Author: newadmin

Homes still selling in Cape Coral?

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Are we still selling homes in Cape Coral? The answer is yes, and in record numbers.  We have been getting so much negative national media attention, that our ideas are clouded with misinformation.

The National Association of Realtors published their polls and it shows that in 2009 with the assistance of realtors, 16,260 homes were sold.  In 2005 when the housing boom began, the record was 12,123

However one significant change is the declining home prices. In 2005 the median home price was 278,200, now in 2009 we were at 90,400. This decline is due to the record number of short sales and foreclosures now flooding the real estate listings.  Sellers are now coming to their senses and listing their homes more realistically, their homes are worth significantly less from what they were selling for 5 years ago.
 

The fact of the matter is that homes are STILL selling.  We may have to navigate through a few detours, from bank negotiations to new lending laws, but properties are moving.

Buyers also need to understand that there are great deals to be had, but when a property is under market value as many of them are, they may sell very quickly and most likely there will be multiple offers.

So when searching for real estate in Cape Coral, we suggest you secure your financing and act quickly when you find the right home at just the right price.  Call one of our agents at Florida Future Realty to assist you with your home buying experience.

Yours in Success,

Florida Future Realty Team

(239)542-8521

inquiry@floridafutureagents.com

 

Tarpon Point in Cape Coral Florida

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Tarpon Point Marina is located in SW Cape Coral, Florida. Tarpon
Point offers many great investment opportunities for buyers. From
fractional ownership units, to waterfront condos to estate homes, there
is something to meet many different real estate buyer’s needs.

 

With a deep water marina, resort-style complex & great shopping,
you’ll find something great to keep busy in beautiful Southwest Florida!

 

Check out the great listings in Tarpon Point Marina below!
Tarpon Point Single Family Homes for Sale:

 
Tarpon Point Condos and Townhomes for sale:

As always you can call us anytime for more information at (239) 542-8521. We look forward to working with you!

newadmin

Heatherwood Lakes is a gated community in central Cape Coral,
Florida. Community pool & clubhouse offered for owners!

 

Browse through the great properties available in Heatherwood Lakes of
Cape Coral:

 

 

newadmin

Cape Royal is a gated golf community in Cape Coral. Located near the
corner of Pine Island Road & Burnt Store Road it is nearby to all of
the newest developments of Cape Coral. Below is a list of properties
that are currently available for sale in Cape Royal.

 

 

Tax credits for new and repeat home buyers

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Buying a new home in Cape Coral is both an exciting and stressful experience.  The federal government
has made an offer we just can’t refuse.  Homes are now going to be much more affordable than ever, with a fantastic tax incentive for buyers. This is an amazing opportunity to finally own your own home or
relocate to the digs of your dreams.  Read below to see which program you qualify for.

$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit

The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For this tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence three-years prior to the purchase.

The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or is not used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.

The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

 The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer

The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.

The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.

The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.

is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.

Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

We at Florida Future Realty want to make your Cape Coral home buying experience as positive and stress
free as possible.   Please call one of our qualified agents to assist you with finding the perfect home, or browse our site to begin a search of your own.

Yours in Success,

Florida Future Realty Team

(239)542-8521

Inquiry@floridafutureagents.com

 

Cape Coral Real Estate for Sale

Our Listings

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Florida Future Realty, Inc. has real estate listings around Lee County. Our main focus is on Cape Coral real estate & Ft. Myers homes.

If you would like to set up your own search ~ Cape Coral Real Estate Home Search. Our licensed real estate agents are able to provide you with additional information and/or show you all of the real estate currently listed on the market.

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

Florida Future Realty, Inc.

Cape Coral, FL 33904

(239) 542-8521

Email: Inquiry@FloridaFutureAgents.com

Cape Coral House

Selling your Cape Coral home?

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It seems that buyers and sellers are still nervous about the housing market in Cape Coral. We are getting calls every day from people anxious with questions about selling their Cape Coral homes. “Is now a good time?” “What are my options if it doesn’t sell?” They speculate on
conditions improving with hopes they will get what they owe on their homes without having to put it on a short sale or worse, have it foreclosed.

