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        <title>Marco Island Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.buymarco.com/blog/2013-01/</link>
        <description>Your resource for Marco Island real estate news. This Marco Island blog is updated regularly with homes for sale, recently sold homes and condos, market conditions and other useful information.</description>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/what-is-so-great-about-marco-island.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/what-is-so-great-about-marco-island.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>What Is So Great About Marco Island?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you're on our website, you're probably thinking about buying property in Florida. Most of you have probably looked around Florida and already decided on Marco Island, but some of you may still be undecided.  There are so many great towns out there like St. Augustine, Vero Beach, Key West, Clearwater, Sarasota and a dozen more.  They're all different, but they're all great Florida towns.  Deciding where to land when you make the leap can be tough.


Sarasota Is The Best?


I was in your shoes not too long ago.  My wife and I had decided that Sarasota would be the best place to finally start our Florida lives.  Twenty years in the making, we were finally going to do it.  We had vacationed down here so many times, we lost count. We loved Florida, but uprooting ourselves seemed like too big an undertaking.  Now, it wasn't like we didn't know anyone down here.  With so many visits to Florida,  we even had developed Florida friendships during our countless trips to escape cold, boring winters up north. So, the time had come.  It was now or never.  &quot;Let's go&quot;.


So, Sarasota is the place. The atmosphere is great there.  Shopping, dining, work, fun - Sarasota is perfect.  &quot;What if we're wrong, though?&quot;  We battled these thoughts continuously.  From a practical standpoint, there were great work opportunities in Florida and as far as owning real estate goes, we were buying at the bottom of the market.  That part was a no-brainer.  Sarasota was close to friends and hobbies, too.  As we got closer to making it all happen, the doubts continued to try to sabotage our dreams.  If we were really going to do this, we had to be sure that there wasn't some idyllic place we hadn't yet discovered or explored.  If we were going to make this leap, we needed to make sure we got it right the first time.


So, we went on an exploration or every corner of Florida - just to rule them all out before we moved to Sarasota.  The exploratory trip was going as planned.  As we traveled through St. Augustine, Daytona, Cocoa Beach, Vero Beach, Boca Raton, Venice, Stuart, Punta Gorda, and ten other &quot;best places to live in Florida&quot;, we grew very confident in our decision.  We were Sarasotans


The Bridge


Then the wheels came off.  We crossed the bridge onto Marco Island.  It was totally different.  Water and palm trees everywhere.  I mean everywhere - not like other places in Florida - EVERYWHERE  Clean, orderly, well-cared-for stuff.  The place was refined and totally unpretentious at the same time.  It was an island.  Can we live on an island?


Sure, there are other islands in Florida.  Sanibel and Captiva are awesome. They're different though.  We didn't want to be isolated. Siesta Key is great too, but if you need anything, you have to get into the fray of the city.  Also, when the inland folks want to go to the beach, they pile onto Siesta.  Then there's Key West?  Great place to visit. I wouldn't want to live there. Marco Island just turns out to be the best of all worlds and there are a few unique characteristics of Marco that have made it so perfect.


Why It's So Great


First, it's remote without being isolated.  The long road that separates us from Naples serves a great purpose.  Marco Island offers just about anything you could want in terms of fun, dining and shopping but there are occasionally times when what you want isn't here. We are close enough to the Naples to get anything that a larger metropolitan area offers without having to live with the negatives like crime and traffic.  That ten-minute ride down Collier might as well be an hour because the Naples chaos doesn't make its way out here.


The next thing that contributes to Marco Island's uniqueness is the near-private beach.  There are a couple of public accesses but Marco was designed to give the beach to the owners and residents on Marco.  We don't get very many day-trippers from Naples piling in on the weekends.  Our roads are not jammed by thousands of weekend warriors.  Anyone can feel comfortable walking down the main drag anytime of day or night.


