Lazy, hazy days of Summer
11 August 08 01:21 PM | gina | with no comments
Hi, again,
 
It's those lazy days of typical Florida summer.  Every day is a shower and our drought is almost gone.  The ponds are filling and everything is so nice and green.
 
This is a good thing because the community where I work, Wildcat Golf & Country Club, has shut down it's golf course this year and is completely redoing the greens, the teeboxes - EVERYTHING!   This course was one of the first designed by the legendary, Arnold Palmer, and Wildcat hopes he'll come back to christen the course again when it reopens.  Regardless, it's a great course.   The community also has redone all the common area folliage.  Things are blooming and growing with all the rain.  The community will look brand new when snowbird season rolls around again.
 
I have two condos on the market this year in Wildcat.  One is a second floor  unit with 3 BR, Den, 2 BA and 2 car gqrage.  It has lots of upgrades, e.g. hurricane shutters, plantation shutters, etc. and the asking price is only $399,900.  The other is a first floor condo with 3 BR, 2 BA and 2 car garage.  It's beautifully decorated and is being sold "turnkey" for only $379,900.  Bring your buyers!
 
Enough for now.
 
 
Vacation
02 June 08 11:02 PM | gina | with no comments
I'm on vacation for the next month so I haven't been to attentive to the blog.  We started out going to New Jersey for a wedding and are now at our daughter's and son-in-law's home right now in Ohio.  They have Kim one child, a boy, who is our only grandchild to date.  Keegan is only 2 and is the delight of our lives.  I can't believe how cute and smart he is; every day is a new adventure with him.  We missed so much not having a grandchild before. 
After we leave our daughter's on Saturday, we head to Iowa to visit our son and his lady for a few days and, then, on to Michigan to visit friends.  Lastly, we head back to our daughter's for another few days of R&R with our grandson and finally back to Florida.  I miss our home, our bed, and the beautiful Florida sunshine but I'll miss our grandson more once we head back.
 
While I've been gone, things have picked up business-wise.  I put together a lease for a rental next winter for someone from Missouri, and got a call from a friend who is now interested in buying a home in our community in Florida.  All I can say is, thank goodness for the internet!  Things can get done while I'm out of the state.  How great is that!!
 
 
 
She's Baaaacck!
08 April 08 11:05 AM | gina | with no comments
HI, Folks,

I can't believe it's been two months since I last posted a blog on Zolve.  Where has time gone?  Well, I know where it went for me.  I had company, upon company, upon company which is common in Florida especially after the winter up north this year.  What happened to Global warming?  Ask all the folks such as our daughter and her family who live near Cleveland where records were broken for snowfall and they'll tell you it wasn't warm up there and certainly wasn't dry; 22" in one weekend alone.

After the company left, it took a while to get where my business is back to normal.  Speaking of business, if anyone knows of someone looking for a spectacular home in a gated golf course community in SW Florida, please let me know.  This home is 3,365 sf under a/c (over 6,000 sf in total), with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 car garage, granite everywhere, wonderful custom floor tile, large pool/spa and summer kitchen, and so much more.  The community boasts a superior Arnold Palmer designed golf course, Har-Tru tennis courts, two restaurants and a brand new state-of-the-art fitness center.  We're offering this home at $950,000 but the owners need to move closer to work and will look at any offer.

I hope everyone has done well and I look forward to reading your blogs.  Keep blogging.

Sincerely,

Gina 


Referrals
01 February 08 07:58 AM | gina | with no comments
When arriving at a condo yesterday that I had recently rented for a client from Iowa who arrives today, I noticed a couple leaving the condo and putting items in their car trunk.  I approached and asked if she was "Mrs._____".  No, she said, I am "Mrs. ___________".  At this time her husband said, "I like your car.  How do you like it?"  To which I replied, "I love it.  I used to work for this company in their real estate division."  At that time, he says, "I worked for that company, too."   And, then he took off his sun glasses and I recognized him immediately.  He was an acquaintance that I had known at the company for years and haven't seen since I retired 4 years ago. 

It's ironic that this couple just finished renting the same condo I was instrumental in renting for a client for a month's stay.  It's also ironic that my clients from Cedar Rapids know my son who lives in Iowa City but that's not how I was referred to them.  I was referred to them from a third person (a friend) who lives in St. Louis.  One day, while I was talking to my client and asking questions, I happened to mention a resort near Iowa City and asked if she and her husband ever go there and, more particularly, to the steakhouse at the resort.  She said yes, they love the steakhouse.  At this point, I mention that my son manages that restaurant.  To which she replies, "is he tall, thin and with dark curly hair."  Yes, indeed.  She then says, they love talking to him (a mother loves to hear that.)   So, I say, "give him a hug for me next time you see him."  Lo and behold I recently got a photo of the two of them together at the restaurant.  

It's a small world, folks, and getting smaller every day.  How much smaller can it get when someone from St. Louis refers someone who lives in Cedar Rapids to someone in SW Florida and knows my son in Iowa City???

