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You are here: Home / Archives for florida

Market Update

December 4, 2024 by Gary Cardillo

For months we’ve been posting updates on the real estate market which up until recently has impacted the local and statewide markets by the higher than anticipated taxes, rising insurance premiums, interest rates and the election. While those factors alone led for a decline in sales and sales prices for most of the state, the devastating effects of the hurricanes over the past few months have had a unique impact of their own, especially to our local markets.

Typically this time of year we not only focus on the year to year sales comparisons, but the year to date recap as well, however, adding in the variable of multiple hurricanes are skewing the numbers resulting in fewer showings, inventory that was damaged or lost this year versus last, and listing prices decreasing. While we would typically see more inventory coming on the market this time of year in anticipation for the upcoming season and the arrival of our winter visitors, we are also seeing a significant number of inquiries by investors looking for opportunistic buys. Unlike Hurricane Charley where Money and Forbes magazines had just voted our area as one of the best places to retire that created an unique competition between investors and buyers vying for limited inventory, there is plenty of inventory for buyers and investors of all types. The silver lining for some is if their homes have not been impacted by the recent storms, those homes will be viewed more favorably and the potential is for shorter times on the market if priced competitively. For others who did not fare as well, keep in mind there is a 50/50 rule that will impact your recovery plans. When in doubt call a reputable contractor to give you an estimate, and who can also determine if any of your damage was wind related or just caused by rising water. Before making any decisions check with your accountant and financial advisor as they will help you decide if rebuilding is a viable option or selling the property “AS IS” is your wisest financial choice.

Filed Under: Buying Real Estate, Selling Real Estate Tagged With: charlotte county, charlotte county real estate, florida, florida waterfront, gary cardillo, market update, punta gorda, punta gorda real estate, real estate, real estate market, remax harbor, selling in punta gorda

Thanks…..Giving

December 4, 2024 by Gary Cardillo

I always look forward to this time of year; believe it or not, it starts with Halloween. While each season brings us something different, the joy and anticipation of the holidays make this time of the year a little more special. It all begins with the levity on that ghoulish Halloween evening where we enjoy watching kids dress up as their favorite characters, filling their bags with candy as they “trick or treat” their way around the neighborhood. I remember those days dressing up in costume myself, coming home with enough candy to feed a small country, much to my dentist’s delight. As I’ve grown older, that exuberance has been replaced by the satisfaction I see in others having this fun-filled evening.

A few short weeks later, we go from ghosts and goblins to pilgrims and turkeys. We welcome the season of Thanksgiving and seem to rekindle a stronger compassion for others. It is a time of year when our greatest joy comes from giving more than receiving. We seem to find inner peace in decorating our homes and listening to the music of the season, taking pause to cherish each moment.

 While I’ve always wanted to savor each holiday to its fullest, like many, I am ready to usher in the holidays earlier this year so we could inject a little joy into our lives after the devastating effects of Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton. While some of us experienced less impact from this storm than we did from Hurricane Charley 20 years ago, others weren’t so fortunate. Through it all, it makes you stop and take stock of what is really important in life.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been part of a special team of volunteers assembled by Punta Gorda Police Officer Joe Angelini that hosted 51 foster families and 144 foster children to a holiday luncheon. This touching holiday event Joe started 9 years ago, a year after he became a resource officer at Sally Jones Elementary School. Always having had a special place in his heart for children, Joe recounts how the school principal asked him if he would take a little first-grade boy named Lucas under his wing. Joe agreed, if the department would put him back patrolling the streets the following year, which was part of his service to the community he enjoyed. Little did Joe know the impact this child would have on him.

At the principal’s request, she asked if Joe would make time to have lunch with this young boy in order to build a bond and see if he could find out the cause of Lucas’ unacceptable behavior. Joe said at first, he was puzzled why a child this age would exhibit such an incidence of this kind of behavior, but as Lucas opened up to Joe, he shared how he had bounced back and forth between 10 foster homes in Lee and Charlotte Counties in one year. Then, Joe realized this boy needed more stability and a bit of a father figure and confidant. Joe started to take Lucas off campus to places like McDonald’s, where he could experience some of the pleasures children in a more normalized home setting enjoyed. Through their time together, Joe gained an intimate insight into how children in Lucas’ situation were starving for a permanent place they could call home.

