Tim Ludemann

When I moved to Estero in 2002 there wasn't much available to do in Estero especially recreational wise, let alone very affordable. If you can spare 1 day without Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts that is all it takes for a lifetime membership. $5 individual membership ($20 for family) you can take advantage of the largest Lee County Parks and Recreation system. 55 plus acres 2 bocce courts, 12 horseshoe pits, 3 sand volleyball courts, shelters of varying sizes, a children's play area, 4 lakes, a 5K cross country course, an outdoor amphitheater along with a 40,000 sq/ft. recreation center.

My favorite part is the great pickup games of basketball offered on the 3 Full Courts. 4 Volleyball as well as art classes, toddler programs, wellness classes for adults and children, sports leagues, an exciting senior program and a variety of children's programs.

What about our 4 legged friends? There is also a Doggy park. One sides one for smaller dogs (the kind you can dress up) and the larger dogs to on the other side. Great place for the dogs to socialize!

Here is the physical address 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero , Fl. 33928. Contact phone number office # 239-498-0415.

And here are the hours Park Hours: Daily, Dawn to 10:00pm. Not bad!

Center Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 7:00am to 8:00pm
Friday: 7:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am to 5:00 pm

Click here if you have questions on the park.

I wanted to make buyers aware of Great Community located in Estero right off Three Oaks Parkway (lane expansion nears completion), North of Corkscrew.

This gated community is made of 519 carriage homes. Floor plans range from 1 bed plus den all the way to 3 bed plus den. Hurricane impact Glass, granite counter tops, tile in all wet areas, screened lanais, and one-car attached garage makes up the community. Every once and a while a rare designer unit pops up for sale. They consist of tile on diagonal through out the living area, stainless steel appliances, crown molding, California closets and more.

The community center has a ice cream parlor, bar, movie theater, fitness center, and community room. 3 pools make for relaxing sunny days by the pool. Gated community restricts traffic flow for non residents. Association dues are $347 monthly.

The main attraction is Price. Units that sold for low 200K in 2004 - 2005 are now priced at 99k.

Please let me know if these may be of interest. Happy to answer any question or information that may assist in the process.

Shelby Homes- Meadows of Estero

This Gated Community is Located in Beautiful Estero. Right Of US 41 and Tamaimi Trail on the West side between Williams Rd and Corkscrew Rd.

These units have 2 floor plans to chose from the Falcon 2 bed 2.5 bath plus den and 2011 sq. ft under air. The other floor plan is the Sandpiper 3 bedroom 2.5 bath and 2878. This quit gated community an Mediterranean inspired architecture is surrounded by nature preserves which allows for the relaxing quintessential Florida lifestyle.

The social centerpiece of The Meadows is its exquisitely elegant 5,000-square-foot clubhouse, which includes plethora of amenities -- a tropical lagoon-style pool, billiards and card rooms, sophisticated media center, large multi-purpose room for meetings and social gatherings, comprehensive fitness facilities and a catering kitchen.

There units are available as foreclosures at 159K that sold for 350K and higher. I have a list of available units and floor plans that can be easily mailed out. Please let me know if you are interested.

You can check out the current ACTIVE LISTINGS in desirable Estero FL communities and close to the Estero FL area by clicking in the community name of your choice:

Yes those are my kids above...Priceless!

The Estero Animal Hospital's goal is to provide the highest quality veterinary care and client education for the individual needs of our pets.

They "strive to educate our clients on the health needs of their four-legged friends, knowing that when you and your pet visit Estero Animal Hospital, you feel comfortable that the most complete and modern medical treatments are made available".

The Estero Animal Hospital has moved to 9550 Corkscrew Road Estero, FL 33928. You can reach them by telephone at (239) 992-3883 or by fax at (239) 992-3896.

The same great doctors of Larry Scrabis and Kirk Teschke are still present. I take my 2 labs (on the picture to the left) there for annual check ups as well as for there heart-warm medicine.

The facilities are state of the art and offer more comfortablity to the clients. The doctors and technicians are loving. Their new larger space to provide the same great services like bathing, boarding, dental surgery, orthopedic surgery, and preventive medicine, just to name a few services.

People looking to adopt please view these helpful links:

Lee County Humane Society

Lee County Animal Services

The Humane Society of Collier County

Collier County Domestic Animal Services

Thank you!

It's not as bad as people believe to be sellers in the Estero FL real estate market. The reason being, YOU, the seller, do have options. Those options are:

• Selling
• Renting
• Giving Up

Now when I start talking with potential clients, I give the clients as much time as they need to describe their situation. From there, I can gage what type of Seller they are and what option will benefit them the most. At the end, I always let the client make the decision: I just provide my insight.

Some clients are upside down on there home and can afford to bring the difference to the closing table. The most common response I hear is they cannot. Then begins the Short Sale Pitch (that is whole different blog post on its own). If you are serious about selling, listing the home to sell off the bat is very important. There are buyers but they are all looking for steals.

The other option for clients if their cash flow is or isn't important would be to rent. Ride the market out and when it returns... (by the way it never snows in SWFL). So when all the foreclosure inventory disappears -and last I checked, builders of residential dwelling had decreased from record numbers of the past- we will be in a strong steady increasing market. The "speculators" won't come back, only investors.

Unfortunately, there is a rash of clients calling and ready to give up. To be honest, some clients, financially, mentally, and physically have no other option. People are going through a very tough employment and financial (Stock and Real Estate) time. They are seeing the banks getting bailed out as well as other large corporations by the government but no help to them. There jobs are being taken overseas or eliminated altogether.

The last sellers I try to allow them to see the "Big Picture" and not just the current situation they are in. As long as they can see the Big Picture they can move forward and move onto the next journey in their life!