August 2010

Gateway Fort Myers Homes for Sale

Gateway Fort Myers Homes for Sale

The master-planned community of Gateway Fort Myers has consistently been a first choice for home buyers in Southwest Florida for obvious reasons.  It's important to know that Gateway is comprised of extraordinary communities within the master-planned development.   Listed here are some of the main communities within Gateway.  Each link will give you more information and listings within the community.

Stoneybrook at Gateway, Gateway Country Club, Hampton Park, Silver Lakes, Timber Ridge, Bristol Parc, Cypress Cay, Hidden Links, Magnolia Lakes

Each community listed above has its own set of features that could be a perfect fit for you.  When thinking about Gateway Fort Myers homes for sale, just let us know so we can guide you through the process.  Now, let's have some fun!

In honor of Jeff Foxworthy's hilarious comedic performances "You know you're a redneck if," I thought I would would give you a...

"You know you'll love Gateway if:"

You know you'll love Gateway if... you love outstanding amenities.

You know you'll love Gateway if... you love living in gated communities.

You know you'll love Gateway if... you love playing golf.

You know you'll love Gateway if... you like being conveniently located to the international airport.

You know you'll love Gateway if... you love the Boston Red Sox (Fenway South for Spring training opening soon)

AND FINALLY, You know you'll love Gateway if... you love phenomenal deals.

 

The list could literally go on and on, but "phenomenal deals" really says it all.  Among the many Gateway Fort Myers homes for sale, you will find some of the most amazing deals on the market.   Don't just take my word on it.

Here is a list of the Gateway Fort Myers homes for sale for your convenience.  This list is updated daily, so you can be sure that you will find the best deals within Gateway.  Since we specialize in Gateway, you can ask us any questions regarding the possible purchase or sale in the community.

 

Waterfront in Botanica Lakes

 

Waterfront in Botanica Lakes

Waterfront in Botanica Lakes is the best in Florida living.  There is no shortage of water in Florida but it is the total package that matters.  There is something calming about looking out over the water and watching the sun reflect off of it that calms the nerves.  Watching the birds and other wildlife is refreshing as well.  For the fisherman, going out to the back yard and throwing in a line goes a long way to alleviating the stress of a long day's work.  Click on this link  and take a look at the waterfront in Botanica Lakes right now.

How do you want to spend your waking hours?  Your home should be your haven.  For some water does not have the allure that it does for me and to them I say.  You do not know what you are missing.  It is one of the great pleasures of living in Florida.  I am from St. Louis and with the exception of the muddy Mississippi there is very little water.  We drive for hours to get to a lake and enjoy the water and its effects on our psyche.  Here I find that I have to fight to keep from taking it for granted and I am not fortunate enough to have it in my own back yard.

It is time for you to live the dream.  Why sit on the sideline and allow others to enjoy this pleasure right here in Southwest Florida.  Take a look at the waterfront in Botanica Lakes right now.  The perfect home for you might be waiting right now but if you do not take the time to look you will never be the one to sit on your lanai and watch the blue heron dunk for fish.  Of course we would be happy to do the looking for you if you prefer.  Drop us a line.

Botanica Lakes Bank Owned Homes

                                                                   

Botanica Lakes Bank Owned Homes

Botanica Lakes bank owned homes provide opportunity and value for the buyer.  While not every bank owned home is right for every buyer we always make it a habit to scour the current listings and present them to our buyers because without a doubt they represent value.  As with any kind of listing, the specific home must meet your needs but value is rarely a problem.

 

Banks do not want to own homes.  Banks make their money by lending money and receiving interest.  When they are forced to foreclose on a home they are left with the asset and want to convert it back to money as soon as possible.  For this reason they place a price on the home that will get it sold within 60 days.  What that means for the buyer is a posted price that is derived by taking the lowest prices for actual sales in that market.  Click on this link to see an up to date list of the  Botanica Lakes Bank Owned homes.  In this instance Botanica Lakes Bank Owned homes are priced by finding the lowest priced comparable homes sold in the last 90 days and using that to set the price.

Every buyer wants a deal and most worry that they are negotiating hard enough.  Botanica Lakes bank owned homes takes that off the table.  These homes are priced by professionals who have no interest in the financial outcome.  It is their job to establish a price that will simply get it sold.  To make it easy for you to stay in the loop, we update this list of Botanica LakesBank Owned homes on a daily basis. 

