The new owners will enjoy 10′ ceilings, marble, granite, stone and wood. Built in 2003, with 4510 sq. ft. under air, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath plus a den and 2 car garage. And though this gated community sits at the waters edge you are only minutes away from the amenities of Bonita Springs, Naples and Ft. Myers. It’s fun to watch the sun, water colors and tide change. The design considers everything a person could want for comfotrt. When property is at the right price buyers react. A good locatiuon, impeccable condition and proper pricing, additional features include, 2 fireplaces, Sub Zero, Wolf and Asko appliances, wine cooler and a kitchen to die for.

Chris Casmirri
Broker Associate
CRS, GRI, Realtor
Keller Williams Elite Realty
24581 S. Tamiami Trail Ste. 1
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Cell: 239-707-0728
Fax 239-498-5900
Nextel: 158*25*9130
Email: ChrisCasmirri@comcast.net

http://chriscasmirri.com/

REALonomics.net advocates that the industry open up the property information portals to consumers and upgrade its approach to how it is interacting with the consumer by implementing more social networking such as www.CityBlogUSA.com, a community blogging network for every city in the USA.

Visit www.REALonomics.net.

What to Offer

A can help you find your dream home, but only you can decide how much you are want to offer for it. The REALTOR® can supply you with information about the selling prices and marketing time of other houses in the area.

Once you have decided the amount you are willing to offer, the REALTOR® will help you prepare a written offer. In most transactions you will offer to deposit earnest money with the escrow agent. Earnest money manifests your sincerity in making a reasonable offer and abiding by the terms of the written contract.

Contract forms

Your REALTOR® will help you write an offer using standard forms. The offer, if accepted, will become a binding contract. This document is the most important paper you will sign because it lays out all the terms of the transaction. It will contain such things as:

a legal description of the property,
any property that will be transferred with the home, (blinds, curtains, fireplace screens, etc.) the price, financing conditions and contingencies, amount of earnest money deposit, name of the escrow agent and title company, proration of insurance, taxes, and interest, fees to be paid and who pays for which, rights to inspect the property and for repairs to be made, dates of closing and possession, and what happens if either party defaults on the contract.

Inspections and warranties
Before signing the contract, take precautions to protect yourself against unseen defects in the home. An inspection by a qualified inspector or other professional can provide you with unbiased opinions about the condition of components and systems in the property such as the foundation, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, appliances, etc.

If you can, accompany the inspector at the time the inspection is conducted. When ordering the inspection, ask the inspector the approximate time needed to complete the inspection so you can reserve sufficient time from your schedule. Be sure to ask the inspector to detail the scope of the inspection. Not every inspector inspects every component in a house. For example, does the inspector inspect foundations, air conditioning and heating units, roofs, swimming pools, septic tanks, etc.? The cost of home inspection depends on the size of the home, but the price could prove to be worth it. It’s also a good idea to get a termite and other wood destroying insect inspection.

You may also want to investigate the possibility of buying a residential service contract. Such a contract is an agreement with a residential service company that certain items will be repaired by the company if such items fail to function after you move in. If you buy a new home, the builder may offer a warranty as well. Whether you buy a residential service contract or receive any other warranty, find out how claims will be processed and how any necessary repairs will be made.

Seller’s options
The REALTOR® working with you will present the contract to the seller’s agent or seller. The seller has three options: accept, reject or make a counter offer. A counter offer is a rejection of the offer with a simultaneous offer from the seller to the buyer. If a seller makes a counter offer to you, you then have three options: accept, reject, or make another counter offer. Whoever makes an offer or counter offer is giving the power of acceptance to the recipient of the offer or counter offer.

Binding contract
Once you and the seller unequivocally agree to the written terms and both of you sign, the document becomes a binding contract.

As part of the contract you may have the right to have the property inspected and certain repairs may be required to be completed. Be sure that you pay close attention as to when certain items must be completed. Otherwise, you may waive some contractual rights. For example, the contract may provide for you to deliver a copy of the inspection report to the seller within a specified time and to deliver a list of the items you require to be repaired. If you fail to provide the information within the specified time, the contract may provide that you waived certain rights.

