The front page of the “Charlotte Sun” Sunday newspaper clearly points to a local economy improving on all fronts. Moving in the same direction is Punta Gorda which continues to evolve as a community with activities/events on many levels, keeping this city vibrant. This week the city has played host to the “2012 International Association for Disabled Sailing World Championships” with the finals being held today. Last week the city enjoyed being selected as the location for a major food distribution company Cheney Brothers who will not only be investing in “bricks and mortar” but bring 350 new jobs.

Hi I’m Ken Poirier a resident and realtor spending most of my time focused on Punta Gorda homes for sales. Realtors are expected to be knowledgeable in many areas related to the local community. One thing I’m almost always asked is where can we find a good place to eat which leads to my question, what’s your favorite food and so on.

North Port for future federal data reporting has officially surpassed Sarasota and Bradenton in population. Consequents of this change will likely have a positive impact on many levels for the city.

By a margin of 4 to 0 The Airport Authority voted in favor of changing the name of Charlotte County Airport to Punta Gorda Airport. The name change was a marketing decision to help enhance the airports competitiveness. Southwest Florida has long been recognized as a destination for travelers coming from the Northeast along with the Midwest. However Charlotte County Airport remained a mystery to most travelers.

Punta Gorda has enjoyed 3 years of strong sales especially in the newer condo/townhome market. Supply has been plentiful in the past but that is changing rapidly. Improving market conditions coupled with a dwindling supply of “short sale and bank own” condos coming on the market is making it challenging to find newer properties at a good price. In short we’re transitioning from a buyers’ market to a more traditional or balanced inventory supply.

Are you among the many searching the internet for a second or retirement home in Florida and find yourself unfamiliar with our beautiful area? Don't worry, you’re not alone! Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte both continue to benefit from favorable media, touting the region as one of the best places to retire and enjoy an active outdoors lifestyle of boating, fishing and golf year round.

Downtown Punta Gorda enjoys the benefits of Laishley Park on many levels. Surrounded by this historic city on 3 sides, while to the north it’s flanked by the Peace River, offering great views no matter what time of day it is. The park is also purposeful with its own marina and multi use commercial area but more on that aspect later.

Mid August I wrote about new construction trending up in Punta Gorda and since then I have had a number of people ask if I could give a few examples. So I plan to identify over the next few months products contributing to new construction. Today my focus is on  who just opened a new model home on Bal Harbor in Punta Gorda Isles.

Latest computer models show Southwest Florida unlikely to receive any oil from the massive spill. The data was released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Florida’s western shoreline has a 20% or less chance of seeing oil by August 1st. Much of Southwest Florida is forecasted to have less than a 1% chance of experiencing oil on there shores. Geographically Punta Gorda located at the end of Charlotte Harbor is more than 20 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. This locality should protect our area from seeing any oil.

This weekend’s 2010 Conquistador Retta Cup was the 17th year that this two day sailing event has been held in Charlotte Harbor. By all measures this colorful and fun event was a success, attracting 71 sailboats that created quite a spectacle in the harbor.

Charlotte Harbor during the course of the year is the host to many boating events, whether it is power or sailboats this setting can’t be beat.

As a Realtor I’m often asked what’s so great about Punta Gorda and there is no shortage of things to point out that make this city such as special place. The other day I saw in the Charlotte Sun newspaper a quarter page ad announcing the Third Annual “BARSTOOL OPEN” and I believe, on every level, this is a great example of the heart and soul of Punta Gorda and it’s community.

Hi I’m Ken Poirier a resident and realtor serving the Punta Gorda FL real estate market. Realtors are expected to be knowledgeable in many areas related to the local community. One thing I’m universally asked is where can we find a good place to eat which leads to my question, what’s your favorite food and so on.

Florida saw a reduction of population between 2008 and 2009, but the University of Florida expects the population to have grown from April 2009 to April 2010 by 23,000 residents. The drop off was the first recorded in 50 years, after recording strong growth year after year. The states loss of residents was viewed by many including Time magazine, who questioned if Florida had lost its luster and had become the “Sunset State”.

Florida has long been called the sunshine state, known for its warm climate. The state also enjoys an ample supply of sunshine. Photovoltaic solar panels have emerged as a viable process to convert the suns energy into electricity. One of the main factors in the effectiveness of solar power is directly related to available sunshine, with Florida on average at 70%.

