Property price and inventory in Cape Coral, Florida

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There were about 9,895 properties for sale in Cape Coral at the end of March 2012. And $225,000 was the median asking price of these homes. But what’s important to know is the decrease of the inventory. There are 20.2% less properties available for sale than a year ago while the median price increased by a whopping 8.2%.

March 2012 Month/Month Year/Year
Median Asking Price $225,000 +2.3% +8.2%
Home Listings/Inventory 9,895 -3.4% -20.2%

The median asking price for homes in Cape Coral peaked in April 2006 at $406,348 and is now $181,423 (44.6%) lower. From a low of $172,500 in October 2010, the median asking price in Cape Coral has increased by $52,425 (30.4%).

25th, Median (50th) and 75th Percentile Asking Prices for Cape Coral Florida

Cape Coral Housing Inventory History

Housing inventory in Cape Coral, which is typically highest in the spring/summer and lowest in the fall/winter, peaked at 22,335 in February 2008. The lowest housing inventory level seen was 9,790 in September 2011.

Housing Inventory for Cape Coral Florida

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Comments (0) Apr 05 2012

Want to buy a Cape Coral home in 2012? 5 Things To Do NOW

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If 2012 is your year for home hunting and purchase, here is a list of 5 things you should consider to do NOW before anything else.

  1. 1. Check your credit. And I’m serious about that. Make a copy of your credit report online and review anything that can show negative transaction. Call the credit bureau in charge and fix your problem. There is nothing worse than finding the perfect home at the perfect price, getting ready with the down payment and everything and learn that you have been denied because of your bad credit. So, if there is any problem there, fix it now.

  1. 2. Do your homework. Do you research online about 1 month before buying. Check the neighborhood, the market value, compare the foreclosure with the regular market, learn about short sale and see if it’s for you. Shop around for the best terms mortgage out there, call 4 or 5 mortgage broker and compare what they need and they fees/expenses. Ask them what documents you need to be qualified. Ask to be approved for a loan before even getting out to see properties. It’s frustrating to fall in love with a home that is price at $10,000 more than you can afford. Everything else will be disappointing at that point!

  1. 3. Fluff up your down payment. Make sure to have a full understanding of the money you have to bring at closing, all fees including. Again, it’s frustrating to be short of a couple of thousands dollars in front of the home of your dreams. Get your finance in place and ready to go.

  1. 4. Grow your cash. You’re gonna to move. So double check all that stuff that you didn’t use for the last 12 months or more. You won’t probably never use it ever. So make a big yard sale of that stuff, sell them on ebay or on craigslist and keep the money for your down payment or for some work you’ll need to do in your new home, like painting or new moldings.

  1. 5. Be prepared. If you want to purchase a great deal, like a foreclosure, be prepared. I wrote a guideline about being prepared to make an offer on a foreclosure: Cape Coral Foreclosure . I have come across a lot of excited people like kids in front of a toy getting frustrated with those above asking price multiple offers. So being psychologically prepared will help you to handle your purchase.


Once you have everything ready and you have prepared yourself for your 2012 home purchase, feel free to give me a call at 239-240-7346 and I’ll prepare some visits and will help you during your transaction to make it as smooth as possible.

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Comments (0) Dec 17 2011

Virtual Staging Software for Real Estate | Do it yourself

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I wrote an article about virtual staging for Real Estate few months back, using a virtual staging software. I was explaining the advantages of using a software to stage an empty home instead of renting furniture to stage it, which is more expensive.

Today, I did receive some updates from the company doing the software (Virtual Staging Solutions) and they have added a few more options that can greatly help to generate a very nice layout. The best use in my opinion is to vitually stage your empty listings, get the results on your website and let the buyer’s agents where to go to see how nice the property can be once furnished! It will bring a clear idea of the transition from a house to a home in your buyer’s eyes. It can be the difference between losing your time showing a property and an offer! Your vacant listings will sell faster.

The first new feature is the choice of furniture available. They said on their website that they were working for more than a year with designers in order to bring the brands of furniture available in stores! So you will be able to browse a furniture gallery.

