Dear Rapallo Property Owners…

Dear Rapallo property owners… before we get into the state of the market, I would like to ask for your help. We are offering a $100.00 gift certificate to Pagelli’s restaurant in Coconut Point to help us re-name our Rapallo Monthly Market Report. Why do we have to change the name? I am so glad you asked.

Mr. Wallace has turned his attorney on us for using the term, “Rapallo”, because it is trademarked. He does not want us using “Rapallo” in the subject line or the banner of the header. While we do respect his trademarks, our Market Reports is for Rapallo specifically. What else would we call it? The letter from his attorney states, “The use of mark by you to represent real estate sales services is likely to cause confusion among consumers in that the consumers are likely to be led to believe that there is an association, affiliation, or sponsorship between you and the business, services and products of Rapallo when, in fact there is no such association. “ (Click here to view letter from his attorney, not sure why Mr. Wallace’s Attorney thinks Rapallo is in Bonita Springs, Hmmmm) If I did cause any confusion, I do apologize. It was only trying to present the facts and educate the Rapallo Community as to the TRUE market conditions that are present in the community.

My market report clearly states that I am associated with Keller Williams Elite Realty in Bonita Springs. The market report is designed to keep you informed to the market and trends of your property and community. Rapallo (and Mr. Wallace) has a lot of inventory in the MLS and I can assure you these properties do not lack marketing, price is the issue. In my opinion “some people” do not want Rapallo educated as to the TRUE market and conditions. As of today, Oct 7, 2010 there are 78 units on the market in Rapallo that is 14.4% of your community. In a normal market we like to see and 10%.

In addition, Mr. Wallace claims Rapallo is “Realtor Friendly” …. I will let you be the judge. I am not the only one or only company he has turned his attorney on. I have an email directly from Mr. Wallace that says he chased at least four others from using the word, “Rapallo” in their marketing efforts. How is Mr. Wallace being realtor friendly if he continues to push other companies and agents from driving traffic to Rapallo? Is Mr Wallace trying to control the Rapallo market? I am not sure, but what I do know the buyers and the lenders are controlling our market. Sure outside Realtors have sold a fair amount in Rapallo, but if we could all get along and work for the common goal of selling property in Rapallo, just think where we would be. With the way the market is and the high inventory in Rapallo, we all need to work together. What do you think?… please let me know.

As for the contest, please email me your suggestions for the new name of the Rapallo Monthly Market Report. We will announce the winner in November’s issue, along with your suggestions. Look forward to your suggestions. Michael@CoconutPointRealEsate.com

October 7, 2010 // Blog Home // 18 Comments //

18 Comments to “Dear Rapallo Property Owners…”

October 7, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Valerie Ryba says:

I’m not sure what Mr Wallace is thinking (or maybe not so much) but I love your site and the ability to search available propertys. We want to sell and move but all within Rapallo. We would not consider going anywhere else and your site and the Rapallo Market Report is always something I look forward to getting.

Top priority for everyone should be sales whether those units are owned by Mr Wallace or anyone else. I have never been misled into thinking you had any connection other than being a participating realtor in the MLS with an interest in promoting sales at Rapallo and I say to you – Bravo for your efforts! You’re doing more promotion for Rapallo than most others and I don’t really understand what the big concern is on the part of Mr Wallace. He had a vision and created a remarkably beautiful development. Let’s all work to see it prosper!

OK so how about The Market Rap at Coconut Point for a new name?
October 7, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Anonymous says:

I think we should call it “Wallace World” Market Report
October 8, 2010 at 8:52 am
Michael Burke says:

Hello Valerie…
Thank you for taking the time to post your warm and positive comments. I am delighted that you love our site and look forward to our Monthly Market Report. Our http://www.CoconutPointRealEstate.com and http://www.MyRapallo.com was designed to make all the market and community information easy to read and easy to navigate.

I agree with you, “Top priority for everyone should be sales whether those units are owned by Mr Wallace or anyone else.” With that said, it is price that price that will dictate sales in Rapallo for awhile, at least until the inventory comes down in line with the demand. I know property owners hate hearing that, however, that is the reality of the market.

Thank you for recognizing our efforts and promoting Rapallo. We think it is a great community and Rapallo deserves more positive news and press. In my professional opinion, I think the developer still needs to become more realtor friendly in many regards. I too, “don’t really understand what the big concern is on the part of Mr Wallace.” I guess he has a lot of time on his hands since he is having trouble selling his overpriced units. I will get credit where credit is due… “He had a vision and created a remarkably beautiful development” As we agree Valerie, we need to work together to move this inventory. I can promise you, I will do everything possible.

“The Market Rap at Coconut Point” – I must admit I like it… stay tuned!

