October 16, 2025 • 17 mins
Real estate dreams are built on more than sunshine and signatures. We sat down with Title Adam, a Florida title insurance pro with deep Southwest Florida roots, to unpack how safe closings actually happen: from verifying identities and ownership to navigating wire fraud attempts that hit inboxes at the worst possible moment. If you’ve ever wondered who protects your money when you buy, sell, build, or refinance, this conversation lifts the curtain on the people and processes that keep your deal clean.
Adam shares his journey from Bonita Springs to Fort Myers Beach, why he chose to stay and serve this community, and how a recent firm change tested his resolve during a tough market cycle. We get honest about Florida’s fraud problem—seller impersonation, phishing, wire redirections—and the extra complexity that comes with second homes, remote signings, and vacant land. Adam explains the protocols that matter right now: secure wire instructions, identity verification, and a culture of “trust but verify” before anyone presses the button to release funds.
Beyond the closing table, we talk recovery and resilience across Fort Myers Beach after Ian, the region’s building boom from Lehigh to Estero, and the conservation questions that growth raises. Adam’s local picks bring the area to life, from beach hikes and Corkscrew boardwalks to live music, a Pink Shell staycation, and even a Key West Express day trip. It’s a warm, practical, and deeply local guide to navigating real estate in paradise while keeping your money—and your peace of mind—safe.
If you found value here, follow the show, share it with a neighbor who’s buying or selling, and leave a quick review so more good people can find us.
TITLE ADAM
Adam May
Estero, FL, United States, Florida
(239) 888-5757
Adam@titleadam.com
TitleAdam.com
Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Intro/Close (00:00):
Welcome to the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor
Podcast, where the sun's alwaysshining and the stories are even
brighter.
Each episode we bring youcloser to the neighbors, local
legends, leads by businessesthat make Fort Myers Beach the
lights of paradise feel love.
Flip the beach chair, grab adrink, and let's meet the people
who make this island feel likehome.
We want to send out some islandlove to air tips from Edward
(00:21):
Jones, State Insurance USA, andHome Welfare Services Fort
Myers.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener.
From local stories to thepositive vibe of island life.
Here's your host, Cabo JimSchaller.
Cabo Jim (00:40):
Fort Myers Beach, good neighbors.
Uh, here we offer, as I like tosay, no shade, just sunshine.
So uh drama free and positivevibes only, please.
So uh so excited to have wehave Title Adam with us today.
So excited to share his storywith our our listeners and our
good neighbors here.
So without further ado, whydon't we uh jump in and get to
(01:03):
know you a little bit?
Adam May (01:04):
Jim, thanks for having me on the podcast.
A longtime listener, first timecaller, so to speak.
Cabo Jim (01:09):
There you go.
There you go.
You've got that radio voice.
You've definitely done thisbefore, right?
Adam May (01:14):
That's right.
I'm coming to you from mypodcast studio here.
So I'm excited to be joining upwith another pro.
Cabo Jim (01:20):
Very nice, very nice.
So why don't we start bysharing a little bit about what
you do with the the titleindustry here?
Adam May (01:27):
Sure.
Um, so I've been in theSouthwest Florida area for over
30 years.
Um, I have found a way tocontribute to our local uh
community as a title insuranceagent.
And I'm licensed in the stateof Florida, but I live and love
in Lee County specifically.
And so I spend my days workingdirectly with real estate
(01:47):
agents, with builders, with loanofficers and banks and private
investors, and I'm helping themto open and close escrow on
maybe the biggest financialtransaction that they'll close,
and that's real estate.
So anything from vacant land touh new construction, commercial
real estate, um, I do it alland I do it here, like I said,
in the state of Florida.
(02:08):
But that's how I primarily amgiving back to the community as
a as a professional here.
Cabo Jim (02:13):
Absolutely.
And, you know, as we all know,the landscape around Southwest
Florida has changed dramaticallyover the last couple of years.
So there's a lot of newopportunity per se to uh for
people to come on in and createsomething that uh is special to
them.
Um so how, you know, um, I'mgonna say, why Fort Myers, why
(02:33):
the Fort Myers Beach area?
I mean, uh why is thatimportant to you?
Adam May (02:37):
Sure.
So I moved to Bonita Springs uhin the early 80s from
Indianapolis.
My parents split up, mom stayedup there, dad came down here,
and I found myself in BenitaSprings, which at the time was a
very sleepy fishing town, uh,very small, and we left Benita
Springs to do just aboutanything that we needed to at
(02:57):
the time.
So if we went to dinner, itwould be down in Naples, or if
we went, you know, to the mall,it might be up in Fort Myers.
And Fort Myers Beach was anextension of Benita Springs
because we spent so much of ourtime out on the water.
