Virtual tours are some of the best real estate tools of our time. Most buyers fall in love with the online version of their next house first. The next step is to get inside and see the details. But what if you can’t get down here to see the house you love online? The Andreae Group’s got you covered.
Get inside that home you love online without leaving your house
March 23rd, 2020Your Town has Its Palm Tree Warmers Up Too, Right?
December 21st, 2018By: Adrienne Andreae
The other day I noticed something strange in Hector House Plaza across from the courthouse. All of the palm trees wore leg warmers. Or at least that’s what this child of the 1980s discerned them to be. Boaters might call them Palm coozies. (All boaters love three things: boats, open water, and coozies.) I know boaters who have coozies for their box wine. Why not coozies for palm trees?
I’m sticking with trunk warmers. It’s cold out there for a palm tree. Our mornings have been in the low 50s and while highs hit 65-75, our poor palm trees are like the rest of the full-timers around here: chilly. They need their trunks covered up.
I guess.
Do Palm Trees Really Need Trunk Warmers?
After investigating further, I noticed it wasn’t only the palms. Decorative yarn blanketed the benches and a bike. Bikes don’t get cold. I don’t care how long they’ve been down here. Like you, I had many questions about what exactly happened in Hector House Plaza? The only thing I understood is that it was impossible to stand there now without smiling.
More Proof that Punta Gorda Should Start All Trends
In the past few years, I’ve seen a hunk of horrible trends hit the internet. Usually these trends involve teenagers ingesting household goods they were told not to touch as toddlers. I, like you, have wondered why human beings can’t come up with better, oddball trends.
Then, I emailed Norma Angus, who the PGI Civic Association lists as the contact for their knitting club. She told me that she is part of a group called In Stitches. What you’re looking at are not trunk warmers or coozies. The whole project is something called Yarn Bombing. And I for one, vote for it as the next trend to hit the nation. Every town should follow In Stitches lead and yarn bomb a plaza, park, or square. It would be the best trend the internet has ever seen. And when they ask, it all started here in Punta Gorda.
If you agree with me, please share this post on your Facebook page.
If you’re interested in all things yarn, you can find out more about In Stitches on the PGI Civic association’s club page by clicking here.
Your Thanksgiving Could Look Like This If You Lived in Punta Gorda
November 26th, 2018While much of the north saw record cold this Thanksgiving, we donned shorts for our local Turkey trot. Every year, this 5k draws hundreds of locals out to support Habitat for Humanity. For the Andreaes, it’s a tradition.
Afterwards, we each go home, clean up, and meet up again at Grandma’s, aka Nancy or the blonde woman in our logo. This year, some of the grandkids and their daddy went kayaking. It would never occur to any of us to be stuck inside on Thanksgiving.
Like most Floridians, we set up a buffet on the lanai and ate outside. Why not? It was a beautiful day.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I went downtown for Small Business Saturday. Again, it was 70 degrees, so why not?
How was your Thanksgiving? If you spent it stuck inside or had to throw three layers on to go shovel your way out, you don’t have to live that way. Come to Punta Gorda where Thanksgiving weekend is an outdoor event!
The Andreae Group’s Fall Open House Happens this Weekend
October 15th, 2018This weekend the Andreae Group is hosting three open houses. Whether you’re getting a feel for the market or have been looking for weeks, you won’t want to miss any of them. Scroll down for more about each home.
1241 Canvasback–Located in the bird section of PGI, this 3/2 beautiful home was built in 2000 and has an extra work/craft room for the hobbyist you or the hobbyist in your life. Stop by and say hello between 12 and 3 on Saturday.
1918 Los Alamos–Enjoy your 104 feet of waterfront from your living room when you open the zero corner doors. (If you’ve never experienced zero corner sliders, you need to this Saturday.) This home boasts over 2800 sq feet under air with three bedrooms and an office.
2059 Padre Island #4–Looking for a brand, new finished condo in PGI? This is it. Literally. There are only three completed condos finished in 2018 on the market. They are all in this complex. Stop by and we’ll let you see them all.
