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Steve's Paseo Blog
- Red Sox JetBlue Park -
Opening Celebration & FREE Open House
2/20/12
Here are some quick facts on the Grand Opening
of the new Red Sox Spring Training Facility, JetBlue Park.
Opening Celebration & FREE Open House
2/20/12
Here are some quick facts on the Grand Opening
of the new Red Sox Spring Training Facility, JetBlue Park.
■ The Lee County Commission and Boston Red Sox have scheduled
a grand opening celebration for Saturday, Feb. 25, at 11:30 a.m.,
when they will open the new spring training complex to the public.
The ceremony will be followed by an open house, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,
open to all fans and visitors.
■ Sunday, Feb. 19: Pitchers and catchers report.
■ Saturday, Feb. 25: First full squad workout, opening celebration, and FREE OPEN HOUSE!
■ Saturday, March 3: First college exhibition games featuring
Northeastern University at 2:35 p.m., followed by Boston College at 7:05 p.m.
■ Sunday, March 4: First official Grapefruit League Game at the new park, 1:35 p.m.,
Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
Click here to see the completed ballpark.
Click here for the Red Sox site featuring tons of
construction photos & videos of the new park.
Here's the newly-released seating chart:
You're "HIRED"!
2/15/12
No, wait a minute..."You're FIRED!"
Actually... after you read this blog,
I sincerely hope that you feel that
I've armed you with the tools & information
to help you to MAKE that decision...
regarding your REALTOR!!!
Picture this...
!t's YOUR TV show, you're Trump, and it's time to make THE decision!
But this time, the question is...
who are YOU going to be hiring to help you to make a good real estate decision?
Who will you hire to guide you through the "maze" of real estate choices,
and then implement skilled expertise to oversee the
unfolding process once you're actually under contract?
You'd need to know some background info first, right?
What kind of prior experience, what field, how long they did it,
and do they have a track-record of SUCCESS!
Then you'd need to know that they always have YOUR best interest at heart, right?
Then you'd surely need to be able to work with them, personality-wise I'd imagine...
I mean, if they gave you a nervous twitch after being around them for ten minutes,
does that sound like a business-marriage made in heaven?
I kinda doubt it...
So you need to play along with me over here now:
You're Trump... only difference is...
YOU'RE not looking to hire an APPRENTICE!!!
You want a SEASONED-PRO that's ready to fly from Day-One..
that's your goal!
These are the rules of the game...
so if you just "skim over" these included instructions
and you LOSE,
you can't blame ME!
It's going to be YOUR OWN FAULT!!!
So "Please completely read the following instructions",
before attempting to play the "Let's Hire Our Realtor" game:
Here's one of the ground rules regarding "teammate" selection,
if you're thinking of buying NEW construction:
If you go to ANY real estate sales office for any development in the State of Florida,
and you deal directly with an on-site sales agent and do NOT have a Buyer's Agent,
you do NOT have legal fiduciary contractual protection that is
EXCLUSIVE TO THE BUYER'S SIDE OF THE CONTRACT!
Do you fully understand what that means?
Florida does NOT allow "dual agency"!
An on-site sales agent is employed by,
and represents the interests of,
the DEVELOPER. Period.
Do you understand everything about a real estate purchase in Florida?
Do you know what you should be considering when it comes
to selecting a desirable floor plan and exposure
if indeed you ever DID have to sell it?
Are you choosing something desirable, or a "dud"?
Do you understand the "book-thick" contract you're signing?
Do you understand if you need an attorney,
or if not, how to work with a title company,
and if so, which one, and WHY?
Do you know which options or upgrades that you select
will definitely be for "your own enjoyment",
and those that have a better shot of coming back to you at "resale time"?
If you're not coming down for your closing and doing a "mail away",
who represents your interests and is doing your final "walk-through"
with the construction manager prior to your closing on the home?
Bottom-line CONTRACTUALLY...
First rule:
Without representation, NOBODY has fiduciary responsibilities
that are EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR SIDE of the purchasing equation
if you decide to buy a new home in the State of Florida.
You are required to sign a form at the time you execute a sales contract clearly stating
"You understand that your Sales Center agent is an employee of,
and represents the interests of, the site-agent's employer... the builder/developer."
Your call... but is that REALLY something you want to sign
if you DON'T have the same kind of representation on the BUYER'S side???
Now let's assume you're going to "FOLLOW the instructions",
and you're going to hire a Realtor to be your Buyer's Agent
as you investigate a real estate purchase here in Florida.
Now it's time for the INTERVIEW:
EXPERIENCE
I'm going to make it REAL easy for you...
easier than you've EVER seen it presented before!
I mean, what could be simpler than me already locating the website you need for your research,
and then adding them RIGHT HERE requiring no more effort from you than a "click of your mouse"???
* But first, here's a FULL DISCLOSURE...
I'm a Realtor...
and I want you to HIRE ME!
So my job is to SELL MYSELF to you "Mr. (or Ms. Trump)",
as I want you to read this,
then do your home work,
and call or email me and say...
"You're HIRED!"
So this is what you should ask during the interview:
- How long have you been a licensed Realtor in the State of Florida?
The State of Florida HIGHLY REGULATES many licensed professions...
real estate being one of them.
They also provide a website with extensive public access
in order for you to be able to research and verify the licensing credentials
and "complaint history" of any state-licensed professional
that you're considering employing or working with.
