Golf Community of the Week, Olde Cypress, Naples, Florida

Golf and Naples Florida real estate have been the topic of many conversations throughout the years.  Many of these discussions center on the differing developments and communities located around the area.  One of the more interesting is Olde Cypress.

Olde Cypress is a luxury gated golfing community consisting of single family homes, attached and detached villas surrounding one of Naples’ most popular golf courses. Designed by P.B. Dye, the 18-hole, 6711 yard golf course was designed to showcase the 200+acres of preserves and sparkling lakes that wind in and out of this exquisite community.  The 38,000 square foot clubhouse is magnificent in its interior design and architecture. Each resident automatically receives a social membership with the purchase of a home, where they can enjoy dining, tennis, and fitness facilities along with a resort-style pool and spa. Resident and associate golf memberships are also available for homeowners who wish to take advantage of this prestigious course.

There are a number of different style homes in Olde Cypress and presently there are 47 on the market.  The highest listing price is $1,495,000 for a 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath home with over 5,200 square feet of living area in the Da Vinci Estates portion of the community.  On the other end of the spectrum is an attached villa with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths that is listed for $339,900…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Olde Naples, Naples, Florida Community of the Week

Naples Florida real estate has been the topic of many conversations throughout the years.  Many of these discussions center on the differing developments and communities located around the area.  One of the most talked about is Olde Naples.

Olde Naples takes its name from the seaside village in Italy.  It has developed from an isolated spot on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico accessible only by boat to a sophisticated tropical resort noted for its boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and street fairs on Fifth Avenue South and Third Street.  Olde Naples is at the northern part of a peninsula that includes Aqualane Shores and Port Royal.  On the western front is the award-winning beach and on the east side is Naples Bay.

While the Gulf-front mansions and historic Naples Pier are often pictured in the tourist ads, Olde Naples is filled with all sorts of different condos, villas and single family homes from cottage style to statuesque.  The most expensive property presently on the market is a beachfront estate encompassing nearly 1.5 acres, with 162 feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico, which is listed for $28 million.  In total there are 90 properties for sale in Olde Naples that are listed for over $1 million…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Bright Outlook for Naples Real Estate From October Statistics

Naples Florida real estate is always a fascinating topic and the latest report from the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) shows why.  The statistics presented with the report express very positive signs with regard to the future of homes for sale Naples Florida.  NABOR covers all of Collier County except Marco Island, and breaks their numbers out in a useful fashion.

Closed sales grew by nearly 7% during the month of October compared to the same month one year ago, but it is the pricing ranges that make for the interesting story.  Homes that sold from $500,000 to $1 million and those from $1 million or more showed increases of28.6%.  The closings of under $300,000 grew a little over 7%, while those priced between $300,000 and $500,000 decreased 18%.  Another number that expressed the great improvement in Naples Florida real estate is the median closed price (the median is where half of the sales were below that number and half above) for those properties over $300,000 jumped nearly 18% and posted a mark of $605,000.

Inventory, the number of homes for sale in Naples, Florida also expressed good news.  When compared to last year, the number of homes on the market at the end of October dropped 19%, from over 9,000 to just over 7,300.  All price points experienced this decline, with the leaders being homes listed for less than $300,000 and those priced above $1 million, showing declines of over 22%…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Community of the Week, Aqualane Shores, Naples Florida

Aqualane Shores is one of the most popular boating, fishing and beach neighborhoods in Naples.  It consists of over 300 acres encircled by Naples Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, Olde Naples and Port Royal.  The community is primarily made up of nearly 500 single family homes, with some condos also in the area.

Almost all the homesites have private docks on deep-water canals that lead to Naples Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico.  New homes and docks have replaced many of the original properties, while luxurious estates line the beach.  The boutiques, restaurants and art galleries that have given Naples it’s prized mix of sophistication and tropical charm are all within walking distance.  At the northern edge of Aqualane Shores is the Naples Yacht Club.

