The Gary Cardillo Group's Blog | The Gary Cardillo Group

Halloween Celebrations 2015

October 21, 2015 by Gary Cardillo

There is plenty of Halloween fun in the area.

October is a great month in Punta Gorda. Cooler air starts to relieve the summer heat, downtown prepares for Halloween and local businesses wake up from their sleepy summer months. Here are some of the area’s upcoming Halloween activities.

Punta Gorda

6th Annual Haunting on the Harbor Halloween Party and Haunted House

5pm-11pm on Oct. 30 and 3pm-11pm on Oct. 31.
Features a 5000 Sq. Ft. Air-Conditioned Haunted House, Carnival Games, Kids Area, Hay Rides, Costume Contests, Music, Palm Readers, Tarot card readers, Illusionists and Little Kid’s Fun House.

4th Annual War on the Peace Dragon Boat Festival

Oct. 31st 9:00a.m. at Laishley Park.
War on the Peace benefits CLEF, the Charlotte Local Education Foundation, and its “Take Stock in Children” program, which provides mentoring and a scholarship program for Charlotte County Students.

Halloween 50’s Bash Oct. 30 – 31

TT’s Tiki Bar Zombie U band plays on Oct. 30th and Jungle Boyz plays on Oct. 31st Live Entertainment, Shot Specials, Prizes For Best Costumes and Drink Specials

Fort Myers

Howl-O-Ween at Bell Tower Shops

Families are invited to celebrate Halloween in a kid-friendly environment at Bell Tower Shops with the 4th Annual Howl-O-Ween this Friday, October 31st from 6p-8p.

Lakes Park Fall and Halloween Festival

The annual Fall and Halloween Festival will begin its two-week run Friday, Oct. 17, and continue through Halloween at Lakes Regional Park. The event runs 6 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A nightmare on Third Street

Operating since 2005, A Nightmare on Third Street is one of the biggest private home haunted walks in Southwest Florida. It is located at 13431 Third Street, Fort Myers Shores.

Cape Coral

Mike Greenwells: Can you escape the asylum?

Mike Greenwells will host its 23rd Annual Haunted Hike on October 17th-19th, 24th, 25th, 30th, and 31st. The hike will open at dark each of these nights.

Is the Real Estate Market and Economy Back on Solid Ground?

April 9, 2013 by Gary Cardillo

It would be hard to argue that with recent new highs in the stock market and increased sales in the real estate market, our national and local economies may finally have turned the corner and brighter days are now upon us.

All indicators seem to indicate that while growth has been slow and the Euro still is in somewhat of a precarious state, the U.S. stock market appears to be taking all the warning signals in stride. Seen as an “emotional” barometer of many investors, Wall Street seems to feel China’s government support of their ailing housing market, the strengthening economies of many European nations, and the infusion of federal monies in our own housing market are buoying investor sentiment. Coupled with higher corporate profits and home sales up 10% from 2006 levels, the economy both on a national and local level appears to be more on solid footing.

Fort Myers, Florida reported a 28% increase in home prices from 2011 to 2012 and commercial vacancies decreased from 18% to 8%, a clear indicator that both the residential and commercial markets appear to be gaining traction.

With the automatic budget cuts that went into effect on March 1, 2013 that had politicians and investors alike anticipating a financial “Armageddon,” due to job losses incurred from the loss of federal funding and economic stimulus programs, the economic forecast continues to be optimistic.

Fears the real estate market could be compromised as the fed would start to pull some of the money back that has been infused into the economy leading to higher interest rates, Fed Chairman Bernanke indicated interest rates are going to continue to remain low so as not to depress an industry struggling to regain its strength. With job growth forecast to strengthen in 2013 and 2014, it appears the U.S. economy is more resilient than one may expect and that the financial troubles plaguing the European markets together with our own high unemployment rates may be less concerning to many investors, who are more focused on the potential of a leaner and more competitive U.S. economy full of investment opportunities.