It is EXTREMELY helpful, so you definitely should be aware of it.
Click here to see my license record showing "Active" since 11/22/93...
representing almost 19 years of local experience!
When you're on that page, also click on
"View Related License Information".
This will show you where the Realtor is employed,
and also how long they've been with that particular company.
In my case, you will see I've been with Sun Realty since 11/23/2005.
Now press the "back arrow" on that page,
and at the bottom of the page click on "View License Complaint".
In regards to myself, you will see "No Complaint Information Found".
That's what you WANT to see!!!
Now... if you've met another Florida Realtor and you're thinking of hiring them,
click here, leave the box checked that says "Search by Name", press the "Search" button,
type in their Last and then First names, and then press the "Search" button.
When their record comes up, click on their highlighted NAME to get a "history report".
Their local real estate record and credentials are now available to you to review,
just as you have done with mine.
Florida is an extremely complex marketplace that simply cannot be learned in six months!
Factor in longevity, or you are discarding EXPERIENCE from your hiring decision!
SUCCESS
OK... so the Realtor's been here for a while.
Longevity in-and-of-itself doesn't make someone a good Realtor!
What's their track record?
Failure... or SUCCESS???
If we keep it Paseo-specific, click here for my transaction resume:
You will see FIFTY-NINE Paseo transactions,
all listed by address for documentation purposes of honesty, and accuracy.
I'm not just "shooting a number" at you,
I'm providing the PROOF!!!
Since I want to WIN, and hear you tell ME "You're hired Steve!",
I need you to ask any other Realtor that may be in the competition for the same documentation:
Ask them:
HOW MANY PASEO TRANSACTIONS HAVE YOU PERSONALLY BEEN INVOLVED IN?
Their response can be filled in here, on this line ________.
Now compare, and factor the results into your hiring decision.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Ask THOSE that have gone before you if they are HAPPY
with their personal experience working with their Realtor.
I proudly ask you to click here,
to view the TWENTY-SEVEN testimonials
that both Buyers & Sellers have written to me.
Referrals are KEY to any successful real-estate career.
Without them, you will "die on the vine".
Happy clients, refer OTHER happy clients!
Now ask any other Realtor that you're thinking of saying "You're hired!" to,
to provide you with at least THREE written referrals for prior "happy customers".
As long as you get a full-name and city & town, it's probably legit!
You won't accept a reference that's provided by nothing more than "Thomas B."....right???
NEIGHBORHOOD-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE
I own, LIVE, and sell in Paseo.
I therefore operate as a "Resident Realtor Specialist".
That's quite a benefit in my favor, don't you think?
Someone may even be able to say they OWN here...
but key question... do they LIVE here???
You could own somewhere,
but if you utilize it as an investment and rent it out,
you don't actually LIVE there.
And living somewhere, adds to your repertoire of knowledge...
knowledge that helps YOU to make an informed decision!
As for me, this month I will celebrate
FOUR YEARS of owning and living in Paseo!
I was actually the SIXTH person to occupy their residence in Paseo,
and when I bought my casita and moved in,
there wasn't even a Town Center built yet!
It was COMPLETELY built on my "ownership watch"
and I have seen it go from dirt,
to the beautiful and vibrant Town Center that it is today!
Is a Resident Realtor specialist of any value to you?
You tell me, as YOU'RE the one doing the hiring!
WORK EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO REAL ESTATE CAREER
Maybe you're asking yourself, how and why, is that important?
Well, when you fill out an application and go for a job interview
(and after all, I AM looking to get hired here),
don't they always want to know what jobs you held down previously?
Not ALWAYS just to see if your background is the
perfect tie-in to the job you're interviewing for,
but more a matter of
"What have you done, and how well have you done it!"
My prior work history experience:
Before starting my real estate career in SW Florida,
I started from scratch what became one of the
Top Ten grossing animal grooming salons in the United States...
"Stevens Animal Salon".
My credentials when I opened up the salon were that
I was one of only SIXTY "Master Certified Groomers" in the country,
and the youngest EVER to achieve that status!
I took the business from $0 in sales to a business that in the early-1980's,
grossed well into the six-figures.
This was at a time when the average fee to groom a poodle was $13.00,
and a SUCCESSFUL salon grossed $35,000/year!
It was EXTREMELY upscale,
and was designed by a noted Boston interior design firm, Sloane Interiors.
Just as I am fortunate enough now in real estate,
I can honestly say that I had the most fabulous and loyal clients imaginable!
I was featured on the cover of "Groom & Board" magazine;
in full-page articles in the Sunday edition of the Providence Journal newspaper;
and was also interviewed by a then up-and-coming
local TV personality that was host of a TV show called "PM Magazine".
That gentleman, Matt Lauer, is now known as the morning host of The Today Show on NBC.
I owned and operated Stevens Animal Salon for 6 1/2 years.
When the level of success that it attained also meant
that I was SO BUSY that it stopped being enjoyable,
(which was of course the reason I went into the pet business to BEGIN with)
I SOLD it and stayed on in a management capacity during a six-month transitional phase.
SUMMARIZING THE INTERVIEW
Successful Realtors are self-starters.
You need to have an established track-record of being able to work independently.
Some of the highest-achieving Realtors EVER,
have been individuals that have owned-and-operated
their own businesses SUCCESSFULLY before entering the real estate profession.