No discussion of Naples real estate would be complete without commenting on homes for sale Naples Florida.  There are presently 33 single family homes on the market in Aqualane Shores with prices ranging from $6.5 million to $1.395 million, as well as 1 condominium listed for $595,000.  The highest price for a closed sale this year was $3.75 million for a brand new home with over 5,500 square feet of living space…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Condominiums in Naples, Florida

According to Wikipedia a condominium, or condo, “may simply be defined as an “apartment” that the resident “owns” as opposed to “rents.”  It goes on to say that “typically a condominium consists of multi-unit dwellings where each unit is individually owned and the common areas, such as hallways and recreational facilities, are jointly owned by all the unit owners in the building.  A condominium also consists of bi-laws that all home owners are supposed to follow.”  There is also a Homeowners Association (HOA) made up of all the unit owners which manages the building and common areas through a board of directors elected by the membership.

While condos can be found in most areas of the country, especially in large cities, but in resort areas such as Naples, Florida they can be quite prevalent.  In part this may be true due to the fact that many owners are only part-time residents and want a vacation property where they can feel “right at home” and can leave personal belongings without having to pack them, such as clothes, golf clubs, etc., or rent them every time they travel.  Having your own bed in which to sleep can be very comforting as well as having your own kitchen with your own dishes and appliances can generate a relaxing atmosphere.

Another aspect of condo living that can be really rewarding to many people is not having to worry about maintenance items such as cutting the grass, cleaning the pool, or garbage pick-up.  These are all items that the condo association will take of, using the fees they collect from each owner every month or quarter.  People appreciate the fact that they can lock their door when they leave and not worry about a thing.

One of the greatest areas for this type of home ownership is Naples, Florida, and a lot of people know this, which is why condo sales make up a good share of the Naples real estate market.  With Naples offering sunny skies, warm sandy beaches, gourmet and family restaurants, fabulous shopping, wide variety of cultural events and a broad spectrum of recreational activities, why wouldn’t anyone not want to be a part of it?…http://ChrisAndDick.com

International Film Festival Winners, Naples, Florida

The International Film Festival, Naples, Florida ended with a much appreciated awards ceremony on Sunday evening.  It all started with a red carpet performance of “East Fifth Bliss” starring Michael C. Hall of television’s fame “Dexter”, with about 1,000 attendees.

 

It concluded with the presentation of seven awards given at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.  A documentary recording the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on war veterans and their families, “The Welcome”,  was chosen as the Audience Choice winner.  The Best Feature winner was “Hermano”, the story of two brothers from the slums of Venezuela who play soccer, which also won the Moscow International Film Festival.

 

 

Other award-winners include “The Highest Pass” for Best Documentary, “Little Horses” for Best Short, “The Narrow Place” for the Indie Spirit and “Dying To Do Letterman”, relating the story of comedian Steve Mazan (who was in attendance) for the Neapolitan Award…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Barefoot Beach Preserve, Naples, Florida

Collier County’s desirable coast reaches its zenith at Barefoot Beach Preserve, where numerous animal species reside and visitors are able to enjoy the ambience of the park’s natural surroundings. Barefoot Beach Preserve is 342 acres of natural land, one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s southwest coast.

The park supports the growth of sea oats, providing nesting sites for sea turtles during the summer months. The park also maintains a tropical coastal hammock of sabal palm, gumbo-limbo and sea grape trees among many others. The site is also home to the protected gopher tortoise.

Parks Rangers offer a number of programs at the Barefoot Beach Preserve Park including lectures and interpretive programs. Park Rangers educate the public about the importance of the environment and wildlife in Southwest Florida.

The park is located off Bonita Beach Road and south of the community of Barefoot Beach, which you will need to drive through to get to the park.  Be sure to enjoy the beautiful drive and look at some amazing examples of Naples real estate.

Barefoot Beach Preserve Park has a 356 space parking lot, one-mile nature trail, showers, picnic area and a concession are where equipment may be rented and food and drink is available for purchase. The preserve also offers handicapped beach wheelchair access…http://ChrisAndDick.com

 

New Listing in Castillo at Tiburon Naples, Florida

Naples real estate is always an interesting topic, and even more so when discussing homes for sale Naples, Florida.  A new listing just came on the market in Tiburon and it is a great one for discussion.

