Posts Tagged ‘Naples Florida real estate’

Mid-priced homes surge 29% in Naples, Florida

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Pending sales of all single-family homes and condos increased!

 According to the Naples Area Board of Realtors’ (NABOR) most recent market report, pending home sales of Naples area mid-priced single-family homes and condos (between $300,000 and $ 1 million) surged 29 percent in January 2012. The report tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island).

According to Phil Wood, President and CEO of John R. Wood Realtors, “Pending sales were very strong in January, plus some of the transactions were new development projects.”

Naples Area Board of REALTORS® data shows that the overall market experienced 8,295 closed sales for the 12 months ending January 2012, a 5 percent increase over the 12-month period ending January 2011 (7,879 closed sales).

NABOR® data shows:  

  • Overall pending sales in the $300,000 to $500,000 category increased 34 percent from 115 in January 2011 to 154 in January 2012.  
  • Closed sales in the $1 million to $2 million category increased 13 percent from 336 to 379 for the 12- month period ending January 2012.
  • Inventory dropped 19 percent from 9,388 in January 2011 and remains at a low level with 7,860 available properties in January 2012.
  • Average days on the market (DOM) in the $500,000 to $1 million category decreased 10 percent from 213 in January 2011 to 192 in January 2012.
  • Overall sales of homes and condos between $1million and $2 million increased 53 percent, January 2012 compared to January 2011.

“The $500,000 to $1 million category has been historically a leading market indicator, and that category experienced a 23 percent rise in pending sales from 100 in January 2011 to 123 in January 2012, a positive sign,” remarked Dr. Shelton Weeks, Director of the Lucas Institute for Real Estate Development & Finance at Florida Gulf Coast University.

 ”A good report from developers, along with positive comments of an overall healthy market, may bring more buyers off the side-lines,” said Mike Hughes, General Manager of Downing-Fry Realty. “The strong activity in pending sales brings a sense of urgency that if they wait too long to make a purchase, the property may not be there.”

“We are now seeing multiple buyers competing for the same property,” said Brenda Fioretti, NABOR® Media Relations Committee Chairman and Managing Broker of Prudential Florida Realty.

To view the entire report, visit www.NaplesArea.com 

See the John R. Wood January 2012 Market Reports below:

Market Report January 2012

Neighborhood Snapshot January 2012

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

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge






Foreclosures decrease in Collier County

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

In a report released by RealtyTrac, foreclosure activity in Lee County fell in January by 15.32% compared with December 2011, ranking it 19th in the state.

The analysis also showed that Collier County’s January 2012 foreclosures dropped to 257 housing units (one in every 768), down 28.21% from 358 in December 2011, and down 5.17%  from 271 units during January 2011.

In Lee County, 945 housing units were in foreclosure last month (one in every 393), down from 1,116 in December 2011. However, compared year over year, foreclosures have increased nearly 11 percent, up from 854, comparing January 2011 to January 2012.

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

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge






Nothing says “Be Mine” like a condo on the beach in Naples, Florida!

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

It’s Valentine’s Day and, YES, we’re totally serious! Just imagine your significant other opening the small velvet box you’ve just handed over, knowing that what he or she is expecting is NOT in that box! What actually is in that box is a key…but not just ANY key! It’s a key to a luxurious condominium on the beach!

Ok, so this would take some amount of pre-planning, but any time of the year is perfect for purchasing a second or vacation home in beautiful Naples, Florida! Whether it’s a high-rise condo on the beach or a single-family home at a resort-style golf community, buying luxury property in Naples, Florida is always a great investment!

Aside from the fact that inventory is shrinking and home sales are increasing, Naples is second to none when it comes to the luxury beach and resort lifestyle! Enjoy miles of white sand beaches, incredible sunsets, lush preserves, dining and shopping, and world-class golf courses.

So, for your NEXT Valentine’s day why not start planning now! By this time next year, you and your sweetie could be admiring the ocean from your beachfront condo! WAY better than chocolate and flowers!!

Case in point, check out this amazing condo and the View!

Find a John R. Wood Agent now! 

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

John R. Wood Realtors – The Symbol of Local Knowledge






Foreign homebuyers keep Florida markets hot!

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Lured by some of the lowest housing prices in a decade, foreign-born residents and visitors are buying U.S. properties at a rapid rate. More than 8 percent of all real estate sales in 2010 were to foreign nationals, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Mortgage companies offer a variety of products to foreign nationals but the products’ accessibility and terms depend on the borrower’s immigration status and documentation of credit status in his or her home country.

International interest in U.S. properties is growing fast. Sales of real estate to foreigners increased from $66 billion in 2009 to $82 billion in 2010, according to NAR data.

In Florida, which accounts for 10 percent of the country’s immigrant population,  foreign buyers accounted for almost 31 percent of all real estate transactions. Other states popular with foreign homebuyers include California, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Tennessee and New York.

Foreign nationals tend to buy homes in communities where they already have roots or where large immigrant populations exist. In Florida, Cubans, Haitians and Colombians account for the majority of foreign buyers while in most of the Southwest, Mexicans make up the majority. Canadians are buying heavily all across the country.

 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 – 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 – More Wisconsinites head to Southwest Florida

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Some interesting facts about the Dairy State…it turns out between 2006 and 2010 nearly 45,000 people left Wisconsin for Florida or Arizona, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.  Higher-income retirees headed to Florida, and Wisconsin lost more of those with higher incomes than it gained.

The report showed that of the 27,826 people who moved to Florida, family income averaged $81,744.

The report zeroed in on 1,300 Wisconsinites with an average family income of $138,713 who moved to the Fort Myers, Fla., area. Another 568 people with an average family income of $274,614 moved to the Naples, Fla., area.

Hey, Wisconsinites! If you’re searching for your new home in Naples, Bonita Springs or Estero, Florida, look no further! John R. Wood Realtors is here to help!

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

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel






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