Questions? Please call the Andreae Group office at 941-833-4217 or email us at info@andreaegroup.com.
My Top Two Tips for Catching a Deal in Today’s Real Estate Market
September 24th, 2018By Adrienne Andreae
The market is good. It’s not 2005 where we saw prices rocket ship up and people fighting over houses. But we do run into the occasional bidding war, average days on the market are down, and sellers expect their homes to sell. Unfortunately, these conditions don’t allow for many steals to hit the market. They do pop up though.
I get calls from buyers all the time asking me how they can get a deal. Are there any deals left? How can we get one? I always give the same two pieces of advice.
Before I get to the advice, let’s discuss what I mean by “deal.”
A deal is a house that is listed at the low end or slightly under current market value. You can tell a house is a good deal if you’ve been watching the market awhile. Let’s say homes that fit your criteria (i.e., time to open water, size, age, etc.) list between $550-$600k. Suddenly, something fitting your criteria hits the market for $545k. Or something larger or more updated than the homes you’ve been looking at hits the market for $565K. Those are the kind of deals we see these days.
When you see a house that is $100k under market value, there is some piece to its value you’re missing. I’m not picking on you, but I get calls like this often. I can usually break down why the same size house costs so much less in seconds. Maybe it’s seawall is small, its under the flood plain, or its an hour to open water. There are lots of reasons this could be true. The answer is almost never that the seller just doesn’t care about an extra $100k.
Ok, now that we agree on what a deal looks like, how can you get one? Here are my best two pieces of advice:
Tip #1: Be Flexible
You may want a home that is 2400-2600 sq ft., 3/3/3, within 20 minutes to open water, and was built within 5 years. You have the post popular criteria out there. It’s tough to find the perfect home at any price. When you are looking for a deal, it’s likely you will have to bend a little more than you might otherwise. Remember, price is part of your criteria. If you’re willing to renovate at least part of a home or spend a little more time tooling through the canal system, you’re much more likely to find a deal.
Tip #2: Be Ready
Seven years ago, sellers might list low to attract the few serious buyers still lurking around. Now, they do it to sell quickly. Another way to say deal is “priced to sell.” A priced to sell home does not stay on the market long. You will need to move quickly if you want a chance. Being ready means more than feeling ready to buy. It means you have done some of the not-so-fun stuff. You have talked to a bank if you’re getting a loan, whether it’s a loan on the property or a line of credit on your current home. If you’re paying cash, you’ve run the numbers and know what you’re willing to spend. Also, if you end up in a bidding war, the buyer who has a pre-approval or proof of funds ready to go may look like a safer bet for the motivated seller.
Another part of being ready is having a plan in place to get here quickly to see the home. I’ve seen offers come in on homes two or three days after they hit the market. Sometimes it’s luck that you’re in town and the deal hits the market. Sometimes you have to make you’re own luck and get here in a jiffy.
Why Did I Skip the Most Obvious Advice?
You might have expected me to tell you to watch the market closely. In my experience, I don’t have to tell my customers to watch the market. Click on a few real estate sites once and Google will find a way to keep you looking. I will tell you every site is not the same. If you want the most accurate updates on new homes on the market, sign up to get emails from our MLS portal. You can sign up by emailing us at info@andreaegroup.com.
Top Questions Answered: When Is the Best Time to Buy Real Estate in Punta Gorda?
August 15th, 2018
Summer or winter? It’s hard to say in Punta Gorda.
By: Adrienne Andreae
As a buyer’s agent at the Andreae Group, I field this question almost daily. Is it better to buy in the summer or winter in Punta Gorda?
Before I can answer that question, I’d like to dispel the common myth that nobody buys Florida real estate in the summer.
