Ft Myers Beach - Good Neighbor

FMBGN-BIZ- TITLE ADAM - Keeping Closings Smooth For Buyers, Sellers, And Builders

• "Cabo" Jim Schaller • Season 5 • Episode 32

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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

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Intro/Close:

Welcome to the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor Podcast, where the sun's always shining and the stories are even brighter. Each episode we bring you closer to the neighbors, local legends, leads by businesses that make Fort Myers Beach the lights of paradise feel love. Flip the beach chair, grab a drink, and let's meet the people who make this island feel like home. We want to send out some island love to air tips from Edward Jones, State Insurance USA, and Home Welfare Services Fort Myers. They are the businesses that allow us to share the soul of our community with every listener. From local stories to the positive vibe of island life. Here's your host, Cabo Jim Schaller.

Cabo Jim:

Fort Myers Beach, good neighbors. Uh, here we offer, as I like to say, no shade, just sunshine. So uh drama free and positive vibes only, please. So uh so excited to have we have Title Adam with us today. So excited to share his story with our our listeners and our good neighbors here. So without further ado, why don't we uh jump in and get to know you a little bit?

Adam May:

Jim, thanks for having me on the podcast. A longtime listener, first time caller, so to speak.

Cabo Jim:

There you go. There you go. You've got that radio voice. You've definitely done this before, right?

Adam May:

That's right. I'm coming to you from my podcast studio here. So I'm excited to be joining up with another pro.

Cabo Jim:

Very nice, very nice. So why don't we start by sharing a little bit about what you do with the the title industry here?

Adam May:

Sure. Um, so I've been in the Southwest Florida area for over 30 years. Um, I have found a way to contribute to our local uh community as a title insurance agent. And I'm licensed in the state of Florida, but I live and love in Lee County specifically. And so I spend my days working directly with real estate agents, with builders, with loan officers and banks and private investors, and I'm helping them to open and close escrow on maybe the biggest financial transaction that they'll close, and that's real estate. So anything from vacant land to uh new construction, commercial real estate, um, I do it all and I do it here, like I said, in the state of Florida. But that's how I primarily am giving back to the community as a as a professional here.

Cabo Jim:

Absolutely. And, you know, as we all know, the landscape around Southwest Florida has changed dramatically over the last couple of years. So there's a lot of new opportunity per se to uh for people to come on in and create something that uh is special to them. Um so how, you know, um, I'm gonna say, why Fort Myers, why the Fort Myers Beach area? I mean, uh why is that important to you?

Adam May:

Sure. So I moved to Bonita Springs uh in the early 80s from Indianapolis. My parents split up, mom stayed up there, dad came down here, and I found myself in Benita Springs, which at the time was a very sleepy fishing town, uh, very small, and we left Benita Springs to do just about anything that we needed to at the time. So if we went to dinner, it would 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 an extension of Benita Springs because we spent so much of our time out on the water. Um, I grew up on the Imperial River in Benita Springs, and so we constantly, minimum one weekend day, but often both weekend days, we would be out uh navigating, fishing, playing, and tubing in the local waterways. And so as I've grown up, I've decided that this is where I want to, where I want to root and where I want to have children and build those memories as well. Fort Myers Beach and Southwest Florida in general, what's not to love? And like I said, someone I'm someone who knows the state pretty well and spends time in different pockets of the state, but I always enjoy coming home to Southwest Florida because you've got something for everyone. The beaches, you've got golf, you've got tennis, you've got fantastic restaurant options. Um, all the entertainment and culture that you could ask for. And I really love Fort Myers Beach because it's come back after Ian, even after that wallop that they got.

Cabo Jim:

Yeah, absolutely. And you know, I've I've been down here since 89. So uh I've seen a lot of change too as well. So I remember when it was Fort Myers, Naples, and like you said, Benita was that trailer park kind of in between, and that's all that was there. And uh, I think a small little convenience store, but there was nothing there, and now it's it's filling in, it's growing as we grow here in Southwest Florida. And it's you know, it's exciting to see the change, you know. We want to keep some of that history uh around and and some of that uh that old school, but you know, in the name of progress, we we we grow, you know, and that's where we're at right now. So running a business, obviously, you know, in Southwest Florida for anybody outside of Southwest Florida, it sounds like a dream job, right? Who won't want to work and live by the beach? But uh we all deal with storms. What's been your biggest challenge and maybe proudest moment so far?

Adam May:

Yeah, so as far as storms go, or we're talking about the the literal storm.

Cabo Jim:

Well, just you know, maybe something you came across business-wise is you know, getting to where you are today.

