Coldwell Banker Previews International Fifth Avenue South office here in beautiful Naples Florida is "Going Green"! Although recycling is currently not mandatory at business addresses here in Collier County, our office made the decision recently to begin a recycling program. This takes a little bit of effort on the part of the staff and agents, but with over 80 people recycling here at the Coldwell Banker office we now have
Read MoreIt just became even more difficult to finance a condo. Fannie Mae, which buys most of the residential loans from lenders, announced more requirements that only apply to Florida: If more than 15% of a condo's units are delinquent in their association dues or fees, Fannie Mae will not back the new mortgage.In new condos and condo conversions, at least 70% of the units must be sold, up from 49%
Read MoreI know this is a real estate blog, but yesterday's inauguration will have its effect on all of us in the days and months to come...we must rally behind our new president, and reach across party lines and continue to wish only that goodness and prosperity come to our nation. The day we have long awaited has now come and gone...Our new president is wished nothing but safety and success
Read MoreChip and I are up at our cabin in the mountains of North Carolina with 3 of our kids and 5 of our grandkids. When I woke up this morning and looked outside the early sun was peeping over the distant mountains, streaming through the trees and dancing on the frosty branches. Bear Pen mountain is visible through the bare trees this time of year...the back of the house faces
Read MoreI started my day early (about 4:00 am) working on the details concerning a counter offer...the home is listed around $1 million...the buyer offered considerably less...the seller would not even counter...NEVER has the divide between what a seller thinks his home is worth and what a buyer is willing to pay been so great! Next, I went to see a very nice couple who bought a condo from me about
Read MoreA lot of good things come out of our weekly sales meetings...I've been attending sales meetings every Wednesday morning for over 27 years. Some are better than others; some have interesting guest speakers, MLS trends & statistics...We get to tout new listings, share ideas, discuss price adjustments... This morning my broker wrote 3 things up on his easel... 1. Stocks 2. Real Estate 3. A Coffee Can With one question
Read MoreTwo wonderful speeches last night... McCain's words brought tears to my eyes as I watched this hero concede in a most honorable and gentle manner. I believe the world looked at him with admiration and the utmost respect which few people have ever deserved more.. Obama's speech inspired a nation. I was equally proud of his accomplishment, the obvious emotion as he expressed so eloquently his awareness of the place
Read MoreMy alarm was set for 6:00 am, I was up and out of the house with such enthusiasm this morning. Wanting to get to my precinct early, expecting long lines...at first I thought they moved the precinct without telling me. "Am I at the wrong place?" I actually found a parking place right up front and once inside I checked in immediately...It felt a little funny going back to the
Read MoreIt will be nice for this election to be over...I can't count how many times in the past month the prospects I have talked with have used it as an excuse to put off making a decision...."Oh, after the election we will be in a better position to make a decision"...or, "We are waiting to see who wins before we book a trip to Naples to look at real estate..."
Read MoreYears ago when I first got into this business my dad gave me a bit of advice...He told me not to talk about politics or religion with my customers. My first broker told me the same thing...and the first big company I worked for even went so far as to prohibit us from placing bumper stickers on our vehicles or campaign signs on our lawns. It was part of the
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