In fact, I have had years where my August sales rivaled my March numbers. Home lookers tend to be more serious in the summer than in the winter. The difference is there are fewer home lookers in the summer. A listing is more likely to rack up it’s days on the market in the summer. Many sellers take this as a sign to wait until January to put their homes on the market. They fear their home will spend all those days on the market will make their home look less desirable in the winter. They’d rather see a steadier stream of showings than the slow drip of summer. Maybe they’re going up north for the winter and would rather button it up than cater to the few showings.
(On a side note, my slowest months tend to be in the fall when people are more in holiday mode than homebuying mode.)
What That Means for You, the Buyer
In summer, you will see fewer houses on the market, but you will also compete with fewer buyers. The seller who puts their house on the market in the summer might need to sell slightly more than the seller who takes theirs off the market. While our current market doesn’t allow for the ‘deals’ of 2011, the summer buyer has a little more pull than the winter buyer.
On the flip side, the winter buyer has more options. I have an email system that will send buyers listings as soon as they hit the market*. In the summer, I get calls asking if it’s broken. It’s not. Depending on how narrow a buyer’s criteria, they could go a week without getting an email from us.
I hate to answer a question with a question, but what would you prefer fewer competitors or fewer homes? If you are really picky and don’t want to change much, you might do better in the winter. But if you’re more flexible you might do great in the summer. Either way, if you’re thinking of buying a home in Punta Gorda, it’s never to early to start watching the market.
*If you would like emails updating you as properties hit the MLS, please email us at info@andreaegroup.com. In my experience, the MLS portal is the most accurate way for a buyer to watch the market. All the others, Zillow, Realtor, etc. farm their information off this MLS system. It’s free and there is no obligation–as in, after we set you up on automated system, we will never bother you again unless you contact us.
How’s the Market So Far in 2018?
July 26th, 2018
Available now. Brand new home on the golf course. Call our office for more info. 941-833-4217
The first half of the year was quite busy in regards to real estate sales in 2018. In the waterfront subdivisions of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles, there were 222 homes closed (sold). That is a great number in comparison to some other years. During the same periods in 2010, 2012, 2016, the number of homes sold were:
2010 – 122
2012 – 170
2014 – 174
2016 – 171
222 homes sold compared to 120-170’s is a big jump. That means more buyers are coming to our area and buying. During that same 6 month period, the average sold prices of homes in PGI/BSI also increased from $467,802 to $497,111. That represents a 5.9% increase in average sold price in a just a 6 month period.
Currently, there are 145 homes for sale in the two communities.
Open House–Friday, Saturday, and Sunday March 3, 4, and 5 2017
February 28th, 2017
Come out and see this beautiful home!
2157 Deborah St, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday March 3, 4, and 6 2017
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
You can’t find your dream home if you don’t look! A builder’s model, every detail of the home was built to impress. Come out and see for yourself this weekend.
What’s Happening in Punta Gorda: February and March 2017
February 7th, 2017Is it February already? It’s hard to tell when it’s 80 degrees every afternoon. It’s officially season and our office has been a busy place this past month.
There is a lot going on in the next couple months, so I will get right to the good stuff.
- Feb. 11, 8th Annual St. Vincent de Paul Walk for the Poor, Laishley Park. For information contact (941)505-7325. http://www.svdpcharlottefl.org/
- Feb. 11, Managing Stress with Dr. Demers, the Yoga Sanctuary. For more information contact (941) 505-9642 http://www.theyogasanctuary.biz
- Feb. 12, Charlotte County Concert Band Concert Series, Charlotte Cultural Center. For information visit www.charlottecountyconcertband.com.
- Feb. 13, Blanchard House Black History Month Film and Performance Series, 500 Years Later Mid County Library, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd. 5:30 pm Blanchard House Museum For more information call 941-764-5859.
- Feb. 18, American Heart Association, Charlotte Heart Walk 2017. For information contact (727)563-8083.
- Feb. 18, Smuggler’s Downtown Hoedown, Marketplace property. For information contact (941)637-5953 or www.smugglersevents.com.
