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

Fort Myers Beach Florida, Free CMA, What's My Condo Worth? www.ViewSwFlorida.com       Thinking about selling your Condo on Fort Myers Beach or Estero Island? Here are the two things you must know before you put your home up for sale. If you are thinking of selling your home, you'll need to know exactly what it is worth before putting it on the market for sale. (1) What is my home worth?  I analyze home values and determine market prices every day. By comparing your home to recent sales and other, similar homes on the market I can quickly tell you what your home is worth. This analysis is known as "Comparative Market Analysis", or CMA  (2) Who will know it's for sale?  Right Choice Realty's Smart Listing "showcases" your home with it's own website and advertises it in 14 cities and four... 09/10/2012

Creciente is a rarity in that one pet is allowed WITHOUT WEIGHT LIMITS. Most Beach condos have strict weight limits for pets, if they allow them at all.  Creciente is the cool exception.  A person, couple or family with a Lab, Golden, Boxer, may actually consider the purchase of a unit and reside beachside! A Condo at Creciente, located on Fort Myers Beach, Florida: Beachfront. Spacious corner unit with over 1300 sque feet. Eenclosed wrap around lanais. This building features a unique garage parking with entry from elevator right up to your unit. The amenities include great resort Pool, Bike and Jog Path, Bike Storage, Billiards, Community Room, Exercise Room,Library, Sauna, Shuffleboard, Tennis. The condo fee of $582 monthly includes both water and cable. This is the lowest priced uni... 09/01/2012

Fort Myers Beach, Florida, a Great place to live, a Great place to invest in.     Great income producing multifamily property which consists of 4 units. The two upstairs units are 2 bedroom and 2 baths, the 2 ground level units consist of a 2 bedroom and 1.5 bath unit and a 2 bedroom and 1 bath unit. All units in good condition. Two units have their own washer/dryer, the other two have hook-ups. All units have screened porches. The metal roof is newer and the yard has been landscaped for virtually no maintenance. This property can be rented weekly or monthly and is close to the beach. Listed at $369,000     This home is a minute or so from the Beach. In the front, 2 bedrooms and 1 bath and in the back a separate 1 bedroom and 1 bath, very private. The All tiles throughout. Great double ... 08/20/2012

Fort Myers Beach, Florida: Duplex: Nice place on Fort Myers Beach. 2 bedroom and 1 bath unit in front and very private 1 bedroom/1 bath unit in back. Cool tile throughout. 1322 square feet in all. Double lot. Foreclosure listed at $278,950 *This home is situated Mid North Fort Myers Beach, about a mile from the pier and downtown area. It is a short walk to the beach as well as a grocery and restaurants. This will make a great investment. Both units would make great seasonal rentals. Or, one unit could be home and the other your income property without paying the extra taxes and insurance. The lot is large for the Island and there is plent of room to build a pool.   Realtorlloydn@aol.com   LLOYD NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 810-2980work: (239) 463 5217skype: lloyd . nic... 08/15/2012

How Many Bikinis are on the Clothesline? Wow, this is definitely a tropical clothesline. I don't know if you would come across such a sight in a northern yard. In fact, if swimwear or any other type of wear for that matter were hung from a northern clothesline during many months of the year(a majority of the months, in fact), icicles just may form on those garments. Clothes are a definite and distinctive aspect of the Florida lifestyle. Our fabrics are light, and colorful. No grey tweed suits will be found on the women who are employed, or employ, in the business offices, law offices and real estate offices of Fort Myers, Florida. Instead, you will most likely spy dresses in all of the colors of the rainbow, some with artistic prints and all constructed of cotton or silk or linen or a ... 08/12/2012

   No question 2012 has turned out to be a happy Buying Beach Cottage year.  Have you located your beach cottage in Florida yet?   Dreaming of a beachfront cottage? they will soon be all gone.  There are no beachfront cottages in Naples (unless you consider a 7,000 to 32,000 sq ft, $10,000,000+ home, a beach cottage), there are just a few left in Bonita Springs (on Hickory Blvd) and these charming beachfront cottages in Fort Myers Beach area.  They are all being replaced by new construction (6000+ sq ft residences), and as much as I enjoy and appreciate the new architectural details, I hate to see these quaint cottages go. If you are looking to buy a beachfront cottage, there is no better time than NOW!  Lowest prices in years and an all-time low interest rates - take advantage of this... 08/10/2012

 Fantastic view of the Gulf of Mexico, Deeded beach access directly across the street, weekly rentals, HUGE back yard, 3 bedrooma and 2 baths, 1260 square feet plus one bath efficiency/mother-in-law on lower level. This is at a great location, on an over sized lot 50 by 120 and on a corner of a quiet side street. Best deal on the Beach! Listed at $280,000 Fort Myers Beach, Florida, the seven mile Island tucked away in Southwest Florida, the American tropics, Seven miles of white sugary sand. An intimate cobblestoned downtown area with seafood restuarants and shops selling swim suits and sea shells . . . . . Realtorlloydn@aol.com     LLOYD NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 810-2980work: (239) 463 5217skype: lloyd . nicholsActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydnListing... 07/29/2012

