What are YOU Waiting for?

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

This past week seven of us at Market America held an open house at The Citadel in Bonita Springs. After about a twenty minute period from when we tied the last balloon on the signs and we were all wondering if ANYONE was going to show up; we were slammed. And we were slammed right up until 5:30 that evening. There were even times when visitors had to wait for one of us to break free to give a tour. It was the kind of open houses we were having six months ago - full of excitement and crackling with electricity. Momentum is important in this or any business and I am here to tell you its back.
Also back, but only for a short visit, is my very good pal and former sales manager David Squires and his beautiful wife Isabel with kids Nate and Davey. David is now working for the Gartner Group in Austin Texas. Gail and I went to an intimate party given by Dave's folks Tim and Mary Squires. (Tim is a project manager with Kraft Construction.) While chatting with Tim about his Pink Shell project on the beach, I saw a very professional business woman deep in conversation with Gail. All of a sudden they both do that thing it seems all woman do at some time at a party, they squealed and hugged each other.
At this point I was beckoned over and told that they just met, and when Pamela asked Gail's full name Pamela said, "Oh, you just recently came back from Chicago! I feel like I know you from your husband's column!" (Pamela was not the first person we met because of this column and will not be the last) Pamela is with the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau. According to Pamela tourism is up over last year (no surprise).
Pamela is a very impressive young single lady and told me she has been reading my investment column for a year or so, and while she does not have enough money to invest now, when she does she will start doing some
serious work.
I then asked her a simple question, "What will you do first thing tomorrow morning if you had $20,000 in the bank tonight?" She said she was not sure. I then told her, "Pamela, if you really want to start buying property, tomorrow you should start your program of real estate investing. DO the research. DO the previewing. MAKE the plan. VISIT properties. TALK to the experts. When the money becomes available you need to be ready."
It has always been my assertion that if you find the right deal, the money will come. In fact, I told her to call me if she finds the right deal. I will help her find the money.
Let me give you another example. I ran into a young man recently that is waiting to take the test to become a licensed real estate sales person. He told me he is very frustrated and feels like he is just wasting his time during this wait.
I asked him, "If you had your license tonight, what would you differently tomorrow?" He told me he would start working on expired listing and FSBOS to get listings. I then asked him, "Are you an expert in the area you have decided to farm? Have you toured all the listings in the neighborhood? Have you talked to and met all the agents that have listings? Do you have a mailing list prepared?" He admitted sheepishly that he had not done these things. Florida is very strict about what you can and can't do with out a license; I suggested he do everything BUT those things the state will not allow him to do.
"Make your road map and prepare the information. This is the only way you can hit the ground running."
By the way, dear reader, is there something YOU are waiting for? It might be that you are not going to retire for three years; OR you need another $10,000 saved; or the kids are too young, or your mother is still living with you. What ever it is that is making you wait, ask yourself, what would I do differently if that thing I am waiting for happened - and can I do it now anyway? Can I better prepare
for it?
When it comes to buying a second home in Florida, there is NO TIME LIKE NOW. You should not wait. If you have some "triggers" that need to happen, ignore them and start the process of finding your home here in paradise. In the process, the absolute worst case is that you are a better educated consumer; the best case is that you will look back at your former reason for waiting and wonder why you ever waited. Prices are not going down, interested rates are not coming down and your options will diminish, not increase. Don't let inertia set in. Give us a call and let us help you get started.
Well, I'm pumped. (Have I said lately that I LOVE this county!) Yesterday Gail, Tom Leach, Kathy Brewer and I spent two hours at THE SHORES at Paramount in Gulf Harbour. Our good friends at BBL are just about ready to finish (in late March) this ultra luxury eleven story residence on the water and marina for The Ronto Group. Four condos to the floor, each with a private elevator, two covered parking spaces, high ceilings and views that will take your breath away. Yesterday the wind was whipping up white caps on the river the views were the best I have ever seen.
BBL has asked us to market their penthouse unit 3,790 square feet under air and a total of 4,570 square feet. (If you have ever bought a builder owner unit - you know this is an exceptional condominium) Gail will work with BBL's design team to finish the backgrounds and decorating on these units. One of my favorite features is the sheer size of the outdoor verandas in the residences and the views either across the river or to the city lights. (This residence has BOTH.) You can also see the two pools or the sandy beach below
Market America can offer you special opportunities on any of the ten remaining residences. No guesswork here on what you will get; Gulf Harbour has hit it's stride in Fort Myers and has it all, Golf, Club House, Restaurant, Beach, and a very strong sense of pride. Contact Kathy or Tom today. (By the way, I am going back this morning to show the BBL owned condo. After my visit there I made some calls to some discerning clients that keep their boats in the Gulf Harbour Yacht basin - this is a perfect place to sit in a luxury home, put your feet up and admire your boat below.
Speaking of condos that have it all, we still have three MODEL LEASEBACKS at Burnt Store Marina and Country Club. One furnished (GI II 602) and two unfurnished. For details on this email me.
A year ago I wrote a column that asked “What are your experts doing?” I suggested that it is important to ask your various advisors what THEY do. What clubs does your gold pro use, what stock does you broker own?, etc. It is important to know these things, not necessarily because you should do the same thing, but you get a frame of reference. In my office, for example, Tatiana, my invaluable right hand and our marketing manager now owns three properties, one single family home and one condo and one under contract. Maggie Morrisee, our Bonita Springs specialist just put a second investment condo under contract. Me, I am buying land to develop office condos, commercial properties, and more single family homes. Tom, he is looking to buy condos. Debbie has a single family home and a preconstruction condo under contract. Cliff Wiersma, our land and commercial specialist owns land and building lots. We are experts in what we do, use us. and we don't just preach, we practice.
Here is Who we Are:
Market America Realty and Investments, Inc. is a customer centered agency. Unlike the traditional real estate agency that has dozens of agents that compete with each other, Market America Realty and Investments, Inc. will have the entire company working in concert to serve our buyers or seller needs. We are a company of specialists, but with one goal in mind, to meet our clients' objectives, with professionalism and with care.
Market America Realty and Investments, Inc. was formed by Gregg Fous in 1998. Fous has been in Real Estate since 1976 when he was first licensed in Florida. Since then Fous has been investing in real estate and managing properties. In 1998 he started Market America Realty and Investments, Inc. as a webcentric marketer to second home buyers. The company specialized in preconstruction condominiums and investment properties. Through the company website www.investinwaterfront.com Fous writes a weekly column for investors and second home buyers here in Lee County, Florida. The column currently has over 6000 subscribers and Fous has developed a loyal following for buyers, investors and fellow agents.
The company grew with like minded experts in the field; agents that wanted to work in a cohesive environment not dissimilar from a large law firm. Each team member is an expert in their respective field and the needs of the client dictate who will best be suited to serve that particular client. You will not find Market America Realty and Investments, Inc. offices full of small cubby holes with agents "working the phones". Each team member of Market America Realty and Investments, Inc. is a long term relationship builder, client oriented, and an expert in his or her area.
Market America Realty and Investments, Inc. is headquartered in The Commonwealth Financial Center in South Fort Myers. We invite you to visit our state of the art facility. (And, by the way - if this sounds like the company you want to work with - call me!)

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