As summer begins to wind down and the kids head back to school, Pine Island knows it’s in for some changes soon.  In a few short months we will start to see all our northern friends heading south to escape the doldrums of winters up north.

 

Winters on Pine Island are pretty harsh on us locals. I, personally, will be wearing a parka, scarf and mittens every time the temperature drops below 70 degrees. Hopefully there will not be too many of those days for my own sake. For those who are not used to the tropical climate, though, anything over 50 degrees constitutes shorts and a tee shirt so you can see the appeal.

 

Winter season will boost our island population by about 3,000 people.  This is a great thing for us and our local economy, but if you are trying to get a great deal on our real estate you may want to consider what this could mean for you.  Summers here are slow and with school being out we do not get the numbers of visitors we would like.  I know of a handful of properties on the market right now that only remain due to the lack of someone to show them to.  

 

Ask a Realtor what a 75ft deep water canal lot with a lift and a dock goes for and the answer will be $300K. This is a great deal considering what these lots have sold for in the past and if you would like one give me a call today and we will talk. But how does a free house sound? Right now there is a recently remodeled home with some of the best water access on Pine Island and you could buy it for the price of the lot. What you have at the end of the day is a home to use as a vacation house until you are ready to make island life a more permanent reality.  And when you do decide to make Pine Island your full time home you can just move in or tear the house down and build to your personal tastes.  I don’t know about you but a free house sounds like a wise investment to me.

 

Maybe you are looking for a small fishing cottage to escape to on occasion?  Nothing fancy, just a place to get away and enjoy some of the worlds best fishing at your back door.  To buy a canal home in Bokeelia on a 50-55ft lot you are looking at $400K and above.  You could just buy the lot for $200K but you will be hard pressed to build a home, albeit a fishing cottage, for less than say $150K.  Right now there is a home in Bokeelia, 50ft deep water canal lot, listed for $269K.  There is no way you can buy a similar lot and build anywhere close to this price.

 

If I sound excited, it’s because I AM!!!  These are incredible deals and are only available because we just don’t have the visitors to show them to.  I know everyone is holding out until they can get the best deal, but this is it. Now is the time before it is too late. Soon we will have our regular influx of buyers looking for a place to call their own and these deals will be gone forever.  Whether or not prices have hit rock bottom, or have a little more to go, the best properties will be gone first.  Last winter saw some great prices and the best properties sold like hotcakes. It is almost winter again, get in now before it’s too late.