Marco Island Real Estate Blog

Buyers consistently ask me where they can get the most bang for their buck on the Island.  I would have to say Old Marco.  Located west of the Jolly Bridge, you'll love the Key West vibe and with the current properties on the market topping out at $549,000, you'll love the price too!  You can live in Old Marco and practically never leave.  There are several great restaurants and shopping within walking distance and a marina right down the street.  Following are some examples of what you can buy in Old Marco:

Located on 821 Elm St., this single family home features a private dock with lift and in-ground swimming pool.  The pool is screened in so you can relax and enjoy the outdoors as long as you like.  With water direct access, this home is a good

The most viewed listing this week on BuyMarco.com is one in Smokehouse Bay Club priced at $170,000.  Smokehouse Bay is one of the most picturesque bays on Marco Island.  It is surrounded by luxury, waterfront homes and condos and marinas.  Smokehouse Bay Club is a low-rise condominium that is comprised of both waterfront and inland condos.  It is located within a short walking distance to shopping and dining on Collier yet it's quiet and peaceful.

This particular unit is has two bedrooms and two baths.  Its floorplan is efficient and roomy.  The amenities at Smokehouse Bay are great including two swimming pools, one of which overlooks the bay.

This weeks most popular listing is actually not the least expensive in the community.  There is one unit

We have four new listings in the Marco Island MLS to talk about today - 2 homes, 1 condo and 1 lot.  The first home is a fantastic, water-direct home.  "Water-direct" is the term we use for property on the water that doesn't require its owner to navigate under a bridge on the way to the Gulf.  This particular home has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and just about 2000 s.f. of living area.  It's on a 100'x110' lot with very quick access to the Gulf. It's a super deal at only $689,000

The next home we have is located off the island in King's Lake.  The interesting thing about King's Lake, besides being a great neighborhood, is Bob Seger lives here.  At least, that's what I've heard.  The house for sale has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and

According to a new survey by CoreLogic, a private real estate data provider, home prices went up 4.6% in August compared to one year ago which is the "largest year-over-year increase in more than six years."  Prices also rose 0.3% between July and August which is the sixth straight month of gains.  The good news about the steady increase in prices, the increase in home sales and rising builder confidence is that it looks like our housing recovery may actually be sustainable.

The Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller index also rose in July after two straight years of declines.  Also, all of the states are seeing a rise in home prices except for six that still show a decline.  Five of these include Rhode Island, Illinois, New Jersey, Alabama and

This week, the most popular listing on our website is this one. It's a fantastic 2/2 in French Village. So, what's so great about it?  Well, it's across the street from the beach.  It's close to the beach access.  It's on the first floor.  It has low maintenance fees. It's in great condition. And, it's only $199,900.

French Village is located toward the southern end of the island, right on Collier Blvd.  Owners are within easy walking distance to shops, restaurants and the movie theatre.  The property was built in 1979 but you wouldn't know it by looking at it.  Like so many properties on Marco, good funding and management have kept French Village looking like new.  I think anyone would be proud to call this great property "home" or "home away from

We all have dreams that we are convinced we'll achieve one day.  Marco Island dreams are our business.  When it comes down to it, though, we are really afraid of our dreams. We're afraid of the unknown. We are afraid of actually taking the leap and making the commitment.  The grandest dreams we carry inside are tempered by a fear of failure and sometimes a fear of success.  We all know the expression, "be careful what you wish for, you might get it."  Most of us will admit that we're at least a little afraid of change. 

But change is good.  None of us are getting any younger and the clock is ticking.  The status quo, no matter how nice it may be, will satisfy us less and less over time.  We have to take action or life can get stale.  A shake-up can

Seawinds is a beachfront condiminium located on the south side of Marco Island.  Amenities include a pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, exercise room and additional storage.  This 16 floor complex houses 96 units and was built in 1982.  It is one of the only complexes on Marco Island that allows weekly rentals. There are currently four units for sale that range in price from $399,000-$539,000. 

The least expensive unit for sale at $399,000 has been recently renovated and features granite countertops throughout and is located on the 1st floor.  This could be considered a benefit to some and a negative to others.  The next unit is priced at $449,999 and is on the second floor.  No upgrades are mentioned so for the price difference, the lower priced condo

If you know Marco Island, you know the Esplanade.  This colorful Mediteranean-styled property is home to not only some of the nicest waterfront condos on the island but also some of Marco's best restaurants.  Overlooking Smokehouse Bay, the condos have the views you've been dreaming of - long bay views past the marina that is always full of beautiful yachts and fishing vessels.

If you live at the Esplanade, you are only steps from your boat, a fantastic waterfront dinner, a cup of coffee at Starbuck's or a manny-pedi (whatever that is).  It's true.  You may not have to get in your car for weeks since the Winn-Dixie is just across Collier Blvd. 

Currently, there are 13 condos listed in the condominium ranging in price from $399,000 for a two

There are currently 41 condos for sale in the four Towers located at South Seas.  While the South Seas complex of condiminiums includes South Seas West (Towers 1 and 2), South Seas Northwest (Towers 3 and 4) South Seas North and South Seas East, our focus today will be on the four Towers.  All four Towers are beachfront.  Towers 1 and 2 share a pool and Towers 3 and 4 share a pool.  The amenities include a fitness club, tennis courts and walking trails.  The main difference between the two Towers is that Tower 1 and 2 allow renters for a maximum of one month whereas Towers 3 and 4 allow weekly rentals.  This can be a huge advantage to investors interested in keeping their unit rented as much as possible since South Seas Towers 3 and 4 are two of the

August was a good month in the Single Family Home (SFH) market on Marco Island.  Sales were brisk.  Listings are up.  Smiles are up. 

In August, New listings were up 15% over July and up a whopping 44% over August of last year.  Sold listings in August were up 12% over July and up 31% over August of 2011.  Pendings are following the same trend.The only cloud on this sunny day are August prices.  The August median SFH price is down about 2% when compared to August of last year.  Don't worry to much about that, though.  The year-to-date median price which is a much better barometer of price trends is up - 3.4%.  Not to shabby.

From an anecdotal perspective, our customers these days are not wasting time choosing a property to buy.  The general