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By Gary Tasman The year 2022 is one we won’t soon forget here in Southwest Florida. We started the year with record-breaking inflation, as supply chain issues, labor shortages, and the costs of materials all drove prices higher. At the time, we predicted a busy year for both land and development deals, thanks to record-low […]

By Gary Tasman There are a lot of reasons to love Southwest Florida: beautiful beaches, abundant activities, and a snow-free environment typically top residents’ lists. But ask the average Southwest Floridian what they dislike most about our region, and you’ll often hear the same answer over and over again: traffic. That response likely wouldn’t survive

By Gary Tasman If you’ve lived in Florida long enough, you understand the emotional roller-coaster that recovery from a disastrous event like Hurricane Ian can produce. In the days after the storm, it’s easy to toy with the thought of moving to a landlocked state– or at least an interior community. “Never again,” we say. 

By Gary Tasman Whenever a disaster like Hurricane Ian occurs, fraudsters seem to come out of the woodwork, offering to repair roofs, remove trees, or expedite government assistance. And while most of us are on high alert to these types of scams, there are many types of fraud that occur every day without our awareness.

By Gary Tasman Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter Commercial property has never been a particularly diverse field. An often-cited 2017 study by Bella Research Group and the Knight Foundation noted that more than 75% of senior executives of commercial real estate firms in the US were white men. Women rarely held a seat at

By Gary Tasman For the majority of residents in Southwest Florida, our lives have chiefly returned to our pre-pandemic normal. Offices, restaurants, retail stores, and tourist attractions are buzzing with activity—and in many cases, they’re busier than ever before. It would be a mistake, however, to think that just because things feel “normal” again that

Close to one year ago, 12-month inflation numbers began a steep climb into historic territory, reaching levels not seen in 40 years. At the time, analysts optimistically projected that inflation would be transitory– a temporary result of the pandemic and its resulting economic challenges. However, it quickly became apparent that inflationary measures would remain high

By Gary Tasman When the U.S. Census Bureau released its new population estimates for cities and towns this May, the numbers weren’t surprising to Southwest Floridians. Lee County was one of the top-ten fastest growing counties in the nation, with an estimated net increase of more than 23,000 new residents in 2021. More than 8,200

By Gary Tasman Just six months into the year, 2022 has proven to be a challenging year economically. High inflation, a volatile stock market, a tight labor market and growing interest rates have all created havoc for investors. Commercial real estate, long considered a safe haven in inflationary times, has remained popular among investors– and