The TOP 5 Home Buyers Mistakes!  Fort Myers Florida Real Estate  Not getting pre-approved before house hunting. Why get your hopes up looking at $400,000 homes, when you can really only afford a $200,000 home? Before you start house hunting, narrow down your price range by getting pre-approved from a local mortgage lender. Asking your Realtor for a referral to a good local mortgage Lender here in southwest Florida with local mortgage knowledge is your best move. they will work you up a good faith estimate hat spells out the likely terms of your loan, including the interest rate and closing costs in dollars amounts per line item and a grand total ( No surprises at the closing table ! ) Now you know how much of house you can afford, it also lets the sellers know that you're serious about... 12/18/2012

I need some help from my AR friends !!! Thanks for reading this post and I really appreciate your thoughts ! My WordPress website allows me to review comments left on my site.  Most are relevant and respectful.  A few are the spam comments we all get.  Last Friday I saw the following comment left by a very well known team in our area.  At first I couldn't believe that anyone would think they have a right to solicit visitors to my site !  Here is the comment, minus the names of the two agents : "Looking for homes and other real estate for sale in Fort Myers, Sanibel or Captiva? Call the leading real estate team of ....... " My system also caught their email address, etc.  Again, the two agents names were part of the email but deleted by me for this post.   I decided against doing anythin... 12/17/2012

Property management story......The majority of work order's:1. Garbage Disposal jammed2. Garbage Disposal -not working3. Garbage Disposal- buzzing4. Kitchen sink backed up probably because of garbage disposal5. Garbage Disposal6. G/D7. G/D again8/ G/D again & againThis is one item that if I had my way all garbage disposals would be removed from every single rental. The majority of the plumbers would agree except for it makes them lots of money $$$$. We would give the tenants a garbage disposal wrench and the do’s and don’t's of using the system but....it didn't matter.   Some would still try to shove all their left overs down the sink with the fork and spoon and wonder why it was jammed???    Of course we would charge our tenants if it was user error (which 95% of these calls would be) ... 12/14/2012

2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1480 sq ft, single family home with 1 car garage located on Fort Myers Beach, Florida! This home is located on a Gulf access canal that leads in short order to the Gulf of Mexico. Garage, Jacuzzi!This is a Short Sale subject to existing lender's approval which could result in delays. Short Sale subject to lenders approval. Price is approved by the lender. Listed at $329,000. Boating on the Beach, and Fishing. Popular sports her eon the Island. Do you need a Fishing License? You do not need a hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing license if… You are a child under 16 years of age. (Also exempt from federal duck stamp requirements.) You are a Florida resident age 65 or older possessing proof of age and residency or possessing a Resident Senior Citizen Hunting ... 12/10/2012

 When creating an online advertisement for your rental keep in mind it is an enhancement  to your tenant screening. The more information you provide the more pre-qualifying you will accomplish.Keep your online advertising professional it will give the overall appearance of who you are and your expectations.Make sure to list detail information about your property including rent amount, security deposits, any utilities included, amenities, property location.  Don’t forget to include city and zip code for best results in searchable online databases. Mention any specials you might be offeringUse active phrases such as:Enjoy Your Private BalconyWarm Up Next To Your Cozy FireplaceClose to Downtown Shopping~Appeal to the Reader~Clearly state your application process and what is required.  If y... 11/28/2012

Gulf Access Home on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Situated on canal just off of Matanzas Pass. Short ride out to the Gulf. Short walk to the pet friendly Beach and downtown area. Wooden beams in the great room. The home has a great tropical setting. A spacious 2 bedroom and 2 bath house with 1450 square feet. 2 car garage. Fort Myers Beach, Florida, a unique and intimate Island on the Southwest Florida coast, connected to Fort Myers on the North end and to Bonita Springs on the South end by bridges. Seven miles in length, seven miles of white sugary sand may be found here. This is a short sale, there can be delays depending on lender approval, listed at $350,000. For more info and full listing, just drop me an email or call.   KAREN NICHOLS Karenenichols@aol.comPremier Sandals Swfl Realty... 11/15/2012

