Parents: Buy a Condo instead of a Dorm Room

This message is for all you parents out there. By now your kids have narrowed down a wish list of Colleges they hope to get into.  If your son or daughter will be enrolling in or currently attends a college in thte Naples area, you should consider buying a second home or a primary residence for your child. Condominiums are a great alternative to college dorm life.

Consider buying a place in Naples, FL with a down payment while the interest’s rates are still very low and take advantage of lower prices today for an investment you can make use of for 4 plus years. I have a client who recently bought a 2 bed Condo for their 2 children. Their daughter will be attending Graduate School and their Son will be a freshman next fall at one of the Universities. I found a great turnkey condo in a community close to school that is safe. Not only will my clients know their kids are living in a safe community they now have invested in a condo at a great price that they can hold onto for the long term or flip for profit when their kids have graduated.

Assuming you have kids that are going to school in Naples do you think you will visit? Are you going to come and sleep on the floor of their dorm room, or pay for a hotel room?  Why would you if you bought Condominium in Naples, FL?

Does your Son or Daughter plan on living with roommates? For some Parents I suggest looking out for 3 bedroom properties. The monthly income generated by renting out rooms can help pay for your mortgage loan, the monthly condo fees and the property taxes etc.. Plus, it can be great for one of your children to take an active role in collecting rent and learning the responsibilities associated with owning real estate.

So in this buyers market let me help you. Universities are not going anywhere so there will always be a demand for student housing . For more information about safe neighborhoods or smart investments please do not hesitate to reach out to me

Janet Santiago

Premiere Plus Realty

239-738-1747

JanetSellsNaples@outlook.com

WWW.NaplesHomesListed.Com

25 Fun Things to Do at the Beach

  

It's summertime and for many people that means hitting the local beach. If you think that spending time at the beach is limited to just swimming, you have a lot to learn. There are tons of other great activities that can be enjoyed on the beach.

Here are some of the most fun things that you can do at the beach besides just going swimming:

1. Bonfire parties. Where fires are allowed on the beach, it's great to hold huge parties where people come to play music, dance, roast marshmallows and just have a great time.

2. Look for dolphins. Many beaches throughout the world offer the chance to see dolphins right from the shore if you know what you're looking for and when to look.

3. Write messages in the sand. You can write them big or small, say anything that you want and then take a picture that will last forever. These pictures can be made into unique postcards to send to the folks back home.

4. Play at the boardwalk. Many beaches have boardwalks where you can play arcade games, ride rollercoasters, eat fair food and enjoy free summer concerts on the sand.

5. Picnic. There are always a lot of food vendors near popular beaches but sometimes it's nice to pack yourself a really nice picnic with fancy cheeses and luscious fruits and to go indulge in at the beach.

6. Frisbee. This is a classic beach game and it is one that people never get tired of enjoying together. There are more advanced versions like Frisbee golf, extreme Frisbee and Aerobie but the old version will do just fine.

7. Hiking. Many beaches offer nearby trails where you can hike to or from the water. This offers great exercise and the water is great for cooling down after the hike.

8. Fishing. It's one of the most relaxing things that you can do at the beach and something people have been doing here for centuries.

9. Read magazines. A beach vacation is supposed to be completely relaxing. Park yourself under a shade umbrella, catch a few rays and read some magazines or a cheap novel.

10. Build a sandcastle. From the simplest design to the most elaborate, sandcastles help you pass the time at the beach while doing something really creative and fun.

11. Look for seashells. You can troll the beach looking for seashells and colored glass. Take the best ones home with you and make jewelry or art with them so that you can always remember the fun that you had at the beach.

12. Go window shopping in the little seaside shops. The majority of beaches are located at beach towns. These towns typically have a bunch of little stores set up along the beach. Spend some time browsing when you're ready to get out of the sun.

13. Surfing. Or any other type of water sport such as kayaking, jet ski racing, waterskiing or kitesurfing. Get out on the water and really have yourself an adventure instead of just being lazy!

14. Go topless. There's something really brave about getting naked in public. It's an experience that can make you feel courageous and bold and one that should be tried at least once. Of course, you have to make sure that you're doing this at a nude beach otherwise you're going to get into some serious trouble!

15. Hula hoop. Or play catch. Or jump rope. Or fly a kite. Engage in some sort of child's play when you are at the beach using cheap toys that you can pick up at a nearby store. This will bring back some of the wonder of what it was like to go to the beach as a kid.

