September 2010

We Would be Better Off if there were no more Short Sales

 

 

We Would be Better Off if there were no more Short Sales

We would all be better off if there were no more Short Sales.  My position on this may catch a few people off guard, particularly the buyers that are waiting in the wings for the perfect opportunity.  It is not that I do not want to see my buyers get the best possible deal on their new home.  And it is not even that I feel sorry for the banks, heaven knows they have done plenty to create this mess.  The real issue is the devastation that the collapse of the housing market has caused to our friends and neighbors.  For every great deal that someone swoops in and gets the lives of a family have been turned upside down.  There is no such thing as going through the process of a short sale, foreclosure, or bankruptcy and not having scars to show for it.  I long for the days when hard working people could take for granted that they could find some kind of job and that if they took care of their home their equity would grow and create a safety net for them and their family.

The world has been shaken inside out.  Owners have been turned into renters and renters are being turned into owners.  Interest rates are at the lowest levels in more than 15 years yet most people cannot get loans.  There is money for the underprivileged, and there is money for those who do not need it.  For all the rest, stand in line and jump through hoops and maybe just maybe you will be one of the fortunate few that get to the finish line.  To most of you this sounds cynical and glum and perhaps to some extent it is.  I just remember the days when there was order to things.  People had confidence in themselves, in the country and the economy, and in one another.  I can't help but worry that banking and lending will never be the same.  People no longer feel the same sense of responsibility as they did in the past.

Am I all alone here?  I scour the listings looking for the very best deal for my clients yet knowing that it always comes down to either a short sale or a foreclosure.  You can either fight em or join em.  I choose to join em but not forget that every client is a human being and that none of the sellers on the short end of the deal went in with the knowledge of what was to happen.  Sure they borrowed too much.  Sure they paid too much.  But at the time it all made sense.  Lets all hope that it all makes sense again if not for us, then for our children and grandchildren.  Join me in my effort to do our part to restore self esteem to those that have been devastated by this nightmare.

Ray Higdon says Thanks to the Dohack Group

The Plantation Fort Myers Foreclosures

The Plantation Fort Myers Foreclosures

The other day, I had a client ask me about the possibility of any Plantation Fort Myers foreclosures on the market.  They absolutely loved the community, but they were looking for a better deal than what Centex Homes was offering for new construction.  I don't really blame the question, especially since people looking to buy homes these days are looking for the best deals they can find. 

Here are the realities in regards to Plantation Fort Myers foreclosures.  They are extremely RARE.  Does one ever come on the market?  Sure.  The Plantation is not unlike any other community in Southwest Florida in that prices are much lower now than they were just a couple of short years ago.  Therefore, you can find some short sales and the occasional short sale that hit the market. 

What is EXTREMELY important to know about Plantation Fort Myers foreclosures is that when and IF one comes on the market, they tend to go FAST.  Think about it.  You can get an unbelievable community, great golf, and a terrific home at a super discount...it's going to go fast!  

There are several other communities near the Plantation that have more frequent foreclosures and short sales that I can also introduce you to.  For a complete list of foreclosures in the area, simply shoot me a message from our website Fort Myers FL Homes or call 239-963-4811.

Also, here is the complete list of Plantation Homes for Sale.  It is updated daily and sorted by price, least expensive to most for your convenience. 

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding prices or trends.  Better yet, you can view the market report for the Plantation Fort Myers yourself for free!

Thank you for being wonderful…

“Brad does not only have a ton of experience in real estate market, he is also a wonderful person who cares for his clients and goes above and beyond his duties to completely delight and satisfy the needs of the customers. Brad is trustworthy and he works for the client’s best interest. Brad is very responsive and he give’s a lot of advice on real estate investment.

WE can’t wait to work with him again on our next real estate journey! THANK YOU BRAD!!” ~The Frothinghams

Homes for Sale in Gateway, Fort Myers

 

Homes for Sale in Gateway, Fort Myers

If you like a well grounded, tight knit community then you might want to look at the homes for sale in Gateway, Fort Myers.  Gateway is a community with many different subdivisions each with a slightly different offering.  Several subdivisions arre perfect for first time home buyers with reasonable prices and nice floor plans.  For the seasoned buyer who is looking for more space and prestige, you are covered as well. 

