Completely updated two bedroom condo in a very active Fort Myers 55+ community.  Updated kitchen, baths and fresh paint are waiting for the new owner of this sparkling condo.  Enjoy relaxing views of the lake and fountain from your enclosed upper-level lanai in this corner unit condo.  This unit located at 6818 Sandtrap Drive in Fort Myers is listed for $77,500.

The Myerlee Gardens Condominium community offers a robust roster of amenities and plenty of activities to keep you as busy as you want to be.  Swim in the community pool….workout in the exercise room…..relax in the spa…….play tennis or even shuffleboard.  Residents of Myerlee Gardens enjoy low monthly condo fees of just $200.  Myerlee’s Arthur Hills designed executive golf course offers residents an affordable membership option to hit the links.

The Myerlee Gardens location is close to RSW airport, grocery shopping, restaurants, theatre and several wonderful beaches including Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Captiva.  Here is a resource to view active listings at Myerlee Gardens.  Call Debbie Courte with Sandals Realty at 239-940-7180 to learn more about this friendly and inviting community.

Tucked away off Winkler Road between the Myerlee Country Club and Parker Lakes is the Brandywine community.  Brandywine is a gated, 55+ community catering to active adult lifestyles.  The Brandywine community social calendar is chock full for activities and events for residents to enjoy.  The Brandywine Home Owners Association is very stable, well run and funded with ample reserves.  Residents appreciate the low HOA fees and are quite proud that the community has actually been able to reduce fees.

There are plenty of community amenities at Brandywine including a clubhouse, two pools, spa, fitness, tennis, game and hobby rooms and shuffleboard.  Brandywine is gated and also has both on-site security and community manager.

Housing options at Brandywine include low-rise condos and attached villas.  Prices start in the $80,000s for the condos and in the low $100s for the attached villas.  Here is a resource to view active Brandywine listings.

Portfolio.com rated each area in the six categories below. The highest scores in each category went to the markets described in parentheses.

1. Seniors as share of total population—Percentage of all residents who are 65 or older. (Highest scores: largest percentages.)
2. Median age—The market’s midpoint age, with half of all residents being older and half being younger. (Highest scores: oldest medians.)
3. Seniors born out of state—Percentage of all seniors who were born in a different state from their current state of residence. (Highest scores: largest percentages.)
4. Incoming seniors—Percentage of all seniors who moved to their current county of residence from another county (or nation) during the previous 12 months. (Highest scores: largest percentages.)
5. Difference in out-of-state births—Comparison of the percentages of seniors and younger residents (64 or younger) who were born out of state. (Highest scores: largest advantages for seniors.)
6. Difference in incoming rates—Comparison of the percentages of seniors and younger residents who moved to their current county from another county (or nation) during the previous 12 months. (Highest scores: largest advantages for seniors.)

Here in the trenches of Southwest Florida, we are seeing a steady flow of pre-retirement baby boomers from Northern cold-weather climates looking to jump on a retirement home while our prices are really low.   A large percentage of these clients are paying cash and viewing the purchase as an asset relocation from a stock portfolio to value-priced Southwest Florida real estate.  On average over the past year, our clients are spending just under $200K on their Fort Myers area properties.  The housing style is fairly evenly divided between town homes, condos and single-family homes with a significant majority located in gated communities.

If you are considering an investment in a retirement home in Southwest Florida, here is a comprehensive Fort Myers area real estate resource to begin your search from the comfort of your home.  Hopefully, this resource will help you evaluate different housing options from afar so that your trip down to view properties is most productive.

Active adult communities have been a popular option in the Fort Myers area for both full-time residents as well as seasonal snowbirds.  Many of our 55+ developments offer a plethora of activities and amenities that allow new residents the opportunity to quickly acclimate into the social fabric of the community.

Southwest Florida builders are bullish on the demand for new housing in their active adult communities and currently are building spec homes in their communities.  New construction options are currently available at the 55+ communities of Pelican Preserve and Cascades at River Hall.

