Who's in for March Madness?
March Madness in Florida has a couple of meanings. The first kind of Madness is the incredible amount of people who come to the Sunshine State during the month of March. They come for all kinds of reasons, families vacationing for spring break, wedding destinations, motorcycle bike weeks, couples enjoying a week of relaxing on the beach and college kids breaking free for a week. Our traffic hits its peak in March where you need to add at least 15 minutes drive time to anywhere and lines at our yummy restaurants get a little longer. Why? Because Florida life in March is beautiful.
The Gulf waters are calling, where the days are warm and the evenings are just right. You can enjoy dining outside on your lanai, the area marina restaurants, or the many street side cafes or have a picnic at the beach. Southwest Florida has so many beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to enjoy or you can go explore the local forest preserves and parks. (Sarasota County Parks & Rec). If you bike, whether it is on a motorcycle or bicycle there are miles of fun. For bicyclists there are miles of protected bike trails like the Legacy Trail Bike Trail and Cape Haze Bike Trail.
Enjoy cruising on your motorcycle or in your convertible through the ranch and farm land and small towns in Florida; it will bring your senses alive. There is something special about the sensation of the warm sunshine, the scent of the orange groves in bloom and seeing the cattle grazing among the palm trees with tropical birds all around them. You will pass creeks and rivers with the alligators sunning themselves while passing horse ranches with Spanish moss glistening on the tree branches. All this and more will have you saying “Ah, yes, this is why I live here.” And if you are just visiting the Sunshine State it will have you saying, “Can we move here?”.
Ray and I are asked all the time “The people who are moving to Florida, where are they coming from?” This article provides an answer to that question: Who is moving to Florida
So, yes, we deal with more traffic and longer lines but all that means is that Florida is just being Florida. After all, tourism is often listed as the biggest industry in Florida. Tourism: The main industry in Florida
Ray and I are proud to be a affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty. We also have the privilege of working along side amazing real estate agents. Coldwell Banker Realty offices around the country are encouraged to have a charity fundraiser CARES. Each office creates their own type of fund raiser. Our Venice/Englewood office goes all out with a catered complimentary dinner for our guests and an auction. There is a silent auction, a 50/50, a raffle, Poker Run, and the LIVE auction. Ray was the emcee for event. I know,I know, you are saying, "Really? Ray is so shy and soft spoken, it's hard to imagine". He was an amazing emcee. I chaired the LIVE auction. The money raised goes to local charities whom our office selects(see the links below). Our CB office in three hours raised...drum roll please...$26,000! Setting a single office record in our region! The four charities were presented with their check this week.
Click the links below to learn more about these non-profits that work so hard to take care of people and animals in need in southwest Florida.
Venice Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund
Rescue Garage Animal Rescue
Child Protective Services
Laurel Civic
March Real Estate Market News
Check out these reports! These Market Reports give good data in an easy format covering details like year over year data, current inventory, and even how the market compares to five years ago. (spoiler alert: the market has changed since 2017) For our newsletter I selected the single family home market in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte County. I really believe you will find the data very interesting.
Charlotte County Market Report
Wasn’t that interesting? Seeing the year over year data makes you say, WOW, doesn’t it! Charlotte County 40% + increase!
A Market Report can be customized to fit your neighborhood or any community you would like to watch in Manatee, Sarasota, or Charlotte County. I can dial it in to show just single family homes or condos. It can be set so you receive this type of data monthly, every 90 days, or quarterly. Simply call/text or email me and let me know you would like a Market Report created for you. With analysts saying the market will remain a strong sellers’ market for at least the next 12 months and possibly the next two years this real estate data could be very insightful.
Take a peek at these beautiful Coldwell Banker Realty listings.
Manatee County Longboat Key single family home $1,725,000
Sarasota County Single Family Home $1,952,000
Charlotte County Home on the Peace River $1,899,000
Oh, did you think I forgot the other meaning of March Madness? That little basketball tourney that takes place every March? All I have to say is ...
"Let's Go Red Raiders!! Wreck 'em TECH !!"
#MaryRayWestbrook
#MakingRealEStateDreamsAReality