Um, I grew up on the ImperialRiver in Benita Springs, and so
we constantly, minimum oneweekend day, but often both
(03:18):
weekend days, we would be out uhnavigating, fishing, playing,
and tubing in the localwaterways.
And so as I've grown up, I'vedecided that this is where I
want to, where I want to rootand where I want to have
children and build thosememories as well.
Fort Myers Beach and SouthwestFlorida in general, what's not
to love?
And like I said, someone I'msomeone who knows the state
(03:38):
pretty well and spends time indifferent pockets of the state,
but I always enjoy coming hometo Southwest Florida because
you've got something foreveryone.
The beaches, you've got golf,you've got tennis, you've got
fantastic restaurant options.
Um, all the entertainment andculture that you could ask for.
And I really love Fort MyersBeach because it's come back
after Ian, even after thatwallop that they got.
Cabo Jim (03:58):
Yeah, absolutely.
And you know, I've I've beendown here since 89.
So uh I've seen a lot of changetoo as well.
So I remember when it was FortMyers, Naples, and like you
said, Benita was that trailerpark kind of in between, and
that's all that was there.
And uh, I think a small littleconvenience store, but there was
nothing there, and now it'sit's filling in, it's growing as
we grow here in SouthwestFlorida.
(04:19):
And it's you know, it'sexciting to see the change, you
know.
We want to keep some of thathistory uh around and and some
of that uh that old school, butyou know, in the name of
progress, we we we grow, youknow, and that's where we're at
right now.
So running a business,obviously, you know, in
Southwest Florida for anybodyoutside of Southwest Florida, it
(04:39):
sounds like a dream job, right?
Who won't want to work and liveby the beach?
But uh we all deal with storms.
What's been your biggestchallenge and maybe proudest
moment so far?
Adam May (04:51):
Yeah, so as far as storms go, or we're talking
about the the literal storm.
Cabo Jim (04:55):
Well, just you know, maybe something you came across
business-wise is you know,getting to where you are today.
Adam May (05:01):
Sure, sure.
Well, I and the the people thatknow me know that the biggest
challenge that I've I'veencountered and overcome in the
last year was I moved firms.
And as a business uh person,you occasionally will do that.
And when I moved firms, itresulted in a dispute legally
over my right to work.
And that dispute, luckily, iswell behind me.
(05:22):
Uh, but that was a challengethat I had to actually look and
say, am I willing to dig in anddo I really want to do this job
for the community?
Because I have someone tellingme that I can't do that job for
a year now.
And I made a decision that I dovalue um my control my
contribution to the community.
I do want to do this, I do wantto continue to work and play in
(05:44):
the community that I've spentso much time in.
And as a business person, I didthis in the middle of a of an
incredibly pronounced marketshift, as you know.
And I did it at a time whenCape Coral and Southwest Florida
proper was making headlines forthe wrong reasons in the real
estate market.
And so that has been achallenge, and that has caused
me to go back to the drawingboard, Jim, and actually look at
(06:06):
what are you giving to thecommunity and what are you
expecting in return?
And I think it's made me a morehonest, I think it's made me a
more accountable professional,and it's made me someone who,
like I said, realizes animportant role within the
community that's not alwaysexciting or sexy.
Title insurance itself is notreally a glamorous job.
And it's not, you know, thereal estate agent who's, you
(06:27):
know, really, really out therecrushing it.
But we are there as asupporting uh player and we are
there to make sure thateveryone's protected.
And I think that that'simportant.
And that's like I said,something that I look at it and
say, I like doing this enoughthat that I will go through that
and come out on the other side.
Cabo Jim (06:44):
Yeah, it's all about helping people at the end and
speaking along those lines, youknow, we all get involved with
the community or I'll try togive back with the community.
Are there certain things thatyou're doing to help connect
yourself with the community?
Obviously, being a lifelongresident down here uh is is
major, but are there certainthings that we can do to help
give back to the community?
Adam May (07:05):
Yeah, I think that I think that it's a it can be a
tough life to get through, andwe're all trying to do it our
own way.
Uh, one of the things in thisyear that I was able to do was I
partnered with an instructorwith Lee County Park System.
Uh, he is an incredible guy,but he his specialty is really
telescopes.
And so we put together an eventat uh a park in Lee County
(07:27):
where we had everyone come atsunset.
We set up a ton of differenttelescopes, different types,
different sizes, um, differentresolutions, and allowed people
to really experience that and toask questions about, you know,
stargazing, to ask questionsabout, you know, things that
aren't on the news and beingshoved in our face every day.
Like I said, we live inparadise.
And if you look around, it's areally special place to be.
(07:49):
But sometimes giving back tothe community is a non-billable
service.
And that's something I likedoing.
