NABOR REPORTS UPWARD TREND LINE CONTINUES

Report Shows Strong Pending Sales and Reduction in Overall Inventory

NAPLES, Fla.-August 14, 2008-July sees positive signs in multiple market indicators, with lower priced property sales doubling from last year, while all other price segments showed small increases in the median price (The “median price” means half of the sales were above that price and half were below) according to a report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island).

Overall pending sales, which are a key indicator of buyer activity, increased 75 percent in July 2008 compared to July 2007. This increase was seen in both the condo market, up 48 percent from last year, and the single-family home market, where pending sales increased 19 percent in July 2008 versus July 2007. Every geographic area saw a positive increase in transactions, closed and pending sales.

Pending sales are up, inventory is down, and median sales prices are beginning to level out.

Statistics compiled by NABOR show overall inventory has decreased by 5 percent with 10,640 in July 2008 compared to 11,190 in July 2007.

With the market activity of the $300,000 and below category and overall pending sales increasing dramatically, now is the time to buy in the Naples market.

The report which provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condo sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges and geographic segmentation also includes an overall market summary. The statistics are presented in chart format, along with the following analysis:

• Overall pending home sales in the greater Naples Area, which includes Naples Beach, North Naples, Central Naples, South Naples, East Naples, Immokalee and Ave Maria, increased 75 percent, with 480 in July 2008 compared to 274 in July 2007.

• Overall pending home sales for properties less than $300,000 saw a 208 percent increase with 302 in July 2008 compared to 98 in July 2007, and properties priced in the $500-$1 million rose 15 percent with 62 in July 2008 versus 54 in July 2007.

• Overall home sales were 361 in July 2008 compared to 275 in July 2007, a 31 percent increase

• Single-family home sales increased 22 percent overall, with 188 in July 2008 compared to 154 in July 2007; Pending sales of single-family properties of less than $300,000 were 174 in July 2008 compared to 30 in July 2007, a 480 percent increase

• Overall condo sales increased 43 percent, with 173 in July 2008 versus 121 sales in July 2007; and pending condo sales under $300,000 increases 88 percent with 128 in July 2008 compared to 68 in July 2007.

• The overall median sales price decreased 29 percent from the same month last year.

The new housing stimulus package as it supports Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is positive and it provides a number of incentives for buyer groups, which accounts for the pending sales increase in all geographic areas.

We have hit the bottom of home sales prices in some categories and in other categories we are bouncing up as the market continues to recover.

You can view the entire July report here.

Pending sales in the Naples area during March increased for the second consecutive month – resulting in the greatest market activity in the past 31 months – according to a report released by the Naples Area Board of Realtors® (NABOR), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island).

Overall pending sales, which are a key indicator of buyer activity, increased 7 percent year-to-date in March, following a 10.6 year-to-date increase in February, which marked the end of a 28-month downward trend. This year-to-date increase was seen in both the condo market, which was up 6 percent, and the single-family home market, where pending sales increased 9 percent.

“This is the best March we’ve experienced in three years,” confirmed Arlene Carozza, NABOR President and Realtor®, noting that properties under $300,000 are leading this upward trend. “There is no doubt that lower-priced properties account for the majority of sales, but this is indicative of overall market improvement.” Carozza stated.

The report, which provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condo sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges and geographic segmentation, also includes an overall market summary. The statistics are presented in chart format, along with the following analysis:

Overall pending home sales under $300,000 in the greater Naples Area, which includes Naples Beach, North Naples, Central Naples, South Naples, East Naples, Immokalee and Ave Maria, increased 69 percent, with 294 in March 2008 compared to 174 in March 2007.

Overall homes sales were 388 in March 2008 compared to 440 in March 2007, a 12 percent decrease.

Overall condo sales decreased slightly with 237 sold in March 2008 compared to 244 in March 2007; and condo sales under $300,000 increased 12 percent with 131 in March 2008 compared to 117 in March 2007.

Single-family home sales decreased 23 percent overall, with 151 in March 2008 compared to 196 in March 2007, but sales in the less than $300,000 category saw a 33 percent increase with 56 in March 2008 compared to 42 in March 2007.

While the overall median sales price is still down, the gap is closing. The median sale prices are gradually rising and increased 8.4 percent year-to-date in the $300,000-$500,000 price range. If this trend continues, we will look back in a few months realizing the market hit bottom.

Even though the population swells with snowbirds during the winter months, the ones who rent often decide to own something a day or two before they return up north. Most of the first time buyers prefer a condominium because there is no outside area to maintain. Some buy a villa style home, which is a single-family home in a community where the association maintains the outside of the home for the owners. Regardless of what the seasonal residents are looking for, they will return during the summer and buy something.

To view the entire March report, click here.

- Michael Kikkert