the kitchen to the bedrooms.  The screened in lanai sits right on the Golf Course and looks over the course, lake, and fountain!  Remodeled 2 bedroom/2 bath unit with split bedroom plan.  Upgrades include storm shutters, newer appliances, custom, walk-in, tiled master shower, a new roof, and an entirely new A/C system. This unit is sold furnished and turnkey, ready for your vacation or a vacation rental investment. Located at the quiet, South end of the Beach.  Nice Community Pool.   Island Sands is made up of three 2 story buildings, 30 units total, on 2.2 acres of land and all units have a view of the golf course. Listed at $189,900   Karen E. Nichols kareneni... 06/15/2013

Dinner on the Bay Fort Myers Beach Bayfront Bistro serves up a great dinner with summer special pricing After enduring day-upon-day of clouds with off-and-on rain thanks to tropical storm Andrea, many southwest Floridians are ready to get out do something! Late Friday afternoon the pratice range at the golf course was unsually busy. Everyone was looking for something to do and playing golf was not in the cards for the previous week very much. Saturday night was time for dinner out and Fort Myers Beach was the destination. Those of us living in the venture to the hot spots in the summer and leave them to the vacationers and snow birds for the winter. Bayfront Bistro served a great dinner special that we enjoyed very much with good friends while over looking the marina on the water way be... 06/09/2013

FOR REAL!   Just last week, a Maryland jury awarded a tenant $800,000 after her new landlord moved her into his bedbug-infested property. County records showed that the landlord knew of the bedbug and mouse infestation, and attempted a home-remedy plan that failed.  He did not disclose or remedy the problem before moving a new tenant into his property and even denied any knowledge when she came to him reporting hundreds of painful bites and a rash on her body.  In the end, she lost all of her belongings, as everything she owned was infested with the creepy-crawling blood suckers. Ewwww! Courtesy http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cimex_lectularius2.jpg There have been cases in the past were tenants were awarded large settlements, however the $800,000 case is the largest one yet, and... 06/04/2013

Fort Myers Beach at Captain's Bay: Lowest priced unit.  A spacious 2 bedroom/2 bath unit with laundry and screened lanai. Complex has two swimming pool and tennis courts.  Condo fee includes water and cable. Captain's Bay is located on the Southern, more tranquil part of Fort Myers Beach, near the Holiday Inn and Santini Plaza, within walking distance to restaurants and shops as well as a wide white sandy beach. For Investors:  Great rental history and web page. The last unit to sell at Captain's Bay was on May 23, 2013, also a first floor unit, for $140,000.  A higher floor unit sold at that same day for $290,000.  This unit is listed at $219,9000   KAREN E. NICHOLS karenenichols@aol.comPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 849-3064work: (239) 463 5217Active Rain Blog: http://active... 06/04/2013

If you own and rent real estate as I do you have likely had a conversation with a friend, a colleague, or even a total stranger and once they hear you are a landlord they for some reason feel compelled to crack a joke or imply that you are a slumlord. When I get that kind of reaction I immediately feel a bit defensive and explain that all the homes I own and rent are all in very good condition.  In fact, three of the homes I now rent I lived in myself. It blows me away how many times I have gotten that sentiment in the 7 years that I have been a landlord and it is not as if I go around broadcasting the fact that I own property. Slumlord is defined on Dictionary.com as;A landlord who owns slum* buildings, especially one who fails to maintain or improve the buildings and charges exorbitan... 05/20/2013

Yesterday, while reading through some details of our tenant credit check and eviction report, I stumbled upon a crazy story of a 91-year old WWII vet being evicted out of his own home he built 56 years ago, after his creepy daughter pulled a sneaky move and used her power of attorney to sign over the deed to the house to herself when pa wasn't lookin'.  When the old fella discoverd his daughter's covert move, he tried to contest it in court, but due to a statute of limitations, he was up a creek and basically the legal owner - now his daughter - has the right to evict him.  And that is what she is trying to do... kick her dear-ol-Dad out the door.  In steps his granddaughter, who loves grandpa so much, that she reaches out to an online fundraising site to get people to help her Grandpa ... 05/16/2013

