Welcome to our        Communiqué!

Welcome to another edition of the Communiqué. I hope your summer is going well and that you are able to spend time with family and friends. As life gets busier and busier we try to accommodate you by making our services and website more convenient.

We hope you take advantage of our website when searching for a vacation rental, a primary or secondary home, or even a great Caribbean get-away home in Guatemala. We have it all -- local and international. We hope you enjoy this issue as it is filled with helpful hints for your financial and personal well-being.

You may send your questions, comments, requests, and change of address to newsletter@carlabontenrealty.com. And don’t forget, if you would like to explore past issues of Communiqué you may visit our newsletter archive.

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Carla Bonten Realty, Inc. News:

Carla Bonten Rentals - Your Vacation Connection Now Offering 50 % rental discounts  through November 15th.........

Carla Bonten Rentals offers the finest homes for your vacation needs.  We are proud to represent a wide range of homes --all with the style and elegance that you would expect to find in beautiful Southwest Florida. Our clientele include corporate executives from many countries around the world.

We know that moving or vacationing in a new area can be stressful, but we want you to enjoy your time in paradise. Our agents try to reduce your stress level by taking most of the work out of the process for you.

We bring comfort and familiarity to each client with our ability to represent over 14 different languages and dialects including; Dutch, German, Swedish, Polish, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, French, Japanese, Flemish, Swiss, South African, and of course, English. 

Carla Bonten Rentals has exquisite beachfront and golf community properties available for short term rentals.  From Naples and Bonita Springs to Ft. Myers Beach, we offer a variety of vacation rental options to suit any lifestyle and budget.
All of our vacation properties are exceptionally comfortable, self catering, and turn-key furnished for your maximum pleasure.

Come experience the Southwest Gulf Coast –the best that Florida has to offer. Enjoy miles of beautiful white sandy beaches, warm Gulf waters, a variety of fine dining options, and many golfing opportunities. Achieve your dream vacation through a vacation rental in paradise.

Carla Bonten Rebtal will assist you in booking your vacation rental on the beach or golf course in Bonita Springs, Naples Estero, or FT. Myers Beach Florida. Give us a call toll-free at 877-949-4960 or visit us online at www.carlabontenrentals.com.  Let us help you locate the rentals of your dreams.

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Carla Bonten Realty, Inc. is Ready to Serve You

Finding the perfect home can be a grueling and stressful experience. Let the professionals at Carla Bonten Realty, Inc. make the process easier and more convenient. We offer sales agents who are highly trained and experienced to help meet your real estate needs --and three offices that are open daily to meet the needs of your busy schedule.

We have three locations in Bonita Springs to serve you plus an office in Guatemala with agents ready to show you the other side of Guatemala – The Caribbean Side!

We are located at:
27241 Bay Landing Drive Suite 3
26105 Hickory Boulevard SW #2-3
28000 Spanish Wells Boulevard (European American Building)
Mayan Jungle Resort, Guatemala

For more information about rental or sales properties in Southwest Florida, contact us at 1-888-9BONTEN or sales@carlabontenrealty.com.

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Downtown Bonita Springs Revitalization Plan Moves Forward

It looks like the redevelopment of downtown Bonita Springs will happen, after all. On July 5th, city council members reversed their original stance and voted to move forward on the project, proposed by developer Jack Antaramian. The council’s reconsideration came following passionate pleas from residents who packed City Hall and the submission of a petition signed by more than 700 people.

The Downtown Bonita Springs Redevelopment Alliance, comprised of 60 local residents, spearheaded the effort to get council to reconsider the project. Several members of the group spoke in favor of the planned redevelopment and begged council to listen to them.

Two council members changed their minds, but two stood by their original votes to cease talks with Antaramian.

Antaranian’s Imperial Landing project proposes a mix of condominiums and commercial development. The $40 million dollar project is slated for construction on a 5.3 acre tract of land, formerly the Bamboo Village mobile home park, just off the Imperial River.

A spokesperson for Antaramian says the company will continue talks about the project with the city.

Source: Article in Bonita Banner by Melissa Cassutt Tom Hanson

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Growth in Lee and Collier Continues

Lee and Collier Counties remain attractive places to buy primary and vacation homes. Last year 28,000 new people moved to Lee County, while 12,000 full-time residents relocated to Collier County. Baby boomers are expected to keep the demand for real estate high in Southwest Florida.

As a result of the hot housing market and new construction, the overall taxable value of property in both Lee and Collier Counties has reached record levels. In Lee County, the tax-roll values jumped 38 %, to $88.2 billion in 2005. Collier County’s taxable value of property increased 25.7 % to 77.1 billion last year. Appraisers in both counties say the record numbers could lead to lower property tax rates for homeowners.

Along with new construction in Southwest Florida come new jobs. Last year, 8,600 new jobs were created in the Fort Myers Metro and 5,400 new jobs were produced in the Naples area.

