According to Realtor.com’s “Top 10 Turnaround Report,” based on Third Quarter 2011 data, the following six Florida markets are included as exhibiting the best positive year-over-year housing median price appreciation, inventory reductions and inventory age while also experiencing lower unemployment rates: Miami, Orlando, Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota-Bradenton, and Lakeland-Winter Haven. Most of these same markets were featured just three years ago as having the worst impacts in the nation from the Great Recession. This report also notes that the number of foreign buyers purchasing homes in these markets increased from 10 percent in 2007 to 31 percent in 2011.

Ringling Bridge