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

New Proposal to Spur Housing Market

“The reeling housing market has come to this: To shore it up, two Senators are preparing to introduce a bipartisan bill Thursday that would give residence visas to foreigners who spend at least $500,000 to buy houses in the U.S.  The provision is part of a larger package of immigration measures, co-authored by Sens. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Mike Lee (R., Utah), designed to spur more foreign investment in the U.S.”  This was written in a recent article by Nick Timiraos for The Wall Street Journal.

It is no secret for anyone involved in Naples Florida real estate that foreigners are becoming more active in the market.  Canadians and Europeans are seeking out bargains due to good exchange rates and past housing market problems.

Timiraos goes on to write that “To fuel this demand, the proposed measure would offer visas to any foreigner making a cash investment of at least $500,000 on residential real-estate—a single-family house, condo or townhouse. Applicants can spend the entire amount on one house or spend as little as $250,000 on a residence and invest the rest in other residential real estate, which can be rented out.”

He then quotes Sen, Schumer as stating “This is a way to create more demand without costing the federal government a nickel.”  “The provision would create visas that are separate from current programs so as to not displace anyone waiting for other visas. There would be no cap on the home-buyer visa program,” concludes Mr. Timiraos…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Vanderbilt Beach Park Naples Florida

Naples Florida is known world-wide for its’ wonderful weather and beautiful sandy beaches.  One of nicest stretches of this gift of nature is Vanderbilt Beach Park.  It also happens to be one of the most popular beach accesses because it is in a prime location near upscale hotels and in the popular North Naples area.

 
Vanderbilt Beach offers wide space for all visitors, gorgeous white sand surroundings, sea oats and rest room access.  During season (tourist months), it can be a task finding a spot on the beach, but there is plenty of sand for everyone.   From January to March you may need to get there a little early but there is a lot of room to spread out on beautiful Vanderbilt Beach.

The Park is located at the west end of Vanderbilt Beach Road.  It has opened a new 340-space parking garage for public use, which is a nice expansion from the old garage that could hold only 120 vehicles.  This parking garage is located just west of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and is just a few steps from the beach access.

From this entrance you can stroll along the Gulf of Mexico to the South all the way to Clam Pass, a distance of roughly 2.5 miles.  If you turn to the North upon entering you will reach the Delnor-Wiggins State Recreation Area, where you can continue your adventure up to Wiggins Pass, also about 2.5 miles.  There are also a few spots along the way where you can stop and get a cool refreshing drink, and a bite to eat…http://ChrisAndDick.com

The “Season” Will Be Starting in Naples Florida

The “season” will be starting at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts (the ”Phil”) in Naples, Florida on Saturday, November 5 with Broadway superstar Audra McDonald in concert with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.  This Opening Night Gala will also be celebrating the Orchestra’s 30^th anniversary season.

However that performance will not be the first one in November.  On Wednesday November 2, Huey Lewis and the News will be taking the stage for a pre-season rock ‘n’ roll concert.  These Grammy Award-winners have sold more than 20 million records, including such smash hits as Heart of Rock & Roll, Hip to be Square and The Power of Love…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Bolero at Tiburon, Penthouse Price Reduction

The gorgeous 3^rd floor penthouse located at 2626 Bolero Drive in Naples, Florida has just had a price reduction down to $688,000.  This elegant condo has over 2,340 square feet of living space including 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  This unit also has a huge lanai, private elevator and a two car attached garage.

It is located in the private, gated community of Bolero at Tiburon, which has a wonderful tropical pool with waterfall and a clubhouse for use by Bolero owners and their guests.  A Signature (social) membership to the Golf Club at Tiburon is also available with this unit.  This membership allows for dining at the club as well as access to the private Fitness and Health Club, Spa, Concierge and private transportation service to and from the beaches of Naples.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort is also located in Tiburon, with 36 holes of golf designed by Greg Norman.  The Signature membership also allows for tennis at the resort as well as use of their pool and sundeck.  Golf privileges are extended from May through October at the member/guest rate…http://ChrisAndDick.com

 

Bright Signs for Naples August Real Estate Market

The Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) releases a report each month on homes for sale Naples Florida and sales of homes Naples FL.  The report for August, 2011 has just been distributed and showed some interesting trends. . Calculations are based on property listings that exist within Collier County, excluding Marco Island, and are broken out by price and location.

While total closed sales for this August are down slightly when compared to August, 2010, the reduction came entirely in those homes that sold for less than $300,000.  The upper end, those that closed for more than $1 million increased by nearly 44% over the previous year, while sales in the $500,000 to $1 million and those in the $300,000 to $500,000 price category grew by 19.2% and 4.3% respectively.  These closed August sales increases were all in two geographic areas of Naples.  The Naples Beach area experienced a 60% growth, while North Naples showed a 20% increase over a year ago.

