WELCOME
From Carla

Welcome to our Communiqué!

Dear Readers,

So much has been happening this year for our office. We have added real estate auction services to better serve Southwest Florida’s market; we have combined our office locations to better serve and be more efficient; we’ve increased our efforts to keep you informed about upcoming opportunities in real estate purchases, sells and rentals; and we have committed ourselves to serving all your real estate needs.

We are very optimistic about the real estate market in Florida and welcome the opportunity to talk with you further about your needs and concerns.

We sincerely hope that when you have any questions about auctions, selling, listing or purchasing real estate that you will give us a call. We are always happy to assist you.

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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Ask Carla!

Dear Carla,

My husband, Mark and I, recently got married and now we’re trying to decide if we should purchase a home or continue renting.  How do we know if we’re ready to buy?
Carol

Dear Carol:

The decision to buy a home is one of the most important choices of your life, therefore it needs careful consideration.  There are many tools and articles that you can find online.  Here’s a checklist that will be helpful:

1. You are familiar with the market. You pay close attention to how much houses are listed for in the neighborhoods you are eyeing. You have a realistic view of how much a house will cost.
2. You have saved the money for a down payment and closing costs. According to the value of the property, your down payment typically ranges from 3 to 10 percent. Closing costs are between 2 to 7 percent of the property value.
3. You know how much home you can afford. As a general guide, your monthly mortgage payment should be less than or equal to about a quarter of your gross monthly income.
4. You know what additional expenses come with owning a home. This list includes homeowners insurance, property taxes, utility bills, and maintenance costs.
5. Your credit is in good shape and your credit report is accurate. Potential lenders will look at your credit history to determine whether they will give you a loan.
6. You have not made any recent major purchases, particularly a vehicle. If you do, you may have a harder time getting a loan or you may be approved for a lower amount than you expected.

Once you decide you are ready, you'll need to consider hiring a real estate professional. Carla Bonten Realty Inc. has highly trained and experienced agents ready to assist you with your purchase.  Whether buying your first home or a house for your vacation needs, Carla Bonten Realty Inc. is ready to assist you. Contact us at 1-888-9BONTEN or sales@carlabontenrealty.com

Sincerely,
Carla

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Real Estate Leaders

Beverly Glazier was the Top Listing Agent for June.
Glazier is a longtime resident of Bonita Springs , and her real estate career began upon her relocation to the area.  At one time she owned and operated a local real estate construction and sales business which sold real estate and built single family homes, condo’s and commercial buildings in addition to operating a rental division of the business.  Glazier has obtained G.R.I. certificates and she took two graduate courses.  She has served the Bonita Springs Board of Realtors in numerous capacities, including Secretary, Executive Officer, Board of Directors and President of the Board.  Glazier specializes in selling condo’s throughout Southwest Florida and her experience and knowledge of the area is an advantage to anyone looking for property.

Cary Meeks was the Top Sales Agent for June. 
Meeks was born and raised in Texas . He has an extensive military career serving our country for over twenty-two years, in Korea , Vietnam and in Germany .  Following his army career he worked in the printing industry. During that time he traveled extensively around the United States , Canada , Mexico and even Puerto Rico . Meeks began his career in Real Estate in Connecticut where he sold properties for four years before deciding to relocate to the sunny state of Florida .  He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and the Graduate Realtor Institute. Meeks is also a member of the Bonita Springs-Estero Board of Realtors.

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Are Florida Real Property taxes paid as of the date of closing?

By: Demian Kruchten, Attorney at Law

Sometimes questions may seem simple, but often times it is the simple questions that confuse buyers the most at closing. I was asked recently to explain how property taxes are handled at a closing as a client was unsure of what they would be paying.

The answer is pretty simple but one to keep in mind when calculating monies needed to close on a property.  Florida Real Property taxes are paid in arrears and normally they are prorated as of the date of closing. Usually a Tax Proration Agreement is used since we will not know what the exact tax amount will be until after the tax bill is issued around November 1 each year. And remember, it is always a good idea to ask when you are unsure of something regarding your closing. The better informed and educated you are the better you will feel after any legal transaction.

Make sure you always get legal council when signing any legal document, be safe – not sorry!

