Posts

Showing posts from March, 2023

What are “closing costs?”

Image
The process of buying and selling a home can appear complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. A good agent, supported by a solid team, can guide you smoothly through every part of the transaction. What are closing costs? When you sell your home, most of your interactions will be with your agent. But did you know there is also a small army of professionals making arrangements and processing paperwork on your behalf? Surveyors, appraisers, underwriters, attorneys, title processors... Each of these specialists is doing their part to ensure a seamless transaction between you and the buyer of your home. “Closing costs” refers to the cost of the work they do on your behalf and any governmental fees charged to affirm and record the change of property ownership. How are closing costs calculated? To make matters more confusing, closing costs may be calculated in different ways. Some are set based on the sale price of your home. Others may be determined by the location or type of home you are sell...

If you are ready for a vacation home, but your budget isn't...

Image
...have you considered a   manufactured home ?   Many of my clients are looking for (and finding!) traditional, "stick-built" homes.  They are wonderful, and often exactly what a buyer needs - but not always!  A manufactured home could be the stepping stone you are looking for, into the life you want to be living. Affordable & Immediate Perhaps you have a beautiful home, close to work or surrounded by family. Why give that up? Manufactureds are much more affordable than traditional homes. Owning a manufactured home, as a second home, could mean you do not have to give up your existing home. And; you may not take on the burden of a second mortgage.  You can have the best of both worlds - keep your own lovely home and maintain your SW Florida getaway spot! High Quality Standards Did you know manufactured homes built since 1976 meet high federal standards in design and construction to assure quality, durability, safety, and affordability? They cannot be so...

Why the Cape Coral lifestyle could be EXACTLY what you need...

Image
Sunny Florida has been a popular retirement destination for as long as we can remember, and SW Florida in particular has become the "go-to" destination. It isn't hard to see why... It's simply wonderful to be here! Pleasant weather  allows us to spend much of our free time outside. We go golfing, we enjoy boating and fishing, and of course we relax at the beach or lounge by the pool - all year long. Our  low cost of living  means we can make the most of our savings while we enjoy ourselves (and our  low crime rate  is a welcome change for more than a few of our new arrivals). It's getting more wonderful every day... Employment opportunity  is growing in the Cape. Employment is projected to grow by 66 +/- percent by 2060.  Personal income  is growing too! Per capita personal income is projected to grow from $63,000 +/- in 2022 to $365,000 +/- in 2060. You don't need take my word for it (but you can!) Cape Coral was ranked  3rd in Forbes' 2023 ...

Wildlife in Paradise - The Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral

Image
Did you know ... .... Cape Coral has the largest population of Florida Burrowing Owls in the state?  We're home to an estimated 1,000 nesting pairs! And while photographers and bird enthusiasts come from all over the world to see our owls, we can find one of their burrows not very far from our front doors. Keep your eyes open for their nests marked with white stakes or wooden crosses; you'll find them all over town!   Burrowing owls make great neighbors ... .... and not just because they're adorable . Unlike their western cousins, Florida Burrowing Owls do not migrate. All year, these feathered vigilantes are hard at work keeping our city beautiful by chowing down on rodents, snakes, and insects. These fierce predators are a vital part of our thriving ecosystem, consuming agricultural pests and preventing the spread of diseases that rodents carry.   We can be great neighbors, too... ...by giving them the space and safety to hunt and raise their families in peace. First, ...