FOR YOUR INFORMATION JAMES C. JOHNSTON Canaan Corporation - Licensed Real Estate Broker "Your Man In Fort Myers Florida"

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

• Where Did Canaan Corporation Get It's Name?

PURCHASING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

• What Is A CCIM?
• How To Choose A Commercial Real Estate Broker
• Florida Real Estate Agency
  • Seller's Agent
  • Buyer's Agent
  • Disclosed Dual Agent
  • Transaction Broker

God promised the children of Israel He would give them their own land - Canaan, the "Promised Land." He instructed Moses to send twelve men, a representative from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, into Canaan to collect information. Numbers 13:2. The twelve returned with a mixed report. Canaan was a great land, just as God had said - it was flowing with milk and honey. It even took two men to carry a bunch of grapes from Canaan! But its cities were fortified and inhabited by giants, and the Israelites were afraid. Numbers 13:23-29.

Only two of the twelve who conducted the "feasibility study," Caleb and Joshua, had caught the vision for what had been promised. The other ten said, "We can't do it!" The people went along with the ten because they were afraid - they catch the vision that they could go in and possess what He had promised. Because of their doubt and unbelief - their lack of the vision - they wandered in the wilderness for forty years.

When Moses died, Joshua, one of the visionaries became leader of the people. Under Joshua's leadership, the next generation of the people entered and possessed Canaan. Every one of the people died in the wilderness - except for Joshua and Caleb - it was their children inherited the promised land instead. Of those who began the journey, only Joshua and Caleb lived to enter the land God had promised.

At Canaan Corporation, we believe that Southwest Florida is a land of great promise and we have a vision of the opportunities it has to offer and of the rewards awaiting those who share our vision. Joshua and Caleb are often depicted by artists carrying a bunch of grapes the size of melons. The logo of Canaan Corporation has two principal components - The State of Florida and two grape bearers.

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As economies throughout the world are adjusting to the formation of new markets and increased free trade opportunities, the role of the commercial real estate professional is more important than ever. A Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) is a recognized professional in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation, and investment analysis. As an experienced expert, a CCIM is an invaluable resource to the commercial real estate owner, investor and user.

The Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute (CIREI), through its education program, has been conferring the CCIM designation since 1969. The 240 hours of graduate-level curriculum leading to the designation represent the finest education available in real estate. Professional experience requirements ensure a CCIM is skilled not only in theory, but also in practice. Only about 5,000 commercial real estate professionals hold the CCIM designation, which reflects the caliber of the program and why it is one of the most coveted and respected designations in the industry.

With a business network encompassing 1,000 markets throughout the world, CCIMs effectively direct local, national and international commercial real estate transactions. Additionally, through the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institutes's association with other U.S. and international professional real estate organizations, client properties can be marketed to investors in 52 countries world wide.

Whether you wish to buy, sell, lease or restructure a property, profit with a recognized expert. Profit with a CCIM.

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Selecting the best commercial real estate broker to meet your needs is an important decision when you are selling, buying, leasing or exchanging property. Here are some tips that may be of help:

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Assess your needs before selecting the broker helps you establish your priorities and expectations. This will help you define the scope of the assignment, financial considerations and the time within which you expect the process to be completed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Request information about the broker's individual qualifications. What is the broker's educational background, specifically in the area of commercial real estate? Does the broker hold any professional designations, such as CCIM? What is the broker's experience with transactions of the nature you are contemplating?

COMPANY HISTORY AND MARKET KNOWLEDGE

The background of the Broker and his firm's experience and knowledge of the marketplace is of great importance. How long have they ben in business in their local market? What is their professional reputation in the community?

MARKETING PLAN

Request the broker to outline the broker's plans for accomplishing the project. As questions about the broker's plan to make sure that the transaction will be handled in a well-conceived and well executed professional manner.

INTERVIEW

Interview the personnel that will be handling your project. This is your opportunity to see how effectively they communicate and whether they convey the professional qualities you want to see in your broker. There is simply no substitute for the feelings you get about someone from a fact-to-face meeting.

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Florida real estate licensees are required by law to disclose which party they represent in a transaction and to allow a party the right to choose or refuse among the various agency relationships.

The purpose of the AGENCY DISCLOSURE is to acknowledge that the disclosure occurred and that the consumer has been informed of the various agency relationships which are available in a real estate transaction. The following descriptions of terms, agency relationships and their respective duties and obligations are based upon Florida Law (Chapter 475, Florida Statutes).

SELLER'S AGENT

A licensee who is engaged by and acts as the agent of the sellers only is known as a Seller's agent. A Seller's agent has the following duties and obligations:

• To the Sellers:
  • The fiduciary duties of loyalty, confidentiality, obedience, full disclosure accounting and the duty to use skill, care and diligence.

• To the Buyer and Seller:

  • A duty of honesty and fair dealing.

  • A duty to disclose all facts known to the Seller's agent materially affecting the value of the property which are not known to or readily observable by the parties in a residential transaction

BUYER'S AGENT

A licensee who is engaged by and acts at the buyer's agent only is known as the Buyer's agent. A Buyer's agent has the following duties and obligations:

• To the Buyer:
  • The fiduciary duties of loyalty, confidentiality, obedience, full disclosure, accounting and the duty to use skill, care and diligence.

• To the Seller and Buyer:
  • A duly of honesty and fair dealing.

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