WASHINGTON, D.C. – Where will baby boomers go to retire? A new survey conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research for the Consumer Federation of the Southeast finds one in three could move out of their home state in search of low taxes , low housing costs, pleasant climates and quality health care. They also want diverse recreational activities, supportive senior services, arts and cultural opportunities, nearby beaches and access to education.

The baby boom generation has 78 million members, and the first wave – those born in 1946 – reach the full age for Social Security retirement benefits this year.

According to the survey, a full third of baby boomers are open to moving across state lines to find the assets they are looking for, including a mid-size town that welcomes a diverse population.

“According to this survey, substantial numbers (of baby boomers) are interested in relocating in retirement,” says Walter Dartland, president of the Consumer Federation of the Southeast. “The decisions they make about where they will retire will have a huge impact not only on their families’ finances but on the communities to which they move.”

Attracting even a small percentage of boomers can significantly impact a community. If just 0.3 percent move to a single area, it adds an estimated 1 billion per year in new economic income through jobs and new business.

“This important survey, one of the most extensive of its kind in a decade, underscores the tremendous contribution that Americans aged 50 and older can offer to communities wherever they choose to live,” says Jeff Johnson, AARP Florida’s interim state director. “AARP Florida believes this research will help inform the efforts of many communities to better equip themselves to address issues important to a 50-plus population.”

Survey highlights

• More than half (58 percent) plan to buy a house in their retirement relocation destination.

• Some 96 percent of baby boomers surveyed say top-quality health care services are “very” or “somewhat” important to them in considering a relocation destination.

• Affordable housing ranks second, with nearly 92 percent ranking that as a “very” or “somewhat” important criterion.

• A warm, welcoming year-round climate is “very” or “somewhat” important to 85.5 percent – but a strong plurality of this group want their warm summers to be paired with a few cooler months.

•Low local taxes are “very” or “somewhat” important to 81.1 percent.

• Eight out of 10 relocating boomers want affordable recreational opportunities in a relocation destination, and about the same number seek strong local services for elder care.

• Seven in 10 prefer a mid-size city or small town.

• Arts and cultural opportunities are very or somewhat important to three in four.

• Beaches or ocean nearby is very or somewhat important to about six in 10.

• Educational opportunities are important to about half. A large university is a plus for four in 10 boomers willing to consider relocation.

• Diversity in a location is very or somewhat important.

Almost 54 percent of respondents indicated that the weak economy was not delaying their retirement plans, but about 36 percent said that the economy had delayed retirement.

Pollsters asked respondents to name – unprompted and with no suggested options – a state they might consider relocating to for retirement. About 18 percent mentioned Florida as a top relocation destination.

Call or e-mail today for more details on the best real estate opportunities in Marco Island and Naples. 239-389-3200 or info@MarcoRealtySource.com

(The survey, conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research between Nov. 14 and 22, 2011, surveyed 1,100 Americans ages 47 to 65 who said they would relocate in retirement, were considering relocation or weren’t sure. All respondents surveyed lived in the eastern half of the U.S., outside of Florida. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.)

Summer Home Sales Are Up Significantly In Marco Island, FL

There are some very positive statistics directly from the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service which continue to show high sales activity for Marco Island.

Specifically, pending listings for all property types are up from July 2010 to July 2011 by 46.43%. The percentage of all property types that closed on Marco Island is up by 68% from last year. In fact, the average sales price is up by 27.17% and the median sales price is up 19.05%. The total dollar volume was up 104.71% in the yearly July 2010 and July 2011 comparison.

A breakdown of property types shows higher closed statistics for all property types, single family, lots and condos. In the July 2010 and July 2011 comparison, the number of single-family home sales was up 63.16 %, the average sales price was up 24.81% and the median sales price was up 27.61%. The total volume sold was up 103.63%.

Closed lot sales were up 66.67% in the same comparison and the average sales price was up 84.45 percent. The number of multifamily properties closed was up 53.33% and the average sales price was up 12.57 percent.

Meanwhile, inventory on Marco Island continues to decrease. Active listings of all property types are down in the July 2010 and July 2011 comparison by 13.90%.

New listings coming on the market were down in the same comparison by 13.77%.

The good news on sales along with historically low interest rates makes this an exceptional opportunity time to buy on Marco Island.  Please call or e-mail us today- it would be our privilege to serve you.  info@MarcoRealtySource.com or 239-389-3200.

U.S. Homes: Now the Best Deal in Recorded History - June 1, 2011

By Dr. Steve Sjuggerud

Now is literally the best time in recorded history to buy a house in America…

Right now – today – U.S. real estate is the most affordable it's ever been. Ever.

When I say "affordable," I'm looking at three things: house prices, mortgage rates, and incomes.

With the Affordability Index near 200, the median family has 200% of the income necessary to buy the median home (or more specifically, to qualify for a conventional loan on the median home).

It's easy to see where we are now…

Right now, as you know, house prices are sitting near new lows for this cycle, down by roughly one-third (depending on who's counting). And right now, mortgage rates – after ticking above 5% earlier this year – are all the way down to 4.5% again, near all-time lows.

So it's simple: With the worst house-price crash in American history, combined with the lowest mortgage rates in history, you can now afford more home than ever.

Now is the best time in American history to do it.

Reprinted from www.daily wealth.com investment newsletter Wednesday June 1, 2011.

About the author...

Dr. Steve Sjuggerud is the founder and editor of one of the largest financial newsletters in the world, True Wealth which he began writing in 2001. Steve's investment philosophy is simple: "You buy something of extraordinary value at a time when nobody else wants it. And you sell it at a time when people are willing to pay any price to get it."

Great News for Florida Real Estate Sales - April 20, 2011

Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales rose in March, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 12 percent last month with a total of 18,522 homes sold statewide compared to 16,540 homes sold in March 2010, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide sales of existing condos last month rose 24 percent compared to the year-ago sales figure.