CAPE CORAL, Fla. - The housing market in Southwest Florida is now one of the strongest in the country, but not everyone sees the benefits.

"Sales are happening all around us, single family homes," explains Tom Gunkelman, Manager/Broker for Coldwell Banker. He closely tracks real estate statistics in Cape Coral.

"In the past three months, sales of single family homes in Cape Coral re-sales have been stronger than they ever have been in history," explains Gunkelman.

The Cape has seen the highest number of sales ever, in July, August, and September. September saw a 205% jump from last year.

While the trends are good, the reason why is not--for sellers.

"The prices have fallen so much," explains Gunkelman. "There's a real benefit for those people who want or need to buy because the homes are very affordable."

1,169 Cape homes are listed at $100,000 or less, some are even new or waterfront.

"Several years ago you couldn't hardly find a home under $200,000," says Gunkelman. "Now, 2/3 of the inventory {is that price}, and that is the reason sales are so strong."

First time, foreign buyers, and recent retirees are buying.

Also selling? Land.

"The numbers of sales of lots are 150% above last year," explains Gunkelman. "Land is still a scarce resource."

Gunkelman says Southwest Florida was one of the first areas in the country to be hit hard by the housing crisis, but there is a benefit.

"We've been in this situation now for better than three years and so we are farther along," explains Gunkelman. "We will also enjoy a little earlier exit out of it."

New home construction is still at a standstill in the Cape. Only 7 permits were issued last month, compared to the year 2005 when several hundred permits a month were the norm.