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Real Estate Law: How Casualty Loss rules benefit homeowners

Mr. Feichthaler: I read a story in the Breeze last week about “casualty loss” rules, and how it can provide an income tax benefit. Is this related to the $1.1 billion FEMA gave to Lee County? More importantly, is this real? — Gladys M. Dear Gladys: With Hurricane Ian now a year ...

Homing In: State of confusion as Fed’s great unwind causes uncertainty

We have been noticing a growing state of confusion about a lot of things lately, and when it comes to the economy, inflation, interest rates and the real estate market, confusing and contradicting data points seem to reign supreme. Much of this confusion is being caused by the Federal ...

The Fed and Ian still impact Cape’s condo sales and supply

One year later, the impact of Hurricane Ian is still being felt in our area as repairs to homes, condos and businesses continue and more stories about contractor fraud emerge. The financial hit to individual homeowners and condo associations who lost large sums of money to scam artists in the ...

Residents are still eligible for tax relief due to Ian

Hurricane Ian was the most financially devastating hurricane to ever hit Florida and it has caused over $100 billion of damage to homes and businesses. One year later, Congress has yet to consider legislation to designate Hurricane Ian as a qualified disaster. Congressman Gregory Steube did ...

What deed changes are needed when homeowner gets married?

Mr. Feichthaler, I have owned my Cape Coral home for six years in my own name, with no mortgage. I was married a few weeks ago, and have taken the family name of my husband. Do I need to deed the property to myself with my new name? —Anne S. Dear Anne, Congratulations on your marriage! ...

Eight months into 2023 home sales, prices lower, listings up

One year ago in this column we wrote that the key takeaways in our local real estate market involved rising mortgage rates, which had then climbed above 6%, ultimately resulting in a substantial drop in the number of closed home sales in August 2022. We also noted that our market had clearly ...

There are many issues to consider in rent-to-own deal

Mr. Feichthaler, I am considering a rent-to-own situation where I would rent for the next five years, with an option to purchase at the end. The owner/landlord has agreed to credit $200 every month toward the purchase price. He also has asked for $20,000 down payment for the “option,” ...

Yellow allamanda

Living in Cape Coral … coming from the Northeast, I had a big learning curve when I moved here ... gardening would never be the same. My garden was a blank canvas, but I would dream and wake up with plans. I achieved a wonderful butterfly garden, originally by accident, and every year I add ...

One year after Ian

Sometimes it is hard to believe that one year has passed since Ian roared through Southwest Florida. We see constant reminders of the devastation; empty spaces on our beautiful beaches where buildings once stood, blue tarps on many of our roofs, and damaged trees and shrubs in our landscapes. ...