Secondly, they have worked on a personalized way to have your documents out there. They have especially developed those pages for the mobile use. So, your virtual staging listings will be ready to be seen on all mobile devices out there, which is very convenient knowing that it’s easier to bring a cellphone or an iPad with you instead of a laptop.

And last but not least, your presentation of your virtual staging will be in video mode instead of just plain pictures. Today, the video is almost the next big thing.  People are leaving the world of blogging to enter the world of vlogging!

I had an email the other day, asking me questions about the virtual staging software. But honestly, since I’m not involved with this company, it’s probably better to ask directly to them. They website is www.virtualstagingsolutions.com . They have a help sections where your can find email address, phone number and a bunch of frequently asked questions. They offer several plans from $197, which is most likely much cheaper than renting furniture to furnished a living room, a family room and 2 or 3 bedrooms!

For more details, visit their website at www.virtualstagingsolutions.com and get your empty listings sold fast :-)

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Comments (0) Sep 17 2011

Expensive rents in Lee County

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I read an article in the newspaper regarding the number about renting Vs Buying in Lee County. And it makes totally sense. These days, lots of people just can’t get a loan and have to rent. The high demand for rentals make prices going up, while, for the same reason, buying a home in Lee County, including Cape Coral, is affordable. Of course, if you still need to find a place to rent in Cape Coral, Fort Myers or Lehigh acres, feel free to visit my Cape Coral rental site and contact me from there

Fort Myers-Cape Coral is amongst the most affordable locations within the place to purchase a residence, but rents are far above regular.

A report unveiled with the Washington-based Center for Housing Coverage stated the median house cost right here is now $95,000 (the same as 2010), generating the area tied with Scranton, Pa., for 186th outside of 211 metro regions.

The median monthly lease for a two-bedroom apartment, nonetheless, was $996 – 56th greatest about the list – even though down from $1,029 previous year.

Solidly atop equally lists was super-expensive San Francisco, No. 1 with a median rent of $1,833 plus a median property price tag of $550,000.

Most inexpensive lease was Springfield, Mo., at $594 and Lima, Ohio, had the most cost effective houses at $63,000.

Driving the high rents in Lee County is a ongoing influx of foreclosure refugees staying kicked from their properties, said Susan Lutter, broker for Fort Myers-based Gulf Waters Rentals and Management.

“We still have renters declaring, ‘Hey, I have to become out by Wednesday’,” she said.
Houses are low-cost and there’s a strong industry from traders, but when it comes to potential buyers of the residence to reside in, it could be difficult to close the deal regardless of the lower rates, Lutter said.

It is especially difficult to borrow cash for any condominium, she explained.

“Trying to get into nearly anything with a condominium association you fairly significantly should shell out hard cash because the financial institution will not lend the cash and numerous models must be operator occupied,” Lutter stated.

Nationwide, the center’s report, unveiled Friday, located that although employment is picking up, a lot of workers even now can not manage to buy a residence.

The report said “while some task is evidently much better than no career, a lot of the newly produced employment just don’t shell out adequate to permit employees to make ends meet.”

That is specially accurate in the pricier metropolitan areas, the report states: “In far more expensive metro regions, even accountants make too minor to find the money for fair market,” even which has a standard wage array of $44,000 to $63,000.

Lutter stated she does not see a lot of first-time homebuyers right here recently.

“I’ve handled a single (couple) and they are in their 50s,” she explained. “They’ve lived here for many years and they’ve often rented and so they ultimately made the decision it is time.”

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Comments (0) Jul 28 2011

Ten Most Expensive Property For Sale in Cape Coral

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Four out of 10 of the most expensive luxury single family homes publicly listed in the MLS are located in Tarpon Point Marina and all of them in the South of Cape Coral.

The largest  is a 11,772 s/f mansion located on Bayshore Drive and is listed at $5,395,000 or $458.29 per s/f.

The most expensive is a 5,808 s/f property located in the Tarpon Point marina and priced at $5,750,000 or $990.01 per s/f.

Tarpon Point Marina also has the most expensive penthouse in Cape Coral. It’s a 5,296 s/f condo listed at $4,200,000 with a possible owner financing !