How about the age of your home.  Gateway has homes and communities that were built in the mid 1980s and has some that are still under construction now.  The only subdivision currently under construction is Hampton Park.  Other than that the most current communities are Hidden Links, Stoneybrook, and Daniels Preserve.  So how does all of this lead to a tight knit community?  What happens is that people with like interests seek out and find communities that fit their lifestyle and needs.  As a result they become neighbors in its true sense and become tight knit.  Why not take a look at the homes for sale in Gateway, Fort Myers.

The construction of the Boston Red Sox spring training facility, Fenway South is sure to add another dimension in Gateway.  If you are a Red Sox fan, you particularly will want to look at the homes for sale in Gateway, Fort Myers.  With the convenient location to the training facility as well as to the airport Gateway is going to be a preferred destination for those wanting a winter home near the action.  All of this points to the need to contact us at the Dohack Group so that we can assist you in finding a home for sale in Gateway, Fort Myers.

Miromar Lakes Foreclosures – Luxury at a Discount

Miromar Lakes Foreclosures

If you are familiar with Miromar Lakes, you know it is an ELITE community.  It is home to some of the nicest amenities in all of Southwest Florida.  I've yet to show a client the community and have them dislike it. 

In the past, prices of homes in the community were prohibitive for many people interested in the community.  Nowadays, we have seen the entrance of Miromar Lakes foreclosures hitting the market which have helped adjust prices and bring more affordabitility to the luxury community. Click below for a complete list of the Miromar Lakes foreclosures.

We do not know how long these deals will last, all that we know is that they are just that...DEALS.  If you would like to view any of the homes on the list, you can simply call at the number below or schedule a showing straight from our website. 

Also, I am going to give you (for FREE) the exclusive Miromar Lakes Market Report.  This report will not only show you the active and sold listings, but it will also give you all of the trends for the community, where prices are going, how long homes are typically on the market, etc.  The best part is that even if you are not ready to buy or sell in Miromar Lakes, we will send you an updated report every 28 days with the changes that have happened in the market.  I've had clients who were not ready to buy for a year who have found this tool extremely helpful in making their decision.  Feel free to share this with friends. 

Is one of the Miromar Lakes foreclosures in your future?  Let me know your thoughts below.  Have a great day.

Short Sales in Gateway, Fort Myers

 

Short Sales in Gateway, Fort Myers

We are having better luck with Short Sales in Gateway, Fort Myers.  Why is that you may ask?  There are several reasons for this improvement.  In the first place lending institutions could not have predicted the calamity that occurred.  They had operations that were sized to accommodate the consistent trickle of cases that were the norm.  When the real estate bubble burst and economic turmoil was released they were caught short.  Not only were they grossly understaffed, they really did not have a strategy for handling such a situation.  Why would they?

What we see now is an organized response to this horrible occurrence.  Banks have now had time to assess the situation and their own response to them.  They are finding out that policies that worked on a smaller scale do not work as well on this larger scale.  Of course their goal is to minimize losses.  They do not want to establish policies that encourage people to walk away from their homes and create losses for the bank but they have found out that foreclosures are very costly answers to the problem.  Foreclosures are time consuming and very costly.  The property is tied up for long periods of time while the entire legal process is carried out.  In most cases utilities are disconnected which leads to a rapid decline in the property.  What is left is a property with deteriorated value, large legal expenses, HOA and other related expenses, and more.

Careful review of all this has led lenders to take a closer look and create easier and more efficient methods to handle Short Sales.  Take a look at the short sales in Gateway, Fort Myers.  Until now I have steered most clients away from short sales due to the uncertainty in getting them to work and I still evaluate each and every client before I pursue it.  Even though the process is much improved it is still dependent on many factors nearly all of which the buyer has no control over.  The good news, many are getting done and the process is improving.  I now feel more confident in recommending a short sale for buyers that do not have a timetable for completing a sale.  For someone who is looking for a second residence it can work out quite well.  The other group that can benefit is investors.  They can target quality properties and wait to see the outcome.  If one does not work another will.

