Southwest Florida Blog

On Saturday, the Senate passed the long awaited housing bill (H.R. 3221-Housing and Economic Act of 2008) which supposedly will offer up to $300 billion in home loans for troubled homeowners and establish a rescue plan for the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE’s) - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is expected to be sent to the President immediately and his aides have indicated he will sign it into law even though it’s costs are far above what where originally anticipated.

The legislation is the centerpiece of Washington’s efforts to address the nation’s housing crisis and is one of the most far-reaching housing bills in the last 40 years. The bill has two major objectives, one is to offer affordable (government backed) mortgages to homeowners at risk of going into foreclosure, and the other is to support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a temporary rescue plan and new, tougher regulatory oversight.

Tags: FHA, legislature, new laws

The mid year 2008 Fort Myers Beach real estate sales statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Fort Myers Beach is the happening locale on the Southwest Florida Lee Island Coast. Fort Myers Beach offers every amenity you can imagine- from seven miles of wide sandy beaches, golf, boating, fishing and more than anything else - relaxing. The Beach as its known, is eclectic and diverse. It draws visitors from all over the world and you’ll find all sorts of folks from generations of families to Easter Break kids. There’s nothing else quite like it anywhere in Southwest Florida.

Fort Myers Beach Sales Data

Fort Myers Beach Home Sales January-June 2008*:

• 51 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $449,823

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

For those of you not yet aware, Amendment 5 will be appearing on the November 4th ballot here in Florida. The amendment will allow voters to decide whether or not they will decrease their real estate taxes (by as much as 25%) by replacing “state required school property taxes with other state revenues.”

Once again, Lee County Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson (Father of Save Our Homes), helped the committee that developed the new amendment and they believe its passage will “remove the unfunded mandate of required local effort from the backs of Florida taxpayers.”

Tags: Florida, legislature, taxes

The deadlines for registering to vote in Florida are drawing nearer. Especially for the August 26th Florida primary elections. Residents intending to vote in that primary have only until Monday, July 28th to complete the voter registration process. Those who want to vote in the general election on November 4th have more time as that deadline isn’t until Monday October 6th.

And, if you have moved, you need to contact your Supervisor of Elections as both Federal and State laws require you to vote in your precinct of residence. If you simply moved within the same county, you may provide a signed, written notice, call or send an e-mail to your Supervisor of Elections. However, if you’ve moved to another Florida county, use the Florida Voter Registration Application to change your address. You can obtain a Florida Voter Registration Application online by visiting http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voter-registration.

Tags: Florida, living

The mid year 2008 Estero real estate sales statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Estero is ideally located between Ft. Myers and Bonita Springs and is currently in the process of building and developing wherever you travel. It is one of the last areas to be developed in south Lee County and the community offers excellent schools, health care, and of course, year round sunshine.

Estero Sales Data

Estero Home Sales January-June 2008*:

• 260 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $401,252
• Median Sales Price - $307,500
• Average Days on Market - 149
• Price/Square Foot - $168.35

Estero Condominium Sales January-June 2008*:

• 185 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $238,090

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

Having learned bunches about blogging from my friends at Real Estate Webmasters Blogs, I can honestly say I have come to understand its importance to our real estate and mortgage business here in Southwest Florida. Being able to keep our clients abreast of the up-to-date goings on in the marketplace is an invaluable service that our company’s Southwest Florida blog easily provides. Throwing in some information now and then about things regarding living here in paradise and Viola! we have a valuable asset for both our business and our clients.

Tags: blogging

It should come as no surprise that Lee County is the fastest growing Metro area in Florida for 2007. Combining absolutely year round gorgeous weather (average mean temperature 83 degrees), 50 miles of white sandy beaches, and being named as one of the Top 10 U.S. Travel Destinations has produced a 3.6 percent (20,475) increase in residents from 2006 to 2007. Already known as a retirement mecca, the Lee Island Coast, encompassing Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero and Ft. Myers, is rapidly growing due to increasing employment opportunities and peoples’ desires to live and work in a sub-tropical paradise.

Tags: Florida, growth