Shannon Gilmore, Realtor® Naples Florida Real Estate

Ok for those of you who like to focus on the negative here is a link to a positive article on Naples Florida. I think Forbes knows what they are talking about! Naples #22

NAPLES, Fla. - March 17, 2008 - For the third consecutive month, real estate activity in the Naples area steadily increased, with condo sales and single-family homes under $300,000 leading the way, 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). Most notably, February marked the end of a 28-month downward trend of pending home sales, which increased 10.6 percent overall from February 2007.

NABOR President Arlene Carozza, a Realtor® and corporate trainer with Amerivest Realty, attributes the increased activity to lower median prices, reduced interest rates, abundant inventory and common sense.
"Buyers have realized the incredible values that are currently available and will most likely be gone by next season," Carozza stated. "As the lower priced inventory is absorbed, there is nowhere for prices to go but up."

The report, which provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condo sales (via the Multiple Listing Service), 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 10.6 percent, with 513 in February 2008 compared to 464 in February 2007.
• Overall homes sales were 289 in February 2008 compared to 304 in February 2007, a 4.9 decrease.
• Overall condo sales increased 4.5 percent, with 162 sold in February 2008 compared to 155 in February 2007, and condo sales under $300,000 increased 36 percent with 83 in February 2008 compared to 61 in February 2007.
• Single-family home sales decreased 14.8 percent overall, with 127 in February 2008 and 149 in February 2007, but sales in the less than $300,000 category saw a 66.6 percent increase with 45 in February 2008 compared to 27 in February 2007.
• The overall median sales price decreased 14 percent from the same month last year.

"There is tremendous activity in the low end of the market," said Jo Carter, president of Jo Carter & Associates, acknowledging that homes less than $300,000 is the best-selling category right now. "Properties that are priced realistically are being sold."
Tom Bringardner, president of Premier Properties, predicts this activity will have a domino effect. "In a traditional market recovery, as the lower priced product is sold, it pushes buyers into the higher price ranges."

To view the entire February report, go to www.NaplesArea.com.

The Naples Area Board of REALTORS^® (NABOR) is an established organization (Chartered 1949) whose members have a positive and progressive impact on the Naples community. NABOR is a local board of REALTORS^® and real estate professionals with a legacy of nearly 60 years serving 5,000 plus member-customers. NABOR is a member of the Florida Association of REALTORS^® and the National Association of REALTORS^®, which is the largest trade association in the United States with more than 1.3 million members and over 1,400 local boards of REALTORS^® nationwide. NABOR is structured to provide programs and services to its membership through various committees and the NABOR Board of Directors, all of whose members are non-paid volunteers.

For local sales www.FloridaHmz.com

Here in Southwest Florida we continue to have beautiful days, warm breezes and lots of activity. There is increased activity and this comes from agents who report that the buyers are more active than last season. Although some buyers are still anxious about getting back in, the hesitation may cost them as the well priced, fabulous listings with fabulous prices are being plucked off the market... some in as little as 3 weeks market time. Not only has Naples reported condo sales increases but Bonita Bay as well... what are you waiting for? higher prices??

Today I participated in Tropical Tales a Pet Extravaganza in Estero Florida At Coconut Point. It was a great deal of fun and although a bit windy and I did get a little too much sun there were great vendors, pets galore, and I was able to share many " pet friendly " John R. Wood listings. Thank you to Naples Dog and Ericka !

A few of the sponsors are included...Naples Dog Magazine- event host
Coconut Point Town Center
Fifth Third Bank
Starbucks
Petsmart
Walgreens
Costco
Jaguar
Audi
Range Rover
WINK TV
Adopt-a-Pet TV
CW6 TV
WAV 101.1 FM
Canine Cavier
Carpet One Minute Dry Time
Dipidy Dawg
Inko's Pet Sitting
Bark Avenue
Diva Doghouse
SW Dog Trainers Alliance
Bark Busters
Little Paws Bakery
Room for Change
Tidbits of SW Florida
Pets Are Inn
Direct Impressions
The Dog Resort
Florida Feline Magazine
Inko's Pet Sitting
Premier Properties -Wachowicz
Angel Come Home -book
Angela Moore Style Consultant
Cool Stuff for Hot Dogs
Bark Avenue
Paws Claws and Tails
Sandra McGill/ communication
Paws for Love Therapy Dog
Ideal Image
Picture your Pet
LCAS Animal Care Trust Fund
Posh Pets Sitting
Butler 4 Pets
Korbie's Den
Linda Saha- Pet Portraits
Pride N' Groom
Swanstar Essences
Animal Sitters South Lee County
Adopt-A-Pet TV
Zoology Interior Design
Posh Pets and Aquariums
Ivy Chalice Jewelry
BuddyRoos.com
Dabooshart.com
My Best Friend
Vickie- Pet Psychic
Invisible Fence
Blue Green Travel
John. R. Wood- Shannon Gilmore
Coral Veterinary Clinic
Fuller Funeral Services
Glamorous Grandmas
Animal Health Oasis Vet
Camp Bow Wow
Safety Turtle
Skamper Ramp
Best of Everything
Flying Dog Ale
SW Florida Veterinary Specialists

NAPLES, Fla. - February 14, 2008 - January home sales were up slightly compared to a year ago, including an 11 percent increase in condo sales, announced in a report released by the Naples Area Board of Realtors® (NABOR), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island).

According to NABOR President Arlene Carozza, a Realtor® and corporate trainer with Amerivest Realty, while overall pending sales decreased year-to-date, the report includes many positive indicators of market activity.

"The momentum we saw last month is continuing and sales are being made, especially in the condominium market and single-family homes under $300,000." Carozza stated.
The report, which provides single-family home and condo data, price ranges and geographic segmentation by zip code, also includes an overall market summary. The statistics are presented in chart format, along with the following analysis:

• Overall home sales in the greater Naples Area, which includes Naples Beach, North Naples, Central Naples, South Naples, East Naples, Immokalee and Ave Maria, were up by three units, 264 in January 2008 compared to 261 in January 2007.
• Condo sales were 142 in January 2008 compared to 126 in January 2007, an 11 percent increase.
• Overall home sales in the less than $300,000 category saw the largest increase with 103 in January 2008 compared to 81 in January 2007. Pending sales increased 42 percent from 128 to 182.
• Overall home sales in the $500,000 - $1million category saw a slight decrease with 50 in January compared to 60 for the same month last year. Pending sales dropped from 92 in January 2007 to 65 this year.
• The overall median sales price decreased 7.3 percent year-to-date.

Tom Bringardner, president of Premier Properties, acknowledges that reduced pricing in the low end of the market has spurred sales in that segment. "This has helped to absorb some of the excess inventory and will assist in returning the market to normal conditions," he said.

According to Phil Wood, president of John R. Wood Realtors, a seven percent reduction is far less than national media stories would lead one to believe. "The perception is that home prices in Naples have decreased 30 to 40 percent and this is not the case," explained Wood. "The fact is that Naples area properties continue to retain their value, even in the down market of the last two years."