All of this leads to my conclusion that Short Sales in Gateway, Fort Myers are becoming a viable alternative for certain buyers.  Take a look at the available Short Sales in Gateway, Fort Myers.  Our market is always changing and you can bet that the market for short sales is going to change.  Allow us at the Dohack Group to assist you with Short Sales in Gateway, Fort Myers.

Bella Terra Homes for Sale – Active Listings

Bella Terra Homes for Sale

If you are looking for one of the Bella Terra homes for sale, you can simply click on the button below for the up-to-date list.

If you want to know more about the community, let me give you some background to Bella Terra.

Bella Terra is located in Estero, FL.  Some of the nearby destinations include shopping, Southwest International Airport, Florida Gulf Coast University, beaches and more.  Lennar is the developer behind the community.  They have done a wonderful job from start to finish in making the community the perfect Southwest Florida living environment.  The community is comprised of single family homes, townhomes & condos: all of which have great architectural features that you would expect in SWFL.

One of the major attractions to purchase one of the Bella Terra homes for sale is the amenities.  The community boasts a huge resort-style swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball, fitness facility, and even an inline skating rink. 

When you are thinking about purchasing one of the Bella Terra homes for sale, you actually have several options.  You can buy either a new construction home from Lennar directly, a resale property, a short sale, or even one of the Bella Terra foreclosures. 

Each one of the options has its own benefit, but if you are looking for the best deals, you will want to look at short sales and (especially) foreclosures.  We are now seeing prices that are fractions of what you could have paid just a couple of short years ago.  If you are considering purchasing a home in Florida, now may just be the perfect time for you to do so. 

Finally, I take requests for my 2 cent tours based on demand.  If you would like to see me do one on Bella Terra, please let me know.  Thank you.

Bank Owned Homes in Cypress Cay

 

 

Bank Owned Homes in Cypress Cay

 

With just a little patience you could purchase a bank owned home in Cypress Cay.  If you have an interest in doing that it is best to hook up with a Realtor right away.  Many people like to fly under the radar and not feel obligated to someone until they find a home that peaks their interest.  While there seems to be no limit to the information that is available through the Internet and elsewhere there is no reason to go it on your own.  As a buyer, you are missing the boat if you do not engage a Realtor from the very beginning.  Obviously, this is self serving but I say this without regard for personal gain.  Realtors are paid from the seller’s proceeds.  They would argue that the arrangement is unfair but nonetheless it is the way that it is done.  I would always suggest that you find someone that knows the neighborhoods in which you have an interest.  When you do so you gain an ally that is intimately familiar with those specific homes and their prospective values. 

Picking the right Realtor is important.  A true professional always figures out where their client is and serves them accordingly.  Anyone that tries to hard sell real estate is an idiot.  Purchasing a home for most people is the largest purchase they ever make in their lifetime.  It is not an impulse purchase.  Customers range from nosy neighbors to buyers who are ready to purchase and everything in between.  Trying to hard sell someone that is still in the tire kicking phase is a lesson in frustration.  All of this is just to make the point that finding a Realtor early is in the buyer’s best interest.  We are very familiar with the buying cycle and the fact that people need time and space.  Bank Owned homes are generally sold in a short period of time.  Take a look and see if there are any bank owned homes in Cypress Cay right now.  The problem is that if you do not form a relationship with a Realtor you most likely will not have time to discover the bank owned home, find a Realtor, visit the home and submit a contract before someone else.

This is a list of bank owned homes in Cypress Cay.  Take advantage of the opportunities that we are seeing right now to own a home at a fraction of the cost just a few short years ago.  Allow us at the Dohack Group to put you in a position to succeed in purchasing a Bank Owned Home in Cypress Cay.

Gateway Fort Myers FL – What You Need to Know

Gateway Fort Myers FL

With the major shift that has happened in the real estate market, people are looking for great deals in real estate.  What we have been showing people more and more is that Gateway in Fort Myers, FL, is a SCREAMING good deal. 

