Monday, January 26, 2009

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





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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

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
www.CoastalEliteProperties.com
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Friday, December 19, 2008

SW FLorida Real Estate - New Listings in Bonita Springs, Naples S. Fort Myers and Estero

Click on the City to see listings. Once in the listing screen you can modify to search the price change, bedrooms, area etc. 

 






LISTINGS FOR POPULAR BONITA SPRINGS & ESTERO COMMUNITIES:








 
Working with the right agent means we do more than just give you access to homes. The right agent is experienced and protects your interest by properly writing the contract to being present at the closing and all things in between. A lot can happen from contract to close and having an experienced professional on your side can make all the difference.
 
If you would like more information on any of these listings or you would like me to find a home for you please call or email me and I would be happy to help!
 
Sincerely,
 
Franziska Smith
Broker
Coastal Elite Properties
a division of Bonita Estero Realty Corp
239-940-2995
www. CoastalEliteProperties.com
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Thursday, December 11, 2008

SW Florida Real Estate Insider - Fort Myers New Community inof

Paseo is located jusft of Daniels Parkway close enough to I-75 for convenience and far enough away for peace and quiet. An amazing location intertwined by the naturally pristine environment of the Six Mile Cypress Slough, which wraps Paseo’s Northern and Western boundary.

Paseo features a town center life style ~ The Paseo Village Center has it all – a full-service concierge, a resort-style pool, spa and fitness facilities, a community movie theatre, a pub, an Internet café and a Business Center. Outdoor recreational offerings include a fishing pier, tennis courts, beach volleyball, basketball, racquetball and bocce ball courts.

All of the landscaping and lawn maintenance is handled by the association so you can spend your weekends utlizing the many great amenities instead of doing yard work!


Check out Paseo's website (click here) for their selection of ready to move in inventory.
If you would like to check out the models please call or email me to set up an appointment.

Paseo is offering a Fly and Buy Program, you can stay for two nights while you check out the area...contact me for details.

If you prefer to drive thru yourself, please send me your name, address and phone number so I can register you as my client.

Franziska Smith
Broker
Coastal Elite Properties
a division of Bonita Estero Realty Corp
239-940-2995
franziskasmith@gmail.com
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Friday, December 5, 2008

SW Florida Real Estate Insider - Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples & Fort Myers new listings

NEW LISTINGS HOTSHEET

New Listings for Bonita Springs & Estero, FL week of 11/01/2008-11/07/2008

New Listings for S. Fort Myers, FL (33912 zipcode) week of 12/01/2008-12/05/2008

Working with the right agent means we do more than just give you access to homes. The right agent is experienced and protects your interest from properly writing the contract to being present at the closing and all things in between. A lot can happen from contract to close and having an experienced professional on your side can make all the difference.

If you would like more information on any of these listings or you would like me to find a home for you please call or email me and I would be happy to help!

Sincerely,

Franziska Smith
Broker
Coastal Elite Properties
a division of Bonita Estero Realty Corp
239-940-2995
franziskasmith@gmail.com
www. CoastalEliteProperties.com
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SW Florida Real Estate Insider -Tax Tips

It is almost that time of year again. Tax Time.

I know that most of you are thinking of Holiday Shopping and visiting family, but tax time weighs heavily on my mind! I am one of those procrastinators who wait until April 14 to find all of my year end paperwork, buy a tax software (too late to use a professional!) and spend 12 hours trying to organize a years worth of paper work into my tax returns.

When it was just my personal taxes it wasn't that bad; still painful, but manageable.
Once I opened my own real estate company however, it became a nightmare.

I always promise myself when I am in the middle of this nightmare that it will not happen next year! Well, we all know how that goes. I keep up with my day to day tasks for my work and family but accounting work just seems to get neglected.

So, I am trying to be ready for 2009 tax season and I found this article on the Florida realtor site with some tax tips that may help those of you who plan ahead.

2008 Tax Tips

Hope it helps!

Franziska Smith
Broker
Coastal Elite Properties
a division of Bonita Estero Realty Corp
239-940-2995 cell
franziskasmith@gmail.com
www.CoastalEliteProperties.com
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