TOP TEN MOST EXPENSIVE PROPERTIES PUBLICLY LISTED FOR SALE IN CAPE CORAL

1 ) $5,750,000 – 6016 Tarpon Estates Blvd

1) $5,750,000 - 6016  Tarpon Estates Blvd

cape coral top ten most expensive mansion

2 ) $5,395,000 – 358 Bayshore Dr

Top Ten Most Expensive Properties in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Properties in Cape Coral

3 ) $2,950,000 – 6000 Tarpon Estates Blvd

Top Ten Most Expensive Homes in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Homes in Cape Coral

4 ) $2,499,000 – 101 SW 54th St

Cape Coral Top Ten Most Expensive Properties

Cape Coral Top Ten Most Expensive Properties

5 ) $2,495,000 – 5502 Harbour Preserve Cir

Top Ten Most Expensive Mansion in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Mansion in Cape Coral

6 ) $2,400,000 – 4842 SW 29th Ave

Top Ten Most Expensive Real Estate in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Real Estate in Cape Coral

7 ) $2,250,000 – 5229 Nautilus Dr

Top Ten Most Expensive Homes in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Homes in Cape Coral

8 ) $2,250,000 – 6062 Tarpon Estates Blvd

Top Ten Most Expensive Waterfront in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Waterfront in Cape Coral

9 ) $5,250,000 – 6038 Tarpon Estates Blvd

Top Ten Most Expensive Real Estate in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Real Estate in Cape Coral

10 ) $1,999,900 – 1712 SE 44th Ter

Top Ten Most Expensive Properties in Cape Coral

Top Ten Most Expensive Properties in Cape Coral

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Comments (0) Jun 04 2011

Decrease of the number of foreclosure in Lee County

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As you may know, I check the foreclosures on a daily basis. I do that for all my client looking for the best deal possible. They can get into my Cape Coral foreclosure list by filling the form that you can find here.

Few months ago, I’ll say something like last fall, we had 1,000+ foreclosures in our MLS for the whole Lee County, that include Cape Coral foreclosures, Fort Myers Foreclosures and Lehigh Acres Foreclosures.
And since a couple of weeks, that number had a steady decrease to reach 660 today.

That number is very important for me and I explain that to my clients, investors or first time home buyers.
Not only, obviously, that means there are less foreclosures out there, but also, the non-distress market will take over sooner. Consequently, prices are going up. It shows even with the foreclosures themselves. Banks now see more multiple offers on their listings and adjust pricing. They see an increase of the demand.

We also experience an employment rate having an upward trend and the 60 days and the 90 days delinquency rates are both decreasing, that’s always a sign of a foreclosure rate decline.
So hurry. Not only I was showing a proof that this is the best time to purchase a property in Lee County in history, but prices are increasing little by little. So if you are looking to get a great deal, call me today and I’ll send you the available foreclosures in Lee County.

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Comments (0) Feb 11 2011

Cape Coral Realtor for a cause

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I use to prospect by knocking on doors or distributing fliers. That gives me some phone calls and leads.
One of them was from a young couple with 2 kids. She called me to pass by and discuss what I can do in order to list and sell her home.

I stopped by and was in front of a nice and cozy wood frame house with a big basement that includes a 2 car garage.
At the dining room table, she explained that her husband and her were behind payment, that they needed to sell yesterday.
But the market was slow. I immediately understood that it will be a tricky listing. That couple was in trouble and needed to get the home sold as soon as possible. They knew that with the market, it will be difficult.
I took the listing. We signed the paper works and I said I’ll get in touch on a weekly basis.
They had their small electric company. Her husband was electrician and she took care of the paper work and customer care plus appointments and so on.
But the business was not good enough. And those financial distress made it even harder on their life as a couple.

After a couple of weeks, I had few showing, because we were agreed to list it at a below market value to make it faster.
But still, no offer on the table. So we were back on the dining room table again. I was bringing an idea for her.

