Lee County Property Fraud

Amendment 3 Has Passed! Here's Why Your Florida Residency and Closing Date Matter If you're thinking about buying a home in Florida, there's a very important date you need to know: December 31, 2026. Florida voters have officially approved Amendment 3, a significant change to the state's homestead property tax exemption. Beginning in 2027, qualifying Florida homeowners will receive a substantially larger exemption on their primary residence, potentially saving thousands of do

Helping first-time home buyers achieve their dream is one of the most rewarding parts of the real estate business. Last night, we had the privilege of closing on a transaction for a young woman in her mid 20's purchasing her very first home. While every closing is important to us at Sun National Title Company, some transactions remind us why we love what we do. There is something special about helping someone purchase their first home. It's more than signing documents, transf

For years, homebuyers have faced a familiar challenge: qualifying for a mortgage often comes down to their credit score. Even borrowers who consistently pay their bills, maintain steady employment, and have a solid financial history can find themselves struggling to meet mortgage qualification requirements. But things are changing. A major development in the mortgage industry is the expanded acceptance of VantageScore 4.0, giving mortgage lenders another credit scoring option

Mortgage rates have climbed back above 7%, leaving many homebuyers wondering how they can make homeownership more affordable without putting their plans on hold. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 7.28% as of October 1, 2026. Freddie Mac So, if you're shopping for a home today, you may be hearing more about Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs). But is an ARM right for you? The answer depends on your financial situation, how long you expect

For homebuyers in Southwest Florida, a new home may come with more than a new kitchen, fresh finishes, and a builder warranty. It may also come with a mortgage rate that is significantly lower than the rates available to many buyers purchasing an existing home. Homebuilders have increasingly used mortgage-rate buydowns and other incentives to make new construction more affordable. While these incentives can help buyers purchase a new home, they can also have an important effe

By Sun National Title Company | Southwest Florida Real Estate It sounds backwards: The Federal Reserve raises interest rates, but mortgage rates can actually moved lower. For homebuyers, sellers, Realtors, and loan officers, understanding why can help make sense of one of the most confusing parts of today's real estate market. On September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points, bringing the target range to 3.75%–4.00%.

By Sun National Title Company | Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Southwest Florida Buying or selling real estate is one of the largest financial transactions most people will ever be involved in. Unfortunately, criminals know that—and sophisticated real estate fraud schemes are becoming an increasing concern for homeowners, buyers, Realtors, lenders, and title companies. A recent case in San Diego demonstrates just how far criminals can go to impersonate property owners and sell home

By Sun National Title Company Stablecoins are often discussed as the bridge between cryptocurrency and traditional finance. But their impact could extend well beyond the crypto market. One of the most important areas to watch is the U.S. Treasury market. As stablecoins grow, the companies issuing them must hold reserves to support the value of the digital dollars in circulation. Under the federal GENIUS Act, signed into law in 2025, payment stablecoins must be backed at least

For real estate agents, the title company is more than the business that handles the closing. Your title company is a critical part of the transaction—and when things go smoothly, it can make you look like a real estate professional who has everything under control. But when communication breaks down, problems aren't addressed quickly, or surprises appear at the closing table, the title company can become one of the biggest sources of stress in a transaction. At Sun National

A Smart Strategy for Real Estate Investors in Southwest Florida Selling an investment property can be an exciting milestone—but it can also come with a significant tax bill. One of the most powerful tools available to real estate investors is the 1031 Exchange, which allows eligible property owners to defer paying capital gains taxes by reinvesting the proceeds into another qualifying investment property. At Sun National Title Company, we help investors throughout Southwest F

By Sun National Title Company | Cape Coral, Florida For the past several years, "affordability" has been one of the biggest challenges facing homebuyers across Southwest Florida. Rising home prices, higher mortgage rates, insurance costs, and limited inventory made purchasing a home difficult for many families. The good news? Housing affordability in Cape Coral is beginning to improve. While today's market is certainly different than the ultra-competitive market of 2021 and 2

With the average home price in Lee County currently around $338,400, many buyers focus primarily on saving for a down payment. While that's certainly important, it's only part of the financial picture. Understanding the additional costs involved before closing day can help buyers avoid surprises and make the homebuying process much smoother. Purchase Price: $338,400 The purchase price is the largest expense, but buyers should also budget for several other costs that come with

When headlines broke that Google co-founder Sergey Brin had exited his investment in nearly 5,900 New York City apartments—reportedly accepting only 6 Cents on the dollar for his stake—it sparked an interesting question. If you're worth hundreds of billions of dollars, why sell at all? Why not simply donate the apartments to New York City? At first glance, donating the properties seems like the ultimate philanthropic gesture. Thousands of families could benefit. The city woul

For homebuyers, sellers, and real estate professionals, mortgage rates remain one of the most important factors influencing housing affordability. While many people watch Federal Reserve announcements and inflation reports, another economic indicator often plays a significant role in determining the direction of interest rates: oil prices. As oil prices decline, many economists begin evaluating the potential impact on inflation, consumer spending, and ultimately mortgage rate

For years, Millennials have been labeled the generation that would never own homes. Rising home prices, student loan debt, inflation, and higher mortgage rates created significant challenges for first-time buyers. However, the outlook for Millennials in 2026 is becoming more encouraging, especially in markets like Southwest Florida. At Sun National Title Company, we're seeing signs that Millennials remain highly motivated to achieve homeownership and are increasingly finding

The recent agreement to end hostilities between the United States and Iran has created optimism across global financial markets. While a conflict thousands of miles away may seem unrelated to Florida real estate, international events often have a direct impact on mortgage rates, inflation, consumer confidence, and housing demand. For buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and investors throughout Southwest Florida, the end of the Iran War could bring several positive developmen

For the first time in months, homebuyers and sellers are seeing some welcome news: mortgage rates have eased to approximately 6.48%. While rates remain higher than the historic lows experienced during the pandemic, this recent decline is creating renewed optimism throughout the Southwest Florida real estate market. At Sun National Title Company, we're already seeing increased activity as buyers, sellers, lenders, and real estate professionals adjust to the changing landscape.

The Lee County real estate market is continuing to evolve in 2026, creating new opportunities for both buyers and sellers across Southwest Florida. After several years of rapid appreciation, bidding wars, and historically low inventory, the market is beginning to normalize into a more balanced environment. For homeowners, investors, and prospective buyers in areas like Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers Beach, understanding current market conditions is mor

Florida homeowners may soon see one of the biggest property tax changes in state history. Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced a proposal to raise Florida’s homestead exemption to $250,000, with the long-term goal of dramatically reducing — and potentially eliminating — property taxes on many primary residences across the state. The proposal would still require approval from both the Florida Legislature and Florida voters before becoming law, but it is already creating ma