Naples Real Estate Update 12/6/17

Hey Naples Friends,

I just did a brief recap of what has happened during the past 10 days or so of what's going on in the Naples real estate market. You can check out the latest happenings, where the best reductions were and other useful tips to help you get that next real estate deal here! Naples real estate update

Naples Luxury Neighborhood Snapshot Report

Hello Naples Friends,

The John R. Wood neighborhood snapshot report was just released this week.  I'll report on the locations where I work and follow most:
Naples neighborhoods with a shortage of supply at this time:

Aqualane Shores:
30 Aqualane Shores homes sold during the past year. 19 are currently on the market = 7.6 months of inventory

Bay Colony:
2 Bay Colony homes on the market with 3 sold during the past year = 8 months of inventory
42 Bay Colony condos sold during the past 12 months with 27 remaining = 7.71 months of inventory

Grey Oaks:
59 Grey Oaks homes sold during the past year. 36 are currently on the market = 7.33 months of inventory.
16 Grey Oaks condos sold during the past year. 3 are currently on the market = 2.25 months of inventory.

Mediterra:
26 Mediterra condos sold during the past year. 17 are currently on the market = 7.87 months of inventory.

Olde Naples:
84 Olde Naples homes sold during the past year. 61 are currently on the market = 8.71 months of inventory.
141 Olde Naples condos sold during the past year. 71 are currently on the market = 6.04 months of inventory.

Park Shore/Moorings/Seagate/Coquina Sands Waterfront:
354 Park Shore/Moorings/Seagate/Coquina Sands Waterfront condos sold during the past year. 151 are on the market. = 5.11 months of inventory.

Park Shore/Moorings/Seagate/Coquina Sands Non Waterfront:
118 Park Shore/Moorings/Seagate/Coquina Sands Non Waterfront homes sold during the past year. 60 are on the market. = 6.1 months of inventory.
107 Park Shore/Moorings/Seagate/Coquina Sands Non Waterfront condos sold during the past year. 61 are on the market. = 6.84 months of inventory.

Pelican Bay:
47 Pelican Bay homes sold during the past year. 20 are currently on the market = 5.11 months of inventory.
289 Pelican Bay condos sold during the past year. 95 are currently on the market = 3.95 months of inventory.

Pelican Marsh:
56 Pelican Marsh homes sold during the past year. 24 are currently on the market = 5.15 months of inventory.
70 Pelican Marsh condos sold during the past year. 25 are currently on the market = 4.28 months of inventory.

Pine Ridge:
35 Pine Ridge homes sold during the past year. 23 are currently on the market = 7.9 months of inventory.
14 Pine Ridge condos sold during the past year. 2 are currently on the market = 1.78 months of inventory.

Quail West:
39 Quail West homes sold during the past year. 29 are currently on the market = 8.92 months of inventory.

Royal Harbor:
37 Royal Harbor homes sold during the past year. 21 are currently on the market = 6.81 months of inventory.

Tiburon:
31 Tiburon condos sold during the past year. 20 are currently on the market = 7.75 months of inventory.

Naples luxury locations showing stability:

Port Royal:
40 Port Royal homes sold during the past year. 41 are on the market = stable

Park Shore/Moorings/Seagate/Coquina Sands Waterfront:
13 Park Shore/Moorings/Seagate/Coquina Sands Waterfront homes sold during the past year. 13 are currently on the market = stable

Areas of opportunity for buyers to still get a deal if you are a buyer:

Collier's Reserve:
10 Collier's Reserve homes sold during the past year. 15 are currently on the market. There is at least one deal of the universe I know of in here.  Call me for details. = 18 months of inventory.

Mediterra:
44 Mediterra homes sold during the past year. 48 are currently on the market. Pricing has gone up here but there's still some terrific inventory. = 13 months of inventory.

Tiburon:
5 Tiburon homes have sold during the past year. 18 are currently on the market...wow! 43 months of inventory...not a typo.