While we reminisced about what it was like growing up and coming down Christmas morning to see the brightly colored presents Santa had brought us the night before, Joe felt an emotional tug at his heart. He saw how the holidays often accentuated the transient hand these children were dealt. Despite the best efforts these foster families were trying to provide the love and stability the children lacked, Joe felt these families and children needed more than a holiday lunch; they needed something where memories were made.

He met with Pastor Tim Buck of First Methodist Church in Punta Gorda, now New Life Church, along with various community leaders and restauranteurs, and the groundwork was established. Hearing what Joe was planning, an elderly lady in the community anonymously provided presents for each one of the children. Joe confided, “She provided and the Christmas Elves wrapped.” Joe’s love for these children caught the attention of the Children’s Network of Florida, which reached out to Joe with children and families in desperate need of holiday cheer that would carry them throughout the New Year. Joe told them, “If you know of a child in need, share that with us, and we’ll make sure their Christmas is a bit more special.”

Over these 9 years, this 16-year Veteran of the Punta Gorda Police force has created an event to remember. The buffet-style luncheon is more like a feast with fresh roasted turkey and enough side dishes and desserts to feed an army. Any additional food left over is carefully wrapped and delivered to the homeless shelter. After lunch, the children are treated to take part in a photo booth, a cookie decorating station, and a place where they can create their own ice cream sundaes. Of course, what holiday event would be complete without a personal visit and picture with Santa? Throughout the event, local musicians play holiday music in the background, along with festive decorations and lighted Christmas trees. It is a beautiful setting to behold. However, the best is yet to come.Upon leaving, each child receives 3-4 personal gifts to take home, and the foster parents receive a festive holiday bag with all the side dish staples and a gift certificate to Publix for a turkey that will feed up to a family of twelve for a wonderful Christmas dinner.

I’ve often wondered what gives us the most satisfaction in life and as I’ve grown older it isn’t the presents I’ve received, it is the joy of giving, and the look of surprise on someone’s face that gives me the most pleasure. Walking around the sea of tables, clearing them these past couple of years so the church could set up for their service the following morning, a couple of the children asked if they could clear the tables with me. To see these little ones, who weren’t more than 10 years of age, wearing adult disposable gloves and clearing the tables with me spoke volumes about how grateful they were. They had no idea how much they touched my heart.

As Joe and I sat together a year ago recapping the day’s events, he said, “Gary, I think about this event every day of the year and how we can make it better and touch the lives of more families and children.” In my recent conversation, Joe said, “This year, we are anticipating 150 children, including those that are now coming from Lee County.” I thought, “You didn’t just make their lives better; you made mine better, too.” I was afforded an opportunity to give, and to me, that was priceless.

As the holidays quickly approach, we want to send our best wishes to you and your family for all the happiness this season brings, and that not only will you be blessed in the New Year, but so will the lives of others whose lives you touch.

-Gary Cardillo

Filed Under: Community Information Tagged With: charlotte county, charlotte county realtor, florida, florida waterfront, gary cardillo, joe angelini, Punta Gorda Police, remax harbor

