One of the country’s hardest hit areas during the Great Recession was Southwest Florida. Now that the economy is recovering, this area is now experiencing a spurt of growth that is making it an exciting place to live. Many homeowners that saw a drop in property values are now enjoying a sustained recovery, and home buying, as well as home remodeling, is seeing a significant uptick in activity.
Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the country, with many new retirees who put off selling their homes in the North during the recession and now find better real estate conditions to make their move to the Sunshine State. Between the years of 2010 and 2013, the population of Lee County alone grew 6.8 percent. The communities of Fort Myers and Cape Coral in Lee were among the hardest hit during the mortgage crisis, but the cities have managed to turn their misfortune into opportunity over recent monthsSouthwest Florida Recovers
Many of the homes in Southwest Florida lie on prime real estate with quiet, established neighborhoods and waterfront property. A number of properties in Fort Myers on the Caloosahatchee River or on Cape Coral’s numerous canals offer homebuyers the opportunity for affordable waterfront property for boating, fishing and other water sports. These amenities have made Lee County and Southwest Florida one of the most desirable areas for retirees seeking a warmer climate and active lifestyle.Increased Remodeling Activity
Some of the most desirable waterfront homes are older and require a bit of sprucing up to accommodate modern lifestyles. Remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms are among the most popular projects, because of their ability to increase home value and improve selling ability. Southwest Florida is fortunate in that it has a wide range of talented craftsmen to ensure high quality results for these projects.
New Trends in Bath and Kitchen Remodeling
The increasing home values have allowed many homeowners to tap into their home’s equity for remodeling projects. Others are taking advantage of the low interest rates to make the improvements they know will pay off in higher resale prices and greater enjoyment of their homes while they are there. Granite counters and large windows to allow in more natural light are popular choices. Glass tiles are one of the hottest new trends for remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. They provide an updated, upscale look for backsplashes, walls and showers. The wide variety of colors and styles make glass tiles the perfect choice for any type of decorating scheme.