You can expect to see more inventory hitting the market everyday between now and say Thanksgiving it will lighten a bit and the increase again after the holiday.
If you're considering a Naples purchase: Call me or email me asap.  Let's get your strategy together as there is no time to waste.  Many of you have already scheduled your time on my calendar.  Please award me the opportunity of assisting you by making arrangements in advance. I'm SO looking forward to helping you get your best deal!
If your'e considering selling your Naples property: Call me or email asap.  We will want your marketing in place for season in order to get you your target price and give you the highest potential of an acceptable contract! I'm excited to get the ball rolling!

Best Regards,
Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Bay Colony Shores Update

Hello Naples Friends!
While I was remastering the Bay Colony Shores pages of my Naples real estate website, I thought it would be a great time to give you an update.

Currently there are 4 Bay Colony Shores homes for sale and whether they’re sitting on a fabulous lot and a half, have had craftsmanship completed by experts from far away places or  recently and fabulously remastered…there’s something special about each one.
Bay Colony Shores has had two closings during the past 12 months and technically there’s two years of inventory on the market but I wouldn’t let the numbers fool you into thinking you can get some terrific half price deal (just yet).  There’s quite a few extras going on in every one of the current listings so if you’re not accustomed to looking at details you may be disappointed when you begin to consider your negotiations.  As an example let’s consider the age of Bay Colony Shores in general. The large majority of the Bay Colony Shores homes were built in the 90′s and unless they’ve been redone like one on our currently for sale list, then there’s a strong possibility they’re ready for some updating.  I must admit there’s another home in Bay Colony Shores currently for sale that requires very little if any improvements because it was done so well that it will probably attract a large base of people who wouldn’t feel like much was required…hence the price.  So if you keep in mind the level of effort the large majority of the world would require to make it comfortable for them when making your offer then that “should” assist you with your pricing strategy.  I’m going to caution you for a moment here.  Every once in awhile I get a customer who tastes may be extremely particular and may try to use their satisfaction requirements as a cause for discount…it’s a widely unsuccessful approach here in Naples.  That’s why it’s wise to have a Smart Girl like me help you with your negotiation strategy.  There’s probably a better and more successful strategy to use that will help you acquire what you want.
I recently updated the pages of my Naples real estate website concerning Bay Colony Shores in Bay Colony.  From there you’ll be able see all available Bay Colony Shores homes for sale, review Bay Colony Shores past sales information (and even download the whole spreadsheet into your Excel or Numbers program to analyze the sales data further)  and finally you can check out the Bay Colony Shores site plan in full detail. The other thing I want to mention is it’s also not advisable to try to discount features about a property that you don’t personally see value.  For example, if a property is offering a lot and half, that’s clearly going to come at a greater cost.  You may not see value in having the extra elbow room or enjoy a home that offers a more expansive linear footage plan but that doesn’t mean it’s now free to you.
Clearly real estate is more fun for a buyer when there’s countless properties to see and sellers are discounting great levels off their pricing. Everybody wants a deal right?  Let’s be serious though, everybody doesn’t want a deal when it means having to exit a superior neighborhood that offers insurmountable amenities which is why Bay Colony Shores can command such pricing.  There’s only 78 single family homes in all of Bay Colony (by the beach)(12 Strand at Bay Colony homes).  Of those 78, there’s only 4 on the market. Call me, let’s make a move
Best Regards,
Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Good Day Naples Friends,  Tis the season! Naples real estate buying traffic is strong, activity is high and lots of exciting new Naples real estate happenings are occurring...

In fact, I just wrote a magnificent Naples real estate post about how the Naples seller behavior is changing only to realize for the sake of some of my deals on the table, I better not post due to the fact that I would not be writing in the best interest of my current clients.  Many times when my posts slow it's because I'm very involved in deals I simply can't write about for the sake of confidentiality.

I fear the content I can't share will not give you what you need to be in the know and have the edge you deserve for being one of my Naples real estate subscribers.  So here, I will speak in generalities and if you would like details, I'm a phone call or email away.

1.  Sellers are getting very confident with some increased pricing but more importantly very tight negotiations.  This is different than years past.  The biggest news is that behavior is inconsistent which is going to cause a ripple of drama.  Buyers not ready for hard negotiations may want to react accordingly and find themselves suffering in the long run because of it.  Call me for details on this.