Information compiled from various sources including; Collier County and Lee County Appraisers, U.S. Census Bureau

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Easy Ideas for Staging a Home for Sale

Staging a home for sale means just that…setting the stage so that a house or condominium sells faster and closer to listing price.

Staging presents a canvas and allows a buyer to paint a picture and visualize what the space would look like with their own furnishings. That does not mean showing an empty home; rather accentuating spaces within the home.

Professional stagers charge about $400 for a consultation and another $100 per hour for packing and redecorating. Most staging is simple enough to be done by an amateur.

• Clean. No home will sell with grit, mold, dirty tiles, or floors. The buyers’ eyes will focus on the dirt and not on the features of the home.
• Remove personal items. Take down family pictures and replace with used art or framed prints.
• Pack away all collections including; children’s Hot Wheels, baseball cap collections, and any other personal collections. Leave out neutral items, such as glassware or vases.
• Repaint, if necessary. Evaluate the colors of each room. Pastel colors do not sell well. Use a neutral color like beige or off-white. Remove or paint over any wallpaper, if possible.
• Pack up clutter. On a bathroom counter, leave only a small bouquet of flowers, a bar of clean decorative soap, and a clean hand towel. Store toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, medications, and hair products.
• Make a memorable first impression. In an entryway, set up a table with flowers, potpourri, or candles. Hang an attractive picture or mirror.
• Move out bulky furniture. Create little seating venues in your home with small tables and chairs.
• Add a bouquet of flowers, a small bowl of candy, or nice books to coffee or end tables.

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Is This a "Buyers’ Market"?

With a higher number of homes for sale and longer selling times, most of us here in Southwest Florida have heard the term “buyers’ market” recently. So, what constitutes a “buyers’ market?”

Most real estate professionals consider a typical market one in which homes take an average of six months to sell. If the number of homes on the market rises above six months inventory, then the market swings to the buyers’ favor. If it falls below, it swings toward the sellers’ advantage.

When there are too many homes on the market for the number of buyers this is called a “buyers’ market”. In this climate, homes begin to take longer to sell and prices start to fall.

After a record-breaking 2005, the Southwest Florida real estate market has experienced a slowdown. This summer, buyer activity has begun to pick-up, but many sellers are very motivated.

A “buyers' market” can last for a long or short period of time. Many events, from the loss of a major employer to a natural disaster, can spur this type of market.

As the climate becomes more competitive, buyers increase their demands of sellers. The nice patio furniture or washer and dryer, that normally would not be included in the purchase price of a home, now become a bargaining chip for the buyer.

The buyer also may ask the seller to provide a home warranty or to pay a higher portion of the closing costs.

Remember, the real estate market can turn on a dime. No matter what the market in Southwest Florida brings Carla Bonten Realty Inc. works hard to provide exceptional service to all of its buyers and sellers alike.

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FREE TOTE BAG
Stop by our beach office and ask for your FREE canvas tote bag.

Great for the beach or shopping and it’s yours for the just stopping by!

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Discover the Caribbean side of Guatemala!

A new luxury resort combines the casual, tropical feel of the Caribbean and the peaceful, natural feel of the Guatemalan Jungle. The Mayan Jungle Resort Marina and Golf Communities, on the East Coast of Guatemala, has unveiled the availability of single family homes, villas, and condominiums, in its two high-quality luxury communities.

Construction is underway on The San Felipe Marina at Amatique Bay and The Jaguar Golf and Country Club. Thus far, eight model homes have been officially released. They are the Virrey, Marquez, Conde, Obispo, Duquesa, Conquistador, Capitan, and the Cardenal. These residences range in size from1,250 square feet to over 5,800 square feet. Prices range from $175,000 to over $1,000,000.

The San Felipe Marina Community is a Venetian themed town featuring a world class full service marina and numerous canals. It offers 150 wet slips for yachts up to 150 feet and dry storage for boats up to 40 feet. It also has a Spa and Wellness Center, Fitness Center, Church, Business Center, Community Center, 24-hour Clinic, and Five Star Hotel. The Jaguar Community and Golf Club sits in a forest overlooking the marina town. This community features an 18-hole world class golf course. It is complemented by the Mayan themed Jaguar Golf Club, offering a restaurant, clubhouse, pro shop and store, formal dining room, cocktail lounge, tennis, squash and racquetball courts, and a business center.



For more information on the Mayan Jungle Resort in Guatemala, contact Carla Bonten Realty at sales@carlabontenrealty.com

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Preparations for Hurricane Season

Summer is a time for vacationing, but in Southwest Florida it is also a time for preparing for hurricane season. Experts say this could be another active tropical season. That means now is the time to prepare your home and your family.

First, create a personal evacuation plan. Identify where you would go if you are forced to evacuate. Also, decide what to do with pets, if you have to evacuate.
Second, stock a disaster supplies kit for you and your family. Include non-perishable food items, a can opener, three gallons of water per person, a battery powered radio, flashlights, batteries, protective rain gear, a first aid kit, and essential medications.