Since lots of folks have owned & operated a business, the key is,
were they SUCCESSFUL within their chosen industry?
The mere fact that someone "started a business" doesn't mean they did it WELL!
So ask any other Realtor that you may be thinking of hiring,
"What did you do before you became a Realtor?"
You'll learn a lot from that answer, believe me!
After the interview, did you actually LIKE the person???
If the answer's NO,
goodness gracious don't go and hire them as your Realtor!
And that includes ME!
If you meet me and you don't LIKE me,
you shouldn't hire me!
Buying or selling a piece of real estate
"joins you at the hip" with your Realtor for X period of time.
There will be questions, phone calls, emails, emotions,
and LOTS of time spent interacting with each other!
If an agent STARTS OUT taking days to reply to your INITIAL inquiry,
do you think that it's going to get any better
AFTER they've earned your business and got you under contract on something???
GOOD LUCK!!!
You want to hire a responsive, timely, informative, knowledgeable
co-partner as you investigate whether or not buying a home in Florida is right for YOU!
And what about AFTER the sale is completed and the commission's been paid...
if you have a question, problem, or just need assistance of some type,
will you be treated the same way as when the Realtor was trying to EARN your business?
I would certainly hope so!!!
My service never ends with the sale.
Anyone who has ever bought or sold through me knows that first-hand.
And willingness to work hard?
My average workday in-season begins at 5am and ends at 10pm.
Seven-days-a-week.
Efforts applied to providing clients and the public-at-large with timely, useful information
regarding the community that the Realtor's actually looking to earn a COMMISSION in?
I'll let this website speak for itself.
I am 100% responsible for the entire contents you see at paseoproperties.com!
Well, if I say so myself, I think I've given you the necessary tools
to go ahead and have a pretty-good idea on how to hire your Florida Realtor.
And of course, simultaneously I've "made the pitch"
as to why I believe that person should be ME!
So if it's decision time for you, I'm asking you directly for the job:
I want to hear...
"YOU'RE HIRED!"
And maybe after some research,
it will be time for you to tell another Realtor,
"And YOU'RE FIRED!"
The "dirt" on Paseo
1/19/12
Been here lately?
Everybody's saying...
"I want to hear all about the DIRT on Paseo."
All of a sudden...
building lot, after building lot, has been cleared and leveled off.
What does that mean?
Buyers are pointing to lots and saying..
"Oh, I'll take that one there"... or
"How much is the Escondido that's going to be in that building over there?"
Truth be told... you can't have it!
(At least not yet anyway)
Because of the EXTRAORDINARY pre-construction sales,
(just like I blogged about roughly this time last year)
you are now looking at in inventory SHORTAGE in Paseo!
Plans for which specific buildings will be released
and the timeline FOR their release,
had to be moved up, juggled, and restrategized.
Depending on the size of a particular building (number of units in it),
the timeline from start to finish can vary from around five months to nine.
The goal is to try to have inventory homes available for "season"
when the majority of folks are here and would like something
that they can see, feel, and walk-through.
If inventory homes finish up in July or August,
that's not very helpful now, is it???
So an extremely aggressive building release schedule
has been compiled and will be unveiled as sales warrant their release.
In the meantime, the sales figure for 2011 have been made public,
and Paseo had MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED NEW HOME SALES in 2011...
if you're not impressed with that during this "supposed" real estate downturn,
I don't know what it WOULD take to impress you!
Come visit...
not just Paseo, but other communities too!
Check out who's actually BUILDING!
You're going to see a "whole lot of quiet"
in practically EVERY community that is "theoretically"
still being built and developed.
There is SO much construction going on in Paseo
that even OWNERS who are coming back down
that haven't been here since Thanksgiving or so,
simply cannot believe how much is happening...
including the amount of construction,
and the absolute beehive of activity in the ENTIRE community!
WE ARE SELLING FROM PAPER AGAIN!!!
That hasn't happened since the "boom years" back in 2005 & 2006!
Buyers are deciding which flloorplan they want,
the location they want it in,
and they're committing to a contract, and
NOTHING'S even come out of the ground yet for their building!
Some buildings have even been close to SOLD OUT
before the slab;s even been poured on the lot!
I've had the discussions,
and I KNOW it's coming...
PRICE INCREASES!!!
I wonder why it is that we're going GANGBUSTERS in Paseo,
and you could hear a pin drop in most of the other communities
that are currently being developed???
There are always REASONS for everything...
just come and explore...
A "Gazillion" things!
1/12/12
Guess what... there's so much going on, that the
"King of Blah, Blah, Blog" almost doesn't know where to begin.
So hopefully, some bullet-points will help to kind of
bring you up to speed... so fasten your seat belts!!!
- Building 54 is now under construction and the slab's been poured
- Building 67 is now under construction, and the slab
was just poured the other day as well
- The new Quad Buildings (82 & 85) are WELL underway...
and in fact the developer has started
making option & upgrade selections THEMSELVES on the unsold units;
so your opportunity to select & customize a new flat or town home on a quad
and have it probably finish-up in late March is rapidly disappearing
- Construction has begun on Casita Building #92,
and the Laguna is still available there as we speak
- Casita Building #93 is in permitting,
and construction will soon begin there as well
- Construction on the Eastern Park is about to begin...
