Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Well Florida has done it passing New York as the third largest state. Florida now trails only California and Texas as the most populous. See the news at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-florida-census-new-york-population-20141224-story.html. Readers of this blog will know we saw this coming months ago and now it is a realty.
I know, I know you think Florida’s growth is all about the retirees headed south. You are partially right but the story is much bigger than the boomers retiring. For examples the average age of Naples, Florida is actually decreasing so lots of young people are coming here too. Let’s take a look at what is happening.
Two powerful forces are favorable to Florida growth right now – demographics and economics. Demographically the boomers are retiring at a rate of 50,000 per day and some of them are headed to the warmer climate of Florida. Many of us know this and could have guessed at this. The economic factors may be lesser known to most.
Florida’s economic model is based on a sales tax system coupled with an absence of personal income tax. This “consumption tax” model taxes the spenders and gives a big break to the income earners – and boy is it working.
Last year Florida posted a fiscal surplus along with business and young professional migration to the state. Just ask Hertz why it moved its national headquarters and executives here. Maybe you should think about moving your company or yourself to Florida.
Visitors often marvel how Florida gets along without any state personal income taxes for qualified residents when other state face increasing fiscal issues even though they tax their residents. Florida seems to defy gravity. The population is growing, the books are balanced and economic growth is in full swing.
We attended a recent industry conference in Naples, Florida and listened to Dr. Ronald Cuccargi speak to the audience regarding the economic health of the state. We are pleased to report some very healthy findings.
Florida is enjoying a modest recovery here in Southwest Florida with sustainable GDP growth in the short run. In fact GDP growth is expected to accelerate all the way to 2015 and then increase at a slowing rate after that year. Tourist tax revenue is up 24% in Collier County year over year. Consumer confidence is increasing in the state. The county population stands at 330,000 and is expected to grow to 408,254 by 2025. No wonder the large-scale residential construction is back up and running.
What are the reasons for the strong economic climate? Well Dr. Cuccargi shared quite a few just take your pick … weather, demographics (8,000 Boomers retiring every day nationally), pent-up demand from the past down cycle, healthy stock markets, increases in consumer confidence and fairly low mortgage rates on a historical basis.

Our sales tax vs. personal income tax model (think consumption tax) is proving to be a positive influence in all of this. The tax advantage here compared to other states seem to grow more in importance each year as the “up north” fiscal policies continue to change.
Oh and about those hurricanes. As awful as they can be – and make no mistake we hate them and what they do to people – when you look at the economic impact you might be surprised. Hurricanes are not a people positive but they are an economic positive, a big positive. Government aid + Sales tax trickle down = big state tax revenues during restoration. Now please remember the first part. We hate them and what they do to people BUT they have a positive economic impact for our State typically.
So what is the point in all of this? GROWTH folks. Our fair state is expected to keep growing. Good for business, good for real estate, good for a lot of folks.

What this means for real estate is obvious. With growth comes demand for new homes. Just look at the building boom in Naples right now. It is estimated 50% of all new home sales are newly constructed homes. Or look at prices as demand works against a short supply of resale properties – prices up 18% last year and headed for another 15% increase this year.
Florida is growing, the books are balanced and the resulting demand for real estate is pushing prices higher.
The new edition of our eBook “Understanding Naples Real Estate” is now available making predictions for the 2015 Naples real estate market as well as offering up advice to sellers and buyers.
To get your free copy go to https://www.naplesbestaddresses.com/offer/ .
Want to know more about living in Naples, Florida? We have toured and owned property in Naples for thirty-eight years and know we can help you out. Please give us a call at 239.595.3921.
Hope to meet and talk with you soon,
Mark Goebel PA, Nan Goebel PA and David Goebel, PA
Co-Founders of the Naples Best Addresses team
Coldwell Banker
Mark Goebel, PA and Nan Goebel, PA
REALTOR Coldwell Banker 5th Avenue South
Mobile: 239.595.3921 239.595.3920
NaplesBestAddresses.com
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No legal, investment, or tax advice is being given in this Blog. Consult with legal, financial and tax professionals before acting on any real estate transaction. Actual real estate price and sales results are subject to market forces and are not completely predictable. The writings of this Blog are intended for the sole use of our clients.
We are pleased to announce a portion of our real estate earnings go to support the The Naples Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity Collier County, The Race For The Cure Citrus Ride, The Seacrest Country Day School and The Naples Winter Wine Festival.
Some of the data relating to Naples homes for sale and Naples real estate for sale on the NaplesBestAddresses.com website comes in part from the Broker reciprocity program of M.L.S. of Naples, Inc. The properties displayed here may not be all the properties available through the MLS reciprocity Program. This information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Buyers and sellers are responsible for verifying all information about their purchase prior to closing.
Mark Goebel, PA is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker on 5th avenue in Naples, Florida with 35+ years of visiting and living in Naples. After 25 years at Accenture, Mark retired as a managing director and spends his time helping non profits and building a Naples real estate team with his wife Nan. Talk to Mark and Nan about life in Naples and why they chose this place to live full-time over all others and enjoy Naples real estate.
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