FLORIDA IS THE BIG WINNER AS THE WEALTHY MOVE OUT OF NORTHERN STATES

Roughly 5 million Americans move from one state to another annually and some states are clearly making out better than others. Florida and South Carolina enjoyed the top economic gains, while Connecticut, New York and New Jersey faced some of the biggest financial drains, according to a Bloomberg analysis of state-to-state moves based on data from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Connecticut lost the equivalent of 1.6% of its annual adjusted gross income, as the people who moved out of the Constitution State had an average income of $122,000, which was 26% higher than those migrating in. Moreover, “leavers” outnumbered “stayers” by a five-to-four margin.

Bloomberg’s analysis included all 50 states and the nation’s capital to provide a fuller picture of aggregate income flows from migration. About 10% of the population moves annually, or about 35 million people, according to the Census Bureau. Most moves are within the same county.

Florida posted a net income influx of nearly 3% of the state’s adjusted gross income in 2016. South Carolina, Idaho and Oregon were also among the largest gainers in the interstate shuffle.

“Florida’s powerhouse economy continues to churn out new jobs, retiree migration to Florida is on the rise, and millennials are coming into their prime home-buying years,” Brad O’Connor, chief economist for Florida Realtor, said in a report before the trade association’s annual summit.

Bloomberg’s tally also included analysis by absolute net gain and loss of income.

New York’s annual net loss was the highest, with a net $8.4 billion leaving the state. Exiting incomes of $19.1 billion were replaced by people who brought in $10.7 billion less in income. Illinois and New Jersey were next with net outflows of $4.8 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively.

Those three states also had three of the four highest proportions of outbound versus inbound residents last year, according to the United Van Lines, the largest U.S. household goods mover.

Florida was the top financial magnet, reeling in $17.2 billion more than it lost, about seven times the amounts netted by each of the runner-ups Texas, Washington and South Carolina. The Sunshine State was the No. 1 recipient of the wealth exodus from 18 individual states — with New York, Illinois and New Jersey combining to contribute about $8 billion to Florida’s income base.

While long a haven for retirement, Florida’s effort to lure Wall Street executives has gained traction thanks to a provision in the federal tax law passed by the Trump administration that hits residents of high-tax states by putting a lower cap on state and local tax deductions.

Florida is also one of seven states that collect no income tax. The others are Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. While New Hampshire and Tennessee don’t have a state income tax, they do collect taxes on dividends and income from investments.

Billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper, once ranked as New Jersey’s richest resident, moved his main address and the headquarters of Appaloosa Management LP to Florida a few years ago. Real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht told employees of Starwood Capital Group that the firm’s headquarters will shift from Greenwich, Connecticut, to Miami Beach by 2021.

Having surpassed New York’s population in 2014 to be the third largest in the nation, Florida continues to siphon off the wealthy.

The average gross incomes of people moving to Florida from 10 states and Washington, D.C. exceeded $100,000, with those from Connecticut averaging $253,000. That far outstripped those of Florida natives who migrated to the reciprocal states.

“Job growth, lower costs of living, state budgetary challenges and more temperate climates” are the driving factors behind migration, Michael Stoll, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles, said in separate study by United Van Lines.

Business formation can benefit from positive migration, too. Many of the states with the biggest income inflows from migration also lead in new business creation including South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee.

Bloomberg.com May 24, 2019

Home Buyer Demand will be Strong for Years to Come

There has been a lot written about Millennials and their preference to live in city centers above their favorite pizza place. Some have even gone so far as to say that Millennials are a “Renter-Generation.”

And while this might be true for some Millennials, more and more research has surfaced that shows for the vast majority, owning a home is a major part of their American Dream!

New research shows that 66% of Millennials who currently rent are determined to buy a home! Seventy-three percent of those surveyed by Pulsenomics plan to buy a home in the next five years, with 40% planning to do so within the next two years!

“Millennials want to own a home as much as prior generations,” Ali Wolf, Director of Economic Research at Meyers Research says. “We saw millennial shoppers scooping up homes in 2018—and 2019 will be no different.”

Bottom LineAre you one of the millions of renters who are ready and willing to buy a home? Meet with a local real estate professional who can help determine your ability to buy now!

Keeping Current Matters April 10, 2019

Home Values - Appreciation Stabilizes

The percentage of home price appreciation on a year-over-year basis has decreased each month for over a year. The question was how far annual appreciation would fall. It seems we may now have the answer.

