Forbes just released an article on the best places to live in Florida. Cape Coral ranked higher than both Orlando and Miami. Florida has been a popular destination for retirees due to its warm weather and beautiful beaches. In recent years, more working families have started moving into the state because of no state income taxes and the low cost of living. To determine the best places to live in Florida, Forbes analyzed data from the median home price, unemployment rate, crime rate, and personal income.   Continue reading ..

Scammers like to take advantage of anyone they can, especially after a natural disaster when you may be at your weakest. They may try to get money or steal your personal information. Be on alert for these potential threats.  

Scammers posing as FEMA  

Scammers will pose as someone from FEMA or a contractor to take advantage of you. They will try and steal your personal information and, in some cases, use it to apply for FEMA assistance in your name. If this happens and a FEMA official shows up at your door let them know you did not fill out the application. FEMA inspectors are also never allowed to collect your financial information.  

Look out for fraudulent contractors 

Contractors in times of need may be hard to come by, but do not settle for just anyone. Be wary of door-to-door solicitations as these are typically people posing as a licensed contractor. If they claim to have come from another area to help disaster victims or that they were just in the area and noticed that you need repairs these are also signs of fraud.  

An unmarked vehicle is a telltale sign. They often try to pressure you into a sale as well. If they are advertising without a Florida license number and not willing to give you an itemized estimate for the cost of the labor, this is a red flag. Ask for a written contract and if they refuse, take that as another bad sign. Never pay in full or in cash for work or repairs to start a job, because they could leave you high and dry. 

Conclusion 

It is best to use trusted companies that have done work for family or friends you know. Ask for references you can reach out to that are local. Do the work upfront to protect yourself. 

Another important tip! Always verify their license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before moving forward. A license can be verified here: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=1&SID=&brd=&typ= 

Protect yourself, your assets, and your family by being an educated consumer or you could fall victim to scammers.  Contact us directly here if you have any additional questions on this information. 

Hurricane Ian devastated areas in Southwest Florida when it made landfall with winds up to 155 miles per hour. It wreaked havoc on the beaches that we know and love, broke bridges, flooded homes and so much more. We are thankful that our staff are safe and are working diligently to get their homes and lives back on track.  

We have put together a list of six important things to take into consideration after a hurricane. Being prepared and knowing the steps to take after a storm are important for your personal well-being and your home. 

HERE ARE SIX IMPORTANT THINGS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION AFTER A HURRICANE

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On Wednesday, September 28, Hurricane Ian directly hit Southwest Florida and left mountains of devastation in its wake. Many homes have suffered damage from the high winds and storm surge leaving most without power, water, and some even without a home. Our community is suffering and rebuilding the areas will be a long road to recovery. Here are a few ways to help rebuild the communities affected by hurricane Ian. 

Donations and volunteers to help the relief efforts of Hurricane Ian 

The American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations to help those affected by Hurricane Ian. They are also accepting volunteers who want to help in the relief efforts. Volunteers will be trained and on standby to travel to support the unique needs of the communities affected. These volunteers would be helping with the day-to-day shelter activities. Learn more here https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-ian-donations.html/ 

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) gives you the opportunity to give a cash donation. This gives the voluntary agencies the flexibility to get the most needed resources to the affected areas. Donating to them will help experienced disaster responders get on the ground to help the affected areas to recover. A cash donation helps buy food, water, medicine, and equipment. The National VOAD also allows you the opportunity to volunteer if you feel led to do so. You can learn more here https://www.nvoad.org/  

Project Hope is offering support for Hurricane Ian. They are taking donations to aid those impacted and offering volunteer options for those who want to help. Learn more here https://www.projecthope.org/hurricane-ian-how-to-help/09/2022/ 

United Way has donation and volunteer opportunities. They are accepting volunteers for cleanup, emergency response, relief supply and more. For volunteer opportunities click here https://volunteer.unitedwaylee.org/ They created a disaster relief fund to support local nonprofits and areas that have the most immediate needs. For donations click here https://unitedwaylee.org/hurricane-ian-relief-fund/  

The Salvation Army is taking donations to offer food, drinks, shelter, and other emergency services to hurricane survivors. Donations go to the disaster relief operation you select to help bring comfort to those in need. Learn more here https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081/#!/donation/checkout  

Moving Forward 

During this time of uncertainty, Southwest Florida needs all the support it can receive. Monetary donations are being accepted at all the companies mentioned above and volunteer opportunities to help with disaster relief are much appreciated. They are asking that you do not send items as the needs of each area may change. 