I like participating with thatto do community events.
We've done a couple of those.
Um, I know next week, I believeit's this coming Saturday,
we're sponsoring a trunk ortreat.
And you'll find me as a dadloving to do that stuff.
(08:09):
But as a business person,honestly, Jim just finding it to
be part of what you have to doto give to the community.
So I'm always down to supportthe community.
I've been working with Habitatfor Humanity since 2003, and I
always am available to join on ajob site with them as well.
Cabo Jim (08:24):
And those are the things, like you said, bring the
community together.
You know, we've all, you know,there's enough of the negativity
and drama going outside ofthat.
We need to focus as, you know,your neighbors, you know,
they're they're good people.
It doesn't matter what theybelieve, but they're still your
neighbors.
So let's all work together.
And, you know, we live inparadise for a reason.
So let's uh let's enjoy thattogether.
(08:45):
So speaking along the titleindustry, are there certain
things that have, you know,maybe changed or they're
currently trending?
Adam May (08:53):
Yeah.
So the hot topic right now intitle insurance, especially in
Florida, is fraud.
And it's not a question of ifyou're going to be impacted by
fraud, it's when and how badit's going to be.
And we have some incrediblytalented individuals that are
choosing to use their talent forthe worst.
Um, but we see it every singleday.
And the most common would besomeone um perpetrating fraud by
(09:17):
pretending to be the propertyowner.
That's the most um common.
But there's also wire fraudthat happens.
There are um family members attimes of elderly property owners
that will make bad decisionsand will deed properties over.
So title in general issomething that in Florida
particularly, the fraud is justoff the charts.
(09:40):
And so we spend a very goodportion of our day really just
fact-checking.
Who are we talking to?
Do we really know who this is?
And at the end of the day, Jim,I control the money as the
title agent.
And so everybody can want andwish everything that they want.
But at the end of the day, it'son me to push the button to
release those funds.
And when those, when thathappens, we have to know that we
(10:00):
did the job properly and thatwe protected everyone.
So I would say if you said,what is the most exciting and
the most frustrating part ofyour job?
It's going to be constantlydealing with fraud, phishing
attempts on my email, crazy textmessages, weird phone calls.
Like we get it all.
And they're constantly juststress testing to see if there's
a chink in the armor, ifthere's a way to get through to
(10:24):
run off with the bag.
And so it's that they can beexciting, but it's just we just
have to be careful and protectour good neighbors.
And that's how we are a goodneighbor to you.
Cabo Jim (10:33):
And and you know, we we deal with it more so probably
in Florida because I don'tknow, the fact maybe we are a
transient state, but then wehave a lot of owners that are
outside of the state too, ormaybe this is their second or
third home here, too.
So that's that other level ofyou know, being uh complicated.
Adam May (10:49):
That's what it is, Jim.
It's the it's the I live inCanada, I own a vacant lot in
Cape Coral.
I want you to send the closingdocuments to Japan.
You know, it's it's everythingis is digital now and everything
moves so quickly, and we don'thave checks as often.
Most of the time we're workingin wire transfers.
(11:09):
So, like I say, once we go topush that button, we need to
know that we've done you knowour due diligence.
Yeah.
Cabo Jim (11:16):
Absolutely.
So, Southwest Florida again,you know, we we love the
paradise here.
Where do you see the future,you know, within the real estate
industry going?
Adam May (11:25):
Well, it's interesting because as much as I've seen on
the news and in the papers thatthere's some kind of a housing
slowdown, you wouldn't know itaround here.
And I drive, uh, I live inLehigh and I have an office in
Estero.
So I'm covering that section ofreal estate twice a day.
I'm driving tree line.
And at least there I can tellyou that it is full steam ahead,
knocking down everything greenand replacing it with concrete.
(11:49):
And I work in an industry thatreally relies on that, but I
worry about that.
I think about conservation alot of times.
I wonder if um the demand willcatch up to that supply that
we're building.
There's a lot of it, like Isaid, going on.
And and I also was uh I wentthrough the housing downturn in
0809 down here in Florida.
(12:10):
So I remember that as well.
And um, from a from a realestate standpoint, I like to
say, Jim, that I'm the guy atDisney World.
And there's a line of peoplethat can't wait to get in, and
there's a line of peopleexhausted, can't wait to get
out.
And I'm just the guy smiling,offering a bottle of water and
uh hey, thanks for coming,welcome, you know.
And I'm just making sure thateverybody's in order coming in
and coming and going.
(12:30):
And I think from a real estatestandpoint, this is the best
state in the country to be doingtitle insurance or real estate
if you're good at it, and that'sthe caveat.
Cabo Jim (12:40):
That's that's the key.
