Real Estate News

A familiar phone call each week comes in, "I want to speak with the listing agent for property such and such." A very common occurrence in our office as our website lists all active properties for sale in the six major areas that we cover (Bonita Springs, Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Sanibel and Captiva Islands – known as the Lee Island and Paradise Coasts). Let's chat a few minutes about representation in Southwest Florida and what you should know before making this inquiry.

You’re in a quandary when on the receiving end, because first and foremost the person on the other end isn't really interested in anything you answer, only whether or not you'll direct them to the listing agent. OK, with thousands of properties listed on our…

Continuing on from our first post - Homeowner and Condominium Association Fees - Part 1, we are now going to focus the discussion on what to expect when the neighborhood in question is also a condominium association.

There are multiple condominium neighborhoods within Pelican Landing and their residents are members of both the master homeowner's association (Pelican Landing) and their individual condominium association. A single condominium owner does not own the land under their building; they own 1/100th (if there are 100 units in the project) of all the land, the buildings, and their condominium associations' amenities. If there are 250 units, then they own 1/250th. This is a very simplistic way of explaining the ownership in a condominium complex,…

The Naples luxury home market prices were up substantially in February, rising 24% year over year. The lower tiered markets are not doing too badly either. Overall, prices were up 23% across the board for all home sales versus this time last year.

The high end luxury market here in SW Florida is considered homes above the $2 million range. For February's 24% rise, the median price now stands at $3 million. Wealthy buyers are back in the market and many homes are actually experiencing bidding wars during their sales process. Buyer confidence is being driven by the fact that Naples continues to get national attention for its overall appreciation rates.

In other categories, home prices between $500,000 and $1 million were up 13%, while those costing less…

Naples and Ft. Myers buyers are rapidly depleting the new home construction market. From the first fiscal quarter of 2012 to the same time period in 2013, housing starts were up 47.5% and inventory of new homes fell to 1.5 months. The last fiscal quarter of 2013, the supply dropped to less than 1 month which indicates that nearly every new home was under contract or closed. Builders are seeing a one year cycle in some new construction neighborhoods and many communities are seeing a waiting list for new lots and phases to open.

Grade "A" lots that are finished and developed for new builds are continuing their decline also. In the fourth quarter of 2013, 11,227 total lots were available (not all are in the Grade "A" section, which as we said, are…

Today everyone in real estate on the Southwest Gulf coast will be writing about the improving sales numbers in the Naples, Florida area. The Naples Area Board of Realtors held a press conference reporting the statistics for both the 2013 end of year and the December 2013 monthly report.

All the news is good for sellers and becoming bleaker for buyers. As reported here for awhile now, inventory has been falling steadily, new construction is rising in base price, and truly real "steals"  haven’t been available for the last two years.

Median home prices increased in 2013 from 2012 by 18% and 22%. The median price for 2013 was $240K and for December is $260K. The most expensive homes rose by 5% and the least expensive by 15.6%. In December the numbers…

Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs, Florida is a premier gated community on the Southwest Gulf coast. Centrally located between Ft. Myers and Naples, Pelican Landing enjoys easy access to the international airport, world famous beaches, and five star shopping and dining. The only community on the Southwest Gulf coast that features a private barrier island sanctuary for their residents, Pelican Landing offers sailing, canoeing, kayaking, tennis, fitness, community activities and director, and optional private golf country club. Developed by WCI, a leading developer of five-star communities on the Southwest Gulf coast, Pelican Landing is exquisite, private, and exclusive living for its residents.

Pelican Landing Single Family Homes and Villas - End of Year…

The end of year 2013 Village Walk of Bonita Springs real estate market statistics for both home and condominium sales are listed below and show a "steadily increasing"  sales price year over year for all types of homes. Developed by DiVosta (now Pulte Homes), Village Walk is a very popular community with second home owners, retirees, and young professionals. Built for convenience, Village Walk of Bonita Springs offers single family, attached villas, and townhomes that are roomy, great room style, with a wide array of updates. Pulte is still constructing a few last streets within the project. What buyers enjoy about Village Walk is access to an amenity rich community that is gated and secure, offers dining, gas station, mailing services, beauty salon,…

The Rodeo Drive of the Southwest Gulf coast is Barefoot Beach Boulevard – where captains of industry and major sports figures enjoy an easy stroll out their door to the white sandy beaches of the Gulf and the homes and views are multi-millions. An exclusive enclave of custom estate homes, detached villas, and condominiums offering Gulf access for boating, quiet and nearly deserted beaches, surrounded by a state park, this neighborhood is breathtaking.

There were 17 single family home sales on Barefoot Beach. There were five sales in Southport on the Bay where some homes have Gulf access for boating and all have access outside of their gates to Barefoot Beach, three occurred in Bayfront Gardens, a gated community offering all homes Gulf access for…

At The Colony at Pelican Landing, five star living is the "norm."  Featuring access to their private barrier island via water taxi, Gulf access for your boats, membership in The Bay Club for fabulous dining, and access to either the private country club at The Colony or Pelican's Nest, both featuring championship Tom Fazio designed golf, The Colony is considered a superlative living experience on all of the Southwest Gulf coast. The interior lobby, private elevator foyer, high rise buildings are some of the most elegantly designed homes in the entire area.

Sales were fairly brisk in 2013. A total of 63 closed sales of both single family homes, villas, low and mid rises, and high rises occurred. The median days on market were 195 – but that’s a bit…

A familiar phone call each week comes in, "I want to speak with the listing agent for property such and such." A very common occurrence in our office as our website lists all active properties for sale in the six major areas that we cover (Bonita Springs, Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Sanibel and Captiva Islands – known as the Lee Island and Paradise Coasts). Let's chat a few minutes about representation in Southwest Florida and what you should know before making this inquiry.

You’re in a quandary when on the receiving end, because first and foremost the person on the other end isn't really interested in anything you answer, only whether or not you'll direct them to the listing agent. OK, with thousands of properties listed on our…