It was what I sometimes offer to sellers as an investor: taking over the payments… and the house!
I explained how it works, what for her and what’s for me, how we can get this done smoothly and easily, how I could go around the bank, etc…

So, basically, the house worth $160K with an existing balance mortgage of about $140K.
I, of course, disclose everything I had too, the fact that I was an agent, that I could sell it with a profit later on, that she would walk away from the closing table with no money and no house. She agreed.
I paid the due payments and did a quit claim. I just had a house for the few thousands late payments.
She was relieved. She called me several times telling how glad she was, that now, she sleep much better even if she was going through her divorce, the situation had killed her marriage.
She was starting over. From her father’s garage converted in a room for her and her 2 young children, she was studying to become a nurse. It was a 2 years thing. 2 years that I enjoy the house for myself.
She didn’t call me after those 2 years, I did. She was working as a nurse, a high demand position. She was re-building her life, her credit and I was making her payment, keeping her credit score as intact as possible. She was very courageous.

I had an offer for her: to get her home back. For free. She got me the back payments I paid for her and we did a quit claim again.
She was back in her home with her 2 children. She had the little improvements I did in the house. Few walls in the basement, hardwood flooring and fresh painting.

It’s been a great feeling to be able to help someone in one of the most difficult time of her life. And very rewarding.
Of course I had a call from the bank, but we agree that a check from an unknown person is better than no check at all.
I passed by time to time, but without disturbing. A little kitten has been included to the family and the small cherry tree I planted in the yard has become stronger, battling hard weather. Life goes on. I think I was making her a favor but when I decided to quit claim it back to her, she really made my day thinking all she went through and all she became.

To be a Realtor is a true privilege. We got most of the times more than decent check for most of the times less hard work than some people. We need to realize that and never take it for granted. Look around and ask yourself: “how can I help someone today, for free?”
You may get the highest pay check ever: satisfaction of a job well done.

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Comments (0) Feb 06 2011

Buy a house today? Proof that it’s the best time in history!

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I got an article from my broker regarding purchasing a property these days see on the daily wealth website. It was kind of incredible to compare the time we are are living these days with the past.

Right now, is the most effective time in history to purchase a house in America.

These days, I’ll show you why… based on a few cold, challenging facts.

First, mortgage rates are lower than they’ve ever been in American history…

Most investors have only seen a couple decades of mortgages rates on a chart. But my buddies at Global Financial Data have databases – which includes real estate data – that literally go back centuries.

I had dinner with the Global Financial Data team over the weekend. And they told me about their “Winans International” real estate indexes, with housing costs back to the 1800s and mortgage rates going back over a century. I had to share it with you…

Take a look at this chart of mortgage interest rates since 1900:

historically low mortgage rates

In U.S. history, you can see that the current mortgage rates are the lowest.
The last time that the mortgage rates were so low was just after World War II.
And what happened, just after World War II, when mortgage rates were this low?
The greatest postwar boom in housing prices – by far.

Adjusted Home Prices

Take a look. Mortgage rates bottomed in the mid-1950s, and house prices bottomed about the same time. Then the greatest boom in home prices in our lifetimes started.

Today we have record-low mortgage rates. And we have another thing in our favor…

Homes are more affordable than ever.

Based on the 40-year history of the Housing Affordability Index… houses are more affordable than they’ve ever been. Take a look…

housing affordability

“Affordability” takes three factors into account: home prices, your income, and mortgage rates.

Home prices have crashed. And mortgage rates are at record lows. But incomes (nationwide) haven’t fallen nearly as much… So homes are now more affordable than ever.

“Most people” out there will only tell you the bad news about housing… That’s the way it goes in a bear market. People drive looking in the rearview mirror.

Meanwhile, we have some darn compelling facts out there…

Home prices have fallen by a third… and mortgage rates are the lowest in history. Therefore, U.S. homes are more affordable than they’ve ever been.

You can listen to “most people.” Or you can choose to ignore them and stick to these facts.

Based on these facts alone, now may be one of the best times in American history – even the very best time – to buy a house.

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Comments (1) Jan 30 2011

Agent immobilier a Cape Coral | maisons et propriétés à vendre à Cape Coral en Floride

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Un grand bonjour à tous les francophones,

J’ai pense qu’il est temps de poster un petit mot pour les francophones. J’ai effectivement de plus en plus de contacts, coups de fil et courriels de francophones qui cherchent à acheter des biens immobiliers à Cape Coral en Floride. Et la plupart sont de France.

