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Activerain success story: a bonsai artist finds a new home

By
Real Estate Agent with Premier Florida Realty of SWFL

Some five weeks I got an unusual contact through Activerain. The potential buyer wanted to relocate from Pine Island to North Fort Myers. At first it seem easy enough but the more I read his requirements, the more I realized that it was going to be a challenge.His wife and him needed a property with over mostly cleared and elevated 5 acres, a decent size home with at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms,and above all well water which was pure enough to grow bonsai trees. Luckily I had worked already in that part of Fort Myers and knew where to look.They also needed a large garage where the bonsai grower could teach his trade and sell some of his trees and other related items.

                       2008_0112Sept12LNsept0004

                      The farm after the rain end of September

This business provides you at times with fascinating and rewarding experiences and all this happened because I blog regularly in Activerain. I also leave a fair amount of comments. I figure that I always have something interesting to learn from other members and this is one of the reasons my blogging has improved.It had plenty of room for that.As a result contacts have come in more often. Its the circle of knowledge in Activerain. We learn from others and in return we are drawn to return the favor. This is why I was able to work with this very talented and determined couple.

                        2008_0112Sept12LNsept0002 The home is actually very well built, has over 1900 square feet, attractive Mexican tiles all over the first floor, and a nifty bucolic view from the master bedroom.  

This was a bit of a complex  transaction. When I first saw the property on the MLS I knew that it may be the perfect fit. There are not many properties which offers what he wanted.The first farm I showed them was the one they made a full price offer on. The house and the property was just right, the land was six acres large. It was not easy. His credit was very high but he didn't have much credit per se.He used mostly cash. This was just happening as wall street was falling apart and consumers were tightening their belts and lending was getting rougher. Lots of paper work involved.From FHA requirements, special water testing, zoning for retail establishments, and during each step the buyer pushed and pushed.Very knowledgeable and driven he was not going to be denied. I was not going to be denied either. We knew that this property was the right one at the right price.

                          2008_0112Sept12LNsept0003 The drive way as you come in the property

                

Sometimes you meet people who inspire you.We had 2 appraisals done and both came over the selling price.I negotiated for a new water softener and have the older aerator fixed and hooked up to the well and Erik got the retail rezoning and had his water samples tested among other steps. They took possession of their farm/nursery and home October 28th.They will have a sale at their older nursery on the 31th of October 2008.I don't think they would mind the plug. When I met Erik I recognized his face as he is a fixture in the area and has been mentioned numerous times in our local newspaper as a bonsai artist, teacher and grower with numerous awards and is becoming an international raising star in the field.

 

His web site is an experience in itself: http://www.wigertsbonsai.com/ 

I wish his family lots of success but knowing Erik and his wife a bit, I know that there are no limit how far they will go.As for me, Activerain is becoming a powerful source of business and opening new doors in this challenging and rewarding field.

 

 

LLoyd Nichols
Right Choice Realty LLC
6360 Presidential Court, Suite 4
Fort Myers, FL 33919
cell: 239-810-2980
Fax: 239-463-4826
home office: 239-463-5217
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn
Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com
Website Blog: http://ftmyershomesandgardens.blogspot.com/

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Jean Groesbeck
Compass - Anacortes, WA
Broker, CRS, e-PRO, ABR, ASP, CNE, IMS

Great job!  Glad you got a new client from active rain!

Oct 29, 2008 06:25 PM
Cameron Novak
The Homefinding Center - 1000 Palms, CA
Real Estate Broker since 2008

Ai... wax on.

Oct 29, 2008 06:57 PM
Carol Swain
Keller Williams Real Estate - Langhorne, PA
Realtor, -www.swainsells.com- Bucks County, Pa

Congrats!  Keep up the good work.  Glad to see it is paying off for you.

Oct 29, 2008 09:41 PM
Gayle Balaban
The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E - Chattanooga, TN
E. TN Waterfront Real Estate

It is good to hear of a great success story from the rain.

Oct 29, 2008 10:57 PM
Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton
Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC - Hilton Head Island, SC

I would think a property like that wouldn't be easy to find in the Fort Myers area.  I bet your buyers are ecstatic. 

Oct 29, 2008 11:41 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I looked at their web site.  Pure artistry. 