The contract may also set out other contingencies that have to be satisfied. We cannot address all conditions and contingencies. Read the contract carefully, know its terms and comply with its requirements timely.

If repairs are required, the contract will specify who will bear the cost of the repairs, who will arrange for the repairs, and when the repairs must be made. Before you close, be sure that the condition of the property meets the required condition specified in the contract.

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home, what happens between now and the time you legally own it? The next step is to obtain title for the property from the title company. A title gives the owner the right to possess and use the property. But before receiving title, the title company will need to complete the following:

Earnest money: To show the seller and his agent you are a serious buyer, you will be asked to give the title company a deposit called earnest money. If the sale goes through, the earnest money is applied toward the down payment. If the sale falls through, the earnest money will not be given back unless it is stated in the offer to purchase that it is refundable.

Title search: A title search is a thorough check of the records concerning the property. It is performed to verify the seller’s right to change ownership. A title search will uncover any demands, faults, liens and other privileges or restrictions on the property.

Document preparation: Appropriate forms are prepared for settlement.

Settlement: Many events happen during settlement. The seller signs the deed, the buyer signs the new mortgage, the old loan is paid off and the new loan is established. The seller, real estate professionals, attorneys, surveyors and others performing services for the parties are paid. Title insurance policies are then delivered to the buyer and their lender.

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com

Relocation Timeline

About one month away from your move, you’ll want a detailed checklist to make sure nothing is forgotten.

Four weeks to go:

Call moving companies for a free estimate. Cost will vary depending on distance, weight and optional services.
Look through your house to determine items to be discarded or donated to charity. Have a garage sale!
Inform schools of transfer. Make arrangements for enrollment/registration in new schools if necessary.
Most homeowner’s policies do not provide adequate coverage for moving. Check with your agent and consider purchasing additional coverage from a moving company.
Begin collecting boxes with covers if you plan to pack your belongings. You can purchase packing materials through moving companies or contact local grocery stores for extra boxes. Be sure to stock up on packing tape!
Begin consuming perishable and frozen food items to minimize waste.
Three weeks to go:

Begin packing!
Notify the post office of your new address and send change of address cards to friends, family, subscriptions and any billing companies.
Make necessary travel arrangements including interim housing and car rental. Be sure to record confirmation numbers.
Collect medical records and prescriptions from physicians. Ask for recommendations for doctors in your new area.
Place legal, medical and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
Two weeks to go:

Arrange to disconnect utilities/services in your current residence and coordinate installation of utilities/services in your new home.
Close/transfer bank accounts and open accounts in your new city.
Take pets to the vet for immunizations. Ask for advice on moving animals.
Draw a map of your new home and where the furniture will be arranged.
Return library books and any borrowed items.
Be sure to cancel newspaper subscriptions and/or any special services you have (i.e., landscaping/lawn service, snow plow, etc.).
One week to go:

Prepare car for the trip. Check the oil, tires, brakes, etc.
Drain water from hoses.
Drain gasoline and oil from any lawn or power equipment.
Remember to pick up items sent to the cleaners or for repairs.
Days before:

Defrost and clean out refrigerator
Pack your luggage and separate any items you will need in the first days in your new home (i.e., a current telephone directory - you may need to refer to it for calls to residents or businesses in your former hometown). Label these boxes “Load Last.”
Reconfirm travel arrangements.
Reserve ample parking space for the movers and provide clear paths inside the house.
The Big Day!

Be on hand to answer any questions.
Go over your inventory with the driver.
Be sure to point out all FRAGILE items to the movers.
Check, double check and triple check to see if anything is left behind!
Do not leave the house until the movers are gone.
A Few More Moving Thoughts:

Moving your computer - Make copies of all your files and software. If possible, pack your computer, monitor, and printer in their original boxes. If not, ask a moving company for boxes made especially for computers.

Packing supplies - have 1.5″ packing tape, thick markers, packing pellets, scissors, labels, tissue paper, newspaper and blankets on hand.

Inventory - Review inventory list.

