Market News
Why Moving to SWFL is Perfect for Adventurous Retirees
Want to retire to a life of adventure? Look no further than sunny Southwest Florida, where you’ll find plenty of folks doing the same thing. In fact, about 27 percent of the area is 65 years or older. And SWFL doesn’t just attract retired people: it draws fun retired people. Find friends who share your passion to adopt a more active, adventurous lifestyle. In this lively retirement area, boredom doesn’t exist. From cruising the canals of Cape Coral to exploring the boardwalks of Bonita Springs, moving to SWFL will be nothing but...
read moreFlorida Popular for Midwesterners
Some say Southwest Florida is a prime spot for Midwesterners, and recently, a staggering number of them have been moving to the sunshine state. About 20 percent of the nearly 60,000 people who moved to Southwest Florida between 2012 and 2013 came from the East Coast, more than any other region in the country, said the Naples Daily News in a recent article. In terms of people moving to Collier and Lee counties, about 40 percent are coming from other parts of the state, according to the Daily News. People see more opportunity here. There’s...
read moreNaples Homes Are Pricey, But Worth It
Homes in the lower half of the sunshine state make up Florida’s most priciest homes, a Naples Daily News article said. Is there trouble in paradise? That depends on how you look at it. Pricier homes mean more people want to soak up the sun and lounge by the beach. In other words, it means there’s more of a demand. More expensive homes could also mean you get more bang for your buck. Don’t think price. Think amenities. Single-family Naples homes were the most expensive in the state last month and single-family prices in both...
read moreBoomerang Buyers are Back
They’re back. As the economy rebounds and gets back on its feet, boomerang buyers are getting back in the real estate game. This time with a vengeance. Seven years after the real estate bust, many who lost their homes–due to foreclosure, bankruptcy or other reasons–have rebuilt their credit and are back in the market. A recent increase in loans from the Federal Housing Authority shows a solid rebound in the market. And a Realty Trac report earlier this year predicts that Phoenix and Miami will be prime locations for boomerang...
read moreAve Maria: The Time to Buy is Now
Homes in Ave Maria are the talk of Southwest Florida–and rightfully so. Now that the market is rebounding, people are looking to communities like Ava Maria to settle down and ride off into retirement bliss or, start a family. Bold accomplishments There have been more than 200 new home sales so far this year, reflecting a more than 30 percent increase in new home sales year-to-date over last year. And that’s not all that Ave Maria has accomplished lately. It recently earned the top single-family sales spot for both the first and second...
read moreUnderwater Homes in SWFL Are A Thing Of The Past!
Underwater homes in Southwest Florida are drying up. The rapid price growth will likely lead to less foreclosures and possibly more sales, since fewer negative-equity homeowners will need to bring cash to the table when they sell their home. In Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, 10,772 homes with a mortgage had negative equity in the first quarter, compared with 15,308 homes last year. In Cape Coral-Fort Myers, 24,085 mortgaged homes were upside-down, compared with 33,866 the year before. Both areas, however, were in better shape than the Sunshine...
read moreCompact Versus Golf Course Communities
For years, Southwest Florida was known for its elegant and expansive golf course communities. But a recent article suggests that is no longer the case. For the past 50 years, master planned communities were the dominant choice. The shift to more compact communities is due to a number of things. People are no longer willing to commute an hour to work and back, not to mention, racking up more miles to get to school, entertainment, local hangouts or the coveted local coffee shop. While millennial buyers typically prefer to walk everywhere, this...
read moreHow to Make your House a Home
A new home screams starting fresh. But a house isn’t a home until you make it yours. Here are three suggestions to make sure your home is where the heart is. Decide what type of style you want to bring to your space There must have been something special about your new home that popped or stuck with you when you originally decided you wanted to purchase it. Walk around one more time, spend time in each room and envision what type of space you’d like it to be. Think about what kind intention you want the room to have and what type of...
read moreThird Time’s the Charm for Naples’ Mediterra
Luxury community recipient of prestigious award Imagine world-class golf under the dim glow of the Southwest Florida sunset. Or relax in the prestigious members only clubhouse. This is the reality for Mediterra residents, who live in one of Naples’ most extravagant golf and beach clubs, which recently won a Distinguished Emerald Club award for the third consecutive year in a row. These awards are determined by “BoardRoom” magazine and given out to the top 5 percent of private clubs around the world. The Distinguished Clubs award...
read moreA Guide to Customizing your Home
Building a custom home is an exciting time in any homebuyer’s life. It can also be nerve-wracking. An inexperienced homeowner may be asking themselves: what color do you paint the walls? How is the outside going to look? Will you have a pool? Do you think you want one-story or two? When customizing your home, much of the decision will be based on personal preference or size and location of the lot where the home will be built. To help you get started, here are a few things you may want to consider in your new humble abode. Stairs Probably...
read more