Dana Carrera

Boy Meets House; a Short Sale Love Story

Boy meets house. Boy loves house. Boy wants to spend the rest of his life with house. House is a Short Sale. House is an Active Contingent Short Sale meaning that the seller has already accepted an offer, and now it's up to the bank. Boy doesn't care. Boy is in love.

Boy makes a backup offer. Boy waits. And waits. And waits some more. Why must he wait so long to have the house of his dreams?

"It's not you, it's me", says the house. "You're fine, but the bank needs to know all about me and my owners. Are the owners suffering financial hardship or do they have a stash of money hidden somewhere and just don't want to pay their mortgage? Are they secretly getting their brother-in-law to try and buy the house, cheap? Who is the lender? Is there a second mortgage? Delinquent taxes or HOA fees? Liens? That is what's taking so long. "It's not you, it's me."

"Are you seeing other people?" asks the boy. "Why yes I am!" replies the house. "I am seeing a parade of potential buyers and their realtors. I saw an appraiser. I saw inspectors and a surveyor. I see many people; you must be patient with me."

Boy loses house. The bank accepted another contract. Boy is unbelieving. Boy is angry. Boy cries. Boy is resigned. Boy is hopeful. "Maybe that relationship won't work out", he wishes. Boy waits. He begins to see other Houses. Before he becomes emotionally involved with Another House, his realtor calls. The "buyers walked", so House is available once again.

Boy is jubilant. The house is now a "Bank Approved" Short Sale! Boy thinks, "now it is easy". House says "that isn't so". Boy must wait. Bank must re-evaluate the house and it's owners to see if the owners are still suffering financial hardship. Has any unexplained money shown up in their bank accounts? Are they secretly getting their nephew to try and buy the house, cheap? Is there a third mortgage? Deliquent taxes or Hoa fees? Any new liens? Boy waits. Boy is weary and dispirited. But then....

Boy gets House. And, they (want to) live happily ever after.

Let me help you with your very own Short Sale saga in SW Florida. Dana Carrera, REALTOR

Will I buy: A) a paradise home on Upper Capativa Island, Florida on one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world with views of unbelieveable sunsets or B) a red Tibetan mastiff dog named Hong Dong (Big Splash)? The Chinese business man did indeed purchase the pooch, Big Splash, in March of 2011 for 1.5 million dollars. For those of you who would have selected A, the house (and rescued an unwanted pet) here are more details of the nearly paradise home off Captiva, Florida.

Accessible by boat and your very own boat dock. It's time to settle in and write that novel, paint that painting and fish those fish.

2066 sq. ft. on .67 acres of beach property; 3 BR and 2 BA, Central heat and air, lots of marble, Gulf of Mexico frontage

I love cats and dogs and am truly happy that Hong Dong found a great owner. But, for me, and the money, my bet would be on A, this house and my rescued pets.

Okay, he IS a cutie, but still.......

How to NOT be an old fogey in the real estate business

If you even know what the word fogey is, you might be one.

5 tips to keep up with the times

1) Don’t say "www" before every website. We know it’s www, that’s the only world wide web out there, and the search engines or your clients no longer need the www part spelled out for them (unless they are fogey-ish).

2) Every time the word computer comes up, don’t claim to be “computer illiterate” or “such a dummy when it comes to computers”. We’ll take you at your word and take our business elsewhere. The business world revolves around computers and if you can’t run yours…………what else can’t you do?

3) Don’t write super long email messages. Most business people now check their messages on their phones and it’s a pain in the neck to read a foot long message on an iphone. Many won’t bother, except for the first line or two. The way to go is TEXT or a short email.

4) Be proud of who you are and your experience. Have a current photo of yourself on your business cards and websites. It’s too much of a shock to meet you when we thought you were a dashing figure but find that was in 1975.

5) Text with your thumbs, like the kids do, instead of pecking with your forefinger. You’ll get the hang of it and It keeps you young.

Useppa Island is barely off the coast of Florida and just a nice little boat ride from Captiva, Sanibel or Gasparilla Island or the more populated areas of Cape Coral or Pine Island.

Previously owned by Barron Collier and currently privately owned, "outsiders" are not really welcome. However, if you belong to their club, Useppa Island Club, it's all good.

Captiva Cruises has a nice cruise from Captiva Island, accessible by car, to Useppa, NOT accessible by car, and through them you are welcome to visit the island for about two hours. This visit can include lunch at the wonderful Collier Inn, originally built in 1894 as a residence. The inn and restaurant are very graceful, a bit of history not easily found in this area. I can't say enough good things about the menu and food. Nice!

Useppa has quite a colorful little history for such a tiny island. "She" was a training ground for the U.S. military for the Bay of Pigs/Cuba invasion, and during the Civil War was home for the NORTH. I refer to Useppa as "she" for there is also folklore that Jose Gaspar the dreaded pirate, kept a Spanish princess named Josepha, pronounced Usepha, captive on this island for refusing to marry him.

One may folllow their "pink promenade" path which winds past gracious old cottages. Nature abounds even on the pink path; we passed two turtles and a slilthering, skinny black snake. You may also stroll to their museum. I would skip their hand held automated recordings and just look around, reading the information on your own; seems more enjoyable that way.

There are beautiful grounds also. A lush croquet court lawn, one can visualize ladies in long white dresses with mallets, and, an almost life size outdoor chess set are on the premises. Quaint and quiet island pastimes.

The cruise ride to and from is wonderful, with land always in sight, traveling through a "sound" or bay like area. Dolphins abound and more than likely you will see several. A nice way to spend a morning and afternoon when you are in the Fort Myers or Naples areas of Florida. Visiting Useppa gives one a sense of another lifestyle, both past and present and is quite interesting.

If you are thinking of buying property in this area, I am happy to show you lots of options that are all within easy boating distance to Useppa Isand. You are welcome to join in the Florida lifestyle.