So what else?  Well, our economy is very strong.  The confluence of affluence (LOL) seems to make our little hideaway immune from the economical rollercoaster of many other places.  Of course, there was no escaping the burst of the real estate bubble but Marco Island had a relatively low foreclosure rate compared to Naples and other parts of Florida.  Nowadays, the real estate market is recovering powerfully.  


The People Are Great


The people on Marco are great.  The folks here are informed, happy, smart people that want the most from life.  Tennis, kayaking, fishing - these people are dynamic - they're genuine, too.  In fact, I've never worked with a better group of people than the Realtors I work with on Marco Island. Maybe I'm just lucky or maybe this island gets inside you and makes you a  better person.


Marco Island is not just for retired people either.  While there may be fewer kids than your average town, they enjoy good schools and limitless outdoor activities. They ride their bikes to school by the hundreds.  Where else can you safely do that?


Since moving here myself, I have continued to explore Florida.  It's a great State.  The variety of interesting places that are just a few hours away is absolutely incredible.  Every time I come back to Marco Island, though, I am struck by the relaxed feeling that comes over me when I cross the bridge onto Marco Island.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:32:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/january-30-hot-listing-of-the-week-huron-cove.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/january-30-hot-listing-of-the-week-huron-cove.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>January 30 - Hot Listing of the Week - Huron Cove</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



This week's hot listing comes to us from the South End area on Marco Island.  The South End is really about boating condos.  There are inland condos and stunning condos on the Gulf of Mexico in this area also, but the bulk of Marco Island's boating condos are located on the South End.


So, what is a boating condo you may ask.  It is simply a condo with boat slips on the property.  Since the South End is entirely &quot;water-direct&quot;, bridge clearance for you boat is not an issue.  Also, the Gulf of Mexico is only a few minutes from any property by boat.


This week's hot listing is in Huron Cove.  This two bedroom / 2.5 bath condo has been viewed by more people this week on BuyMarco.com than any other listing.  I'll tell you why I think this condo is getting so much attention.  First, it's only $249,000.  For a condo with its own deeded dock, that's cheap.  Next, it's big.  1309 s.f. under air may not seem like a lot of space but for a condo, it's roomy.  Third, the price per square foot is LOW Lastly, not only is Huron Cove an awesome boating condo, it's also a &quot;walk-to-the beach&quot; condo.  Located just a short stroll from the south beach access, this condo would make a great escape for anyone in the family.  It's even roomy enough to be a primary residence.


Oh I forgot the views.  The views are fantastic from this unit whether you looking at the serene canal outside or all the beautiful remodeling inside. To see this unit before it's gone, contact the Boyle Team today.
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    <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:39:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/january-23-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/january-23-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>January 23 - Hot Listing Of The Week</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

We've been saying for a year now that the low-end of the market has been evaporating and it has even picked up pace.  In November, there were 6 shingle-family homes available o the market. Now - they're all gone.  The lowest priced home on the island is priced at $215,000.  The same phenomenom is playing out in condos as well.  The lower priced stuff is getting gobbled up.  This weeks hot listing was just listed and has already become the most popular listing on our site.


This listing is so hot because its a two bedroom two bath condo on the water for $209,000.  Located in Marco Inn Villas in Olde Marco, this unit has water views, allows small pets and is a two-minute walk from Snook Inn and other great restaurants.  Besides that, Marco Inn Villas has fantastic grounds.  The buildings surround a small cul-de-sac marina.  The atmosphere is totally unique and perfect for boat-lovers that want quick access to the Gulf of Mexico.


