Researchers say baby boomers dominate the second-home market, but local realtors report that buyers are getting younger. Whether they're young or old, second-home buyers want low maintenance, proximity to shops and restaurants, and amenities that include walking paths, hiking and biking trails, fitness centers, pools and health spas, according to that Centex study. Surprisingly, many say that golf courses, tennis courts and ski facilities were not important. And they indicated they expected to spend $350,000 for a single-family home and $295,000 for a condo.

In Southwest Florida, however, golf courses fashioned by famous course designers and well-equipped clubhouses are part of the appeal for many buyers. The Danielses wanted a country club setting so they could meet others easily. At Gulf Harbour they got that, plus an on-site marina for large yachts, tennis, golf and a fitness center, says Marilyn Kistler, the couple's Coldwell Banker realtor.

It's not uncommon for second homes in our region to command several million dollars and be among a collection of five or so vacation homes, each with a specific purpose-a home in the city for urban delights, one in the country for a break from civilization, and a place in the mountains for skiing. This is especially so in Naples, where many buyers pay cash, says Simon. "Buyers in Naples aren't typical," she says. "Most don't have mortgages."

"If you can afford a $7 million or $8 million home, it's not likely your only home," points out Lois Kluberdanz, who's with Coldwell Banker. "It's nice for parents to be able to say to their kids, 'Here's the key to the house in Naples. Go down for a week and enjoy yourself.'"

Christie Dufinetz, a realtor with John Naumann & Associates-the high-end arm of Coldwell Banker-specializes in Sanibel and Captiva Island properties. She says many of her clients pay $1.5 million and up and prefer the maintenance-free life a condo offers. "They want everything taken care of because they're still up North going about their business," she says. "They want something turnkey so they don't have to concern themselves with maintenance, mowing, painting or management."

And they like Sanibel because of its low-key lifestyle, which affords them seclusion and anonymity, she says. "They come here to enjoy the preserve [about half of the island is the state-owned J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge]. They want to feel like they're on vacation at their second home."

Page senses a geographical shift for second homes in Sarasota. "It used to be the second-home buyer wanted a condo on Longboat Key or a villa on the golf course," she says. "That's not necessarily the case any more. We're seeing more downtown buyers and second-home properties in communities like University Place, which isn't on the golf course or waterfront. More people want an amenitized community that doesn't have to have golf. And we're seeing more second-home buyers building large custom homes."

Nick Figlow, president of the 4,000-member Sarasota Association of Realtors and vice president and general manger of RE/MAX Gulfstream Sarasota, says most second homes eventually become primary residences. Figlow estimates that second homes amount to 35 percent of his company's business. "They buy something to test the waters, so to speak, then come down for a few weeks," he says. "They say, 'Boy, this is nice. Let's come three months next year.' Then they buy a larger place and stay six months. Then, as they get closer to retirement, they may buy a house."

Page says many of her buyers leapfrog from condo to condo on Longboat Key, eager to be in the newest and best building-until another is built. "They want to be in the newest and greatest thing," says Page, pointing out that the 10-square-mile island is running out of developable land.

Not long after their first purchase, Judy Daniels says she and Bill bought a larger, $3 million-plus home, right on the Caloosahatchee River. "We first went down, like most people, thinking we'd stay two months," says Judy. "Then it's February, March, April and some of May. Now, we're down there six months."

Page also sees a shift in buyer demographics. Buyers, she says, "are younger. They're people who have earned their own way. More hail from the Northeast. The Midwest is still stronger, but the Northeast is getting stronger." Page has also noticed a steady influx of European buyers. Richard Zipes, who's building The Metropolitan Sarasota Bay next to Sarasota's Ritz-Carlton, is banking on London as a prime market for the 18-story luxury condo's 124 homes, priced from $1.8 million to $5 million.