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What Is the Real Reason You Want To Move Right Now? If you're considering selling your house right now, it's likely because something in your life has changed. And while things like mortgage rates play a big role in your decision, you don’t want that to overshadow why you thought about making a move in the first place. It’s true mortgage rates are higher right now, and that has an impact on affordability. As a result, some homeowners are deciding they’ll wait to sell because they don’t want to move and have a higher mortgage rate on their next home. But your lifestyle and your changing needs matter, too. As a recent article from  Realtor.com  says: “No matter what interest rates and home prices do next, sometimes homeowners just have to move —due to a new job, new baby, divorce, death, or some other major life change.” Here are a few of the most common reasons people choose to sell today. You may find any one of these resonates with you and may be reason enough to move, even t...

  As winter approaches, I've put together a few reminders about how to prepare ourselves and our homes for the coming winter. Let me know if there is anything I've missed! Winterize Windows   - As night-time temperatures descend into the low 70s, take the time to check your window screens for holes. When you're lying in bed at night enjoying the gentle gulf breeze through your open windows, the last thing you'll want is a stray lightning bug landing on your nose! Stock Up On Supplies   - Don't be caught with an empty pantry when refugees (or, rather, "visiting friends and family") begin to arrive. Make sure your poolside bar is well stocked, your grill has enough propane in the tank, and your beach bag has plenty of extra towels and sunscreen. Locate Warm Clothing   - It is unpleasant to imagine the unthinkable, but it is possible we could experience the icy winds of winter. Temperatures as low as 68 or even 65 degrees have been known to happen. Spend an a...

...and what you can learn from their experience. I think most of us have known at least one person for whom the process of selling their home was long and frustrating. Perhaps it was a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood, one that left you scratching your head and trying to imagine why it did not sell immediately. The truth is, selling your home shouldn't be difficult - particularly in today's market and with the right real estate professional to assist you.  A qualified and experienced agent will provide the guidance you need to avoid these common obstacles that likely caused problems for your friend: Did they limit potential buyers' access to their home? One of the biggest mistakes you can make when selling your house is restricting the days and times when potential buyers can tour it. Being flexible with your schedule is important when you're selling your house, even though it might feel a bit stressful to drop everything and leave when buyers want to see it. ...

You’ve done it. You’ve purchased your getaway oasis in Sunny SW Florida! Winter is approaching and you're ready to head south to enjoy months of palm trees and blue skies in your second home. But… What about your first home up north or in the mid-west? Will it be safe while you’re away? The last thing you want to do is to spend your time in paradise needlessly worrying. Fortunately, you don’t have to. There are a number of simple steps you can take to secure your home. Purchase a combination lockbox for your spare key. It would be great if there was no need to keep an additional key outside your home, but we are only human. Accidents and emergencies happen. A combination lockbox is a more secure option for your spare key than hiding it under a flower pot or tucked behind a window shutter. You can find them online or at your local hardware store. Secure your garage door. Electric garage door openers are wonderful conveniences, but can be susceptible to hacking. Older models lack the...

5 Things You Need To Know About Living In Cape Coral, FL Provided by Cape Coral Mortgage Whether you are a snowbird who's thinking about a permanent move to Florida, or just a Northerner who's sick and tired of all the snow, you should consider Cape Coral. This lovely little town, situated not far from Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast, may not have the cachet of Tampa, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale, but that doesn't mean it's not a great place to live. Here are just a few of the many benefits of living in Cape Coral, FL. 1. Moving to Cape Coral is Financially Smart A lot of people think that it's expensive to live in Florida, but living in Cape Coral is surprisingly affordable! The cost of living in this beautiful community is much lower than the national average. Besides, the state does not collect income tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, or intangible property tax. The sales tax rate is also relatively low, between 6-7.5%. This is good news for retirees who are on a fixed...

Did you know... ...the City of Cape Coral is home to over 1,000 acres of wildlife preserve?  Four Mile Ecological Preserve, Charlotte Harbor Buffer Preserve, and Yellow Fever Creek Preserve all offer dedicated and wild green spaces for residents of all kinds to enjoy - human or otherwise. In addition to that, another 465 acres are set aside for use in 35 different community, neighborhood, and specialty parks. And now the  USDA has selected us  to receive $1 million to grow our parks and preserves throughout the city! Abundant green spaces are vital for people... ...to keep ourselves and our community healthy and flourishing.  Cities with ample tree cover enjoy better air quality as vehicle emissions and other pollutants are filtered out of the air before residents can breathe it in. Trees and foliage regulate ambient temperature and reduce the heat otherwise locked into cement and asphalt. Vegetation reduces water run-off as plants absorb rainwater, then filter that ...

I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that I   love   house hunting shows. Who doesn't? They've been a staple of reality television for almost as long as they've been around. Whether you enjoy poking gentle fun at the buyers with their lists of requirements or indulging in a little daydreaming by imagining yourself in their shoes, there is something captivating about watching people search for and find their own perfect home. My Lottery Dream Home  is one of my favorite shows because it adds another layer of wish fulfillment. Where would I live if I could live anywhere? What kind of home would I buy if I could buy anything? Something grand or something cozy? A place to welcome friends and family or a place to escape and enjoy the silence? Well... I do know  where  I would live. And I'm not alone! For the fourth time since the show began,  My Lottery Dream Home  returned to Cape Coral. They brought with them yet another pair of lottery winners whose a...

Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you're thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market and wondering what you can do to help offset those. A new report from Gravy Analytics provides insight into where people are searching for homes and what they're prioritizing most right now. That information could help you plan your own move. People Are Moving to Cities with Lower Housing Costs One big factor motivating where buyers are going is affordability and that’s no big surprise. People are relocating to areas that have less expensive housing options. As a result, small cities are thriving.  Hannah Jones, Economics Data Analyst at  Realtor.com , summarizes why: "Affordability is still very much front and center . . . a lot of what’s available is outside of the price range of many buyers. . . . so they look elsewhere for a little more bang for the buck." The takeaway for you? If yo...

It may surprise you to learn that SW Florida isn't just a haven for beach bums, boaters, golfers, and loungers-by-the-pool. It's also a wonderful place to grow your business! Low cost of living and low corporate income tax rates are just the beginning. Check out the resources below, which are invaluable to anyone who is ready to start a  small business in paradise... FGCU Small Business Development Center "The SBDC is dedicated to providing businesses with free, confidential advice. Their services include confidential, one-on-one counseling and educational workshops geared toward providing businesses with all the information they need to conduct a successful business." SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute Entrepreneur Training Program "The Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute helps emerging entrepreneurs with low to moderate-income levels and other disadvantages to start new ventures or grow small businesses. Graduates complete a short-term business and...

As any dog knows, a sunny day is a great day for   walkies . When   every   day is sunny, well, then... every day is for walkies! SW Florida isn't just a paradise for people - our four-legged companions love it here, too.   It is never too cold (or too windy, or too wet) for a walk around the neighborhood, a visit to one of our many off-leash dog parks, or a quick trip to any of the dozens of outdoor cafes and restaurants you'll find all over. This has, unexpectedly, created a small problem. With all these happy pups trotting about and introducing themselves to neighbors and passers-by, we realized  there is no way to be certain who is the "goodest boy."  They're all so adorable. Fortunately, the City of Cape Coral has stepped in to answer this pressing question. Next Saturday, August 12th a grand contest will be held. At the  Just for Fun Dog Show , we will decide once and for all who has the Waggiest Tail, who is the Best Kisser, who looks Most Like ...