Oct 30, 2008 12:11 AM
Marian Goetzinger
Pine Knoll Shores Realty 252-422-9000 - Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Crystal Coast Real Estate NC

Congratulations Lloyd!  You not only made a sale but a lifelong relationship, I'm sure.  You actually worked for your commission.  What a concept.

Oct 30, 2008 12:15 AM
Jane Heiss-Armitage
Ayre/Rhinehart Realtors (Midland County, Bay County,Saginaw County, Mi.) - Midland, MI
Selling Homes in the Great Lakes Bay Region

Lloyd,  I would love to learn to trim bonsai trees,  what an art it is.  I will go on his site and check it out.   Great job.   Jane

Oct 30, 2008 12:48 AM
Glenda Cherry
Keller Williams Realty - Herndon, VA
Realtor / Photographer

You're lucky to have met someone with such talent!  I've always loved bonsai, but I have terrible luck with them - I killed at least three before I admitted to myself that I don't have the patience or discipline to care for them.  Thanks for providing a link to your client's web site - the pictures are beautiful!

Oct 30, 2008 12:52 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Good for you...too often when someone has very very specific requirements it is easy to write them off as not being serious or realistic...good thing they didn't add...and they wanted it all for 50 cents...too often the caveat...congratulations !

Oct 30, 2008 01:04 AM
Pippa Mac
Chevaux Group Realtor, The Woodlands and Spring - The Woodlands, TX
The Woodlands TX Real Estate

LLoyd - Congrats on your success with AR

Oct 30, 2008 01:05 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

LLoyd, What a nice success story and I'm very happy for you AND your clients, I wish them all the good luck in their new farm.

Oct 30, 2008 01:42 AM
Hunter Palmer
Regions Mortgage - Panama City Beach, FL

Great to hear some good news from SW Florida. Glad to see FHA stepping up. As difficult as the financing may have been it would have been a lot tougher getting that much acreage approved a year ago. Since relaxing their property restrictions January 1st of this year, FHA is becoming a much more viable alternative for a lot borrowers.

Oct 30, 2008 01:48 AM
LLoyd Nichols
Premier Florida Realty of SWFL - Fort Myers, FL
Southwest Florida Homes By The Sea

Larry, it would be pretty cool to have such a garden. I am sure that the time put in for each tree is tremendous.It must be quite satisfying though to be able to create a bonsai tree.

Shane: thank you! Erik is quite an inspiration.It was a very rewarding experience. Wishing you a mega end of the year in Eau Clair Wisconsin.

Tigard: Ditto and thank you.I have a few other ones. It seems that some contacts started on Activerain and ended up signing up on my personal site.I wonder if you have clients who did the same. AR is quite a powerful tool out there on the web.

 

 

  

Oct 30, 2008 01:49 AM
Greg Adelman
Midwest Home Center - Saint Croix Falls, WI

Lloyd great blog I love to hear sucess stories like this.

Thanks,
Greg Adelman

Midwest Home Center LLC.
715-483-0012
612-735-4414 cell
612-395-5444 fax

 www.midwesthomecenter.com
 

Oct 30, 2008 04:50 AM
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

Lloyd, Wonderful story and it's great to know that you know your market so well you could find this couple the perfect home and business local! GREAT JOB!

Oct 30, 2008 05:18 AM
Sean Allen
International Financing Solutions - Fort Myers, FL
International Financing Solutions

Congratulations LLoyd on the sale and the feature. I believe you have blogged about this driveway in the past as I recognize the picture of the long gravel drive.

Sean Allen

Oct 30, 2008 06:03 AM
Emily Lowe
RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group - Nashville, TN
Nashville TN Realtor

Wonderful story!  And I love Sanibel and Captiva - spent many a childhood summer down there!

Oct 30, 2008 06:08 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Lloyd.... nice success story.  And I would love a nice little bonsai tree or plant.  In regards to the FHA... I have found many lenders in Florida that make this process tougher.  It's really not that tough. I have been doing them since 1992 and the paperwork?  5 more pages more than conventional....  you get to put less money down and even with few pieces of credit, the right loan officer can get that done quickly... again, thanks for sharing your story.

jeff belonger

Oct 30, 2008 06:44 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Lloyd, great story! Any sale is a great one nowadays! I fell in love with a Bonsai once. I loved it to death...okay, twice. I don't have the heart to love one again~great feature.

Later in the rain~Deb

Oct 30, 2008 05:23 PM