In a recent post on the National Association of Realtors’ Economists’ Outlook Blog, it was revealed that Realtors are starting to sense that home values are beginning to stabilize and that we may see appreciation beginning to accelerate again:

“About 3,000 REALTORS® who responded to NAR’s February 2019 REALTORS Confidence Index Survey had more optimistic— although modest— home price growth expectations over the next 12 months. Respondents expect home prices to typically increase by 1.9 percent nationally, up from 1.4 percent in the January survey.”

The thinking that home appreciation has bottomed-out was also confirmed in two additional housing reports recently released:

CoreLogic Home Price Index – The analysts at CoreLogic increased their projection for home appreciation for the next twelve months to 4.7% as compared to the 4.6% they projected in their previous report.

The Home Price Expectation Survey – In the 2019 first quarter survey, the nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment & market strategists increased their projection for home value growth in 2019 to 4.3% compared to the 3.8% increase they had projected in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Bottom Line
Agents working the business every day, one of the premier data companies in the real estate space, and one hundred housing experts all agree: home price appreciation has ended its decline and looks to be stabilizing… and may even accelerate.

Keeping Current Matters April, 2019

Why An Economic Slowdown Will NOT Crush Real Estate This Time

Many of us, particularly the Millennials and, to a lesser extent, the younger range of GenXer's, relate recessions with a home ownership catastrophe. Actually, the Great Recession was a rare event in the historical relationship between the two. History can be instructive-if you know it. Having been knee-deep in the real estate world through all the recessions noted below  I can vouch for the reality of the analysis and conclusion. Home ownership remains a steady and reliable wealth builder throughout time.  -- Brian

Last week, the National Association for Business Economics released their February 2019 Economic Policy Survey. The survey revealed that a majority of the panel believe an economic slowdown is in the near future:

“While only 10% of panelists expect a recession in 2019, 42% say a recession will happen in 2020, and 25% expect one in 2021.”

Their findings coincide with three previous surveys calling for a slowdown sometime in the next two years:

1. The Pulsenomics Survey of Market Analysts
2. The Wall Street Journal Survey of Economists
3. The Duke University Survey of American CFOs

That raises the question: Will the real estate market be impacted like it was during the last recession?

A recession does not equal a housing crisis. According to the dictionary definition, a recession is:

“A period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters.”

During the last recession, prices fell dramatically because the housing collapse caused the recession. However, if we look at the previous four recessions, we can see that home values weren’t negatively impacted:

• January 1980 to July 1980: Home values rose 4.5%
• July 1981 to November 1982: Home values rose 1.9%
• July 1990 to March 1991: Home values fell less than 1%
• March 2001 to November 2001: Home values rose 4.8%
• 
  

Most experts agree with Ralph McLaughlin, CoreLogic’s Deputy Chief Economist, who recently explained:

“There’s no reason to panic right now, even if we may be headed for a recession. We’re seeing a cooling of the housing market, but nothing that indicates a crash.”

The housing market is just “normalizing”. Inventory is starting to increase and home prices are finally stabilizing. This is a good thing for both buyers and sellers as we move forward.

Bottom LineIf there is an economic slowdown in our near future, there is no need for fear to set in. As renowned financial analyst, Morgan Housel, recently tweeted:

“An interesting thing is the widespread assumption that the next recession will be as bad as 2008. Natural to think that way, but, statistically, highly unlikely. Could be over before you realized it began.”

New Price in Paradise - 320 Useppa Island

High on a ridge and boasting a 270-degree view of blue sky and sparkling water, spanning east to west for both sunrise and sunset. Beautifully landscaped, with a fountain at the front entry, this home literally sparkles in the sun. Stunning interior and over 4,000 SF on three levels with multiple terraces and a water view from every room. Perfect for boaters, the industrial strength dock has a 24,000-pound lift in a slip that can accommodate up to a 50-foot watercraft.

Now offered for $1,900,000

Property Details

Warm & Welcoming - 130B Useppa Island

This special Marina Villa overlooks the Useppa Marina and Pine Island Sound. Situated on one of the higher elevations, this home is central to the social and boating life of the community. Rebuilt frame-out after 2005, this 3-story, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home features quality finishes throughout over 1,800 SF.  Keep your vessel in a private slip with a 10000 lb lift. 

