Lynn Bower ABR, GRI

When I think of a Sherpa I think of those brave souls leading a group of anxious and hopeful climbers up the face of the world's highest mountains. This is the Sherpa's back yard and they know it well. It is up to the knowledgeable Sherpa to guide his group safely to the summit. Sound familiar?

In this day of short sales and foreclosures buyers need to be led by an experienced guide to get through and over all the pitfalls of this kind of transaction. Can you imagine an individual trying to "climb the mountain" without a guide (Realtor)? This why we spend time in classes, sales meetings and seminars. We are the ones that need to stay up to the minute on information in order to be the best guide for the buyer or seller.

All of you Sherpas out there, go forth and learn to earn. These types of transactions are going to be around for a while. So get out of base camp and become the guide you need to be to help your clients.

For all of you buyers and sellers, do your homework and get with an agent that can lead you to the top of the mountain without a misstep. We are out here, waiting for the call to lead.

What a difference a year makes. Island Walk has had many sales over the winter season and the prices are starting to stabilize unlike last year. The number of actives are down which is normal for this time of the year but things are still selling. I live in Island Walk and it does not have that doom and gloom look of some of the properties I show. I'm feeling good about what I see. In fact, I'm excited.

P.S. If you haven't eaten at the restaurant under the new management, don't miss it. We love it.

If you are so fortunate to be visiting Naples during this time of the year, welcome & enjoy. We are in the midst of the Season having had Santa and Mrs. Claus roll down 5th Avenue last Tuesday in our Christmas on Main Street. Parades in Naples are plentiful, always an event but we have more.......

Upcoming Events:

December 11th: ongoing: every 2nd Thursday of the month: Evenings on 5th. Festive sidewalk entertainment, shopping and dining under the stars. (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.)

December 14th: 5th Avenue South Gallery Walks : Lit tiki torches outside the participating galleries include special exhibitions. ((6-9 p.m.)

December 25 -28th: 5th Avenue South. street is closed for one of the top shows in the country, artists from across the region.( starts 10 a.m.)

December 26th: Winter side walk sale! Don't miss it! (10 a.m.)

December 31st: New Year's Eve fireworks. Historic Naples Pier, call 239-213-7120 for more information.

Today is October 20th, and if you live in Southwest Florida,Collier County, you can now vote for the November 4th Presidential election. Here in Collier County we are expecting an 85% turnout, the largest in our history! As a Precinct Captain, I have called everyone to vote early or absentee. My group, Women's Council of Realtors has adopted a precinct which will be in charge of a polling place on the 4th. Trust me, the lines will be long and because there are so many Amendments on the ballot, the lines will be enormous!

Early Voting: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

•· Supervisor of Election Office: 3301 US 41 East

•· Naples City Hall: 735 Eight Street South

•· Library Headquarters: 2385 Orange Blossom Drive (our closest)

•· Golden Gate Library: 2432 Lucerne Road

There are 8 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot for the State of Florida. You should be aware of these before voting. Sunday's Naples Daily News paper ( October 19^th) had the information. Or you could go to the Supervisor of Elections to get a sample ballot or www.colliervotes.com/findpollpub.asp

When voting, pause just one moment and thank our forefathers for this privilege so many of take for granted.

Island Walk, Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, Florida

I love Island Walk and not just because I live here.

Great News! Last year at this time in Island Walk there were approximately 150 active listings. Today the Sunshine MLS showed 59. We have been selling steadily throughout 2008 and even though our winter visitors have returned to their northern home, we continue to have a good number of pendings and solds. Our prices range from $659,000 for a Carlyse model to $ 265,000 for a Capri. This winter there were a number of Capris on the market and sold in the low $200s. They were snatched up by some very smart buyers. This is great news for homeowners like me. Lower supply, greater demand and you know the rest.

I see a trend. Early 2008 most of the sales generated in Naples were from the very low end, $200K and below and the very high, anything over $1 million. Now I see pendings and solds generating sales in the $400K to $900K range. A couple of reasons for this. All the fabulous "everything but the kitchen sink" sales by developers are winding down.There is still a lot of new inventory and good deals but not as plentiful as in months past. In fact, some developers are increasing their sales price and some have started building new phases again such as Ole at Lely Resort (Stock Development) and Heritage Bay (Lennar) a premier bundled golf community. Also, the sellers have seen the light. If you want to sell you MUST price reasonably and engage a full time competent Realtor who has extensive internet exposure. (Today, 84% of all buyers begin theri search on the internet. Data taken from The National Association of Realtors ie: www.realtor.com)

How does this impact Island Walk? Even though there are new communities being built by Divosta(Pulte) we do not have the CDD attached on our re-sales. We have the same great amenities but not extra $$ tagged onto our monthly mortgage payment to help pay for infrastructure on new construction. Our location is superb. We are minutes from grocery shopping, minutes from I-75 and just 15-20 to my office on 5th Avenue.

Amenities at Island Walk: Town Center has a restaurant, post office, hair salon, nail salon, bank, realty office, large community pool, gas pumps, lap pool, 8 hard tru lighted tennis courts, fitness center, bocce courts, crochet putting green, car wash, large lakes for fishing and activities within Town Center too numerous to mention. Miles of walking trails and a great place to ride your bike!