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The impact of higher interest rates on the Cape’s home sales

It all started innocently enough one year ago this month when the Jerome Powell-led Federal Reserve increased the Federal Funds Rate by a meager 25 basis points at its March 2022 Federal Open Market Committee meeting. At that time, the so-called “transitory inflation” that had reared its ...

Cash deal for lot may be too good to be true

Dear Mr. Feichthaler: I own a lot in Cape Coral and placed a sign outside “For Sale By Owner.” I received a text from someone offering $50,000. They wrote they have no bank account and have been saving up cash for many years, and wish to give me the money in $100 bills. They said they ...

Colors bloom in our March gardens

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow!" — Audrey Hepburn According to the Farmer’s Almanac, March is known to “come in like a lion and go out like a lamb.” This drastic weather change is not typical within Southwest Florida in ...

January condo sales down, listings and pending sales up

The big news release in real estate this week was that on a national level the number of pending home sales in the month of January increased by 8.1 percent from December, marking the second consecutive month-over-month gains in homes going under contract with a buyer. In this report from the ...

Homeowner questions past due water bill and possible lien on property

Mr. Feichthaler, I purchased my home here in Cape Coral about two years ago, and I purchased the property with the seller using a title company. From reading your prior articles, I know the law firm or title company that settles the transaction should ensure there are no liens against the ...

January home sales down, but seasonal pending sales up

The number of closed single-family home sales in Cape Coral during January were down sharply while the number of currently active listings were substantially higher than a year ago, as home prices continued to come under downward pressure. However, pending home sales have increased sharply from ...

Gardening on a BIG scale

While our articles are usually centered on the home gardener, I thought it would be fun to explore gardening on a BIG scale – the agricultural industry in Florida. As you consider agriculture, you probably picture citrus groves or cattle grazing in open spaces. But in Florida, agriculture is ...

Purchasers should exercise caution before entering a real estate contract

Dear Mr. Feichthaler, I think I have found a great deal on a house, but there are questions regarding hurricane damage, insurance claims and other issues. The seller says I need to sign today or he is going to sell to someone else. With a $10,000 escrow deposit required, I am really worried ...

Home prices and inflation have peaked, but remain ‘sticky’

Tuesday of this week, the Consumer Price Index numbers for January came in hotter than expected at 6.4 percent, and while inflation on the consumer level remains well below the peak rate of 9.1 percent from back in June 2022, it continues to remain “sticky” at an alarmingly high level. This ...

Taking care of you while taking care of your garden

During the most recent UF/IFAS Extension Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Training Conference, Madeline Hooper and fitness trainer Jeff Hughes, the hosts of the PBS series “GardenFit,” offered a number of useful and safe approaches to staying healthy and aligned. Following are a few of the ...