Offered for $690,000

Property Details

5 Signs You’re Ready to Buy a Vacation Home

You've just returned from a trip to the beach. You ask yourself: Why should I continue to pay rental fees when I could own a vacation home and rent it out? Unless you're fairly wealthy, you'll need to make sure you can commit to buying a seasonal home before you start shopping around. 

Here are five indications that you're ready to take the plunge:

1. You can afford one
Can you afford to own a vacation home? If the answer to that question is yes, that's probably the most obvious sign that buying a seasonal home is something you should consider. You never want to buy a home that will leave you drowning in debt.

Remember, the purchase price is only part of the cost of owning a vacation home. You'll have to pay utility bills, maintenance fees and insurance premiums. And depending on where your home is located, you could also be responsible for paying homeowners association fees.

To decide whether you have enough money in the bank for a vacation home, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have emergency savings (at least three to six months' worth of take-home pay)?
• Can you make a 20 percent down payment?
• If you have kids, have you already put aside enough money for a college fund?
• Can you still put away enough money for retirement?
• Have you paid off your existing home?
• Have you calculated the potential return on your investment?
• Does it fit in with your long-term investment strategy and financial goals?

Everyone's situation is different. If you can answer yes to most of these questions, there's a good chance that there's room in your budget for a vacation home.

2. You've done your research
If you've done your homework, that's another good sign that you're prepared to purchase a vacation home. When you're visiting an area that might become the location of your future home, there's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself; however, doing your research and taking the time to understand what the surrounding area has to offer is important. You'll also want to make sure you visit during different parts of the year. That way, you can get a feel for what it's like to live there during different seasons.

Think about the short- and long-term implications of buying a seasonal home, especially if you plan to spend plenty of time there. When you retire, for example, the amenities included in a vacation home may take a backseat. Having access to a hospital and activities that improve your overall health and well-being may be critical.

3. You know what's happening in the market
If you can keep up with what's going on in the housing market, buying a vacation home might make sense. If you analyze changes in sales prices, you'll be able to time your home purchase carefully, and you'll be able to make the most appropriate decision based on seasonal demand, which drives home prices.

In 2016, new, single-family home sales reached their highest level in a decade, although there was a decline in home-buying activity among vacation homebuyers, according to a survey from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). A rising demand for housing and a shrinking supply of options has pushed up prices, making it more difficult for many people to purchase a vacation home. In 2016, the median vacation-home sales price was $200,000, up from $192,000 the previous year.

4. You have a plan
Buying a seasonal home could be worth considering if you know how you're going to use it. Maybe you view the home as an investment property that can serve as an additional source of income. Maybe you've decided that you're going to find guests online through a website like Airbnb or Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO).

Keep in mind that if you intend to rent out a vacation home, you'll need to think about advertising and logistics. You'll need photos of your rental property and a detailed description of its amenities. You'll also need a rental agreement and a plan for how you're going to accept payments. Will you use a service like Venmo or PayPal, or ask guests to mail you a check?

You'll probably need to hire someone to clean your home and check for signs of damage and theft before new guests arrive. Hiring a property management company might make your life easier, but agencies often charge between 25 and 50 percent of your rental income.

5. You're prepared to pay taxes
Rental income must be included on both state and federal tax returns. If you are renting out your vacation home or even a portion of your vacation home (e.g., a bedroom), you might be considered an innkeeper. That means you might be expected to collect the same lodging taxes that hotels collect and make payments to your county, city and/or state. In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for example, among tourists who pay for lodging, a 12 percent tax is due.

For many people, the decision to purchase a vacation home is serious. If you decide to take that leap of faith and you already have homeowners insurance, make sure you find out whether your current policy will cover a second home. Also, if you intend to rent out the property, consider purchasing rent loss insurance. It covers the loss of rental income following natural disasters and catastrophic incidents.

Southwest Florida national housing news continues to report the rapidly escalating prices of waterfront homes. The Useppa People have the wise alternative offering tremendous waterfront value. 

Priced from $529,000, our private island inventory offers fee simple Townhouse style attached Villas that offer the best value for waterfront living. Boasting BIG views across Pine Island Sound, the ICW or Charlotte Harbor, with free dockage for boats to 24 feet. Here, you’re not on a canal or back bay mangrove.