Market Update November 2024

November 12, 2024 by Gary Cardillo

Not a day goes by when someone asks, “What’s going on with the real estate market?” I think everyone senses the market is off the pace of recent years when inventory was low, sellers could name their price, and concerns about rising taxes, interest rates and insurance premiums were not at the forefront of a buyer’s mind as they are today, and of course you can always factor in the upcoming election. Add the impact recent storms have had and the result is more inventory is coming on the market from those looking to relocate in addition to the uptick in listings we typically see this time of year when more sellers are looking to put their homes on the market in advance of the new season. From a buyer’s perspective, they are not only factoring in the projected costs related to taxes and insurance coverage, but the anticipated costs for remodeling that typically would be a cost a seller would not consider allowing for in the negotiation process. With more inventory coming on the market properties will stay on the market longer unless they are priced very competitively. For those whose streets and neighborhoods are showing the residual effects from these storms, they can either wait until their streets are in better condition with the hope they can list their homes closer to market averages, or they may need to price their homes more aggressively to overcome a buyer’s concern when seeing the potential storm affect that could impact them. However, with many areas recovering quickly and restaurants and businesses coming back on line, there is a community spirit that is contagious and could be a factor in making this a strong upcoming season

Filed Under: Buying Real Estate, Selling Real Estate Tagged With: 2024, charlotte county, florida, market update, real estate

Life Lessons from the Storms We Endure

November 12, 2024 by Gary Cardillo

Throughout the years of writing these newsletters, I’ve often shared my love for the summer months and all the activities that occurred during that time of the year. While my father loved the fall, I wasn’t nearly as enamored with it as the fall brought to a close my favorite time of year and was the precursor to the harsh winter weather yet to come. Having moved to Florida twenty-five years ago from New York, I felt God gave me a reward to enjoy the season I loved most on a year-round basis. Like many, I envisioned myself boating, golfing, and going to the beach whenever I wanted. What better way to enjoy the quality of life I always dreamed of? As for hurricanes, what hurricanes? I encountered them before; how much worse could they be in Florida if we ever did get one?

It was September 2001, and we were in our home for a year when we encountered our first storm. Not having the sophisticated meteorologist and radar we have today, I noticed it was getting breezy and had no idea what was on its way. A friend of mine said, “Are you ready for Gabrielle?” I replied, “We never met; who is she?” Sensing my ignorance, my friend replied, “Get ready; you’ll meet her in a few hours.” Little did I realize I would be trading in hors d’oeuvres for hours trying to lower the Bahama shutters we had. That was nature’s way of spoon-feeding me the storms that were yet to come.

Having lived on the water most of my life, I vividly recollect Hurricanes Agnes and Gloria years later impacting Long Island, where yachts of all sizes were strewn over the island beaches. While it was a very sobering reminder of man’s weakness in contrast to nature’s strength, those experiences paled by comparison to the destructive forces we’ve encountered since moving to Florida 25 years ago.

It seems like yesterday when Hurricane Charlie impacted our area, and we stood in disbelief, seeing many of our homes and communities lying in ruin. I initially thought this was something we were only supposed to see on TV, not experience first-hand, as camera crews, National Guard troops, Florida’s Governor Jeb Bush, and other responders descended on our area. It was also our first encounter with the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore, who, after all these years of visits to our area, may want to consider a permanent residence! Perhaps it is like a boxer getting a punch that sends him to the canvas but has the heart and desire to pick himself back up to continue the fight, and that is what we did.

Since then, we have encountered a host of other hurricanes and tropical storms, including the recent back-to-back hurricanes of Helene and Milton, and through it all, I am overwhelmed by the resiliency of our community, our neighbors, and our restaurant and store owners who have picked up the pieces and are forging ahead.

I have found that through these storms, there are many life lessons to be learned. Unfortunately, there will always be those who plan for Armageddon and clear out store shelves of the basic necessities or take enough gas to get them to the moon and back, never considering the needs of others. For most of us, they are a sobering reminder of what is important in life. We have built stronger bonds with friends, neighbors, and loved ones in their time of need. We’ve given our time and treasures to help our communities recover and supported the local businesses that have served us so well throughout the years. There was never a thought of repayment for our efforts, we were in this together.

We all get wrapped up in our day-to-day lives where we count on tomorrow to get together with friends or make the call that is long overdue. I’m as guilty as it seems, like years pass like months and weeks pass like days, only to have these storms put life in a different perspective. My most vivid reminder of the importance of our relationships was during Hurricane Charlie. Since we were all without power, we came out of our homes seeking relief from the heat and humidity inside and found ourselves catching up with friends and neighbors for the first time in months. Unfortunately, once power was restored, we returned to our homes and resumed our way of life, where we offered a simple wave as we passed.

