Southwest Florida home buyers are back! In May, home sales rose again in the Bonita Springs, Estero and Naples markets. The move marks five straight months of gains and has continued into the month of June too. While many folks were predicting a slow down as season wound down, it just did not materialize. If anything, things are getting stronger as buyers recognize that their opportunity to grab an affordable slice of the Florida lifestyle is now.

Overall sales in Naples grew 6% in May and pending sales rose 37%. The rise in sales was led by an 18% jump in single family homes with pending sales for this category up a whopping 87%. Sales in the Bonita Springs-Estero area also saw some substantial sales increases. Overall sales were up 63% and pending sales rose 20%. Single family home sales again led the way with an 83% increase year over year and the median home price fell to $365,000.

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

The first quarter 2008 Brooks real estate market statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Encompassing 2,532 acres of natural Florida surroundings, The Brooks is master planned gated community consisting of five major and distinct communities - Copperleaf, Lighthouse Bay, Rapallo, Shadowwood and Spring Run. Each community is gated and sports a different kind of lifestyle. All five communities pivot around The Town Center and The Commons Club at The Brooks which also provides numerous amenities. With its central location in Bonita Springs and its variety of lifestyle choices and price ranges, The Brooks is a highly sought after place to live.

The Brooks Sales Data

The Brooks Home Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 32 Closed Sales

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

The first quarter 2008 Lely Resort real estate market statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Lely Resort is one of Naples premier gated communities. Encompassing 3,000 acres of lakes and preserves, it is truly a sought after place to live by those seeking a respite from the stress of everyday life.

Lely Resort is an amenity rich, sophisticated and luxurious style of living conveniently located near Naples’ beaches, 5th Avenue shopping, and exquisite dining experiences. The development offers a variety of single family homes, villas and condominiums, most with stunning golf and water views. The community also offers 54 holes of truly championship golf designed by Robert Trent Jones, Lee Trevino and Gary Player and features the completely renovated Players Club & Spa.

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

Home buyers have moved back into Southwest Florida, pushing April home sales up 5 percent in Sarasota and 6 percent in Port Charlotte. Even more promising, the rising sales were accompanied by rising prices. Though prices continue to be lower than a year ago, the median Sarasota sales price ($268,200) was 12 percent higher in April and Port Charlotte’s property sales where the third-best performance in the state for the month.

Overall, median sales prices are still lower than a year ago; 11 percent lower in Sarasota and 27 percent lower in Port Charlotte, but the year-over-year comparisons mask nine months of prices stabilizing in a band of roughly $240,000 to $270,000. Realtors from all over the area have been saying for several months that sales were perking up in Southwest Florida and April’s numbers are showing their insights to be true.

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

The first quarter 2008 The Vineyards real estate market statistics for both homes and condominiums are listed below. Located in southeastern Naples and in a world of its own, this beautiful master planned gated golf community features the Vineyards Country Club which gives residents a selection of two 18-hole PGA championship golf courses. There is also a 32 acre community park and six miles of walking and biking paths that wind through majestic oaks, Cypress stands and nature preserves.

The Vineyards Sales Data

The Vineyards Home Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 27 Closed Sales
• Average Sales Price - $667,059
• Median Sales Price - $450,000
• Average Days on Market - 177
• Price/Sq. Foot - $215.44

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

The January thru March Cape Coral real estate market statistics for both homes and condominium sales are listed below. Cape Coral, known as the - The Cape, is one of the largest master-planned communities in the nation. The city features 400 miles of fresh and salt water canals - most with gulf access, wide-ranging waterfront sports and community activities. Cape Coral is the 3rd largest city in Florida in terms of land mass with nearly 115 square miles of residential and commercial space. Over 55% of its population is under 44, so the city is family oriented, schools are important, and the quality of life is exceptional.

Cape Coral Sales Data

Cape Coral Home Sales Jan-Mar 2008*:

• 615 Closed Sales

Tags: real estate, sales, SW Florida

Florida residents and visitors should be aware its alligator mating season once again and you cannot be too careful with these fierce but wonderful creatures. Each year as spring turns into summer and the weather begins to truly warm, an alligators metabolism increases and they become quite frisky in seeking out mates.

Once on the edge of instinction, the alligator population has fully recovered and encounters with humans are inevitable. You can find them on your front lawn, in your swimming pool and even in your house, if you’re not careful. Awareness and understanding are the keys for learning how best to live near the areas they inhabit.

So, here are some important Gator tips to remember:

Tags: living, SW Florida