Marco Island Real Estate Blog

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,

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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, "anybody that buys in 2013 will consider themselves a genius in the near future."  The prices combined with mortgage rates have created great opportunities to buy real estate.  In fact, the buyers in town now are saying, "it's a safe time to buy all you can."  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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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In the past week, we have seen several good deals come on the market.  Holiday or not, now is still a great time to buy!  Fifteen homes went on the market; here are a few of my pics:

811 Scott Dr. is my #1 choice for deal of the week.  Located in the prestigious Estates area, it's priced at a reasonable $324,900.  Most of the homes in The Estates are in the million dollar range so if you want access to this exclusive neighborhood, here's your chance.  This 3BR/2BA home sits on a large, 1 acre lot and has over 4000 square feet.  It may well be the best deal on the island!  While it needs some updates, for this price, you could turn it into your own private estate.

Another home I really like is 1057 Cottonwood Ct.  We don't often have brand new

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Inventory is shrinking in Old Marco.  This special neighborhood in the northwest part of Marco Island has a more laid back vibe than other parts of the island.  You can almost fool yourself into believing you're in Key West!  Lots of palm trees everywhere and restaurants within walking distance make this neighborhood feel like a vacation town.  Check out these great listings...

829 Palm St. is a unique, multi-family home that includes three permitted rental units: a 2BR/3BA, 2BR/2BA and 1BR/1BA.  There are huge under-building carports and storage areas, screen porches overlooking the waterway and a boat dock and lift.  Lots of extensive, native foliage too.  All of this for only $849,000.

1101 Edington Place is an amazing buy.  Sitting on a 160'

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I'm happy to report that our market is going strong and shows no sign of letting up!  The Marco Island Area Association of Realtors has compiled the numbers for the month of November:

• 85 Total Properties Closed- $44 million dollars in total sales (this includes Commercial and Time Shares)

• 28 Single Family Homes Closed- $19 million dollars in total sales, average sales price $678,000

• 42 Condos Closed- $20 million dollars in total sales, average sales price $477,000

• 14 Vacant Home Sites Closed- $3 million dollars in total sales, average sales price $219,000

96 Total Properties went under contract in November:

• 33 Single Family Homes

• 47 Condiminiums

• 14 Vacant Homesites

Current Inventory:

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There is a new top dog on Buymarco.com.  This time it's a beach condo, but not just any beach condo.  There is a great unit for sale in Tradewinds at a great price.  This two bedroom / two bath is priced at only $245,900.  That's a steal for a beachfront condo on Marco Island and it won't last long.

Tradewinds is one of the most picturesque condos on Marco Beach.  It was built in 1972 so it's one of the originals.  The red roof is somewhat of a land mark and makes Tradewinds stand out from the other highrises.  Many people think the building was constructed at an angle to the beach to be perfectly aimed at the sunset but this is not the case.  It was actually a blunder that was corrected on the fly. 

You see, the Mackle Brothers who developed Marco

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