Southwest Florida Market Report 9/11

Here are the latest Southwest Florida real estate statistics compiled by our FABULOUS CFO, Dottie Babcock.  The interesting points are about the shrinking inventory...this is the big buzz on the street now: Buyers looking for inventory that doesn't exist. Everything else is a little different but improving all the same for the most part.

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Cannes at Pelican Bay Update

Cannes at Pelican Bay...this Pelican Bay neighborhood has been a bit of a sleeper since inception. Here are the stats:

• 0 Active
• 0 Pending
• 1 Closed during the past 12 months

There just isn't a great deal of activity that goes on in Cannes which has much to do with the fact that Cannes at Pelican Bay units were built in 2005 and there's only 16 of them. Of the 4 recorded Cannes at Pelican Bay closings found in  MLS, the lowest priced unit closed for $1,000,000 in January, 2011.  That was only 71% of list price and while that was a pretty good deal, some of the original units sold for less during 2005.  The lowest recorded sales price was $795,000, a unit that closed on 8/16/2005. 

While we're talking about sales data, I discovered the market time in Cannes at Pelican Bay for the 4 MLS sales is quite high, 334 days on average with 881 days being the most time a unit was on the market.  The unit that sold this year was on the market for well over 200 days which is also high. 

Market time in Naples is a crazy point to factor and here's why. So much of the luxury properties in Naples are not primary homes so the inconvenience factor is relatively low compared to the inconvenience one experiences when selling their primary home. Convenience is a HUGE key in Naples and while in primary markets people tend to allow any and all showings possible, seller and tenants don't always allow showings here...especially if it's inconvenient for them.  I know that sounds crazy but that's just how it is.  Many people come to Naples during high season (January-May) to see and buy real estate and many people come to stay in their luxury homes and condos during the same time.  It can be VERY difficult to show real estate on a short notice during this time because many sellers do a TON of entertaining or simply do not want to be inconvenienced with the process of selling their place. If you are thinking about buying in Naples, it is wise to give me at least 48 hours notice if you want to give yourself a good shot of seeing all available properties.  If you give me more notice, you'll have even a better shot.  If you're a seller, there's no better way to sell a property than to let someone see it so please think twice before you refuse that showing.

If you're thinking about buying in Cannes at Pelican Bay: Call me direct and I will see what I can do to locate a Cannes property for you. 

If you're thinking about selling your Cannes at Pelican Bay unit:  You want to price it right to avoid long market times and negotiating greatly off your price even if you're the only one on the market, history has proven Cannes at Pelican Bay buyers will go outside of the neighborhood to make a purchase compared to overpaying in Cannes.  Call me direct for correct pricing and marketing concepts.

I hope you enjoyed your Cannes at Pelican Bay update.  Please call me if I can be of further assistance.

PS~ There are only 71 days til Winter! Do you have your Naples Florida real estate yet?

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Calais at Pelican Bay Naples Florida Update

Calais at Pelican Bay in Naples Florida pricing is on the rise with current list prices up 4% compared to units that have sold during the past 12 months.  Here are the current Calais at Pelican Bay stats:

• 5 Calais at Pelican Bay condos are currently on the market.
• 2 Calais at Pelican Bay  sales have occurred during the past 12 months.
• 1 Calais at Pelican Bay condo is currently pending.

There are clearly two winners who have already purchased fabulous properties at fabulous pricing in Calais at Pelican Bay.  Even if the current pending property goes for full price it was a deal!  Current list to sales price ratio is coming in right at the Pelican Bay community average of 92% and it looks like there's some pretty good inventory to choose from if you're one of those people who like a good golf course view and don't want to do a total redo.  If you've been following my blog for long you'll also know that remodeled prices will typically sell at a premium (unless you're lucky) and original properties will sell at a discount. 

If you're considering buying in Calais at Pelican Bay:  Be careful here. I'm not convinced all of these properties are priced to sell and that you're getting your money's worth at full price or even 8% off list price here.  You'll want to pay close attention to the numbers or have your "smart Realtor" make sure you're not overspending here.  It might be wise to go outside of the local Calais at Pelican Bay market to make sure you're not overspending.  Call me to review your options.

If you're considering selling in Calais at Pelican Bay: You have competition right now.  With 20 months of inventory, my first inclination is to encourage you to wait if you can.  If not, then you need to be really careful with your pricing and I would be really aggressive with your marketing plan.  I have some ideas for you that can help your property stand out and you're going to need something like that if you want to sell this upcoming season.  I do think if you're going to give it a shot, you need to get on it now.  I'm noticing a great deal of inventory that went on the market after March of this year that is still on the market now. Give me a shout and let's get started today!

I hope you enjoyed the Calais at Pelican Bay Naples Florida update.  Please let me know if I can assist you in any other way!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

PS~ There's no easier way to click, see, purchase Naples Florida real estate

Brighton at Bay Colony Update

Whoa! Brighton at Bay Colony must be singing the same song as the Biltmore at Bay Colony! Here are the current Brighton at Bay Colony stats:

• Brighton at Bay Colony condos for sale = 2
• Brighton at Bay Colony sales during the past 12 months = 8
• Brighton at Bay Colony pending sales = 0

Currently there is only 3 months of inventory on the market in Brighton at Bay Colony and while on paper the price doesn't appear to have gone up there, technically it has if you consider the fact that the two units remaining are on the second floor and priced similarly to those units that have sold on much higher floors.  The average list price to sales price ratio is slightly higher than the Pelican Bay overall average coming in at just a peep over 92%. 

If you're like me, this report feels almost hard to believe.  This news does NOT fall in line with what the world is saying about the state of our economic position and the current state of our over all real estate situation and if you're from Canada, you'll find it even harder to stomach....at least that's what I'm hearing from some of my newest Canada prospects. 

Why are buildings in Bay Colony still selling so well and how can the Bay Colony market be so stable if the world is falling apart around them?  It might have something to do with the fact that Naples was one of the first locations to cool when the whole mortgage meltdown occurred and it's our turn to recover.  It could also be that Naples beachfront isn't expanding.  There's not really an easy place to expand here so you won't find a wide variety of new beachfront property hitting the market like you might see on the east coast of Florida.  We have a limited supply and a nice flow of people who are willing to step up to the plate and purchase here.  If you think about it, it's even a little harder to accomplish the purchase of a fabulous unit in Bay Colony today not just because it's harder to get a mortgage....(most people who are purchasing in Bay Colony are paying cash anyway)....but because many of these units need some sort of updating. Lets face it, not everybody is looking for a project....

If you are planning on purchasing in Brighton at Bay Colony:  Right now be prepared to purchase on the 2nd floor unless something new comes on the market.  You want to work with a smart agent who has some compelling talking points when negotiating and with that, you may not come off the price much...and you're smart or you wouldn't be reading my blog...you can't really blame the seller on that one. If the 2nd floor won't do, be ready to jump on anything else that hits the market (other buyers are on point waiting for new inventory as well) In fact, give me a shout and I'll help you identify other product that may be available.

If you're planning on selling in Brighton at Bay Colony:  Congratulations! You are in a FABULOUS market to sell and if you want the most for your unit, contact me immediately! You'll want to get on the market before the end of the year if at all possible because evidence shows people who wait til mid or late season often have a problem with selling during the same season.  This could be because many Bay Colony buyers do their research earlier before coming down and have already chosen the units they want to review as a consideration.  Call me to get started today!

I hope you enjoyed the Brighton at Bay Colony update.  I'm looking forward to assisting you in your sale or purchase so call me today and let's get going!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

PS~ There's no easier way to click, see, purchase Naples Real Estate!