And you know, I remember, yeah,I'm gonna sound old now, but
back in the day, you know, whenanything east of 75 was like
farmland and nothing.
There was nothing up there, andnow it's got we've got
communities like Astero poppingup that are just growing like
mad.
Uh, you know, it's it's good tosee the growth, but on the
other hand, like you mentioned,we we worry a little bit about
(13:02):
those, you know, the nature andthe the the critters out there,
you know, especially thepanthers and getting squeezed
out of their territories.
Adam May (13:09):
Yeah.
Oh my gosh, there's a bear inmy backyard.
Well, where do you think it'sgonna go?
You know, where can it go?
Cabo Jim (13:15):
Yeah, you built in his backyard, so now he's gonna
come to yours.
So so outside of work, I knowwhat you do can be very
demanding, but uh outside ofwork, when you get a free
moment, what do you enjoy doing?
Adam May (13:27):
So this time of year, it's we've been waiting for this
weather, but this time of yearis when we're really getting
outside.
And if we're not working in theyard, um, which I never thought
as a kid would be fun, but Ilove to work out in the yard.
We love to hike.
Jade and I will go to, youknow, Harns Marsh Preserve is a
popular one that we like tohike.
We like to hike up and down thebeach, of course.
(13:49):
Um, and then sometimes we'lleven go uh get lost, so to
speak, get you know, go a littlebit further out and look for
some of that wildlife.
Uh, we were out at CorkscrewTrail um recently walking around
there.
So when the weather gets nicelike this, I like to be uh
either hiking somewhere in akayak on a boat, you know.
I want to be outside.
(14:09):
I am an outdoor guy.
Cabo Jim (14:11):
And that's why we live down here to get outside and
enjoy the beauty of paradise,right?
Whether it's the beach, youknow, or the trails, there's
there's plenty to do.
Adam May (14:19):
Yeah.
Cabo Jim (14:19):
So speaking of which, as a first time maybe, you know,
uh visitor to the area, isthere something people should
try when they're down here inSouthwest Florida that you
recommend?
Adam May (14:30):
Yeah, so there's so much to enjoy.
But if I just took it specificto Fort Myers Beach, um, there
there is uh probably the firstthing I would do is tell
somebody jump on the Key WestExpress right out of Fort Myers
Beach and head down to the Keysand come right back to Fort
Myers Beach and then open up theparty.
Fort Myers Beach has changed alittle bit for me, Jim, because
(14:53):
when I was a teenager, um, I canremember walking up and down
the stretch in front of Lani Kaion spring break, you know, just
wanting to be a part of whatwas going on.
And then I remember in my 20sgoing and watching a lot of live
music at the Beached Whale andthen going across the street to
Lani Kai and demystifying someof that uh teen speculation.
And then, you know, older, nowI'm more likely to be hanging
(15:16):
out at Nervous Nelly's, youknow, up top rooftop, watching
some some live music or checkingout the boats coming by.
And I would say that if you'recoming into Southwest Florida,
you need to spend some time onFort Myers Beach.
One thing that I wouldpersonally like to do is I'd
like to stay at Pink Shellbecause I've never I've never
stayed there.
And I have friends that come infor weddings, I have friends
that stay there on vacation,they rave about it, and I just
(15:38):
haven't made that trip yet.
So that I would like to do astaycation there myself.
Cabo Jim (15:43):
It's a beautiful property.
They've been there for quite along time, I think 75 years, 75
plus years.
So uh, and and they're back inevery day.
Something new is coming back onthe beach.
Uh, you mentioned the whale,the whale's coming back.
So uh excited about that aswell.
Too, but uh plenty to do.
So come on down, come on downto visit.
But uh is there anything elsewe should know about title atom
(16:05):
that we haven't discussedalready?
Adam May (16:07):
You know what?
It's just a quick tag if you'rebuying, selling, building,
refinancing, or doing a deal inFlorida, tag me in.
I'm a licensed title agent, I'mhere to help you.
It's a big deal, but it doesn'thave to be a stressful one.
And so if you know, if you'vegot a question or you need help,
always reach out to me.
I'm happy to happy to be therefor the community.
I appreciate you having me onthe show.
Cabo Jim (16:26):
Yeah, and what's the best way for our listeners to
contact you if they hadquestions or wanted to learn
more?
Adam May (16:32):
So probably the fastest way to reach me is my
website.
It's titleadam.com.
And you can send me a messagefrom there, all my contact info,
my cell phone is on there aswell.
And um, I put my podcastepisode, and this episode will
also be going up on there onceit's live as well, Jim.
So, yeah, that's the best way,titleAdam.com.
Cabo Jim (16:51):
Very good, very good.
Adam, it's been a pleasuregetting to know you.
