Mike Kozlow

This is who I am

I'm a "Cheesehead in Paradise"!

I moved to Southwest Florida from Mequon, Wisconsin in 2001 and have never missed a snow flake or a wind chill index since. My wife Pam and I decided that after 30 years in securities and retail clothing industry, it was time to stop and smell the roses, or rather the hibiscus. I was unable to stay away very long however, founding and still running a private asset management firm, Shadow Wood Advisors, PLC; becoming a Florida Notary Public; and acting a Neutral (arbitrator) for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). As a direct result of client needs, I revisited the Real Estate industry in 2008 joining Prudential Florida Realty where I was given the opportunity to work with some of the top agents if not some of the nicest, in southwest Florida.

While under the guidance of Broker Beth Mancini, I was able to earn my GRI® and eCertified® designations. I also spent considerable time working toward a CCIM designation completing the first four of five required courses as well as a number NAR commercial real estate courses. The severe down turn on the commercial markets has put that pursuit on hold. But I did complete the necessary course work for an ABR Accredited Buyer Representative, NAR Resort & Second Home, and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource designations. I however have chosen not to "buy" the letters but rather use the knowledge I gained for the benefit of my clients. I have recently joined with some colleagues at Keller Williams Elite Realty where I hope to leverage my accumulated knowledge.

I feel that my nearly 40 years in the financial services industry has made me uniquely qualified to assist in the buying of a home or professionally assisting in the orderly transfer of ownership of a personal residence.

I am an avid golfer who has played or visited almost every course here in the Ft. Myer - Naples area and am confident I can find the golf course property for a buyer. I bring a unique feel for playability coupled with friendly surroundings to make that perfect match for life here in paradise. My golf background includes chairing the Wisconsin State Open won in 1989 by Steve Stricker, two MDA golf tournaments and co-chairing a National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis LPGA Pro Am tournament. I worked with and for the Wisconsin section of the Professional Golfer Association of America (PGA) as a rules official for both section events and state tournaments to include qualifying tournaments for the Great Milwaukee Open (GMO), a PGA tour event.

I have been an active member of two country clubs over the past 32 years. I served on a multitude of committees and served on the Board of Directors for North Shore Country Club in Mequon Country Club from 1979 to 2001. I then joined Shadow Wood Country Club in 2001 and have worked on the transition committee and was elected to the first member board. I have spent considerable time as a neighborhood representative to the Shadow Wood Community Association spending two years as the chairman of the landscape and hard-scape committee. The Club and Association experience has given me that necessary background to assist prospective buyers in the selection of a gated golf community. I know what to look for and what to avoid!

I recently have become active with the Back-country Fly Fishers of Naples as the vice-president. The club is developing an active role in the restoration and support of restoration of native habitat in the southwest Florida coast. It also has been an active participant and sponsor of local youth programs centered on the sport of fishing and the ethics of catch and release.

My history of fair and honest dealing, abiding by the rules, and knowing where to find the answers gives me that ability to not sell someone a house, but assist in the purchase of a home.

Given my extensive background and experience in the world of golf, I have chosen to specialize in the golf communities specific to north Naples, Bonita Springs , Estero and southern Ft. Myers. I have played all of the courses and can intelligently discuss the pros and cons of each with players of all handicap levels. I have worked with golf course architects and have read extensively on golf course design. I use that accumulated knowledge to be able to understand the needs and wants of players and their spouses.

As a result of playing the courses I have been able to visit the communities, see the homes from both sides of the course and experience the amenities. I know the gated communities and the benefits they bring. By matching the clients desires to the community, I can be confident that there will be a successful match.

I will work for the buyer to insure that they can have that slice of paradise just as I do.

Do you have any good testimonials that clients have provided you in the past? Be sure to add them here.