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Volume 5, Issue 6 – November/December 2006
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Welcome to our Communiqué!Welcome to another edition of the Communiqué. All of us here at Carla Bonten Realty wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holiday season. Seems like yesterday that we were heading into 2006 and here it is already nearing 2007. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your business and referrals. As many of you tell us, our service is exceptional and very professional -- we really appreciate your feedback. As in most professions, we rely heavily on referrals. If you have a family member, friend or business colleague looking to relocate to Southwest Florida we would consider it an honor to assist them with their home search. I also hope you have taken advantage of the real estate market we are currently experiencing. Many of our clients are finding it now possible to move up to larger and newer homes with little difference in price. It’s a great time to buy and we are standing by to assist you whether you are buying for an investment or a primary residence. As always, we hope you enjoy this issue of the Communiqué and take advantage of our website information. ------
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, My wife and I are considering buying a home, but we are getting confused about all the different financing options. How do we find the least costly mortgage? Also, what are mortgage points? Sincerely, Congratulations on your decision to purchase a home! You are on your way to becoming a well-informed homeowner. You are right to be concerned about the costs associated with mortgages. Even a one-quarter percentage point difference in interest rates can mean a savings of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. There are many mortgage-related fees, small and large. Lenders often charge credit check fees, application fees, paperwork delivery charges, points, and private mortgage insurance. Before you sign on the dotted line, you need to fully understand what fees you are being assessed. The largest part of lender fees is usually the points. One point equals 1% of the loan principal. That means if you borrow $300,000 at two points you pay $6,000 in points. There is a direct relationship between the number of points and the interest rate. Typically, the more points you pay, the lower your rate of interest. The fewer points you pay, the higher your interest rate. In order to help consumers compare rates, lenders are required by federal law to disclose their Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The APR assumes that the loan will be paid over its entire potential life, but this is not usually the case with today’s mobile lifestyles. The APR can be misleading, because it assumes that the loan will not be paid off until the loan term ends. Also, different lenders have various ways of calculating costs included in the APR. A loan for the same dollar amount and number of points may have different APRs with different lenders. First, estimate how long you plan to own your house. The longer you pay on the mortgage; the better off you are to pay more points up front in return for a lower interest rate. If you plant to sell or refinance your house within two or three years, try to find a loan with as few points as possible. The more information you obtain about your financing options the better your chances are for a lower cost mortgage. You may want to seek the advice of a mortgage attorney to guide you through the process. Remember, a home is always a good investment for your future. Now is a good time to buy in Southwest Florida. See our article Buying Before Year’s End for real estate tax-saving tips. Thanks, ------ Advice for the First-Time Home Buyer The purchase of a first home is a big decision and a big investment. First-time home buyers should take their time and consider many things about a property before signing a purchase contract. ------ Why Should You Buy a New Home Before Jan. 1, 2007? As we near the end of 2006, it’s important to look at your plans for buying a new home and review the reasons for doing it now rather than later. If you are already thinking about purchasing a new home soon, you may want to consider doing so before December 31st. There are some tax advantages to closing on your real estate purchase prior to the year’s end. If you buy a new home before December 31st, you can pay tax-deductible expenses (such as the loan origination fee, mortgage interest, and property taxes) prior to the end of the year, reducing the impact of federal and state income tax. You also can deduct refinanced mortgage points if they are amortized over the life of the loan. As soon as you refinance you can immediately write off the balance of the old points and begin to amortize the new. ------ Get Healthy in 2007 – Plan NOW!