Thank you for being such a goodneighbor, and we'll see you at
the beach here soon.
Adam May (16:58):
Sounds great.
Thanks again, Jim.
Intro/Close (17:00):
Thanks for tuning in to the Fort Myers Beach Good
Neighbor Podcast, wherecommunity meets paradise.
If you loved what you heard,share it with a friend and keep
the good vibes going.
Until next time, stay sunny,stay salty, and keep being a
good neighbor.
Also, to nominate your favoriteneighbors, local legends,
heroes, or island businesses tobe on the show.
Go abowabojim.com,that's cabowabojim.com.
(17:22):
Or call 239-427-4100.
Send out some island love toair tips from Edward Jones,
state returns USA, and WelfareServices for Myers.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener.
From local stories to theflexified, celebrate all the big
for fires to the flight ofparadise we all love.
Welcome to the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor
Podcast, where the sun's alwaysshining and the stories are even
brighter.
Each episode we bring youcloser to the neighbors, local
legends, leads by businessesthat make Fort Myers Beach the
lights of paradise feel love.
Flip the beach chair, grab adrink, and let's meet the people
who make this island feel likehome.
We want to send out some islandlove to air tips from Edward
(00:21):
Jones, State Insurance USA, andHome Welfare Services Fort
Myers.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener.
From local stories to thepositive vibe of island life.
Here's your host, Cabo JimSchaller.
Cabo Jim (00:40):
Fort Myers Beach, good neighbors.
Uh, here we offer, as I like tosay, no shade, just sunshine.
So uh drama free and positivevibes only, please.
So uh so excited to have wehave Title Adam with us today.
So excited to share his storywith our our listeners and our
good neighbors here.
So without further ado, whydon't we uh jump in and get to
(01:03):
know you a little bit?
Adam May (01:04):
Jim, thanks for having me on the podcast.
A longtime listener, first timecaller, so to speak.
Cabo Jim (01:09):
There you go.
There you go.
You've got that radio voice.
You've definitely done thisbefore, right?
Adam May (01:14):
That's right.
I'm coming to you from mypodcast studio here.
So I'm excited to be joining upwith another pro.
Cabo Jim (01:20):
Very nice, very nice.
So why don't we start bysharing a little bit about what
you do with the the titleindustry here?
Adam May (01:27):
Sure.
Um, so I've been in theSouthwest Florida area for over
30 years.
Um, I have found a way tocontribute to our local uh
community as a title insuranceagent.
And I'm licensed in the stateof Florida, but I live and love
in Lee County specifically.
And so I spend my days workingdirectly with real estate
(01:47):
agents, with builders, with loanofficers and banks and private
investors, and I'm helping themto open and close escrow on
maybe the biggest financialtransaction that they'll close,
and that's real estate.
So anything from vacant land touh new construction, commercial
real estate, um, I do it alland I do it here, like I said,
in the state of Florida.
(02:08):
But that's how I primarily amgiving back to the community as
a as a professional here.
Cabo Jim (02:13):
Absolutely.
And, you know, as we all know,the landscape around Southwest
Florida has changed dramaticallyover the last couple of years.
So there's a lot of newopportunity per se to uh for
people to come on in and createsomething that uh is special to
them.
Um so how, you know, um, I'mgonna say, why Fort Myers, why
(02:33):
the Fort Myers Beach area?
I mean, uh why is thatimportant to you?
Adam May (02:37):
Sure.
So I moved to Bonita Springs uhin the early 80s from
Indianapolis.
My parents split up, mom stayedup there, dad came down here,
and I found myself in BenitaSprings, which at the time was a
very sleepy fishing town, uh,very small, and we left Benita
Springs to do just aboutanything that we needed to at
(02:57):
the time.
So if we went to dinner, itwould be down in Naples, or if
we went, you know, to the mall,it might be up in Fort Myers.
And Fort Myers Beach was anextension of Benita Springs
because we spent so much of ourtime out on the water.
Um, I grew up on the ImperialRiver in Benita Springs, and so
we constantly, minimum oneweekend day, but often both
(03:18):
weekend days, we would be out uhnavigating, fishing, playing,
and tubing in the localwaterways.
And so as I've grown up, I'vedecided that this is where I
want to, where I want to rootand where I want to have
children and build thosememories as well.
Fort Myers Beach and SouthwestFlorida in general, what's not
to love?
And like I said, someone I'msomeone who knows the state
(03:38):
pretty well and spends time indifferent pockets of the state,
but I always enjoy coming hometo Southwest Florida because
you've got something foreveryone.
The beaches, you've got golf,you've got tennis, you've got
fantastic restaurant options.
Um, all the entertainment andculture that you could ask for.
And I really love Fort MyersBeach because it's come back
after Ian, even after thatwallop that they got.
