Looking for a deal? Here are some of Southwest Florida’s hottest neighborhoods
For years, Southwest Florida has been a hot spot when it comes to making room for newcomers. From the snowbirds moving in next door to the Millennial parents raising their own young families down the street, Southwest Florida is filling up. It's no surprise: with our mild temperature, sandy beaches, perfect boating waters and abundant outdoor activities, Southwest Florida is an ideal spot for those looking to get away from the chill of the north. Florida remains the most popular state in the country when it comes to moving – an estimated 1,000 people move to Florida each day. We’ve seen an influx of nearly 23 million movers between 2021 and 2022. House hunting is a year-round event in Southwest Florida. And with so many house hunters, it’s time to unpack the hottest neighborhoods in Lee and Collier counties. So just what are some of those hot spots for buyers and sellers? Hot Southwest Florida Neighborhood No. 1: Naples, 34108 Location, location, location. Gulf Shore Drive, arguably the most beautiful area in the 34108, has it all, from direct beach access, gorgeous sunsets, jaw-dropping views of the Gulf of Mexico and close access to all that U.S. 41 has to offer. Despite the common misconception that Hurricane Ian damaged many Gulf Shore Drive properties, there were nearly 150 listings in this ZIP code at the start of the year. The demand for a waterfront home is stronger than ever, and Naples certainly has the supply. For under $1 million, you can get a beautiful waterfront condo with a boat dock. Available properties in this neighborhood range from a 1-bedroom condo at $395,000 to a four-bedroom family home at just under $20 million. Currently, I’m listing a turnkey two-bedroom, two-bathroom, second-floor condo on the Gulf Shore Drive stretch of Vanderbilt Beach with a Gulf view and within walking distance of Vanderbilt and Delnor-Wiggins State Park and just around the corner from The Ritz-Carlton. VIEW NAPLES LISTINGS Hot Southwest Florida Neighborhood No. 2: North Fort Myers, 33917 Maybe you don’t want to live on the water, or you’ve had your fill of nightlife. For buyers willing to look a bit further inland, North Fort Myers is the place to be. The 33917 is home to newly finished properties that can only be described as a family resort. With indoor activities, like pickleball and basketball, so many incredible communities are available for families looking to relocate while remaining active. North Fort Myers is perfect for buyers on the hunt for a large spread of land for farmland, cattle or even just a bit of extra elbow room. Listings include homes on five to six acres of land, brand new four-bedroom family homes or large spreads of farmland. Buyers can get 41.5 acres of land for under $500,000 on Huffmaster Road, zoned agricultural and with Daughtery Creek running through the property. VIEW NORTH FORT MYERS LISTINGS Hot Southwest Florida Neighborhood No. 3: Bonita Springs, 34134 For the younger demographic, Bonita Springs is one of the hottest Southwest Florida neighborhoods. Its central location makes it the perfect spot for families with young children, convenient to Hertz Arena, Naples, Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University and the airport, and just a short walk away from Bonita Beach. The small area brings quite a hefty variety of homes, from a $220,000 mobile home to a $24.5 million mansion on Hickory Boulevard. All it takes is a drive past the high-rise condos and waterfront mansions on Bonita Beach Road to understand the appeal. For buyers interested in a location within walking distance of Bonita Beach and a short boat ride from Wiggins Pass, I’m listing a recently updated two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo right on Bonita Beach Road for $724,900. VIEW BONITA SPRINGS LISTINGS Looking to sell? Be ready at any time. So, if you currently live in one of the hottest neighborhoods in Southwest Florida and are looking to sell, how can you bring those buyers in? It’s simple: make your home look good. A passing car could want to see the inside at any moment, so it needs to be always buyer ready. Touch up your paint job, pressure wash your driveway, mow the lawn, remove any lawn decor and declutter. Make it possible for buyers to see themselves inside of your home. Enlist the help of a successful real estate agent who will be honest with you on what your home is worth and take the extra steps to market and advertise your home. READ MORE: Home Selling Tips in a Hot Real Estate Market Need a trusted real estate agent? Contact Aprile Osborne, chief vision officer of Call it Closed International Realty, at 239-220-8607.
The "Snowbirds" are headed home, so what does this mean fro the local housing market?
