Joy & Shane Goushaw

Come watch an All-American game of baseball this Memorial Day weekend as the Professional Class-A Miracle Baseball Team meets the Palm Beach Cardinals at home starting at 7:05 pm this Saturday. Gates open at 6 pm. Be sure and stay for the after the game amazing Memorial Weekend Fireworks show! All of this fun will take place at Hammond Baseball Stadium in Fort Myers.

Details

When: Saturday, May 24, 2009 - Game Starts at 7:05 pm - Fireworks directly following game

Where: Hammond Stadium located at: 14100 Six Mile Cypress Rd. Fort Myers, FL

Local Phone: 239-768-4210

Ticket Prices: Box Seats $8.00, General Reserved Admission Seats $6.00

Hours: Gates open at 6 pm, game starts at 7:05 pm

Website: http://www.miraclebaseball.com

The Federal Housing Authority has the ability to offer more competitive rates and terms on home loans. This helps to keep home ownership more affordable for more people. As home and condo prices continue to attract buyers to the Fort Myers Real Estate Market, we are seeing more individuals ask questions about FHA. My husband Shane is a Licensed Realtor in Fort Myers, and also a Licensed Mortgage Broker. The below table helps buyers to know which condos have been approved for FHA in Fort Myers. It is our understanding that if a condominium community is not on this list, a "Spot" FHA approval would need to be obtained. You can consult with a lender regarding any criteria that must be met for a successful "Spot Approval".

Providing Excellence And Service In Real Estate

Below is a list from the U.S. Department of Housing And Urban Development of FHA Approved Condominium Communities in Fort Myers, FL

With interest rates at historic lows and with the correction of housing prices, real estate inventory in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres Florida is not as plentiful as it was just a couple of months ago.

Cash buyer investors are making it difficult for conventional financing buyers to have a competitive edge when placing an offer on a new or resale home. If a buyer brings cash to the transaction, that individual automatically has the advantage with the seller. Realtors are educating their buying clients that a new listing at a remarkable price in the community their particular buyer likes will not last long before it is marked as "Pending", "Active Contingent", or "Active Contingent Short Sale". The reason you like the house, is the same reason another buyer will like the house.

It is important that a Buyer understand these five concepts when placing an offer on a home in Fort Myers or Cape Coral:

1. Have a trusted lender you are working with (if you are not a Cash Buyer)

2. Be Pre-Qualified - Have your letter from your lender handy and give a copy to your Realtor

3. Be prepared emotionally and financially for mulitiple offers to be placed by other buyers on the home that meets your individual needs or the needs of your family. Be comfortable with your highest and best offer, in the event you need to place that type of offer.

4. I don't think I am going out on too far of a limb here by saying this, but it is not necessarily a "Buyer's Market" in the Fort Myers Real Estate Market anymore. It is the concept of supply and demand playing out before us. New home starts continue to be down and with fewer homes being listed, the supply of quality, move-in ready, or like new homes is down, however the demand remains up as homebuyers recognize that it remains a historic time to purchase a home.

5. Don't get disheartened - Buying a home or Selling a home in Fort Myers continues to be worth the effort, however, it will be a bumpy ride. Consider the Realtor you choose to help you very carefully and make sure they have been working in this market with an understanding of the Fort Myers, Cape Coral Real Estate market condition.

Sometimes, humor is the best way to deal with the daily on the job frustrations. My husband just lets out a gigantic belly laugh when he calls Realtors and gets the familiar "ring, ring, ring" and then, "Hello, you have reached Susie Sells Your House, please leave a message." Actually Susie, no we have not reached "Susie Sells Your House", we have reached an inbox along with 10 other messages, sitting there backed up.

We understand that you may be in the middle of writing contracts Susie and you may very well be busy. It is completely, 100% understandable that the phone ringing may not be your biggest priority. However, the Realtor calling you may just have a question about one of your listings and have a buyer who wants to put an offer on your house. They just need a little bit more information or clarification to help move things along. Multi-task Susie, and answer the phone. Then answer the callers question. Try to answer politely as no one is calling to interupt your day or your momentum. Rather, the phone call is bringing business. Business = Paycheck. After you addressed the phone call, then go back to the contract, or whatever else you were working on. If you are with clients Miss. Susie Sells Your House and your phone rings, then tell your clients politely that you need to answer the call, then tell the caller politely that you are with clients and will get back with them at such and such time. Your clients will understand, as long as you maintain a level of professionalism about it and not make comments about the caller and being interupted. Just answer the phone, give information and hang up. Then go right back to showing properties, it is your time to shine!

Now, there are absolutely times that we as Realtors cannot answer the phone. It truly may not be appropriate to do so, like smack dab in the middle of a closing. It is a myth that Realtors have to jump at the phone every single time it rings, Realtors are exceptionally busy folks and sometimes when you are in the thick of negotiations or putting out fires, it is pretty near impossible to field every call. Just use common sense, professionalism, and discernment.

I watch my husband jump and run to get to answer the phone, whether it is a Realtor or a client. If he is not already on the phone, he will answer his call. Multi-tasking for him without breaking a sweat is something he is gifted at. I admit, I do break a sweat. I can do it, but he really makes it look easy.

So, the next time you want to give my husband a great big chuckle, go ahead and don't answer the phone when he calls. He will not get mad, it's just not his style, but he may just have a good laugh, throw his hands up in the air, and then move onto the next house. If you are a buyer or seller in Fort myers, Cape Coral in Lee County Florida, contact Shane Goushaw as he is going to be the Fort Myers Realtor who will answer when you call and make the calls for you.

Shane on the phone talking to a live person!

I received more questions than answers to my last blog about Zoomers in South Fort Myers and when it might be opening. So I thought I might attempt to reach out to the Fort Myers community again for some answers. Zoomers Amusement Park still sits quietly, too quietly on Summerlin Rd. while the traffic is the only thing that Zooms around there. You might find it interesting to check out a Fort Myers News Press article with photos of men actually working and putting the rides together on the lot back in 2007.

The most recent photos I have, were taken by my husband and I have posted some of them below

Zoomers Fort Myers

Zoomers Notice of "No Trespassing" Sign

If you have any updated information to share, you can post it below or contact us.

Meanwhile, we will buckle up and wait for the ride to begin...and wait, and wait.