Marco Island Halloween

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  • Monday, September 27, 2010
  • Come 1 come all to the greatest event on Marco Island.

    Halloween Spooktacular

    The City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation will be hosting the annual Halloween Spooktacular event on Saturday, October 23rd from 4:00 – 6:00pm.

    Everyone from kids to adult is encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes best and bring a basket or bag to collect all the candy and treats at each craft and game station during Spooktacular.

    Visitors to Halloween Spooktacular this year will be able to purchase pumpkins at the "Pumpkin Patch" area located near the basketball courts and be able to paint their own pumpkins provided by New Life Community Church of God. Hot dogs, snacks and drinks will also be provided for purchase.

    At 4:30pm we will have a special guest demonstration by our own Marco Magic cheerleaders led by coaches Lyndsi Koszo and Britney Bo. Our squad of 25 girls will show off their skills of stunting, tumbling, cartwheels and amazing pyramids.

    At 5:00pm we will have a special guest demonstration by our local Marco Island Zumba instructors to get everyone motivated and energized for the fall and holiday season with some Latin flare.

    The highlight for the evening will be our annual Halloween costume contest held at 5:30pm. Children will be divided into four age groups: 3 years and younger, 4 & 5 years, 6 & 7 years, and 8 – 10 years. Contest judging will be based on the Most Creative Costume, Funnies Costume and Scariest Costume from all age groups. First place winners will receive a $40.00 gift certificate from Marco Island Parks and Recreation to be used for any recreation or racquet center children’s program.

    Additional activities include:

    Music by Black Tie Entertainment
    Pumpkin Patch Sales by New Life Community Church of God
    Paint your own pumpkin faces
    Halloween Crafts by Island Parks and Recreation Foundation
    Face Painting and tattoos
    Pumpkin Bowling
    Freeplay Legos
    Snow Cones by Optimist Club of Marco Island
    Critterman – feel and touch critters
    Pony Rides
    Bobbing for Apples
    Scary food feeling station
    Tombstone hoop
    And much more…

    This event is open and free to the public.

    For additional information on Halloween Spooktacular please call Mackle Park at 642-0575, or visit us on the web at www.cityofmarcoisland.com and click on the parks and recreation link.

    Remember when you want to purchase your dream home in SW Florida pick up the phone and call

    Scott Riddle at 239-289-1849.
    http://www.naplesrealestateteam.com

    Junk in the Trunk -- Marco Island

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  • Wednesday, September 22, 2010
  • Just wanted to remind everyone about Junk in the Trunk and how to be apart of it. Don't miss this event if you are looking to buy or sell items around the house. There are some great items that will be sold for pennies on the dollar.




    Junk in the Trunk

    Do you have items up in the attic that you haven’t touched in years? Do you wish that you could make some money selling those items? Be a part of Junk in the Trunk hosted by Marco Island Parks and Recreation on Saturday, October 9th from 8:00am – 12:00pm in the Mackle Park parking lot.

    Parking lot spaces are currently available for sell at $10.00 per space. Vendors may sell as much as they like as long as it fits in your vehicle. If you are currently gathering up your last minute summer junk items, well you still have time to register at Mackle Park. Pre-registration is a must to be a part of the Junk in the Trunk event. No day of registrations will be allowed. Don’t miss this opportunity to clean out your closets, attics, and garages.

    For those who would like to check out what others have at great deals, vendors will be out selling their items from the back seat and trunk of their car. Come out and find items such as fishing gear, clothing, toys/games, books, magazines, tools, appliances and much more.

    Call Mackle Park at 642-0575 to reserve your parking space today or visit us on the web at www.cityofmarcoisland.com for more information.

    Keep your house up in Ft Myers or be put down in Ft Myers

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  • Friday, September 10, 2010
  • I was reading along on the local news channel web site today and came across a story on Ft Myers. They are putting signs on homes that have code violations "slum houses" so not only are you being embarrassed you are getting fined for having a home that is in need of cleaning up or fixing. And they wonder why the locals think of every part except Southern Lee county the arm pit of SW Florida.


    http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=13129649

    For all your best deals in real estate tune into http://www.naplesrealestateteam.com

    Short Sales, Why the long wait for an answer from the bank??

