Living Near the Beach - From the Perspective of a Fort Myers Realtor: May 2009

Now I know this information is not about the local Fort Myers area, however this seemed like it could be of real interest to some web savvy techies out there so we thought we would share it with you.  In an email newsletter we receive every week from William Dukes, Sr. Loan Officer at Summit Mortgage, he shared a pretty cool source for news on the internet.  Check out Newseum!  All you have to do is click on any city in the world and the local headlines will pop up.  Double click on it and now you can flip through the local paper.  Isn't technology amazing!  Oh, by the way, you can check out Fort Myers news through Newseum!

We will do our best to keep you up to date and current on any local Fort Myers Real Estate information so stop by our blog often or check out our website!

I cannot tell you how excited we are that a deal has been made between Fort Myers and the Lee County Officials with the Boston Red Sox.  With so many snowbirds flocking to Fort Myers every season, and a good majority being from Boston, it was a win-win for everyone!  Last year I sold a lovely end unit condo with a lake view in Colonial Country Club to some great folks from Boston.  Thier condo will most likely be the "go-to" place for their friends and family now during the Boston Red Sox Spring Training season! 

Location of the New Boston Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida

The new Boston Red Sox Spring Training site in Fort Myers is located off of Daniels just East of I-75 and West of Southwest Florida International Airport.   Gateway one of the largest residential communities in the area with tree-lined streets, lake views and community parks is located just west of the new Boston Red Sox Training Site.  Single family homes, estate homes and condos are available in Gateway and make great seasonal get-aways.

It was reported in the Naples Daily News that the Red Sox Team is stressing the importance of the surrounding neighborhoods as being key to the overall attraction of the park.  The site is already in a beautiful location in Fort Myers close to great shopping at Gulf Coast Towne Center and approximately 25 minutes to the white sandy beaches.  The new Boston Red Sox Spring Training Stadium in Fort Myers is scheduled to open in 2012.  You still have time to come down, find the ideal condo or single family home in Fort Myers and to catch some games at the current downtown Fort Myers Boston Red Sox location. 

Now is a great time to buy your condo or single family home in Fort Myers!  Why rent for the Boston Red Sox Spring Training season when you can buy your own condo at historically low prices!

We can get you set up with a ListingBook Account today!  You will have access to all of the Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers Beach real estate inventory and have morning reports of New Fort Myers Listings, Price Reductions, Solds and Pending Sales sent directly to your in-box each morning.  This will give you the tools you need to keep track of the Fort Myers Real Estate Market in a similar fashion to how we as professional Realtors stay up to date on Fort Myers Real Estate.  Ask us about receiving a free ListingBook Account, you can cancel at anytime. 

Fort Myers ListingBook Account

www.FortMyersRealEstateFloridaHomes.com

www.WeLuvFortMyers.com

The Marriott is known for superior service, upgraded rooms, and competitive rates.  Fort Myers Courtyard by Marriott is located at 4455 Metro Parkway.  The Marriott is minutes from I-75, Fort Myers International Airport, close to the business districts, great shopping, and some of the best Fort Myers tourist attractions!

For rooms, rates and specials call: 239-275-8600 and ask to speak with the Sales Manager, or click here to visit their website

Courtyard Marriott Features

• Meeting Rooms - up to 30 people
• Outdoor pool
• Business Accommodations - High Speed Internet, Copy / Fax Machines, Overnight Delivery
• Upgraded / Updated Rooms
• On-Site Fitness Room

Local Attractions

• Sanibel Island
• Fort Myers Beach
• Edison Winter Estates
• Six Mile Slough Cypress Preserve
• Close to current Boston Red Sox Spring TrainingFacilities and minutes from the new Boston Red Sox Spring Training Site off of Daniels near Gateway in Fort Myers.

Living Near the Beach - A Fort Myers Realtor's Perspective

Fort Myers Real Estate Information

If you are a Health Care Professional you will love the way Cru Restaurant in Fort Myers is showing appreciation to you every Monday evening.  Just by working as a Health Care or Medical Professionalyou will receive 10% off your entire purchase.  To top that off, they will take your business card and place it in a drawing to win a dinner for two at the Chef's Table.  Cru is owned by one of Fort Myers top Orthopedic Surgeons who knows and cares about the community. 

This is a great way to network with other Health Care Professionals in Fort Myers while enjoying this upscale yet affordable fine restaurant.  The food is superb while the ambiance creates the sense that you are in a New York City hot spot.

Cru is located in Bell Tower Shopping Plaza on the corner of S. Taimiami Tr. and Daniels.  Please visit their website so that you can preview the other nightly events that they are host to.]

 Enjoy!

www.WeLuvFortMyers.com

It does not happen very often when the general public is allowed access to one of Fort Myers finest Golf Courses for a run!  Now is the opportunity to run through the "Back 9" at Eastwood Golf Course.  It may be an early start to a holiday, but what a great way to see such a beautiful Fort Myers Golf Course!

The details are below:

Location:  Eastwood Golfcouse - 4600 Bruce Herd Lane, Fort Myers - Next to the Calusa Nature Center

Date:  Monday, May 25th, 2009

Check In:  6:30 am

Start:  7:30 am

Entry Fees Prior to Race Day:  $15

Entry Fees Race Day:  $20

For More Information Please Call : 239.321.7530

What you will receive:  Race T-Shirt, Race Course Map, Post Race Refreshments, eligibility for door prizes!

