Friday, April 5, 2013

Paradise Awaits!!








Your Paradise Adventure Awaits....Spring is in high gear in Cape Coral and your dream home is here!   Let us help you find it!

Our Email Address:  aquadreamteam@gmail.com 

Bett Lucarelli - 239-549-3363
John Kapusta - 508-277-7925

Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/Aquadreamteam


Eagle Fledgling

You can tell that spring in in high gear on Cape Coral.  The days are getting longer and warmer.  The eagle fledgling down the street is getting ready to spread his wings, the great horned owl family occupying the nearby tree has gone, and the burrowing owls are back. Snowbirds are beginning to make their northward journey  and water parks like Sun Splash have opened their gates for the year.   A lot movement of all types including the residential market.  This past season according to many reports has seen a large influx of buyers and an increase in the median price of available homes.  All in all Cape Coral is the place to be!

In this issue we will visit Tarpon Point one of the premier resort and residential destinations in the area.  Also a spotlight on Sun Splash the water park in Cape Coral, a few articles and links as to what is happening in the housing market, our monthly What's Happening feature and this issue a guest blogger, Sarah Parr, with information on how to make a foreclosure sale better.  






Located in the Southwest area of Cape Coral, Tarpon Point is a resort/residential community with dining, shopping, entertainment and full service marina.  It is the "Gateway" to the Gulf of Mexico. 


The resort hotel - The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village stands 19 stories tall and offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, Caloosahatchee River and Tarpon Point Marina. The Resort offers luxuriously appointed Traditional, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom Suites with private screened-in decks that range from 445–3,471 square feet. On site amenities include two dining options, three heated pools, a full-service spa & salon, marina, shops  and gym. It is also the site for many local events such as the recent Sounds of Blues and Jazz Festival on March 23rd.

And speaking of dining at Tarpon Point we had the opportunity take clients to dinner at Marker 92 - the premier Waterfront Bar and Bistro at Tarpon Point.  Wood fired pizzas, succulent seafood including sushi and a raw bar.  The black grouper currently in seasoned was exceptional!   Dining is available indoors or on their veranda overlooking the river basin with live entertainment! 
It is a unique dining experience    For menu, reservations and more information:
http://www.marker92.com/


The residences consists of high tower condominiums (Tarpon Landing)  surrounding the marina with breathtaking views of the Coolsahatchee River Basin and majestic sunsets due to its southwest facing location. Along with the condominium residences there are single family homes (Tarpon Estates) and coach homes (Tarpon Gardens) offering lake and park views.   For more information call or email us and we would be glad to set an appointment.  



Managed by the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Sun Splash is a 12-acre water park in Cape Coral, Florida offers a family environment and affordable pricing for admission. Sun Splash Family Waterpark has exciting water slides, activity pools and a quarter-mile long lazy river. slide. A great place to spend a cool afternoon! 



 What's Happening In the Housing Market?  Florida Market is Booming!  Florida is Hot, Hot, Hot and it's not because of Global Warming!!!  
From the Business Insider:
According to the article five reasons are causing the market to on fire:




  • Land Prices are rising rapidly. "In some submarkets, land and finished lot prices have now surpassed peak levels."
  • Home Prices are rising rapidly. "In markets like Orlando and Naples, new home prices are increasing approximately 1%-2% per month in many communities. Lotteries are back."
  • The Active Adult market is back. "In Southwest Florida, builders are reporting a 20%-25% increase in traffic and sales over last year (which was a very good year!)."
  • Foreign buyers are helping the market. "Foreign buyers are not limited to the condos in Miami anymore. In Orlando, a large influx of foreign investors-typically paying all cash-have helped the market recover and are driving up demand and prices in the region."
  • Foreclosures are declining. "Since Florida is a judicial foreclosure state, the time it takes for a foreclosure to occur is considerably longer. But the banks are slowly releasing the foreclosures, and the large number of investors in the state are buying them as quickly as possible."

