SW Florida Real Estate - Mobile MLS search for Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and the Beach, Naples and Marco Island

I know that many home buyers are in the preliminary stages and are not quite ready to start working with a real estate agent. There are many reasons to get me involved right at the beginning of your home search (will talk about this in future post) but for now, here is a mobile tool that will help you get some information on homes while you are out driving around.

My website MLS search has a mobile phone version:

MLS search link

(click on the link to see live version of software or type this direclty into your phones web browser) http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR160706/Search/mobile

IDXPro Mobile may not display well on all devices.

This program was designed for iPhone and Blackberry devices, however, devices with a wide screen (340 pixels or more) may display and function nicely.
Smaller display screens will not display well with this version.

Features Include:
- Search by MLS Number, Street Address, City, Zip
- View full listing details and up to 10 photos
- While viewing a listing, find comparable listings nearby
- iPhone - view map location of properties
-ability to schedule a showing with me right from the property (just like my computer MLS search)

Searching for listings - From the main search page enter a street name, address, city, zip code or property type.

The less information you enter, the broader the search results. For example just entering a street name will return all listings on the street name.

Refine results by specifying bedrooms, bathrooms, minimum price and maximum price.

Click "GO" to get search results.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Franziska Smith

Broker/Owner

Coastal Elite Properties

239-940-2995 cell

franziskasmith@gmail.com

www.coastaleliteproperties.com

www.LeeCollierHomesMLS.com

SW Florida Real Estate Insider - Developments

I have recently started a new blog that will focus

on communities in SW Florida.

My first posting showcases some new construction opportunities from Sarasota to Naples.

You will be re-directed to the builders website, some of which will not let you click back to this blog post to get to the other sites. So make sure you know how to get back here!
The easies way to avoid this is to hover over the link with your mouse, then RIGHT click on the link, and choose "open in new window". This way this original blog post will always be open.

If you are interested in more information or would like a community tour either call or email me or simply register on the development site that you are on.

Link to Developer Websites

Franziska Smith
Broker
Coastal Elite Properties
239-940-2995 cell
franziskasmith@gmail.com

http://www.coastaleliteproperties.com/

SW Florida Real Estate Insider -Short Sales

Short Sale Guidelines

As most people know, there have been an unprecedented amount of short sales. This is where a seller is selling thier home for less money that they owe the bank. It is not a foreclosure, but the lender is still taking a loss on the property and has to agree to loss they are taking and the sale to the new buyer.

This of course reflects negatively on the sellers credit. In many cases the seller is behind on their payments during the time they have been trying to sell the home and can be very close to foreclosure.

Suntrust Bank - Wholesale division has just issued new guidelines to use when assisting borrowers who have had a short sale on a previously owned property.
This policy becomes effective on or after Monday, January 12, 2009.

Here are some of the highlights:

• A minimum, of two (2) years must have elapsed since the short sale occured and all of the following re-established credit guidelines must be met:

• A minimum of three (3) credit references (one must be a traditional credit reference and one must be housing related)

• No more than two (2) 30 day late payments in the 24 months preceding the loan application,

• No late payments on housing debt since completion of short sale, and

• No new public records for bankruptcies, foreclosures, deeds-in-lieu, unpaid judgments, unpaid collections, garnishments, liens, etc. since completion of short sale.

In summary, a homeowner who sold their home via a short sale process only has to wait 2 years to try to obtain new mortgage financing, but must keep thier other credit as stellar as possible.

I would be a good idea to have a two year plan to monitor your credit and make sure that you do not have any collections, liens or judgements showing up on your credit report.

If you have any questions about this or any other real estate topic just call or email me.

Sincerely,

Franziska Smith
Broker
Coastal Elite Properties
239-940-2995 cell
franziskasmith@gmail.com

SW Florida Real Estate-New Construction deal in Estero

Lennar has some great deals on homes nearing completion!

Currently in the Manors section of Bella Terra is a Sabal Palm model that will complete in March 2009.

This home has a natural preserve & lakeview home site and was just reduced from $329,990

to $311,000, which is a great price for a home with all the upgrades this one has, plus the excellent location.

Specs:

Sabal Palm - E2 $311,000

4 bedroom, 2 bath

Living, Dining, & Family Room Design, 3 car garage

2463 SF Living Area ~ 3356 SF Total Under Roof

Home is loaded with upgrades including granite countertops, raised panel maple cabinets, 18" tile throughout all living areas, laundry room sink & cabinets,and much more

Here are some pictures of the model:

If you are interested in viewing this home, Bella Terra or other listings in SW Florida please give me a call or send me an email.

Sincerely,

Franziska Smith

Broker

Coastal Elite Properties

a division of Bonita Estero Realty Corp

239-940-2995 cell

franziskasmith@gmail.com

www.CoastalEliteProperties.com