My Blog

One year ago at this time, the Punta Gorda area, and all of the Gulf Coast states were dominated by the just beginning experience of the Gulf Oil Spill and what its effect might have on Florida’s Gulf Coast.  A year later the environmental effects are relatively non-existent for most of Florida, and in particular our lovely area here in this paradise we call Punta Gorda.  We were not affected by any of the reality of oil covered shores. 

We absolutely were affected, however, by the PERCEPTION, and the daily mass media coverage showing oil spewing into the Gulf with no apparent quick solution in sight.  While in reality our shores were not touched, in people’s minds all across the world at the time that is what the VISION was.  Therefore, business came to a standstill in every imaginable way, including real estate sales, especially when the foreclosure crisis combined with the oil spill caused a major shift in thinking about buying a home.  Needless to say it was a long, dry summer in 2010 anywhere in Florida!  All indicators are it will not be the same this year.  We are anticipating a strong summer!

It should not go unnoticed that the oil spill and the mortgage foreclosure crisis make for a great analogy of comparison.  Just as the darkness of thick oil kept spewing uncontrollably into the beautiful gulf waters with no immediate relief in sight, so too, did the number of houses on a national level keep spewing their own darkness into an overloaded banking  and legal system all across the country.  The thought of one deal and one house at a time was lost in a torrential sea of oil-like foreclosures flowing steadily into the system… just like the oil spill… creating an era of uncertainty and fear.   It became a matter of not one sale at a time to turn the tide, but instead millions of houses in various stages of foreclosure, (Not all of which were legal it turns out), or molasses-like short sale attempts during this period.   None of the systems were efficient enough or large enough to handle it.

Unfortunately, while those of us living this daily drama thought we had a chance to help solve the problem one at a time by investing huge amounts of time and effort into selling one house at a time through the “short sale process”, those in charge of the VISION couldn’t see past the sea of foreclosures forming like a giant “oilberg” (OK-I know that’s not a word but it’s a great visual) under the sea.   

While we individual agents, buyers, and sellers, were trying to sell or purchase a real house, with real people, with real money, working toward compromise, cutting the flow of losses, and using common sense, the banking and court systems were literally blind to us down here in the trenches of daily life, because they were focusing only on “the much bigger picture” of stopping the major leak, instead of cleaning up the mess one granule at a time.   Instead of taking 30 to 45 days to sell and close on a house it became the norm to have to wait months and months, and even then, more sales were turned down than accepted.  Who won?  Nobody!  Individuals, and huge institutions, and even governments have been severely hurt by the size and scope of what happened.

BUT…that was a year ago.  Where are we now, at least in our little paradise?  I can tell you first hand that we are not caught up in the past, and at present are looking toward tomorrow with much excitement and anticipation!!!  We indeed have VISION!

Punta Gorda and the entire surrounding area of Charlotte County are OVER IT!  We are in a new frame of mind here with hope and action combining together to be better than ever over the long term!   The sun rises and sets beautifully here in Punta Gorda one year later, with many more sunny days to come!  This is the time to buy!