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  • Wednesday, September 8, 2010
  • Short sales can be a great way to get a bargain, but anything that has positives also has negatives. If you want a deal you have to be patient. I have been listing short sales for years now and you must be upfront with the time aspect of you will never keep a buyer on the hook long enough to get an answer from the sellers bank. Here is a great article that will break down why the bank is taking so long and the basic process of a short sale.

    Remember a short sale is only as good as the agent who has it listed. Some short sales are great options and others I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. Pick and listing and buyer's agent who has experience on both sides of the transaction to optimize your chances. I am batting over 80% on my short sale while the national average on getting a short sale is 26%.

    http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/10032

    www.naplesrealestateteam.com your access to SW Florida Real Estate

    Survey, As a buyer do I need one??

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  • Friday, September 3, 2010
  • I had an agent in my office close a deal and then he went to list the property and part of the garage was over the property line. This was no new house (20+ years old) so everyone wondered how the deal closed with this huge mistake. The answer was no one ever ordered a survey since it was a cash deal and isn't required. He is now trying to sell the home and has to request a variance and might have to remove the garage from the house at worse case. When you are buying a single family home always request a survey.


    10 Reasons Why You Should Order a Survey ...
    • To determine the limits of your property boundary
    • To verify that there are no encrocchrnents of your improvements
    onto your neighbor's property
    • To verify that there are no encroachments of your neighbor's
    property onto your property
    • Put the liability on the surveyor to prove your property has no encroachments
    or violations, taking the burden from you after closing
    having to deal with problems that could have been detected
    prior to your purchase
    • To verify that your improvements meet the county requirements
    with regard to easements and/or setbacks, preventing further
    variance costs
    • A survey will ensure you're getting what you're paying for
    • If planning to build on your new vacant lot a survey showing setback
    information from the county will help determine what sized
    building you can build on your new lot
    • A survey can later be used to obtain permitting for building a
    pool, installing a fence, or adding a shed or any other improvement
    or renovation. The county will require a survey for the process of
    making any of the above changes to your property
    • A survey will indicate what flood zone your property lies within
    • A survey is a MINIMAL expense for a large investment

    When you are looking for real estate, remember Scott Riddle and http://www.NaplesRealEstateTeam.com

    Do schools make a big impact on your homes value?

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  • Friday, August 20, 2010
  • According to the numbers living in a high rated school district could increase your homes value from 10-28%. I thought that these number are something that all buyers should remember even if you don't have kids in school. There are certain factors that can and can't be changed about a home, but location and school districts are the largest factors in our market that can't be changed. When looking at a home just don't look at the house itself, but take in consideration the whole picture. There are a lot of great bargains located in desirable school districts but just need some cosmetic work, keep your minds open while looking for a home. The choices you make now could be very financially rewarding when you go to move.

    For your tour of SW Florida give me a call, with over 26 years in SW Florida I have the expertise you are looking for.

    http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9790

    FHA to the rescue for home owners "under water"

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  • Wednesday, August 11, 2010
  • There is a new program out that might help non-FHA home owners that owe more on their home than it is worth. Take the 15 minutes to give your lender a call, this might be a great option and from what they are saying it is easier to qualify for than a loan modification. To read more click on the following link http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9639

    Stay dry over the next few days and get ready for a beautiful weekend.

    FHA to the rescue for home owners "under water"

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  • 0
  • Friday, July 30, 2010
  • 7 Ways to get a down payment for your next home

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  • Thursday, July 29, 2010
  • I was reading a great article on Trulia and wanted to share it with everyone. They mention some unique ways on saving or aquiring a down payment for your next home. With FHA loans dominating the market, a 3.5% down payment is pretty easy to come up with. Please take a look at the following artice and get in touch with me for info or questions.

    http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/2010/07/7_tips_for_coming_up_with_down_payment_money

    Downtown Ft Myers, is it on the up and up??

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  • Wednesday, July 7, 2010
  • High Point (76 units) was sold for 13 million after sitting for years in downtown Ft Myers, is this a sign everyone is looking for? Many believe the economy and housing market is still going down, but for the past year I have seen the market on fire and property selling that is priced right. It is about time someone jumped in and took advantage of this market and fire back up the downtown revitalization project again. The units sold for appr 171k a piece, a steal for condo that has top notch amenities and stunning views. I applaud Real Capital Solutions for jumping in and buying this building and wish them the best of luck. Go try and find this on the other coast, you will be paying 300-400k for similar units. To read the full article follow the link below.

