Category Archives: Market News

Top Ten Reasons to Love the Florida Lifestyle

The Sunshine State is one of America’s top travel destinations, and it’s also an excellent place to call home. Many people who visit here on vacation fall in love with the climate, the culture and the coast – in short, the Florida lifestyle. Thinking about making a move? Discover why Florida is the perfect fit for you and your family below.

1. Beaches – There’s just something relaxing about living near the beach. In Fort Myers, gorgeous sandy beaches are always just a few moments away. Salty breezes, coastal views and strolls along the beach benefit your physical health and your state of mind.

2. Warm Weather – Through the winter when much of the country is suffering with ice, snow, storms and cold weather, you’ll be basking in the sunshine in your flip-flops. Sip a cocktail next to the pool, and try not to brag.

3. Rising Housing Market – Data from Florida’s realtors shows that homes in the state are experiencing higher median prices, fewer days on the market, and more new listings than in 2013. Buying a house here is a smart investment.

4. Maritime Culture – Living on the coast makes you part of Florida’s vast maritime culture. Go deep sea fishing, cruise a motorboat along Fort Myers’s many canals, or head out to sea on a sailboat to experience freedom like never before.

5. Family-Friendly Atmosphere – Small children as well as seniors are part of your family – and they’re part of the community in Florida. Discover plenty of services and amenities designed for the young and old, from early bird dinner specials to children’s entertainment.

6. No State Income Tax – You won’t have to pony up for state income tax when you live in Florida, because it doesn’t exist. Florida is one of the few states that let you keep your hard-earned money. Save your cash instead, or spend it on a new boat, wardrobe update or family vacation.

7. Palm Trees – Swaying high above the beaches and streets, Florida’s beautiful palm trees evoke a vacation mentality. Even when you’re just walking to work or driving to the store, you’ll get a sense of living the good life – because you are. Welcome to Florida.

8. Excellent Universities. Got kids? When they reach college age, they’ll have numerous nearby universities to choose from that rank among the world’s best: the University of Miami, University of South Florida, University of Florida, and Florida State University.

9. Coastal Cuisine – From fresh Atlantic seafood and spicy Latin dishes to Florida’s famous oranges, there’s no shortage of delicious food to eat in this fair state. Indulge in Southern comfort foods, hot Cuban sandwiches, fruity Caribbean specialties and more.

10. World-Famous Attractions – No list about the Florida lifestyle is complete without mentioning the state’s legendary amusement parks, scenic Everglades, NASA headquarters, tropical islands and Miami’s iconic neighborhoods. You can vacation in your own backyard, without ever stepping foot in an airport.

CALL THE WALTER TEAM TODAY TO FIND THE PERFECT FLORIDA LIFESTYLE FOR YOU.  PH# 239-821-0994

MARCO ISLAND FLORIDA’S HIGH SEASON

 

BUSY MARCO ISLAND SEASON

 

If you have ever planned a vacation to southwest Florida, you probably planned it when you and your family had some time off.  Most American families get Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter off.  Those just happen to be the 3 busiest holidays and weeks of the year on Marco Island and Naples, Florida.

Eco-tour operators, hotels, restaurants and local businesses all rely on “Season” which typically runs from Thanksgiving through Easter on Marco Island and peaks during the middle of March.  The population of Marco Island is around 15,000 full-time residents and that will almost quadruple to 55,000 people during March and April.  …but why?  There are 2 big reasons:

1) Spring Break:
Every elementary and high school up north have a different week that they have spring break vacation on.  So eco-tour operators, restaurants, shops and businesses will be extremely busy for at least 6 weeks from the beginning of March through the middle of April.  Easter also plays an important role as it’s on a different date every year, so that can also shorten up or lengthen the tail-end of busy season in April.  Usually around April 23rd, all the spring breakers have headed north to go back to school and Marco Island returns to normal.

2) Snowbirds:
Usually when the first big snow storm hits up north, retirees or people that have a secondary home on Marco Island and Naples, will stay 4-5 months to here to avoid the harsh winters up north.  November through April temperatures on Marco Island and Naples are very accommodating.  Usually in the 70’s with low humidity and very little rain.  You know season has begun when all the transport semi-trucks arrive with all the high end cars on them.

Call the Walter Team today for your perfect place here on Sunny Marco Island.  PH# 239-821-0994

MARCO ISLAND THE WALL THAT HEALS EXHIBIT

 

The 25th season of The Wall That Heals exhibit will begin its national tour February 20-23, 2020 in Marco Island. The exhibit – open 24 hours a day – includes a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center. The traveling exhibit honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the 58,276 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit replicates The Wall experience in Washington, D.C. and provides veterans and their family members the chance to experience The Wall in their own community.

Hosting the exhibit provides the opportunity to honor and remember those who have served and sacrificed and offers an educational experience for visitors on the impact of the Vietnam War on America. The Wall That Heals is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer. When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history. The mobile Education Center exhibit includes: digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” – service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.