Homes on Useppa Island
Useppa Island homes sparkle in the sun with architectural covenants that require Old Florida design, creating a metal-roofed village with style and charm. Features vary from home to home, but you’ll find extensive updates and renovations. Hardwood, travertine, granite, stainless, impact glass, storm shutters and other features of new homes are largely available. Three bedrooms are typical for the larger homes, while smaller homes feature 2 bedrooms. Soaring ceilings, custom cabinetry, chiseled stone and other fine features are unique to many, while most are furnished and ready for immediate occupancy

Access to every home is a pure delight. Meander walking or cart paths, the historic Pink Promenade that extends the length of Useppa, or from your dock. There are no cars and no stop lights, just turtle crossings. While air traffic is limited to the feathered kind, there is the occasional sea plane or helicopter.

Island Amenities
Enjoy the island amenities of the Useppa Island Club. Fine dining, tennis, bocce, pool and croquet are common pursuits, while water sports are a favorite. Choose sailing with the Useppa Yacht Club in your 15-foot Sandpiper, fish the flats offshore, or right from your dock. Zip to mainland services in a 15-minute boat ride, and experience zero encounters with stressful traffic.

Your Neighbors

Best of all, settle in to a welcoming community where you will know your neighbors; where your children or grandchildren will grow up with the other lucky kids that know the wonder and freedom of this unique and beautiful island. There is nothing that compares.

Make your escape to Useppa Island.
Paradise Without A Passport!

Homes More Affordable Today Than 1985-2000

Rising home prices have many concerned that the average family will no longer be able to afford the most precious piece of the American Dream – their own home.

However, it is not just the price of a home that determines its affordability. The monthly cost of a home is determined by the price and the interest rate on the mortgage used to purchase it.

Today, mortgage interest rates stand at about 4.5%. The average annual mortgage interest rate from 1985 to 2000 was almost double that number, at 8.92%. When comparing affordability of home ownership over the decades, we must also realize that incomes have increased.

This is why most indexes use the percentage of median income required to make monthly mortgage payments on a typical home as the point of comparison.

Zillow recently released a report comparing home affordability over the decades using this formula. The report revealed that, though homes are less affordable this year than last year, they are more affordable today (17.1%) than they were between 1985-2000 (21%). Additionally, homes are more affordable now than at the peak of the housing bubble in 2006 (25.4%). Here is a chart of these findings:

What will happen when mortgage interest rates rise?

Most experts think that the mortgage interest rate will increase to about 5% by year’s end. How will that impact affordability? Zillow also covered this in their report:

Rates would need to approach 6% before homes became less affordable than they had been historically.

Bottom Line
Though homes are less affordable today than they were last year, they are still a great purchase while interest rates are below the 6% mark.

Keeping Current Matters July 5, 2018

Peaceful Privacy - Just Listed. 522 Useppa Island

Light and bright updated living spaces, serene water views and over 1,700 SF.  $535,000

Property Details

The comfortable floor plan features a master on the main level, along with an updated kitchen, dining and living area, with water view beyond. An open kitchen offers a center island/breakfast bar and granite. A guest bedroom and bath are on the second level, with spacious waterfront deck for reading or relaxing. 

Community docks with free dockage for a 24 boat (or less) are 50 feet away. Amenities on the one-mile long island are just a stroll away to the pool, tennis, croquet and bocce courts, all adjacent to the Collier Inn. Bike and walking paths weave through palms and exotic foliage that can be found only on Historic Useppa Island, where there are no cars, stop signs or strip malls — just the elegant privacy of a private island set in the center of Pine Island Sound, just south of Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass, and minutes from the mainland.

UNBEATABLE OPPORTUNITY - STUNNING WATERFRONT UNDER $500,000

JUST REDUCED

517 Useppa Island

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Townhouse style villa with magnificent water views, over 1,500 square feet and a dock at your door.

Beautifully updated throughout and offered Furnished. $499,000

Experience Private Island living with no cars, no crowds and no high rises.

What to Consider Before You Buy a Vacation Home

When Considering a Vacation Home

Buy it for the right reason

The Realtors association surveys find that the primary motivation for a vacation home purchase is vacationing. And many experts think that’s the best way to approach the deal. Rental income is so unpredictable it should be viewed as gravy, they say, and buyers certainly shouldn’t rely on it to cover their mortgage and other expenses. And the market is too unpredictable to expect to profit on a sale.

