Welcome to the only source you should ever need for real estate services covering the Bonita Springs, Naples and Fort Myers markets. Below you will find a number of sections containing useful information on buying or selling a home as well as some fantastic links to newsletters and articles about real estate in Southwest Florida. Real Estate is one of the most exciting investments one can make and should be a fun and rewarding experience. Enjoy, and please feel free to contact me if you need any assistance or would like to refer a friend or family member. I guarantee that you'll find my knowledge and services invaluable. Provide me with the opportunity to prove it today, you will not regret it.
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Useful Links:
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NEW! - Hot Real Estate News: 7/29/2008
View Market News & my Blog at www.NaplesFLAreaHomes.blogspot.com
May 13th, 2008 Update -
Fort Myers, Fl: April Home Sales Up 32% From Last Year
Inventory of unsold homes declining
The Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers & the Beach reports that a total of 684 existing single family houses were sold in April. That's a 32 percent increase in the number of single family houses sold compared to last April. In addition, 1176 single family homes are pending, reflecting a 47.2 percent upswing since April, 2007. - Special to Florida Weekly See the entire story here on my blog!
May 13th, 2008 Update - "Naples is Back!"
Robert Toll, Toll Brothers Builders CEO tells Jim Cramer on MAD MONEY that "Naples is Back!"
Watch the video by clicking HERE. See more news on my blog above!
August 2007 Update (Summary)
Two of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Nation
**Newly revised population numbers out by the Census Bureau show some astonishing growth that will certainly help pull Southwest Florida out of the housing slump. With just over 45,000 people moving to Lee & Collier county (each year) it's only a matter of time before they begin to make a significant impact on the current supply.
August 2007 Revised Census numbers:
Lee County grew by 32,247 people — or 6 percent — between 2005 and 2006, according to the revised figures which estimate the total population at 571,344. This number varies slightly from the University of Florida numbers which estimate it at 615,741 as of April 2007.
Almost half the growth was from the foreign-born population. The number of immigrants in Lee — 86,891 — grew by 21 percent in the same period and was more than double the 40,362 immigrants in 2000. More than 2/3rds (or 10,000) of the 15,000 immigrants that moved to Lee in the last year are US citizens.
New Collier 2007 stats:
Collier County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 251,377. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 314,649 (a roughly 5% increase per year or 15,000 people a year).
• The Southwest Florida regional population is projected to increase 138% from 2000 to 2030.
From 2000 to 2005, the population of Collier County, Florida grew 22%. In 2006, the population in Collier County was 319,905. Collier County population is projected to increase by more than 28% from 2003 to 2010. Collier County’s population rises by an estimated one-third to nearly 500,000 during the winter season which traditionally lasts from November through April.
• Nearly 76% of Collier County’s total population is younger than age 65. The Median age of residents in Collier County is 44.2.
© 2007 Naples Daily News and NDN Productions. Published in Naples, Florida, USA by the E.W. Scripps Co.
A few tips to consider when buying your property include:
- Make sure you are pre-approved for a mortgage.
- Whether the property has been listed for 3 days or 3 months be ready to write a contract as soon as you see the property that you like because once you decide you like it so will three other people.
- Historically low interest rates and your payments may make this the best time to purchase.
* For more great tips & info see recent Market News on my blog!
Sections of interest below:
Investment Opportunities & Statistics
Free Service & Realtors Commissions
Buyers Information
Sellers Information
Testimonials
CREED: Providing First-class services, Loyalty, Professionalism & Enthusiasm while delivering all your real estate dreams to your door.
PLEASE REMEMBER: I make a living off of your referrals! Receiving a referral from you is the best way you can let me know that I succeeded in my aspiration to earn your trust, loyalty and respect.
