Charlotte Housing Picks Up More Steam


 

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, May 23rd, 2016 – Residential construction in Charlotte appears to have picked up more steam, and its home market is now beginning to look as vibrant as its northern neighbors Sarasota and Manatee.

A recent housing report by the market research firm Metrostudy indicated that Charlotte, along with Sarasota and Manatee, is amongst Florida’s top home markets based on annual starts (rolling four quarters) as of the 2015 fourth quarter. Notching 496 annual housing starts in this three-month period, Charlotte registered an impressive 96 percent increase from the year-earlier record. Sarasota posted 1,812 annual starts while Manatee had 2,346 annual starts for gains of 26 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively.

Based on the annual start rate matched versus vacant developed lot (VDL) inventory, there remains very ample room for housing growth in Charlotte as it has the most VDL amongst the three counties with a 58-year supply at the end of the 2015 fourth quarter. This compares with a 26.1 month-supply in Manatee and a 27.2 month supply in Sarasota.

Rare New Builds on the Waterfront

Charlotte Housing Picks Up More Steam

Mariners Landing is a Charlotte property development which has been platted and with lots now ready for building and some of its pre-construction residences are already listed amongst Sarasota homes for sale. This property is located in the Charlotte side of Englewood and sits on a 6.5-acre site off South McCall Road adjacent to Gottfried Creek at Lemon Bay.

Planned as a gated community, Mariners Landing is touted as one of the few communities in Florida offering new home construction featuring Gulf water access. It is planned for just 21 single family residences, with choices on home models having floor plans of between 1,600 and 2,500 square feet designed with two bedrooms and two baths. These pre-construction residences are listed amongst Sarasota homes for sale starting at the $400s up to the $900s range.

Affordably Priced Maronda Homes

Below these price levels, there are also plenty of choices on pre-construction or spec homes for sale in Charlotte. Many of these are provided courtesy of the housing starts initiated by Maronda Homes which is building in five communities in the county.

One of these Maronda developments is South Gulf Cove which has options on waterfront lots located in Port Charlotte just east of the sprawling Rotonda West community. Like in Mariners Landing, the sales-listed properties at South Gulf Cove are elegant yet affordable pre-construction homes. Priced in the $300s, these residences have floor areas ranging from about 1,600 up to approximately 2,300 square feet featuring three bedrooms and two baths.

Fast Sales for Quick Move-ins

Reflecting the upbeat mood of the market for Charlotte homes for sale, eight spec homes at another Maronda community in Port Charlotte, Villa Milano, were sold last year at prices ranging from the high $100s to the low $200s. These residences are designed with floor plans of between 1,700 and 2,000 square feet, featuring three to four bedrooms.

Maronda spec homes starting in the upper $100s are still currently available at its Calusa Creek development. Located off Duncan Road just about a mile east of Interstate 75, this community features homes with floor plans ranging from 1,600 to 2600 square feet designed with three to four bedrooms, all of which are of course brand new and resonant of the buoyant housing in Charlotte.