16. Write poetry. The beach has been inspiring poems and songs for centuries so you might as well join the tribe of people who like to write when they're by the water. Starting that novel you've always wanted to write or simply keeping a diary of the trip are other creative writing options at the beach.

17. Meet people. Beaches are filled with people so there's no reason that you can't make new friends. Games on the sand - like volleyball - make this easy but there are lots of ways to meet people at the beach.

18. Take photographs. The beach is a great place for getting good photos and those photos will be a great memory to take back from the trip. Wander along with your digital camera and see what there is to see.

19. Search for historic sites. Many beaches are located near places of historic importance which are marked with monuments or signs. You can find these in the most unexpected of places if you keep your eyes open. Military batteries on the water, historic lighthouses and places where battles once took place are all things that you can keep an eye out for.

20. Catch up on phone calls. With cell phones working almost everywhere these days, you should have no problem getting connected to others at the beach. It's a great place to catch up on phone calls while getting a tan - and you can make everyone you talk to jealous because of where you are!

21. Look for little critters. Most people who go looking for animals at the beach are looking for whales or seals or dolphins. Turn your focus to the little critters like the crabs and birds and jellyfish. Spend the day seeing how many different animals you can count.

22. Watch the sunset. This is one of the favorite things that people often do at the beach because it is such a sight to see.

23. Celebrate a holiday or special occasion. People often go to the beach to watch Fourth of July fireworks or to celebrate a honeymoon.

24. Daydream. You're sitting around at the beach with no commitments and nothing demand your attention and that's a great time to just hang out and daydream a little bit. Envision what you want your life to look like in five or ten years, where you wish you could travel or what you would do if you won the lottery.

25. Relax. You don't have to daydream or take pictures or do anything at all. You can just sit there and relax. You're on vacation after all!

Of course, the truth of the matter is that going to the beach is usually fun no matter what you do there because you're getting away from real life and enjoying a scenic travel destination. It's just nice to know that there are plenty of things to do besides suntan and swim while you're there!

Rain in Naples, FL...No worries!

Rain in Naples, FL... it happens!  A rainy day doesn't have to mean doom and gloom.  There is still fun to be had in SouthWest Florida!

Visit the Library!

Shop!  Miromar Outlets is just a few miles north on Rte 75

Get a mani/pedi!... there are many, many nail salons in Naples.

Take a drive to Miami!  You can get there across Alligator Alley in just 2 hours.

Go to the movies!   My favorite is the Silverspot Cinema in Naples.

Best of all, know that it will end and the sun will come out.  Naples is great no matter what the weather.


Janet Santiago
Premiere Plus Realty
Naples, FL
WWW.NaplesHomesListed.Com
JanetSellsNaples@outlook.com
239-738-1747

The Health Benefits of Living in a Warm Climate

Florida is one of the warmest places in the USA. The warm weather in this region affords many health benefits for residents here, as was proven from studies at Stanford University. Living in warm tropical climates has many benefits to our day to day life. 


Tropical climates sunshine is beneficial to the body. Sunshine provides the body with vitamin D, which is essential for bone development, as well as skin rejuvenation. It is through the vitamin D that the skin generates enough melanin to handle hot weather, and protect skin cells from UV light. The warm weather also makes work easier for body systems and functions, as the body does not have to strain to accomplish required tasks from within. 

The warm climate in the Naples affects the lifestyle here. People and residents in this area can take life easy because they are blessed with warm weather, which allows them to wear lighter clothing, which allows the body perspire,resulting in healthier skin. Unlike other geographical locations where nights are extremely cold, the weather here is warm enough for night activity. 
                                 

The warm weather also noticeably reduces the numbers of pneumonia occurrences here. 
Many people in other parts of the country worry about heating bills at the end of the month. In Naples; energy bills are minimal because the of the warm weather. Noise and other forms of pollution are also reduced in Naples. This makes life a lot easier and more enjoyable. In addition people are not exposed to hard chemicals that can affect body chemistry and cause infections. 

Another notable factor with Southwest Florida geographical location is that, there is basically no ice during the winter months, which means roads are always clear. In Florida you can forget about straining to remove ice and snow from driveways and roofs, hence a more stress free life. :)

Another major advantage of living in Florida, due to the sunshine and warmth, outdoor activities can be enjoyed year round. Resulting in more physical exercise which promotes better health.  Let's face it, you're probably more motivated to exercise, or just get up and go, when it's nice outside.  The couch and TV just look a little less appealing when the sun is shining through on a clear day.