Pack photographs between sheets and blankets in boxes for added protection.

At your destination consider hooking up the TV and VCR to occupy children until the truck is unloaded.

Enjoy your new home!

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com

The Offer

When a buyer makes an offer to purchase your home, your REALTOR® will contact you promptly. The REALTOR® will scrutinize the document, review it with you carefully, and answer your questions. The written offer is important because it lays out all the terms of the proposed transaction and will become a binding contract if you sign it. The offer states the price the buyer is willing to pay and the financing terms, such as assuming your loan or arranging a new loan.

The offer may be contingent on the buyer’s selling a home first, or obtaining an inspection. Ask the REALTOR® how these terms affect you and whether the offer is reasonable and in line with the market. The offer describes the property, states who pays for which closing costs, and specifies dates of closing and possession. Along with making the offer, the buyer may place some earnest money with the escrow agent as a sign of good faith. The earnest money will be kept in an escrow account and applied to the buyer’s down payment or closing costs when the sale closes.

Your options
In reviewing the offer, you have three options: accept, reject, or make a counteroffer. A counteroffer is a rejection of a buyer’s offer with a simultaneous offer from you to the buyer. In making your decision, carefully review the figures compiled earlier to determine your net proceeds. Because the terms and estimated closing costs may be quite different from earlier calculations, you will want to discuss the possibilities with your REALTOR®. You are also encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney and a tax adviser.

Seller’s Disclosure
In most residential sales, a seller will deliver a Seller’s Disclosure Notice to a buyer on or before the effective date of a contract to purchase the property. The notice is required by law to be delivered. It provides important information about the seller’s knowledge of the condition of the property. Complete the notice to your best knowledge and belief. Your REALTOR® will most likely ask that you complete the notice at the time the listing is first taken. Copies of the completed notice will be made available to the prospects looking at your property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
If your property was built before 1978, federal law requires that before a buyer is obligated under a contract to buy the property, the seller shall: 1) provide the buyer with a lead hazard information pamphlet (as prescribed by EPA); 2) disclose the presence of any known lead-based paint or hazard; 3) provide the buyer with a lead hazard evaluation report or records available to the seller; and 4) permit the buyer to conduct a risk assessment or inspection for the presence of lead-based paint or hazards. A contract for the sale of property built before 1978 must contain a statutorily prescribed Lead Warning Statement to the buyer. Your REALTOR® will provide you with the forms necessary to comply with their law and will suggest procedures to follow in order to comply.

Accepting the offer
Once you and the buyer agree on terms and sign the contract, the buyer will generally have to find a lender and apply for a loan. Your REALTOR® may monitor the loan process, which could last several weeks. During this time, your REALTOR® will also be busy coordinating other arrangements to prepare for the final sale.

Title search
As part of the process, the title company may order a survey of your property and research the title to your home, making sure the chain of title is clear. Clearing the title may require paying off liens - that is, any monetary claims - against your property. Examples are mechanic’s liens, unpaid state and federal tax liens, court judgments, and probate considerations (if a co-owner has died). The product of the title search can be in the form of title insurance, abstract of title, or certificate of title, depending on what is commonly used in your area.

Inspection and repairs
If the buyer requires inspections of your home, your REALTOR® may coordinate the scheduling of inspectors. A buyer may hire an inspector to review many items in the property such as the structural components, mechanical items, electrical systems and plumbing systems. The inspector will report to the buyer the items that the inspector finds to be in need of repair. Most likely the buyer will provide a copy of the inspection report to you and may ask you to complete certain repairs. Do not be surprised when the inspection notes some items in need of repair. An inspector is trained to see items and defects that are not obvious to you and your REALTOR®. No matter how new or well maintained a home is, an inspector may very well find some items in need of repair.