    Remember if you are ready to make the plunge, call an expert in SW Florida. Scott Riddle
    239-289-1849, for all of your real estate needs.


    http://www.news-press.com/article/20100703/RE/100702085/1085/NEWS0110/Mogul-invests-in-Fort-Myers-projects

    7 Great Facts of FHA Loans, you need to read this

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  • Thursday, July 1, 2010
  • I came across a great article and didn't realize FHA loans are up over 75% in the last few years. This is a great alternative to look at if your in the market for a house. It was once considered that FHA was mainly for lower income, first home canidates or buyers with flaws on their credit. FHA is now dominating the mortgage world and for good reason why. Read the full article and if you have any questions please contact me.

    http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9067

    Tax Credit is coming to an end and a lot of buyers might be out of luck

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  • Tuesday, June 29, 2010
  • According to The National Association of Realtors more than 180,000 buyers will not get their $8000 tax credit. These are not buyers who just entered into the market. These are buyers who previously met all the qualifications for the tax credit, but find themselves at the mercy of a work flow jam with lenders or other delays such as lapses in the National Flood Insurance Program, Rural Housing Service, and new home construction, and might not be able to complete the purchase of their homes by the current deadline.
    Florida has over 14,000 that are in this number and this will put an end to some of these deals. The tax credit ends on June 30th, but there have been talks to extend it. The market has seen great growth and momentum over the last year, don't let this slow it down. The real estate market is helping the economy recover, we all need it to thrive.

    Summer is here and for the families that means moving time

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  • Saturday, June 19, 2010
  • Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are ready to make that move while the kids are out of school. If you remember a few small things, the deadful move will be made easier. Make sure if you are thinking of making that move you call Scott Riddle to help you find your next home. Here are the tips www.rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8740.

    Summer is the time for home improvements, here is a small to do list for home owners

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  • Wednesday, June 16, 2010
  • Other than vacations, summer is the time of the year most popular for home improvement. The long days and warm, sunny weather make a great time to work on repairs and renovations without much of the hassles and delays that rain and other elements bring. For this reason and more, a good number of homeowners undertake home improvement projects during the summer.
    For a list of to do items please click here www.rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8857

    Make sure to start your projects early to avoid the heat and drink lots of water. Energy efficient improvements can save you big bucks over time and government incentives.

    Who said Marco is not for kids???

  • Monday, June 7, 2010
  • The city of Marco Island is getting younger and younger. Here are the summer programs that city have put together for under 18.



    CITY OF MARCO ISLAND
    Parks and Recreation Department
    Frank E. Mackle Community Park
    1361 Andalusia Terr. Marco Island, FL 34145
    239-642-0575
    www.cityofmarcoisland.com

    PARKS AND RECREATION NOTES


    • Camp Mackle registration is now open for ages 6 – 11yrs of age for summer day camp. Stop by Mackle Park to pick up an application.
    • Parks and Recreation Summer Program Guides for May through August are now available; please stop by Mackle Park, Racquet Center, City Hall to pick up your free booklet.
    _______________________________________________________

    MACKLE PARK PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH

    TOT YOUTH PROGRAMS, Ages 3 – 5yrs
    Open Gym Tiny Tumblers will be held every Saturday morning from 9:30am – 10:30am at Mackle Park. Cost is $8/child, walk-ins are welcomed.

    YOUTH PROGRAMS, Ages 6 -14
    Camp Mackle registration is now open for ages 6 – 11yrs of age. Camp Mackle will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30am – 6:00pm beginning June 11 – August 21. For details and information to register please call Mackle Park at 642-0575.

    SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS
    MICKYS Sailing learn to sail on the waters of Factory Bay. MICKYS is a US Sailing certified program with great teaching instructors. Camps are available for ages 8 – 12yrs, from 9:00am – 12:00pm. For information on Level 1(beginners) and Level 2(advance) classes please call Mackle Park, 642-0575.

    Jr. Chefs become a Jr. Chef this summer, we’ll mix, bake, create pastries, and learn the art of decorating cakes. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: August 16 – 20, 9:00am – 12:00pm for ages 8 – 13yrs.