 As a community dealing in property management on a variety of levels, we are reminded by Hurricane Sandy how crucial it is to have emergency planning in place before it is required.  Understanding your properties and the unique risks they have is crucial for successfully navigating disaster.  In the wake of Sandy, New York City's Housing Authority still has 21,000 tenants spread out in 114 building without power and in serious danger.  Many of these tenants are elderly and disabled and are stranded without the ability to get food, water or medication.  Without the loud voices of volunteers and concerned neighbors, many of these overlooked people stand the very real risk of dying.  Thankfully, the word is out (see The New York Daily News.)Property Managers, Realtors and Landlords can pr... 11/08/2012

  Fort Myers 55+ active adult communities The 55+ active adult communities in Fort Myers are a perfect blend of community living with urban access. The majority of the active adult communities offer residents a great deal of amenities, ranging from community pools to picnic areas to fishing piers; the beautiful tropical greenery that spans the landscape of the 55+ active adult communities in Fort Myers aids in creating a communal feeling throughout most of these adult communities. And there is plenty to do just outside the 55+ active adult communities in Fort Myers.       Fort Myers 55+ active adult communities       Lenora Marshall ABR 10/31/2012

Single family home on deep canal w/ 10,000 lb boat lift and nice pool and spa. 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Sailboat access to Gulf of Mexico, no bridges. Therre are new storm windows all over home. The kitchen and baths need updating and TLC. This is a Short Sale subject to existing lender's approval which could result in delays. Home sold as is. Bank has approved $350,000. It's a great time on Fort Myers Beach, Florida this time of year. Summer has broken and nice breezes are coming through those open windows. No AC necessary. Dinner out on the deck has become the norm. The dog leads me to the beach every morning for a run.   Karenenichols@aol.com KAREN NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 849-3064work: (239) 463 5217   10/29/2012

 Micro Apartments160 square foot apartments are being considered in San Francisco.  If approved If the units are successful, one of the nation’s densest cities could become denser, and the stately Market Street corridor could begin to more closely resemble Tokyo.Read more at the San Francisco Examiner:http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/development/2012/10/san-francisco-decide-if-it-wants-micro-apartments#ixzz2AEiwzFFc  Tenants may start to enjoy living in micro apartments but you can’t micro manage.There will still be a need for property managers and property management software The responsibilty doesn’t lessen do to the size of the apartment.Kathryn      10/24/2012

2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1480 sq ft, ground level single family home with 1 car garage located on Fort Myers Beach! This home is located on a Gulf access canal with working boat lift fit for boats up to 5000 lbs! Enjoy the jacuzzi!This is a Short Sale subject to existing lender's approval which could result in delays. Short Sale subject to lenders approval. Price is approved by the lender.   Located Mid island on Fort Myers Beach, Florida a great little Island with easy access to the mainland of Southwest Florida, Fort Myers one the north side and Bonita Springs on the south side.  How sad to walk on a beautiful beach and see no dogs walking or running on the sand or playing in the water.  Fort Myers Beach is family friendly, pet friendly, and how fortunate we are to reside in a city by the s... 10/19/2012

We all know tenant screening is plays a vital role in placing a tenant, but why is that?  Without properly screening a new tenant a landlord can end up losing far more time and money than they gain.  A lot of landlords might assume this would never happen to them, or they are a good judge of character and may not need to verify the facts; however, fact is, poor tenants are on the increase and they are becoming better at lying about their past.   When interviewing the most successful landlords, they all say they absolutely positively would not give a new tenant keys prior to running a background check. Tenant screening costs less than $30 and can be as little as $15.  This cost can save you thousands, maybe tens of thousands down the road.  Landlords who did not screen their tenants have... 10/18/2012

                            During my property management years I had a tenant call with a work order request. She believed she had honey dripping out of her walls.  The first question that popped into my head (and yours too!) “What are you smokin’?” or “How many drinks have you had?”.   Trying to maintain my professional composure I thought I better remain quiet for awhile and just listen.  She said she noticed that there was some sticky substance oozing out of the walls and she tasted it!  Yes, that is right she tasted it and it was honey!  Lucky for her it wasn’t toxic!After listening to her story and not knowing what else to do I decided to contact my reliable Pest Control Vendor.   When I called to inform him of this sticky situation I forewarned him this lady could be crazy and if... 10/10/2012

Fort Myers Beach Waterfront Expert * View southwest Florida.com here Also View * Cape Coral Waterfront Homes and Condos * Foreclosures * Short Sales                   Fort Myers Beach Real Estate including Bank Owned property ! I have a seats saved for you!             Florida Waterfront Foreclosures in Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach !  Now is a time to buy a Foreclosure , Bank Owned property on Fort Myers Beach! I have your spot saved on the beach when you get here ! Search Hundreds of Foreclosures and Bank Owned property too !  Click right  here I look forward to working with you on finding your very own " Piece of Paradise " that you can call your very own ! 10/06/2012