  • http://www.businessinsider.com/florida-housing-market-on-fire-2013-3



    April 3- Sunset Celebration- Enjoy Southwest Florida’s fabulous sunsets on the first Wednesday of every month. The celebration includes live music, food and drink specials at KC's Riverstop, and over 50 vendors selling arts and crafts, jewelry, gift items, and much more! Free Admission. http://www.capecoral.com/content/sunset-celebration-april-2013 


    April 13- Cape Coral Beach Party- Held at the beach at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, this event has something for the entire family. Spend the afternoon enjoying beach activities, children’s games, sandcastle building and refreshments. Prizes will also be given away throughout the day.  http://www.capecoral.com/content/beach-party

    April 13- Cape Bike Night- The City of Cape Coral’s Parks & Recreation hosts one the largest collection of motorcycles, live music, food, games and entertainment in Southwest Florida. With four different events throughout the season, Bike Night has become one of Cape Coral’s most anticipated events. This year Bike Night expands to include; two stages of live music, dunk tank, and Dixie Roadhouse Bull Riding Contest.  http://www.capecoral.com/content/cape-coral-bike-night-april-13-2013

    April 19 & 20- Cape Coral Cardboard Boat Regatta- From the African Queen to Viking Ships to floating turtles, this one of a kind event has something for everyone floating through the bimini basin at Four Freedoms Park in south Cape Coral. Come enjoy watching boat makers float their cardboard boats through the water and see which ones make it to the finish line. http://www.capecoral.com/content/cape-coral-cardboard-boat-regatta-2013

    April 20- Kiwanis Kids Fishing Derby- The Cape Coral Kiwanis Club have hosted this event for 25 years. Kids enjoy a morning of fishing on the Yacht Club Pier. There are trophies for winners in different categories. Fishing pros are on hand to teach children the tricks of successful fishing. Such prizes as free rods and reels are given free throughout the day. http://www.capecoral.com/content/cape-coral-kiwanis-fishing-derby-2013

    April 27- Tony Rotino Senior Center Spring Fashion Show- Enjoy a day of fabulous fashions and a fantastic lunch, as the Tony Rotino Senior Center hosts its annual Spring Fashion Show. This year’s fashions are presented by Patchingtons. Fashions that will range from casual to formal are sure to fit your Florida lifestyle!  http://www.capecoral.com/content/tony-rotino-senior-center-spring-fashion-show-2013

    April 27- Relay For Life- More than just a fundraiser, this event is sure to entertain and surprise all while helping a worthy cause. Since 2002, the Cape Coral Relay for Life brings together teams of people camped around local high school tracks taking turns walking around the track continuously for 18 hours, all in an effort to raise money for a cure. Each year the event has raised over $100,000 to battle cancer.  




    We are honored to have Sarah  Parr,  Internet Marketing Specialist from Winter Park Florida as our guest blogger. Sarah is a passionate journalist and is commenting on the issue of foreclosures and how to better manage the process.  We still have a fair amount of foreclosure issues and since February the number of foreclosures have been rising. Sarah shares her viewpoint:

    3 Ways to Change Foreclosure Business
    By Sarah Parr
    The real estate market still deserves some relief from the housing crisis. Even though foreclosure activity is down 25 percent from what it was a year ago, the reality of distressed homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgage still exists. RealtyTRAC reported that the total number of foreclosure-related legal filings increased 3 percent from January to February of this year. The statistics show that one in 842 United States’ housing units had some sort of foreclosure action filed last month. In order for the housing market to further rebound from hard times, it’s time lenders, courts and state governments made some progress towards improving how foreclosures are handled in America.

    Improve communication

    It can be difficult getting in touch with your lender.  Often a borrower will be passed around to many different departments of the company, speaking with many different people about the same issue.  Important paperwork can even get lost.  Some homeowners report that they have faxed the same document many times to different people working for the same company.  A single point of contact for each borrower could potentially solve the problem of cluttered communication many homeowners face.  