Real Estate market trends for January 2010 are sending mixed signals, this should not come as a surprise, considering the overall economy. Recovering from the long and painful fall from the peak of the housing bubble will most likely have some up’s and down’s. The three major communities of Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and Northport had a 29% drop in sales from December 2009. Recording sales of 249 homes of all types was the lowest amount since January 2009.

Local builders are cautiously optimistic with 2010 building permits up over 2009 levels. Southwest Florida and the Punta Gorda area have endured a steep slide in new construction for the past 4 years. New building permit for Punta Gorda are looking up with 24 issued in the first 10 months of fiscal 2010 verse 12 for all of 2009. Hopefully the long painful drought in new building construction has ended; signaling a return of normal market conditions.

Gilchrist Park located on the south side of downtown Punta Gorda, is one of three premier parks that enhance the quality of living in this beautiful city. The park takes its name from Albert Gilchrist, Punta Gorda’s favorite citizen who made significant contributions to the city over the course of his life. Gilchrist made his name in real estate and land surveying but he also became active in politics.

Florida continues to rank number one for retirement destination, landing ten of the top twelve spots. According to Portfoilio.com the greater Sarasota area captured the top spot with greater Punta Gorda rated 9th. Using indicators such as senior population, median age and other statistical data compiled from 157 other cities puts Southwest Florida as the place to be.

Selling your home is a big decision. Who you entrust to list your home with must perform on a number of levels. The goals of sellers are relatively straight forward; achieve maximum return in a short period of time. Some of this responsibly is held by the sellers, requiring them to present a home ready for sale and priced within the framework of current and often changing market conditions.

Recent headlines have pointed to declining home inventories starting to approach normal levels. The Punta Gorda real estate market has remained especially strong in the under $200k segment in some area’s for well over a year, tipping inventory levels into a range, that sales out strip new listings. Normally this would signal a change in prices to the upside. The lingering affects of the housing bubble, keep market forecasters off balance, sometimes sending mixed signals as to where we’re heading.

Whether I talk to family, friends or clients the first thing they ask is the horrible Gulf oil spill affects you in Punta Gorda. Fortunately I can say no and with reasonable confidence we should remain “oil free”. The oil remains a long way from our shores and based on a number of factors such as currents and weather patterns among others should spare us.

Punta Gorda has long been a hidden jewel nestled on Charlotte Harbor, located in the well known region of Southwest Florida, famous for perfect winter weather with average daily highs of 75 degrees. Hurricane Charley ironically brought attention to Punta Gorda and in its wake it triggered a revitalization of this city of historic significance. The evidence of a new city is everywhere you look and what you see is impressive.

Of all the parks near Punta Gorda Isles, Ponce de Leon Park has perhaps the most intriguing history. Named after Juan Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who came to Florida seeking the Fountain of Youth, the park itself marks the location where he was injured by the Calusa Indians as they resisted his attempt to claim their land. We have Ponce de Leon to thank for the discovery of Florida, and the park named for him is one of the best things about living in Punta Gorda Isles.

In Charlotte County, Florida, lies Punta Gorda, a city with roughly 18,000 inhabitants. During Hurricane Charley, Punta Gorda was nearly destroyed, yet recent efforts have brought this intimate city back to life, and Punta Gorda real estate began to thrive. Punta Gorda foreclosures have also increased due to the current economy, making it possible for many to find homes at reduced prices.

Foreclosure properties worth a look
BY BARBARA BOXLEITNER Florida Weekly Correspondent

BARBARA BOXLEITNER/ FLORIDA WEEKLY A rear view of this foreclosure listing in Burnt Store Meadows shows the landscaping needs attention, but the lot is not as unkempt as some vacant properties. People wanting to buy homes in Charlotte County are looking in all the usual places — and then some. Many of the county’s foreclosure properties on the Multiple Listing Service have become places where home seekers turn.

Living in New England most of my life I have been conditioned to perceive Christmas only associated with wintery scenes. Whether it is Christmas carols, stories or corporate marketing everything related to Christmas is depicted in a beautiful snowy winter setting. Right………………………………… well not always.