First of all, let's go over the basics of Gateway:

1.) Gateway is a master-planned development with over 3,000 acres of land.  It is subdivided into several communities, some gated, some not.

2.) Location: Obviously, Gateway is located in Fort Myers, FL.  More specifically, Gateway is east of I-75 off Daniel's Parkway.  It is very near the airport and shopping.

3.) Spring Training: Gateway is only minutes away from the new Red Sox Spring Training facility Fenway South. 

We have been working in Gateway for years, so if you have any questions about any specific communities, we are happy to help.  Depending on what you are looking for, I have a list of my favorites.  Depending on newness of home construction, amenities desired, and level of HOA fees you are wanting to pay, you can find a community that fits all of your criteria.

I've been saying this for a long time, but Gateway Fort Myers, FL is a real winner of a community that offers just about everything you could ask for. 

We even keep this list of Gateway Fort Myers homes for sale if you are interested in potentially buying in Gateway.  Please make sure you find someone familiar with the area.

Also, here is our updated Market Report for Gateway Fort Myers.  This is really great information.  It will help you get information about all of the recent trends in Gateway.  Recent sales, currently listed homes, population data, school data.  It's all very good information.

Daniel’s Preserve Short Sales – Great Opportunity in Fort Myers

Daniel's Preserve Short Sales

If you are actively looking for a home to purchase, you are very aware that short sales dominate in this marketplace.  I recently had a client in town who was 100% focused on buying one of the Daniel's Preserve short sales. 

You see, I believe the people who are actively looking to buy right now are inherently smart people.  They know that mortgage rates are the lowest in decades.  They know the doom and gloom information on the news means there is a tremendous opportunity to get a beautiful home at a discount. 

Now, here's why some people are smarter than others.  Instead of buying any old foreclosure or short sale that looks good because it has a good price, this particular client was focused on Daniel's Preserve short sales for many reasons. 

The first major reason is obviously the price.  Daniel's Preserve short sales and foreclosures are some of the best priced homes on the market in Fort Myers.  The second reason is the overall look and feel of the community.  Mercedes Homes did a great job making the community stand out from the rest.  It looks great and construction is quality too.  The final major reason, is the date of construction.  Homes in Daniel's Preserve were built in the mid to late 2000's, which means you do not have to worry about a lot of the maintenance items you would have to worry about on an older home.  The clay tile roof still has many years of life left on it, and all of the homes come equipped with storm shutters.  

Couple all of these benefits with a gated community that has low HOA fees and you're talking about a real winner. 

Here is the list of all of the Daniel's Preserve homes for sale.  We are also giving away a free market report for Daniel's Preserve Fort Myers.

As always, let me know if you have any questions.  I'd be happy to help!

Waterfront in Stoneybrook in Gateway

 

Waterfront in Stoneybrook in Gateway

There is an abundance of waterfront in Stoneybrook in Gateway.  The water is plentiful and really sets it apart from many other developments.  In Stoneybrook the lakes are large enough that you do not feel like you are a part of your neighbor's party.  So many lakes in Florida are more like canals than lakes.  They are narrow strips of water that allow the developer to declare premium waterfron lots.  In Stoneybrook the lakes are very large and offre the peace and tranquil setting that you look for in a waterfront homesite.  Take a look and see what is available in Waterfront in Stoneybrook in Gateway.  I have written many times of the many reasons that waterfront is desirable but never have I mentioned a sport that I see on a weekly basis on the lake just off of Ben C Pratt Parkway.

There is an avid group of model sport boat racers.  I am sure that my terminology would be scoffed at by the true enthusiasts but as a casual spectator I can tell you that it is absolutely amazing what these boats can do.  We will be driving down the road 50 miles per hour and these model boats will be passing us up at a steady rate.  I have not gotten up close and personal but it is amazing how fast these little boats can go.  Maybe this would be another hobby that would work out if you were the owner of a home that is waterfront in Stoneybrook in Gateway.