The truth is, you, as a seller, will know when it is the right time. As real estate agents, we can assist you with your process, we can also answer your question, but we certainly don’t know
when you are ready to let go of your house. Sometimes, taking a “holistic” approach to home selling may work wonders for you. For instance, if you look at the home selling process in the big picture or the grand scheme instead of how it may affect you right at that
moment-it may  ease some of your stress about letting go of the house.

Big decisions like selling your home don’t come easy.
An experienced listing agent will know that and take your concerns and questions into consideration when you speak with them.  Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

1)      Interview Real Estate Agents

Ask questions that pertain to your specific needs. Decide what is important to you in a listing agent. Find out what credentials an agent has. Get references from past customers. Ask for testimonials from past clients. Check out Real Estate websites and Publications. Ask the listing agents to show you a marketing plan. A reputable agent will offer a CMA (comparable market analysis) on your home so you can make an informed decision about listing your home with them. You will know if you and the agent are a good match-after all, you have to work together.

2)      Get Your Home Ready

Pack up personal items such as family pictures. You can even rent a storage unit for a few months where your packed boxes of family treasures can be out of the way from the new home owners. Stage your home as if it was a showroom for customers to browse. If you need
assistance with staging your home, an experienced listing agent can offer advice on how to get started.

3)      Get Rid of Clutter

Remove books from bookshelves. Clean and organize shelves and closets in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Put everyday items in a small bin in a kitchen or hallway closet for easy access. Put knick knacks away in a box and put in storage. Clean off kitchen counters. Think of your home as a model home.

4)      Make Minor Repairs

It’s not necessary to start remodeling the outdated bathroom, but it is a good idea to fix leaking faucets and cracked or broken tiles. Minor repairs can also include, patching holes in walls, replacing burned out light bulbs and fixing broken windows, doors and door
locks.   

5)      Clean, clean, clean

This is the time to make your house appear shiny and new! A thorough cleaning of windows inside and out will be a welcome sign for potential buyers. A few more things to consider when cleaning and organizing your home: polish faucets, re-grout tubs and showers, get rid of pet odors, vacuum carpets, mop floors and replace worn out rugs. It is also a good
idea to make a clear pathway to your front door so that buyers feel like they want to enter your home.

6)      Outside Area and Curb Appeal

It is best to look at your house from the outside in. Mow lawns and cut down bushes or hedges that may be in the way of a clear path to the front door. If there is a pool, keep it clean. Sometimes it is best to hire a regular lawn and pool service if you can’t keep up with it
yourself. Other things to consider are to replace broken shutters, shine the door handles and pressure clean driveways. Scrutinize your home from a buyer’s point of view.

These are only a few suggestions to take into consideration. Again, an experienced agent will be able to go over any other areas of concern you may have.  Call the Florida Future Realty, Inc. office for a no obligation consultation on selling your Cape Coral or Ft. Myers home.  The office is open Monday through Friday and weekends by appointment.  

Yours in Success,

The Florida Future Realty Team

239-542-8521

Inquiry@floridafutureagents.com

 

newadmin

 

Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers

 

Tax credit for first time home buyers is a great incentive to
purchase a home in SW Florida. Last year, Congress passed a tax
incentive for first time home buyers with the notion it would encourage
and motivate potential buyers and stimulate the housing market. That tax
credit however was a repayable interest-free loan that many first time
home buyers had trouble with. This year, with the new president and a
new economic outlook, the first time home buyer has much more to look
forward to in the home buying avenue. The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 is well underway and gives home buyers another
opportunity to own a home. What is it?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes a tax
credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a
principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1,
2009. This tax incentive does not have to be repaid which makes it a
true tax credit. This is great news if you have been thinking about
purchasing a home in SW Florida! There a few eligibility requirements
for the first time home buyer that have to be met in order to receive
the credit.

For instance, the home you purchase must be used as your primary
residence for a minimum of three years. Otherwise, you will have to
repay the tax credit amount unless you meet certain criteria for
exception. It is best to check with an accountant to get more detailed
information on the allowable exceptions. Also, in order to receive the
tax credit, a first time home buyer should not have owned a principal
residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. There are
also income limits to receiving the tax credit. The income limit for
single taxpayers is $75,000; the limit is $150,000 for married taxpayers
filing a joint return. Again, this is an area of expertise for an
accountant or tax professional.