Cabo Jim (03:58):
Yeah, absolutely.
And you know, I've I've beendown here since 89.
So uh I've seen a lot of changetoo as well.
So I remember when it was FortMyers, Naples, and like you
said, Benita was that trailerpark kind of in between, and
that's all that was there.
And uh, I think a small littleconvenience store, but there was
nothing there, and now it'sit's filling in, it's growing as
we grow here in SouthwestFlorida.
(04:19):
And it's you know, it'sexciting to see the change, you
know.
We want to keep some of thathistory uh around and and some
of that uh that old school, butyou know, in the name of
progress, we we we grow, youknow, and that's where we're at
right now.
So running a business,obviously, you know, in
Southwest Florida for anybodyoutside of Southwest Florida, it
(04:39):
sounds like a dream job, right?
Who won't want to work and liveby the beach?
But uh we all deal with storms.
What's been your biggestchallenge and maybe proudest
moment so far?
Adam May (04:51):
Yeah, so as far as storms go, or we're talking
about the the literal storm.
Cabo Jim (04:55):
Well, just you know, maybe something you came across
business-wise is you know,getting to where you are today.
Adam May (05:01):
Sure, sure.
Well, I and the the people thatknow me know that the biggest
challenge that I've I'veencountered and overcome in the
last year was I moved firms.
And as a business uh person,you occasionally will do that.
And when I moved firms, itresulted in a dispute legally
over my right to work.
And that dispute, luckily, iswell behind me.
(05:22):
Uh, but that was a challengethat I had to actually look and
say, am I willing to dig in anddo I really want to do this job
for the community?
Because I have someone tellingme that I can't do that job for
a year now.
And I made a decision that I dovalue um my control my
contribution to the community.
I do want to do this, I do wantto continue to work and play in
(05:44):
the community that I've spentso much time in.
And as a business person, I didthis in the middle of a of an
incredibly pronounced marketshift, as you know.
And I did it at a time whenCape Coral and Southwest Florida
proper was making headlines forthe wrong reasons in the real
estate market.
And so that has been achallenge, and that has caused
me to go back to the drawingboard, Jim, and actually look at
(06:06):
what are you giving to thecommunity and what are you
expecting in return?
And I think it's made me a morehonest, I think it's made me a
more accountable professional,and it's made me someone who,
like I said, realizes animportant role within the
community that's not alwaysexciting or sexy.
Title insurance itself is notreally a glamorous job.
And it's not, you know, thereal estate agent who's, you
(06:27):
know, really, really out therecrushing it.
But we are there as asupporting uh player and we are
there to make sure thateveryone's protected.
And I think that that'simportant.
And that's like I said,something that I look at it and
say, I like doing this enoughthat that I will go through that
and come out on the other side.
Cabo Jim (06:44):
Yeah, it's all about helping people at the end and
speaking along those lines, youknow, we all get involved with
the community or I'll try togive back with the community.
Are there certain things thatyou're doing to help connect
yourself with the community?
Obviously, being a lifelongresident down here uh is is
major, but are there certainthings that we can do to help
give back to the community?
Adam May (07:05):
Yeah, I think that I think that it's a it can be a
tough life to get through, andwe're all trying to do it our
own way.
Uh, one of the things in thisyear that I was able to do was I
partnered with an instructorwith Lee County Park System.
Uh, he is an incredible guy,but he his specialty is really
telescopes.
And so we put together an eventat uh a park in Lee County
(07:27):
where we had everyone come atsunset.
We set up a ton of differenttelescopes, different types,
different sizes, um, differentresolutions, and allowed people
to really experience that and toask questions about, you know,
stargazing, to ask questionsabout, you know, things that
aren't on the news and beingshoved in our face every day.
Like I said, we live inparadise.
And if you look around, it's areally special place to be.
(07:49):
But sometimes giving back tothe community is a non-billable
service.
And that's something I likedoing.
I like participating with thatto do community events.
We've done a couple of those.
Um, I know next week, I believeit's this coming Saturday,
we're sponsoring a trunk ortreat.
And you'll find me as a dadloving to do that stuff.
(08:09):
But as a business person,honestly, Jim just finding it to
be part of what you have to doto give to the community.
So I'm always down to supportthe community.
I've been working with Habitatfor Humanity since 2003, and I
always am available to join on ajob site with them as well.
Cabo Jim (08:24):
And those are the things, like you said, bring the
community together.
You know, we've all, you know,there's enough of the negativity
and drama going outside ofthat.
We need to focus as, you know,your neighbors, you know,
they're they're good people.
It doesn't matter what theybelieve, but they're still your
neighbors.
So let's all work together.
And, you know, we live inparadise for a reason.