 

BEAUTIFUL SUNNY MARCO ISLAND FLORIDA

Marco Island is as far southwest as you can go in Florida without plunking into the Everglades. It’s a sunny lush beautiful island with a massive network of canals and a laid back vibe The Ten Thousand Islands, small mangrove islands full of all types of native (and a few invasive) species, lie close to the sugar sandy beaches of Marco Island.

Marco itself is clean and quiet, and has breathtaking beaches with sand that feels like flour under your feet. Having said that we should also mention that there are a lot of small shells so footwear to protect your – well your foots – is recommended! Shelling on Marco Island is some of the best you will find all over the world.  Marco Island is a good place for people who like to relax, swim, enjoy nature and go boating or fishing, dining and shopping. So explore and enjoy the stunning sunny Island.

The local joke is that “Marco midnight” is at 9:00 p.m. That’s a ridiculous joke though – it’s more like 9:15.

The easiest way to get to Marco Island is to fly into Fort Myers (RSW) and don’t stop – rent a car and drive straight to Marco Island (about 45 minutes). Fort Myers provides a lot of hysterical Florida dumb criminal news and is the Spring training home of the Boston Red Sox. But, unless one or both of things intrigues you, skip it. (And if you want to see the Red Sox in Spring Training you can stay on Marco and be at JetBlue Park in less than an hour.)

Before you rent a car from the airport at Fort Myers spend some time looking for a good deal because prices can vary a lot. You will probably want a car anyway when you’re on the island but, if you don’t, there are a couple of car services that can get you there from RSW. Don’t plan to take a cab because it’s highly unlikely that there will be any. You might be able to get Lyft or Uber at least one way.

You can bicycle your way fairly easily around the island when you get here or take a local taxi that has a flat fee of $6 no matter where you want to go on the island. (If you bicycle, please wear a helmet, there are a lot of car and bike collisions and the cyclists never win.) There’s also a Hertz office at the Marriott on the island and an Enterprise office that sometimes has good short-term rental deals.

So in short come to sunny Marco Island and enjoy all this Island paradise has to offer.  Then call the Walter Team to look at properties for sale.  The Walter Team will help you find the perfect place on the island to call home.  It is our honor to help you in our Sunny Island Paradise.  Call us today Ph# 239-821-0994.

 

SUNNY MARCO ISLAND WEATHER

In Marco Island, the summers are sunny, breezy, rainy, hot, quiet, and very relaxing. Marco Island winters are short, comfortable, windy, and mostly sunny clear. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 56°F to 91°F and is rarely below 45°F or above 94°F.  In other words Marco Island weather is perfect and one of the reasons we call it paradise.

The Marco Island Summers  lasts for 4.4 months, from May 21 to October 2, with an average daily high temperature above 88°F. The hottest day of the year is August 7, with an average high of 91°F and low of 76°F.

The Marco Island Winters lasts for 2.6 months, from December 9 to February 27, with an average daily high temperature below 77°F. The coldest day of the year is January 17, with an average low of 56°F and high of 74°F.

Please call the Walter Team today to discover our beautiful tropical island with perfect weather so we can help you find the perfect piece of heaven on earth to own.  It will be our honor to work for you.  PH# 239-821-0994.

 

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAPPENINGS

HOLIDAY ON THE BAY VENETIAN VILLAGE

November 30, 2019 – December 24, 2019

Enjoy a festive snow show and take delight in holiday entertainment including complimentary photos with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus, Dickens Period Carolers, dance group performances and extraordinary shopping and dining all evening.

WINTER SIZZLE SWFL RESTAURANT WEEK

December 2, 2019 – December 15, 2019

From Marco Island to Cape Coral and everywhere tasty in-between, Sizzle SWFL Restaurant Week is a semi-annual charity driven promotion that celebrates dining out at an affordable price in both Lee and Collier Counties.

7TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY STROOL

December 6 – December 21, 2019

Your whole family is invited to a holiday extravaganza. Experience thousands of twinkling lights, visit with Santa, roast up some s’mores, listen to live music, skate on an “ice” rink, and watch holiday movie classics.

NAPLES CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

December 14, 2019

Pick your spot along Naples Bay to enjoy the colorful and sparkly annual Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay. The parade may be viewed from Landings Park, Bayview Park, the Pinchers and Riverwalk restaurants at Tin City, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House Restaurant, or Naples City Dock.

NEW YEARS EVE FIREWORKS

December 31, 2019

Find a spot anywhere along Naples Beach for the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks, blasting off from Naples.

FORT MYERS BEACH NEW YEARS CELEBRATION

December 31, 2019

An all-day event of live music, happy hours, and celebrations all leading up to the big event. Watch the ball drop at midnight and enjoy the fireworks afterwards.

 

Marco Island Real Estate Update

MARCO ISLAND

Closed Sales

During the 12-month period ending October 31, 2019 a total of 811 sales were reported, down 4.9% from the same period the prior year when there were 853 sales.