Why It Pays To Move To Sunnier Climates?  While many people relocate to Southwest Florida in order to escape the wind and cold of their previous hometowns, there are lots of other reasons that make just as much sense. The truth is that warmer locales offer a broad range of health and wellness benefits for those willing to seek them. Furthermore, southwestern Florida provides a wealth of employment, education and recreational opportunities that will appeal to everyone. 


The bottom line is that the region represents a truly wonderful way of life.  Come join us here in Naples and enjoy everything it has to offer.

Janet Santiago, Realtor
Premiere Plus Realty
Naples, FL
WWW.NaplesHomesListed.Com
JanetSellsNaples@outlook.com
239-738-1747

      

10 Reasons You Shouldn't Skip A Home Inspection

 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Skip A HomeInspection

After your offer to buy a home enters into contract, the process of near-endless check writing begins. There are many necessary costs, such as realtor and lawyer fees, and the total of these expenses may have you looking for ways to save money elsewhere. You may be tempted to skip the home inspection  and its $200 to $500 invoice, but there are 10 good reasons why you should get one.

1. It Provides an "Out" A quality home inspection can reveal critical information about the condition of a home and its systems. This makes the buyer aware of what costs, repairs and maintenance the home may require immediately, and over time. If a buyer isn't comfortable with the findings of the home inspection, it usually presents one last opportunity to back out of the offer to buy. This step is important when purchasing a property because it may save you thousands. 

2. Safety A home inspection can detect safety issues like radon, carbon monoxide, and mold, which all homes should be tested for. Make sure that your home-buying contract states that should such hazards be detected, you have the option to cancel the offer to buy.

3. Reveal Illegal Additions or Installations A home inspection can reveal whether rooms, altered garages or basements were completed without a proper permit, or did not follow code. If a house has illegal room additions that lack a permit, it affects the insurance, taxes, usability and most of all the overall value. In essence, a buyer is purchasing something that legally does not exist. Even new homes with systems that were not installed to code will become the new homeowners' financial "problem" to fix (and finance). The home for sale/purchase must pass inspection.

4. Protection Home inspections are even more critical if you are buying an "as-is" foreclosed property or short sale. Dwellings that have been boarded often develop hazardous mold problems, which are costly to remedy and pose health concerns. It is  common for home inspectors to find that copper plumbing lines and outdoor compressors have been removed from foreclosed properties by people trying to sell copper to recyclers for money.

5. Negotiating Tool The home inspection report presents an opportunity to ask for repairs and/or request a price reduction or credit from the seller. Work with your realtor to understand what requests can and should be made to negotiate a better deal.

6. Forecast Future Costs A home inspector can approximate the installation age of major systems in the home like plumbing, heating and cooling, and critical equipment like water heaters. They can diagnose the current condition of the structure itself, and tell you how long finishes have been in the home. All components in the home have a "shelf-life." Understanding when they require replacement can help you make important budgeting decisions, and it will determine what type of home insurance coverage or warranties you should consider.

7. Determine "Deal-Breakers"Home inspections can help buyers identify how much additional money or effort they are willing and able to spend to take the home to a condition that is personally acceptable. If you are unwilling to repair issues like faulty gutters, cracked walls or ceilings, perhaps you are not ready to end your home buying search.

8. Learn to Protect Your Investment The home inspector is a valuable educational resource. He or she can suggest specific tips on how to maintain the home, and ultimately save you thousands of dollars in the long term.

9. Reveal the Big Picture People use the home inspection to understand the nuances of what may be the biggest purchase they ever make. People fall in love with a piece of property based on the color of the walls, the location of the home, or something else; they are completely blind to the issues that can make that dream home a nightmare.

10. Insurance Some insurance companies will not insure a home if certain conditions are found, or without the presence of certifications like Wind Mitigation and four-point inspections. Qualified home inspectors can do these things at the same time as their other services and save the home buyer time and money in the long run.


The Bottom Line It is your responsibility to understand as many details as you can about the property you may soon call home. Home inspections reveal the inner workings of the property allowing you to be informed of all the perks and pitfalls the home has to offer.