The long, hot days of summer have arrived and if you are looking for something really cool to do, we can suggest a few of our favorites! Don't miss the Fourth of July Parade, Friday July 4th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The parade begins at Broad Avenue South, north on Third Street, then up Fifth Avenue! Get a "good spot" early! Later that same day, the Downtown Fireworks is
Read MoreThis may well be one of the weirdest real estate blog entries ever, but I felt it was worth the time for those ladies out there looking for a husband...okay, don't laugh, but here goes. We have a cute little condo listed in a neighborhood and price point that we do not normally handle. The mom of the owner is a real estate agent in another Florida city and found
Read MoreRecently my husband (and business partner, Chip) had a Windstorm Inspection done on our personal residence here in Naples. We live on the water. The results, which we turned into our insurance company, gave us approximately a 30% savings on the wind portion of our homeowner's insurance premium. This is substantial when you consider the cost of insurance. If you are reading this, and have any questions pertaining to this
Read MoreWell, as you can see I started out "gang-busters" when I first created this blog earlier this year...10 posts in January, my first month of blogging...Now as I look back, I haven't published an entry in about 2 weeks! Ahh! I just don't know where the time goes. Days and weeks are running together. I hear from other agents how "slow" things are and I wonder what planet they're on!
Read MoreToday I attended a seminar on 1031 exchanges. I've been selling for over 27 years, and I have done my fair share of exchanges, but I went to the class anyway just to see if I could pick up any *new info to share with my customers. The class was given by a gentleman named Marshall Beene who is an exchange account coordinator with U.S. National 1031 Exchange. An investor
Read More1. Did you know that 96% of consumers know the Coldwell Banker Brand? What's in a name? EVERYTHING! A strong brand can command a premium price and influence buying decisions that shape the ownership experience. Put the strength of the Coldwell Banker to work for you. With over 100 years as an industry leader and a 96% brand awareness, Coldwell Banker is in the same league as Coke, Pepsi and
Read MoreA week or so ago our local newspaper reported that the housing market in Collier had "hit bottom" and was back on track. I'd say a lot of folks read that article because showings on our listings are up again after experiencing a bit of a lull earlier last month. At a recent real estate forum, organized by The Naples Area Board of Realtors, Hank Fishkind, renowned Florida economist spoke
Read MoreCall today to see this lovely home perfectly situated on a peaceful preserve. Unbelievable opportunity to own a 3 bedroom single family home with a 2 car-garage, private pool and spa, intensely furnished turnkey and brand new carpet! This great community is a friendly neighborhood with quiet winding streets, sidewalks and cul du sacs. There's a world class clubhouse offering fabulous amenities including a huge swimming pool and excellent tennis
Read MoreA recent study produced by Hanley Wood LLC in cooperation with the National Association of Realtors' REALTOR Magazine found that the most profitable projects for return on your dollar around the house were outside projects. When looking for the top returns for the dollar, upscale siding and/or fresh paint on the exterior recouped the highest percentage at 88%. Buyers first judge a home by its curb appeal. The "Cost vs.
Read MoreIt was about 30 years ago when I first came across "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An inquiry into Values". It is Robert M. Pirsig's first text in which he explored his theory of metaphysics and reality. Reading it reconfirmed a core belief instilled in me by my father...basically, Everything you think, you are. This mantra has become part of the fiber of my being and is reflected
Read MoreColdwell Banker and The NaplesRealEstate.com Team opens homes to the world in 46 countries, on 6 continents...and our network keeps growing & growing. The Coldwell Banker brand name is known worldwide. Because of correcting real estate prices, historically low interest rates and the value of the Euro, the Canadian dollar and other foreign currencies, Florida real estate is "on sale" like never before! With favorable exchange rates and our global
Read MoreWe love getting feedback and input from the public and our customers who frequent our website. We take all suggestions into consideration and today I am happy to announce a few improvements to our already awesome site! First of all, as a buyer you will now be able to search in better price point increments to help you zero in on listings that are closer to the actual purchase price
Read MoreLike any commodity, a home's value will follow supply and demand trends. Our current MLS inventory in Naples for active residential listings has hovered at 12,000 for several months. Competition is abundant and many buyers are waiting for prices to fall even more. Investors, for the most part, are out of the market, thereby making ours a user-driven market with price being the # 1 consideration when offers are being
Read More"We are what we repeatedly do.Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle Chip Harris & Michele Peppe are proud to announce that recently at their annual awards banquet, they were awarded the distinction of being named the top listing and selling agents at the prestigious Coldwell Banker Previews office on Fifth Avenue South in Naples for 2008. They were also named as one of the top 10
Read MoreWhether your house is listed or not, these following tips are recommmended for your annual Spring Cleaning! Clean sliding doors and tracks & lubricate tracks if neededPull out and wash behind appliancesThoroughly clean stove, oven and refrigeratorWash blinds, shutters, dry clean drapes if neededClean all cabinet doors, interior & exteriorWash and reorganize all drawer interiorsWash inside and out of all windowsPull out and vacuum under all furniture and bedsClean all
Read MoreFor those of you interested in information concerning portability, the additional homestead exemption or other benefits of Amendment 1, please check out the Department of Revenue's website: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/sb4d.html The portability application and other pertinent forms can be found at the DOR site!