Pelican Preserve, a WCI Community located off Colonial Boulevard, has six new models available starting at $148,900.  Pelican Preserve features championship golf, walking trails through a natural preserve and a town center featuring multiple pools, fitness center, theatre, and clubhouse.  Pelican Preserve residents also enjoy a fishing pier, lawn bowling, tennis and volleyball.  Here is a resource to view Pelican Preserve real estate.

Cascades at River Hall, a 55+ community located off Orange River Boulevard in Alva, is featuring ten new models starting at $144,900.  River Hall amenities include a community center with pool, fitness tennis and cafe.  River Hall features a Davis love III designed championship golf course.  The community offers extensive walkways and trails and is surrounded by environmentally protected green scape and waterways.

Here is a resource to view Fort Myers 55+ real estate.

Fort Myers has a long track record as a popular vacation destination for snowbirds and retirement area for active adults.  We are fortunate that real estate developers have recognized this ongoing trend and have purpose-built communities to meet the needs of active adults.  The Cascades at River Hall is a Fort Myers area community dedicated to 55+ active adult lifestyles.

Cascades at River Hall features single-family homes designed with open floor plans and primarily single-level living.  Nature enthusiasts will treasure the water and preserve views that are available from every home in the Cascades community.  Walking throughout the community, which is wrapped by farms and environmentally protected land offers an ever changing palette of Southwest Florida nature and beauty.

The master-planned River Hall community features a championship golf course designed by Davis Love III.  Cascades residents can join the golf club or if they prefer use the course as a guest.  The full-service golf club includes a pro shop, locker rooms, club grille and professional staff.

The River Hall town center is bustling with activity and offers residents the opportunity to visit with old friends or meet new ones with similar hobbies and interests.  River Hall amenities include pools, fitness center, trainer, basketball, tennis, snack bar, social hall and a party pavilion.

Located on SR 80, 6.2 miles east of I-75, Cascades at River Hall offers access to RSW Airport, FGCU, Germain Arena and the shopping, dining and entertainment at the Gulf Coast Town Center while avoiding the  congestion of the US-41 corridor.  Neighborhood shopping is conveniently available at the Shops at Verandah which offers: Publix; Walgreens, banking, beauty salon, pizza/pasta and dry cleaners.

Here is a resource to view active Cascades at River Hall MLS listings.  New construction options are also available at Cascades at River Hall.

The latest Brookings Institute State of Metropolitan America Report has some very interesting data regarding the Cape Coral-Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).  This area is categorized as a Mid-Sized Magnet with similar characteristics (high growth, low diversity, low education) as cities including: Baton Rouge, LA; Boise, ID; Greenville, SC; Jacksonville, FL; Little Rock, AR and Oklahoma City, OK.

Some of the key indicators about the Cape Coral – Lee County including our ranking out of the top 100 MSAs:

• Total population: 593,136     US Rank: 86

• % change in population 2000-2008: 33.6%      US Rank: 4

• % non-white population% 27.4%      US Rank: 56

• % of population that is foreign-born: 15.1%     US Rank: 27

• % of population age 45 and over 47.3%     US Rank: 3

• Percent seniors (65+) 22.9%     US Rank: 2

• Percent adults with bachelor’s degrees 26.1%     US Rank: 74

• % of households that are married couples with children: 16.2%     US Rank: 97

• Median household income: $51,081     US Rank: 60

The age demographics truly jumped out at me, with our region ranking second nationally for senior citizens and third for baby boomers.  The baby boomer (45+) stats truly correlate with what we are seeing in the trenches.  The overwhelming majority of our customers right now fall into the pre-retirement baby boomer demographic bucket.  Many have lost confidence in the stock market and are looking to reallocate assets away from the stock market and into a piece of Fort Myers real estate.  Key drivers for this demographic group include a move toward urbanism, a growing interest in amenity-rich gated communities and 55+ communities.

The News-Press reports that WCI Communities is back with gusto from the brink of extinction following a chapter 11 reorganization.  Near-term plans call for the construction of five new spec homes at Pelican Preserve,  55+ active-adult master-planned community in Fort Myers.

Located in the Colonial Boulevard corridor, Pelican Preserve is recognized as the premier 55+ community in the greater Fort Myers area.  An endless list of amenities including a Chip Powell designed golf course, town center, theater and butterfly garden are  popular draws at this community.

