NBC-2 has long been considered one of the premier news organizations in SW Florida. NBC has a history of digging deep to bring to life stories that matter to the viewer, along with colorful and technical techniques that makes the story interesting.
A recent study showed NBC was the news leader in SW Florida. The Ellis Team provides data and analysis on NBC-2.com Real Estate section.
It’s no surprise certain schools made the list of top schools. Cypress Lake Middle School for example in South Fort Myers has long been a popular middle school choice among parents.
We’ll provide links here to the list, as well as a searchable database.
Last week we focused on one of Fort Myers newspapers, the Fort Myers Florida Weekly. This week we’ll provide links to the Fort Myers News Press, the long-time established Bell Weather newspaper in SW Florida. The News Press focuses on daily news and advertising, while the Florida Weekly focuses on weekly events and summary analysis.
Both are excellent newspapers and serve a varying niche. Currently the Ellis Team at RE/MAX Realty Group advertisies its properties in the News Press, however the Fort Myers Florida Weekly is an alternative and will be considered in the future.
For Better or Worse, seems like we hear that everyday. Latest numbers pulled from the MLS shows our market is no better, nor any worse than back in January 2007. There have been some changes though, and we’ll discuss them here.
The Ellis Team at RE/MAX Realty Group in Fort Myers Florida long ago developed a system that accurately gauges market activity relative to Supply levels, and we deemd this index the Current Market Index. We developed this index because it helps tell the story of where we are today, not just where we’ve been with closed sales reports. The higher the CMI Index, the more supply we have relative to demand.
| April 15, 2007 | Active | Pending | CMI |
| Single Family | 15,896 | 1,152 | 13.80 |
| Condo | 9,660 | 569 | 16.98 |
| January 23, 2007 | Active | Pending | CMI |
| Single Family | 13,769 | 1,016 | 13.55 |
| Condo | 9,002 | 529 | 17.02 |
| November 27, 2006 | Active | Pending | CMI |
| Single Family | 13,186 | 1,031 | 12.79 |
| Condo | 8,344 | 535 |
15.60 |
Since January 2007 we also changed the MLS reporting system, as the MLS of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach became part of a larger system called MLS Alliance. Local Boards no longer data share with each other, but rather this new entity. We’ve tried to align the fields up accuratley to reflect the same data, even though each Board reports slightly differently. We have no less than 6 Boards that post Lee County properties into this database, so it is broad based and very useful.
A Miami couple is alleging they were turned down by three lenders, then miraculously approved for three loans to purchase homes from Builder First Home using a mortgage company First Home’s parent company has a 49% ownership interst in.
The couple alleges that the loan officer for Builders Mortgage, LLC falsified documents and changed numbers without their knowledge to get them the loan. Of course, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, the parent company of First Home, takes issue with that fact. K. Hovanian alleges the buyer is simply trying to get out of a contract they signed.
What is true is that the SW Florida real estate market has taken a tumble, and many buyers are looking for ways to get out of closing on properties they’re under contract for. What is also true is mortgage fraud has been rampant accross the United States, particularly among investors. What is unclear is which set of facts, or both, are at play in this case involving First Home and this Miami couple.
Last week Brett Ellis, a member of The Ellis Team at RE/MAX Realty Group in Fort Myers spoke at Illinois State University’s College of Business as an Alumni for their annual Business Week Festivities.
Students, professors, alumni, and local business professionals got their chance to ask probing questions from each of the panelists about business conditions, hiring practices, competing in a changing world, and specific academic questions relating to today’s business climate.
"It was great to go back and offer insight into the real estate industry, and the business climate as a whole. It is fun to give back, expecially to such bright, inquiring, and young minds. I remember sitting in their seat 19 years ago and listening intently to any nuggets I could find.
As a leader in the real estate industry, I was able to offer information and advice on a personal level to students entering the work force. That was personally rewarding, and our way of giving back.
County Commissioners decided Tuesday to limit lawn watering to one time a day twice a week from midnight to 8 a.m. We are more than 6 inches below our normal rainfall for the year, and this is the dry time of year. Yesterday’s rains will of course help tremendously, but for how long?
Lehigh Acres has experienced dry conditions, and some have complained about well activity and their concern their wells could go dry. In fact, the Ellis Team is involved in one deal now where the seller must dig a $6,000 new well that has a bigger pipe and is deeper just to keep the deal alive. We are about 6 weeks away rom rainy season here in SW Florida, so any rain relief we receive now is welcome.
We recently came across an article recomending the Top 500 Real Estate Blogs nationwide and were suprised to see our Blog here in SW Florida mentioned, expecially coming from Pittsburgh, PA.
We are pleased and honored that our Blog made the SW Florida real estate list and we’ll continue to do our best to bring you the latest news, statistics, and analysis to the SW Florida real estate market via this Blog.
We also just made their updated 750 Blogs to watch article released yesterday from the Pittsburgh Homes Daily.
Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe this brand new 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath pool home in Gateway. From the brick paved driveway and beautifully landscaped front yard to the entry where you’re greeted with a one of a kind architectural design of columns, arches, high volume and tray ceilings, crown and base molding throughout, 22 inch tile in all wet areas and carpet in all the bedrooms, recessed lighting, and painted in a gorgeous contemporary style of warm, neutral tones. The kitchen is a taste of high class, with upgraded 42 inch, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Master suite includes his and hers walk-in closets, tray ceiling, sliding glass doors leading out to lanai and master bath with walk-around shower, garden tub, dual sinks and granite countertops. This home is a GE Smart Home design and features a multisource audio system in master bedroom, bath and lanai. Come see for yourself why we think this is a dream home come true!
Help is on the way in Lee County, as DOT plans to improve the interchanges at I-75 and Alico Road, and at Corkscrew Road. Recent building activity and growth have caused at least one of the intersections to receive a failing grade, and the other is close. It’s just too much traffic at this time for these two SW Florida intersections.
Bids should go out soon for the estimated $36 million project which has been in planning for about 10 years. The project should take about 2 years to finish and won’t affect traffic on I-75.