For the first time in two years the ‘snowbirds’ have flown the coop. Seasonal residents are leaving southwest Florida, headed north for the summer. With the mass exodus of seasonal residents, many wonder if this means the scorching hot housing market is going to cool down with inflation now at an all-time high? That answer is both a yes and a no. In a typical market we expect to see a summer lull, but trends don’t expect the current market to cool off any time soon. What we have started to see is a drop in the number of offers sellers are receiving. Where we were seeing 10-15 offers, now we are seeing two or three. But all it takes is one. Average days on the MLS have increased slightly, due to price overreach by sellers' agents. Buyers are tired and are less willing to pay over the actual value of a home and it is important for sellers to be aware of and be sensitive to buyers' frustrations. We see that houses that are priced right and fair are still under contract soon after hitting the market. One trend that has remained steady is the high amount of cash offers sellers receive. Cash offers are still at 50% in Fort Myers and 70% in Naples. It is still a seller's market but that has started to even out. We aren’t seeing the large offers over asking price or bidding wars as much as we were a few months ago. With rate increases and mortgage requirements for appraisal sellers need to be aware of what the buyers purchase abilities are. Main takeaway: The Snowbirds may be heading north but families and full-time residents are moving in, and inflation isn’t stopping them.
Home Selling Tips in a Hot Real Estate Market
While there are advantages to selling a home in a hot real estate market, nothing is guaranteed, so following these home selling tips will help ensure you get top dollar. A hot real estate market means fewer homes available with a lot of buyers. But it does not necessarily guarantee a quick sale over asking price. The good news? Having more buyers competing to buy your home puts you in the driver's seat. Also, hot markets can often mean more buyers are purchasing with cash or minimal financing, which is great for sellers. These purchases often reduce the amount of time under contract, with a faster closing. Home Selling Tip: Get Your House in Order The "wow" factor is still important, as first impressions play a significant role in a hot market. Buying a home is often an emotional decision. It is important that your potential buyers can see themselves living there. Small fixes almost always pay off. Paint, clean, replace door handles and fix leaky faucets. If you love bold colors, repaint with neutral colors, so buyers can envision their own style. Getting your property ready starts with curb appeal. Add flowers or small shrubs and make sure your home is welcoming from the street to the front door. Keep your lawn tidy and sidewalks clean. Power wash your house and driveway. Do you need a new mailbox? Once a buyer walks in, make sure your entry is welcoming with a small bench or vase of cut flowers. If you want to attract multiple offers, be sure to stage your property to make the best first impression. Staging can be as simple as setting the table or placing a book by the bed. It also involves arranging the furniture to maximize the space. Then, de-personalize your house, including removing family photos and personal keepsakes. Do not overlook your closets and storage! Take things out of your closets and organize what is left. Ample storage is something every buyer is looking for. Make your house brighter by cleaning the windows and increasing the wattage of your light bulbs. Not everyone is a pet lover, so be sure to remove pet toys, food and pets during showings. It's important to be ready to show at a moment's notice, with dishes and dishwasher cleaned out and floors cleaned. Home Selling Tip: Get Your Paperwork in Order Home selling tips in a hot market include being prepared to sell quickly by having all disclosure documents ready before you put the house on the market. This will better accommodate shorter contract deadlines. It can even be beneficial to line up a title company in advance and get a pre-appraisal, which helps the process move toward closing. Other documents that will be helpful include records of appliances to be included in the sale such as any warranties, manuals and service records. Also, make available documentation on repairs, replacements and improvements that add value to the home such as new roofs, siding, windows etc. with permits, if they were required. A pre-listing home inspection can help identify any issues that will need to be corrected that could hold up the closing. Record of pest control services and warranties are especially helpful in Florida. Other helpful documents can include homeowner's insurance records, a property survey (in case of easements), the deed, any home appraisals you have had during ownership, the original sales contract and title report (in case of discrepancies in the current sale). Don't go it alone Be sure to engage a professional, who can provide you with more home selling tips from their experience in the market. While people feel that property will "sell itself" in a hot market, many buyers use an agent to get a jump on properties before or as soon as they are listed. It's also advantageous to advertise your home to reach buyers both local and from elsewhere who are looking. An experienced agent will bring you the best buyers to encourage competitive offers. Before listing, an agent can advise you on whether to make significant changes to your property. A hot market can mean that buyers are more willing to overlook flaws or accept pricey fixes. Working with an experienced agent helps you get the maximum value of your home by marketing your property and guiding you to the best price that will draw buyers and potentially result in offers over your asking price or potential bidding wars. In addition, an agent with a network of prospective buyers can bring more interest to your property. Be ready to review all offers in a timely manner, responding within 24 hours one way or another. The negotiation process generally takes 24 to 48 hours. An agent can help you vet offers and work with the buyer's agent to anticipate the ability of the buyer to execute the contract. They can help you handle multiple offers, guiding you to the best offer, which may not be the highest price. Experienced agents are well-versed in recognizing an offer that is the least likely to fall through. Most importantly, you want to work with an agent who understands the big picture in real estate, not just a certain neighborhood or area. I would be happy to tell you what I can do to get your house sold.
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