The economic stimulus plan has made participating in the tax credit
for first time home buyers fairly easy. You claim the tax credit on your
income tax return. The IRS has Form 5405 which helps determine the home
buyer’s tax credit amount. That’s it! No other forms are required. So
now potential first time home buyers have more advantages in the real
estate market. According to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s
research, the tax credit will help more than 3,000 people into new
homes.

Keep in mind that in SW Florida there are many homes with low asking
prices, as well as short sales and foreclosures on the market ready and
available for purchase. Also keep in mind that in order to qualify for
the 2009 tax credit, a signed contract on a home must be completed by
November 30, 2009. There is still time to take advantage of the first
time home buyer tax credit as well as the low interest rates- this is
the perfect combination to make your dream of owning a home possible.

Contact one of our Real Estate professionals for more information on
first time home buying incentives.

The Florida Future Realty, Inc Team!

inquiry@floridafutureagents.com

(239)
542-8521 Office Line

(888) 764-6665 Toll Free

Copyright 2009 Florida Future Realty, Inc

newadmin

You have found one of the best resources for SW Florida real estate.
To assist with navigation we’ve created this page.
?
If you are
considering a purchase in Cape Coral or Ft. Myers you can search those
listings right away. You dont need to sign in unless you are ready to
save the listings for your next visit, set up a search to have listing
automatically sent to you or request more information.

If you are looking for articles about buying real estate in Cape
Coral or Ft. Myers, Florida youll find many great articles right here on
our website. To the left you can see the most clicked on stories. Here
are a few of our favorites:

If youd like to speak with a real estate professional you can
call or email us now. Our office phone # is (239) 542-8521 or
toll free (888) 764-6665. You may reach our customer care coordinator
at inquiry@FloridaFutureAgents.com

If you are considering selling your Fort Myers
or Cape Coral house or property we can also assist you. The quickest
method to find out the value of your property or to have your questions
answered right away is to call our office at (239) 542-8521.
If youd like to know more about the current real estate market or to
learn more about Florida Future Realtys marketing plan click on one of
the articles below:

If you cannot seem to find what you are looking for please give
us a call or drop us a note. Well make sure to get the information you
need.

We look forward to working with you!

Yours in
Success,

Your real estate resource,

The Florida Future
Realty, Inc Team!

inquiry@floridafutureagents.com

(239) 542-8521 Office Line

(888) 764-6665 Toll Free

newadmin

The Lee County Florida housing market is on a positive trend. Whether
you are a first time home buyer or you are looking to purchase a second
home, the largest increase in sales is mainly from buyers taking
advantage of the lower pricing and abundance of homes in Lee County to
choose from.

With the average Lee County home sitting on the market for upwards of
120 days, buyers have the upper hand in negotiating final pricing that
is around 90% of the already low asking price. Lee County, with its
world-class beaches, including Sanibel and Captiva Island, Bonita and
Ft. Myers Beach, its international airport with direct flights to and
from Europe, as well as its exceptional university located just south of
Ft. Myers makes purchasing a home even more enticing.

We are getting a lot of potential home owners inquiring about the
bank owned properties in our area. Accordingly, the bank-owned
properties continue to impact our sales and closings.  Since June
of last year, 66% of all single family homes sold listed in the MLS were
bank-owned; of these 64% were cash deals, according to the REALTOR®
Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Inc.

Home sales continue to rise in our area and in June there were 1,586
homes sold, which is a 121% increase from June 2008. Again, this is an
indication that the Lee County housing market is on a positive trend and
possibly on a more upward spiral. In addition to the always warm
climate and pristine beaches, Lee County offers a relaxing lifestyle
which has consistently attracted second homeowners and vacationers, a
government which is business friendly, accessible beachfront or canal
front properties and median home prices 50% below the national average.
For example, the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the
Beach, Inc. states that in June the median price for all homes was
around $83,000. To date, the median price for “traditional” sales is
$175,000. For the available bank-owned homes the median price is $69,000
and $105,000 for short sales.