(it's the large "green space" on the eastern end of the site-plan)...
unlike the Western park, there will be activities here,
such as horseshoes, sand volleyball, and possibly bocce and pickle ball,
and of course a beautiful chickee hut to relax in the shade under
and numerous benches and/or hammocks...
it's going to be a GREAT amenity easily accessible
by the new units under construction at that end of Paseo!
- Five of the six furnished models that
were released for sale are now SOLD,
and like I told everyone (that would listen),
there were some DEALS to be had there!
Thank-you (and congratulations!) to those that DID!
- 14 of the 18 available inventory homes
SOLD during the last six weeks of 2011...
and again, CONGRATULATIONS to those Buyers!
(and Buyers, you know what I'm talking about)...
- Several multi-family building lots have just been cleared,
and that means new pre-construction building opportunities
are going to be released in the very foreseeable future
- New pavered walkways, teak benches, and beautiful trees and plantings
have now been installed around several of the lakes,
even though the buildings aren't completely built-out around them yet...
it presents nicer and more complete walking routes
for the legions of walkers & joggers throughout Paseo!
The new Esperanza neighborhood is almost a full page of "news" all by itself!
- The entryway landscaping is in, and it is SPECTACULAR!
Mature, lush, unusual specimens (like LOTS of topiary bougainvilleas)
- Raised berms along the side of the road,
for neighborhood privacy on the opposite side
- Large, beautiful pavered sidewalks are in
- The signage & street lighting is now being installed
- The Coronado & Granada twin-villa furnished models
will be completed in about two weeks
- 20 of the 30 twin villas are SOLD, and were sold
PRE-CONSTRUCTION FROM SITE-PLANS ONLY,
AS THERE WERE NO MODELS TO SEE!
(That is extraordinary in ANY market environment!)
- The single-family furnished models in both of the released neighborhoods
are close to completion, and will be unveiled at an
invitational Esperanza "unveiling" event on January 26th.
- The exterior lighting and the exterior trim detailing on the
twin villas is gorgeous, and has been "kicked up a notch"
from the original Paseo neighborhood
- Same with the single-family homes in Esperanza...
the enhanced standard landscaping package,
the larger pavered driveways, the exterior lighting,
and the to-be-installed mailboxes are ALL just beautiful!
I'm giving everybody a "heads up" AGAIN:
PRICE INCREASES ARE COMING!!!
The incentive that's being offered for
free options & upgrades has ALREADY been lowered;
the lot premiums are probably going to be the next thing to be increased,
and then it will be the base prices of the homes themselves!
If you enjoy paying more, please continue to be indecisive.
A total of 101 NEW homes were sold in 2011 in Paseo...
and that DOESN'T include the resales!
And you wonder why Stock is in a position to start to raise prices???
We're practically 100% SOLD OUT of finished inventory units
that you could close on and move into tomorrow!
Everything else is at some stage of construction,
and you know full well that:
Supply + Demand = Pricing!!!
I was able to put contracts together for three very smart Buyers of mine
during the 48-hour period before Christmas Day...
it was a Christmas gift to me, and I'm confident
the Buyers feel the converse is true as well!!!
These first two weeks in January have traditionally been "slow weeks"...
after 18 years of doing this down here, you get to know the rhythm.
But I have instead been unusually (and ridiculously) busy!
It's been 5am -10pm days for me since New Year's Day!
So if it takes me a "tad" longer than my usual "almost immediate response"
to your emails from my office computer or iPhone,
please know that I have had to devote either very early in the morning,
or late in the day to returning my emails,
and the daytime to actual appointments with Buyers and/or Sellers.
If you end up getting my voicemail,
believe me, I'm anxious to get back to you
and see what you'd like to talk about!
But unless it's a call related to contract negotiations
or a closing that I'm smack dab in the middle of,
I MAY have to let you go to voicemail...
but I WILL get back to you just as soon as I have a free minute.
I promise that ALL calls will be returned
by the end of the day that you've contacted me!
But right now, I've got a "walk-through I've got to get to
for another excited Buyer that's about to become a fellow Paseo neighbor!
Send me an email or call with any questions you have, at anytime!!!
I wish you warm & sunny days!!!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year...
and THANK-YOU!
Congratulations Michelle!
12/16/11
I had absolutely no intent of posting another blog between now & New Years's,
as I wanted my Christmas Video Blog above, to be the last posting for 2011.
But then came Michelle's closing yesterday...
She had started utilizing my services to look for a place in Paseo just about two years ago.
But the timing just wasn't quite right for her, although she decided that when it WAS right,
it WOULD be Paseo she'd call "home"...
She had VERY specific tastes and design ideas,
so a Pre-construction purchase would have to be the way for Michelle to go...
that we ALSO knew for sure!
Well, the timing DID become right,
a casita block that was released and it's estimated completion date was ALSO right,
so Michelle went under contract for the purchase of her brand-new dream home here in Paseo!
Then the fun began...
every aspect of the purchase was SO exciting to her!
Getting her fully executed contract back (making it "official" that it was hers),
her Design Center appointment where she could now implement
ALL those design ideas that had been swirling around in her mind
many times at night at bedtime.
Instead of "counting sheep",
there's NO question in my mind she was counting "light fixtures"!