New Listings/Inventory

Available inventory as of November 1, 2019 for the Marco Island market totaled 620 units, up 3.7% compared to 598 units as of the same date the prior year. Months of supply, at 9.17 months, was up 9% compared to 8.41 months posted a year ago. During the 12 months ending October 31, 2019, 1,424 listings were added to the Marco Island market, a 7% increase over the preceding 12-month period when 1,331 listings were added.

Average and Median Sales Price

Pricing of closed sales over the past 12 months averaged $804,391, a 2.1% increase compared to the preceding 12 months when an average of $787,991 was posted. When comparing the same two periods, median pricing was up 5.6% from $582,616 to $615,354.

*Marco Island statistics are obtained from the Marco Island MLS system and include only those sales and current listings on Marco Island and Key Marco.

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving on the Beach

 

Whether you’re taking a vacation to a tropical island this holiday break or you’re just headed down the street to the ocean nearby, celebrating Thanksgiving at the beach can be a blast. However, if you’re planning to celebrate Thanksgiving on the beach this year, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Take Turkey in Fun Directions 
It’s Thanksgiving; of course you need turkey. But that doesn’t mean that you need to lug a fully cooked 25-pounder down to the beach. Instead, consider turkey alternatives. For example, you could make gourmet turkey and stuffing paninis, Thanksgiving pizza or bite-size turkey h’orderves. This is a great opportunity to think outside the box.

A major factor in what type of turkey dishes you should bring depends on how many guests you’ll be hosting, as well as the weather. Is a homemade turkey stew the best option or should you go with shredded turkey tacos?

Bring Plenty of Cocktails
Whether you want to stick to classic beach drinks like margaritas or seasonal variations like a frozen Cape Codder, cocktails are key for any beach festivity. Make sure you use your blender to prepare your drinks.

Try Ocean-inspried Side Dishes 
Don’t just stick to the traditional mashed potatoes and green beans. Incorporate shrimp, scallops and other delicious seafood options into your turkey day side dishes.

Play Thanksgiving Games
It’s Thanksgiving vacation, take the chance to play holiday games. Try your hand at some touch football on the sand or a version of corn hole where you toss cans of cranberry sauce.

CALL THE WALTER TEAM TODAY FOR YOUR PERFECT SPOT ON OR NEAR THE BEACH. PH# 239-821-0994

MARCO ISLAND IS BEAUTIFUL AND THE WEATHER IS AWESOME!

 

 

Marco Island is the largest island in the beautiful chain of south Florida islands called the Ten Thousand Islands. Even though it is relatively close to Naples and connected to the mainland by two different bridges, the island maintains its remote, isolated feel. The island features a variety of delightful out-door activities. Beach-going opportunities abound and include two public beaches as well as several offshore island beaches.

With an average of 264 sunny days a year, Florida’s Paradise Coast is home to one of the country’s mildest climates.

Southwest Florida is a tropical paradise. Warm temperatures, balmy breezes, sunny skies and an occasional shower are the norm for Marco Island. The Gulf Water temperature ranges from the mid 60’s January through March and up into the mid 80’s from June through September. Southwest Florida’s average air temperature is 77 degrees.

Call the Walter Team today, and lets us help you find, and own a piece of this amazing island we call home.  PH# 239-821-0994

 

5 reasons why season in Southwest Florida is the best place to be.

5 reasons why season in Southwest Florida is the best place to be:

There are many upsides to the hustle and bustle of season, the few months where thousands of seasonal residents temporarily increase the area’s population in Southwest Florida. From more opportunities to enjoy breezier beach days to a chance to meet and mingle with new people wherever you go, here are five reasons why season is the best:

  1. Dining options increase 

From deals to new menu items, season in Southwest Florida brings more restaurant options. Both full-time and seasonal residents can enjoy an array of food options, from high-end French cuisine to fresh-caught seafood. Bon appetite!

2. There are more ways to meet new people

With an influx of residents in Southwest Florida during season, there are plenty of opportunities to mingle and meet new people. From walking around shopping centers to attending local events, there are several ways to strike up a conversation with someone new.  Stop in Island Realty and say “Hello”.

3. The weather is perfect

While northern states start feeling the effects of colder weather come November, Floridians instead can hit the beach. Season in Southwest Florida sees a small drop in temperature, causing perfect weather for lying in the sand and dipping your toes in the water, without sweating or burning.  Don’t forget your sunscreen, stop by Island Realty if you run out.

4. There are more things to do

From movie nights in Mercato to Baconfest at the Naples Airport, season in Southwest Florida always brings more things to do. Both year-long and seasonal residents can enjoy an array of performances, festivals and events during season.   Go explore and enjoy!

5. Empty communities come alive

Around Easter time next year, season residents will begin to pack up their bags and return to their homes up north. But for now, neighborhoods and gated communities throughout Naples will remain full. What once were empty neighborhoods now come alive with activity. Call Island Realty today for the best communities to view, and the best deals within those communities. Ph# 239-821-0994