The NABOR report also expressed two other positive signs for real estate Naples Florida.  The number of pending sales (homes under contract but have yet to close) in Naples increased by more than 5% this August as compared to the previous year, while the inventory of homes actively on the market has dropped in excess of 22% from the 2010 numbers…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Naples Condo Sales Look Good In June

Condo sales in the Naples area are on the move!  In the latest report issued by the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR),  condo sales for the month of June increased by 7% over the same month of the previous year.  These numbers come from all of Collier County, except Marco Island, and reveal some very interesting pictures.

While most price points shared in this gain, it is curious to note that the $500,000 to $1 million pricing category grew by over 44%, while the number of June closed sales in excess of $1 million remained static compared to the previous year.  Geographically the disparity is even greater, as the Naples Beach area (, which consists of ZIP codes 34102, 34103 and 34108, running along the Gulf from Gordon Pass northward to Bluebill Avenue, and eastward to Goodlette Road and slightly beyond) experienced an increase of over 44% from a year earlier.  During this same time span Central Naples (ZIP codes 34104, 34105, and 34116) reported a decline of nearly 22% in closings.

Other positive signs for the condos in Naples Florida include an increase in pending sales (those transactions that are under contract but have not yet been finalized) for the 12 month period ending June 30, 2011 of over 7% from the same time period a year earlier.  An even better omen for real estate Naples Florida is in the inventory figures.  The number of condos on the market at the end of June this year is down nearly 18% as opposed to last year at this time.  All areas experienced a decrease led by Central Naples and North Naples which dropped 23.5% and 22.3% respectively…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Second Quarter Naples Real Estate News Is Positive

Each month the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) release data regarding real estate Naples Florida.  In the latest report, the second quarter of this year had some very interesting statistics when compared to the previous year.  While the number of closings that occurred during the quarter rose slightly as did the number of pending sales (those transactions that are under contract but have not yet been finalized), the inventory of homes presently on the market has dropped by more than 18%.

An interesting note regarding Naples homes for sale is that all price points shared in this reduction, with those homes priced in excess of $1 million leading the way with a 23% drop compared to the second quarter of 2010.  Homes listed for under $300,000 followed closely with a 20% reduction.

All geographical areas of Naples experienced this inventory reduction as well, with Central Naples having the largest percentage drop at 25%.  East Naples and North Naples also saw excellent results with decreases of 22% and 19% respectively from the previous second quarter.  This all leads to a very positive sign for Naples real estate…http://ChrisAndDick.com

Meal Deals for the Summer

It’s July in Naples and what a great time to celebrate with a meal at a favorite restaurant or an opportunity to try someplace new.  While the snowbirds only experience long lines and full prices, those of us that are here during the summer months have the chance to explore some of the finest eateries in the world at bargain rates.  To get an appreciation of just what is available here is just what was found being advertised in the Naples Daily News this past Friday in the Showcase section.  (It pays to get this newspaper because many of these offers require this coupon.)

For fixed price meals there are many alternatives.  One choice could be Pate’s (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.  Anthony’s Trattoria has a summer menu for $14.95/person which is good all day.  Baleen in the La Playa Beach and Golf Resort offers a 3 course meal for $32/person.  Another choice could be Ristorante Ciao on 4^th Avenue South where you can get two entrees and a bottle of wine for $29.95 all night, every night.  If traditional Italian cuisine is your preference then you might like to try Café Luna with a straight forward menu includes spaghetti & meatballs. chicken piccata and veal parmesan.  Their “Veally Good Deal” can be had 7 days a week for just $29.99 which includes two dinners and a bottle of wine.

 

Another popular enticement for those of us that are lucky to be in Naples during the summer is the buy one and get one free deal.  Nowhere can you experience this opportunity better than Ridgway Bar & Grill in Olde Naples.  With their variety of settings including the open air front porch, the patio garden or indoor seating, and an inspired menu (all items are included in this offer) with outstanding service, you cannot help but be thrilled.  This offer is good for lunch and dinner, while Bayside in Venetian Village has the same offer for dinner patrons.  If breakfast or lunch are more to your needs try Altin’s Café & Grill on 5^th Avenue South where they have the same deal…http://ChrisAndDick.com

May Real Estate Market Shows Improvement

Each month the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) release data regarding real estate Naples Florida.  In the latest report, the month of May had some very interesting statistics when compared to the previous year.  While the number of closings that occurred during the month increased by more than 4%, the number of pending sales (those transactions that are under contract but have not yet been finalized) have risen by almost 8%.

Some of the more intriguing figures come from the different areas of Naples.  East Naples had the largest percentage increase of pending sales with growth of nearly 13%, while Naples Beach and North Naples experienced increases of 10% and 11% respectively.  The lone area to show a decrease from the previous year was South Naples with a 4% drop.

Naples homes for sale is another interesting statistic shown in this NABOR report.  The inventory, or the number of real estate listings, is down dramatically over the previous May.  This decrease of almost 15% is a very positive sign for Naples real estate.  Central  Naples showed the most improvement with a drop of nearly 20%.  The May inventory numbers look even better when compared to this April, showing a decrease of over 6%…http://ChrisAndDick.com