All work and no play . . . . . so our friends, Gery and Dany, drove down to the Island from their home in the Yacht Club area of Cape Coral to join us for dinner and little dancing afterwards, as it turned out. http://terranostradining.com/   Dinner was at Terra Nostra, located on Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, about a mile from the pier. Good Italian food and even better company. I ordered and happily consumed the Veal Parm. Lloyd had the Lasagna. Gery ordered a bottle of very nice white wine, a Chardonnay although Lloyd was happy with a beer. He was driving. We then decided to check out the night life in off season Fort Myers Beach. We ended up at the Lanai Kai. It wasn't mobbed with young 20's as is often the case in season. No, there were a nice variety of folks strolling ab... 07/20/2012

Today I was talking to a current customer who uses our property management software to manage the various rentals she owns.  One of her homes became vacant and she was reporting the great success she had using our simple built-in advertising & application features to generate traffic for this vacant home.In our conversation, I mentioned that we provide our customers access to tenant screening reports - such as credit and criminal background - and it was very easy to pull instant reports from her program.  Unlike some areas in the country, this landlord is in an area where rentals are in high-demand and she has over 20 applicants per rental.  She told me "Oh, we live in an area where applicants just bring in their own credit report so I don't have to run it."  This shocked me!  Really, a... 07/17/2012

Gulf Access Home: On Fort Myers Beach Canal. CBS construction, hurricane shutter, enclosed florida room. 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, 1612 square feet. 2 car garage. Dock. Listed at $349,900. Investors: Quadraplex on Fort Myers Beach, Florida:  6 bedrooms and 4 baths in all, nearly 3000 squafe feet. This is a Short Sale subjected to lender's approval which could result in delays. Fully rented and good income producer. Bank approved price of $220,000. Realtorlloydn@aol.com LLOYD NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 810-2980work: (239) 463 5217skype: lloyd . nicholsActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydnListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.com 06/22/2012

Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  I've resided on The Island since 1999.  One of my favorite things to do during my off time:  Biking the the entire 7-mile length of the island along its sandy white shoreline. These homes have Mid Island Locations Single family, short walk to beach.  3 Bedrooms and 2 baths.  Back yard with nice deck.  Front lanai.  Nearly 1500 square feet.  Needs a bit of work, but great price.  Foreclosure listed at $189,900. Condo with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.  Nearly 1000 square feet. Partial Gulf view.  Foreclosure listed at $158,000.   Realtorlloydn@aol.com LLOYD NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 810-2980work: (239) 463 5217skype: lloyd . nichols Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydnListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.com 06/17/2012

No, this article has nothing to do with our residents' personal nocturnal lifestyles.  We'll save that subject for another day.  This article conerns Black mangroves and the cutting of them by some tourists and residents in order to be able to pass through on a waterway or for a better view of the Bay.  Black mangroves have green small leaves as are featured in the photo below. The red and white mangroves are protected by the DEP.             The Mangroves prevent erosion and  provide food and habitat for around 70% of creatures, sea, land and air creatures, that fly, waddle or swim  along our waterways and the archeo trail preserve of Fort Myers Beach.  The mangroves filters chemicals from our waters. Imagine if someone chopped off your home overnight along the Great Calusa Blueway? N... 06/02/2012

Fort Myers Beach,  Gulf Access: 2 Houses. 2 bedroom home and 3 unit income property consisting of two 2BR/1BA units as well as one 1BR/1BA unit. Great investment, Great living. Weekly rentals allowed in this neighborhood. Property is in the North End, on Gulf access Canal, within 1 block of the beach and about the same to the Times Square area of Ft Myers Beach which features restaurants, pubs, shopping and entertainment.  2737 square feet in all. This is a Short Sale subject to existing lender's approval which could result in delays. Listed at $495,000 For more info, email or call: Realtorlloydn@aol.com LLOYD NICHOLSPremier Sandals Swfl Realty cell: (239) 810-2980work: (239) 463 5217skype: lloyd . nicholsActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydnListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridah... 05/31/2012

Lowest Priced Beach House(situated directly on the white sand of Fort Myers Beach) It's a tie. Both of these are listed at $999,000 This is one of Fort Myers Beach's unique Beach Bungalows. It sits on a wonderful site on the north end of Estero Island. The home is modest, but with a view like this, it seems much larger. It offers high ceilings in the Great Room, 2 bedrooms and a shared bath, a spacious deck overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and the privacy of a single family home. The home is turnkey furnished and is ready to occupy or rent. (Seller will consider owner financing)   BEACHFRONT cottage walking distance to Times Square! Very desireable location on the north end, near the pier, shopping and dining. This cottage features 2 bedrooms and a one bath with open living room and kitc... 05/31/2012

Make your home work for you. I heard that spoken recently on one of those reality TV shows about a homeowner turning his single family into a duplex in order for the home to actually pay all or most of his mortgage. This could be a good idea, depending upon the cost of contruction and the ultimate rental amount the homewoner will receive for his efforts. Of course this should be well calculated beforehand. Another idea along the same lines may is to purchase a duplex. And, for a higher and reliable rental income, you may wish to consider a duplex near the beach Although Fort Myers Beach does not have a whole lot of duplexes, there are a few. For instance: On the Island: This duplex has an oversized lot and is partially remodeled. Nice landscaping on all sides and new roof installed in 2... 05/30/2012