Michael Burke
The Rapallo Market Reporter!
October 8, 2010 at 9:01 am
Jack says:

Rename Rapallo How about ,,The Colliseum
October 8, 2010 at 10:05 am
Howard Green says:

Michael, Some people have NOTHING more to do but to stir up the pot!!!! You must be in competition with Mr. Wallace. The name Rapallo is a city in Italy. How do you tradmark a city’s name?? Stick to your guns!!! Howard Green (resident in Rapallo). PS. And I love it here.
October 8, 2010 at 12:47 pm
??? says:

I am very curious to know why Mr Wallace’s attorney thinks Rapallo is in located in Bonita Springs. In her letter, she says, “Rapallo encourages real estate agents to sell proeprty in Bonita Springs,”

You can take that several ways…. Is Rapallo pushing people to Bonita Springs away from Rapallo / Estero? Or, the attorney does not really know where Rapallo is located at. Last time I looked Rapallo was in Estero next to Coconut Point which is Estero.

I think you shoud change the name to “Wally World Market Report” Just because I am confused now, I do know where my community is at….. HELP!! If I do not make it home tonight can you send someone to look for me….
October 10, 2010 at 7:54 am
Chris Griffith says:

I’d call the newsletter “The Rapallonian”. It’s a derivative that references the residents, sort of like Bonitians are members of Bonita Springs, the Oregonian is a paper for Oregon. From an SEO standpoint it has the same benefit.
October 10, 2010 at 8:02 am
Edward Kubiak says:

I suspect Mr. Wallace’s Registered Trademark is “Rapallo, a Club at Cocunut Point”. That’s what his Rapallo sales literature and signage say. There are not 78 Resales in Rapallo, the largest percentage of For Sales in Rapallo are still owned by Wallace himself. When he couldn’t Close on all of the 90 Enclave units within the FL required 24 months, he had to take back 45 units. He has his own Sales Team now located in Bonita Springs after they moved out of Rapallo and he doesn’t have to cooperate with RE agents on his units if he doesn’t want to, just like ANY other owner. He has the right to sell his units himself at the price he wants. Presently he has most of his Enclave units rented which is also his and any owners right. He might have used a new attorney to contact you as his long time attorney clearly knows Rapallo is in Estero. Why don’t you hire your own attorney to fight him on the use of the name “Rapallo” in your report’s headline or go back to the title “Cocunut Point” like you used previously?

Ed Kubiak
October 11, 2010 at 9:54 am
admin says:

Hi Chris, I LOVE the Rapallonain…. I am not sure his attoreny will like it… She sent me an email awhile back when I mentioned I wanted to rename the market report after one of the streets in Rapallo ( Via Rapallo) stating: “In theory, that plan sounds acceptable as long as the street name does not include my client’s trademark “Rapallo”.”

Hmmmm stay tuned!!!
October 14, 2010 at 11:10 am
Helene LeComte says:

How about REACH monthly report. And underneath: featuring Rapallo, Estero And Coconut Point Homes (REACH). I would also suggest that whenever you mention Rapallo, you insert the “t” trademark symbol.
November 4, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Brenda Salton says:

I think you should rename it to Casa Bella of Coconut point , because our community is out of this world (beautful house)
November 4, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Elaine says:

The Rap at Coconut Point
November 4, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Vickee Douglas says:

Here is a name you might like
Simple and you can include the residences, brooks etc…. are you ready??

“Coconut Point News” if that is already taken how about
“Coconut Point Market Report”
November 5, 2010 at 11:22 am
Valerie Ryba says:

I already sugested The Rap at Coconut Point
but I have another thought –
The Italian Village at Coconut Point Market Report
November 5, 2010 at 11:46 am
Valerie Ryba says:

Still Thinking -

How about THE MARKET RAPPORT
November 5, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Carolyn Rasnick says:

Michael:
Why don’t you name your newsletter after the town of Rapallo in Italy instead of the Estero property development?? After all, Mr. Wallace was able to do that apparently without retribution so don’t see why you couldn’t!!!
Seriously, I don’t see how the name of a city can be relegated to the use of one person. I submit Rapallo, IT as the name, not to be confused with the Rapallo Development in Estero, FL!! I am not an atty. but I’m thinking if Mr. Wallace could rip off the name, why can’t others???

Ciao,
Carolyn Rasnick (part time Rapallo homeowner)
November 5, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Carolyn Murphy says:

Rapallo was named after a lovely village in Rapallo, Italy which is located on the Ligurian Sea. The coastal area where Rapallo is located is called the Ligurian Riviera. My suggestion is to name the newsletter The Ligurian.

Carolyn Murphy
November 5, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Elaine Barbera says:

The Rap at Coconut Point

Elaine

Dear Rapallo Property Owners…

18 Comments to “Dear Rapallo Property Owners…”

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