New Home Starts – Another Sign That Florida’s Economy Is Recovering

January 7, 2013 by Gary Cardillo

In a Charlotte Sun article today, it appears our area is well on its way to recovery as new building starts continue to make great strides. Several months back the City of Punta Gorda stated building permits for residential new construction starts was on target to reach 50, up from approximately 36 the year before.

Today’s article seems to indicate this is not a local trend. According to Sarasota Building Official Greg Yantorno, 686 permits were granted in 2012 with 461 of those permits approved for areas south of Blackburn Rd in Nokomis and 225 to the north. Also noted where the over 900 permits that were in the pipeline for Sarasota county. While this may be down from the 2,400 permits issued during the height of the market, it is a clear signal that inventory levels of existing homes are down and there is a renewed confidence for new home construction.

Patrick Neal of Neal Communities, builders of homes in such communities as Palmer Ranch, and their $800 million project in Grand Palms, off Center Road in Venice, as well as the up to 500 homes projected in Boca Royale Golf and Country Club development in Englewood, says they are investing in the South Venice and Englewood areas as these are areas of great growth potential.

Greg Lapinsky, General Manager for Pulte Homes says they have seen the same resurgence as evidenced by the success of their Island Walk community located in North Port’s West Villages. Lapinsky characterizes today’s buyer as being a “more cautious northerner…half who are paying cash, and looking to buy as much home as possible without looking as much at zip code.” He continued by saying, “they are looking for nature walks, preserves and maintenance free living”… looking to “see Florida,” as more and more people are looking to enjoy the year round outdoor lifestyle that Florida has to offer.

The city of Punta Gorda seems to recognize that same interest with the near completion of their “Linear Park,” which is a walk way taking you through all the highlights around the city that include waterfront parks.

Robert Denk, Senior Economist with National Home Builders Association, said the U.S. averaged 1.3 million new residential building starts however, after 2009 it dropped to 27% but by 2013 it should be back up to 51% and by 2014 is projected to rise to about 70% of pre downturn levels. Florida it was stated averaged 127,000 new starts per year and dropped to 15%. By the end of 2013 it is projected the state will rebound to about 40% of pre downturn levels and 50% by 2014.

While Charlotte’s “West County,” south Sarasota and Englewood are seeing a more significant uptick as evidenced by Charlottes 29% increase in new starts, remodeling permits are also up. It is not uncommon to see $30,000 permits for kitchen remodels and $50,000 for pools. Monthly permit approvals have jumped from 7-8 per month to 25-30, a clear indication consumer confidence is on the rise.

Tom Danahy, President of Kitson Babcock, a division of Kitson Partners, said they are seeing the same trends. Danahy stated that typically 300,000-400,000 people move to Florida each year and a recent report showing Florida had a net gain of over 200,000 people moving to the sunshine state which ranks Florida within the top three states with that kind of population growth; Texas and California being the other two states.

However, of the states with the most robust growth most affected by the downturn, Florida appears to be the fastest on the road to recovery, and with prices in many areas not only stabilizing but showing signs of increase, now could be your last opportunity to get the most home for your dollar as inventory levels are much more in line with market consumption. While it was noted that new home starts priced over $400,000 still may prove a bit more challenging than those priced in the more affordable price ranges, we are seeing a greater number of homes being viewed that are priced above $500,000 than we have in the past few years, another sign we are well on the road to recovery!!!

Charlotte County, Fl – Are We Still the Best Place to Live?

October 10, 2012 by Gary Cardillo

Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes fame had a sarcastic wit I loved. It wasn’t his sarcasm that captivated me as much as his introspective questioning of viewpoints we take as gospel. However, it wasn’t until CNN Money’s most recent article on “Best Places to Live” that I thought of Mr. Rooney’s profound insight that got me to thinking, “If Punta Gorda/ Port Charlotte Florida were voted before as one of the best places to live, how come we didn’t even make the list of top 100 this year?”