Kruchten Law Firm

975 6th Ave., So., Ste. 200
Naples, FL 34102
239-775-8962
239-793-6971

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A look at your health…

• waist circumference greater than or equal to 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men),
• fasting blood glucose of greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL,
• triglycerides greater than or equal to 150 mg/dL;
• blood pressure greater than or equal to 135/85 mmHg, and
• HDL “good” cholesterol below 40mg/dL for men or below 50 mg/dL for women.

Results from the Framingham Heart Study’s “Soft Drink Consumption and Risk of Developing Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors and the Metabolic Syndrome in Middle Aged Adults in the Community," was published online in Circulation yesterday.

“Other studies have shown that the extra calories and sugar in soft drinks contribute to weight gain, and therefore heart disease risk,” said Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., Director, NHLBI. “This study echoes those findings by extending the link to all soft drinks and the metabolic syndrome.”

While the authors acknowledge that the increased risk of metabolic syndrome associated with high-calorie, high-sugar regular soft drinks might be expected, the similar risk found among those drinking diet sodas is more challenging to understand, they say. It is worth noting that dietary patterns are similar across drinkers of both regular and diet soft drinks.

Although the study included only middle-aged people, it is presumed to present a warning for all adults.

Resources:

Aim for Healthy Weight.

Your Guide to Healthy Heart.

Diseases and Conditions Index
– Metabolic Syndrome.

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Auctioneers by Carla Bonten, Inc.
Now Accepting Properties for
October’s REAL Estate Auction 

Auctioneers by Carla Bonten , Inc. is accepting residential and commercial land, single family homes, estates and liquidation sales for their upcoming event scheduled for October 13^th in Southwest Florida .

Auctioneers by Carla Bonten , Inc. offers customized marketing programs specifically designed to attract the largest possible pool of qualified buyers. Through the competitive bidding process, buyers and sellers quickly learn what the market will pay for a property.

Sellers who are motivated and have not received offers so far through their real estate agent may consider auctions as another viable way to sell their property.  The seller only pays a 1% commission if the property sells.

Bonten is a member of both the National Auctioneers Association and the Florida Auctioneers Association.  She also offers her auctioneering services to local charity and non-profit fundraisers as an additional community service. Organizations who are interested in auctions as a means of fundraising can schedule Carla’s services at no charge.  For more information, call 239-949-9122 or email Carla Bonten (Broker/Licensed Auctioneer AU 3638 AB 2616) at sales@carlabontenrealty.com.

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WORLD’S LEADING CHARITY WINE AUCTION
 Adds Hollywood Glamour
TO FANTASY AUCTION LOTS

The Naples Winter Wine Festival, the most successful charity wine auction in the world, unveiled highlights of its eighth annual festival to be held Jan. 25 – 27, 2008 in Naples, Florida. Widely known for offering stunningly unique and highly prized auction lots, including luxury wines, exclusive trips and other opulent fare, festival organizers are avidly collecting the ultimate in bidding experiences.

Among the 70 auction lots will be super-fantasy lots that include Hollywood excitement: a walk-on role on a hit ABC -TV show coupled with four tickets to the Academy Awards ceremony and the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscar Party; and another lot featuring a walk-on role on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning TV show “24” starring Kiefer Sutherland.

Prized wine lots include magnums of the California cult cab Screaming Eagle; other large-format bottles of special vintages from wineries around the world, including Fontodi from Italy and Torbreck from Australia; rare verticals and other wines especially produced for the festival by esteemed vintners such as Araujo Estate Wines, Colgin Cellars and Harlan Estate.

Ultra-trips will send winning bidders on exclusive excursions to locales such as the Galapagos Islands , Dubai and Argentina . And a lucky bidder will drive home a specially inscribed Maserati Gran Turismo Coupe.

Each year, some of the most highly regarded vintners from around the world and the finest, most highly acclaimed chefs in the U.S. participate in the festival. For the 2008 gala, 29 vintners and 17 chefs will contribute their time, talent and resources.

John and Doug Shafer of Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley , a father-and-son team, have been named the gala’s featured vintners. Among the winery’s most distinguished wines are Shafer cabernets, which have been called “undeniably one of the New World ’s most profound Cabernet Sauvignon” by leading wine expert Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio has been named Chef de Cuisine for 2008. Colicchio, one of the culinary world’s most celebrated figures, is head judge on the popular Bravo TV show “Top Chef” and chef/owner of the highly regarded Craft Restaurants. “Tom, John and Doug are among an incredible group of chefs and vintners who will create the ultimate in dining for our guests,” said Gunther. “We are very pleased to welcome them and immensely grateful for their generosity.”