Because she had SO designed her entire place in her mind already,
she set the Guiness Record for the "Shortest Design Center Appointment"
and was in, out, done, & selected in under 30 minutes!!!
She was so excited when groundbreaking took place on her building...
when she got to see the "surprise" exterior color her casita would be...
and when construction progress photos were emailed to her!
Each and every step of the way she was a gracious, articulate, warm & friendly Buyer
who was GENUINELY and consistently excited about the process of building
HER beautiful new home here in Paseo!
Well, yesterday THE day finally arrived...
as it was Michelle's walk-thru and CLOSING DAY!
I met her , the representative from Stock,
and also her super-nice Mom & Dad who came down from TN
to be here with their daughter for her "big day".
What a treat it was for me to see her sparkling clean new place
with ALL of her design "ideas" now a reality....
And what wonderful taste she has...
hardwood floors everywhere, beautiful color on the walls,
great cabinetry, granite, and faucet selections,
and beautiful tile detailing in her master bath!
It was just as beautiful as many of Stock's models, and she did it all herself!
She was absolutely thrilled with the finished product!!!
The walk-thru went like clockwork, and then it was off to the 3:30 closing.
Around 4:45 I received a call on my cell phone from Michelle, exclaiming,
"I did it Steve...it's DONE.... and I'm NOT going to shriek in your ear, but....YAYYYYY!"
Well, that to me folks, FELT like Christmas....
(and for any naysayers out there)
it WASN'T because I was receiving a commission check for another closing!
It was because Christmas is about giving...
and even though I certainly didn't GIVE Michelle her new home,
she made me feel like I HAD!
It was the same feeling that you get when you've spent
the time to try to find the PERFECT gift for someone,
and when they open it,
their reaction tells you that you did a GREAT job,
and they just LOVE what you got them!
That's how she made ME feel!
I'm involved in a lot of transactions,
and to see someone's dreams come true a week before Christmas,
is just about as good as it gets...
Congratulations Michelle...you DID it!!!
December Buyers = Smart
11/28/11
As many experienced and knowledgeable car buyers can attest to,
there are DEALS to be had during the month of December!
If you march into a showroom between now and the end of the year,
(and you're READY, WILLING, AND ABLE to buy),
you are going to put a deal together that'll make you smile!
Guess what?
The same can be true when it comes to a real estate purchase!
The end of the calendar-year, is often the end of the fiscal year.
So if you're considering NEW construction,
the motivation to move inventory will most probably
be based on quarterly and/or annual sales targets,
and whether or not they've been met.
As numbers get crunched and companies look at how their year is finishing out,
they are deciding how aggressive they may or may not need to be
in order to meet their specific sales goals.
Even if sales projections and objectives have ALREADY been met,
a company may decide that they still want to "move more units"
in order to surpass their goals and have the "bragging rights"
to advertise "The # of homes SOLD" within a particular year...
or a strong year-over-year % increase in sales for their community!
Now, back to cars...
What do YOU think an auto dealership is more inclined to give you a better deal on:
- a car that's sitting on their lot in inventory that they already own, or
- a car that that's configured EXACTLY the way you want it that needs to be custom-ordered?
I think you know the answer.
The same is true in real estate...
When something is completed and sitting in your inventory,
you are incurring certain "carrying costs" on that item.
In real estate it's the construction financing,
the maintenance fees, property taxes, and the electric bill.
Those carrying costs STOP
once the ownership of that item is transferred to a new buyer!
If your heart is set on only ONE floor plan,
in one specific location within a community,
with only one particular sun exposure and view,
and you MUST have a certain color kitchen cabinet or granite...
then you're a pre-construction buyer that needs to
custom select your floor plan, location and options & upgrades.
If you're more flexible than that and you'd like to
see what's available in CURRENT INVENTORY that's finished and available
and whether or not it could possibly work for YOU,
there is just simply NO better time to do that than December!
If you are seriously in the market for a home in Paseo,
try to find the time to come down and visit before the end of the year.
Together we'll take a look at all of the existing inventory.
If you would be able to perform under the terms of a contract
that would be cash with a quick closing,
you are in a strong and desirable position.
Not only is your timing potentially advantageous from the purchasing side,
you will end up owning a property that you can furnish
and actually ENJOY during the upcoming season!
A seasonal rental in Paseo goes for around $3200-$3500 month,
so think of what you're saving vs. what you'd waste on a rental!
Based on the inquiries, conversations, and
appointments I'm scheduling with prospective purchasers,
I expect to some very "Smart Buyers" before the end of this year.
I hope you're one of them...
Happy Thanksgiving!
11/22/11
As I get ready to celebrate one of my absolute favorite holidays,
I just wanted to take a few moments and put into writing
what I am actually so very grateful for in my life:
- First and foremost, I am blessed to have the BEST Mom & Dad in the whole wide world...
their love, support, and pride has been one of life's few "constants"
- My entire family is one of which I am PROUD to be a member of
- I have an extremely happy and fulfilling personal life
- I am grateful for the excellent health that I enjoy
- During a time that so many folks are unemployed and aren't sure
just how they'll meet their financial obligations,
I am so truly blessed to be able to do what I LOVE
and actually make a very good living at it
- I honestly get to work with and represent the most incredibly nice people
- All of my material needs are met, and I am blessed that
I'm also able to indulge myself with my "wants"
And believe me, as much as I really enjoy the "feast" that Thanksgiving represents,
I think it's important to actually state what each of us is thankful for in our lives.