    Lacrosse Camp learn about the beginning basics of how to play Lacrosse. Camp includes: drills, tactics, rules and regulations, and all required equipment. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: August 2 – 6, 8:00am – 12:00pm, Ages: 9 – 14yrs.

    Babysitter Boot Camp sharpen your skills by attending boot camp. Learn how to save a life, care for cuts and bruises, respond in a disaster, and prepare nutritional food for kids. Earn 6 certifications. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: June 21 – 25, 9:00am – 3:00pm, Ages: 11 – 15yrs.

    PADI SCUBA Diver Certification introduce participants to the underwater world through SCUBA diving. Program designed to cover the academic and confined water(pool) portions of the “Open Water” certifications. Pre-registration is required. Please call Mackle Park for schedule, times, and pricing.

    Open Water SCUBA Certification this certification course is designed to train the diver to safely and confidently navigate the other two-thirds of our planet. Pre-registration is required. Please call Mackle Park for schedule, times, and pricing.

    Volleyball Camp will help beginners to advanced participants with the fundamental skills of volleyball. Drills include: passing, digging, setting, and serving. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: July 12 – 16 and July 19 – 23, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Ages: 9 – 14yrs.

    Police/Fire Academy are you interested in police work, fire fighting, crime scene investigation? Marco Island Police and Fire departments will be hosting a one week course on the ins and outs of law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical response, and much more. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: June 14 – 18, 9:00am – 2:00pm, rising 6th – 8th grades.

    Marco City Tumbling and Cheer Camp join instructor Lyndsi Koszo as she shows you the basics in cheerleading skills, tumbling, and fun cheer games. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: June 28 – July 1, 9:00am – 4:00pm, Ages: 7 – 13yrs.

    Beginner Golf Camp sponsored by Coral Isle Golf Center. The clinic will include instruction on grip, stance, putting, posture, driving, and golf etiquette. Camp concludes with golf course experience on Friday. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: July 20 – 23, 9:00am – 11:00am, Ages: 9 – 13yrs.

    Green Thumb/Gardening Camp help create a “Children’s Garden” at Mackle Park. We will learn about the study of larvae, caterpillars, and butterflies, and understand the importance of bees, and to identify bad pests. The program will center around planting of seeds, using fertilizers, creating stepping stones, and enriching soil. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: July 26 – 30, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Ages: 7 – 11yrs.

    Beach Soccer Fun Camp Marco Island and Collier County Parks and Recreation partnered to bring you Beach Soccer Fun Camp this summer. This is a full week of soccer instruction plus beach fun at Tigertail Beach. Instructor Tony Smith brings a wealth of soccer knowledge to these full week camps. Pre-registration is required. Please pick up a program brochure at Mackle Park for the full Beach Soccer Fun Camp schedule.

    Jewelry Making Camp get into the basics of learning how to make your own jewelry. Participants will create necklaces and earrings from an assortment of gems, and jewels. All materials are included. Pre-registration is required. Camp date: June 28 – July 1, 9:00am – 11:00am, Ages: 4th – 7th grades.

    10 Rules of Social Etiquette Camp etiquette tells us which fork to use and which plate to pick up. Learn how to make social interactions run more smoothly and the various etiquette difference between cultures. There will be role playing and the last day of class will be our social brunch. Camp date: July 6 – 9, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Ages: 7 – 11yrs.

    H2O Camp: Extreme Water Sports Dustin Beatty of Water Ski and Wakeboard and Chris Bowden have teamed up to provide a comprehensive extreme water sports camp to include wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, and skim boarding instructions. Pre-registration is required. Please call Mackle Park for all camp scheduling, times, and pricing.


    TEEN PROGRAMS, Ages 13 – 18yrs
    Teen Advisory Council let your voices be heard. Teen Advisory Council will discuss teen upcoming programs, field trips, community service ideas, creating a teen t-shirt, and naming of teen advisory council positions. For further inquires call 389-5034. Grades 6th – 12th grade invited.