The Naples Winter Wine Festival is the most successful charity wine auction in the world. Ranked by the Luxury Institute as a top 10 arts and entertainment event for wealthy Americans, it was founded by and is hosted annually in Naples , Florida., by trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. Their vision was to create an exquisite event that would raise funds for area charities that assist underprivileged and at-risk children. Since trustees founded the festival in 2001, more than $55 million has been raised toward making a profound and sustainable difference for children in need.

Attendance at the festival is limited to approximately 550 individuals. Ticket packages are $7,500 per couple; $20,000 for reserved seating at the same vintner dinner for two couples. For a schedule of 2008 festivities and more information about how you may attend or get involved, contact the Naples Winter Wine Festival office at 888-837-4919 or visit www.napleswinefestival.com

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Dancing for fun and exercise

Dance like no one is watching… that statement is used quit a bit to convey the message of enjoyment.  If you dance as though no one is watching, you are most likely letting go and enjoying yourself to the fullest.

So many of us stop dancing as we age and forget how invigorating and delightful dancing can be. We forget that it takes a lot of energy, burns a lot of calories and is quit good for us. Why did we forget? Did we get too busy with our lives to remember the simple pleasures and health rewards that dancing can bring?

If you aren’t dancing now you may want to consider this activity. Surveys show that dancing is quit good for you. It is good for the mind, spirit and body. Dancing can be a stress reliever, a muscle builder and total aerobic workout depending on the type of dance you participate in.

There are numerous places to dance, take dance lessons and enjoy dancing in Southwest Florida and around the country.  The website below gives some local Southwest Florida options, be sure to search the web for dance lessons and dancing opportunities in your area. Remember… dance like no one is watching… in other words, enjoy yourself!

http://www.dancinglist.com

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AREA ACTIVITIES & EVENTS:
September & October

At the Barbara B. Mann
September 20, 2007
BRIAN REGAN
Comedy Central’s Brian Regan will perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30PM .
Brian Regan is one of the hottest comedians performing today. Known for his clean act that delves into the simple but comical aspects of human behavior, both adult and child, Brian Regan the comedian almost never was. In the early 80's, Regan started performing at a small comedy club in Ft. Lauderdale, an hour's drive from his hometown of Miami, and found plenty of work in the booming 80's comedy world. By the early 90's, Regan had developed into one of the best stand-up comedians in the country and began nailing down national TV appearances: MTV Half Hour Comedy Hour, Pat Sajak, Arsenio Hall, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  Tickets on sale by calling 239-481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Outdoor Family Movie Night
September 22, 2007
Cambier Park , Naples
This is a free event showing a movie on a large inflatable screen located at Cambier Park next to the Bandshell.  For more information contact Kell Lee at 239-213-3051  

At the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre August 23 – September 29
I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!
Off Broadway's longest running musical comes to Broadway Palm. This hilarious musical comedy delves into dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws. As a "season opener special" all tickets are just $35 for dinner and show.  Call 239-278-4422 for more information or online at www.broadwaypalm.com.

 Florida Repertory Theatre
September 18 – October 7, 2007
ROMEO AND JULIET
This revitalization of Shakespeare’s beloved story is set in modern-day Harlem . The 90-minute show runs without intermission. The production features a cast of African-American and Hispanic actors. Tickets are $15 to $38. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. , with 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday, Sunday, and selected Saturdays.   The theater is located at 2267 First Street in Ft. Myers .  For tickets call 239-332-4488 or online at www.floridarep.org .

The Naples Players (at the Sugden Community Theatre)
October 24 – November 17, 2007
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
This literary classic earned its reputation for all the right reasons: Williams’ brilliant writing in the nearly-autobiographical script; the nostalgic story of the Wingfield family, trapped by their dreams in their seedy St. Louis apartment; the sheer theatricality of this memory play as it revisits the life of a man torn between the lure of freedom and the burden of responsibility toward his mother and sister.  Tickets on sale by calling 239-434-7340 or visit online at www.naplesplayers.com

Collier County Museum
October 1 – October 31, 2007
FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA ART SHOW
Located 2 miles East of downtown Naples in the Collier County Government complex, at the junction of U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail East) and Airport-Pulling Road .   For more information call 239-774-8476 .

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