| 10. | Property Tax Reform: Obviously, property taxes have been quite a roadblock for Buyers and Seller recently. The state of Florida has made some strides in this reform, and you can help additionally by voting on January 29th. For More Information visit http://www.yeson1florida.com/ . In many instances properties are still being taxed based on inflated assessed values, but there is help in the works. Insurance Reform also continues to be a hot topic in Tallahassee, and help is forthcoming soon. |
| 9. | They Are Here, and More Are Coming!: Southwest Florida International Airport as well as other airports throughout the State of Florida continue to set records. Folks are coming here in droves from around the world, and are seeing things a little differently than in the past. I expect many more after the Holidays. Buyers are here, and they are actively looking at properties. They are just waiting for someone to tell them "It's Okay, You Can Buy Now!". They are not going to hear this from the Media, so if you believe it, it is your turn to spread the message. There Has Truly Never Been a Better Time to Buy Property in Southwest Florida! |
| 8. | Selection: Can you imagine coming to Southwest Florida today to look for a property? Especially, if you have been here before, Buyers are not accustomed to the vast selection of properties currently on the market. They can literally pick out any floor plan in any community, and choose the property that best fits their needs (and wants). |
| 7. | Prices: I have been here since 1994, and I cannot remember anything even close to the value and pricing we are seeing in today's market. Not only can Buyers pick their ideal property, but Sellers are negotiating prices and other terms to sell their properties. Some folks have come to town to see the same property they looked at last year, literally at a 25-50% discount compared to last year. |
| 6. | Hurricanes? After a couple anomaly years as far as hurricanes are concerned, as well as the exploded hype from the media, it looks like things are back to normal, and the newspapers and TV stations have been silent on the subject and red-faced. Many people have discounted the effect hurricanes had on our market, but I believe this was The #1 Reason folks did not purchase property last year and the year before. Although other factors are part of normal discussion regarding real estate markets throughout the U.S., hurricanes were on most Buyer's tongues the last couple years. |
| 5. | Commercial Property: Looking back at history, the signal to every long term and/or hard hitting residential market correction, has been led by a Commercial decline. Occupancy rates remain at incredibly high levels throughout Southwest Florida. Miromar Outlets are currently experiencing a 97% occupancy rate, and Coconut Point is at 98%. Because previous longer-term decreases in the housing market seem to have either been a result of, or resulted in decreases in the commercial and retail sectors, the very strong commercial market in Southwest Florida should mean a relatively short-term decrease in residential, and sales should continue on the rise. |
| 4. | Growth: Although the doomsayers will never say it, and while they continue to report how many folks are leaving Florida, Southwest Florida continues to Grow. The Naples Area ranked the 7th fastest growing metro area in the Nation according to recently released figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Lee County area was ranked 3rd. |
| 3. | Interest Rates: Earlier this year, many were shocked when the secondary mortgage market dissolved. But, there are more mortgage programs out there than ever, and interest rates are still extremely low! It is truly a shame that many folks fell into the 100% financing, Option ARM, and Negative amortization loan traps, but lenders are working with many who have fallen victim, and have found themselves in difficult situations. |
| 2. | Exchange Rates: Southwest Florida has always been a "melting pot" with great folks from all areas of the country, other countries, and other cultures. Have any friends in Canada, or the U.K.? Better give them a call, and tell them it is time to buy in SW Florida. To your buyers from England, a dollar is worth almost 2 Pounds (1.977), to Germans it is worth nearly 1 1/2 Euros (1.44). I believe these are going to be the Buyers that begin to fuel the real estate machine here in Southwest Florida. With exchange rates like this, if you are from one of those countries, you cannot go back home without buying your piece of Southwest Florida. Click Here for exchange rates. |
| 1. | Look Where We Live! We are fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful and enjoyable places on earth! We have the most beautiful weather, wildlife, and beaches in the world. Our property taxes are low (getting even lower), utilities are inexpensive, and we have no State Income Tax. The State of Florida environment is a tropical and an ecological gold mine. There is no surprise that Florida is the most popular place in the world to vacation and one of the most desirable places to live. World Class Beaches, World Class Shopping, World Class Dining, Walt Disney World, Universal Theme Parks, Sea World, Bush Gardens, World Class Fishing and Watersports, NASA and Cape Canaveral, Gorgeous Flora and Fauna, Rare Wildlife, and the list goes on. All this adds up to perhaps the best real estate value ever. |
| A Few Other Random Thoughts: | |
Competition Is Good! Realtors, Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Firms, Mortgage Brokers, Title Companies, Appraisers, Surveyors, Tile Setters, Painters and almost everyone related to the real estate industry are again competing by providing better service, better rates, and innovative approaches for their customers. Competition is Good For Everyone. For Naples Real Estate visit www.SandCastlePros.com For Orlando Real Estate visit www.OrlandoSand.com For Florida Foreclosures , Florida Short Sales , and Florida Deed In Lieu visit www.HelpingFlorida.com For Lake Nona Real Estate visit www.OrlandoSand.com/Lake_Nona.htm | |
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