There are other great deals in Marco Inn Villas too. Just visit our page dedicated to this perennial favorite to see all Marco Inn Villas listings. One bedrooms start at only $113,000.  Frankly, that's ridiculous cheap.  If you'd like to tour any of the condos you see on BuyMarco.com, just contact us and we'll take care of everything.
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    <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:22:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/national-housing-market-strengthens.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/national-housing-market-strengthens.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>National Housing Market Strengthens</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Of course, the real estate market here on Marco Island has shown strength in every category for a year now.  The national market has done well too.  It looks as if 2012 will mark the long-awaited turn-around.  Both home sales and prices rose almost every month of the year.  The market was very attractive to buyers and investors all year with record low interest rates, affordable prices and a shrinking inventory.  I think it was this shrinking inventory that prompted so many buyers to leave the sidelines here on Marco Island.


The median sales price is the stat we use to track price appreciation.  Especially in a small market like Marco Island, this statistic is less subject to unrealistic skewing when compared to average sales price.  For the country as a whole, the median price in December was $166,250, 1.8 higher than it was in November and a whopping 7.6 higher than it was in December 2011.  In fact, of the 52 metro areas used in the sample, 48 showed year-over-year price increases and 21 actually experienced double-digit increases.


Margaret Kelly, the CEO of RE/MAX said, &quot;We can finally say that the worst of the housing crisis is now behind us, as 2012 saw dramatic increases in both sales and prices, with home buyers and sellers coming back to the market in numbers we've been anticipating for years.&quot;  The prolonged flat-spot on the price graph has finally inched upward without giving its gains back.  The prognosis for 3013 is even better than 2012. 


It's often said that, &quot;real estate markets are local.&quot;  They are.  I have often been surprised by variations between even markets as closely related as Marco Island and Naples.  However, as the sentiment around the country congeals in to a positive and optimistic feeling towards the future of real estate, markets everywhere are firmming up together.  Certainly, there is hardly a bad buy on the market.  When the priced have been slashed to the extent they were over the last few years,  everything is a bargain.  We all consider those that bought Home Depot stock in 1998 geniuses.  Marco Island real estate in 2013 is like HD was then - largely unknown with the potential of a Saturn 5 rocket sitting on the launch pad.
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    <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:20:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/buyer-and-seller-trends-2012.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/buyer-and-seller-trends-2012.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>Buyer and Seller Trends - 2012 </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Our real estate market on Marco Island is unique in many ways.  The value of our property is well above average.  The age of our typical customer is a little higher than average.  Heck, our market really doesn't relate much at all to the average American real estate market but I'm going to share this with you anyway.  Sometimes it's valuable to see the big picture so you can find a perspective on the Marco Island real estate market.


The graphic above was intended for real estate agents but there are some interesting stats within it that you might find interesting.  The most interesting for me is the percentage of people that use a real estate agent.  It's 89, up from 69 in 2001.  So, in the age of the internet, Realtors are becoming more necessary, not less.


Probably the least useful, or the least relavant stat for us here on Marco Island would be the first-time buyer stats.  We don't have many.  Heck, we really don't have any.  When a customer buys on Marco, they sometimes have twenty real estate transactions under their belt. First-time buyers make up 39 of the market over the entire U.S.  Here on Marco, I'd be surprised if it was 2.


Around 40 of buyers and sellers are referred to their agent by a friend or a relative.  On Marco, this is probably slightly less.  Because a high percentage of our customers are strewn over the entire country and are only here in the winter, they tend to be less connected to their neighbors on Marco than they are up north.  This is why we rely on BuyMarco.com. It gives our absentee buyers and sellers an online home on Marco so they can stay in touch with what's going on down here.


Real estate stats of any kind are interesting to geeks like us here at The Boyle Team, but Marco Island is different.  To see how the real Marco stats are shaping up, take a look at the Marco Island sales statistics for last year. they are pretty impressive.
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    <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:14:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/marco-island-housing-has-never-been-more-affordable.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/marco-island-housing-has-never-been-more-affordable.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>Marco Island Housing Has Never Been More Affordable</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

Our broker passed along an interesting article today.  In it Ms. Cho explains that the Housing Affordability Index is at an all-time high - and high is good in this case.  It reinforces what I've been telling people all year, &quot;anybody that buys in 2013 will consider themselves a genius in the near future.&quot;  The prices combined with mortgage rates have created great opportunities to buy real estate.  In fact, the buyers in town now are saying, &quot;it's a safe time to buy all you can.&quot;  If the past is any indication of the future, Marco Island real estate prices are too cheap and appreciation is assured.  The only question is how much?


