Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in February


ORLANDO, Fla. – March 21, 2011 – Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales rose in February, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 13 percent last month with a total of 13,701 homes sold statewide compared to 12,164 homes sold in February 2010, according to Florida Realtors. February’s statewide sales of existing condos rose 29 percent compared to the previous year’s sales figure.

Florida attracts 2.8 million over decade

WASHINGTON – March 21, 2011 – New Census data show that Florida has registered its seventh consecutive decade of double-digit population growth. While the nation as a whole grew by 9.7 percent, the number of Sunshine State residents surged 17.6 percent as 2.8 million more people put down stakes here from between 2000 and 2010.

Harsh winter may have triggered vacation home market rebound

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – March 18, 2011 – After several years of negative trends in the real estate industry, a recent market study shows signs of increasing consumer confidence. The third annual Cotton Report polled more than 800 participants on housing preferences, motivating factors, pricing levels and timelines for purchase. The survey included participants from 39 states, as well as Canada, Europe and Latin America.



While no direct correlation was made to the harsh winter temperatures, the research survey indicated a substantial increase in the number of homebuyers seeking a vacation home purchase, an increase of 800% year-over-year. This dynamic trend is further supported by an increase in the number of buyers describing their transition as a geographic relocation, now 40%.

Spring jobs outlook goes up in 2011

News-Press Ft Myers Fl

Job prospects are expected to be better this spring than a year ago even as hiring slows slightly from earlier this year according to a labor market forecast to be published today. About 16 percent of Lee County employers expect to increase their staffing from April to June which is doubled from the 8 percent recorded a year ago, according to Manpower Economic Outlook Survey. That is a doubling no matter which way you look at it

Sanibel Pendings

I find that tracking current number of pendings gives me a barometer on sales traffic. It represents the current inventory of properties in the title companies working toward a closing. The number decreases when a closing occurs but increases on a new pending. Sanibel Condominiums continues to grow each week as Residential has remained the same. Reported by Jay Richter Managing Broker



Pending Sanibel 2011 Residential total #’s

3/23 3/16 3/8 2/24 2/17

34 34 40 30 31



Pending Sanibel 2011 Condominiums total #’s

3/23 3/16 3/8 2/24

31 30 24 16