Donc, meme si vous parlez anglais couramment, une transaction immobiliere aux Etats-Unis est suffisament compliquée pour s’armer d’un agent immobilier sur place qui parle français. L’achat d’une maison ou d’un appartement à Cape Coral en Floride, que ce soit pour les vacances ou meme comme investissement, require certaines étapes qu’il est necessaire de maitriser.

Avec 19 ans d’experience dans le milieu immobilier et plus de 10 ans d’experience en tant qu’agent immobilier aux Etats-Unis, j’ai conclu un grand nombre de transactions avec des vendeurs et acheteurs venant d’Europe et d’Amérique latine (je parle couramment l’espagnol également). Je suis moi-meme d’origine Belge et parfaitement francophone :-)

Le fait de pouvoir parler français m’a aussi apporté une quantité d’acheteur provenant du Canada, en particulier du Quebec. Je les aide durant toute la transaction d’achat, et bien souvent au-dela.

Donc, n’hésitez pas à me contacter si vous désirez vendre ou acheter une maison ou n’importe quel bien immobilier  à Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Sanibel et les alentours. Vous verrez que l’aide d’un agent immobilier francophone Floridien est un atout non-négligeable tout au long de votre transaction.

A tres bientot j’espere!

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Comments (6) Nov 21 2010

Foreclosures in Cape Coral, Florida : Get ready before to buy !

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Today I break two records since I have my Real Estate license, about 10 years ago now.

The first one is I made, so far, more offers than days in the month. We are Nov 18 and I made 19 offers so far.

The second one, and most important for me, the last offer passed the limit of the 10% higher than asking price. Last year, offers were about 2% to 5% below asking price for those foreclosures in Cape Coral. Last spring, they were about on the asking price. Since last summer, buyers had to go higher than asking price for any Cape Coral foreclosure. November and I had an offer at $301,000 for an asking price of $272,900

Now, what’s amazing is my client has been outbid! Someone offered an even higher price for a foreclosure. That’s a very good sign. We were in a buyer’s market and we are entering a very strong seller’s market.

Of course, everything is not lost. My clients are cash buyers and very motivated to buy. So tomorrow will be another offer for them. I’ll have to suggest to pass the 10% above asking bar though, but they know that already :-)

I often have newer buyers calling me about foreclosures in Cape Coral. When I explain that an offer at asking price or below is just not enough, some of them are a bit sceptical. Some believe I’m bluffing to get more commission, other will try another agent, just to hear what they want to hear. The remaining buyers will try several times below asking until frustration appears. Then, they will remember what I said and will try full asking price offers. Most of the time, if not every time, they will be outbid. Usually, the number of offers at asking price is lower than the previous offers at below asking price. They seems to understand faster. That’s when they hit the third level, and honestly, they can be frustrated as well.

  • - If you are interested to enter the Cape Coral foreclosure jungle these days, be prepared.
  • - If you need a loan, you are already in trouble but it’s not necessarily an impossible mission. Just get you loan paper works ready and handy. Your best chance will be to make an offer the very first day. However, you have 50% chance to be outbid by an all cash offer!
  • - If you try asking price or below, 99% chance you’ll be outbid. Don’t waste your time and start above asking price right away.
  • - If you are a cash buyer, make sure to have your solid proof of funds with you, in your pocket, ready to get it at anytime.


The prices of the foreclosures in Cape Coral, Florida, are increasing, little by little. The demand is there and starving for “good deals”. The best time to buy a foreclosure in Cape Coral was last year and winter-spring 2010. The market is rebounding and for those who didn’t catch the train will regret soon or later.

UPDATE:

Today is March 29, 2011 and I wanted to give some updates.
Last November, when I wrote this article, there were more than 1,000 foreclosures in Lee County. Today, there are only 389! That’s mean we are going forward the end of the foreclosure crisis. And, banks realize that they can get more money now for their properties. The good prices we saw in 2010 are not there in 2011. I hope you bought your foreclosures last year.

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Comments (1) Nov 19 2010

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