According to the Lee County Economic Development, Ft. Myers, Cape
Coral and surrounding areas have acquired the reputation as being some
of the best places to live, vacation or own a second home. With that in
mind, the potential buyers we are seeing are “market watching” which
means they are seeing the growth in our area and are getting more
excited about purchasing a home at an affordable price in an area that
is economically stabilizing at a steady pace. Additionally, our office
is seeing more and more banks working closely with us to process short
sales which coincide with the stabilizing market.

With the steady and consistent economic growth, the affordable and
abundant homes available to buyers, the consideration of the banks and
lenders; it is only likely that Lee County will stay on the positive
trend, steady pace and rising swing we are experiencing now. For more
information on bank owned properties, short-sales, foreclosures and
traditional home buying please contact one of our team members at
239-542-8521 or search for
Cape Coral real estate online now!

Copyright 2009 Florida Future Realty, Inc.

 

Cape Coral Real Estate Brokerage

newadmin

Cape Coral, FL

We’ve been busy with exciting changes at Florida Future Realty, Inc.

Hope to see you soon!

 

Florida Future Realty, Inc.

1222 SE 47th Street

Cape Coral, FL 33904

 

 

 

 

Yours in Success,

Susan Milner

Florida Future Realty, Inc.

www.FloridaFutureAgents.com

FloridaFuture@gmail.com

 

We’re now open to adding agents to our office. Great splits, support,
technology, training & more!

Considering a second home?

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What will a second home in SW Florida cost?

As the prices of homes in SW Florida are, can we say, more than affordable, many people across the U.S. and abroad are entertaining the possibility of a second home. The biggest question on everyone’s mind is “What will it cost me?” Obviously it is pretty easy to find the listing prices of homes online but to truly understand what the ‘cost’ will be can take doing some research. In this article I will go over the basic costs you can expect
to pay when investing in a second home here in beautiful Cape Coral or Ft. Myers, Florida.

First to consider: Cost of Money
Are you planning to pay cash or do you plan to get a mortgage for some of
the purchase price? If you plan to pay cash make sure that you are comfortable with the rate of return on your investment. You may wish to consider getting a loan for some of the purchase to keep more capital for other investments (more houses, or?). If you are going to obtain financing make sure you determine which loan is best for you and your needs. Most investment properties will require 20-25% down. If you are Foreign National you must be prepared to put down at least 30% in most cases. You can also attempt to receive a loan from your country as well. The rates will be lower but you may have to put up your current
home as collateral (borrow against your equity). Some second homes may be
purchased with less money down. But your payments will be much lower with
the more money you put down on your purchase.

For comparison purposes here let’s take one of current waterfront listings.

It is located at 1429 Vendome Ct. Cape Coral, Florida 33904. It is a
gulf access home, built in 2007.

The current asking price is $375,000. Let’s assume that you plan to put down 25%. This means that you will be putting adown payment of $93,750.

Here is an estimate of closing costs:

Taxes: $ 6,422.24*

Loan fees: $3,846

Prepaid taxes & insurance: $5,778

Total costs to close: $103,374.

* from current 2008 tax bill – properties are reassessed every year
here so this could change. Currently this home is assessed at $374,230.

If we can help you further your search for a new home or second home, please don’t hesitate to call. We look forward to hearing from you!

Yours in Success,

The Florida Future Realty Team

239-542-8521

Inquiry@floridafutureagents.com

Meet Destiny

newadmin
Destiny Savakinus
Destiny Savakinus

Destiny Savakinus joined our office in 2008. She brings with her past experience in title and mortgages.

She came on as a transaction coordinator and has since been promoted to Customer Relations Manger.

If you ever need help with something she can probably help.

She also handles much of our public relations and marketing as well.

Destiny also plans on obtaining her Florida real estate license in the near future to better assist our real estate agents and customers.

Destiny can be reached at the office at 239-542-8521 or direct on her cell phone at (239) 677-6023. She can also be e-mailed at Destiny@SusanMilner.com