The approach with the fewest risks, many experts say, is for buyers to pick a place they will enjoy and focus on that as their top priority.

“Our buyers today are buying for a number of reasons, with the No. 1 reason being lifestyle and use,” says Nick Cassini, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Four Seasons Private Residences in Anguilla.

John Banczak, executive chairman of Turnkey Vacation Rentals, a property-management company, says that people who buy as a lifestyle choice “are the people that realize they love spending time in one place, may even retire there, have done the research and made the decision a second home is for them. Getting additional revenue through rentals is the icing on the cake.”

Purchasing Close to Home

Another aspect of location to consider: how far the spot is from the owners. The National Association of Realtors says 57% of vacation properties are at the beach or lake, with the median distance 200 miles from home—far enough to require spending money for a manager and caretaker. Little chores an owner would do himself or herself at home can thus get costly.

“In our experience, living close is really helpful if something goes wrong, but there are a huge number of services out there to hold keys, offer concierge services or otherwise help if you live further away,” says Laura Hall, communications director for Kid & Coe, a vacation-rental website. “So anything is possible if you’re willing to pay for it.”

Beware Buying a Property with the Intent to Sell it

Experts warn that only a reckless buyer expects a vibrant market every year. From the end of 2007 through 2012, primary-home prices dropped by 14.8%, vacation properties by 23%, the Realtors’ group says. Sales of vacation homes dropped in 2016 to 721,000, off 21.6% from the 920,000 in 2015. Mr. Cassini says there are fewer speculators in today’s market compared with the pre-recession boom.

USEPPA ISLAND GETAWAY

By Nadine Welch

Mike holds a redfish landed on Ande Backcountry 8-pound test
 near Useppa Island Club.

Mike and I decided it was time to get out of Dodge and take a road trip with our flats boat. The hustle and bustle of south Florida makes this kind of trip a stark contrast and welcome break.

We ended up on Useppa, a small island between Pine Island and Cabbage Key, on the southwest coast of Florida. These places are almost due west of Fort Myers, near the mouth of Charlotte Harbor.

The path that led us there was anything but ordinary. It was as if we were being beckoned.

My first contact with Useppa was from the Palm Beach Boat Show in March. I attended a media event at the Lake Pavilion on the waterfront and discovered an oasis in the midst of all the craziness of the boat show. It was a gorgeous photo of Useppa Island: paradise without a passport, with an inviting area to relax during the media event. There were some goodies there and information, which I grabbed. That photo just seemed to call me…

We had planned to visit the west coast in the coming weeks, a trip to Bokeelia, on the north end of Pine Island, to fish. Once we finalized the dates, I reached out to Brian and Mary—the Useppa People, who are Realtors. They invited us to visit the Private Island Club, have lunch at the historic Collier Inn, and then took us on a golf cart tour of the island.

There are no roads here, only golf cart paths and walkways. My kind of island! It just seemed magical. We were invited to come back for an overnight visit to experience the island. Brian and Mary made the arrangements for us to return and visit as their guests. So, we loaded the car, hooked up the boat and were off.
Pine Island Sound here we come! 

We stopped in Matlacha and made a phone call to the Pineland Marina to check on bait. Good call. They were out of shrimp. We visited Carrie at the Barnhill Seafood Market in Matlacha who loaded us up with 200 monster shrimp. There was a stream behind the shop where we could get a few buckets of water to transport the shrimp safely to the marina. When you are on an island, you need to be proactive about supplies. Consider travel distances on the water to get what you need, and that options can be limited.

We launched the boat; I drove to park for the weekend and was greeted with a golf cart escort to the ramp. Headed out the cut from the marina, it feels as if you are soaring—having been set free from civilization and traffic. The waterways are expansive, and there are multiple mangrove cuts around every turn. There is so much water, so many cuts and areas to explore. The seagrass beds have expanded in the area 10 percent since the storms of 2008. The abundance of shoalgrass and turtlegrass has increased while the abundance of manatee grass has remained stable. In fact, the number of quadrants monitored in the area that are devoid of seagrass has decreased by 50 percent since 2005. This all makes for some clean water and great fishing.

Our first visit to Bokeelia, we limited on seatrout every day. On our trip to Useppa a month later, we encountered mostly snook and a monster red, caught by Mike, on the next to last shrimp! And there are always tarpon.