 

Hampton Park Homes for Sale

Hampton Park Homes for Sale

Hampton Park, located in the Master Planned community of Gateway in Fort Myers, remains an extremely desirable community for anyone interested in buying a home in a gated community.

To give you some background on the community, WCI was the original developer in the community. They did a terrific job with architectural features of the homes. During the boom years, WCI was selling these homes from the $400,000’s.

The Negatives. Fast forward to present day and the community has seen its fair share of turmoil. WCI struggled to stay financially stable, thus resulting in a bankruptcy and halting construction on new homes in Hampton Park. Some of the homes in the community were unfortunately built with Chinese drywall, and finally, many of the homeowners who bought during the boom were very upside down on their mortgages and have had to either go into foreclosure or short sale their homes, thus creating only distressed Hampton Park homes for sale.

The Positives. If you read any self-help or motivational books, what do they always say? Wherever there is a negative, there is always a better positive on the other side. In my mind, this is VERY true of Hampton Park. The biggest turn of events for the community is the purchase of the remaining lots by Lennar. Lennar has remained one of the biggest home builders in the country and has plenty of cash to back up that statement. Since their purchase of the remaining lots, the builder has been building extremely affordable Hampton Park homes for sale. This alone is bringing much needed stability to the community. Couple this fact with the recent news the Boston Red Sox new spring training facility “Fenway South” is set to open just outside of Gateway on Daniel’s Parkway, and you have a recipe for community success.

For your convenience, I have included here a complete list of Hampton Park homes for sale. Before you purchase in Hampton Park, you will want to know the advantages and disadvantages of buying either a WCI product or the new Lennar homes. Ask me and I’ll share with you the secrets.

Stoneybrook at Gateway Lakefront Homes

Stoneybrook at Gateway Lakefront Homes

Before I go into details, I thought I would give you the complete list of the Stoneybrook at Gateway Lakefront homes for your pleasure :).

There are many factors that go into making a home buying decision, everything from basic necessities to a long list of desired characteristics.  There are also many reasons why so many people are attracted to the community in Fort Myers Stoneybrook at Gateway. 

I have the privelege to work with many people interested in the community, and one of the major reasons they fall in love with the community is the amenities.  The numerous amenities include tennis, exercise facility, large swimming pool, playgrounds, and even an inline skaing rink. 

If you are looking to buy real estate in general, you have heard the phrase "location, location, location."  This is meaningful not only in the overall location of the house in relation to schools, beaches, and grocery stores, but also important is the location of the lot.  Does the potential home you are interested in buying reside on a lake preserve or back-to-back homes. 

If a lake view is something you desire, Stoneybrook at Gateway lakefront homes could be an impeccable option for you.  In previous years, premium lake lots had significant extra costs compared to lots without lake views.  Nowadays, for very little extra money, you can find the home of your dreams with a lake view.

Make sure to check out the complete list of Stoneybrook at Gateway Lakefront homes.  You will find on this list every single home that is available within the community.  Some streets have better lake views than others, so be sure to let me know which home on the list interests you, and I'll be able to guide you further.

Short Sales in Botanica Lakes, Fort Myers

Short Sales in Botanica Lakes, Fort Myers

Short Sales offer clear value for those willing and able to wait.  That being said, however they are not for everyone.  It is a play and wait game with an uncertain outcome where you have only limited if any control of the outcome.  Many factors go in to the successful conclusion of a short sale.  Let's face it, the bank is being asked to accept less (and often times, much less) than the ammount they lent.  If you lent someone $100,000.00 would you be enthusiastic about getting only half of that ammount back?  Of course not and neither are they.  Regardless of what you think about banks you must understand that they entered a contract with the borrower to lend them money and the borrower agreed to pay it back with interest.  When that contract is breached the bank does everything it can to limit the damages.

