There are deals to be had! Many homes are priced below current realistic values. Foreclosures, Short Sales and Distressed Sellers! Yes it is all true…. to a degree.

The good news is that homes are being placed back on the market at bargain prices. Opportunities exist that most of us thought we might never see again. The dream of owning a piece of real estate in Florida is alive and affordable once again.

The other side of the situation is this, the opportunities exist, but, now the real work begins. Along with the opportunity comes challenge.

It is important to keep in mind that the process that these homes have gone through usually results in neglect and damage. Often, these homes have been vacant for a year or more. The yard and landscaping are non-existent or overgrown. The air-conditioner, water systems and appliances have not been used, if they still exist. The extreme Florida climate can do severe damage to homes that are not being maintained. Don't be afraid! Be Aware!

When shopping for this kind of property, be prepared, be aware of potential concerns, plan on locating these problems and fix or repair these items completely and correctly the first time. All reasonable investors know that avoiding a problem or concern never solves that problem.

Be Prepared – It is important that you understand that additional investment of time and money will be required to put that home into the condition that you will like.

Be Aware of Potential concerns - Request a thorough Home Inspection. The Home Inspector's role is to identify potential areas of concern. They may suggest bringing in other specialists to determine the exact extent of problems they find such as with the air-conditioning or potential for Mold related issues. The cost of a Home Inspection depends upon the size of the house and whether pools, seawalls or boat lifts are involved. Prices Range from: $350.00 to $500.00 .

Fix or Repair – Once you have reviewed the Home Inspection, now is the time to bring in the contractors to help you determine the costs of repairs required to bring the home to the level that you would like to see. You will also at this point need to determine the costs to have all the additional cosmetic changes done that you might have in mind. These changes might include repairing sprinkler systems and replacing the sod, planting trees and shrubs, painting, installing new flooring, adding new appliances and any other items that would be specific to that home. One of the most important aspects of this step is in having a realistic idea of the time involved and the costs to implement these changes. The cost of rehabilitating houses, depending on the scope of work to be done, will commonly fall in the Price Range of $20,000.00 to $50,000.00.

The deals are out there, and now is the time to buy! Even homes that are not in distressed sale situations have come down in asking price to levels that we would never have imagined just a couple of years ago.

Do your homework. Is it better to re-hab a home and take on the costs and efforts related to that purchase? Or is it smarter to pay the current market value on home that is ready for move in? That is the decision that you the Buyer must make. There is no right or wrong answer; the decision must be made based on your realistic understanding of what is involved. Don't be Afraid! Be Aware!

Interest rates are at an all time low and inventory of homes at an all time high! The result – amazing opportunities for finding that perfect waterfront home or condo in southwest Florida. Are you a first time home buyer? If so, this year has so much to offer. In beautiful Cape Coral there are over 4000 homes for sale and this is just one of many outstanding areas in Southwest Florida. If you are looking for a beautiful waterfront home you will find close to 1300 in Cape Coral! Looking for affordable freshwater? There are currently 300 freshwater homes. Although gulf access homes are more expensive than freshwater, there are 1000 available and their affordability is record breaking! Looking for a bargain? There are close to 500 foreclosures and 2200 short sales (pre-foreclosures). The bank owned homes (foreclosures) are generally more accessible than the short sales. It can take months to actually buy a short sale. There are some short sale pending or contingent contracts that are never closed due to additional liens on the house or the fact that the banks are too understaffed to handle the multitude of accounts that are in this status. This can result in stress and anxiety for the bargain hunter. However, the calm and patient investor can capture a real deal on these properties. Banks will often take many offers on the same foreclosed property and ultimately select the highest and best offer. If have time, patience, and an excellent credit score or cash you may be the lucky buyer who can find the deal of the century.