    Teen Center Parents’ Nights this is an opportunity for parents and guardians to get the answer to the ever-pressing question, “What goes on in the Teen Center?” Parents and guardians are invited to the Teen Center to meet the Teen Recreation Leader, to see where the kids hang out, to find out what the teens have available to do, and to get the Teen Center summer schedule.
    Dates: Tuesday, May 25th; Wednesday, May 26th; Thursday, May 27th
    Time: 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
    Location: Teen Center

    Camp Mackle L.I.T. (Leader In Training) Camp Mackle is currently accepting applications for Leader in Training (LIT) volunteers to help with this year’s Camp Mackle program for elementary-aged children. This is a perfect opportunity for teens in need of volunteer hours, who enjoy community service, or who would like something fun and productive to do over the summer months. Applications can be picked up at Mackle Park. *Flexible schedules will be created for teen volunteers based on their availability and around prior engagements.
    Ages: 13-17 years
    Camp Mackle Dates: June 11 – August 20
    Camp Mackle Times: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    School’s Out for Summer Beach Bash Music, Food, and Fun. Located at South Beach, have fun with your fellow classmates and celebrate the end of another great school year with parks and recreation.
    No Charge
    Ages: 6th – 12th Graders
    Dates: Thursday, June 10th
    Time: 3:30 – 8:00 p.m.

    Teen Summer Trips All teen summer field trips require each student to bring additional money for snacks and drinks. Transportation will be provided.
    IMPORTANT: A parent/guardian waiver must be signed.


    • Bamboozles Roller Skating Rink
    Date: May 30
    Pre-Register by May 28
    Time: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    Location: Ft. Myers – Drop-off/Pick-up: Mackle Park
    Cost: $10
    • Eclipse Movie Premiere
    Date: TBA
    Pre-register by Monday, June 28th
    Time: TBA
    Location: Marco Movies
    Cost: TBA
    • Ft. Myers Miracle’s Baseball Game
    Date: July 23
    Pre-Register by June 25
    Time: 5:45 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
    Location: Ft. Myers – Drop-off/Pick-up: Mackle Park
    Cost: $10
    • Busch Gardens
    Date: August 20
    Pre-register by July 23
    Time: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Location: Tampa – Drop-off/Pick-up: Mackle Park
    Cost: $50
    Minimum: 40 Maximum: 50



    “City Kids” Junior Tennis Program The children’s instructional program features four different levels and runs in six week sessions throughout the winter and spring. Call the Racquet Center at 239-394-5454 for more information.

    Pickleball Clinic free instructional clinic on Mondays from 9-10:00 a.m. at the Racquet Center.

    Bank of America, is it help or headache?

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  • Thursday, June 3, 2010
  • Bank of America says they are helping, let's see what they have to say. I have had several clients that have been contacted and the process is not the best.



    http://ww.msnbc.com/id/37474233/ns/business-real_estate/from/ET

    Please offer feedback if you have been contacted.

    Have a great weekend and enjoy life, you only live once.

    Marco Island looks out for the turtles

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  • Thursday, March 11, 2010
  • I ran across a great article that explains why we sometimes see the tractors driving on the beach and raking the sand, most think it for aesthetics but here is the real reason.


    Tilling is an activity that uses long-tined equipment pulled behind a tractor to turn over the top layer of the beach sand up to the required maximum depth of thirty (30) inches. The equipment used this year is slower moving, more efficient and less disruptive. Tilling is done 10 feet seaward of the dune vegetation line to 10 feet landward from the high tide line. This is done to lessen compaction of the sand for the maintenance and conservation of Loggerhead Sea Turtle habitat and is a provision of the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) that was issued for the 2007 beach re nourishment in this area of the beach. Federal and State rules require beach compaction for sea turtle habitat to have compaction measurements less than 500 psi. Earlier this month the beach was tested at multiple areas and all had compaction measurements greater than 500 psi.


    Now you know why we don't let autos drive on our beautiful SW Florida beaches.

    Quail West Lot - Short Sale (This is a steal!)

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  • Sunday, March 7, 2010
  • Great opportunity to own a lot and build a dream home in one of SW Florida's premier Communities. This oversized lot has lake views and is on the tee box for great views. This 1st sold for over 1 million a few years ago. Don't miss this deal. Golf Membership included in price (75K value) - More info...

    New Website Launched!

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  • Welcome to NaplesRealEstateTeam.com, the real estate resource of Scott Riddle and Sandcastle Realty Group, Inc. This website is provided to home buyers and sellers to assist them along the way with buying, selling, financing and investing assistance. Use this website to search for homes and real estate in the Naples and the Marco Island area, access the Florida MLS, research local community information, look up interest rate information and more. Consider this website your primary source for Collier County real estate.