Marco Island Q1 Statistics Show Positive Trends

Based on the Marco Island Q1 2008 Statistics , sales volume has outpaced the same period last year and April/May sales volumes are strong. In the meantime, inventory and prices have continued to drop from the previous year. Year-to-Year average prices are down about 20% from the peak of the last seller’s market while median price fell about 26%. We are also seeing positive price growth from Q4 2007 to Q1 2008.

The biggest factor that is driving this growth is buyer sentiment. Most buyers are now very positive about the real estate market in southwest Florida and many believe that THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW. I agree! We are definitely into a positive shift in the market, fueled by those buyers that missed their opportunity to buy previously, those baby boomers that are starting to retire and by a growing interest from foreign investors that want to take advantage of the favorable exchange rates.

So, what should you expect in the next 3-6 months?

Prices should be leveling off
Good deals will be available. Great deals will become harder to find
Buying activity should remain strong through summer as saavy homebuyers and the Europeans hunt for properties
Sellers should still be negotiable

My recommendation is to start planning your trip to Southwest Florida for this summer, allow me to create/revise your own Personalized Property Search and let’s lock in on what you are looking for before the best buys disappear!

For more information about Marco Island Homes for Sale, contact:
Joseph A. Bartos, P.A.
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
(239) 404-5068
mailto:info@bartosgroup.com
Let us assist you in buying or selling a property in the Marco Island area.

Mad Money: Naples market shows signs of improvement

Jim Cramer of Mad Money on CNBC talked with Robert Toll, Chairman & CEO of Toll Brother's, one of the nation's largest builders. In that conversation, they both agreed that home prices were at the root of our economic problem. However, Mr. Toll stated that market, such as Naples(& Marco Island) are showing improvement.

I agree! Our buyer activity has been strong for several months and buyer's sentiment is as positive as I've seen in years. With the backlog of buyers as well as the new foreign buyers who are ready to take advantage of the favorable exchange rates, I anticipate that we will be having an active summer. Buyer beware though, the best deals are being scooped up.

America's wealthy see buying opportunities in sluggish real-estate market

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Is now a good time to buy real estate?
The size of your paycheck likely will play a big part in how you answer that question.

Based on a recent survey, 75% of the wealthest people surveyed said that there is a "real opportunity in real estate right now. 40% said that they were in the market to purchase property within the year.

Much of this buying is second and third homes in vacation destinations like Marco Island. So, what does that mean to Marco Island real estate. It means market recovery and growth. We are already seeing change in buyer's sentiment. Buyer's are starting to pull the trigger on their purchases and we do not expect that to change in the near future.

Check on the whole article, CLICK HERE

Marco Island Statistics for March 2008

Here are the Marco Island real estate statistics for March 2008. Inventories continue to decline, while pending sales stayed in line with last year. We should be seeing increase sales in April as prices continue to level off. Now is a perfect time to buy!

Click to see the March 2008 Marco Island real estate statistics

For more information about Marco Island Homes for Sale, contact:
Joseph A. Bartos, P.A.
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
(239) 404-5068
mailto:info@bartosgroup.com
Let us assist you in buying or selling a property in the Marco Island area.

Marco Island Real Estate Statistics February 2008

Here are the Marco Island real estate statistics for February 2008. There were some encouraging developments in February. New/Total listings are both down from last year.
As well, single family homes were up over 50% for both newly contracted(pending) and sold transactions as compared to February 2007. Condos saw a 20% growth in pending and match the solds from last year. So, it was a pretty good month. Prices are affordable, sellers are motivated and buyers are starting to look hard at properties. As of the post, March is just about to wrap up. We should be right on track.

Click to see the February 2008 Marco Island real estate statistics

For more information about Marco Island Homes for Sale, contact:
Joseph A. Bartos, P.A.
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
(239) 404-5068
mailto:info@bartosgroup.com
Let us assist you in buying or selling a property in the Marco Island area.

Marco Island Statistics for January 2008

All in all, we had a respectable month with total property sales up by almost 5%. Good news, Active Listing have decreased from last year while pending sales have increased. Closed sales have increased as well. What doesn't show is the amount of buyer activity. Web traffic, showings and mortgage prequalifications continues to increase. A sure sign that the southwest Florida real estate is starting to get it's legs back. Stay tuned, the February and March number will be very interested.

Click to see the January 2008 Marco Island real estate statistics

For more information about Marco Island Homes for Sale, contact:
Joseph A. Bartos, P.A.
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
(239) 404-5068
mailto:info@bartosgroup.com
Let us assist you in buying or selling a property in the Marco Island area.

REDUCED TO $400,000! BEAUTIFUL 3BD/2BA

Lovely 3 BR 2 BA home is walking distance to Mackle Park, YMCA and schools. Open living space with vaulted ceiling and plant shelves. Updated Kitchen offers tumbled marble tiles and new appliances. Master suite with trayed ceiling, private bath and spacious walkin closet. Large screened lanai overlooks yard with room for a pool. Already on Sewer.

Marco Island Price Ranges as of 1/15/2008

The following shows price range for the various categories of condos and homes on Marco Island as of the date above.