- Feb. 20, Blanchard House Black History Month Film and Performance Series, Performance by Ray Kamalay, guitarist and storyteller: “The Haitian Revolution and the Rise of American Music” Mid County Library, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd. 5:30 pm Blanchard House Museum For more information call 941-764-5859.
- Feb. 24, 2017, Behind the Notes with Maestro Raffaele Ponti at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street. For reservations contact (941)205-9743 or www.charlottesymphony.com.
- Feb. 24-25, Florida Frontier Days, History Park, 501 Shreve Street. For hours and information contact (941)639-6746.
- Feb. 24-26, Cirque Italia, Downtown Punta Gorda, Marketplace property. For information contact (352)502-3162 or www.cirqueitalia.com.
- Feb. 25, 7th Annual Punta Gorda Pub Crawl and Food Drive. Downtown Punta Gorda. For tickets and information contact (239)872-1171 or www.puntagordapubcrawl.com.
- Feb. 27, Blanchard House Black History Month Film and Performance Series, The Legacy of Slavery Mid County Library, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd. 5:30 pm Blanchard House Museum For more information call 941-764-5859.
- March 3-4, Funk Fest Punta Gorda, Marketplace property, downtown Punta Gorda. For information visit funkfestpuntagorda.com.
- March 3-5, Peace River Pickler’s Pickleball Tournament, Gilchrist Park Pickleball & Tennis Courts. For information contact (330)812-4500 or http://www.peaceriverpicklers.com/.
- March 4, Luna Fest, History Park, 501 Shreve St. For additional information contact (941)637-3830 or peaceriverwildlife.org.
- March 5, Yoga for Caregivers, the Yoga Sanctuary. For more information contact (941) 505-9642 http://www.theyogasanctuary.biz
- March 11-12, iHeart Media Seafood Festival, Laishley Park. For hours and information contact (941)815-0324.
- March 12, Charlotte County Concert Band Concert Series, Charlotte Cultural Center. For information visit charlottecountyconcertband.com.
- March 17, 2017, Behind the Notes with Maestro Raffaele Ponti at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street. For reservations contact (941)205-9743 or charlottesymphony.com.
- March 24-25, Pedal & Play in Paradise Bicycle Event, Laishley Park. For information contact (941)637-8326 or pedalandplayinparadise.com.
- March 25-26, TNT Arts & Craft Show, Marketplace property. For information contact (352)344-0657 or tnteventsinc.com.
- March 25, Guns and Hoses 10K & 5K Runs, 1133 Bal Harbor Plaza. For information contact (941)575-7482.
- March 26, Punta Gorda Rotary Taste of Punta Gorda, Laishley Park. For information contact (941)875-5629
Have fun out there! Follow us on Facebook for more updates on our market and local happenings.
What’s Happening in Punta Gorda in December
December 1st, 2016By: Adrienne Andreae
There is so much going on in this town. It’s hard to keep up on it all!
That’s what a recent buyer stopped in my office to tell me. When she said it, part of me filled with pride. I love that Punta Gorda is so active. Our town is a place for doers. People come here eager to get out on the water, go out on the town, and meet people.
Another part of me felt a little guilty. I used to be much better at keeping this blog up with all that was going on around town. I’m starting my resolution early this year to keep you updated every month on what’s going on around town.
This month we are celebrating Founder’s Week. For more info on Founder’s Week check out their Facebook page.
December 17: Don’t miss the lighted boat parade!
- Thursday, December 1: Luminaria Night at the History Park, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Shreve Street. Brought to you by Relay for Life. Celebrate by lighting the night, shopping, and have treats.
- Thursday, December 1: Isaac Trabue Chess Tournament, Punta Gorda Kiwanis–Taking place all over town. To play or watch: Contact: Michael Haymans, (941) 661-5622.
- Thursday, December 1: Week long exhibit (December 1-7, 2016) “Then and Now” Monday through Friday-9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Where: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud Street
- Friday, December 2: Downtown Christmas Celebration Carol Sing & Tree Lighting, 5 pm to 8 pm, corner of W Marion Avenue & Taylor Street. For more information, contact (941)575-3302.
