The tide is changing.  Not only are sales up, but I am seeing more normal sales versus distressed sales (short sales).   My last two sales in Lakewood Ranch Country Club have NOT been distressed properties. 

My listing at 7532 Rigby Ct, Lakewood Ranch FL 34202 sold in July for $725,000.  That is a far cry from the seven figures it could have pulled during the boom, but it sold at a fair market value.  I originally listed that home at $1,249,000 in November 2007 (almost 2 years ago).  It was overpriced from the start, but they seller wanted to maximize their take, so we agreed to give it a go.  That was a mistake.  You can’t be on the high-end of your price range in a downward market.  In hindsight I think that house would have sold for right about a million or just under had we priced it at $1.1 Mil.  The seller stayed on the high end of the price range as we came down over the past two years.  It sold quickly once they agreed to sell at true market value.  But it sold and it was not a short sale. 

Another listing at 13926 Siena Loop, Lakewood Ranch FL 34202, sold in just 60 days.  We only did one minor price reduction.  It was priced right from the start and in excellent condition.  That is what buyers want.   We had over 50 showings in 2 months.  Now that shows some demand.  The only reason it did not sell quicker was that it backs up to a berm and a road.  It is a nice lot with a lake view, but some buyers were uncomfortable with the road.  But it sold and it was not a short sale.

Having 50 showings in 2 months says it all.  This is the slowest time of the year, and there are more buyers looking now than at any time in the past 3 years.  Lakewood Ranch Country Club is coming back.