Good Day Readers,

In regards to the last response from LBlanco, for those that would like to get your questions correctly answered about Sail Harbour, I welcome you to contact me via phone or email with questions as the previous slandered response is inaccurate. It is apparent there is a negative agenda by lblanco against her purchase at Sail Harbour.

Brett Rudland
Community Association Manager (CAM)
Tropical Isles Management Services, Inc.
12734 Kenwood Lane STE 49 | Fort Myers, FL 33907
239.939.2999 x 208 FAX 239.939.4034 | brett@tropicalisles.net

I just recently closed in Sail Harbour in March 2009, One of the worst decisions of my life, nothing but trouble from The Management Company Tropical Isles to their Accounting firm Spiro and Associates to their service provider H-Control. I received a notice in October that I owed 7000.00 on back HOA fees, which they failed to disclose, on their Estoppel letter, they've disconnected my services and have deactivated my gate access cards , I am in the process of filing my lawsuit, It is a beautiful place but poorly managed, and disorganized

Hello Carol,
Let me see, "stationary barge", "Italy in a box" or "zoom zoom all night long keeps ringing in my ears".
With the price of single family homes being at an all time low, who really wants to take a chance on not having an insurance policy paid up an in place when the next tropical storm or hurricane blows through? It is very difficult for property management company's to manage the surging amount of bills and make timely payments for communities experiencing late payments or lack there of. Leeclerk.org can give you details on each community and their docs.
For the price you will pay for HOA, Master association and assessments I can show you a couple of dozen homes you will flip over and have a budget to care and maintain your gorgeous property and showplace. Happy to help and when you're ready to shop the Florida Gulfcoast MLS go to http://www.swfloridahomebuyer.listingbook.com.

Sarah Garrett, Realtor
ALLIANCE REALTY GROUP
"Chosen Best in Client Satisfaction 2006-2009"
By Gulfshore Life Magazine
Email: sarahgarrett@argfl.com
Cell: 239-464-8620
Office: 239-274-6637x3030

Here is a resource to view the available listings in these three Fort Myers communities:

Sail Harbour: http://www.greaterftmyers.com/sail-harbour.php

Portofino: http://www.greaterftmyers.com/portofino.php

Bell Tower Park: http://www.greaterftmyers.com/sail-harbour.php

Good luck with your search!

For the record; according to the Fort Myers MLS the following data is provided:

Closed Sales at Bell Tower Park are averaging 104.23 per square foot.

Closed Sales in Sail Harbour are averaging $56.00 a square foot.

I affirm that $56 a square foot for a townhome is a better value for your money than the similar type home selling at Bell Tower Park for $104 a square foot. (almost twice the price)

Hurricane resistant windows, brick paver driveways are also standard in Sail Harbour.
If you read my post you will notice that I did not say the BTP HOA was run by the builder, I did mistype on my first post, I meant to say they are still trying to sell the last of the build out. (thank you for the check back)

I also had a client who decided against buying a home in there based on the best value for her money.

During a short sale there is a lot of negoiation in relation to pay-offs. The HOA's have many times settled for less than the amount owed in order to clear it off the books and get moving forward. What is showing as income per unit coming in may not always be what actually comes in. That is why it is important to get the condo questionaire answered and look at ll financial information.

Does the association have back bills due? I know of several associations that had to switch vendors, (pool care, cleaning service, landscape etc.) due to past due bills.

Hope my clarifications help you. Good luck!

The Kimberly Lang Team
Keller Williams Elite Realty
24851 S Tamiami Trail Suite 1
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
When you think of Real Estate, Call The Red Realtor
239-677-8773 Kimberly
239-677-8780 David http://www.SWFloridaHomeSearch.com http://www.KimberlyLang.net
239-949-8339 fax
239-949-8338 office

I am actually very familiar with Bell Tower Park, as I have done a number of Appraisals there, and must correct a couple of things that Kimberly does not have quite right (no offense!). First of all, BTP is completely built out, and has been for about 2 years. Nancy is right about the HOA...the homeowners took over the Association, and seem to be well set, according to their Budgets, which they will gladly give you in the Sales Office. As far as the value goes, after inspecting the interiors of quite a few units, and seeing that their standard features include things like hurricane resistant windows, brick paver driveways, arched doors, 42" cabinets and all kinds of other upgrades, I am not quite sure how anyone could think you are not getting a good value. I agree with Nancy, that this is not a good time to speculate, and a phone call to the Sales office of any community is usualy going to give you more accurate information! Good luck in your search!!
Sincerely,
Kelly

Hi Carol....
I just wanted to add to Kimberley's answer. I have been working with clients looking into the bell tower units. The HOA has not been in the developers hands for quite sometime. At the time we looked into them the reserves were strong and the actually HOA dues had gone down. This builder is backed by Dutch investors and from what I have seen they seem to be OK. I do know that the builder has been, and is still being firm with his pricing and they are selling.

I would have your Realtor look into any community you have interest in and show you the facts. We should not speculate at times like this. It usually only takes a phone call to obtain the financial information on any of these communities. They could change at any time and you want to make sure you protect your interest. I wish you the best of luck.

Have a wonderful day,
Nancy

Nancy Doyle
239-209-2237
nancy.doyle1@comcast.net http://www.nancyd.listingbook.net

Sail Harbour by EH Builders was built during the height of the real estate boom. Homes originally sold for upward of 300-400k and due to market corrections they are now selling under 130K.

The HOA has changed management companies a few times and now seems to be stable. The homes are being sold mostly via short sale and are strong movers. This development is considered to be a best value for your dollar. I currently have 3 units for sale in Sail Harbour, two are under contract and the other one is still available.

The entire development is finished and you do not have to rely upon unfinished homes to help "pay" dues. The HOA has been turned over to the homeowners - this is important because an HOA's under developer control means, you the homeowner, have no control or say over what happens in your own community.

PORTOFINO Springs by PrimeBuilders Is a development that has very view units built out. Lots of dirt all around. I see this community as one that could be bought by a developer with deep pockets to finish. (much like River Hall needs a strong deveolper since Levitt & Sons filed for bankruptcy.) I would consider holding off on a purchase in this community until more units have been built. This development backs up to Laguna Lakes and is very close to Sail Harbour.

Bell Tower Park by Grosee Point Development Company is more expensive- they are still trying to finish the build out. Many of the original units sold in there are now in short sale and much is still unknown about how the HOA will finally shake out. You see a lot of advertising by this developer theyappear eager bordering on desperate to finish out this community. That makes for some concern with the financial stability of the HOA. I see their prices as a little higher than the value you are getting.

Feel free to email me with any additional questions you may have. It is good to see buyers in this market!
Prices have not been better!

Kimberly R. Lang

The Kimberly Lang Team
Keller Williams Elite Realty
24851 S Tamiami Trail Suite 1
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
When you think of Real Estate, Call The Red Realtor
239-677-8773 Kimberly
239-677-8780 David http://www.SWFloridaHomeSearch.com http://www.KimberlyLang.net
239-949-8339 fax
239-949-8338 office