Come watch an All-American game of baseball this Memorial Day weekend as the Professional Class-A Miracle Baseball Team meets the Palm Beach Cardinals at home starting at 7:05 pm this Saturday.  Gates open at 6 pm.  Be sure and stay for the after the game amazing Memorial Weekend Fireworks show!  All of this fun will take place at Hammond Baseball Stadium in Fort Myers. 

Details

When:  Saturday, May 24, 2009 - Game Starts at 7:05 pm - Fireworks directly following game

Where:  Hammond Stadium located at:  14100 Six Mile Cypress Rd. Fort Myers, FL

Local Phone:  239-768-4210

Ticket Prices:  Box Seats $8.00, General Reserved Admission Seats $6.00

Hours:  Gates open at 6 pm, game starts at 7:05 pm

Website: http://www.miraclebaseball.com

The Federal Housing Authority has the ability to offer more competitive rates and terms on home loans.  This helps to keep home ownership more affordable for more people.  As home and condo prices continue to attract buyers to the Fort Myers Real Estate Market, we are seeing more individuals ask questions about FHA.  My husband Shane is a Licensed Realtor in Fort Myers, and also a Licensed Mortgage Broker.  The below table helps buyers to know which condos have been approved for FHA in Fort Myers.  It is our understanding that if a condominium community is not on this list, a "Spot" FHA approval would need to be obtained.  You can consult with a lender regarding any criteria that must be met for a successful "Spot Approval".  

 Providing Excellence And Service In Real Estate

Below is a list from the U.S. Department of Housing And Urban Development of FHA Approved Condominium Communities in Fort Myers, FL

With interest rates at historic lows and with the correction of housing prices, real estate inventory in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres Florida is not as plentiful as it was just a couple of months ago. 

Cash buyer investors are making it difficult for conventional financing buyers to have a competitive edge when placing an offer on a new or resale home.  If a buyer brings cash to the transaction, that individual automatically has the advantage with the seller.  Realtors are educating their buying clients that a new listing at a remarkable price in the community their particular buyer likes will not last long before it is marked as "Pending", "Active Contingent", or "Active Contingent Short Sale".  The reason you like the house, is the same reason another buyer will like the house.  

It is important that a Buyer understand these five concepts when placing an offer on a home in Fort Myers or Cape Coral:

1.  Have a trusted lender you are working with (if you are not a Cash Buyer)

2.  Be Pre-Qualified - Have your letter from your lender handy and give a copy to your Realtor

3.  Be prepared emotionally and financially for mulitiple offers to be placed by other buyers on the home that meets your individual needs or the needs of your family.  Be comfortable with your highest and best offer, in the event you need to place that type of offer.

4.  I don't think I am going out on too far of a limb here by saying this, but it is not necessarily a "Buyer's Market" in the Fort Myers Real Estate Market anymore.  It is the concept of supply and demand playing out before us.  New home starts continue to be down and with fewer homes being listed, the supply of quality, move-in ready, or like new homes is down, however the demand remains up as homebuyers recognize that it remains a historic time to purchase a home. 

5.  Don't get disheartened - Buying a home or Selling a home in Fort Myers continues to be worth the effort, however, it will be a bumpy ride.  Consider the Realtor you choose to help you very carefully and make sure they have been working in this market with an understanding of the Fort Myers, Cape Coral Real Estate market condition.

I received more questions than answers to my last blog about Zoomers in South Fort Myers and when it might be opening.  So I thought I might attempt to reach out to the Fort Myers community again for some answers.  Zoomers Amusement Park still sits quietly, too quietly on Summerlin Rd. while the traffic is the only thing that Zooms around there.  You might find it interesting to check out a Fort Myers News Press article with photos of men actually working and putting the rides together on the lot back in 2007. 

The most recent photos I have, were taken by my husband and I have posted some of them below

Zoomers Fort Myers

Zoomers Notice of "No Trespassing" Sign

If you have any updated information to share, you can post it below or contact us.

Meanwhile, we will buckle up and wait for the ride to begin...and wait, and wait.

LEE PLANTATION

If you are looking for a quiet yet friendly 55+ / Retirement Community near Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, than I am excited to introduce you to Lee Plantation!  Lee Plantation is a Manufactured Community with the kind of amenities you would find at resort style properties. 

Some of the Amenities Are:

1. Billiards Room

2. Large Pool overlooking the lake and wooded area

3. Large Clubhouse

4. Meticulously landscaped yards

5. Gated community

6. Fitness Room

7. Spa and Sauna

8. Fabulous Activity Calendar!

Take a look at some of the photos below!  Start dreaming of the day you can drive away from the cold snow, pull your car or RV up next to your new home in Fort Myers and unpack with the Florida sunshine on your back!  Your family and friends will love visiting you in your new Fort Myers home!

 Lee Plantation Pool and Lake

 Clubhouse at Lee Plantation

This home in Lee Plantation is FOR SALE!  Brand New Listing! 

Lee Plantation is a deeded community with Low HOA fees at $435 per quarter.  Most all of the homes have brick skirting and large lanais.  Lee Plantation Retirement Community in Fort Myers, Florida is located 15 minutes from Fort Myers beach and Sanibel Island.  Hop in your car and in 5 minutes you arrive and can be ready for some fabulous Fort Myers shopping at The Tanger Outlet, Target and Publix! 

Stop by for a visit sometime, you will be glad you arrived at this Fort Myers Gem of a community!