Before considering Short Sales in Botanica Lakes, Fort Myers you must ask many questions.  Since many factors go into the successful conclusion of a short sale a buyer must be well informed.  At the Dohack Group, when asked about short sales in Botanica Lakes, Fort Myers we work to get answers and educate our clients on the probability of success.  Take a look at other articles we have written on Short Sales.  As a buyer you must know: Is the advertised price based on sound market information?  Is there a second mortgage on the property?  Who is the lender?  Who is negotiating the short sale?  These are just a few factors that go in to evaluation.  If you want to consider Short sales in Botanica Lakes, Fort Myers this link will allow you to begin.

Banks want to minimize their losses.  They only consider short sales when they are convinced that it is in their best interest.  The reason they consider it is because Foreclosure is a time consuming and costly process.  Due to Federal and State laws due process takes time and costs money.  On top of that the homes often sit in disrepair without electricity thus ventilation.  This adversely affects the value of the property.  Banks know and compute the costs associated with all of this and use this knowledge to set their price.  If they will derive more by making a short sale they will.  If not they will do a foreclosure.

 

Stoneybrook at Gateway Bank Owned

Stoneybrook at Gateway Bank Owned Homes

Bank owned homes offer prospective buyers some of the best deals on the market, and it's very obvious why this is the case. 

You see, banks are not in the business of holding real estate.  Actually, believe it or not, banks want money.  In my opinion, that's all they really care about.  This being said, when a home goes through the foreclosure process and the bank takes back possession of the property, their goal is to get money back in their deep pockets as quickly as possible.  They list the property and will aggressively price it to sell fast.   If it does not sell fast, price adjustments will ensure the home does sell in a timely manner.

What does this mean for Stoneybrook at Gateway Bank Owned Homes you ask?  Well, I feel like a broken record here, but DEALS!  At any given time, there are typically 3 or more bank owned homes on the market in Stoneybrook at Gateway.  Simply put, these are the best deals on the market.  You won't find many other better deals out there, especially considering the amenities of the community and quality of construction. 

To make it easy for you to stay in the loop, we update this list of Stoneybrook at Gateway Bank Owned homes on a daily basis.  Put another way, you won't find a more up-to-date source of information than on our list.  We go to great lengths to help you get the information you need when making real estate decisions.

We also have information on comps in the area that you can see for yourself.  This report will show you trends in the area as well as active and recently sold properties.  For free, you can view the Stoneybrook at Gateway Market Report.  

If you have any other questions regarding the community.  Feel free to ask.  Make it a great day!

Stoneybrook at Gateway Short Sales

Stoneybrook at Gateway Short Sales

Short Sales, Short Sales, Short Sales!  There I said it.  Sometimes I can see a person cringe when those words are said together.  Well, I'm here to say that it's time to face our reality.  Short sales are here and short sales are staying. 

Distressed sales are a sign of the times.  There are 2 main types of distressed properties: foreclosures & short sales.  I am going to focus on Stoneybrook at Gateway short sales, but if you are interested in foreclosures, make sure you check out Stoneybrook at Gateway Foreclosures (some deals there!). 

First of all, here are the nuts and bolts of how a short sale got to be a short sale in the first place.  In most cases, Joe Homeowner purchased a property when the market was hot and prices were at or near record highs.  Fast forward a couple of years and now, Joe Homeowner's home is only worth half what he paid for it.  Couple this fact with Joe Homeowner's lack of employment or salary reduction and Joe Homeowner can no longer afford the home he so proudly purchased just a couple of short years ago. 

Being forward thinking, Joe Homeowner knows the situation is not a good one.  He also knows a foreclosure would significantly hurt his credit score and possibly allow his bank (mortgage company) to pursue his deficiency for up to 20 years.  ouch.  Joe Homeowner decides to call the Dohack Group and mentions his situation (Smart move Joe).  Joe Homeowner then learns about all of his options in the situation (more than just foreclosure or short sale) and decides he wants the Dohack Group to list his house for sale at fair market price and negotiate with his bank to allow him to sell his property and possibly forgive the deficiency.  Joe sells and is now happy. 

So, the next question is what does this mean to a potential buyer???  The easy answer is... a phenomenal deal on Stoneybrook at Gateway Short Sales.  As an area expert, get to see all of the best deals out there as they hit the market, and very few are better than what you will find in Stoneybrook at Gateway. 

