Hello, My name is Mike Fate. I have been a Realtor for 8 years. I ran a very successful business in Saint Louis Missouri and moved to Florida to start a new career owning Assisted Living Facilities in SW Florida. Me and a partner were starting small facilities in large homes. Very profitable but very slow process at first. I thought I would enjoy the career change, but I missed Real Estate. It is in my blood. Here is Fort Myers, we enjoy being the 2nd worst in the nation for Foreclosures. I interviewed an office Here that is amazing!! They focus on REO's and short-sale's and are able to close 90% of their pre-foreclosures. I was impressed and went back into Real Estate. I am currently realizing that this area has insane investment opportunities and my past investors from up north can take advantage of this. I have always though (outside the box) and plan to market investment properties down here, though-out the country in a different way that I hope will work out.

I belong to a motorcycle forum hayabusa.org, and never really thought of joining a forum involving my second love, Realestate. I checked out other forums, and this one impressed me.

Anyway, look forward to being a member here.

Welcome aboard Fate. These guys should be good, 90% of the short sales, wow. I would say that equals on 100% in short sales. Good luck buddy!

Welcome to the boards! I totally agree that short sales, REO's and the investment opportunities do make the current market an excting one to work in. With a positive attitude like yours, you'll go far and hopefully do big things in your market place and experience lasting success.

Thanks guys and I look forward to getting involved on this board and have already read many interesting threads. Nice to have a group to discuss ideas with and to help each other out to find ways to increase our business.

I was wandering what data base management programs you are all working with for the purpose of marketing to my SOI.

Hi Mike, welcome aboard!

It definitely is a trip to work in a market full of short sales and foreclosures. I figured it was either Florida, California or Arizona trailing behind us in the foreclosure market. As you know, my area is the 1st in the nation for foreclosures. I focus much of my business in short sales. Even though they are extremely complicated, there is something that pulls me into them.

Hope to see you around the board.