No matter how difficult things may seem at times,
I guarantee you that if you really think about it,
you can ALWAYS find something that you can be grateful for.
That's what we need to focus on during the upcoming holiday.
Let your optimistic side completely run your pessimistic side out of the picture, and
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!
We truly live in the best country in the history of the world,
and the opportunities available to us are endless.
Each of us are the architects of our own lives,
and we have the freedom to design it as we choose.
I have always tried to live my life by the "Golden Rule",
and treat others as I would want to be treated myself.
And to every one of you that has ever extended a kindness to me
that has helped me to become the successful Realtor that I am within Paseo,
I say "thank-you" from the very bottom of my heart.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
PASEO wins "Community of the Year"
for an unprecedented 6th year in a row!
11/6/11
The Lee Building Industry Association recently held their
2011 Industry Awards ceremony at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa.
Stock Development was the BIG winner,
with a total of seven Pinnacle Awards, including:
- Community of the Year -
PASEO
- Best Clubhouse Exterior -
PASEO
- Best Clubhouse Interior -
PASEO
- Developer of the Year -
The Lee Building Industry Association describes
the "Pinnacle Awards" on their website, http://www.bia.net/ :
"The Pinnacle Awards were created by the Sales & Marketing Council of the Lee BIA in 1990 and provide an opportunity to recognize and celebrate excellence in the residential building industry. These prestigious awards pay tribute to Lee Building Industry Association members who have obtained an outstanding level of success and professionalism in residential design, new home sales and marketing during 2010 and 2011."
Congratulations to Stock Development on this extraordinary achievement!
Sellers..... SMILE!
Buyers..... BUY!!!
November 3, 2011
The National Association of Realtors just published an article where they listed
the "10 Cities Where List Prices Are Rising the Most".
And what city was #1???
FORT MYERS!!!
I've been advising buyers on this website, in email communications,
in phone conversations, and IN THIS BLOG,
that IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY,
THAT TIME IS NOW!!!
Forget chasing short sales and foreclosures...
that is so "last year"...
We have NO foreclosures or short sales presently on the market in Paseo,
and the VAST majority of Paseo purchasers during the downturn have been CASH BUYERS...
so talk about a STRONG foundation of homeowners going forward!!!
Are there short sales or foreclosure available in SW Florida???
Of course there are... but do your homework!!!
Ask yourself these questions:
- WHY are there still foreclosures in a particular community?
Buyers have been coming from ALL OVER THE WORLD to this area to purchase,
because we've been marketed by the world-wide media as "The Foreclosure Capitol"!
- Has Chinese drywall been discovered in a particular community?
If so, GOOD LUCK with the timing of a rebound in pricing now that
the community has the reputation of HAVING it!
- Has the developer gone bankrupt and
and is there a reorganization in process within the community?
If so, can anyone say for SURE how things will play out when that process is completed?
- If there ARE numerous short sale or foreclosures still available within a particular community, WHO'S PAYING THE ASSOCIATION FEES?
If they aren't getting paid by SOMEONE,
how's the budget doing there?
Is there a "special assessment" in the wind
for the homeowners that ARE paying their fees?
- How about the amenities...
has the community had to BACK OUT what was once included in the fees,
and they now classify it as a "sports membership"
and charge annual fees to the homeowners
whether you want to use the tennis center or pool, or not?
In some communities it is now a MANDATORY membership
upon the purchase of a home within that community,
whether you ever plan on playing a game of tennis or using the community pool OR NOT!
So be careful...
at first glance some fees may seem LOW,
just make sure there isn't a "mandatory membership"
associated with the amenities there,
or an upcoming "special assessment" for thousands of dollars!
- Are they BUILDING in that community?
If there's still more land available in the development
and there isn't any construction going on, WHY isn't there???
Is there a problem with the developer being able to obtain construction financing?
is there any DEMAND from buyers for a new home within that community?
Is it possible that there's a LONG way to go before the bottom is reached in that community...
aka, lots more short sales, foreclosures, etc.,
which means prices have NOT bottomed-out there yet!
Be careful with what you offer to pay if you proceed in a community that hasn't hit bottom yet! We're not like "up north" down here...
"up north" a whole town is either generally doing badly,
or doing well when it comes to the real estate rebound!
Down here, it can vary TREMENDOUSLY from one gated community to the other...
even ones RIGHT NEXT DOOR to each other!
Now regarding Paseo:
- We currently have zero short sales or foreclosure on the market
- We are NOT one of the communities that has had Chinese drywall discovered in it
- Stock Development is a strong locally and privately-owned development company
that has NOT had to go into bankruptcy during this real estate downturn
- There isn't ANY special assessment in the wind for Paseo homeowners
- Access to and use of ALL of the Town Center amenities within Paseo
are still included in our association fees,
just as they have been from the beginning.
There are no initiation fees, no annual dues,
no food & beverage minimums,
or whatever some other communities want to creatively come up with
to charge you above-and-beyond your maintenance fees
in order to use the community's amenities...
that is NON-EXISTING within Paseo!
If you order food and eat at one of our restaurants,
you pay for it then and there, end of story.
If you NEVER use the restaurants, you don't have to pay!
If you go to our spa and have a massage or a facial,
you pay for those services.
that's it...