If you got your tenant screening report back and you note that the applicant has a felony charge would you still rent to him or her? If you said "No" you may be discriminating. When we think of discrimination we usually think of intentional acts which exclude members of certain groups from employment, housing, or other opportunities. The civil rights laws, however, protect against not only intentional acts of discrimination but acts which are seemingly neutral that actually have a discriminatory impact on protected groups.Not all discrimination is illegal. For example, we choose people with good credit over those with bad credit. We reject applicants who have a previous history of evictions or nonpayment of rent. Such discrimination is legal and based on a legitimate business purpose. I... 05/07/2013

What is it that seasoned landlords and property management services know about tenant screening that every property owner should?  This guide will show you how to successfully screen a tenant quickly and accurately and to form an informed decision on which prospective tenants to approve and which to decline.Two of the most important traits a landlord looks for in a prospective tenant are 1. the ability to pay rent on time and 2. the ability to care for the property.  Absent either of these traits and a tenant can cost a landlord thousands of dollars in damages and lost rent.  Follow these steps for the best chances of finding a tenant who complies with both of these important traits.CREDIT: Credit reports are available to both professional property managers as well as private landlords ... 04/25/2013

 EXCELLENT Investment Opportunity. VERY short walk to Beach. Also, stroll to restaurants, shops and market. Nice Owner's Unit Plus 3 rental units. Unfinished Bonus room has full bathroom with shower. May be rented for seasonal or annual occupants. Weekly rentals allowed in this area. There are screened lanais in three of the units. This is a Short Sale subject to existing lender's approval which could result in delays, listed at $290,000.00.   Fort Myers Beach, Florida, also known as Estero Island, is a unique Island village. Seven miles long, it is an intimate small town and at the same time a favorite destination for people from all over the world seeking a beach community for their vacation. As a resident of Fort Myers Beach for over 13 years, I still don't take for granted the very ... 04/20/2013

This Fort Myers Beach home was just reduced in price. There's 2 bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs, and an efficiency apt on grade w/integral 2 car garage. Oversized lot, concrete drive, workshop. Great rental potential, needs some updating and cosmetic, paint and flooring. Sauna! Shuffleboard. Short walk to shopping and the beach. Metal roof and maintenance free exterior. Listed at $269,900.   Lowest priced direct gulf access home on wide and deep canal. 1640 square feet with rec room, enclosed lanai, boat dock and 2 car garage. Listed at $339,999.   For Full listings and photos, just drop me an email or call.   LLOYD NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 810-2980work: (239) 463 5217skype: lloyd . nicholsActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydnSign up MLS : http://lloydnswflo... 04/17/2013

Given the unknown future of the economy I participate in a lot of conversations about how to best position ourselves for 1. a slowly recovering economy (our current trajectory) or 2. an economic collapse.  When it comes to being a property investor it begs the question, Is it best to have our properties paid off, or should we have them mortgaged to the hilt? The answer really depends on what is going to happen with the US Dollar.  If you take a look at the last few years, obviously the USD has not fared well.  The USD isn't really money and hasn't been since we went off the gold standard in the early 1970's, it's currency backed by nothing.  The same goes for the world currency.  History has proven over and over that fiat currency has a 100% failure rate.  It typically fails in the form... 04/08/2013

Gulf Access home on canal. Complete with Dock and Boat Lift. 2 bedrooms and 1 bath upstairs and additional living quarters downstairs with kitchenette and bath. Pool and Spa.   Fort Myers Beach, known also as Estero Island, features about seven miles of white, sandy beaches, which has drawn both full time residents and tourists from far away places. Boat, sailing, fishing, sunbathing, painting and writing are among the main activities that people engage in here. There a number of festivals that also attract attention, such as the Shrimp Festival and the Sand Castle Festival. But, to partake each day of our vibrant sunset in and of itself is a motivation to live one's life on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Foreclosure listed at $335,000   KAREN NICHOLS Karenenichols@aol.comPremier Sandals S... 04/04/2013

