July 2009 
There are 4 blog entries for July 2009.
Buying Real Estate in SWFL: A Guide for Canadians
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 11:29am. 585 Views, 1 Comments.
As I mentioned in my post, "The Canadian Invasion: Why Canucks are Flocking to Lee County," Canadians are accounting for a large number of real estate buyers in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and surrounding communities. Because of this, I wanted to provide a bit of information to Canadians and other international buyers who are looking for property in the Lee County area. Please note: the information below is just a general guide; for specific questions and buying advice, please contact me online or call (239) 410-5821. I'll be happy to help you assist you.
Q) How long can I stay in the U.S.?
A) Generally speaking, most Canadians can stay for up to six months in a year. Any longer than that, and you risk losing your provincial health coverage. Lengthier stays…
The Canadian Invasion: Why Canucks are Flocking to Lee County
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 10:28am. 730 Views, 0 Comments.
Southwest Florida has always been a hot spot among Canadian "snowbirds,' looking for a warm locale to spend their winters. The beaches here are incredible, the people are friendly, and the lifestyle can't be beat.
The National Association of REALTORS® recently conducted a survey and discovered that Canadians represented a whopping 27% of all buyers in the state of Florida. This has been due in large part to favorable exchange rates, but as SWFL home prices continue to sit at record lows, the number of Canadians scooping up Lee County real estate is expected to rise even more. With properties in Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres selling for as low as $50,000, Canadian buyers know a deal when they see one.
Many Americans have been unable to take advantage of rock…
Foreclosures in Cape Coral & Fort Myers Mean Incredible Opportunities for Buyers
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 9:39am. 505 Views, 1 Comments.
According to RealtyTrac®, the Cape Coral-Fort Myers real estate market has one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the nation—their most recent data is from May 2009—with approximately 1 out of every 82 properties entering foreclosure. The average for the entire state of Florida is 1 out of every 148 homes. The community of Lehigh Acres has been particularly hard hit, with bank owned homes selling for about a fraction of what they were just two years ago. The Florida Association of Realtors reported that the median price for homes in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area was just $88,500 in May of this year.
While these numbers hint at the difficult times homeowners in Lee County are facing, they also suggest a boon for buyers.
Investors,…
Cape Coral Short Sales: A Crash Course
Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 9:46am. 435 Views, 1 Comments.
Interested in purchasing a beautiful Cape Coral waterfront home? Maybe you've always dreamt of owning a home in Cape Coral but thought it was out of reach. With short sales becoming ever more available, owning a home in Cape Coral may not be as far off as you had previously thought.
What is a short sale? A short sale is when a property is sold for less than is owed on the mortgage.
When is it done? Homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments may try to arrange a short sale so they can avoid going through foreclosure. Banks will approve a short sale when it's in their best interest to do so. If they think they can recoup more money through a foreclosure, then they'll deny the homeowner's request for a short sale.
Who…