Nadeen Welch is co-publisher of the Fort Myers edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.

June 2017 - reproduced with permission. See the digital edition of Coastal Angler Magazine

Summer's Natural Beauty on Useppa Island

by Karen Kauffman

Summer's on Useppa are extraordinary. Yes it's warm and it rains every evening, but that also means evening clouds which create extraordinary sunsets.

If it's June, then it's also time for night blooming cereus. All year long strands of cactus slowly grow down the trunks of cabbage palms. During the month of June long park red blossoms emerge. After dark, these burst open into glowing white blossoms nearly a foot wide. They only last for the night and then pooof - they're gone. The next night, the magic repeats as new blossoms open.

It's also a time for our resident butterflies to enjoy their garden. With the rainy season comes an explosion of plants and also of butterflies. Besides the colonies of black and yellow Swallowtail that live here year round, we have have a profusion of others. These orange Gulf Fritillary have been fluttering around each other, doing a mating dance. Eggs will be laid and a few weeks after, the resulting caterpillar will be munching through a passion vine before starting the process all over again.

Florida is not just a place to escape the winter. It's a place filled with hidden and exotic beauty all year round - all you need to do is come and explore. Okay, and bring sunblock and maybe a little bug spray - but it's worth it. Promise!

How’s the Real Estate Market?

The national real estate market has a big impact on Second and Vacation Home Buyers. Those looking to sell elsewhere and make your Move to Useppa Island - Find Out What the Experts Are Saying.

As we head into summer, it is a great time to review how the 2017 real estate market is doing so far. Here is what the experts are saying:

Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae Chief Economist

“Positive demographic factors should continue to reshape the housing market, as rising employment and incomes appear to be positively influencing millennial home ownership rates.”

Diana Olick, CNBC

“Even as more homes come on the market for this traditionally popular sales season, they're flying off fast, with bidding wars par for the course. Home prices have now surpassed their last peak, and at the entry level, where demand is highest, sellers are firmly in the driver's seat.”

Daren Blomquist, Senior VP at Attom

"I am guessing we will see it get even better… If you are considering moving, it could be a really good time to sell."

Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist

"The early returns so far this spring buying season look very promising as a rising number of households dipped their toes into the market and were successfully able to close on a home last month. Although finding available properties to buy continues to be a strenuous task for many buyers, there was enough of a monthly increase in listings…for sales to muster a strong gain. Sales will go up as long as inventory does."

Mark Fleming, First American Chief Economist

“Despite higher mortgage rates, the potential for home sales increased on an annual basis driven by steady income and job growth, along with a surge in building permits. While it may be a little late for this spring, the increase in building permits is a welcome sign that some relief may be in sight for the inventory shortages that are holding back many markets from realizing their full potential this spring.”

Keeping Current Matters - May 25, 2017

Ready to Build Your Vacation Home on a Private Island?

Over sized building lot in the 6-lot Collier Preserve (aka The Airstrip) section of Useppa Island. Level, 200 feet of frontage facing east on Pine Island Sound, 100 feet deep. Land includes riparian rights, previously approved dock plans are presently in renewal process. 

407 Useppa Island - Now offered for $399,000

Property Details

Living areas above BFE will enjoy 300 degree water views, including Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key, Captiva Pass, Captiva Island, and Little Bokeelia and Pine Islands. All utilities are available and underground.

Boasting outstanding amenities, Useppa is the perfect paradise. Private island and club with marina, sand beach, restaurant, tennis, pool, croquet and bocce courts, fitness center, walking and bike trails. A well staffed service department provides home and landscape care. Only 3 miles from the mainland and the Gulf of Mexico.

Easter Sunrise on Useppa Island

A Glorious Day of Renewal

by Karen Kauffman

As several hundred gather on the beach, we wait for the sun to rise upon this unique location. Neighbors and friends sharing a blessing for what has been and what is to come.

 We arrive from as near as Naples, Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Tampa. We make our way from Georgia, New Jersey, New York and New England, from across the Midwest and New Mexico, Montana, Washington, Canada and the United Kingdom.

 What we have in common is this island paradise, a small jewel of an island that rarely appears on a map and barely shows on a chart. Yet, whether you are 9 months old, 90 years old, or anywhere in between, we welcome you.