Adam May:

Sure, sure. Well, I and the the people that know me know that the biggest challenge that I've I've encountered 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, it resulted in a dispute legally over my right to work. And that dispute, luckily, is well behind me. Uh, but that was a challenge that I had to actually look and say, am I willing to dig in and do I really want to do this job for the community? Because I have someone telling me that I can't do that job for a year now. And I made a decision that I do value um my control my contribution to the community. I do want to do this, I do want to continue to work and play in the community that I've spent so much time in. And as a business person, I did this in the middle of a of an incredibly pronounced market shift, as you know. And I did it at a time when Cape Coral and Southwest Florida proper was making headlines for the wrong reasons in the real estate market. And so that has been a challenge, and that has caused me to go back to the drawing board, Jim, and actually look at what are you giving to the community and what are you expecting in return? And I think it's made me a more honest, I think it's made me a more accountable professional, and it's made me someone who, like I said, realizes an important role within the community that's not always exciting or sexy. Title insurance itself is not really a glamorous job. And it's not, you know, the real estate agent who's, you know, really, really out there crushing it. But we are there as a supporting uh player and we are there to make sure that everyone's protected. And I think that that's important. And that's like I said, something that I look at it and say, I like doing this enough that that I will go through that and come out on the other side.

Cabo Jim:

Yeah, it's all about helping people at the end and speaking along those lines, you know, we all get involved with the community or I'll try to give back with the community. Are there certain things that you're doing to help connect yourself with the community? Obviously, being a lifelong resident down here uh is is major, but are there certain things that we can do to help give back to the community?

Adam May:

Yeah, I think that I think that it's a it can be a tough life to get through, and we're all trying to do it our own way. Uh, one of the things in this year that I was able to do was I partnered with an instructor with Lee County Park System. Uh, he is an incredible guy, but he his specialty is really telescopes. And so we put together an event at uh a park in Lee County where we had everyone come at sunset. We set up a ton of different telescopes, different types, different sizes, um, different resolutions, and allowed people to really experience that and to ask questions about, you know, stargazing, to ask questions about, you know, things that aren't on the news and being shoved in our face every day. Like I said, we live in paradise. And if you look around, it's a really special place to be. But sometimes giving back to the community is a non-billable service. And that's something I like doing. I like participating with that to do community events. We've done a couple of those. Um, I know next week, I believe it's this coming Saturday, we're sponsoring a trunk or treat. And you'll find me as a dad loving to do that stuff. But as a business person, honestly, Jim just finding it to be part of what you have to do to give to the community. So I'm always down to support the community. I've been working with Habitat for Humanity since 2003, and I always am available to join on a job site with them as well.

Cabo Jim:

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 of that. We need to focus as, you know, your neighbors, you know, they're they're good people. It doesn't matter what they believe, but they're still your neighbors. So let's all work together. And, you know, we live in paradise for a reason. So let's uh let's enjoy that together. So speaking along the title industry, are there certain things that have, you know, maybe changed or they're currently trending?

Adam May:

Yeah. So the hot topic right now in title insurance, especially in Florida, is fraud. And it's not a question of if you're going to be impacted by fraud, it's when and how bad it's going to be. And we have some incredibly talented individuals that are choosing to use their talent for the worst. Um, but we see it every single day. And the most common would be someone um perpetrating fraud by pretending to be the property owner. That's the most um common. But there's also wire fraud that happens. There are um family members at times of elderly property owners that will make bad decisions and will deed properties over. So title in general is something that in Florida particularly, the fraud is just off the charts. And so we spend a very good portion 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 and wish everything that they want. But at the end of the day, it's on me to push the button to release those funds. And when those, when that happens, we have to know that we did the job properly and that we protected everyone. So I would say if you said, what is the most exciting and the most frustrating part of your job? It's going to be constantly dealing with fraud, phishing attempts on my email, crazy text messages, weird phone calls. Like we get it all. And they're constantly just stress testing to see if there's a chink in the armor, if there's a way to get through to run off with the bag. And so it's that they can be exciting, but it's just we just have to be careful and protect our good neighbors. And that's how we are a good neighbor to you.

Cabo Jim:

And and you know, we we deal with it more so probably in Florida because I don't know, the fact maybe we are a transient state, but then we have a lot of owners that are outside of the state too, or maybe this is their second or third home here, too. So that's that other level of you know, being uh complicated.

Adam May:

That's what it is, Jim. It's the it's the I live in Canada, I own a vacant lot in Cape Coral. I want you to send the closing documents to Japan. You know, it's it's everything is is digital now and everything moves so quickly, and we don't have checks as often. Most of the time we're working in wire transfers. So, like I say, once we go to push that button, we need to know that we've done you know our due diligence. Yeah.

Cabo Jim:

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:

Well, it's interesting because as much as I've seen on the news and in the papers that there's some kind of a housing slowdown, you wouldn't know it around here. And I drive, uh, I live in Lehigh and I have an office in Estero. So I'm covering that section of real estate twice a day. I'm driving tree line. And at least there I can tell you that it is full steam ahead, knocking down everything green and replacing it with concrete. And I work in an industry that really relies on that, but I worry about that. I think about conservation a lot of times. I wonder if um the demand will catch up to that supply that we're building. There's a lot of it, like I said, going on. And and I also was uh I went through the housing downturn in 0809 down here in Florida. So I remember that as well. And um, from a from a real estate standpoint, I like to say, Jim, that I'm the guy at Disney World. And there's a line of people that can't wait to get in, and there's a line of people exhausted, 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 that everybody's in order coming in and coming and going. And I think from a real estate standpoint, this is the best state in the country to be doing title insurance or real estate if you're good at it, and that's the caveat.

