Posts Tagged ‘Buying a Naples home’

Real Estate – The Alternative to Buying a Home

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

The Alternative to Buying

If a family continues to rent, they are looking at a housing expense which will rise with the market. Rental costs increase by 3% a year historically. But today’s rental market favors the landlord to a greater degree. Below is a graph of how rental prices have increased recently and where they are projected to go over the next few years based on a report from Marcus & Millichap.

Hoping to save by delaying the purchase of a home may result in higher housing costs while you’re waiting, thus achieving the exact opposite result.

Check with a John R. Wood Agent to determine the best option for you and your lifestyle!

To find homes for sale in beautiful Southwest Florida, click HERE!

To learn more about Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and Marco Island, click HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge






Florida Real Estate – More Housing Markets Are Improving

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

According to a report from the Daily Real Estate News, the list of housing markets showing signs of improvement in home prices and overall market conditions in February has grown to nearly 100 cities, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index. 

The index shows metro areas that have shown improvement in home prices, housing permits, and employment for at least six straight months. 

In the latest index, some markets that were particularly hard-hit during the housing market crash — such as Miami and Detroit — were added to this month’s list. Such cities are seeing a turnaround in their sluggish housing markets, possibly already hitting bottom. 

“Despite the many challenges that continue to drag on the housing recovery — including the tight lending environment for builders and buyers — improving conditions are slowly but surely spreading from one housing market to the next,” Bob Nielsen, NAHB chairman, said in a statement. 

The 29 metro areas added to the list this month are: 

  • Napa, Calif.
  • Deltona, Fla.
  • Miami, Fla.
  • North Port, Fla.
  • Tampa, Fla.
  • Augusta, Ga.
  • Shreveport, La.
  • Springfield, Mass.
  • Cumberland, Md.
  • Lewiston, Maine
  • Boston, Mass.
  • Detroit, Mich.
  • Duluth, Minn.
  • Rochester, Minn.
  • Jefferson City, Mo.
  • Kansas City, Mo.
  • Hattiesburg, Miss.
  • Omaha, Neb. 
  • Ocean City, N.J.
  • Syracuse, N.Y.
  • Springfield, Ohio
  • Youngstown, Ohio
  • Portland, Ore.
  • Longview, Texas
  • Memphis, Tenn.
  • Provo, Utah
  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Bellingham, Wash.
  • Kennewick, Wash.

While nearly 30 markets were added to the February index, seven markets dropped off the list this month as home prices started to soften. The metro areas dropped from this month’s index are: San Jose, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; Kankakee, Ill.; New Orleans; Worcester, Mass.; Jackson, Miss.; and Sherman, Texas. 

To find homes for sale in beautiful Southwest Florida, click HERE!

To learn more about Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and Marco Island, click HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge






Naples, Florida Real Estate – Will the Real Estate Market Heat Up This Spring?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

The spring season usually brings an increase in buying and selling to the Southwest Florida real estate market. Nationally speaking, housing experts are mostly optimistic that this spring will be even better than recent years. 

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), some signs are already there: Housing inventories are declining, housing affordability is at record highs, mortgage rates are at all-time lows, and the job market is improving. 

In Southwest Florida, home sales have been edging up in recent months, and available inventories as of January 1, 2012 in the combined Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero market was 7,896 units (4,264 condominiums and 3,632 single family homes). This represents a 23% decrease from January 1, 2011.

 Nationally, nearly 2.4 million units were available in December 2011, reaching its lowest point since 2005, according to National Association of REALTORS® data. 

NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says home prices are beginning to stabilize in many markets.  Also, NAR’s Housing Affordability Index is at its highest level since the 1970s, which indicates that for the average family housing is very affordable. 

The National Association of Home Builders is also predicting an improvement this spring among the new-home sector. NAHB is predicting that home sales will increase 18 percent this year, that’s after facing their lowest on record in 2011. 

There is no better time to buy a luxury home right here in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs or Estero, Florida.

To find homes for sale in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs or Estero, click HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge






Naples, Florida Real Estate – Are You the “Quarterback” of your real estate transaction?

Monday, February 6th, 2012

You know we had to do it! With everyone still discussing the Superbowl today, we had to come up with something clever to blog about today and integrate the Superbowl somehow!

Well, we cannot take all the credit! Some of the credit must go to the KCMBlog, where this original idea came from. We love the correlation between the job of the players and your relationship with those individuals that make your real estate transaction a successful one!

Thanks to the KCMBlog and their accurate opinion of how the team works best:

  • Head Coach (Your Loan Officer) – Your loan officer should be the Head Coach. After careful analysis of your income, credit and assets, this is the person in the best position to make sure you are playing to your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses.  Your loan officer can discuss the economic realities of homeownership, while listening to your quality of life concerns. The loan officer can set up the game plan.
  • Offensive Coordinator (Your Real Estate Agent) – Your real estate agent is your offensive coordinator. Armed with the game plan. the agent calls the plays, counseling you on the geography, the competition, the best ways to negotiate your way to your personal touchdown. Agents know the playing field (the inventory and the market). If you hire them to represent you, they can disclose the weaknesses of your competition (the seller).
  • Offensive Line (Your Attorney, Accountant and Financial Advisors) – Your attorney, accountant and financial advisors are your offensive line. They are there to protect you from the blitzes that come from outside (sellers, title issues, tax consequences, and protecting your assets). Not the glamour positions, but vital to any success you are going to have.
  • Running Backs and Wide Receivers (Your Friends and Family) – Your friends and family are the running backs and wide receivers. They often receive the glory and attention, but honestly, if everyone else doesn’t do their job, they rarely ever see success. Bad game plans, weak play calling, poor execution on the offensive line or by you, as quarterback, leave them merely as names on the roster.

