New from Regler Real Estate...

Many sellers consider a pre-listing home inspection to be borrowing trouble. They imagine that "what they don't know can't hurt them." However, when a prospective buyer’s inspection turns up unpleasant surprises - surprises that could cause a confirmed sale to fall through - these same sellers reconsider their pre-listing decision. What does a home inspection include? A licensed home inspector will search your home for signs of common problems and safety hazards. They will look over the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems for items and areas of concern. They will search for evidence of pests, water damage, or structural weaknesses. What if my home inspection reveals a problem? As a seller, you want to net as much money as possible at closing. The truth is, as a result of natural wear and tear, building and design quirks, or undisclosed damage from previous owners, every home has room for improvement. That’s ok! A pre-listing inspection makes you aware of these conc...

Homeownership is at the heart of the American Dream, but often, the first obstacle is the down payment. It can be sizable and intimidating.  If you plan to purchase a single-family home, condo, or townhouse in SW Florida, that does not need to be an obstacle for you. You have options. The  Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program  is available to frontline community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. Eligible frontline workers can receive up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $25,000) in down payment and closing cost assistance. They may also receive lower than market rates on an FHA, VA, RD, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac first mortgage, reduced upfront fees and other assistance. The  Community Development Block Grant Program  is available to buyers of new or existing homes in unincorporated Lee County. The maximum purchase price is $380,00...

Housing markets are always shifting, but the desirability of SW Florida continues to protect home values. Still, as the market begins to stabilize, it is important to understand what you can do, should you opt to sell, to ensure your property sells quickly.  Home sale statistics for the month of March are in, and there is a lot we can learn from them. Set the right price the first time. A quality home, properly priced, attracts buyers quickly and sells for a much larger percentage of its original listing price.  A review of sales last month shows that homes sold within 30 days averaged 96.4% of their original price. After 120 days, selling prices dropped to only 84.3% of their original price. Don't wait longer only to make less. An experienced agent can help you set the right price; receiving more money in less time. Home values continue to rise. Home prices in Fort Myers continue to climb, averaging $480,250 - up from $410,000 a year ago.  I...

It often surprises people to learn that in Southwest Florida we have our own version of the “rat race.” It isn’t always easy to squeeze in time at the beach, time fishing, time sitting by the pool, and a full social calendar as well. Look at all we have to find time for in the next week… Cape Coral Cardboard Boat Regatta That’s right - cardboard! Next weekend in Seahawk Park, hundreds of people will gather to defy the laws of science and common sense by participating in the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Previous entries have included: pirate ships, Viking long boats, an actual yellow submarine, and a variety of creatively proportioned insects, reptiles, and alligators. A Cape Coral tradition for nearly 30 years, if you have ever uttered the phrase “let's throw it in the water and see if it floats,” this is the event for you.  Click here for more information . BBQ, Bands, & Brew Local barbecue vendors will be out in force this Sunday, bringing their A Game to determine once and...

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...

...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...

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 ...

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, ...