I've got the rest of the article below.  Feel free to comment.  I'd love to hear what you guys are thinking about the market.


NAR: Housing Affordability to Reach New High in 2012


By: Esther Cho 01/09/2013


The year 2012 is on its way to becoming the most affordable year housing has seen since recordkeeping began in 1970, according to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In November, the NAR’s Housing Affordability Index reached 198.2, down 2.5 index points from October, but up 1.5 points from a year ago. The index determines affordability based on the relationship between median home price, median family income, and average mortgage interest rate. The index also assumes 25 percent of gross income is devoted to principal and interest and a 20 percent down payment would be made. Based on data up to November, NAR also projects the index will set a record high of 194 in 2012, beating the high of 186 in 2011. However, record affordability doesn’t necessarily translate into more homeowners. “Although 2012 was highest on record, the excessively tight underwriting precluded many would-be homebuyers from locking-in generational low interest rates,” explained Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. NAR president Gary Thomas, added, “A more sensible lending environment that makes it easier for other financially qualified buyers to get a mortgage would allow many more households to enter the market, boosting home sales as much as 10 to 15 percent.” While affordability is expected to see a new high in 2012, NAR expects affordability in 2013 to drop to 160. NAR noted an average of 160 means a median-income family would have 160 percent of income necessary to buy a median-priced existing single-family home. “Rising home prices and a gradual uptrend in mortgage interest rates will offset improvements in family income, but 2013 likely will be the third best on record in terms of household buying power,” Yun noted. ©2013 DS News. All Rights Reserved.
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    <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:13:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/remax-on-marco-island-new-location.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/remax-on-marco-island-new-location.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>RE/MAX on Marco Island - New Location</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
I just wanted to update everyone on all the great changes that are underway at RE/MAX Affinity Plus on Marco Island. We are excited about our new location which will be in the Marco Walk Shopping Center later this Spring.  Currently, we are located in an incredible temporary location a couple doors up from Marco Walk in the same building with Stonewalls Cafe (551 S Collier Blvd.).  You may know Stonewalls for their awesome pastries and coffee.  Dinner there is tasty as well.  Come in the front door and take the elevator on the left to RE/MAX.


In order to clear up some confusion regarding our location,  I need to explain a few things.  We are no longer located across from The Esplanade.  Despite the fact that RE/MAX signs still hang there, RE/MAX Results Realty no longer exists.  All but two or three agents have moved along with the RE/MAX brand to our new location.  Understandably, the former owner doesn't want to relinquish the brand and the power of the RE/MAX name.  He has chosen to keep the RE/MAX signs in place at 847 Collier even though his is no longer a RE/MAX office.  Unfortunately, this is quite confusing to the public.


RE/MAX agents are certainly a cut above the rest and we all work hard to deliver the best service possible.  All of the agents you've come to know over the years are still on Marco and they are still RE/MAX agents.  They're just with RE/MAX Affinity Plus now.  You can reach any of us by calling (239)260-3500.
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    <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:17:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/fiddlers-creek-theres-nothing-like-it.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/fiddlers-creek-theres-nothing-like-it.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>Fiddler's Creek - There's Nothing Like It</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



People that buy homes on Marco Island have usually fallen in love with Marco's small town feel and its quaint vibe.  It's often called paradise or heaven.  Nothing can be all things to everyone, though. Some people, and you may be one of them, want things that Marco Island may not offer.  You may love Marco for shopping, dining, fishing or a million other reasons but you might yearn for a country club atmosphere with all of the accoutrements.  You might want to play golf everyday on a world-class golf course.  You might want to have a beer on your deck while overlooking a world-class golfcourse.  You may want to stroll down to the club for an amazing dinner by the resort pool.  While these things are all available in various places on Marco Island, they aren't all available in one place.