But wait, you have heard short sales are a NIGHTMARE and take forever to close, if they sell at all.  Well, this certainly can be true.  Depending on who is negotiating the short sale, you may experience long delays.  I always tell my clients that if you are looking to purchase a short sale, you may be required to demonstrate the patience of Buddha.  This is only in some cases though.  The best case scenario is to find a short sale where the bank has already agreed to the price.  We are starting to see more and more like this. 

The long and short of it.  If you are looking to possibly short sale your home, it's in your best interest to hire a top performing agent to represent you.  Short sales do not negotiate themselves!  If you are interested in buying a short sale, make sure to take a look at all of the Stoneybrook at Gateway Short Sales and hire an agent very familiar with the process.

Homes for sale in Botanica Lakes

Homes for sale in Botanica Lakes

When you first take a look at the homes for sale in Botanica Lakes your reaction can only be WOW!  These homes are designed with the consumer in mind.  The floor plans give you the variety and features that are desirable in todays way of life.  They feature open floor plans in both one story ranch homes and two story models for those growing young families that need room to grow.  Whether you are looking for a large formal dining room, large family room, large master bath, or on the other end of the spectrum just a cozy little house that is low maintenance you can find it here.  The homes for sale in Botanica Lakes represent family living at its best.  That lends itself to an energy that is felt from the minute you drive through the front entrance.

The entrance is breathtaking.  As you drive up you are greeted with lush tropical plantings, flowers, and a variety of palm trees.  The most unique and beautiful features however are the many and magnificent waterfalls, which can be seen in our 2 Cent Tour of Botanica Lakes Fort Myers.  The serenity of the illuminated waterfalls welcome you home every time you enter.  Regardless of the obstacles you have faced throughout the day you are calmed and ready to enter your home with a peaceful frame of mind.  The homes for sale in Botanica Lakes offer many natural home site settings of waterfront or preserve giving you the peace of mind you are looking for.

The lavish amenity center will impress you.  After driving through the lush entrance you drive straight ahead and are greeted with the lavish amenity center.  When you buy one of the homes for sale in Botanica Lakes you are automatically entitled to this amazing facility featuring a well appointed work-out center, a meeting room, and card room.  This sets the stage for the resort style pool area.  It is a great place for family and friends to gather, have fun, and when you are done pack up your things and go.  You don't have the worries of making the house ready or cleaning up the pool area after everyone leaves.  What more could you ask for.

So what are you waiting for?  Make sure you check out the complete list of homes for sale in Botanica Lakes so that you can begin to live life in the fashion you deserve...and call us when you're ready to see it in real life!

Stoneybrook at Gateway Foreclosures

Stoneybrook at Gateway Foreclosures

Deals, deals deals.  That's what people are asking for and that's what they are getting right now.  Most of the conversations I have right now with people interested in buying a home, involve the quote "I'm looking to buy a foreclosure or some really great deal."  It's no secret that buying foreclosures in general can save a home buyer money, but I think Stoneybrook at Gateway foreclosures lead the pack - the best deals. 

Before I get into more details, let me offer you a complete list of Stoneybrook at Gateway Foreclosures.  This list is updated every single day, so you can be sure you are seeing the best deals in the community.  The list will fluctuate in length, obviously due to the number of foreclosures in Stoneybrook. 

My guess is, if you're reading this post, you already know many of the great aspects of Stoneybrook at Gateway, such as the amenities, location, and generous floor plans.  I should not need to convince you of those :). 

The other part of the equation is affordability.  I get the opportunity to help people buy homes in many parts of Fort Myers, but helping people buy in Gateway Fort Myers is my specialty.   As a licensed Realtor, I get to see all of the homes on the market, and I can tell you there are no better deals than Stoneybrook at Gateway foreclosures.  The price per square foot of these properties in the community do not even come close to the cost it would require to build.  And so you have... A GREAT DEAL!

Since I work at helping people find homes in Stoneybrook, I am happy to help answer any questions you may have about the community.  If you do not have any burning questions at the moment, no problem...

You can simply browse the list of Stoneybrook at Gateway Foreclosures and let me know when you want to see any of the properties.  I can also send you a complete list of properties for sale upon request.  Make it a great day!

Homes for Sale in Stoneybrook at Gateway

 

Homes for Sale in Stoneybrook at Gateway

 

There are a variety of homes for sale in Stoneybrook at Gateway.  They range in size from small ranch homes to very large Estate homes.  What is a constant in Stoneybrook is that this neighborhood is family friendly.  As soon as you drive through the gates you will notice people on sidewalks walking, jogging, skating, you name it. 