Here at Sposen Homes our staff is devastated by what we have endured in the aftermath of hurricane Ian but are dedicated to helping restore our amazing Southwest Florida communities. Now is the time to come together and rebuild our piece of paradise.

As of Friday, August 19, the Cape Coral permit desk at city hall will be closed on Fridays to allow the staff to catch up on their backlogged permits. There are over seven thousand permits in progress, and they’re working on training more staff to help get them processed.  

They will still be open for emergency permits, returning phone calls and emails but will not be taking new permit submissions. The online portal will also be accessible for those to check on permit statuses. 

City hall believes that closing to the public on Fridays will help them to train more employees and catch up on the influx of permits they have. For more information please visit: https://nbc-2.com/news/2022/08/12/cape-coral-city-officials-working-through-permit-backlog/  

Sposen is hopeful this will help in streamlining their process and allow for faster turnarounds, so we can get to building your home faster! To view the floor plans Sposen offers please check here.

If you have specific permitting questions, please inquire directly at 239-244-8886 to speak directly to our New Home Specialist team or email hello@sposenhomes.com.

Sposen Signature Homes has been named in The 10 Best Custom Home Builders Cape Coral, FL by Home Builder Digest.

Sposen Homes

Established in 2015, up-and-coming builder Sposen Homes has created a name for itself with its award-winning custom homes and floor plans, tailored to its clients’ lifestyles. Whatever the size or budget, Sposen Homes guarantees a beautiful final product. The company’s certified team of professionals has a combined experience of over 65 years across a range of sectors. Managing Member and Partner Neil Esner is a two-term past President of Florida’s Gold Coast Builders Association and has also been recognized as the GCBA’s Builder of the Year. Currently, he is an active member of the National Association of Homebuilders. His more than 25 years of high-level development experience translate into the fine craftsmanship and dedication that go into building each custom home.

An example of Sposen’s work can be seen in the Cape Coral home featured here….

You can read the full article here.

Sposen Signature Homes is currently highlighted as part of the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association (CCCIA) 51^st Builders’ Showcase and was awarded with both homes entered on January 20^th. The NEW Mira Vista model was awarded Best Outdoor Living and Best Pool, while the Signus Model swept its category with Best Overall, Best Livability, Best Interior Design, Best Kitchen, Best Bath, Best Pool Design, Best Landscape Design, and Best Exterior.

This three-weekend event runs from Jan. 21 to 23, Jan. 28 to 30, and Feb. 4 to 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

PREMIER HOMES ON DISPLAY

CCCIA’s Builder Showcase will highlight premier builders in the Cape Coral area, featuring new construction homes that represent a wide range of styles, features, and price points.

This year Sposen Homes, a leader in the SWFL new construction home industry, entered a 2400 sqft, 3 bedroom/2 bath Mira Vista model from their 5-Star Resort collection located in the NW Cape and one of their most popular models the Signus located in SW Cape featuring 1815 sqft, 3 bedrooms/2 baths.

PREMIER BUILDER – SPOSEN HOMES

Sposen boasts beautiful award-winning floorplans with must see exteriors, kitchens, bathrooms, interior finishes, landscaping, and more!

Although other builders will be present, we want to show you how 70+ years of combined experience in the new construction industry shows why we are a leader in our community.

After all, while all new construction homes are designed, very few are designed well.

With flexible financing options for new construction Sposen can ensure you get into the home of your dreams. The bottom line: Sposen homes are built to exceed, your expectations.

If you are interested in building a new home, you need to set aside time to attend this year’s CCCIA Builders’ Showcase. There, you can see for yourself the innovative designs and unrivaled quality associated with every Sposen Signature home we build.

Contact Us

For more of a one-on-one experience, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our New Home Specialist Team. hello@sposenhomes.com or 239-244-8886

When Getting Started is the Hardest Part

Find motivation and inspiration! It helps to remind yourself that there is nothing quite like the feeling of a clean and well-organized home. It is important to enjoy the process. Get yourself in the spirit of Spring Cleaning by changing into the right outfit, putting on a good playlist or podcast and lighting a candle or firing up the diffuser.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Now that you are all geared up and ready for duty, here are some tips and hacks to help you minimize the labor and maximize the results!

