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Volume 5, Issue 3 - May/June 2006
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Welcome to our Communiqué!Summer is traditionally a quiet time in Florida when seasonal visitors head north to enjoy family and friends. This summer, however, is a bit different. As Southwest Florida grows, so does the demand for affordable workforce housing. Right now is a great time for residents to trade up -- by selling a smaller condo or patio home and purchasing a dream home at a great price. While there are plenty of terrific buys on the market, prospective sellers looking to move up are facing a dilemma. Will their current home sell in today’s market? If the price is right and the size of the home is in demand then the unit will sell, although it may take some time. Many people want to own a home, but there simply are not enough houses and condos for first time buyers or for renters who are ready to purchase. If your condo or small home fits this niche, please let us know. We can help you move into the home of your dreams, while also fulfilling the dreams of a new buyer. Everyone wins. Call us for more information on buying this summer season. ------ Carla Bonten Realty, Inc. News: Carla Bonten Realty Featured in Ft. Myers News-Press
The Ft. Myers News-Press recently interviewed Carla to find out how she “won” the title of exclusive broker for this luxury resort development. Click the link to read the whole article:
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As we come across interesting questions raised by clients and colleagues, we will publish them with our response for your viewing. Many questions have reoccurring themes and some are very specific -- we hope you will be able to use the information in some way or you may just choose to keep it for reference material. Dear Carla, We are having a terrible time finding a buyer for our house even though we have reduced our asking price several times. We have to move for my husband’s job and we need to sell our home very quickly. We listed the house with a real estate agent for six months, but the listing expired last month. Just last week we received a call from someone who toured our house when the agent advertised it. The interested party also called our previous agent last week, but she explained that she no longer has the listing. He got our number from the telephone book. The potential buyer wants to see the house again and sounds very interested in buying it. He also has mentioned the money we would both save by not paying a commission to a real estate agent. Yesterday, our previous agent called to tell us about the call from the potential buyer. She said that she had negotiated with him previously, but I know his name was not on the potential buyer list that we received when the listing expired. What should we do? Sincerely,
Once a listing expires, the agent must provide a list of potential buyers for whom they have interacted. However, a real estate agent’s entitlement to be paid occurs when the agent is the “procuring cause of sale.” This means a buyer who is “ready, able, and willing” is found through his or her efforts. Those efforts include, but are not limited to advertisements, front yard signs, face to face contact or written correspondence with potential buyers, or open houses and other showings. If it is very clear that one of the potential buyers on the list purchases the property within a specified period of time, usually six months, then a commission is owed. In this case, it appears that your agent neglected to include this potential buyer on the list, but the potential buyer did re-contact the agent. . Keep in mind that the role of an agent reaches far beyond finding the buyer. He or she assures that the contract is properly drawn, helps you negotiate the price, guides you through counter offers, and makes the path to closing smoother. Before you make your decision, talk the details of this situation over with an attorney who can help you determine if you are legally obligated to pay the commission. The wrong decision may cause the agent to initiate legal action. The right decision may be more expensive, but morally correct. ------ CONGRATULATIONS APRIL TOP PRODUCERS! April 2006 Top Listing Agent: Top Selling Agents for April 2006: The Meeks Team
The Top Selling Agents for April 2006 was John & Jeanine Galli. John has been involved with rental and commercial property since 1973. Jeanine attained her Real Estate license in 1972 and later earned her designation GRI (Graduate of the Realtors Institute). She has been active in Bonita Springs real estate since 1986. John and Jeanine Galli have been consistent multi-million dollar producers and have earned the Bonita Springs Real Estate Board's "Sales Excellence Award" every year since 1994. They are both members of the Florida Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors & the Bonita Springs-Estero Association of Realtors.
------ Gone phishing! By: Computer Concierge Some may have received an e-mail like the one shown below. Please note that this is a "phishing" email, in other words, a fraudulent attempt to obtain your personal information. How can I tell this is a fraudulent/phishing email? 1) Because it is unsolicited and it is asking you to log in to a web site to "restore your account access" (and obtain your personal information in that process) But I do not have an account with the bank mentioned in the email. Why did I get this email? In most cases, the "phishers" do not have access to any information from the "target" financial institution and are just hoping that someone in their distribution list is a client of the "target" financial institution and will fall into the trap. How did they get my email address? This is no different than any other type of spam (junk email). Many web sites you register at sell the emails they collect from their clients to spammers and spammer do "brute force attacks" (i.e., they try every possible combination of names "@" registered domains on the internet). Be careful, never give out personal information without first knowing that the request is legitimate and that you have authorized the request in the first place. ------ Enjoy a Stress Free Summer We all look forward to summer - lounging by the pool, basking in the sunshine at the beach, or taking the family on a vacation. But the summer doesn't always bring rest and relaxation. It also brings its own problems and stresses. So, how can you unplug, unwind, and enjoy summer with less stress than ever? It takes practice and patience to juggle the stress from family, home, and work. Here are some tips that may work for you.