 Coming to a new location, at any age, can be intimidating. Wondering how you will like it, and if it will like you, is daunting. The Useppa experience is quite different. We have all felt the magic here. From the moment you step onto these shores, our community embraces you. We are here for one another, exemplified by the serenity we feel when our children go out to explore, when neighbors readily lend a hand and when all share a commitment to maintain the Island’s sacred beauty and history. We, collectively, create an unmatched experience for all to enjoy.

 

A sanctuary for exploration and rebirth, on this island, we shed our personas from the past and strive to be the people we always knew we could be. Whether it is your first time visiting, you’ve lived here for months, or maybe decades, all are welcome.

 On Easter morning, let the sun rise and shine gently upon you. Open your hearts and your minds. Look with gratitude to your left, then to your right, and know that you are welcomed to share, as one of us, this Easter morning -- a glorious day of renewal.

Owning A Second Home

You’ve dreamed and planned for owning a second home. Imagine enjoying vacations whenever you want, entertaining family and friends, and creating a home away from home.

There are many good reasons for owning a second home. Before you take that step, there are some considerations for your careful planning.

First, many second home/vacation home owners take the steps to improve family time and take a break from their hectic daily schedules. Booking reservations and the overall cost for vacation time can mount quickly. Often times, a vacation home purchase simplifies the vacation process, while offering an opportunity to build a legacy for a lifetime.

A second home creates a gathering place where new traditions are born. And, as Mark Patterson notes on the “U.S. News & World Report” website, that family vacation home may eventually become your family legacy.

Buying that second home in a location where you desire to retire provides wonderful vacation opportunities and allows you to establish community ties that make for a smooth transition down the road. A “trial run” if you will, with the opportunity to build friendships and immerse yourself in local activities. What better way to determine if this is the place to spend your retirement years?

Though you may not want to rent your vacation home when you’re away, financial benefits may still be available.
Modest appreciation over the years, along with some tax benefits, make the option even more appealing.

Lastly, second homes, like relationships, need TLC. When considering your second home purchase, make sure you know your options for maintaining your home, but remember your friends and family for that emotional ROI. Making Memories...Priceless.

Ready to make that dream a reality? UseppaIslandRealEstate.com

Make your escape to Useppa Island.
Paradise Without A Passport!

Why Waiting Until After the Holidays to Sell Isn’t a Smart Decision

Every year at this time, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to put their homes on the market for the first time, while others who already have their homes on the market decide to take them off until after the holidays. 

Here are six great reasons not to wait:

Relocation buyers are out there. Companies are not concerned with holiday time and if the buyers have kids, they want them to get into school after the holidays.

Purchasers that are looking for a home during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy.

You can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You will remain in control.

Homes show better when decorated for the holidays.
There is less competition for you as a seller right now. 

Let’s take a look at listing inventory as compared to the same time last year:

The supply of listings increases substantially after the holidays. Also, in many parts of the country, new construction will continue to surge reaching new heights in 2017, which will lessen the demand for your house.

Bottom Line

Waiting until after the holidays to sell your home probably doesn't make sense.

Are We Sure Winter Isn't Here?

Islanders are starting to arrive - NOW! That means it’ has to be winter, doesn’t it?

We live on Useppa, a 100-acre island situated about 3 miles off the coast of Pine Island. Mostly a second home community, our “Season” begins right around Thanksgiving. Everyone then disappears until a day or two after Christmas.

Such has been the pattern since we first arrived over 30 years ago. This year is different! More than a few families stayed into June, when Easter, no matter when it came, was historically the signal, “The Season” was over! There were even a number of families that stayed the entire summer, with even more planning to do so next year. And more have been returning early, but early October? It’s not TIME for them to come back.

How do we know that’s happening? Telephone and Internet services are being taken off “vacation mode.” Pool Services say they’ve been prepping pools for the last few weeks and forwarded mail is already arriving at Post Offices. Wait a minute, Fall just started.

It could be the weather. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting “snow piling up on the plains,” “low temps and above normal precipitation in the northeast,” along with a “particularly cold and wet winter for the mid-Atlantic.” So, maybe they are being called early to the Sunshine State.

We like to think they have fallen in love. Regardless, we are more than happy to meet, greet and share our very special island with those seeking a gentler, warmer and fun place to be. 

Discover Paradise Without A Passport!