Jeff Ross’ 21-foot boat draws 20 inches of water but gets more hang time by comparison on its davit than an NFL punt because of silt in the canal behind his home.
At high tide he can go boating, but low tide could keep him at bay if he doesn’t get back in time.
“I can just about walk across my canal,” Ross said about low tide conditions.
But relief is coming as dredging is planned.
“We are hopeful about having an actual contract document in place for the middle of March and to get it to the council by the end of March for approval,” said city business manager Mike Ilczyszyn.
Negotiations were reaching a conclusion last week to have Gator Dredging remove blockages in southeast Cape Coral over the next year. Gator already has mapped trouble spots in the southeast and is mapping the southwest section as well. The maps will be used to create a dredging plan to clear canals every three years or so.
Ross learned last week that his 50-foot-wide canal between the Coralwood Shopping Center and Four Mile Cove Eco Preserve will be done sometime in the next year.
“I figure by next Memorial Day I could have some relief,” Ross said. “Cape Coral should be a boaters’ haven. If they do what they say they’re going to do I think they’re on the right track.”
“I feel fairly confident that we’re headed down the right road,” said City Councilman Marty McClain, whose district includes Ross’ canal.
McClain credited former City Manager Gary King’s administration for getting the master plan work started.
“We’ve yet to see the fruits of those efforts,” McClain said. “Once we get everything laid out I’ll be encouraging the staff to publish the timeline for dredging the canals.”
The public should realize dredging is done only in navigable waters, McClain said. That means the city isn’t responsible for dredging silt accumulating under boat lifts, McClain said.
Generally, dredging occurs in the center 50 percent of the canal, city spokeswoman Connie Barron said.
“In no case can they go closer than 20 feet from each shoreline per our Army Corps of Engineers permit,” Barron said.
The city’s general fund will pay for the work, McClain said. But the city might consider a fee someday for canalfront property owners to fund the work in the future.
Ross said he’s willing to listen to such a proposal.
“You get what you pay for and I don’t believe in a free ride,” Ross said.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Edison & Ford Winter Estates annual antique car show Saturday February 18, 2012
A record number of antique cars will be at the Annual Edison Ford Antique Car Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
A new feature of the event is the addition of antique boats on display. Owners will be on hand to visit with guests and answer questions. Admission to the car show is included in the price of all Edison Ford tour tickets or visitors can purchase a special ticket for the event.
In addition to the car show, other special programs during the day include:
Model T Tour and Lecture with Edison Ford staff and car owners at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Antique boats
Live music
Henry and Clara Ford leading informal tours throughout the event
Food served on the Ford Cottage Terrace
A portion of the proceeds from the Edison Ford Antique Car Show will benefit the restoration of the antique car collection of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
A new feature of the event is the addition of antique boats on display. Owners will be on hand to visit with guests and answer questions. Admission to the car show is included in the price of all Edison Ford tour tickets or visitors can purchase a special ticket for the event.
In addition to the car show, other special programs during the day include:
Model T Tour and Lecture with Edison Ford staff and car owners at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Antique boats
Live music
Henry and Clara Ford leading informal tours throughout the event
Food served on the Ford Cottage Terrace
A portion of the proceeds from the Edison Ford Antique Car Show will benefit the restoration of the antique car collection of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Lee County Parade of Homes 2012 parade of Homes
Lee County Parade of Homes
The Lee County Building Industry Association is currently hosting the 2012 Parade of Homes. There are 42 different furnished models open to the public, showcasing some of the best new residential construction in our area. The event is free to the public and scheduled for "the first three weekends in February", specifically Thursday thru Sunday which offers plenty of time to download the Event map and go check out these beautiful homes NOW!http://www.bia.net/poh/documents/MAPS_2012ParadeWebsite_web.pdf?utm_source=Kathy%27s+Friends&utm_campaign=aed7f9e7d2-Newsletter_for_February_20122_6_2012&utm_medium=email
The Lee County Building Industry Association is currently hosting the 2012 Parade of Homes. There are 42 different furnished models open to the public, showcasing some of the best new residential construction in our area. The event is free to the public and scheduled for "the first three weekends in February", specifically Thursday thru Sunday which offers plenty of time to download the Event map and go check out these beautiful homes NOW!http://www.bia.net/poh/documents/MAPS_2012ParadeWebsite_web.pdf?utm_source=Kathy%27s+Friends&utm_campaign=aed7f9e7d2-Newsletter_for_February_20122_6_2012&utm_medium=email
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Agents Make Unexpected Finds in Foreclosures
Agents Make Unexpected Finds in Foreclosures
Watch for skeletons in the closet, literally. More real estate professionals are reporting making horrifying finds in abandoned, foreclosed homes, including the skeletons of the home’s former owners.
A Milwaukee real estate agent recently reported finding the body of the deceased owner on the stairs in an abandoned home. The body of the owner, who authorities say committed suicide, was believed to be in the home for up to four years before the agent recently found it.
In another incident, a real estate agent in Notting Hill, London, was showing potential home buyers a home when they stumbled upon what they thought was a home owner asleep on the couch. But the owner actually was dead.
In Janesville, Wis., an agent and her potential buyers also found the owner deceased in the bedroom of the home. Another real estate agent also said she once found a home owner deceased on the toilet.
Source: “Man’s Death Goes Unnoticed for Years,” HuffingtonPost.com (Feb. 7, 2012) and “Homebuyers’ House Tour Includes Dead Body,” AOL Real Estate
A Milwaukee real estate agent recently reported finding the body of the deceased owner on the stairs in an abandoned home. The body of the owner, who authorities say committed suicide, was believed to be in the home for up to four years before the agent recently found it.
In another incident, a real estate agent in Notting Hill, London, was showing potential home buyers a home when they stumbled upon what they thought was a home owner asleep on the couch. But the owner actually was dead.
