Stars aligned

For years, Charlotte County's real estate market was a lot like the “Island of Misfit Toys” from the animated “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” Christmas tale.

To its north, Sarasota County collected accolades for its stellar beaches and created cities like North Port that made “fastest growing” lists. To its south, Lee and Collier counties boasted pockets of immense wealth and established sustainable communities with significant business bases.

During boom times, tens of thousands moved to the counties around it. Charlotte largely languished.