It is a magnificent 1st floor condo located in Castillo at Tiburon and adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida. Hard wood floors, granite countertops, jetted tub, special lighting fixtures and fans are just a few of the fabulous features offered in this 2 bedroom plus an office condo that lives like a single family home.  It is directly across the street from the resort like pool and spa and has views of the Greg Norman designed golf course. This property has a 2 car attached garage and Castillo is guard gated for your personal privacy and protection. The perfect getaway for those who demand the best Naples has to offer.

Signature membership to Tiburon is included. This membership includes, use of the Tiburon member only health club, member only beach transportation (to the Ritz-Carlton on Vanderbilt Beach) and lunch service, use of the Tiburon members only concierge program, tennis, heated outdoor pool with sundeck located at the Ritz-Carlton and golf privileges off season…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Port Royal, Naples, Florida is the Community of the Week

Port Royal is the premier boating community in Naples and one of the finest in all of the country.  It is composed largely of a series of man-made peninsulas, surrounded by bays and coves.  The waterways empty into Naples Bay and connect to the Gulf of Mexico through Gordon Pass.  The area stretches from 21^st Avenue South to Gordon Pass, bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and on the east by Naples Bay.  Of the 500 plus single-family homes in the community, most have backyard docks on Naples Bay or one of the deep-water feeder canals.  On the western side of the neighborhood, beachfront mansions line the Gulf of Mexico.  Some houses remain from their first construction in the 50’s and 60’s, but most have been reconstructed or torn down to make way for new estates.

Residents on almost all the streets in Port Royal are eligible for membership in the Port Royal Club, which is directly on the beach.  The Club has nine tennis courts, dining facilities, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.  It also serves as the Port Royal community center, with a wide variety of social activities.

Port Royal’s namesake in history was the den of privateers and smugglers looting ships in the Caribbean.  It was developed as a unique and exclusive haven, a winter retreat for the social elite, a neighborhood of gracious homes, immaculate lawns and prestigious addresses.  These addresses bear names such as Gin Lane, Rum Row, Spyglass Lane, Galleon Drive, Cutlass Lane, Admiralty Parade and Treasure Lane.  Today, active listings in Port Royal range from $2,499,000 all the way to $21.5 million.  The highest closed sale so far this year was $15 million for a 14,000 square foot home on Fort Charles Drive…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Meal Deals in Naples, Florida

While it is early November and “Season” has begun here in Naples, Florida there are still terrific bargains to be had at some wonderful local restaurants.  You have the opportunity to explore some of the finest eateries in the world at very favorable rates.  To get an appreciation of just what is available here is just what was found being advertised in the Naples Daily News today in the Neapolitan Section.  (It pays to get this newspaper because many of these offers require this coupon.)

One popular enticement for those of us that are lucky to be in Naples this time of year is the buy one and get one free deal.  Cloyde’s Steak & Lobster House in the Venetian Village is a great place to start for dinner for this type of deal without a time constraint.  If you prefer Italian Cuisine, Amore Ristorante in the Neapolitan Way Shopping Center also has this offer, but only from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Other venues that have this special for “Early Birds” are Ridgeway Bar & Grill on 3^rd Street South and Panevino Ristorante in the Market Place at Pelican Bay in North Naples.

 

There are a great number of choices for a fixed price dinner as well.   One pick could be Pate’s Pub (next to the Ramada Inn on Tamiami Trail North) where a bottle of wine plus salad, potato and the entrée (filet mignon, prime rib, salmon, etc.) is available for $17.95/person every night.  For “A Veally Good Deal” you could try Café Luna on Fifth Avenue South which is offering 2 dinners plus a bottle of wine for only $29.99 every day, from noon to close.  For a real casual meal there’s Clock Family Restaurant on Ninth Street North, where you can get dinner for 2 for $20, including entrée, 2 sides, soup or salad, roll or biscuit, beverage and dessert.  Veal Parmigiana, Country Fried Steak, Roast Turkey with Dressing and Grilled Tilapia are just a few of the entrée selections…http://ChrisAndDick.com