Some may feel it is time to turn the page and start a new chapter in their lives where these storms no longer take a physical and emotional toll on them, while others feel the quality of life Florida affords more than offsets the infrequent storms that impact our areas. To me, the lessons are learned from the pause we are forced to take during our efforts to recover.

We often think of Thanksgiving and the holidays that follow as the time of year to give thanks for the blessings we’ve received. It is also the start of a season that beckons us to be more compassionate and giving to our loved ones. While the holidays are full of promise and merriment, the storms we endure create lasting bonds, almost like those that have served together in war. We set aside our differences and give of ourselves in service to others. Isn’t that what a life well lived is supposed to be about? Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a storm to get us back on track and bring out the best in us.

While the aftermath of these storms has left many of our streets looking like Spooky Walks littered with debris and ghost-like ships that occupy some of our area parks, the appearance of Halloween costumes and soon-to-be Christmas decorations are our reminder of the enjoyment we receive from these simple pleasures life affords us. However, our recovery together, especially this year, has created a more robust community bond far more valuable than anything we could have imagined.

-Gary Cardillo

Filed Under: Community Information Tagged With: community, florida, gary cardillo, hurricane helene, hurricane milton, local realtor, neighbors, newsletter, puntagordastrong, real estate, waterfront

A Life Well Lived

August 29, 2024 by Gary Cardillo

We often measure one’s success in life by the wealth they’ve accumulated or the position they held on the corporate ladder. We’ve come to idolize sports and entertainment figures, or those we feel can benefit us as we try to attain success. But is that really the meaning of a “life well lived?” To some, it may be.

Maybe it was during the sweet innocence of my childhood when we were aware of some of the positions or wealth those around us had, but for some reason, we saw them as peers or equals. We didn’t judge them on their financial statements; we just knew them as friends.

Summers were always the time of year I looked most forward to. We water-skied, swam, went to the beach, played golf, camped out, played hours of flashlight tag, and even snuck out at night just to talk about our day even more. As I’ve grown older, I think of those fond memories, but I realize even more that it was the close friends I had who made those moments in time so special.

Moving to Florida has been a continuation of those special friendships and moments similar to the enjoyment of those early childhood years. While some activities have changed, the spirited banter has remained the same. One couple who have become our close friends are Greg and Toni White. Both had very successful corporate positions, but like those I grew up with, they were more interested in celebrating their friendships than talking about their accomplishments. While very talented, the contagiousness of their personalities appeals to so many, but it doesn’t end there.

Several years ago, Toni approached me to help her find a home for her mother, Lin, a widow living in California. While she loved her life in California, Toni felt that her mom was getting older, and it made more sense to have her move closer to her. She quickly became part of a group of friends we met at St. Andrew’s South Golf Club, a course in the heart of the waterfront community of Punta Gorda Isles. Unlike most women her age, Lin, or as many of her close friends who affectionately called her “Mumsie,” became part of the gang and attended most of the club’s social events.

Linda Warwick was born in 1934 and grew up in the east end of London, living with her grandparents, parents, and three uncles in a small home. The east end of London was where the docks were located, and the River Thames ran behind their house. As a young child, factories were turning into munitions plants before her eyes, and a few short years later, the U.K. entered the war. It would be hard for anyone at five or six years of age living in the United States to appreciate the ravages of war. Still, with London being one of the largest cities in the world at that time and home to the British Empire, it became a vital target of the German Wehrmact, (armed forces). On September 7, 1940, later known as “Black Sunday,” the Germans unleashed their fury in a blitzkrieg (lightning war) with 300 bombers targeting London in the first of 57 consecutive nights that continued for the next eight months. Forced to find shelter any way they could, homes in their community were being destroyed, and with the continuous sound of gunfire and sirens echoing in their ears, it was a sobering reminder that their home could be next. Like so many others, they became “evacuees” and retreated to the safety of the countryside, having to, at times, share a home with other displaced families. While it appeared to offer a safer environment, they could see the glowing fires from the bombing raids in the various towns and cities from afar.