You can play tennis, use the fitness center,
enjoy our incredible pool, go to our movie theater,
or use our business center with eight high-speed computer terminals
and fax-in fax-out capabilities... ALL included in your fees!
Nothing's "hidden" here...
- As far as building...
we basically have a building "boom" within Paseo right now!
We have flat & townhome building #44 under construction,
"quad" flat and townhome buildings 82 & 85,
casita buildings #79 & 81 (80 just finished),
and in our newest neighborhood "Esperanza",
there are four new single-family model homes under construction,
seven SOLD custom single-family homes,
two attached-villa furnished models,
and the commencement of the construction of the 21 SOLD attached villas
out of the 30 that have been released for sale!
Now don't tell me that's not EXTRAORDINARY in this economic environment!
I see it EVERYDAY...
tons of interest, tons of questions,
but still some hesitation to COMMIT to purchasing
from some of the buyers that I KNOW
are seriously looking to purchase a home in Florida!
I do everything in my power to demonstrate why NOW is the time to buy...
IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO!
If you've got the ABILITY TO PURCHASE, DO IT NOW!!!
There is honest talk of prices being raised, and incentives being cut back!
If you find a floor plan, and a location and price you can live with, BUY IT!
We're still about fifty cents on the dollar from where we were at the peak of the market!
How long do you think the developer is going to be willing to build homes
with the kind of architectural detail and amenity package
AND LOCATION that Paseo offers
for a little over $100/square foot???
And I'll say it again...
check out the furnished models that are for sale!
They are GORGEOUS, they're very high-end
as they were designed to showcase
many of the developer's options & upgrades that they offer,
and they are DONE!
Buy your dishes, glasses, silverware, towels and linens and then
ENJOY THE UPCOMING SEASON!
So as I started out saying,
Fort Myers tops this just released list,
and WITHIN Fort Myers, I've hopefully given you "food for thought"
about what to look for in a community that you're considering calling "home"...
And now, I present "the list"...
10 Cities Where List Prices Are Rising the Most
Which cities are seeing median list prices increase the most? Nationally, median list prices have risen 1.60 percent to $190,000, according to year-over-year listing data from September 2011 byRealtor.com, based on 146 markets.
Yet, in some cities, median list prices in that time frame have risen more than 20 percent. Florida cities, in particular, are continuing to see some of the largest rebounds in list prices.
Here are the 10 cities that have seen the largest percentage increases in median list prices based on year-over-year data from September:
1. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 34.46%
Median list price: $215,000
2. Miami, Fla.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 25.63%
Median list price: $250,000
3. Naples, Fla.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 23.41%
Median list price: $369,000
4. Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 16.53%
Median list price: $233,000
5. Punta Gorda, Fla.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 14.07%
Median list price: $169,000
6. Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 12.22%
Median list price: $176,750
7. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 11.93%
Median list price: $129,500
8. Fort Wayne, Ind.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 11.77%
Median list price: $112,000
9. Daytona Beach, Fla.
Year-over-year median list price increase: 11.32%
Median list price: $178,000
10. Boise City, Idaho
Year-over-year median list price increase: 10.58%
Median list price: $150,000
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Daily News
Skinny prices on Paseo's "super-models"
October 26, 2011
If you've already visited Paseo and taken a tour of the furnished models,
you've probably already found yourself saying,
"Now if THIS one were available, I'd buy it today!"
But you were politely told that "Thanks... we hear that everyday,
but the developer still wants to hold onto them for a while."
Well, no developer actually NEEDS the number
of furnished models being presented here in Paseo,
as many of the floorplans usually have one or more of them
available in finished inventory, so there's always one
to be able to walk through to get the actual feel for it.
Therefore, the decision was made to release for sale
several of those GORGEOUS designer-furnished models
that everyone's "oohed and aahed" about!
Some of them have spectacular waterfront views and locations,
and they are all UPGRADED TO THE NINES...
featuring fabulous and highly-upgraded cabinetry...
spectacular granites that have been selected for the countertops...
upgraded tile laid on the diagonal...
crown moldings, and some with decorative wall moldings...
beautiful light fixtures...
designer paint schemes and wallpapers...
and of course all the wonderful custom furnishings,
window coverings, and accessories throughout these entire model homes!
The cost and TIME necessary to pull together such beautifully finished homes
FAR exceeds what the list prices are on these properties!
These are homes that can be closed on immediately,
and you are good-to-go for the 2011-2012 season!
You'll need your dishes, small appliances, towels, and linens,
but you surely want to go shopping and personalize it a little anyway, right?
November is a HUGE month for buyers that come down
looking for a furnished place that they can quickly close on
and then have it to enjoy for the entire upcoming season,
so FAIR WARNING...THESE WILL SELL!!!
They are DEALS,
they are CONVENIENT,
they are BRAND-NEW, high-end,
super-well located within the community,
and READY-TO-GO!!!
Call or email me NOW,
and let's see which one works best for you,
and there you go... you'll have your home in Paseo DONE,
and ready to enjoy this winter time!
Red Sox Stadium Progress
November 2, 2011
Construction progress on the brand-new Red Sox spring training facility
located on Daniels Parkway 10-15 minutes away from Paseo:
Housing shortage???
9/14/11
While it may sound contrary to EVERYTHING you're hearing on the radio or TV,
or reading about online or in your local newspaper...