Add this to the list of the many sports and hobbies that are available in Stoneybrook in Gateway.  There are few communities that have more to offer in that regard.  They have their very own activities director who coordinates all of those many activities.  Lets name the ones that come to mind.  Baseball, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, In-line skating, tennis, aerobics, weight lifting, Bridge, Poker, and the list goes on and on.  If you are looking for activity take a look at homesites that are waterfront in Gateway.  It is the best of everything.  Give us a call at the Dohack Group and we will be happy to assist you in finding waterfron in Stoneybrook in Gateway.

Botanica Lakes Short Sales – Worth the Wait?

Botanica Lakes Short Sales

No doubt about it, Botanica Lakes is a very nice gated community in Fort Myers.  It is located near the airport, I-75, and shopping.  The community also has many great amenities that attract people from everywhere.  Whether it's the resort-style pool, tennis courts, gym or playground, there are amenities for everyone.

I recently had clients in town who were interested in purchasing one of the Botanica Lakes short sales.  You see, short sales and foreclosures are the best priced deals on the market, so it is very understandable why people want to buy them. 

There is 1 MAJOR difference between the 2 types of sales.  You see, Botanica Lakes foreclosures are very cut and dry.  You know the price the bank has listed the home at and - in most cases - you know that the property will have multiple offers.  Nowadays, many times it takes bidding over asking price to get a great foreclosure when it hits the market.  The best part about the foreclosure is that you know when you will close on the property.

Botanica Lakes short sales are quite the opposite.  In nearly all cases, you have no idea how long it will take to close on the short sale.  The best case scenario is that the price has already been pre-approved by the bank and you know what it will take to get the job done.  You will want to make sure that you hire a great real estate agent to know which questions to ask to make sure you are not wasting time putting an offer on a home that may NEVER close. 

In the end if you have to be in your home by a certain timeframe, purchasing a Botanica Lakes short sale may not be the best bet.  On the other hand, if you have time to wait, you can pick up some amazing deals in the community.  For more information about the community, here is a 2 Cent Video Tour of Botanica Lakes Fort Myers.

Bank Owned Homes in Timber Ridge

Bank Owned Homes in Timber Ridge

There has been a steady stream of Bank Owned Homes in Timber Ridge.  As a result, there have been some very good deals to be had.  The fact that Timber Ridge does not have amenities within the community slows down the activity and has the effect of driving down the price.  The question is what is your position on amenities?  Do you really need a pool of your own, a pool in your subdivision, and a pool in the master development?  The next question do you want to pay to maintain all of those pools?  I for one can live without any of them.  I like to look at pools but beyond that I can live without them all together.  I am a boater so the nuisence of maintaining a pool is something I can live without.  We are all different.  All of this leads me to my original question, what is your position on this?  Many of the bank owned homes in Timber Ridge have their own pools.  For the others, there is still the Gateway community pool.  Click on this link and take a look to see if there are any bank owned homes in Timber Ridge.

Other than the absence of amenities there is little not to like in Timber Ridge.  The community has a really nice feel with its many lakes and the bridges over the lakes that lead you in to the subdivision.  For me it has just enough of a midwest feel to remind me of home but it does not lose the tropical appeal in doing so.  The other feature that I sense when in Timber Ridge is the integrity of the neighborhood.  It is an intrinsic thing but you just sense a feeling of community there.  Take a look and see if there is a bank owned home in Timber Ridge that might be perfect for you.  Gateway in general is going to be a very hot community once the Fenway South spring training facility is up and running.  The proximity to the facility as well as to the airport make it a likely target for Red Sox fans.  Give us a call at the Dohack group and we will help you find the perfect bank owned home in Timber Ridge

 

 

3 Bed 2 Bath Lehigh Acres Homes for Sale – Only $74,900 (Seriously?)

3 Bed 2 Bath Lehigh Acres Homes for Sale

Nowhere, I repeat, Nowhere, in the country have I seen as good of deals on housing as Lehigh Acres, FL.  No deals are better than the 3 bed 2 bath Lehigh Acres Homes for Sale.  I say this because the 3 bed 2 bath models are the most popular, thus buyers have so many options.  You will see below a listing that JUST hit the market.  It's actually one of the most unbelievable homes for the money I have ever walked through.  The best part is that it is not a foreclosure or a short sale. 

Please comment below on your thoughts.

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