Linda Flack- Cape Coral, Fl

Buyers are giddy with their deals. I won another one but we had to up the ante to get it. Was it worth it? You bet it was. We looked at 25 homes. 20 homes were in need of much repair. Unfortunately you can't tell that on the MLS. There is no smell-o-vision as yet. Plus agents don't necessarily take pictures of the bad stuff. Those homes will be great for the fixer upper contractor guy.

Now that we had 5 to pick from, they needed to pick the one that best suits them. One went pending that day. Now we are down to 4. I called all the agents to see if there were any other offers. There were of course. I now council prospective buyers before we go out to look at property with a CMA of sold homes like this; listed at $80,000 and sold for $86,000. This is the trend because so many buyers have shown up in our market place. These are still amazing deals. It looks like the bottom has been found; at least in this lower price range. YEAH!

The home we put a bid on was listed at $109,000. My folks bid $120,000 and got it. They are ecstatic. The home is large and in pristine condition. The only big ticket needed are appliances. For $3K you can get a really nice appliance package. They just closed and are busy cleaning and finding furnishings.

Don't you just love a good story?

We were supposed to close a bank owned home today. Last week I checked with the bank's title company which is out of the area. They said the County was slow to record the title, but they expected it soon. I checked Monday with the county and found that the bank had bought the property back 6 weeks ago. My question was who dropped the ball. Why wasn't this title changed to the bank? After some digging I found out that the transfer tax of $.70 (yes the number is seventy cents) was not paid so it was just sitting there not being recorded. If I had not takent the initiative we could wait a long time until someone figured it out. I'm told there are tons of these properties just sitting there waiting for their $.70. I know someone that works in the court house. She did me a favor and paid the $.70. We now have to wait another week to close. My buyers bought airline tickets, reserved a hotel and took a eeks vacation to come down and get their new purchase in order. To say the least they are upset. Just one more thing to check on.

Waterfront Steals and Deals in Cape Coral

As of today Cape Coral has 26 Gulf access homes that are bank owned. These foreclosures range in price from $159,600; a 3 bedroom 2 bath direct access to a luxury home over 3000 sq ft offered at $664,500. This home sold for $1,050,000 in 2005. These are deals.

They aren't making any more waterfront. It is irreplaceable. Since Feb 1, 2009, 89 gulf access homes in Cape Coral have gone under contract and 88 gulf access homes have closed.

You decide. Is it time to buy? You bet it is! Be informed. Be smart. Don't wait. You could be too late for the best deals. The Numbers speak for themselves.

Wow, just another thing to make you crazy. Upon hearing the report my husband and I went out immediately to check out some of our listings. Thank goodness we were safe. The home inspector I have used for years was telling me that there was a ton of it out there. He is finding it all the time. So, be careful. Make sure your inspectors are checking for this stuff.

He did a home inspection for me yesterday and I called him to see how it was going and he said "You know about the Chinese drywall?" My heart stopped. Oh No! Then he said "You don't have any". Funny man! I guess even home inspectors need to get you now and again.

Last night Lee County Market Watch confirmed what we in the real estate business already new. The market is hot. Ask any seasoned real estate agent and they will tell you this; " I've had these buyers out for 2 days from 9-5. Every time we go to write an offer I find the listing agent has 5 to 10 offers already in on the property." This story is being played out all over town. Buyers are frustrated. Realtors are exhausted. Buyers come in with the preconception that prices are still falling. Frankly, I don't see that. There are just too many people looking to cash in on these amazing deals. There is a buying frenzy being created.

The numbers speak for themselves. Inventory is shrinking and sales are skyrocketing. Home pricing is running at 2001 and 2002 pricing on most inventory.

So Gus, Hop on the bus or you've missed it again and folks listen to your real estate agent. They really do know what their talking about. They are in this crazy market every day. They work in real time. Numbers that you read about are already old news.

The perception that it is time to buy if you are looking for that great deal is now. Cape Coral and Lehigh have the most inventory and therefore the best prices.

Looking for comments from you.