Next, get the exterior of your home ready. Trim bushes or trees and remove diseased and damaged limbs, making them more wind resistant. Remove coconuts from palm trees, as they could become projectiles during a hurricane. Consider additional wind protection (i.e. hurricane shutters) for your home.

Make a comprehensive list of the contents of your home. Take pictures or make a video, showing every room of your home. Insurance will need a detailed description of any items damaged or destroyed during a storm.
Finally, check your insurance policy. Make sure you have enough insurance to cover both the structure and its contents. Consider flood insurance. Remember, most insurance policies do not cover flood damage –even if it is from a hurricane.

Visit the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org for additional hurricane preparation information. 

Sources: American Red Cross

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Enjoy the summer, but care for your skin

Want to stay young looking? Pamper your skin! In the summer, your skin is exposed constantly to various types of pollutants and other harmful toxins; therefore it is important to treat it with extra care.

Wash your face with lukewarm water to remove dirt and open clogged pores. Never wash your face with hot or cold water, as they can cause broken capillaries on the skin. Use a mild cleanser suitable for your skin type.  Don’t forget to wash your face before going to bed and in the morning. Never go to bed with makeup on your face.

Give your skin a dry exfoliation brush. This process is essential to keeping your face bright and glowing. Exfoliation removes the dead superficial skin cells and makes way for the new skin cells to appear. It also improves the blood circulation. Use a soft natural bristle brush for dry exfoliation. If your skin is oily, exfoliate at least 4-5 times a week. If you have dry sensitive skin, exfoliate once or twice per week.

To keep your skin soft, make sure to moisturize. Moisturizers help draw and seal moisture into the skin. This rejuvenates skin cells and makes the skin feel smooth. Don’t overdo it, as this can result in clogging of the pores. Select a moisturizer, which suits your skin type. To protect your skin from sun damage, choose a moisturizer with sunscreen.

Invigorate your skin by massaging it in a slow circular motion. This improves the circulation and prevents the formation of wrinkles.

Finally, rev up your digestion. Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced and healthy diet. Avoid oily and junk food. This prevents constipation and other digestive problems --which are the main cause of skin ailments like acne, pimples, etc.

Article Source: ArticleWorld.net 

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Real Estate Disclosures

By: Demian Kruchten – Kruchten Law Firm

As a home seller you may want top dollar for a place that has created a lot of memories for your family. Remember, even though it could affect the value or desirability of your property, you are obligated to disclose certain problems. In fact, it is illegal to fraudulently conceal any major physical defects in your home.

You must disclose information within your personal knowledge, but that doesn’t mean you need to hire inspectors to find problems you never had an inkling existed. If you have a question about whether or not to disclose something to potential buyers, it is best to tell all. This will protect you from legal problems later.

And remember, just because you disclose a problem doesn't mean you must repair or correct it. You and your buyer can use the disclosed item as a point of negotiation.
If you are selling a house built before 1978, you must comply with a federal law regarding lead-based paint. You must:

• disclose all known lead-based paint and hazards in the house

• give buyers a pamphlet prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
• include certain warning language in the contract, as well as signed statements from all parties verifying that all requirements were completed
• keep signed acknowledgements for three years as proof of compliance
• allow buyers a ten-day opportunity to test the house for lead.

If you fail to comply with Title X requirements, the buyer can sue you for triple the amount of damages actually suffered.

Disclosures must be on special forms that both the seller and buyer sign and date.

Check with your real estate broker or attorney for all required disclosures.

Kruchten Law Firm
975 6th Avenue South, Ste. 200
Naples, FL 34102
239-775-8962
239-793-6971

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AREA ACTIVITIES & EVENTS:

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre


August 17 – September 30: Smoky Joe’s Café.  Broadway Palm’s 14th season kicks off with this 50’s rock n’ roll musical revue. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evening with matinees Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Ticket prices range from $25 to $50 with group and children’s prices available.  For more information: 239-278-4422 or online at www.BroadwayPalm.com.

Bonita Center for the Arts
Through August 18 – Art League of Bonita Springs; Imaginary Spaces & Places on display.  The Magic of Architecture evokes the imagination and asks “what if I could build anything?” The exhibit includes the creative results from architects, designers, and students from around the globe – all competitors in a contest by Architectural Design.  The center is located at 26100 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.  For more information call 239-495-8989 or online at www.artcenterbonita.org.

Naples Conservancy
MADE FOR EXPLORING Nature Tours: Short trails loop through the 14-acre Conservancy Nature Center in Naples, providing an inviting place to briefly escape and go exploring!  The wooded trails are dotted with interpretive signs. Meander them on your own or join a naturalist for a guided tour.  Guided trail tours are offered daily, Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For information, call 239-262-0304.

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