So let's uh let's enjoy thattogether.
(08:45):
So speaking along the titleindustry, are there certain
things that have, you know,maybe changed or they're
currently trending?
Adam May (08:53):
Yeah.
So the hot topic right now intitle insurance, especially in
Florida, is fraud.
And it's not a question of ifyou're going to be impacted by
fraud, it's when and how badit's going to be.
And we have some incrediblytalented individuals that are
choosing to use their talent forthe worst.
Um, but we see it every singleday.
And the most common would besomeone um perpetrating fraud by
(09:17):
pretending to be the propertyowner.
That's the most um common.
But there's also wire fraudthat happens.
There are um family members attimes of elderly property owners
that will make bad decisionsand will deed properties over.
So title in general issomething that in Florida
particularly, the fraud is justoff the charts.
(09:40):
And so we spend a very goodportion of our day really just
fact-checking.
Who are we talking to?
Do we really know who this is?
And at the end of the day, Jim,I control the money as the
title agent.
And so everybody can want andwish everything that they want.
But at the end of the day, it'son me to push the button to
release those funds.
And when those, when thathappens, we have to know that we
(10:00):
did the job properly and thatwe protected everyone.
So I would say if you said,what is the most exciting and
the most frustrating part ofyour job?
It's going to be constantlydealing with fraud, phishing
attempts on my email, crazy textmessages, weird phone calls.
Like we get it all.
And they're constantly juststress testing to see if there's
a chink in the armor, ifthere's a way to get through to
(10:24):
run off with the bag.
And so it's that they can beexciting, but it's just we just
have to be careful and protectour good neighbors.
And that's how we are a goodneighbor to you.
Cabo Jim (10:33):
And and you know, we we deal with it more so probably
in Florida because I don'tknow, the fact maybe we are a
transient state, but then wehave a lot of owners that are
outside of the state too, ormaybe this is their second or
third home here, too.
So that's that other level ofyou know, being uh complicated.
Adam May (10:49):
That's what it is, Jim.
It's the it's the I live inCanada, I own a vacant lot in
Cape Coral.
I want you to send the closingdocuments to Japan.
You know, it's it's everythingis is digital now and everything
moves so quickly, and we don'thave checks as often.
Most of the time we're workingin wire transfers.
(11:09):
So, like I say, once we go topush that button, we need to
know that we've done you knowour due diligence.
Yeah.
Cabo Jim (11:16):
Absolutely.
So, Southwest Florida again,you know, we we love the
paradise here.
Where do you see the future,you know, within the real estate
industry going?
Adam May (11:25):
Well, it's interesting because as much as I've seen on
the news and in the papers thatthere's some kind of a housing
slowdown, you wouldn't know itaround here.
And I drive, uh, I live inLehigh and I have an office in
Estero.
So I'm covering that section ofreal estate twice a day.
I'm driving tree line.
And at least there I can tellyou that it is full steam ahead,
knocking down everything greenand replacing it with concrete.
(11:49):
And I work in an industry thatreally relies on that, but I
worry about that.
I think about conservation alot of times.
I wonder if um the demand willcatch up to that supply that
we're building.
There's a lot of it, like Isaid, going on.
And and I also was uh I wentthrough the housing downturn in
0809 down here in Florida.
(12:10):
So I remember that as well.
And um, from a from a realestate standpoint, I like to
say, Jim, that I'm the guy atDisney World.
And there's a line of peoplethat can't wait to get in, and
there's a line of peopleexhausted, can't wait to get
out.
And I'm just the guy smiling,offering a bottle of water and
uh hey, thanks for coming,welcome, you know.
And I'm just making sure thateverybody's in order coming in
and coming and going.
(12:30):
And I think from a real estatestandpoint, this is the best
state in the country to be doingtitle insurance or real estate
if you're good at it, and that'sthe caveat.
Cabo Jim (12:40):
That's that's the key.
And you know, I remember, yeah,I'm gonna sound old now, but
back in the day, you know, whenanything east of 75 was like
farmland and nothing.
There was nothing up there, andnow it's got we've got
communities like Astero poppingup that are just growing like
mad.
Uh, you know, it's it's good tosee the growth, but on the
other hand, like you mentioned,we we worry a little bit about
(13:02):
those, you know, the nature andthe the the critters out there,
you know, especially thepanthers and getting squeezed
out of their territories.
Adam May (13:09):
Yeah.
Oh my gosh, there's a bear inmy backyard.
Well, where do you think it'sgonna go?
You know, where can it go?
Cabo Jim (13:15):
Yeah, you built in his backyard, so now he's gonna
come to yours.
So so outside of work, I knowwhat you do can be very
demanding, but uh outside ofwork, when you get a free
moment, what do you enjoy doing?