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MAYAN JUNGLE RESORT The Mayan Jungle Resort is pleased to announce its Priority Opportunity Program (P0P) designed to enhance and expedite the procedure of purchasing a home or condo in one of its two new developments on the beautiful Caribbean coast of Guatemala.
The entire resort has been designed by the international, award winning architectural firm of Studio Urbano, pioneers in a concept referred to a “new urbanism.” One thing is for sure, once you visit, you will want to be a part of this unique, one of a kind, resort community. The POP Program is the vehicle to make this happen! The Program works like this: (forms can be accessed and completed on the Mayan Jungle web site, www.mayanjungleresort.com click on Priority Opportunity Program) Mayan Jungle will pay for your food, lodging, and transportation at the resort for two (4) days and three (3) nights. Select one of the dates on the reservation form. Fill in the required information and mail the form to the address indicated. The Resort will confirm your reservation by mail.
You will be greeted at the airport by one of our friendly staff members and board a chartered, luxurious bus for the two (2) hour trip to the Resort, at Mayan Jungle During your visit, your itinerary will include a cocktail reception, a tour of the Resort and a review of the site plan, a boat trip on the Rio Dulce, outstanding food and beverage, and enough leisure time to enjoy the beach, swimming pool, restaurants, and unbelievable scenery. ------ How to Increase Your Contributions Deduction - Legally We are already well into the 2006 tax year and it’s a good time to remind ourselves about a few things that will help us at the end of the year. Charitable contributions are one of those things that can be truly produce a "win-win" situation. They provide you an opportunity to give of your resources to a worthy cause. At the same time, they can reduce your tax liability if you follow a few rules. ------ How To Prepare Your Home For Hurricane Season It is that time of year again. Hurricane season begins June 1st and lasts until November 30th. Experts predict another active season and they say now is the time to prepare your home and your family for a possible storm. ------ Time Saving Tip When Buying a Home… ------ AREA ACTIVITIES & EVENTS: AT The Philharmonic Independence Weekend Fireworks Festivities
July 4: Fireworks at the Pier! Grab a chair or blanket and head to the beach for a spectacular 4th of July fireworks display at the Naples Pier. For more information: 239-530-6298. Summer Festivals
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As mentioned in the last Communique’, Carla Bonten Realty was selected as the world-wide broker for the Mayan Jungle Resort Marina and Golf Community in Guatemala.
The April 2006 Top Listing Agent was The Meeks Team, comprised of Cary Meeks, Gerry Meeks, Sandra McCarthy-Meeks and Tim Hewins. Each member of the Meeks Team comes to Carla Bonten Realty from various business backgrounds and they specialize in providing high-caliber service to their clients. The Meeks Team serves Bonita Springs, Naples, Estero and Fort Myers specializing in residential single family and condominium sales. As top performing agents, they are dedicated to excellence in service with a goal of building long lasting relationships with clients. Their high-tech approach to the business enables them to keep close contact with clients and to constantly learn new marketing techniques for listings. The Team particularly enjoys working with people who are relocating to the area for retirement or those who are just starting new careers in this great area. The team holds memberships with the Bonita Springs-Estero Board of Realtors, the Florida Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. 
The San Felipe Marina community features a world class marina, with 150 wet slips for yachts up to 150 feet and enclosed dry storage for boats up to 40 feet. San Felipe is community on the water with houses and condos of various sizes fronting the beach, the marina, and a network of canals. When completed, the community will feature a five star hotel, numerous swimming pools, spa, fitness/wellness center, clinic, and a variety of shops and restaurants. It will also be the home of the Amatique Bay Yacht Club.
The Jaguar Golf and Country Club community is situated in a forest just above the marina town of San Felipe. The homes and condos in this community have access to a signature, 18-hole championship golf course, a club house with a restaurant and lounge, tennis courts, spa, more swimming pools, and an equestrian center.
Make your reservation(s) on one of the flights indicated using our special fare I.D. number. You will be responsible for your own airfare which will be eimbursed if you buy a home or condo.
July 3: Baseball & Fireworks! Enjoy a star-spangled night of baseball and post-game fireworks. The Fort Myers Miracle entertain on the field at Hammond Stadium. A bedazzling fireworks display fills the skies shortly following the game. For more information: 239-768-4210.