fort myers real estate

Southwest Florida Has Something For Everyone

Are you tired of the rat race that has you in your car on the way to work at 7am and then back home at 8 in the evening? Would you like to believe there is a real alternative, where you can live in a relaxing environment, more time for leisure activities and access to all the things you love like the beach and golf courses?

Southwest Florida is all this and more, with a great climate all year round and all the facilities you could want for yourself and your family. All here to enhance your life, rather than making you sit in traffic jams.

One of the most outstanding communities on the Southwest Florida peninsula is Bonita Springs, which is also known as the “Gateway to the Gulf”. Bonita Springs was not so long ago a sleepy fishing village, but now enjoys the reputation of being one of the most prestigious residential locations in the state.

The beaches are renowned for their cleanliness and beauty, and feel just like a tropical resort rather than a residential community. The golf courses at Bonita Springs are world-class and other activities include fishing, boating, tennis, and so much more.

Real estate in Bonita Springs tends to be aimed at the second home owner, and the established communities are more high-end. That said, there are also new developments in the area which offer more affordable living, inland from the coast, yet still within reach of all the amenities. If it’s a holiday destination you’re looking for then condominiums in Bonita Springs offer the best way to pay less and get more.

Fort Myers is another prime area situated on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Once the home of pineapple plantations and cattle farms, it was named after Colonel Abraham Myers, and still manages to blend its rich history with spectacular new developments. The prime attraction of the region is the moderate winter climate which draws many retirees to the area from all over the country.

Fort Myers even has a Recreational Department which organizes activities for young and old alike, from boating to swimming, and ball games to dancing.

Fort Myers real estate appeals to a wide demographic, with everything from affordable cottages, to Art Deco mansions overlooking the river. There are a number of exclusive gated communities for those looking for security and peace of mind, and condominiums line the shoreline for holiday seekers to have a place to come and relax.

No matter where you choose to live in the Southwest Florida region, rest and recreation is the top priority and housing options all revolve around maximizing use of the great climate and facilities.

As a holiday or retirement destination, Florida has everything you could want for a restful time. Real estate options are available for everyone, and prices range from $150,000 for a condo, or modest 3 bedroom house, to $10 million for a spectacular waterside villa. It all depends on your needs, and your budget.

fort myers real estate

Florida’s existing condo sales up in 3Q 2010

Interseting article written by Florida Association of Realtors.  Good News is coming….

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 11, 2010 – Sales of existing condominiums in Florida rose 15 percent in third quarter 2010 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. A total of 16,938 existing condos sold statewide in 3Q 2010; during the same period the year before, a total of 14,793 units changed hands.

Fourteen of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing condo sales in the third quarter, according to Florida Realtors. The statewide existing-condo median sales price was $84,000 for the three-month period; in 3Q 2009, it was $106,000 for a decrease of 21 percent.

“A healthy housing market is built on the foundation of a robust economy,” said Dr. Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness. “As the economic recovery continues in Florida – and in particular as the labor market improves – the housing market will follow suit. The price decline in the condo market continues to attract domestic and foreign buyers to Florida to take advantage of this buying opportunity.

“The third-quarter single-family and condo Florida resales data reflect a slowdown relative to second-quarter data as the expiration of the first-time homebuyer’s tax credit in April pulled future demand into the second quarter,” Snaith said, adding that the drop-off was expected.

Meanwhile, in the year-to-year quarterly comparison for existing single-family home sales, 41,122 homes sold statewide for the quarter compared to 44,451 homes in 3Q 2009 for a 7 percent decrease. The statewide existing-home median sales price was $135,200 in 3Q 2010; a year earlier, it was $145,300 for a decrease of 7 percent. Sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies’ latest quarterly survey of real estate trends reports that the jobless rate remains a top concern for the future outlook of the state’s real estate industry. The survey polls market research economists, industry executives, real estate scholars and other experts.

Timothy Becker, the center’s director, noted that investment in real estate continues to flow into Florida, though investors are wary about the economy. “The apartment sector is the stellar performer,” he said, adding that conditions continue to improve in the commercial sector. “We’re starting to see stabilization across property types in occupancy, with respondents saying they feel better about what rents are going to look like in the near future.”

Low mortgage rates continued to be available during the third quarter of the year. According to Freddie Mac, the national commitment rate for a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.45 percent in 3Q 2010; one year earlier, it averaged 5.16 percent.

© 2010 Florida Realtors®