By Jonathan Herbert
Photos provided
This year has impacted our lives
in so many ways. Our homes,
condos, and apartments have
become sanctuaries. They have become
places of solace; where we sleep, spend
time together, share meals and, quite
commonly now, work. But if home is one
thing we can control during a pandemic,
then why are so many people changing
their addresses, moving away from
metropolitan areas, seeking a slower
lifestyle, trading traffi c jams and smog
for palm trees and warm saltwater? Are
there even enough houses, condos and
apartments to rent or sell in Southwest
Florida?
We asked a group of power Real Estate
Brokers questions about the current state
of real estate in Boca Grande, and along
the Southwest Florida coastline. As it turns
out, the pandemic had little to do with real
estate values, other than to boost them
even more.
Carol Stewart
is a Broker with
Michael Saunders
& Company and is
a longtime resident
of Boca Grande.
She has fi rsthand
experience
and extensive
knowledge
regarding our dynamic community that
has such a rich history. During her 29
years in real estate, many changes have
occurred in the coastal region.
“The current state of the real estate
market has low inventory (typical for this
time of year) and plenty of active buyers.
This is the time of year owners consider
selling, so I anticipate the inventory will
increase,” she said. “Buyers are looking
for a safe, warm place to spend the
winter, especially if they are working from
home and/or home schooling. I’m also
experiencing a surge of current owners
who are purchasing additional properties
for family overfl ow or just land banking.
My sales volume as of mid-October is
about the same as I closed within the
entire year of 2019. Our offi ce year-todate
sales are up over 50 percent from
2019.”
Carol’s recommendation for someone
looking to purchase or rent is that they
should consider that our local market
is on the uptick, and they could be up
against multiple buyers … so they should
consider their offer accordingly.
“Consider remodeling or adding on
to an existing home to create your own
island haven,” Carol said. “We have lots of
great contractors to work with here. New
construction is limited.”
Michelle Finley
is an Owner/
Broker for Parsley
Baldwin Real
Estate and Rentals
in Boca Grande.
She believes the
current state of the
real estate market is
active in every price
point, and every
type of home.
“This is refl ected in the business I have
in Boca Grande and the Englewood
area,” Michelle said. “Since inventory is
still so limited, if priced right anything and
everything is moving. Many homes are
going into multiple offers in 24-48 hours. I
have found that most offers are very close
to asking price, or slightly above. However,
as with anything, condition is very much a
deciding factor for our buyers. Sellers are
using the low inventory and interest rates
to make adjustments in their needs as
well. It allows them the ability to downsize
or upsize, depending on their stage in life.
We are also fi nding the number of move
ups from the younger population very
strong because of the interest rates.”
Michelle compares the current real
estate market to this time last year.
January/February • 2021 • GASPARILLA MAGAZINE 61