In Janesville, Wis., an agent and her potential buyers also found the owner deceased in the bedroom of the home. Another real estate agent also said she once found a home owner deceased on the toilet.
Source: “Man’s Death Goes Unnoticed for Years,” HuffingtonPost.com (Feb. 7, 2012) and “Homebuyers’ House Tour Includes Dead Body,” AOL Real Estate
Mortgage Applications Soar 7.5% on Low Rates
Mortgage Applications Soar 7.5% on Low Rates
Record low mortgage rates are creating more demand for mortgage applications. The Mortgage Bankers Association reports in its most recent weekly mortgage market survey that loan application volume increased 7.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to one week earlier.
Refinance activity was due to most of that increase last week. Applications for refinancings increased 9.4 percent compared to a week earlier, while applications for purchases only ticked up slightly at 0.1 percent.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage on conforming loans reached its lowest rate in the survey’s history last week -- falling from 4.09 percent to 4.05 percent. Freddie Mac was reporting even lower for the week ending Feb. 2, with 30-year rates averaging 3.87 percent nationwide.
Source: “Mortgage Applications Surge on Low Interest Rates,” HousingWire (Feb. 8, 2012)
Refinance activity was due to most of that increase last week. Applications for refinancings increased 9.4 percent compared to a week earlier, while applications for purchases only ticked up slightly at 0.1 percent.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage on conforming loans reached its lowest rate in the survey’s history last week -- falling from 4.09 percent to 4.05 percent. Freddie Mac was reporting even lower for the week ending Feb. 2, with 30-year rates averaging 3.87 percent nationwide.
Source: “Mortgage Applications Surge on Low Interest Rates,” HousingWire (Feb. 8, 2012)
Monday, February 6, 2012
More Housing Aid For Military Families
More Housing Aid For Military Families
A nonprofit organization is expanding its services to help military home owners who are at risk of foreclosure due to relocation for their jobs or other circumstances.
Hope Now is an alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, nonprofit counselors, and others aimed at helping home owners who are struggling with their mortgage.
The alliance recently met for a two-day conference in Washington, D.C., to brainstorm how to specifically address housing aid for military families. “The current housing crisis has created a separate set of challenges for home owners in the military,” John Dalton, president of the Housing Policy Council, said during the meeting.
A group of judges, attorneys, state housing agencies, and others created documents with contact information that finance managers and military attorneys can use when assisting military families who are at risk of foreclosure.
Hope Now also plans to sponsor outreach events at four military bases early this year, offering more assistance to military families struggling to make their mortgage payments.
Source: Hope Now
Hope Now is an alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, nonprofit counselors, and others aimed at helping home owners who are struggling with their mortgage.
The alliance recently met for a two-day conference in Washington, D.C., to brainstorm how to specifically address housing aid for military families. “The current housing crisis has created a separate set of challenges for home owners in the military,” John Dalton, president of the Housing Policy Council, said during the meeting.
A group of judges, attorneys, state housing agencies, and others created documents with contact information that finance managers and military attorneys can use when assisting military families who are at risk of foreclosure.
Hope Now also plans to sponsor outreach events at four military bases early this year, offering more assistance to military families struggling to make their mortgage payments.
Source: Hope Now
Beat the Competition in Buying Foreclosures and How to Buy a Foreclosure
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Beat the Competition in Buying Foreclosures
While bank-owned homes are plentiful in many markets, they aren’t always easy for a buyer to get. Foreclosure sell at bargain prices — sometimes at 35 percent discounts when compared to nonforeclosures. These ultra-low prices are attracting investors and all-cash offers, which makes it difficult for other buyers' bids to win out.
So how can your buyers beat the competition to get a foreclosure?
Get the first look: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s First Look program offers first-time home buyers and others who need financing and are looking for a primary residence the first opportunity to see bank-owned homes before investors. Buyers have a 15-day window to submit offers before investors have the opportunity to start bidding.
Submit a competitive offer: Homes priced at heavy discounts can be in high demand and attract multiple bids. Lowball offers won’t likely get far. Some housing experts suggest starting with your best offer. "My advice is to offer the most you feel you would ever pay for the property," said one recent buyer of a foreclosure.
Make a large deposit: If a buyer wants to get the banks attention, they could offer a larger than typical good-faith deposit. But if the buyer has to back out of the deal for some reason, he or she may be at risk of losing the deposit.
Even if your buyers really want the property, don’t let them cave in to unreasonable demands, like waiving a home inspection. Otherwise, it may be a decision they quickly regret if the home is later found to be ripe with problems.
Source: “How to Beat the Competition and Buy a Foreclosure,” Sun Sentinel (Fla.) (Feb. 5, 2012)
So how can your buyers beat the competition to get a foreclosure?
Get the first look: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s First Look program offers first-time home buyers and others who need financing and are looking for a primary residence the first opportunity to see bank-owned homes before investors. Buyers have a 15-day window to submit offers before investors have the opportunity to start bidding.
Submit a competitive offer: Homes priced at heavy discounts can be in high demand and attract multiple bids. Lowball offers won’t likely get far. Some housing experts suggest starting with your best offer. "My advice is to offer the most you feel you would ever pay for the property," said one recent buyer of a foreclosure.
Make a large deposit: If a buyer wants to get the banks attention, they could offer a larger than typical good-faith deposit. But if the buyer has to back out of the deal for some reason, he or she may be at risk of losing the deposit.
Even if your buyers really want the property, don’t let them cave in to unreasonable demands, like waiving a home inspection. Otherwise, it may be a decision they quickly regret if the home is later found to be ripe with problems.
Source: “How to Beat the Competition and Buy a Foreclosure,” Sun Sentinel (Fla.) (Feb. 5, 2012)
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