Condos
Beachfront from $299,000 to $11,900,000 (376 Available)
Golf Course Community from $685,000 to $899,000 (6 Available)
Gulf Front from $525,000 to $2,200,000 (51 Available)
Water Direct from $177,500 to $2,328,900 (185 Available)
Water Indirect from $350,000 to $749,500 (30 Available)
Inland from $119,900 to $1,105,000 (250 Available)

Single Family
Beachfront from $1,790,000 to $11,500,000 (7 Available)
Gulf Front $2,500,000 to $2,500,000 (only 1 Available)
Golf Course Community from $359,900 to $4,000,000 (19 Available)
Water Direct from $599,999 to $8,750,000 (263 Available)
Water Indirect from $459,900 to $5,250,000 (234 Available)
Inland from $220,000 to $2,700,000 (164 Available)
Lots Beachfront from $900,000 to $5,200,000 (4 Available)
Gulf Front from $1,299,000 to $3,890,000 (3 Available)
Golf Course Community from $395,000 to $395,000 (1 Available)
Water Direct from $449,000 to $4,900,000 (145 Available)
Water Indirect from $325,000 to $1,850,000 (124 Available)
Inland from $129,000 to $1,695,000 (167 Available)

Active Listings on Marco Island 2026

Single Family Homes 898
Condos 688
Lots 440

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at mailto:info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
http://www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com/ http://www.marco-island-info.com/
Information derived from the Marco Island ML

Vote Yes on 1

January 29th is quickly approaching. Amendment 1 will be voted on Amendment 1 cuts property taxes, raises the homestead exemption and allows for portability of your current tax rates.

Whether you are a resident or own a second home in Florida, this amendment will benefit you. If not passed, don't expect any tax relief for until, at best, 2009.

The passing of Amendment 1 will help to stimulate a battered real estate market and open up the doors for residents to move up from their current homes.

For more information visit http://www.yeson1florida.com/.

Give your home the right makeover for its age - Selling Your House - MSN Real Estate

Here's some helpful hints for improving our home prior to selling. Any upgrade is a benefit but make sure that you will get the most bang for your makeover budget.

Give your home the right makeover for its age - Selling Your House - MSN Real Estate

...and when you are ready to sell call me to find out how Assist 2 Sell can save you $$$$ on commissions.

For more information about Marco Island Homes for Sale, contact:
Joseph A. Bartos, P.A.
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
(239) 404-5068
mailto:info@bartosgroup.com
Let us assist you in buying or selling a property in the Marco Island area.

Marco Island Statistics for December 2007

December's was another lack luster month with pending and closed sales numbers off last year's numbers by 6.67% and 2.44%, respectively. The good news for buyers is that the average and median closed prices were down 40.63% and 50.32%,respectively, as compared to December of 2006. Can you say, Cha Ching!. With that kind of reductions, you know the buyers are lurking! And they were, as of Jan. 1, 2008, the buyer activity has exploded on the island. So, if you're thinking about buying, NOW IS THE TIME!

View Marco Island December 2007 Statistics

For more information, contact Joe Bartos at:
(239) 404-5068
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
http://www.marco-naples-homes.com/

Marco Island Price Ranges as of 12/16/2007

The following shows price range for the various categories of condos and homes on Marco Island as of the date above.

Condos
Beachfront from $299,000 to $11,900,000 (394 Available)
Golf Course Community from $685,000 to $925,000 (6 Available)
Gulf Front from $549,000 to $2,200,000 (47 Available)
Water Direct from $180,000 to $1,969,000 (188 Available)
Water Indirect from $374,000 to $749,500 (35 Available)
Inland from $119,900 to $1,105,000 (252 Available)

Single Family
Beachfront from $1,600,000 to $10,900,000 (7 Available)
Gulf Front $2,500,000 to $2,500,000 (only 1 Available)
Golf Course Community from $359,900 to $4,000,000 (19 Available)
Water Direct from $659,000 to $8,750,000 (259Available)
Water Indirect from $459,900 to $5,250,000 (221 Available)
Inland from $225,500 to $3,699,000 (166 Available)

Lots
Beachfront from $1,200,000 to $5,200,000 (5 Available)
Gulf Front from $1,299,000 to $3,890,000 (3 Available)
Golf Course Community from $395,000 to $395,000 (2 Available)
Water Direct from $449,000 to $4,900,000 (145 Available)
Water Indirect from $329,000 to $1,850,000 (122 Available)
Inland from $129,000 to $1,695,000 (172 Available)

Active Listings on Marco Island
673 Single Family Homes
922 Condos
449 Lots

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at mailto:info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
http://www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com/
http://www.marco-island-info.com/

Information derived from the Marco Island MLS. Deemed Accurate but not guaranteed.

Marco Island Statistics for November 2007

November continued the slow but steady pace that we have seen over the last several months on Marco Island. Pockets of buying have occurred through the October and November.

Click to see November 2007 Marco Island Real Estate Statistics

However, the amount of buyer interest, as reflected by our increasing website traffic, continues to increase. It makes sense if you look at what happen to the Marco Island real estate market. Speculative buying drove prices sky high which in turn drove a lot of potential buyers out of the market. In the meantime, other potential buyers( baby boomers, retirees, and foreign investors have been queueing up ready to pounce on bargains. After roughly three years of price adjustment, we have about a 3-4 year backlog of buyers. So, it's only a matter of time before the log jam frees up and the buyer's come running back in.

If you are thinking about buying, just remember, by the time the market turns, you've missed the best opportunities. I'm looking forward to a very good 2008.

Video Update on FL Tax Reform w/ John Sebree

John Sebree, VP Public Policy for the Florida Association of Realtors gives an update on the current position of the property tax reforms scheduled to voted on in January 2008. Click the picture above to view the video.

Marco Island Statistics - Oct 2007

October 2007 continued the slow pace that was experienced in September. In all, the closed sales mirrored last years pace. However, the pending sales dropped sharply compared to last years number and inventory is beginning to grow. If there is a silver lining to this post, it's that this may indicate that the buyer is ready to bargain. Click the link above to see all the statistics.

For more information about Marco Island Homes for Sale, contact:
Joseph A. Bartos, P.A.
Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Real Estate
(239) 404-5068
mailto:info@bartosgroup.com
Let us assist you in buying or selling a property in the Marco Island area.