Boomers may lift housing market

The baby boomers are retiring at faster rates now than previous years, according to a report by the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

The number of new retirees changed little from 1985 through 2000, the report said, but estimates show that the number of new retirees will rise by 80 percent through the year 2020.

A n d they've got more money.

"The average wealth of those reaching retirement age has steadily increased over the past 15 years, especially relative to the average wealth of younger households," said the report, called "The Florida Housing Boom" and released last month. That makes it easier for retirees to afford the sun and mild Florida weather.

But the question remains - will they come to Southwest Florida?

We'll likely get our share, experts said, but it's getting tougher.

Skyrocketing impact fees will raise the price of new homes in our area. Real estate taxes, even though the tax rate has not climbed over the past six or seven years, has jumped due to increased values brought on by the recent housing boom. Property insurance rates are also up dramatically along with the fear of living in a hurricanep r o n e area. And wh e re' s the affordable housing that is needed to house the s e r v i c e industry required to support a population influx?

We're not as pricy as California but probably more than other retirement destinations.

Still, we have one thing Arizona or Texas or North Carolina doesn't have - water. If you want to boat or fish, Southwest Florida is still a good bet. And there will likely be a fair number of retirees with that vision of their golden years. ¦