Florida always seemed to have a couple of areas in the top 10 but this year Weston, FL came in at #63 and Coral Springs came in at #94. More interestingly was that no city in Florida cracked the top 50. “Did Florida somehow not qualify this year; last I heard it was still part of the continental U.S.?”

Jobs, healthcare, low crime, education and quality of life were the criteria used in this year’s search, but in the Rooney style, I would have to say, “I didn’t realize jobs and quality of life were the major draws to such states as Minnesota and Michigan whose small cities garnered several of the top spots!” As a Realtor, I have been hearing for the better part of the past five years just the opposite that it was because of the tough job and housing market that many in these two states were leaving to seek a more attractive climate and “quality of lifestyle” that Florida had to offer.

It is hard to imagine the entire state of Florida had its 15 minutes of fame and now slips back to anonymity, or is the author of the CNN poll bias towards the northern states and trying to level the playing field?

I have always said, “If you move to Florida for employment, you may be best served going into business for yourself, unless you are being relocated with a large firm.” As for quality of life, somehow trudging through howling winds and freezing temperatures doesn’t appeal to me as much as year round sun filled skies, sandy beaches and a 10 minute relaxing drive to work…..I think Mr. Rooney would agree!

Murdock Village – Will It Ever Get off the Ground?

October 1, 2012 by Gary Cardillo

Recently I have written about a proposed business incubator being targeted for the former Impac University and business performance consulting company site in the downtown historic district of Punta Gorda.

After much public backlash, the Charlotte County Commissioners voted to delay any vote to go ahead with the $2.5 million purchase of this property as it was seen by many as too risky a gamble with the tight budget constraints the county is facing.

So what does this have to do with Murdock Village you ask? Well, for 10 years the taxpayers of Charlotte County Florida have had to bear the brunt of the interest fees on this more than $100 million purchase that many feel should never have happened in the first place and the thought of adding another $2-3 million purchase to the tax rolls with no definite users in sight for this property has outraged many in the private sector.

With over 870 acres of undeveloped land that was “acquired through a controversial mix of financial bonding and eminent domain,” Murdock Village still lays dormant and many question if this projected mixed use “entertainment” focal point will ever get off the ground.

Planned as a tourist destination accommodating three distinctly different venues from a water theme park, a music and entertainment district and a state of the art baseball youth experience, this was to be the key development in the economic revitalization of Port Charlotte and the surrounding area. Main Street, was the music and entertainment venue with robust plans to construct 400,000 square feet of theater space, 240,000 square feet of commercial retail space, and 500 multi-family units around two guitar shaped lakes and amphitheaters, similar to the entertainment district in Branson, Missouri.

Main Street which was the brainchild of Jay Goldberg, worked for over two years receiving the Charlotte County Commissioners approval for his conceptual plan however, on September 11, 2012 it was reported in the Charlotte Sun that Mr. Goldberg was unable to raise the $220 million in the 18 month timeframe needed to fund his ambitious project and Main Street was “scrapped.” While this was a major blow to the excitement generated by all three venues, the “cornerstone” of the Murdock Village site is a $130 million waterpark and resort to be built by Water Park Venture Management Services which have developed other resorts in Wisconsin and Tennessee. This project creatively spearheaded by Southwest Developers partners Bruce Laishley and Rick Treworgy agreed to swap 137 acres in Murdock Village owned by the county for 33 acres of shovel ready property owned by their company at Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park near the Punta Gorda Airport.

Now their project along with the possibility of luring in the Ripkin Baseball Experience venue could be the best hope Charlotte County has to develop the former General Development subdivision that cost the taxpayers $1.9 million last year alone or more than $5,000 a day in interest.

According to County Commissioners Stephen R. Deutsch and Robert Skidmore, aside from the infrastructure and natural gas issues, it all comes down to funding. “Financing is the biggest hurdle,” as many investors and large lenders are backing away from projects on this scale with the state of the economy. One can only hope the determination of those promoting these projects can find the resources that would give the economic boost the county so desperately needs.