------ Get Moving! To reap the benefits of exercise, you have to get off the couch! Did you know that regular exercise reduces your risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and colon cancer? A good workout session improves not only the health of your muscles and bones, but also the health of your mind. It helps you maintain a healthy body weight and helps you get stronger. Finally, exercise reduces your risk of premature death. So, what are waiting for? Get moving!Source: Shape Up America! , www.shapeup.org ------
The Magic of the Mistletoe Ever wonder where the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe originated? Well with a little research we discovered that it was first associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. Some believe it has power to bestow fertility. In Scandinavia, mistletoe is considered a plant of peace, under which enemies declare a truce -- or warring spouses kiss and make-up. The 18th-century English credited mistletoe with a certain magical appeal called a kissing ball. At Christmas time, a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe could not refuse to be kissed. If the girl remained unkissed, she would not expect not to marry the following year. The custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe is still found in many European countries, Canada, and the United States. Tradition says that if a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. Why not hang a little mistletoe around the house this holiday season and see what happens... ------ |
Don’t Wait Any Longer to Buy in Paradise… the TIME is NOW! ------ You, your friends and family are invited to take a Vacation in Paradise 
Enjoy the Sunshine Riviera of Southwest Florida! Put away your winter boots and coats and grab your sunscreen and sandals. Come visit Collier and Lee Counties where the average winter temperatures are in the upper 70’s and low 80’s. The weather is ideal for playing a round of golf, relaxing by the pool, taking a dip in the Gulf of Mexico, or going for a walk on one of the area’s white sandy beaches. The Travel Channel has named the Naples Beach as America’s Best All-Around Beach. Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs has been cited by Dr. Beach as one of the top ten beaches in the country. If this sounds good to you, as it should, then Carla Bonten Rentals, Inc. can help you enjoy your stay. We offer visitors a variety of vacation rental options. All of our vacation properties are of the highest quality and are designed to suit any lifestyle or budget. They are exceptionally comfortable, self catering, and turn-key furnished for your maximum comfort. You can choose from a privately owned beach home or condominium or a villa, condominium, or home in a luxury golf course community. Our seasoned and professional rental agents will help you find the perfect fit for your vacation needs. ------ Thinking of something more tropical?
For more information on The Mayan Jungle Resort Marina and Golf Communities, call or email Carla Bonten Realty today. ----- AREA ACTIVITIES & EVENTS: At The Phil At the Barbara B. Mann Dirty Rotten Scoundrels takes the stage, December 12th-17th. This lively, funny musical is set on the glamorous Riviera. For more information, call 481-4849 or visit online at www.bbmannpah.com Naples Dinner Theatre Enjoy a musical comedy romp with Sugar, based on the film Some Like it Hot. Shows run December 14th-January 21st. For more information, call 514-STAR or visit us online at www.naplesdinnertheatre.com
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issue: Real estate news, area information, and more wonderful web
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If your New Year’s Resolution is to get healthier, you’re not alone. On January 1st of every year, millions of people resolve to change their bad eating and exercising habits. If this is the year you have decided to halt your bad habits and move forward on the good habits, here are some tips:
Thanks to a slow hurricane season and the early start to the cold weather up north, Southwest Florida is seeing part-time residents and tourists return earlier than normal. The buying pace is picking up! That’s good news for the real estate market in Lee and Collier Counties. More people in the area typically translate into more real estate sales.
How about a luxury winter escape with the tropical feel of the ocean breezes and the natural feel of the jungle? High quality homes and condominiums are now available in The Mayan Jungle Resort Marina and Golf Communities, located on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. Purchase your piece of paradise! 
Carla Bonten Realty is the exclusive broker for this spectacular ocean-side development, featuring The San Felipe Marina Community and the Jaguar Golf and Country Club. Both communities offer single family homes, villas, and condominiums, ranging in size from 1,250 square feet to over 5,800 square feet and varying in price from $175,000 to over $1,000,000. 
The San Felipe Marina Community caters to boat enthusiasts, offering a world class full service marina, a Venetian-themed town with canals, 150 wet slips for yachts up to 150 feet, and dry storage for boats up to 40 feet. The development also has a Spa and Wellness Center, Fitness Center, Church, Business Center, Community Center, 24-hour Clinic, and Five Star Hotel.
The 7th Annual Naples Winter Wine Festival is scheduled for January26-28, 2007. The three-day festival includes a luncheon; vintner dinners -prepared by the nation’s finest chefs and world-renowned vintners; and a wine-tasting, culinary showcase, and a live auction at the Naples Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. The charity event generates funds for The Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF) which distributes the money to local children’s charities. Naples Winter Wine Festival tickets are $7,500 per couple or $20,000 for reserved dinner seating for two couples. For more information about the wine festival visit 
