July 2014

Bankrate has released its annual survey on home loan closing costs* again. In Florida, the news was actually better than expected. For 2013, the closing costs on a $200,000 home purchase averaged $2,517, a fall of $323 over last year's cost of $2,840. And, while still expensive, Florida's number dropped it from No. 4 in 2012 to No. 9 on last year's list.

The survey found that the national average for origination and third-party fees this year totaled $2,402, up 6% ($138) from $2,264 in 2012. The results indicated the fees charged directly by lenders went up 8.4%, while fees charged by third parties for things such as appraisals…

The Naples real estate market has cooled somewhat now that the summer season is in full swing in SW Florida. Statistics released yesterday by the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) for the 2nd Quarter of 2014 showed a 4 percent decrease in sales year-over-year and 1 percent from May's sales numbers. Pending sales were down 8 percent year-over-year and 11 percent from last month. Overall home prices continued to rise though jumping 10 percent to $273,000 year-over-year. For June, they were up 2.5 percent to $282,000 from May's $275,000. Inventory and average days on the market (DOM) shrank substantially year over year and from May…

The Florida Open golf tournament has not been held in SW Florida since the Florida State Golf Association took over the Florida Open in 2010. That will change this weekend as the Bonita Bay golf club will host the annual event at its Bay Island Course at Bonita Bay in Bonita Springs, and the Cypress Course at Bonita Bay East in North Naples.

The Florida Open dates back to 1942 and has been won over the years by such notables as Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant.

The three-day, 54-hole tournament will host 156 players and have a cut to the low 60's plus ties after Saturday's second…