Read MoreThe stock market is up...interest rates are down...The Feds want you to start spending money! They significantly cut rates for the sixth time since September yesterday! They're pulling out all the stops to boost consumer and Wall Street confidence. While rate cuts sound good, people looking at buying real estate need to prepare for what may happen. Fed cuts directly effect the falling dollar...Fed cuts are inflationary. Oil prices are
Read MoreWe have had a lot of inquiries from foreigners regarding financing options, so I thought it would make a good blog topic today. Depending on the borrower; if they have the equity on their primary home (in Canada, South America, Europe, etc.) many may choose to get the monies out of that residence then pay cash for their U.S. purchase. However, if they are seeking "local" financing the following is
Read MoreFor nearly 27 years now, at this time of year, I have spent most of my Sunday afternoons sitting at open houses. I've met a lot of really wonderful people, sat at a lot of really beautiful properties, and sold a lot of real estate...Today is no different. I am at a condo called The Azzurro in an area of Naples called Oyster Bay. Just about a mile from downtown
Read MoreWith so many buyers out there reluctant to make decisions...and so many of our foreign friends listening to the negative media hype even tho' their "dollar" is the strongest it has been, when measured against American currency, in years...I came across an ad in the March 2008 Florida Realtor magazine that I felt was worth sharing: "The World according to Trump: With so many variables in the marketplace making it
Read MoreIt has been a very interesting (tongue in cheek) week in the world of real estate. First, I had a couple looking at attached villas and carriage homes in gated communities in the north end of town. They were very specific in outlining to me their "wish list". I planned on it taking at least 3 trips out looking at condos before they would be clear on where they would
Read MoreImagine yourself in these front row seats...Stunning bay views of magnificent sunsets, dolphins jumping, yachts cruising by, pelicans and eagles soaring over pristine waters...This is where your dreams will come true! Call Harris Peppe Wells to preview this rarely available and one-of-a kind bayfront residence. Beautifully redone; this multi-level 3 bedroom 3 bath townhouse is tastefully furnished and INCLUDES a 30' deeded dock with direct access to the Gulf of
Read MoreFlorida Homestead Every person who owns a dwelling in the state of Florida and who resides in that dwelling and in good faith makes it their permanent residence is eligible for homestead exemption. Once exemption is granted, a reduction of $50,000. is deducted from the assessed value of the dwelling. To qualify you must be a permanent resident of Florida as of January 1st in the year you apply. You
Read MoreOur company had their "season" kick off breakfast this morning and unveiled some very exciting new marketing campaigns (Good to Great in '08), enhanced eMarketing strategies, presentations by our lending and title partners, plus state and local statistics from 2007 that I wanted to share on the blog! U.S. Real Estate Statistics1 out of every 16 households bought a home in 2007.2007 was the 6th highest # of sales in
Read MoreGreat news! Starting January 18th you can experience Fifth Avenue South like never before! Enjoy gourmet restaurants, world class shopping, galleries and live theater all without the hassle of finding a parking spot! On Friday and Saturday nights from 5:00 PM - midnight there will be two valet stations; one located on Fifth Street South just north of Fifth Avenue South and one on 8th Street South just north of
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