Today I am chosing not to talk about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act...Instead I thought we could all use a little more beauty in our lives...How about this photo for the "brighter side of things"? ...a sunset in Naples Florida in February! --ah yes, life is good!
Read More"Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." -Lou Holtz
Read MoreAt first, I was not a proponent of "stimulus"...I knew the same old "pork" add-ons were a sure bet. I know something's got to be done...but, I'm certain that we don't want to continue making the same mistakes in haste...Housing is the backbone of our economy. Careful consideration of those items which the experts feel would stimulate the slumping housing market are necessary... I don't know if any one item
Read MoreCurrently there are 10,783 Active Residential listings in Naples per SunshineMLS. Presently there are 1006 residential properties under contract, and of those pending, 29% are listed under $300,000. 7.2% are priced at or above $1 million. In 2008 51% of the closed sales were listed below $300,000., while an estimated 13% of the 2008 closed residential sales were listed at or above $1 million. The number of residential listings that
Read MoreColdwell 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
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