2017 B.E.A.R. Leadership Academy

I am very honored to have been among an incredible group of talented individuals this past six months, as members of the 2017 Leadership Academy of the Bonita Springs-Estero Association of Realtors.

This morning was graduation, during the monthly BEAR Breakfast Meeting. Today's event took place at Miromar Lakes Golf and Beach Club in Estero.

A few shout outs.... Roger Brunswick, our outgoing association president, is a great friend and colleague within my John R. Wood Properties office. Roger, thank you for a tremendous year at the helm of BEAR. And to Corlin Tucker, Chris Blondin, Brooke Pearson and Erica Bernhardt, thank you for your great coaching and guidance as committee members steering this year's Leadership Team. We benefited from all of your input. Thank you!

Remember Our Veterans -- 2017

Very special Veterans Day greetings to all who have served, and for those who have gone before us in the fight for freedom.

'GREEN' Is The Way To Go

So last week, I received news that I have been certified by the National Association of Realtors as a "GREEN" REALTOR. This is a rather rare designation, but one that is growing across the United States.

The GREEN revolution in real estate is picking up steam and is not going to back off. More and more buyers want properties that are constructed from sustainable materials, and to make their existing homes and buildings more energy efficient, through the use of Low-E windows, geothermal heating, solar panels, and more.

 
GREEN-certified REALTORs are unique in that we have a better understanding of the cost savings of making existing homes more green, and how green homes -- whether existing or new construction -- command higher premiums because of the increasing demand from a public that is more aware of our environment. Hours of specialized training was part of earning this designation, with an entire day spent at Babcock Ranch in Punta Gorda, FL -- America's first entirely solar-powered town.

As I mentioned, more and more consumers want to go green. Many do it for the cost savings. Others do it because of the growth of use of sustainable materials. And some home buyers just want to feel like they are making a difference.

For more information, or for a tour of energy efficient homes in Southwest Florida, call or email me!
It would be my honor to assist you in your search.

Hurricane IRMA Aftermath: What Next For SW Florida Real Estate?

Except for piles of debris that will be removed in the coming weeks and months, some commercial signage that needs to be repaired, and the occasional palm tree that is pushed askew, for the most part you would never know a Category 3-4 hurricane roared directly through here on September 10. The impact from Hurricane Irma on the Southwest Florida real estate market will not be fully known for several months.

As expected, the event substantially affected the month of September. Residents evacuated in large numbers, many businesses were without power and had to remain closed for prolonged periods, and real estate closings scheduled to occur during the month had to be delayed. The result was that closings in the Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero combined market were down 35% for the month when compared with September 2016, and Marco Island closings were down more than 50%. In the coming months, we will carefully monitor data on all listing and sales activity by area and price range to help us fully understand the impact of the storm based on specific segments of the market. 

I am optimistic. At the time of this report, all signs point to a busy season. Car carriers are unloading cars daily. Buyers are arriving daily and making purchases, and many winter residents are completing clean-up to their property and preparing them for the market. Restaurants and other businesses are back in full swing, and traffic is heavier than a month or two ago.

The fact that there was, with few exceptions, virtually no structural damage to homes, but instead we saw landscape damage and damage to pool cages, has actually spurred buyers to pull the trigger. Credit that to stronger building codes in the wake of Hurricane Andrew in the early 1990s. That quality is translating to assurance for buyers.

Further, the infusion of Federal and private insurance monies continues to pump life into the market. People need homes but, just as importantly, a new demographic is going to have the money to "move up." Investors are smart folks -- for the most part. Many who saw what happened after Andrew, and even in the year 2006 following Wilma, will jump at the opportunity to invest.

We have a vibrant stock market, national unemployment under 4.5 percent, and we live or own in that slice of Paradise everyone wants.

If you are considering buying or selling a property in Southwest Florida, it would be my honor to assist you!

Little Rain and Wind Event In SW Florida

So as you may know, we had a little rain and wind event along the Paradise Coast.

Power is out in many areas, but roads are more passable now than they were early this morning. Power is out in Estero. Parts of Bonita Springs and Naples have power, but mostly it is out. Bonita has a lot of flooded homes east of US 41 and east of I 75. Marco Island has a lot of water in the streets, and took a direct hit from the eye. Of course, the eye rolled right over our neighborhood in Naples. Lost a tree and some damage to the pool cage, but all seems to be in order otherwise. MOST THANKFUL that the storm surge did not reach our development. Of course, no power and gasoline is in short supply.

Collier water system is damaged so we are boiling water. FPL says power will be restored within a week. That would be amazing!!! Many Publix grocery stores opened today. The Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport is opening late today.

More to come. We will rebuild our beautiful oasis along the Gulf of Mexico.....

#NaplesStrong #MarcoIslandStrong #EsteroStrong #BonitaSpringsStrong

OPEN HOUSE 1-4 PM TODAY: 9900 White Sands Place, Bonita Springs FL 34135 (Spanish Wells)

Last week you needed a kayak or waverunner to reach me at my Open House in Spanish Wells. Well, TODAY is a new day!

Today from 1-4 it will be dry (as it is this Sunday morning). And from 1-4 pm you owe it to yourself to stop out to 9900 White Sands Place in Bonita Springs, FL. I'll be holding open a gorgeous 4-bedroom pool home, situated on the Spanish Wells golf club course. Beautifully decorated, the owners have told us to GET THIS HOME SOLD! Offered at $535,000.

I would be honored if you visited me today in Bonita Springs. Or if another style of home is more to your taste, let me know. I'll be glad to assist you in finding your piece of Paradise!

For a full description of this home, please CLICK HERE.

Last Week At Florida Realtors 2017 Convention & Expo In Orlando

Last week, taking a momentary break on Day 1 of a 2-day, jam-packed conference agenda.