Ahhh...the season is upon us, time for family, friends, fun and lots of food. It also means for those of us that live here permenantly that it's time for increased traffic, long waits at local restaurants, higher gas prices (okay well we all have that one), no parking spaces and of course crowded beaches.
The hurricane shutters are coming down, windows are flying open to allow the ocean breeze flow through. As an agent these temporary residents offer us an opportunity to turn over some inventory as well.
Temporary residents (snowbirds) use all sorts of goods and services just like permanent residents. They shop at grocery stores, go to movie theaters, fill up their cars with gas, put wear-and -tear on the roads and add to traffic congestion. It's important to have some idea of the number and characteristics of these people for planning purposes, whether you're trying to plan for the provision of your condo or a real estate agent trying to sell a listing.
The typical temporary resident in Florida fits the stereotypical image of the snowbird, the retiree who spends winters in Florida and summers elsewhere, typically in cooler climes, They tend to be healthier and better off financially than Florida's permanent residents and most of them do not work.
New Yorkers account for 13.1 percent of Florida's temporary residents, followed by Michiganders at 7.4 percent, Ohioans at 6.7 percent, Pennsylvanians at 5.8 percent and Canadians at 5.5 percent studies say. The average length of stay is five months.
I have started a direct mail campaign to target that ideal market in New York and other cold states. Time will tell if this is a viable marketing plan but I have high hopes of success. My particular market are is Jupiter, Florida. A mix of some of the most wealthy families down to the guy that lives in his car and just comes for the fishing.
Jupiter, Florida offers many fun and relaxing recreational things for you to enjoy. Situated along Florida's famous Gold Coast, Jupiter boasts near perfect temperatures year-round, breathtaking natural beauty and an abundance of activities. Area beaches showcase nature at its loveliest, and options for outdoor recreation abound. Spend a morning at an orange grove, taste homemade chocolates at a real chocolate factory or count alligators while skimming across the nearby saw grass prairie on an airboat ride. Shop at internationally famous designer stores along Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Once said to be the MOST expensive street inthe world.
You can dine in casual comfort or black-tie elegance at one of many fine restaurants, then take in a show, visit trendy Clematis Street in West Palm Beach or stroll along a moonlit beach. You can view wildlife up close, go on turtle walks and see nesting areas, take guided trips through swamps and marshes and go bird watching at one of the many nature centers and refuges that adorn Jupiter and the Palm Beaches.
I love living here, it's like a small town but has big city life just down the street. So, while I will tolerate the traffic and the beaches and the long lines, I do love the Snowbirds. For us, it brings opporunity and prosperity for a few months each year. Share your comments or stories if you have a market like ours, I'd love to hear how seasonal markets in other areas of the country are doing.
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