Southwest Florida’s reputation as a vacation paradise comes with an unexpected consequence: some of the highest home vacancy rates in the United States.
A new study from Leave The Key Homebuyers analyzed census data and found three Southwest Florida cities near the top of the national list for empty homes.
SWFL ghost towns: Why Naples area ranks 3rd for vacant homes nationally
The Naples-Marco Island area ranks third in the U.S. for vacant homes, with more than 31% of properties sitting empty. That translates to nearly 79,000 vacant properties out of 248,821 total units, giving this Gulf Coast destination the highest raw number of empty homes among the top 10 metro areas.
The average home value in the Naples-Marco Island area is about $699,000. Many properties sit empty outside peak seasons, with short-term rentals averaging only 61% occupancy, highlighting the area’s reliance on seasonal demand…