Naples Bonita Springs Estero Florida

Well, at least one of the things important to me beyond friends and family is cooking! Actually, cooking is how I bring my friends and family together. Read this and the comments for a little background on this.

In a previous post a reader noticed me posed in my non-typical real-estate-agent photo standing next to a grill at my outdoor kitchen. First, I chose the picture for my Blog because everyone needs to relax and have fun and that include Realtors. I think that Blogs are a great way to get to know the person and not necessarily be another commercial advertising space. I'm realistic enough to understand that it certainly is the latter but there's no reason not to have a little fun amongst all the seriousness. I do serious very well too!

About the kitchen...after building and moving to our new home in Paradise - Naples/Estero Florida - I just had to have an outdoor kitchen. There is so much outdoor time and I wanted to be outside with our guests as much as possible while cooking. I didn't think far enough ahead (hint) to have water and drain roughed in so there's no sink. I have found that not to be too big of a problem though. Cleaning and preparing meats, veggies, and whatever are done indoors and then taken outside to cook.

The kitchen is about 14 feet long with an under counter refrigerator to the right out of view, a double burner cooktop, and a 36" grill. It's all propane. I did think far enough ahead to rough in the gas line! There are two 24" double stainless steel doors that provide access to the equipment and plenty of storage. The top and backsplash is all tumbled marble tile.

The centerpiece is the grill! It's 36" wide with three cooking zones plus a fourth zone mounted vertically at the rear for the rotisserie. I have used the rotisserie many times, It's the only way to cook a roast...heat from the side, drippings and basting juices/sauce in a pan under the roast.

There are two conventional cook zones that heat ceramic charcoal briquettes. But, the third zone is a special "searing" zone. A ceramic plate heats until it's glowing red - HOT! Put any meat on it for 1-2 minutes before each turn (three turns give you the classic "diamond" grill look rotating 45 degress each flip) and then move it to the regular zone and cook to desired temperature. It is amazing. You think you're going to ruin a great steak but not. The sear zone cooks only about 1/8" and that seals the meat so juice doesn't drain out. If you cut the meat open after four turns it is mostly all uncooked. It takes a while to get used to this.

I do grill veggies often too, but the side burners are great for cooking up corn, beans, saute onions, peppers, and mushrooms and the like.

All of the kitchen equipment is by Lynx.

Mmmmm!

Bob Pisa
bob@BobPisa.com
239 898.6865
www.BobPisa.com
www.BobPisa.Point2Agent.com

...when buying real estate?

In today's market, clearly buyers are looking for "the best deal". But what is that?

When considering any purchase there a many things that we all weigh and make decisions based on such as:
budget - determines our price range and
features - determines everything else.
There is one more, usage. How will you use the asset.

My budget, for example, is $40,000 and since I have a family I need four doors and my wife doesn't drive a standard shift so an automatic transmission is required. Lastly, I will use it to commute and for outings with the family. A Toyota Camry is and option, Hondas and Nissans too. But, auto sales haven't been great lately so I'm going to look at the C-Class "Baby Benz" and do some dealing with the dealer.

Oh, that's right...this is about real estate. However, the process is the same.

Budget - price range, usage - permanent residence or 2nd home, features - beach, pool, boating, golf...etc.

So what's important to you? Some people will buy almost anything if they are convinceded they are getting the absolute best deal. Others prioritize the features first and look for the best deal that meets the requirements. If the usage is for you and you will keep the asset at least three years, finding the absolute "bottom of the market" is not critical. You will see appreciation over the long haul and you will own and enjoy your property (the reason you bought it!). Flipping is for professionals and this is especially true in this market.

Putting all the factors together and doing the analysis so the title question is answered for you is what I do best.

• If you are looking for a REALTOR who will spend the time, listen to you, do the work, and make sound recommendations based on your needs and wants then give me a call.
• If you are looking for a REALTOR that understands the value of property as it pertains to you and your usage and this geographic area then give me a call.
• If you are looking for a REALTOR who works with partners for Title Services, Mortgage Loans, and can help mange the whole process start to finish then give me a call.
• If you are looking for a REALTOR to simply ask some questions then give me a call.

Southwest Florida - Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero

Bob Pisa, REALTOR, e-PRO
239 898-6865
www.BobPisa.com
www.BobPisa.point2agent.com
bob@BobPisa.com

This is great...the hits just keep on comin'!

Dr. Hank Fishkind, well known economist in Florida of Fishkind and Addociates, Inc., in a report commissioned by Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund, Inc., titled FLORIDA REAL ESTATE MARKET REACHED BOTTOM IN 2007; MARKET EXPECTED TO RECOVER FROM "INDIGESTION, said that the markets slowed in Spring of 2007 before the subprime lending debacle, and then were hit hard in August when the crisis hit. Since then, the market has flattend out and is expected to begin [emphasis mine] to recover over the next several years.

The report analysed data for more than 30 counties and provides ecomic outlook also. "Florida is one of the leading states for job creation and outperformed the rest of the country despite the housing market meltdown," stated Fishkind. "The state's population growth also slowed, but is still nearly greater than all of the other Southeastern states put together. Florida has a very large and powerful economy that has gone through a cyclical downshift, but it is still outperforming compared to the rest of the nation."

Strongest residential area - Orlando. Excess supply of inventory - Fort Myers/Cape Coral. Major condo bust cycle - Miami-Dade.

I've looked at the sales volume data for the Naples-Bonita SPrings-Estero area and my conclusions are:
The inventory level will remain high through 2008
Sales volume will increase
Prices will generally remain flat

We are "in season" now in southwest Florida and there is no question that the activity has picked up. In the first seven days of 2008 126 properties went under contract. This is a monthly rate of more than 500. This number is some 20% above the average sales (closing) rate. per month, for all 2007.

Here we go!