As with any team, communication is the most important component to getting the desired results. Being the center of the action, the quarterback (you) talks honestly with the coaches and coordinators, so they can help direct you on the proper play calling.

Simultaneously, you need to heed the feedback from your offensive line, running backs, and receivers to filter wise advice from emotion.

Let John R. Wood assist you in being the “quarterback” of your home-buying process! We are ready to be your “Offensive Coordinator” and find you the right vacation or home-away-from-home property!

To find a John R. Wood Agent today, click HERE!

To see homes for sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, FL, click HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge.

 






Naples Florida Real Estate – Homelook Weekly now available!

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

 Click HERE to read our latest issue of Homelook Weekly!

To search for homes for sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida, click HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge






Naples, Florida Real Estate – Naples now listed as a “Turnaround Town” market

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

According to Realtor.com’s Top 10 Turnaround Town list, Naples, Florida makes the list for this quarter. Powered by a 13.38 percent year-over-year increase in median list prices, seventh best in the nation overall, and a 35.94 percent reduction in for sale inventory, the median age of inventory in Naples is down 13.64 percent compared to a year ago.

The demand in Naples, FL has been fueled by foreign buyers as the city attracts 6 percent of Florida’s international sales. While not everyone is considering Naples as a bullish market, according to the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR), sales are up and prices are moderating.

The latest sales data from NABOR confirms that the market is changing, but moving in the right direction. Sales of December single family homes are up 5 percent from December 2010. Inventory is down 17 percent percent from a year ago.  

Find homes for sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero Florida HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge


Source: UPI.com and NABOR






Naples, Florida Real Estate: Now is the time to take advantage of mortgage rates

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Last week, according to an article found on CNNMoney, “rates on both the 30-year and 15-year fixed loans fell to new records, at 3.89 percent and 3.16 percent, respectively, according to Freddie Mac.”  The question remains: how long will prospective buyers enjoy such low rates?

Potential buyers sitting on the fence waiting for the rates to go lower may be getting their reason to act: a recent action by Congress may be pushing those rates higher shortly. According to CNNMoney, “to pay for the extension of payroll tax cuts, Congress mandated an increase in fees for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. That could mean an increase in upfront costs for borrowers of about half a point, starting April 1. The new fee would add $500 for every $100,000 in principal.” Instead of an additional upfront fee, borrowers could pay the fee as a higher interest rate, [adding] an additional one-eighth of a point to their rate. That amount might seem inconsequential, but when added to a $250,000 mortgage, the mortgagee could be paying approximately $225 more per year.

With a market filled with desirable listings, interest rates at historic lows, and a threat of rising rates, prospective buyers would benefit from getting off the fence and jumping into the present day ‘buyers’ market.

So, what are you waiting for? Click HERE to find a John R. Wood Agent today!

Click HERE to search for homes for sale in Naples, Estero, and Bonita Springs, Florida!






John R. Wood Realtors – Gulf Shore Blvd. Annual Report 2011 is here!

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Looking for a property on Gulf Shore Blvd. Now is a GREAT time to buy or sell in this popular area!  For properties for sale in this desirable area, days-on-market times are shrinking as the inventory continues to decline.  Buyers will benefit from prices which have remained relatively stable for the past three years, but which may be poised to begin increasing. 

Read the full report HERE!

Search for homes for sale in Naples HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge

 






The John R. Wood Realtors’ 2011 Year-End Market Report is here!

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

 The John R. Wood Realtors’ 2011 year-end market report is now available for your review! Get a comprehensive review of the 2011 Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero real estate markets. In summary, the number of closed sales in 2011 increased 5% over 2010, making it the fourth consecutive year to show an increase and confirming that the market recovery is well underway. Properties priced below $250,000 comprised 62% of the total market, a percentage that has remained consistent since 2009. Properties priced above $1,000,000 reached its highest level since 2007, with 706 closings, up 42% from the 2009 low with 498 closed sales.

 Click on the image below for the full Report!

 

 To search for homes for sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida, click HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge!






Naples, Florida Real Estate – 2011 Housing Inventory ends at 5-year low

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

According to recent reports published by the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR), Annual Pending and Closed Sales Rise 

Statistics compiled by NABOR show an increase in overall sales with inventory diminishing in Collier County (excluding Marco Island).  

The available inventory declined 17 percent in 2011 with 7,581 available properties compared to 9,145 available properties in 2010. In the under $300,000 market category, the available inventory declined 21 percent to 3,771 properties in 2011 compared to 4,763 properties in 2010.

 Every market category showed sale increases in both pending and closed sales with the largest increase in the $1 million and above categories.

The 2011 report provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condo sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges, geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. An overall summary combines the statistics for both single family and condominium properties. The statistics are presented in chart format, along with the following statistics:

  • Single family pending sales increased 5 percent with 5,162 contracts in 2011 compared to 4,896 contracts in 2010.
  • Condo pending sales increased 11 percent with 4,908 contracts in 2010 compared to 4,422 contracts in 2010.
  •  The overall median closed price over $300,000 increased 2 percent to $550,000 in 2011 from $540,000 in 2010.
  •  The 2011 fourth quarter report showed overall pending sales for the 12 months ending December 2011 increased 8 percent to 10,071contracts compared to 9,319 contracts for the same 12 months of 2010.
  •  Overall closed sales in the $1 million to $2 million category increased 38 percent with 76 sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 55 sales in the fourth quarter of 2010.
  •  Single-family home sales in the $500,000 to $1 million price range increased 13 percent with 90 sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 80 sales in the fourth quarter of 2010.
  •  Condo sales declined 2 percent to 793 sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 808 sales in the same quarter of 2010.

For additional real estate market statistics, click HERE!

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol for Local Knowledge