Fort Myers Beach, Florida 2 Separate single family homes. Each home has a 2/2 upstairs and a 1/1 downstairs. Plus car port and single car garage on each side w/ separate driveways. Features high ceilings and multi level sun decks from all rooms overlooking the 56 acre Mantanzas Pass Preserve with short walk to Beach, This rare property can be split and sold separately, Great tropical setting with two sided waterfall swimming pool, bridge to Private island in the lake and majority ownership of the lake as per the property lines. Property needs some work and updating. Listed at $449,000 LLOYD NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 810-2980work: (239) 463 5217skype: lloyd . nicholsActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydnSign up MLS : http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.c... 03/30/2013

FORT MYERS BEACH:   Great Property, great Investment on the Gulf Side of the Beach! 4 Unit. Central Air and Ceiling Fans throughout. Unit 1 includes Main area with 1 Bedroom, Den and Bathroom, and separate area with 1 Bedroom and Bathroom. Main Living area has built-in Entertainment Center with Cabinet Storage. Microwave in Kitchen. Access to Private Courtyard with Hot Tub! Laundry Area with room for Stackable Washer & Dryer. Unit 2 includes Large Living Area, Large Balcony, 2 Bedrooms and 1 Bathroom. Unit 3 includes 1 Bedroom and Bathroom, Microwave & Refrigerator in Kitchen, and Large Balcony overlooking Courtyard. Unit 4 is Efficiency with Large Living Area and Bedroom Space. Range, Microwave and Refrigerator, and Nice Balcony. Under Porch area with Washer & Dryer available for all u... 02/26/2013

Fort Myers Beach,  Homes and Condos for Sale! Foreclosures too!   I have your seats reserved for you! The show performs daily 365 days a year!     Luxury Waterfront Fort Myers Beach & Naples Florida Joe Kendall Broker Associate, Right Choice Realty Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples FloridaMy Story -Successful in helping and supporting peopleMy Passion - Improving peoples lives through real estateMy Support -Encouragement backed by knowledgeMy Tools - Best Technology in the IndustryMy Business Strategy-Always Putting People FirstMy Goal -You reaching your goals, your accomplishments.Joe Always Says-It's not about me, It's all about You ! 02/04/2013

Fort Myers Beach * Homes * Condos * Foreclosures * Short Sales    Fort Myers Beach,  Homes and Condos for Sale! Foreclosures too!   Joe Kendall Broker Associate, Right Choice Realty Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples FloridaMy Story -Successful in helping and supporting peopleMy Passion - Improving peoples lives through real estateMy Support -Encouragement backed by knowledgeMy Tools - Best Technology in the IndustryMy Business Strategy-Always Putting People FirstMy Goal -You reaching your goals, your accomplishments.Joe Always Says-It's not about me, It's all about You ! 01/28/2013

Gulf access home with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Tile floors throughout. Nearly 1500 square feet. Dock. 1 car garage. Foreclosure listed at $338,000.   What always strikes me about this Island, my home for many years, is the peace and nature that is always abundant even in the midst of a busy tourist season. Yes, Estero Boulevard, that cuts through the town is bustling and vibrant with happy vacationers, but the residential streets are quiet and calm. The same for the Beach itself. The section of the beach near and before Times Square(as the downtown area is called) where various restaurants, hotels, etc. are situated is alive with people, music and excitement during the winter months,but walk or bike down towards the North end, or Mid and South sections and you will soon find tranquility ... 01/27/2013

A landlord told me once that she pays attention to something other than criminal background reports, tenant credit checks and references when screening a prospective tenant.   She looks at the car they drive and how organized/clean it is. I actually had a former employer do the same, he peeked out the window to see how clean I kept my car.   I would have to use my car for business purposes so he wanted to check it out.  I am not a clutter bug, but thank goodness I just washed it !! How many of you pay attention to what your prospective tenants drive?     What other signs or mannerisms do you pay attention to? 01/18/2013