 

Just one look at the amenity center gives you a quick clue to the active lifestyle you can expect.  There is much more there than just the homes for sale in Stoneybrook at Gateway.  The clubhouse is a constant beehive of activity.  Whether it is the activity planning office or the workout facility there is always activity.  The meeting rooms and card rooms are always there for those special events.  To the left are the in-line skating rink for neighborhood pick-up games and the basketball courts.  If that does not appeal to you; how about the basketball, tennis, or sand volleyball?  And if that still does not satisfy you there are horseshoes or a full size ball diamond complete with bleachers.  The toddlers are not left out either.  They can choose between the kiddy pool or the playground.

                                                                                     

All of this leads us back to the homes for sale in Stoneybrook at Gateway.  It is hard to believe that with all this neighborhood has to offer, amazing deals can be found for those who are willing to act.  Since this neighborhood was built just before the fall in real estate many mortgages were upside down and that being the case many slipped into Short Sale and Foreclosure.  Whenever this happens it creates value because the homes have to be priced for liquidation.  I mentioned that one must be ready to act.  The reason for that is that people recognize value and snap these homes up.  You should take note as well and purchase one of the homes for sale in Stoneybrook at Gateway.

 

 

Stoneybrook at Gateway Homes for Sale

Stoneybrook at Gateway Homes for Sale

Situated in the master planned community of Gateway in Fort Myers, FL, Stoneybrook at Gateway offers some of the incredible "bang for the buck" deals in Southwest Florida.  Every time I show the community to people looking for a home, they are extremely impressed with the amenities.  Also, many of the Stoneybrook at Gateway Homes for Sale have plenty of living space.  The price per square foot for the homes is currently well below the cost you would incur to build...always a good thing!

Make sure you take a look at my Real-Time Updated list of Stoneybrook at Gateway Homes for Sale.  This will provide you with the absolute latest and best deals available in Stoneybrook.  This list is a service I provide for free to you, no worries. 

Besides price per square foot, let me give you the top 3 reasons why I think Stoneybrook at Gateway homes for sale are the best bargain around...

1.) The Boston Red Sox have announced and started construction on their new Spring Training facility just outside the main entrance to Gateway.  Upon completion, many of the tourists that visit Fort Myers during spring training will be attracted to the community due to its proximity to the ballpark. 

2.) Distressed Properties - Let's face it, any communities built around the BOOM (2004-2006) have seen significant price adjustments since then.  Some homeowners in these communities have found themselves in positions where they need to either short sale their home or perhaps go through foreclosure.  This "problem" creates opportunity for those looking to buy properties at a significant discount.

3.) Proximity to the airport - Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is only minutes from the community, but don't flight patterns do not intersect, so no noisy planes over your head.  Being close to the airport has many advantages, but especially for part time residents, it's great to have just a short drive to your home.

Well, there you have it...there are some of the reasons I love showing in Stoneybrook.  Remember to get the most up-to-date list of Stoneybrook at Gateway Homes for Sale, then call me for my pick of the week in the community.

I’m Not Going to Give My Home Away

How many times have you heard that said in this new market reality?

The problem is that the alternative is to continue to own it, and when that is no longer a desirable reality what do you do? Many go ahead and list their home at a price that is not realistic and set themselves up for a scenario that leaves them chasing the market. 

I recently spoke with a gentleman that listed a property 2 years earlier for $900,000.00 and now finds himself in a situation where he cannot sell it for $500,000.00. He readily acknowledged that had he originally offered it at a price of $800,000.00 we would not be having this conversation. It is so difficult to convey the understanding that the initial offering price is so critical and it must be competitive or it will not attract buyers.

With the abundance of information available to buyers, there are no secrets. If a home does not provide value then the buyers will look right past it and it will cease to have any impact until the price has been lowered significantly enough to again elicit interest.

Every home has unique characteristics and they must be factored in whether they are positive or negative but the bottom line is that the perceived value of your home must be higher that the others it is competing against. One always wonders if money was left on the table but I would much rather be having that conversation than the “Why didn’t it sell” conversation.

What do you think?