Adam May (13:27):
So this time of year, it's we've been waiting for this
weather, but this time of yearis when we're really getting
outside.
And if we're not working in theyard, um, which I never thought
as a kid would be fun, but Ilove to work out in the yard.
We love to hike.
Jade and I will go to, youknow, Harns Marsh Preserve is a
popular one that we like tohike.
We like to hike up and down thebeach, of course.
(13:49):
Um, and then sometimes we'lleven go uh get lost, so to
speak, get you know, go a littlebit further out and look for
some of that wildlife.
Uh, we were out at CorkscrewTrail um recently walking around
there.
So when the weather gets nicelike this, I like to be uh
either hiking somewhere in akayak on a boat, you know.
I want to be outside.
(14:09):
I am an outdoor guy.
Cabo Jim (14:11):
And that's why we live down here to get outside and
enjoy the beauty of paradise,right?
Whether it's the beach, youknow, or the trails, there's
there's plenty to do.
Adam May (14:19):
Yeah.
Cabo Jim (14:19):
So speaking of which, as a first time maybe, you know,
uh visitor to the area, isthere something people should
try when they're down here inSouthwest Florida that you
recommend?
Adam May (14:30):
Yeah, so there's so much to enjoy.
But if I just took it specificto Fort Myers Beach, um, there
there is uh probably the firstthing I would do is tell
somebody jump on the Key WestExpress right out of Fort Myers
Beach and head down to the Keysand come right back to Fort
Myers Beach and then open up theparty.
Fort Myers Beach has changed alittle bit for me, Jim, because
(14:53):
when I was a teenager, um, I canremember walking up and down
the stretch in front of Lani Kaion spring break, you know, just
wanting to be a part of whatwas going on.
And then I remember in my 20sgoing and watching a lot of live
music at the Beached Whale andthen going across the street to
Lani Kai and demystifying someof that uh teen speculation.
And then, you know, older, nowI'm more likely to be hanging
(15:16):
out at Nervous Nelly's, youknow, up top rooftop, watching
some some live music or checkingout the boats coming by.
And I would say that if you'recoming into Southwest Florida,
you need to spend some time onFort Myers Beach.
One thing that I wouldpersonally like to do is I'd
like to stay at Pink Shellbecause I've never I've never
stayed there.
And I have friends that come infor weddings, I have friends
that stay there on vacation,they rave about it, and I just
(15:38):
haven't made that trip yet.
So that I would like to do astaycation there myself.
Cabo Jim (15:43):
It's a beautiful property.
They've been there for quite along time, I think 75 years, 75
plus years.
So uh, and and they're back inevery day.
Something new is coming back onthe beach.
Uh, you mentioned the whale,the whale's coming back.
So uh excited about that aswell.
Too, but uh plenty to do.
So come on down, come on downto visit.
But uh is there anything elsewe should know about title atom
(16:05):
that we haven't discussedalready?
Adam May (16:07):
You know what?
It's just a quick tag if you'rebuying, selling, building,
refinancing, or doing a deal inFlorida, tag me in.
I'm a licensed title agent, I'mhere to help you.
It's a big deal, but it doesn'thave to be a stressful one.
And so if you know, if you'vegot a question or you need help,
always reach out to me.
I'm happy to happy to be therefor the community.
I appreciate you having me onthe show.
Cabo Jim (16:26):
Yeah, and what's the best way for our listeners to
contact you if they hadquestions or wanted to learn
more?
Adam May (16:32):
So probably the fastest way to reach me is my
website.
It's titleadam.com.
And you can send me a messagefrom there, all my contact info,
my cell phone is on there aswell.
And um, I put my podcastepisode, and this episode will
also be going up on there onceit's live as well, Jim.
So, yeah, that's the best way,titleAdam.com.
Cabo Jim (16:51):
Very good, very good.
Adam, it's been a pleasuregetting to know you.
Thank you for being such a goodneighbor, and we'll see you at
the beach here soon.
Adam May (16:58):
Sounds great.
Thanks again, Jim.
Intro/Close (17:00):
Thanks for tuning in to the Fort Myers Beach Good
Neighbor Podcast, wherecommunity meets paradise.
If you loved what you heard,share it with a friend and keep
the good vibes going.
Until next time, stay sunny,stay salty, and keep being a
good neighbor.
Also, to nominate your favoriteneighbors, local legends,
heroes, or island businesses tobe on the show.
Go abowabojim.com,that's cabowabojim.com.
(17:22):
Or call 239-427-4100.
Send out some island love toair tips from Edward Jones,
state returns USA, and WelfareServices for Myers.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener.
From local stories to theflexified, celebrate all the big
for fires to the flight ofparadise we all love.
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