    Decrease court backlogs


    States that handle foreclosures only through the courts have some of the longest processing times for foreclosure-related documents. Florida foreclosure attorneys file documents that take almost 29 months to process, compared with the nation’s average of 13 months. This creates a backlog of cases for attorneys and courts and more doubt for homeowners. States that handle cases through administrative processes in addition to judicial-foreclosures see shorter processing times for foreclosure-related filings.

    Give homeowners more protection


    Some states, such as California, have voted in favor of homeowner bill of rights measures to protect homeowners and further regulate the mortgage and housing relief industry. The law prohibits a few practices connected with predatory lending: “dual tracking,” which is when a lender continues a foreclosure process even if the borrower is applying for a loan modification, and “robo signing,” a term describing the robotic signing and production of falsified mortgage documents. California’s law also mandates that lenders provide a single person of contact for the borrower, and gives the borrower the power to sue for significant violations of the new law. California has seen a 7 percent reduction in foreclosure activity since its bill of rights law went into effect on January 1. If more states passed similar laws, the U.S. could see fewer foreclosures for the housing industry. 



    Wednesday, February 27, 2013

    Springtime on the Cape!



    Our Email Address:  aquadreamteam@gmail.com 

    Bett Lucarelli - 239-549-3363
    John Kapusta - 508-277-7925


    Spring is here in Cape Coral!  Can't believe it's March already!   Last week we met a great couple from Winnipeg  Canada who were house shopping in the Cape.  They fell in love with a beautiful home on a fresh water canal and within 48 hours we had a deal in place.   We had the great pleasure of assisting Brenda and Carlos find their home in paradise.  Life is Good!  Let us help you find your place in paradise - email: aquadreamteam@gmail.com 

    What's happening in the housing market?  Home Prices Rising in More Markets - According to the National Association of Realtors, The median asking price nationwide increased by 10%. In Cape Coral mentioned in the WSJ article,  the housing market increase from a year ago is up 25.8%! One of the top areas in the country.  The inventory of residential homes is low  so its becoming a sellers market! http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2013/02/11/home-prices-rising-in-more-markets/?mod=WSJBlog

    Photo: Cape Harbour , Cape Coral FL - Waterfront condos, dining at Rumrunners, shopping and full service marina - what more could you ask for?  Contact us for more information aquadreamteam@gmail.com
    Interested in a condominium community?  A great advantage for seasonal residents is to explore the opportunity to purchase a condominium in one of the many communities in Cape Coral.  These communities are set up to take care of the outside maintenance such as lawn maintenance, irrigation, outside structural painting and repair for a maintenance fee usually called an HOA fee that also covers use of the amenities such as the community pool & spa, clubhouse and gym.   There are numerous communities in the Cape from high rise to low rise with different amenities to suit your budget.  email us for more information


    Spotlight on Cape Harbour - Escape, Shop, Dine and Unwind at the Waterfront!  A waterfront gem located on the water with direct boating access to the Gulf of Mexico (it's a 3 mile run to the Gulf).  Cape Harbour offers great dining at places like Rumrunners  or The Joint and your favorite libations at Longboards  or that morning cup of Joe at RunAgrounds.  Browse menus and venues at 
    Rumrunner Restaurant
    http://www.capeharbourdining.com/rumrunners/rumrunners.htm

    The Joint:
    http://www.capeharbourdining.com/thejoint/thejoint.htm

    Longboards
    http://www.capeharbourdining.com/longboards/longboards.htm

    RunAgrounds:
    http://www.capeharbourdining.com/runagrounds/runagrounds.htm






    March  Events:   March 1, 2 & 3- Water & Wheels- Cape Harbour hosts the 7th annual Water & Wheels. With a number of classic cars, boats and live entertainment, there is plenty for the entire family to enjoy. The event is free and open to the public
    http://www.capecoral.com/content/cape-harbour-set-host-water-wheels-weekend

    March 2- Irish American Festival- Cape Coral flows green as people come out to celebrate St. Patrick and the Irish at this family-friendly festival. Hosted by the Cape Coral Irish American Club, the Irish Festival brings to Cape Coral authentic Irish food, music and fun for the entire family. http://www.capecoralirishamericanclub.org/

    March 3- Symphony at Sunset- The Gulf Coast Symphony, Southwest Florida’s premier community orchestra, presents its much anticipated free outdoor SYMPHONY AT SUNSET at Four Freedoms Park in Cape Coral. The performance is free and open to the public. No tickets or advanced reservations are required. http://www.gulfcoastsymphony.org/wp/our-season/free-pops-in-the-park/

    March 6- Sunset Celebration- Enjoy Southwest Florida’s fabulous sunsets on the first Wednesday of every month. The celebration includes live music, food and drink specials at KC's Riverstop, and over 50 vendors selling arts and crafts, jewelry, gift items, and much more! Free Admission.
    http://www.capecoral.com/content/cape-coral-sunset-celebration

    March 23- Sounds of Jazz & Blues Festival- Enjoy a night of dreamy smooth jazz and blues. Held at The Resort at Marina Village, the event is a fabulous night filled with fantastic music, sumptuous food & beverages, and what is sure to be an evening to remember.
    http://www.capecoral.net/en-us/government/parksrecreation/events/specialeventsdivision/specialeventshome/soundsofjazzandblues.aspx

    TBA- Gathering of Giants- Cape Coral R/Seahawks present the 19th Annual Gathering of the Giants at Seahawk Air Park, featuring Jets, Warbirds, Stunt Planes, and more! This two day event attracts thousands who come out and marvel at the aerobatic stunts from the radio controlled airplanes.

    TBA- Gardenfest- This is a must do event for those who enjoy authentic German food and entertainment. Plenty of schnitzel, brats, potato pancakes, chicken, pretzels, beer and wine is on tap for this annual event. There will also be authentic live German music on the stages throughout the event.

    TBA- Canal Clean Up- Join dozens of volunteers as they take to the waterways of Cape Coral to ensure we all enjoy clean waters. Held in conjunction with the national Great American Clean Up, the Cape Coral Canal Clean Up annually rids the waterways and surrounding areas of almost a ton of garbage.

    More information at:
    http://www.capecoral.com/content/cape-coral-events-march-2013

    Tip of the Week  The Appraisal Process:
    How does the expected value of a property compare to the appraised value and why does the appraised value take precedent?  If you are selling or refinancing a home this article gives some great advice.

    Eight ways to improve your home appraisal   



    Tuesday, February 5, 2013

    Cape Coral is for Lovers.....


    Hello Again and 
    Happy Valentine's Day!  
    Welcome to our February Issue- 
    Livin on the Cape.   
    Cape Coral Is For Lovers......
    Boating  Lovers,  Fishing Lovers, Hiking Lovers, Golf Lovers whatever your love.....Cape Coral has it All!  





                  

    Have a question about Cape Coral or Looking for a New Home?


    Call Us     Bett:  239-887-0201      John 508-277-7925


    For Boating Lovers:  This city of Cape Coral has over 400 miles of navigable waterways and has more miles of canals than any other city on earth. Cape Coral is also the largest city in Southwest Florida. This Beautiful city is bordered on the south and east by the Caloosahatchee River and on the west by Matlacha Pass giving all boaters quick access to the Gulf of Mexico. There are three types of navigable canals:  Direct Access to the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Access with bridges, fresh water canals that lead to several lakes. Boating information and daily boating weather forecast is found at the following link: 

    For Fishing Lovers:  Anyplace is a great fishing place in the Cape. Whether your favorite spot is onshore,  a pier or out in the Gulf of Mexico Cape Coral has it all!  Stop in one of our local bait and tackle shops and ask them what is running and sure they can tell you just what you need and where to go to catch all you can. For information on the Cape Coral  Yacht Club Fishing Pier go to: 

    For Hiking and Nature Lovers:  Nature-lovers can explore the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, where a boardwalk takes visitors through mangrove habitat. Cape Coral is famous for the burrowing owl, which can be seen day and night throughout the community and has inspired an annual festival.  Also take a kayak trip through the mangroves or visit Manatee Park in nearby Fort Myers to see the manatees and other bird species in their natural habitat.  Families can find activities for children that include Sun Splash Family Water Park, Mike Greenwell’s Family Fun Park, and Eagle Skate Park. The beach at Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park hosts weekly sunset celebrations and other family events.  For biking enthusiasts there are miles of marked bike trails throughout Cape Cora and  the bike trail on Pine Island runs the length of the island from Bokeelia to St, James City - 16 miles.  There is a yearly bicycle event The Tour D'Cape that has a route for any age or experience.  

    Manatee Park go to: 
    http://www.leeparks.org/facility-info/facility-details.cfm?Project_Num=0088

    Four Mile Cove Eco Preserve go to:
    http://www.capecoral.net/Government/ParksRecreation/ParksFacilities/EnvironmentalParksFacilities/FourMileCoveEcologicalPreserve/tabid/226/Default.aspx

    "Fore" Golf Lovers:  If golf is your game, you've come to the right place! There are a host public and private courses throughout Cape Coral and Fort Myers area: http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?dest=Cape%20Coral%20FL 
    The prestigious Palmetto Pine Golf and Country Club is a private equity course featuring 6,724 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.1 and it has a slope rating of 126 on Bermuda grass. Designed by Arthur Hills, ASGCA, the Palmetto-Pine Golf Course opened in 1969. In addition to golf, the club offers a variety of social events and programs and a delightful menu for lunch and dinner. For more information :
    http://www.palmettopine.com/


    February Events:   From Mardi Gras Festival, to Burrowing Owl Festival February is jam packed with things to do in Cape Coral.  How about a taste of chocolate at the Chocolate Fair?  or show off your Harley at Bike Night!  Whatever your taste the Cape can satisfy it.  Check out the February happenings at: 
    http://www.capecoral.com/content/february-offering-plenty-do-cape-coral

    11th Cape Coral Burrowing Owls Festival sponsored by Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife  February 23, 2013  more information go to:
    http://capecoralburrowingowls.com/CCFW-Burrowing-Owl-Festival.html



    Imagine yourself  HERE  with this view in your new home in Cape Coral!  There is a wide range of homes for sale in the Cape - with water views as well as other properties.  Property values continue to increase - as you have seen the market and the economy continues to improve and housing follows the curve.  Now is the time to buy whether for residential or investment income there is something for everyone.  Condominiums are beginning to rebound with single family residences coming back strong from 2012 into this year.  We can help you find the real estate of your dreams give us a call or shoot us an email! 
    aquadreamteam@gmail.com     



    
    

    Friday, January 4, 2013

    Welcome to Cape Coral - Paradise in SW Florida




    Happy New Year!  Your Aqua Dream Team Welcomes you to Livin on the Cape!  We are Bett Lucarelli and John Kapusta licensed real estate associates with Aqua Property Group Inc.  Our goal is to introduce to you Southwest Florida living and assist you in finding your dream home on the Cape!

    We are residents of Cape Coral and want to share the Southwest Florida lifestyle with you by composing this blog and updating on a monthly basis the opportunities, events and happenings in Cape Coral and the surrounding area.  We have found our "slice of  paradise" and love "Livin on the Cape!" 


    A Bit About the Cape....
    • Cape Coral is located in Southwest Florida on the "Gulf Side" adjacent to Fort Myers.  
    • Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010.
    •  Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami
    • The city is known as a 'Waterfront Wonderland", since with over 400 miles (640 km) of navigable waterways, Cape Coral has more miles of canals than any other city in the world.
    • As of 2010, Cape Coral was the eleventh largest city in Florida by population. More than 60 percent of the population is between the ages of 15-64 and residents under 25 outnumber residents over 65.
    Easy To Get To.......
    • By Air: Cape Coral is 14 miles (23 km) from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which serves nearly eight million passengers annually. The airport’s new Midfield Terminal Complex opened in 2005, with three concourses and 28 gates. In 2010, eighteen national and two international airlines, as well as the two major cargo companies, served the airport.
      In addition to Southwest Florida International Airport, Cape Coral is also served by Page Field, a general aviation airport in Fort Myers eight miles (13 km) from Cape Coral. Charlotte County Airport (PGD) is located in Punta Gorda, just 10 miles (16 km) north of Cape Coral.  
    • By Car:  Roadways Interstate 75 passes within 10 miles (16 km) of Cape Coral and connects northward to Tampa and on to the Midwestern states; and southeastward to Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Cape Coral borders on U.S. Highway 41. U.S. 41 and I-75 can be accessed from State Route 78 (Pine Island Road). Within the city a network of arterial roadways are established. Cape Coral has approximately 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of roadways. In general, the north/south routes are evenly spaced apart every one or two miles (3 km) and most of them have at least four lanes.
      Bridges
      Cape Coral is connected to Fort Myers by two bridges. The 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long Cape Coral Bridge connects Cape Coral Parkway to College Parkway in Fort Myers. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge connects Veterans Parkway to Colonial Boulevard. A number of other bridges span the Caloosahatchee River just east of Cape Coral.
      Public transport
      Public transit services in Cape Coral are provided by LeeTran. LeeTran operates 18 fixed-route bus services, including 6 within Cape Coral.[20] Buses operate Monday through Saturday between 5:00 am and 9:45 pm, depending on the route.         
    Strollin on the Caloo....by jkphotography copyright 2012
    The Climate...- The BIG DRAW for "Livin on the Cape" is the weather! The Cape averages 355 days a year of pure sunshine! The rainy season is between May and September with brief afternoon rain showers. The winter months are the "Dry Season" with moderate temperatures (mid to high 70's with lows in the 50's to 60's) , sunny skies and warm breezes. If you are located in those pesky Northern climates, wouldn't you love winter on the Cape?  Check the weather icon on the right for today's weather!

    Strollin on the Caloo.....  Cape Coral, Florida has its own beach at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park in southeast Cape Coral.  Located directly on the Caloosahatchee River, the park maintains a landscaped beach with playground equipment, BBQ grills, bathrooms and a fishing pier. There are also free racquetball courts, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, and public boat ramp.  Grab a quick meal from Betty and the friendly staff at K C’s River Stop– the snack shop/fuel dock/bait shop there that serves burgers and such for lunch or dinner. The Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach is also a great place to watch the sunset. The first Wednesday of every month from 4 to 7 p.m. the city hosts a “Sunset Celebration on the Pier”, featuring live music and arts and craft vendors. For more information click on this link:   http://www.capecoral.net/YachtClubCommunityPark/tabid/210/Default.aspx

    January Happenings....  Follow the link  http://www.capecoral.com/content/cape-coral-events-january-2013 to see What's Happening In January in Cape Coral....from sidewalk art festivals, sunset celebrations, the Tour De Cape for cyclists and even a Martini Competition Cape Coral has something for everyone! 

    Real Estate News...  Great news for sellers!  The market inventory is below the record number of available properties from two years ago!  This is creating a reduced supply with increased demands.  For buyers, there  are still good opportunities with all types of residential properties from condominiums to single family residences as well as investment in rental income properties.  Whatever your need contact us and we will assist you in searching for your dream home or investment property. Contact us:  aquadreamteam@gmail.com

    Look for Our Next Issue in February...... Till then Best Wishes for a Prosperous and Happy New Year!