Joe Kendall, Broker Associate  with Right Choice  Realty * Buy and Sell with Our Team !!!                       Selling your home or condo on Fort Myers Beach written by Joe Kendall, Broker Associate with Right Choice Realty 239-560-0726 writes, I read alot about different real estate Brokerage offices here at Fort Myers Beach including Estero Island on how they advertise about how high they rank or how many homes they sold or how experienced they are in one subject or another. I guess every real estate company has their "Slogan" to what they hang their hat on.   I believe it is important to list and sell with a company that will put your interests as buyer or the seller first before anything else. It's all about you and your personal needs and desires. The other things you really could... 10/04/2012

Ya know, those "dummies" books always get me.  Doesn't it seem like the author calling his readers "dummies" wouldn't go over very well.  Yet, I imagine the publisher(s) are bazillionaires many times over by now.  Hence, my experiment in a title.I downloaded a trial of Camtasia last weekend and decided to give it a whirl.  I don't have much to compare it to, but within a few hours (which probably was FAR too long for how long it SHOULD have taken), I had a fairly decent video about tenant screening produced and the process was pretty fun to boot.  Please critique and spare my feelings none..  afterall I just called you a dummy right? =)  ---Nathan is a member of Rentec Direct who provides property management software, tenant ach payment processing, and tenant credit and criminal reports... 09/24/2012

  On Estero Island, there is Estero Boulevard that encompasses the whole seven miles of the Island and most of the charming little island avenues and lanes originate from Estero Boulevard. Such is the case with Faiwweather Lane. I learned a couple of years ago while conducting research on early Island hitory that the original name of this street was not Fairweather Lane, but rather Fayeweather Lane. I had always thought that the street was a abvious reference in the wondeful Florida weather when, in fact, it was named for a person, perhaps Faye Wather or Mr. Fairweather. When I have time, I'll find out.   A couple of charming homes curently available on Fair Fayeweather Lane:       Very Nice 2 bedroom/1 bath in front and a very private 1 bedroom and 1 bath in back. Tiles throughout. Lar... 09/24/2012

Batiki West condos for sale Take full advantage of the gulf from Batiki West condos in Fort Myers, FL; the complex has gulf access and many of the units overlook the canal that runs along Batiki West. Everything from the landscape to the architecture reflects the tropical feel, with stucco veneers and palm trees. Besides the tropical greenery that decorates the Batiki West condos landscape, there are also plenty of amenities laid out for residents. Enjoy the community pool, boat dock and bike storage that all come in handy when it comes to entertainment. But the community amenities are just the beginning to what is available to Batiki West residents. The area outside these Fort Myers condosis filled with places to go and things to do; the Mound House movie theater, The Beach Pub and Ree... 09/16/2012

2 bedroom2 and 2 baths with 811 square feet. Located at Admiral's Bay on the quiter Suothern end of Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The condo fee of $278.00, a bargain for the Island, includes Cable, Insurance, Lawn/Land Mainten, Sewer and water. There is a community pool. This is a foreclosure listed at $180,250.   Fort Myers Beach is located on Estero Island. The beach faces San Carlos Bay which is wide open to the Gulf of Mexico. The sand is sugary white. There is seven miles of Beachline, which runs through the whole of the Island. Bowditch Park is located on the extrme Northern End of the Island from which you can view the Island of Sanibel. The Southern end of the the Island leads to Lover's Key State Park.   LLOYD NICHOLS   Realtorlloydn@aol.comPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239)... 09/13/2012

I don't have much to offer today for tidbits/insight in the way of real estate or property management software, as I'm distracted.  Instead, I wanted to connect with the members on Active Rain and exchange some meaningful stories, as a way to humanize our daily work and paths.  I remember my first trip to NY, February before 9/11. I felt like a kid who had just left home, and in a way I was. NY holds a bit of everything in her hands and I was wide-eyed girl in awe. Wandering through Central Park, peaking in The Blue Note, finding late-night treats in The Village, taking a taxi to Harlem, spending all day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, climbing to the top of lady Liberty and reading about the waves of people seeking a new way of life through Ellis's shore.A man I met briefly that tri... 09/11/2012