That's why I love this business and love referrals!!!
Brrrrrrrr
21 January 08 05:04 PM | gina | with no comments
As I’m writing this from Southwest Florida, it’s quite breezey outside but the air is warm.  It certainly was a cold day and evening yesterday (down to 48 overnight) but, as you can imagine, it is much warmer today.  It’s 73 right now with very little humidity.   Our cold weather doesn’t last long.  Fortunately, we did have some rain Saturday and Sunday which helps since we are in our dry season right now and we had a drought over the summer when it should have been more rainy.  It’s also fortunate that I held an open house yesterday in my latest listing.  It was a perfect day to do this as people couldn’t go to the beaches and came visiting homes.  This particular home is phenominal - 3,365 sf under a/c, 6,044 in total.  By the way, this is the way we give square footage in Florida, in case you’re reading this from Michigan or another cold state.  We use our lanais (patios) so much down here that they are considered a part of the home, hence the need for total square footage.   The total square footage also contains the square footage of the garages.  Anyway, this home has so many upgrades, it’s a pleasure to stay there and visit with people who wander through.  Our real estate business is not what it was in 2005 or early 2006 but it isn’t as slow as it was in the latter part of 2006 and 2007.  Things are picking up and quite a few homes have sold in the community where this home is located so I’m doing every thing I can do to get this home sold next.  Visit my website at www.ginaturkel.com to see more information about this area or my featured listings.  Have a great night!
Happy Wednesday!
16 January 08 11:27 AM | gina | with no comments
Hi, Folks,

What a lovely day in SW Florida!   It'll be in the mid-70's today and the sun is shining.  The evenings have been cool but that makes for great sleeping weather with the windows open, etc.

We're halfway through January and already we notice a few more homes selling even though all the predictions by the media is that this market is getting worse.  In the community where I live, seven homes has sold in the last month which is more than 2006 and 2007 combined.  Great start to the year. 

Prices have dropped in the last couple of years to the 2004 levels but 2005 and early 2006 were ridiculously high anyway and still sellers are realizing some decent profits. 

If you have anyone interested in SW Florida, now is the time to buy.  Prices are low, mortgage rates are decent, and things are starting to happen.

I'll be happy to help anyone you want to refer! 
House Update
10 January 08 07:06 PM | gina | with no comments
Boy, has this been a busy week.  Not only did we have company for a long weekend (trying to get away from the snow and cold up north) but I had a couple of BUYERS!  Yes, you heard me right, B-U-Y-E-R-S.  This elusive animal is starting to come out of the woodwork for us down in SW Florida and it feels soooo GOOD. 

The first couple were looking at the "short sale" I have listed but, while they loved the house and all the upgrades, they felt they wanted two (2) master suites as they are buying this house with another couple and may be down here with them so they'd like the extra master. 

As luck (and, yes, the Almighty) would have it,  my neighbor called because she wanted to list her house.  We did so on Monday night.  Miraculously, this home (3,365 sf) has 4 bedrooms  and one of which could be used as a second master.  This bedroom is large, has a private bath, and has a door to the lanai area.   Now, it's a matter of connecting the dots.

The second couple I had were thrilled to see our community and picked a few (5) houses to view.  We saw them, but then they wanted to see other homes as well.  You can guess what happened.  They were so overwhelmed.  At any rate, this was their first visit to our community and their first time to view homes down here in anticipation of retirement in a few years.  They'll be back and I'll be ready.

Today, I spent trimming bushes at the "short sale" home as we had a freeze last week and some of these bushes didn't fare too well.  Tomorrow, is the day to get my neighbors home re-keyed.  I have a locksmith coming at 8:30 AM. 

One of the things I love about real estate is that I not only meet great people, I can help them in many different ways besides selling their homes or finding them new ones.  This industry is so fulfilling even though at times it's so frustrating.

Have a great night!
Happy New Year!
31 December 07 07:11 PM | gina | with no comments
It's me again here to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.  It's my goal this year to sell two of my listings and maybe you can help.  

One is a "short sale" of a wonderful 3,381 sf home with 3 BR + den, 3 BA, 2 CG.  It has so many upgrades; such as, tile throughout except in the bedrooms and den which are hardwood, gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, tile backsplash and newer appliances, large lanai with pool/spa, and I could go on and on.   This home is presently offered at $625,000 and is located in Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club which boasts an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course.  If you have someone looking for a good investment, check this out. 

The second is a lovely villa home of 2,000 sf, 2 BR + den, 2 bath and 2 CG.  It is beautifully furnished (furniture negotiable) and has many upgrades, such as, granite countertops, faux finishes, crown molding, large lanai with pool and more.  This home is being offered at $545,000 and is located in the community of Grandezza Golf & Country Club. 

Both of these homes are located within 15 minutes of shopping, theaters, medical facilities, restaurants, Florida Gulf Coast University and the new SW Florida International Airport.   These homes need new owners that will appreciate all they have to offer.   Contact me for more information of visit my website.

Enjoy the New Year.






Christmas Eve
24 December 07 05:57 PM | gina | with no comments
Hello, again,

It's 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve.  Unfortunately, I don't have any little children to celebrate the holidays with this year (our 21-month old grandson is coming in March with his parents instead) but we do have my mom visiting from New Jersey and we'll be going to my husband's sister's home for dinner.  I've cooked the last two years and it's nice to be invited out this year.

I'm cutting this short but not before I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  Stay well and stay safe and may Santa bring you much joy. 
Gina's Place
21 December 07 04:30 PM | gina | with no comments
Hi,

I'm, Gina, and just joined the Zolve RealEstate Network.  It's exciting, not only because I'm offering my real estate services to many more people but also because I can communicate with so many wonderful soon-to-be friends.

I also have a partner that I will soon encourage to join the "blogging".  Ilse is a lovely lady who has many years experience in real estate and is fluent in German for those of you with a second language.  I know Spanish but just enough to get me in trouble!

Our gorgeous weather in SW Florida this time of year is not to be surpassed.  In fact, today is about 76 degrees with virtually no humidity (only 53%).  The sun is shining and there are no clouds in the sky.  Jealous??  Well, as Bob Barker said, "come on down".  Visit our wonderful area and let me show you around.

It wasn't so lovely this morning, however, as we woke up to much needed rain and then the clouds cleared about noon and we have our beautiful weather.  But, never mind, I spent the morning at Border's book store wrapping gifts and collecting donations for Hope Hospice of Lee County, a charity near and dear to my heart.

On a personal level, let me wish you and yours a happy holiday and a healthy 2008!
Stay tuned for more. 
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