2.  Some sellers need to be strategic about buying and selling here in Naples.  Some sellers are taking their properties off the market because they can't find another property to replace what they have when they sell.  Until recently it was easy for Naples sellers to put their home or condo on the market, wait for a sale and then have a nice selection of Naples properties to choose from when they get an acceptable offer.  I just lost a deal due to the fact the seller couldn't find another place to go and didn't want to move twice. We might get it together in the near future but this was a downer for my buyer.  We might be going toward a market where some of our more affluent Naples sellers need to go out and find what they want first, purchase and then put their place on the market.  It's hard to believe I'm saying that out loud in this very turmultuous economic state this country is in but it is true depending on where you want to go and the location of your current property.  Many areas of Bay Colony is a place where you could do this pretty easily provided you are priced appropriately when you sell.  It's very wise to have a Naples real estate expert help you do this.

3.  If you like to shop for Naples deals there are some good negotiation opportunities for locations like:

Collier's Reserve, Port Royal, Grey Oaks and Quail West.  All of these locations are showing some oversupply with slightly under or over 1.5 years of inventory.  Keep in mind each negotiation may go differently so if it is at all possible (which it should be since your main motivation here is the "deal")you will want to go in and choose 3 properties and know the first one or two may not go your way but I do think some sellers here should show you some flexibility still.  That is probably not going to be the case in areas like Park Shore, Aqualane Shores and Olde Naples since inventories are light and traffic is heavy.

4.  Intelligent agents are putting deals together and/or keeping deals together that may not have made it otherwise.  Because the tables are turning a bit it takes a different and sometimes very aggressive approach to getting the deal done. Smart Naples agents know how to find solutions to problems whether it's property condition, beginning negotiation stale mates and other tricky aspects of the contract to close timeline.  I have also seen a few examples where inexperience or lack of business acumen has obliterated a deal to pieces...very sad. 

It was said the other day during a John R. Wood board of directors meeting (I currently hold a position there thanks to having the honor of working with some fantastic clients) that some sellers will think they can get their deal done without an agent now that the market is turning.  If getting the deal done is your goal, that's fine...but if getting the deal done with the
1.  highest and best price
2.  timeline you prefer
3.  and without additional exposure to expensive legal issues

is the goal, having an excellent Naples Realtor with their vast network of experienced professionals behind them may be a small price to pay in the long run...especially if you're talking about some of the bigger ticket items around town. 

Friends, these contracts look very simple and they are for someone who assist people with them everyday. I have found the most successful buyers and sellers hire the best Naples real estate professionals to handle their real estate business because:

1. They have more time to do what they really enjoy doing.
2. They recognize the value in someone having the experience they do not in handling some of the local behavioral aspects that arise during the marketing and negotiating of their property.
3. They understand the vast network of professionals that stand behind their Naples Realtor to get the job done in the best most convenient way.
4. They know their Realtor and network will keep them performing within the timeline of their contract.
5.  They can get the extra assistance they need when things get emotional...let's talk about that one.

The most legal exposure occurs when times are most emotional.  When is real estate emotional?  When there is a clear upper hand and a clear underdog ie. when it is a Buyers market or a Seller's market.

YOU SCREWED ME!

Doesn't naturally occur for the most part in a happy, amicable, stable, even market.

It can be tough for sellers and/or buyers to not want to inch a little closer towards the edge when they feel like they have a solid edge to negotiate and it can be easy to completely and unknowingly go over that edge when performing to a contract. What I mean by that is that sometimes when the intentions are completely honorable you can cross a legal line that can get you in a huge pile of crud.  It can cause a horrible legal stink that ultimately the guilty party would've never caused to happen had they known what their legal responsibility was.  Because of our experience, we can say....ehhh that may not be such a great idea, here's why... This is one of those points I'd love to follow up with an example but I can't.  Call me for details on this one.

Ok, that is all I have time for today.  Buyers, put your helmets on! Give me a call, let's make a date and let's do this!!!

Sellers, give me a shout! