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The first quarter 2008 Pelican Landing real estate market statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Pelican Landing is an upscale gated golf community with excellent amenities and is considered one of Bonita Springs' premier communities. Pelican Landing distinguishes itself by being the only community in the area to own a private barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. The island includes a 32 acre beach park that residents have daily access to via a community run boat shuttle service. Residents can also opt for membership in the Pelican's Nest Golf Club. Its two 18 hole Tom Fazio designed golf courses are considered by many as some of the best available here in Southwest Florida.

Pelican Landing Sales Data

Pelican Landing Home Sales…

Not a week goes by that we don't hear from a buyer for a property in Southwest Florida who says, Oh, I'll just go try to buy a property on the courthouse steps and get a really good deal." There are a few localities in our area that have the distinction of being some of the most active foreclosure markets in the country, so this can be expected. However, what an eye opening experience these buyers encounter when they try this approach.

Most think they can get a Naples or Bonita Springs property on a shoestring budget and that is just not the case. While the courthouse steps are a place where in the past you might find a property at a bargain price, those opportunities are mostly non-existent in today's environment and if you're not careful you could lose…

The January thru March Estero real estate sales statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Estero is ideally located between Ft. Myers and Bonita Springs and is currently in the process of building and developing wherever you travel in the area. Developers are offering every type of community you can imagine, from large gated and planned communities, to smaller town centre type projects where the amenities are built around a self-contained lifestyle.

Estero Sales Data

Estero Home Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 109 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $390,994
• Median Sales Price - $330,000
• Average Days on Market - 138
• Price/Sq. Foot - $164.08

Estero Condominium Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 73 Closed Sales
• Average…

For those of you who follow our blog, you know we try very hard to keep you up to date with all the changes that are occurring in the mortgage lending industry on an ongoing basis. Unfortunately, since around the beginning of March, we have had our hands full trying to keep up with the overwhelming increase in our real estate business due to the fact it was the height of our "season" here in Southwest Florida and business is booming again. Our belief is that what has occurred for us here in our real estate markets this winter will also show up and spread across the rest of the country as we move into summer. At least we hope so!

So, in order to keep you up to date, we have decided to do a synopsis of what has occurred over the last 45 days that should be…

The first quarter 2008 Bonita Bay real estate market statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Bonita Bay is Bonita Springs premier gated community and is a highly sought after place to live. Encompassing 2,400 acres, Bonita Bay is also the flagship community of the Bonita Bay Group here in Southwest Florida. More than half the community is devoted to open space, including three Arthur Hills-designed golf courses and 12 miles of biking and walking paths. Golf club members also have access to two Tom Fazio courses at the Bonita Bay Club East. Located on more than 1,000 acres of Cypress wetlands, there will be no residences permitted at Club East and these courses are enclosed by natural Florida surroundings providing a pure golfing…

Upon reaching this milestone here on REW blogs, I thought it would be good opportunity to point out the positives it has afforded me and my company by giving some kudos to everyone involved in making our first 100 posts here so successful.

Of course, I have to begin with Morgan and the folks at REW for providing this great platform. There is no doubt that it is a wonderful tool for helping all of its users to spread tons of great stuff about the real estate and mortgage industries, but it is also a wonderful place to learn about how best to use the blogosphere to disseminate helpful information to all of our clients.

Having never blogged before, I was a total novice when I began using our REW blog. By following the advice of both the REW team and the…

The January thru March Bonita Springs real estate market statistics for both homes and condominium sales are listed below. Bonita Springs, known as the "Gateway to the Gulf" is one of Southwest Florida's fastest growing coastal cities. Located between Ft. Myers and Naples, Bonita Springs offers endless lifestyle choices while still maintaining its small town charm.

Bonita Springs Sales Data

Bonita Springs Home Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 207 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $628,702
• Median Sales Price - $417,000
• Average Days on Market - 187
• Price/Sq. Foot - $232.56

Bonita Springs Condominium Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 201 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $377,909
• Median Sales Price - $300,000
• Average Days on…

We just wanted to remind folks about the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, whereby homeowners whose mortgage debt was partly or entirely forgiven during 2007 may be able to claim special tax relief by filling out the "revised" Form 982 and attaching it to their 2007 federal income tax return. Under the new law, taxpayers may exclude mortgage debt forgiven on their principal residence if the balance of their loan was less than $2 million ($1 million for a married person filing a separate return). It applies to mortgage debt forgiven in a mortgage restructuring as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure.

The IRS is "urging people with mortgage problems to take full advantage of this valuable tax relief" and has provided…