Rumors of the death of Florida were greatly exaggerated during the recession that began in the late mid-2000s. Indeed, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report recently, Florida has surpassed the state of New York in terms of population, growing by almost 300,000 in the one-year period that ended July 1, 2014. New York's population increased by just 51,000 in that same period.
        California is the most populous U.S. state followed by Texas and, now, Florida.
        After rampant building of new golf communities up until the mid-2000s and then a total stop during the recession, developers are accommodating the renewed influx of population with new construction. Naples, formerly one of the hottest markets in the state and one of its most depressed during the recession, has rebounded so quickly that it has spurred national developers like Arizona-based Taylor Morrison to announce a new golf community in the area. Esplanade, located just three miles from Interstate 75, will comprise nearly 1,800 acres and include more than 1,100 homes and an 18-hole golf course. One thousand acres of the gated community will remain "natural," including over 170 acres of lakes.
        Homes in Esplanade begin in the upper $300s.

AudubonGCNaplesAudubon Golf & Country Club, Naples, FL        The Naples area, which has a reputation for attracting wealthy residents, nevertheless is home to dozens of golf communities with the widest range of price points. For example, Heritage Bay, which was built by another national powerhouse developer, Lennar, and offers golf club membership "bundled" with the price of a home, features condos that begin in the mid $100s and coach homes that start in the low $300s. Heritage Bay's 27 holes of golf were designed by Paul Azinger and Gordon Lewis. At the other end of the price spectrum, Mediterra and its 18-hole Tom Fazio golf course, has only a few homes listed below the $1 million mark. In between the two golf communities are plenty of choices for folks looking for either a year round or seasonal home in a warm weather location.
        For more information or two identify a home in Naples that will suit your temperament and pocketbook, please contact us.

        It is tempting to assume that winter is a terrible time to sell a house, especially in the northern U.S. when things stop growing and blooming, even if they aren't covered in snow. But according to a 2013 study by real estate organization Redfin, updated last month, winter is actually the best time of year to sell your home.
        February, according to the Redfin survey, is the best month to list a home for sale, with 66% of those homes selling within 90 days. And during the December to March timeframe, more homes sell for above their asking prices than they do during the spring and summer months. Perhaps some of us, sick of winters up North and dreaming of a golf community in the South, are pumping up the numbers in winter.
        Other reasons for what appears to be an anomaly are simple; since most sellers believe, erroneously as it turns out, that they will command higher prices by listing their homes in the warm weather months, when the plants and flowers are in bloom and the lawns are green and mown,

Most people believe, erroneously, that spring and summer are the best times to list a home for sale.

fewer homes are on the market during the winter. But either from choice –- that move South -- or necessity, such as employee transfers, a steady stream of people look for homes during the cold weather months. Less supply and strong demand lead to generally higher prices.
        In a 2011 study, 80% of real estate agents responding to a survey by the website Realtor.com indicated that buyers during the holiday are "serious." All this might indicate that buyers in winter will pay appreciably higher prices for homes. But those who list their homes during the holidays and are willing to skedaddle for an hour at a time during showings are also serious. My wife and I found that out between Thanksgiving and Christmas in 1986 when, on a lark, we wandered into a 200-year old home in Connecticut with a local real estate agent. We already lived in the area and were under no pressure to buy a home, but we fell in love with this one. The owners had already committed to building a new home in the same town and were more than willing to deal. Before the end of winter, we had moved in.