Homebuilder detects slowdown

Homebuilding in Southwest Florida has been on a tear in recent years, but builders are reporting softer sales during the traditional home buying spring season.

The latest caution comes from Bonita Springs-based WCI Communities, which develops and sells homes from Tampa to Naples.

Keith Bass, president and CEO of WCI Communities, told investors during a recent conference call to discuss first quarter earnings that comparisons with last year are difficult. “The market does appear to be easing somewhat from a very strong 2015,” Bass told investors, according to a transcript of the call from Thomson Reuters.