SERVICE AREAS & SPECIALTIES: Garren's office in Bonita Springs keeps him in the heart of Southwest Florida’s hot developments. Stretching from Cape Coral and Fort Myers, south through Naples and Marco Island defines the Southwest Florida area that is still projected to be one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the United States over the next 20+ years. While the market has recently had some much needed correction, many investors and individuals have experienced and benefited from the phenomenal appreciation in commercial and residential real estate that took place in the last decade. In a recent study of nearly 15 Southwest Florida locales, the appreciation in these areas averaged 21% per year (with a high of more than 35% per year) in a span ranging from 10 to 15 years. Garren's construction background affords him the flexibility to focus on the needs of both his residential and commercial customers as well as investors. The luxury home market is where Garren got his start, and his customers rely on his eye for detail and product knowledge to quickly locate the amenities that are of most importance to them. Each commercial land project requires his inherent knowledge of the various zoning, area demographics, traffic flow, and current growth trends required for that development or business to flourish. Along with an understanding of the building process, Garren uses his skills to quickly and effectively find the properties that meet the specifications of each individual project.
Helping Buyers Purchase is a Free Service!
What about the REALTOR's commission? Great question! Realtors can be paid by either the seller or the buyer. Although not a common practice, the buyer can pay their representative compensation for representation. This method, however, is usually seen more in commercial real estate transactions. The traditional method is for the seller to pay the selling and buying agent in a real estate transaction. When the seller chooses a Realtor to bring their home to the market place they also agree to pay a percentage of the sale price as compensation to the buyers Realtor. The listing (Seller's) Agent offers a split of the compensation to the Realtor who brings a buyer to purchase the property. This allows a Buyer to be represented in the purchase without bearing any additional expenses in the buying process. It's important to note that in this situation, the buyer's agent works for the buyer, but is compensated in full by the seller upon completion of the transaction. In most cases, this means that THE SERVICES OF THE AGENT FOR THE BUYER'S SIDE ARE OF NO COST TO THE BUYER. Much has been said about fees in the real estate business, but few people consider the work and extensive costs of advertising a property, arranging for prospect viewings or the car and office expenses incurred in the course of a REALTOR's day-to-day business. REALTORS work on commission, not salary, and get paid only after the home search is over, the contract is negotiated and the transaction is complete. Their compensation is based either on the selling price or less commonly a set fee. When two real estate firms are involved in a transaction, commissions are usually split four ways -- to the listing and selling firms and to the listing and selling salespeople. Remember: Using the services of a REALTOR will go a long way towards ensuring that the sale of your home will go as smoothly as possible. More for buyers below!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
- The seller pays for a Realtor to represent the buyer (also applies to builders and new developments/preconstruction) and adds no cost to a purchase when including a Realtor.
- There is no such thing as a set commission - compensation for services is always negotiable - depending on the amount and quality of service the client wants. Paying for more will often get you more!
- Studies show sellers get as much as 10% more when listing there home with a knowledgeable Realtor.
- Over 90% of the properties sold through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) are sold with the help of another agent. (Advertising exposure, presence in the market, company size and image are important factors to consider.) Making the services the agent provides extremely important when selling.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES:Opportunities for various types of real estate investment exist that many are unaware of. Have you always wanted to "invest" in real estate? Let me help you purchase property with your retirement account, eliminating capital gains taxes completely and enabling you to enrich your retirement years whatever your age is now. If you would like to receive more information about these creative and exciting opportunities call or email me, putting "tax free growth" or “investment group” in the title line.
Click on the link below for the latest Statistics & Analysis of the Naples & Bonita Springs Market:
For more great tips & info see my
blog at www.NaplesFLAreaHomes.blogspot.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Garren has been a full time real estate professional with John R. Wood for more than 6 years and has over 10 years of previous experience in the luxury home market. For the six years prior to entering real estate Garren managed his own company, assisting his customers in high-end sales and design with a focus on the first class customer service that contributed to his success.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: Garren has a Bachelor of Business in Marketing, from the University of Toledo. His marketing skills are a great asset to his buyers and sellers alike. His honest, professional approach helps bring back customers time and time again.