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com

Everything is negotiable when buying a house. For some reason, most buyers either don’t believe it or don’t like it. Here’s a partial list of what’s negotiable when you buy a home:

Price
Financing
Closing costs (except where specified by financing or law)
Occupancy (When can you get the key and move in?)
Painting (Will the seller repaint a portion of or the entire house?)
Repairs (Will the seller repair the roof, plumbing, windows, etc., and what kind and quality of repairs will be made?)
Yard (Will the seller remove unwanted trees, bushes - put in desired landscaping?)
Fixtures (Which lights, fans, appliances, etc. stay and which go?)
Wall coverings (Do the drapes stay or go?)
Furniture (Will the seller include certain pieces?)
Prepaid taxes and insurance (Will the seller credit you with these?)
Negotiation gives the buyer incredible power in making a favorable transaction. It can also place him or her in a position of immense weakness. Negotiation can determine whether you get the home of your dreams…or whether those dreams end up being a nightmare.

Ultimately, how you fare when buying a home is going to be a direct result of your knowledge. The more you know, the better position you’ll be in to negotiate.

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com

What You Want, What You Need

Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for your search.

Needs and wants list
Make a list of your needs and wants. Do you need an extra bathroom, a garage, a fenced backyard, lower utility bills? Do you want a fireplace, a short drive to work, a lakeside view, or maybe minimal yard work?

Once your list is made, go back over it and decide what is most important to your lifestyle. It may be privacy, creativity, or recreation. Decide which items are musts and which you are willing to give up. Assign each item a priority so that you will know what to look for as you begin house hunting.

Location
Deciding where you want to live may be the single most important factor in choosing a home. Location affects your day-to-day living. Location to employment centers, shopping centers, schools, major traffic arteries, and other attractions are important. Evaluate location carefully. Location of a property is one of the most significant influences on value.

Your choice of location may be limited somewhat by the price you can afford. Even so, make sure you consider such things as:

prices of properties and property taxes,

distance to work, schools, shopping, and entertainment,

proposed changes in land use such as commercial shopping centers and roads, and potential hazards such as flooding and noise from a nearby airport or highways.
Type of home and lot
A single-family detached home is attractive to a lot of people because it typically provides more living space and land area than other types of living units. Typically the detached structure permits you greater freedom (less restrictions) on remodeling, expanding, painting, and altering the appearances of the structure.

If you don’t like spending leisure time on yard work, consider garden or patio homes. These homes are set on small lots. Many garden home developments share common garden areas.
A condominium is another option. Condos and patio homes often offer shared greenbelts or membership in private recreational facilities such as swimming, golf, and tennis.

New vs. older homes
In selecting the type of home you want, consider new versus preowned homes. Preowned homes usually have established yards, and usually the neighborhood or subdivision is built-out. On the other hand, older homes may require more maintenance and need some repairs.

New homes are not without problems. Although they require less maintenance in the first few years, you may have to put in landscaping and call the builder back to correct faults. If buildings are still active in area, you may have to endure nearby construction.

Finally, consider size and style. You may already have in mind a wood-and-glass contemporary lodge with sun decks or a two-story Victorian mansion with a cozy attic. Or you won’t know what you like until you see it. Either way, your REALTOR® will listen to your preferences and help you find the right home for you.

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com

How do I obtain title insurance and what does it cost?

Let the title company, attorney or agent handling the closing of your property know that you want to purchase an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy. When choosing a title insurer, look for a company with experience, as well as the financial strength to protect you. In most states, the insurance commission or some other governmental body controls the premiums for title insurance policies. You only pay the premium once. The cost depends upon the purchase price of the property, and your policy amount must be equal to the purchase price.

How long does my coverage last?

Once purchased, title insurance remains in effect for as long as you own your property. Title insurance adds security and peace of mind to homeownership.

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com

How much you can borrow will depend on your income, down payment, job stability, existing debts, credit references and payment history. Lenders usually use the following two qualifying guidelines to decide how much of a loan you can manage:

Your monthly housing expenses - mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, etc. These expenses should be no more than 28 percent of your monthly gross income.

Your monthly living expenses and any long-term debts - utilities, car and school loan, child support, health and car insurance, etc. These expenses should be no more than 36 percent of your monthly gross income.

Chris Casmirri, Broker Assoc/Realtor® Keller Williams Elite Realty - chriscasmirri@comcast.net - www.chriscasmirri.com