Fiddler's Creek, located just a few miles from Marco Island has all of this and tons more.  This gated, country club community has everything you could wish for and it's affordable, too.  In fact, the value is just amazing.  Whether you are considering an existing home or condo or one of the new ones being built by some of the best builders in the country, you get luxury and amenities at a great price.


The amenities at Fiddler's Creek will satisfy anyone and will probably astound most.  The Clubhouse is a huge fun-center housing restaurants, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a huge resort-style pool, and you-name-it.  Tennis players will love the courts and there is always someone to play with.  There are two top-knotch golf courses on the property and a prop shop.  If you're a jogger or a walker, the scenery is just fantastic.


Fiddler's Creek has been selling well as our real estate market in Florida has found it's legs again.  Contact us for the latest listings in this great community or simply go to our Fiddler's Creek listings page.
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    <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:41:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/january-3-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/january-3-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>January 3 - Hot Listing of the Week</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ Happy New Year shoppers  Every week or so we take a look at the most visited listing on our website and tell you about it.  We figure that there must be some reason that a particular property is suddenly getting so much attention and you should know about it.  This week's most popular listing is in one of my favorite condo communities on the island, South Seas.

This unit is in South Seas East, a mid-rise condominium directly on stunning Clam Bay.  It is a penthouse unit and has the views you dream of when you think of Marco Island.  The unit has been well-maintained and has an updated kitchen.  When you think about it, very few properties on Marco Island offer what South Seas does.  Beach access and boat docks don't coexist here.  You have to choose one or the other.  South Seas has 'em both.


So, why is this particular unit getting so much attention?  Well, it was just listed a few days ago.  Secondly, it's on the seventh floor.  Thirdly, it's priced right.  This condo is gonna sell.  If you'd like to take a look at it, contact us ASAP.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:25:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/market-stats-for-2012-on-marco-island.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/market-stats-for-2012-on-marco-island.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>Market Stats for 2012 on Marco Island</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Happy New Year everybody 2013 is here and 2012 is now in the record books.  Today, I'm going to open the Marco Island MLS record book and share some stats with you on what can only be described as an incredible year.  Prices are up. Volume is up. Spirits are up.  The market has turned around solidly.


Over the last few years, we all have been attempting to read the tea leaves to determine when the bottom of the market had been finally reached.  From early 2006 until 2009,  we watched the Florida real estate market free-fall.  Prices plummeted.  Foreclosures skyrocketed.  There seemed to be no bottom. Finally in mid-2009, the free-fall subsided and prices have started to stabilize slightly but still were creeping lower.  Any tiny spike was proclaimed the beginning of a rebound but this was wishful thinking.  Any positive move would be soon followed by a new low.  Late-2011 actually started to look like the bottom when the market started to maintain slight gains without giving them back.


2012 has proven to be a very solid year.  Prices have increased and inventory has shrunken considerably.  The market has seemed to find its bottom and the election and the fiscal cliff have not dampered spirits at all.  Let's look at the final tally of the year of the dragon.





The most positive aspects of these stats are the fact that the activity was consistent throughout the year and gradually strengthening as the year ended.  The legitimate fears that the market would continue to fall have subsided and there has been a rush to grab properties at these levels.  Now, the fear that prices may spike upward is driving many people to buy.  While we may see a few small spikes, I don't think we'll see any extraordinary gains for some time.  I think appreciation in the ballpark of 5 per year will be a welcomed change by anyone that holds real estate in Florida for years to come.


To take advantage of the bargains that now exist on Marco Island, just email us or give us a call.  To stay up-to-date on Marco Island real estate news, subscribe to our blog.
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    <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:27:00 -0500</pubDate>
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