Paseo has a housing SHORTAGE!!!
As of today, there are TEN resale properties on the market in Paseo ...
THREE "flats", THREE town homes, TWO casitas, and TWO single-family homes!!!
You realize how EXTRAORDINARY that is, right???
That's LESS THAN 3% of the total number of completed homes that exist in all of Paseo!
For a "transient" area like Florida where people are forever moving in or out,
or upsizing or downsizing,
or going from condo to single-family or vice-versa,
TEN PERCENT of the existing homes on the market would not be considered outrageous!
As far as "new construction",
there are only EIGHT move-in-ready flats and town homes,
ONE casita,
and ZERO single-family homes!!!
ALL of the single-family furnished models have also already been sold!
Of the TEN buildings that have been released for pre-construction sales,
(flats town homes, and casitas)
only THIRTY-SEVEN units remain,
of which ONLY SIX will be completed in the next 4-6 weeks,
ONE in app. six months,
FOURTEEN in the next 7-9 months,
and SIXTEEN are about 12 months out before completion!
As far as pre-construction sales in the new Esperanza neighborhood,
TWENTY-THREE of the thirty attached villas that
have been released for sale are now under contract...
SEVEN of the thirty-five released Heirloom Series single-family lots are pending, and
FIVE of the twenty-one Traditional Series single-family lots are now under contract!
The developer has had some delays with groundbreaking on Buildings 44, 82, and 85,
but I hear that earth should start to move on 44 any day now,
and 82 and 85 should see construction commence in October.
Esperanza has been moving along VERY nicely,
and the developer is pushing to have some furnished models
open for viewing in there by the end of this year.
Construction on the attached villas should begin shortly,
and the first residents should get to enjoy most of season 2012.
Construction start dates for the attached-villas and the single-family homes in Esperanza
will be in the order of "Firm & Binding" contract dates,
as well as the new owners commitment to making their options & upgrades selections.
SALES IN PASEO ARE UP 40% OVER LAST YEAR,
and as of September 1st,
they've surpassed ALL of 2010!!!
Our market is getting tighter,
August sales were phenomenal,
September hasn't slowed down a bit,
and I'm receiving more and more first-time inquiries as Fall begins to set in
and the temperatures start dropping in many other parts of the country!
So if you see something that works for you,
or that lakefront lot with southern exposure that you've dreamed about is AVAILABLE,
GET IT UNDER CONTRACT AND MAKE IT YOUR OWN NOW!!!
The lot that your home sits on is the UNCHANGEABLE part of your decision!
Granite, or paint colors, or even a pool now or sometime down the road,
are all CHANGEABLE decisions!
Once a location is GONE, it's "GONE WITH THE WIND" baby!
The prime lots ALWAYS sell first, regardless of the price!
So if we HAVE IT,
and you WANT IT,
(and, oh yeah... if you can AFFORD IT)
COMMIT TO IT WHEN YOU SEE IT!
Construction and sales "snapshot"
8/30/11
Right now in Paseo we've got:
- "Flat & Townhome" Building #22 is complete,
and closings are currently taking place (I have one today, in fact)
- "Flat & Townhome" Building #44 is ready to break ground any day now,
and it's SOLD OUT before the shovels have even started to move!
- "Flat & Townhome" Building #55 is practically complete,
and it only has ONE unit that's still available for sale
- There are THREE "casita blocks" presently under construction...
Building's 79, 80, & 81, and only FIVE units remain available
of the fourteen total units in these three buildings
- Two more "casita blocks" were recently released for pre-construction sales...
Building's 92 & 93, and the Escondido's already been snapped up in Building 92
- "Flat & Townhome" QUAD buildings #82 & 85
should be breaking ground in the next couple of weeks
- EVERY single-family furnished model home in Paseo has been SOLD,
with contract sales prices as high as into the 500's
- The VERY last single-family home available in the "original" Paseo community
has just gone under contract this past week, so we are now SOLD OUT,
and single-family homebuyers are now snapping up lots
in the new Esperanza neighborhood on the other side of that beautiful stone bridge
- FOURTEEN single-family lots that buyers will be custom-building homes on in Esperanza are now SOLD
- Of the thirty twin-villas released for sale in the new Esperanza neighborhood
TWENTY-ONE are now under contract, and there are rumors of another imminent price increase
- The blasting permit that was required to carve out the lakes in Esperanza
took a little longer than expected, so consequently construction is behind a month or two.
But GREAT headway is being made with the roads, lakes, and infrastructure.
I will soon begin posting photos of the Esperanza neighborhood on my "Construction Updates" page.
- On the resale side, i SOLD OUT my 2010-2011 season inventory,
but I just listed a Laguna casita and SOLD IT MYSELF within 24 hours
- I have a new listing on a VERY rare Santa Cruz QUAD townhouse at $214,990
(a real bargain for this particular unit...check out the photos & description on my "Resale Properties" page)
which went under contract to the very first buyers that were made aware of it,
but the sale fell through and it's BACK ON THE MARKET!
And I just have to end by saying what a wild & wacky August it's been!!!
It has been non-stop busy, and August is usually
the "dead zone" for real estate in SW Florida!!!
If the percentage increase in year-over-year business
stays on track with the way it is at this time,
our 2011-2012 winter season will be UNBELIEVABLE!!!