PRIMARY REAL ESTATE SPECIALTIES: Residential/Commercial land and investments. Condos, Villas and Luxury Estates on the Waterfront or Golf front. UNUSUAL, EXCEPTIONAL, LEGENDARY, the best words to describe the level of service I give all my clients as an outstanding John R. Wood Realtor.
Important Things to Consider When Buying!
About the Buyer's Agreement: In the past we often provided information and services to buyers without setting up a formal relationship. The exact nature of the relationship was sometimes ambiguous. This often meant that Realtors could not trust buyers to actually use them to buy a house after sometimes months of showing houses. Buyers could not trust Realtors to fully be committed to their interests. This new formalized relationship protects everyone and builds trust. From a buyer’s point of view, the Realtor’s role is clearly defined in the buyer’s favor. The buyer has confidence that in the purchase negotiation the Realtor will be looking out for the interest of the buyer. From our point of view as the Realtor, we now have a stronger sense of working for buyers who are loyal to us. We now have clients who respect the time and energy we put into educating buyers and finding the right home. It also makes the relationship more businesslike as clients consciously choose professional help.
Why Should You Work With a REALTOR® When You Buy?
There are many compelling reasons to use a real estate agent when you buy a home:
- They have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which allows them to search for available homes that meet your criteria.
- They will handle the administrative details of scheduling showings for the homes you would like to see.
- They save you time by providing you with information about schools, neighborhoods, etc.
- When you find a home you think you might be interested in, they can use the MLS to find out the list prices of other homes for sale in the area as well as the sales prices of those that have recently sold. This can help you determine the fair market value of the home before you make an offer.
- They will guide you through the maze of offers and counteroffers, inspections and amendments, always looking out for your best interests. Their advice and insight in these areas can help you avoid potential pitfalls and may save you from costly errors. Your agent will know, for example, which items in the home need to be included in the purchase agreement; some items can be assumed to stay with the house while others must be specifically stipulated. If the inspection uncovers problems, your agent will help you negotiate changes with the seller. Most real estate agents will not tell you what to do, but their training, previous experiences, and professional contacts can help you make better, more informed decisions.
- They can help you find a reputable mortgage company.
- They will explain the closing process and all of the paperwork involved.
Do I need a Realtor to BUILD a home?
Yes, absolutely. You must remember that when you enter into any new home builders offices, you are immediately in the middle of a salesroom. The builders job is to sell you a home and it is the job of the builder’s agent as well. Although the builders cannot lie to you (that would be fraud and therefore illegal), they may only focus on the positive aspects of a particular , lot or neighborhood. It will be very rare to find a builder who will willingly tell you about any negative features of a , model or location. Almost all builders work happily with Realtors and will pay their commission without adding anything to the sales price. Builders and Realtors have a good relationship because Realtors are a large source of customers for builders. Indeed, most builders will not give you a discount for not having a Realtor. In the end, it is just as important to have your own professional advice and representation with a builder as it is with any other Seller. The builder will pay the Realtors fee with no cost to you. Therefore, you have nothing to lose and will be best served by having a Realtor representing your interests.
TESTIMONIALS:
“Thank you so much…we were so impressed by your professionalism, follow-up, and your ability to go above and beyond... We had a great experience working with you and would highly recommend you to anyone. Much success in the future.” - Bob & Valerie Keating
"A bright and articulate professional with a cooperative and likable personality. He has the thorough knowledge and manner to serve his market with style and wisdom…we highly recommend him." Yours truly, Mike Redenshek
"Dear Mr. Wood, while in Florida recently I went to an Open House on Barefoot Beach Boulevard held by Garren Grup. I wanted you to know what an outstanding job he did. He was very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Since my husband is in real estate, I have met many agents and while in Florida I attended a number of opens. Mr. Grup is a valuable member of your team." Sincerely, Carol Gallivan
"You epitomize patience, persistence, perserverance, honesty & integrity. I am absolutely greatful to have been able to work with you! To say that you went the extra mile was an understatement. I look forward to working with you often in the future. Please accept my sincerest gratitude. I wish every blessing to you and your family." God bless, Dr. Michael J. Lowe