As a young child, she experienced the worst and best life had to offer. Despite the war’s displacement and hardship on her family, Linda recalled those beautiful memories of taking walks in the countryside. She will never forget the day the King and Queen of England came to the area they were living in to show empathy as Buckingham Palace had also been bombed.

Throughout this time, Linda’s father worked as a fireman in London and occasionally would get leave to visit his family. She said he worked long hours in the east end of London, called “Mile End.” Eventually, he was offered a dilapidated house next to a factory, and while there were only three remaining homes on the street, the rest being destroyed from the continual bombing, they were thrilled to be back together under one roof. With the bombing subsiding as the focal point of the war moved away from the city, Linda and her new friends returned to school and recalled the kindness of the teachers who would give up their free time to take the children on hikes or create some diversion to take their minds off the war, which was never far away and often sent them to air raid shelters. Teachers were called into service, and Linda recalled that 25 children from her school were killed during that time.

With the German front moving to the desert and Russia, curfews were being lifted, and the children were allowed to stay out and play for extended periods of time. A community pool was reopened, and Linda’s school was due to go the following day when the wailing sounds of an air raid siren sent Linda and her family scrambling through the adjoining factory for safety as the sound of bombs could be heard all around. Once the attack subsided, her dad went out to check the destruction only to come back a short while later saying their family home had been destroyed; in fact, most of the remaining homes in the community lay in ruins.

Despite the heartache of war, Linda recalls those special moments during the war when friends, relatives, and teachers would give of themselves to make sure the children were spared as much of the horrors of the war as possible. Later on in life, Linda would reflect on how resilient, tenacious, and determined they were not only to survive but to restore their country to its glory once again.

After graduating high school, Linda became a library assistant at the University of London. She then eventually moved to Canada, where she and her husband were married in Toronto in 1954. They moved to the United States in 1963, where Linda worked as a secretary, and Ron accepted a job as a sound engineer, which he enjoyed for almost 30 years. After Ron’s passing, Linda’s daughter Toni suggested Linda move closer to where she lived, as her brother was also living in Florida.

It’s hard to imagine the scars of war, but like service members who have fought together or those who have come from the oppression of their homelands, they have a greater appreciation for the simple things we take for granted. Linda was one of those people, and her biggest fear, she shared with her daughter, was not the move but whether she was going to be able to make new friends.

Years ago, I had a middle school teacher tell our class how fortunate we would be if we could count on one hand the number of close friends we had. As Lin was approaching her 90th birthday on July 25th, Toni and her husband Greg were planning a surprise birthday party for her at a local restaurant, to which almost 100 of her closest friends were invited. Unfortunately, five days prior to her celebrated day, she passed away.

To some, this would be a sad way to end such a story, but like many things in life, lessons are learned from our most difficult experiences. Lin’s story doesn’t end with her passing, but the 90th birthday surprise that became her Celebration of Life, where stories were shared by so many whose lives were impacted by her. The story best told was by her daughter Toni, who recalled having past boyfriends show up unannounced at their home when she was getting ready to go out on a date. When asked what they were doing there, they would reply, “We didn’t come to see you; we came to see your mother!”

Like so many others, we will miss her contagious smile, the kind words she had for others, and seeing her at many social events at the club. She made the most of her friendships and earned the love of many. Lin is a reminder of what is essential in life and what a “life well lived” really means. It’s not about who has the most toys that wins; it is the impact one’s life has on others. In this challenging world in which we live today, Lin was the sugar that made each day a bit sweeter.

 

-Gary Cardillo

Filed Under: Community Information Tagged With: 89 years, charlotte county, florida, gary cardillo, impactful women, linda warwick, living, mumsie warwick, real estate, waterfront

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