You have heard in the news that real estate in Florida is not selling and unit sales are way down. Well, not here in Punta Gorda Isles. We are following a year where sales were up 18% vs. prior year. That is right 123 homes sold in PGI during 2007 according to the Port Charlotte / Punta Gorda MLS vs. 104 homes in 2006. This is true in other areas that primary appeal to second home and retirees like the Cape Haze Peninsula.
That is not to say we are not in a buyer's market. What are driving the sales are price reductions. In 2006 the median home price was $575,000 vs. $460,000 in 2007 that is about a 20% price reduction in a year. Homes in PGI are much more affordable now that in the last few years and smart buyers are taking advantage of these price reductions.
As for January sales there were 8 homes sold in 08 vs. 7 homes in 2007. With so few sales one or two sales can make a big percentage move but this is a sales increase to start the year out. The median home price was $451,000 which continues the downward pricing pressure but again the important thing is that homes are selling.
To see the sales from January cut and paste the following website into your browser. http://www.charlotteareamls.net/cha/maildoc/sd_AAAa004JB20080216090820.html
Everyone's wants to know where the bottom is. A lot of experts are saying some time in 2008. The biggest problem is that once the stats start showing the bottom it may be too late to pick up the very best deals. Right now the inventories are high and you have your best selection of homes. Once the market truly does turn around that inventory will be gone, especially the really good deals.
Many people are starting to feel that. Web traffic is way up vs. the last couple years. On my listings I am getting easily double the amount of hits on my homes. We really have about 2 years of pent up demand for homes in our area. Baby Boomers are not getting any younger and many of them are going to want to take advantage of our sun and Florida lifestyle.
Punta Gorda has long been one of the very best places to retire and the lifestyle in Punta Gorda Isles is what just about everyone dreams of. Don't wait too long or you will miss out on this dip in the market. This may be your best chance to pick up deal on one of Florida's best areas. You don't want to be saying in a year or two "I shoulda, woulda, coulda".
ZIP Code: 33950 Approximate Location Boundaries: Punta Gorda Isles
Location Characteristics: Punta Gorda Isles is a unique boating commmunity were almost everyone has a boat in the backyard. Enjoying the Florida Lifestyle is what PGI is all about. Conventantly located between Sarasota and Fort Myers Punta Gorda is Charlotte County's only incorporated city. You can go strolling thru the revitalized downtown area with its great restaurants or shops. Hang out and watch the sunset from one of Fisherman Village's great restaurants. Or you can just unwind on a park bench at Gilchrist Park overlooking Charlotte Harbor.
Although touched by Charlie over 3 years ago most homes damaged by the storm in Punta Gorda has been rebuilt to be better than before. Homes have been redone and improved to meet current building codes.
Just come and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle that Punta Gorda offers and see why it has been rated one of the best places to retire in the United States.
About Bob Firth 877-541-2733:
Bob started his real estate career in the 70's as a real estate investor owning apartment buildings and a commercial shopping center. First licensed in 1986, Bob started his agent career in the North Texas suburbs. As a top producer at Coldwell Banker, Bob specialized in working with people buying homes. Working within the investment community, Bob joined a real estate investment company, specializing in rehabbing properties, as Marketing Director and Director of Finance. As a licensed loan officer, Bob handled every step of the home buying experience. Missing the traditional real estate business, Bob co-founded NXT Home Realtors and Mortgage as a Partner.
Relocating to Florida, Bob wanted to find the best place to put his years of experience to work for his customers. Today's real estate market demands the ability for a broker to provided a host of flexible services. Bob found that RE/MAX Properties had the most resources and was the best real estate brokerage to serve his clients needs.
Bob is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds an ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist designations. Plus Bob is also certified by the National Assocation of Realtors as an e-PRO internet specialist and an IRES International Real Estate Specialist. Active in the investment community, Bob is a 20-year member of AIREO.com (American Investors in Real Estate Online) where he has served as board member. As a strong believer in the "Golden Rule" Bob's clients have always come first. Going beyond the call of duty is the norm not the exception. Making sure that his clients have a pleasant, trouble free experience is the key to Bob's success.
Bob is married to a Brit, Ruth and has two grown children plus a grand daughter. Other family members are Henry and Bagel, a chocolate lab and beagle respectively plus Misty the cat.
These reports reflect the views and opinions of their authors and are not necessarily the views and opinions of Realty Times.
