Home buyers have moved back into Southwest Florida, pushing April home sales up 5 percent in Sarasota and 6 percent in Port Charlotte. Even more promising, the rising sales were accompanied by rising prices. Though prices continue to be lower than a year ago, the median Sarasota sales price ($268,200) was 12 percent higher in April and Port Charlotte’s property sales where the third-best performance in the state for the month.

Overall, median sales prices are still lower than a year ago; 11 percent lower in Sarasota and 27 percent lower in Port Charlotte, but the year-over-year comparisons mask nine months of prices stabilizing in a band of roughly $240,000 to $270,000. Realtors from all over the area have been saying for several months that sales were perking up in Southwest Florida and April’s numbers are showing their insights to be true.

Tags: real estate, sales

Another hurricane season is set to officially begin this weekend and it is important for Florida Gulf Coast residents to pay attention and be prepared. With two recent years of above-average storm forecasts and below-average actual storms, many residents may feel confused about what to expect this year. Government forecasters officially predict six to nine hurricanes in 2008, with up to five becoming major storms. They also say the chances for an above-average season are about 65 percent; the chances for a normal season about 25 percent; and the chances for a slow season about 10 percent. Unfortunately, for many Floridians, the forecasted outlook seems like nothing more than a guess.

Tags: homeowner insurance, hurricane preparedness

The first quarter 2008 The Vineyards real estate market statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Located in southeastern Naples and in a world of its own, this beautiful master planned gated golf community features the Vineyards Country Club which gives residents a selection of two 18-hole PGA championship golf courses. There is also a 32 acre community park and six miles of walking and biking paths that wind through majestic oaks, Cypress stands and nature preserves.

The Vineyards Sales Data

The Vineyards Home Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 27 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $667,059
• Median Sales Price - $450,000
• Average Days on Market - 177
• Price/Sq. Foot - $215.44

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

With aproximately 87 wildfires encompasing over 45,000 acres currently burning in Florida, now might be a good time to consider some simple things you can do to help protect your property.

Fire researchers from the Division of Forestry say that even 30 feet of defensible space around a home can greatly decrease the probability of structure damage or loss due to a wildfire. Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson urges state residents to take action and points to three problem areas that can be corrected very inexpensively:

• Roof and Gutters: remove all dead leaves, pine needles, small twigs and palm fronds - anything that can ignite easily by falling embers.

Tags: living

I ran across an excellent article today by David Ranson in the Wall Street Journal. It has to do with a review of economic data about the federal tax system written by Kurt Hauser. Published 15 years ago, Mr. Hauser stated “No matter what the tax rates have been in postwar America, tax revenues have remained at about 19.5% of GDP.” Ranson has dubbed it “Hauser’s Law” and laments in his article “What a pity it is that his discovery has not been more widely disseminated.”

With all the political drivel about how the wealthy have to pay their fair share or how those who have been more successful owe a duty to those who have been less so, the wealth redistribution crowd’s demands for higher tax rates just doesn’t hold water when you look at the reality of the numbers.

Tags: politics, taxes