Strategize

Write up a list of everything you would like to get done. This will help you avoid forgetting anything and give you the satisfaction of crossing things off the list as you go. Gather all the tools and supplies you will need for your scrub session into one place to make things quick and easily accessible so you can stay in the zone and get it done.

Make some space! “Stuff” tends to accumulate throughout the year and can be a source of stress. Go through the house to donate and discard the things that you and your family do not need or love.

Clean from top to bottom! This is a solid method when cleaning anything. It is a way of working with gravity rather than against it to avoid messing with the same things twice. Do this to prevent any dirt from falling onto surfaces that you have already worked on.

Window washing is best saved for a cloudy day. It is springtime and the weather is warming up. The intense Florida sun can make pesky cleaning streaks much more likely.

Nifty Tools

Dust ceiling fans using a pillowcase. The worst part about dusting those fan blades is the seemingly inevitable fact that dust will go flying and land directly on your upward gazing face. By sliding the open pillowcase over the fan blade and then pulling it off with some applied pressure, the pillowcase will catch falling dust and help save you from a sneezing fit.

Clean blinds with a sock. Save a few old socks, wear one over your hand like a puppet and wipe away dust from window blinds quickly and easily.

Microfiber cleaning cloths are underrated because these little statically charged workhorses are an excellent ally to your battle against dirt and dust. They are super absorbent and versatile so take advantage of their many uses. They can help with anything from dusting to getting stains out from furniture.

Clean the bathtub or shower more ergonomically by using a broom or mop. This will reduce the amount of time spent crouching down and save your back. Avoiding burnout while cleaning is the best way to make sure you check off all the items on your list.

Reward Your Efforts

You put in the time and the work, now it is time to revel in the results! Relax in your sparkling clean home with a movie or have a tasty treat and feel the joy of a job well done.

If you have been thinking about making Florida home, but are still weighing the pros and cons let us help you add a few pros to the list.  There are a lot of financial benefits to becoming a Florida resident and making Florida your “domicile state.”

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Show your home some love during this “Stay at Home” order.  We like binge-watching Tiger King like everyone else, but instead you can stay productive and finally get around to those preventative maintenance projects that have been on your “to-do” list.  Your home is one of the biggest investments you will make and keeping it in proper working order requires maintenance.  Here are a few indoor and outdoor homeowner preventative maintenance projects you can do while stuck at home.

1. HVAC System

We live in Florida and our air conditioner systems run yearlong!  To ensure your system is working efficiently be sure to clean and/or replace your air filters on a monthly basis.  Doing so will ensure the unit is not under additional stress, and you are getting the best indoor air quality.  In addition to filters, the condensation lines should be cleaned out.  To do this you will want to pour a 50% mixture of water and white vinegar (2 cups) into the condensation line to keep it free of debris and growth.

2. Clean Gutters

People often don’t stop to think about the issues that can arise from clogged gutters.  Believe it or not routinely keeping your gutters free of debris will help prevent damage to your roof, the exterior of your home and your homes foundation.  The purpose of your gutter system is to take the collection of rainwater away from your roof and foundation, from the use of downspouts.  When your gutters or downspouts are clogged with debris, they don’t allow the rainwater to flow away from your home, and this can be putting the integrity of your home at risk.

3. Test Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

You should be testing and making sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working and free of dust to ensure they continue to work properly.  This testing should be done monthly.  To test, press and hold the test button and be sure you hear a loud siren.  If the sound is weak or nonexistent, replace your batteries immediately!

4. Clean out Dryer vents

Homeowners may not realize but lint build ups happen in more places than just inside the dryer.  Proper dryer maintenance includes, cleaning the lint trap housing, the interior dryer duct and the dryer vent.  Be sure you are routinely clearing out all locations mentioned above to ensure your dryer is working efficiently, offers less chance of mold buildup and greatly reduces the risk of the lint build up becoming a fire hazard.

5. Cleaning

We all remember to vacuum, clean bathrooms, and wash windows but here is a list of routine cleanings we don’t always think to do and now have the time to do!

• Clean range hood filters
• Clean drains in shower and sinks
• Clean faucet aerators & shower heads
• Clean kitchen sink disposal
• Clean refrigerator coils
• Clean and dust light fixtures

We suggest to all our homeowners that writing down key preventative maintenance dates on a calendar is beneficial to keeping you on track.  Items to be done monthly, you can mark down on the same day each month and so on.  Keeping up with preventative maintenance will bring years of added pleasure to you and create longevity in your home systems.