- Friday, December 2: Annual Holly Days Home Tours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Residential Area.
- Saturday, December 3: 38th Annual Charlotte County Chamber Christmas Parade, from Charlotte High School to Downtown Punta Gorda. For registration and additional information contact (941)639-2222 or http://www.charlottecountychamber.org/.
- Saturday, December 3: Christmas Tree Yarn Bomb at the Farmer’s Market, 8 a.m. to noon, Olympia and Taylor, Trees at Hector Square decorated with colorful yarn.
- Saturday, December 3: Celebrate the Holidays with Bella and Luna, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Peace River Wildlife Center, Ponce de Leon Park
- Saturday, December 3: Down the Street Happy Hour, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at New Operation Cooper Street, 650 Mary St.
- Saturday, December 3: Founders’ Day Southern Supper, 5 to 11 p.m., Hurricane Charley’s, 300 W. Retta Esplanade
- Sunday, December 4: Latino Christmas at Cilantro’s Restaurant, 2705 Tamiami Trail. For additional information contact (941)621-4612 or cilantrosrestaurant39@gmail.com.
- Sunday, December 4: Dare to Dream, an Afternoon with Amelia Earhart” 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Punta Gorda Woman’s Club, 118 Sullivan St.
- Monday, December 5: Historic Trolley Tours and History Celebration from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tours start at Kays Ponger & Uselton, 635 E. Marion Ave.
- Monday, December 5: Historic Punta Gorda City Hall Tours, 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. City Hall, 326 W. Marion Ave.
- Monday, December 5: Freeman House Tours, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tour historic Freeman House with docents.
- Tuesday, December 6: Historic Walking Tours of Indian Springs Cemetery, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 9500 Indian Springs Rd. Contact: 941-629-7278
- Tuesday, December 6: Raise the Roof for the Trabue House, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Punta Gorda History Park, 501 Shreve St. Suggested donation $10. Proceeds help the Homeless Coalition and roof repairs on the Trabue house.
- Tuesday, December 6: Founders Mural Tour, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Meet at Herald Court Parking Garage Breezeway. Suggested donation $10. Contact: Kelly Gaylord 941-979-2786
- Wednesday, December 7: Old Time BBQ & Historical Poker Run, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., starts at Charlotte Community Foundation, 227 Sullivan Street, To register: http://www.teampuntagorda.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Poker-Run-Registration.pdf
- Wednesday, December 7: 1st Annual Holiday Grub Crawl 5:00-9:00 pm, Downtown Punta Gorda, Tickets are $20 and benefit the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Call 941-205-9743 for tickets and info.
- Wednesday, December 7: Final Isaac Trabue Chess Tournament – 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Top of the Herald Court Parking Garage. Punta Gorda Kiwanis sponsors final of tournament with giant chess pieces. Contact: Mike Haymans (941) 661-5622
- December 14: Ugly Sweater Run, 5:30-8:00 pm., 1-3 mile Walk or Run, Call 941 347-7751
- December 15: Alive After Five, (Formerly known as the Gallery Walk), Downtown. A great way to taste test local fair and shop as you go! For more info click here.
- December 16: Third Friday Drive in: This month’s movie is Elf. It starts at 7:30 pm. Check their Facebook page for occasional last minute changes due to weather.
- December 17: Punta Gorda lighted Boat Parade, begins at sunset
- December 22: P. Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker (Ballet in 2 acts with an Epilogue) Where: the Event Center Who: The State Ballet Theatre of Russia 7:00 pm, Call 941-833-5444
- December 24: Deep Creek Community Church Christmas Eve Services in Laishley Park. For hours and additional information contact (941)235-7325 or office@dc3.tv.
That list should get all of you looking to get out started! As I learn of more events, I try to keep you updated on our Facebook page. If you’re a local hosting an event in January, please email me the info at Adrienne@andreaegroup.com.