A wide-range of housing options are available at Pelican Preserve including condos, carriage homes and single-family homes.  At present, 36 homes are available for sale at Pelican Preserve ranging in price from $124,800 to $869,500.  Here is a resource to view Pelican Preserve active listings.

With an extensive schedule of activities, Fort Myers 55+ communities help newcomers quickly acclimate to their new community.  It is easy to quickly meet other residents with similar interests and hobbies.  Social activities, sports and crafts are among the more popular items available in these 55+ communities.

Generally, these communities have deed restrictions that require at least one owner of the property to be at least 55 years of age.  These restriction do not generally preclude a younger spouse or even a child from living with you in the community.

Popular 55+ communities in the greater Fort Myers area include:

• Cascades at Estero – Single-family Homes
• Cascades at River Hall – Single-family Homes
• Cinnamon Cove – Condos, Villas & Single-family Homes
• Heritage Cove – Condos, Villas & Single-family Homes
• Pelican Preserve – Condos, Carriage Homes, Villas & Single-family Homes
• Seven Lakes – Condos & Villas

There are other Fort Myers 55+ active adult communities in the area that our team can assist you with.

One of the questions that many snowbirds ponder is whether or not to establish residency in Florida.  Boca Raton Attorney Allan Lipman offers a free online audio domicile guide that covers the benefits of establishing residency in Florida.  Lipman is licensed in both Florida and New York and his 10 part free audio guide provides numerous comparisons of the tax handling for both states.  A good listen for anyone pondering an investment in Florida real estate.

The Bristol Press covers this issue in a column titled, Should “snowbirds” change state residency? Although this article is written by a Connecticut attorney referring to Connecticut laws, the main themes in the article are applicable to all Florida second homeowners considering whether or not to establish residency.

One relevant issue not fully explored in the column is the property tax benefits in Florida associated with the Save Our Homes amendment. Significant property tax savings are available to residents of Florida for their primary home. The absence of state income tax in Florida is another important issue to consider when considering a change of residency.

The Fort Myers area is home to several 55+ active adult communities that especially popular with second home owners.

While unlimited, all you can eat golf is the headline at Seven Lakes, the roster of inclusive amenities is plentiful. Six tennis courts including four HAR TRU clay courts offer plenty of opportunity to play a match. Seven Lakes also features six heated pools located through out the community. Other amenities at Seven Lakes include: shuffleboard; horseshoes; Bocce; billiards; exercise room; library; ceramics workshop; pottery workshop; lapidary workshop; card/poker rooms; woodworking shop; wireless internet; worship service; 500-seat auditorium; full-time activities director; security and restaurant.

Seven Lakes is a 55+active adult community and is much loved by its residents for the ease at which new friendships can be formed through participation in the endless list of community activities.

Seven Lakes is located in the center of it all on US-41 across the street from the Shops at Bell Tower. Condos at Seven Lakes start in the $60,000s .

Pelican Preserve, which was developed by WCI Communities, offers a luxury, gated country club lifestyle with an extensive roster of amenities. Pelican Preserve is a collection of 13 distinct neighborhoods and is located off Colonial Boulevard, a mile east of I-75.

Seven Lakes is an established active adult community and a favorite with the golfing an tennis crowd. If you are moving to Seven Lakes, bring your track shoes as the activities calendar at Seven Lakes is one of the busiest in Southwest Florida. Seven Lakes offers a wide range of affordable housing options and is located in Fort Myers on US-41, north of Daniels Parkway.

Heritage Cove offers a beautiful natural setting and features a lighthouse themed street layout. With an extensive list of amenities, Heritage Cove caters to those seeking an active lifestyle in a tropical setting. Heritage Cove is located in South Fort Myers off A & W Bulb Road, South of McGregor Boulevard.

The Cascades at Estero is a luxury gated active adult community with a world class roster of amenities. This community features detached villas and single-family homes and is located in Estero on Estero Parkway between US-41 and Three Oaks Boulevard.

Although this is just a sampling of the 55+ offerings in the area, they are my picks to check out if you are considering this type of community.