Cabo Jim:

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, when anything east of 75 was like farmland and nothing. There was nothing up there, and now it's got we've got communities like Astero popping up that are just growing like mad. Uh, you know, it's it's good to see the growth, but on the other hand, like you mentioned, we we worry a little bit about those, you know, the nature and the the the critters out there, you know, especially the panthers and getting squeezed out of their territories.

Adam May:

Yeah. Oh my gosh, there's a bear in my backyard. Well, where do you think it's gonna go? You know, where can it go?

Cabo Jim:

Yeah, you built in his backyard, so now he's gonna come to yours. So so outside of work, I know what you do can be very demanding, but uh outside of work, when you get a free moment, what do you enjoy doing?

Adam May:

So this time of year, it's we've been waiting for this weather, but this time of year is when we're really getting outside. And if we're not working in the yard, um, which I never thought as a kid would be fun, but I love to work out in the yard. We love to hike. Jade and I will go to, you know, Harns Marsh Preserve is a popular one that we like to hike. We like to hike up and down the beach, of course. Um, and then sometimes we'll even go uh get lost, so to speak, get you know, go a little bit further out and look for some of that wildlife. Uh, we were out at Corkscrew Trail um recently walking around there. So when the weather gets nice like this, I like to be uh either hiking somewhere in a kayak on a boat, you know. I want to be outside. I am an outdoor guy.

Cabo Jim:

And that's why we live down here to get outside and enjoy the beauty of paradise, right? Whether it's the beach, you know, or the trails, there's there's plenty to do.

Adam May:

Yeah.

Cabo Jim:

So speaking of which, as a first time maybe, you know, uh visitor to the area, is there something people should try when they're down here in Southwest Florida that you recommend?

Adam May:

Yeah, so there's so much to enjoy. But if I just took it specific to Fort Myers Beach, um, there there is uh probably the first thing I would do is tell somebody jump on the Key West Express right out of Fort Myers Beach and head down to the Keys and come right back to Fort Myers Beach and then open up the party. Fort Myers Beach has changed a little bit for me, Jim, because when I was a teenager, um, I can remember walking up and down the stretch in front of Lani Kai on spring break, you know, just wanting to be a part of what was going on. And then I remember in my 20s going and watching a lot of live music at the Beached Whale and then going across the street to Lani Kai and demystifying some of that uh teen speculation. And then, you know, older, now I'm more likely to be hanging out at Nervous Nelly's, you know, up top rooftop, watching some some live music or checking out the boats coming by. And I would say that if you're coming into Southwest Florida, you need to spend some time on Fort Myers Beach. One thing that I would personally like to do is I'd like to stay at Pink Shell because I've never I've never stayed there. And I have friends that come in for weddings, I have friends that stay there on vacation, they rave about it, and I just haven't made that trip yet. So that I would like to do a staycation there myself.

Cabo Jim:

It's a beautiful property. They've been there for quite a long time, I think 75 years, 75 plus years. So uh, and and they're back in every day. Something new is coming back on the beach. Uh, you mentioned the whale, the whale's coming back. So uh excited about that as well. Too, but uh plenty to do. So come on down, come on down to visit. But uh is there anything else we should know about title atom that we haven't discussed already?

Adam May:

You know what? It's just a quick tag if you're buying, selling, building, refinancing, or doing a deal in Florida, tag me in. I'm a licensed title agent, I'm here to help you. It's a big deal, but it doesn't have to be a stressful one. And so if you know, if you've got a question or you need help, always reach out to me. I'm happy to happy to be there for the community. I appreciate you having me on the show.

Cabo Jim:

Yeah, and what's the best way for our listeners to contact you if they had questions or wanted to learn more?

Adam May:

So probably the fastest way to reach me is my website. It's titleadam.com. And you can send me a message from there, all my contact info, my cell phone is on there as well. And um, I put my podcast episode, and this episode will also be going up on there once it's live as well, Jim. So, yeah, that's the best way, titleAdam.com.

Cabo Jim:

Very good, very good. Adam, it's been a pleasure getting to know you. Thank you for being such a good neighbor, and we'll see you at the beach here soon.

Adam May:

Sounds great. Thanks again, Jim.

Intro/Close:

Thanks for tuning in to the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor Podcast, where community 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 favorite neighbors, local legends, heroes, or island businesses to be on the show. Go abowabojim.com, that's cabowabojim.com. Or call 239-427-4100. Send out some island love to air tips from Edward Jones, state returns USA, and Welfare Services for Myers. They are the businesses that allow us to share the soul of our community with every listener. From local stories to the flexified, celebrate all the big for fires to the flight of paradise we all love.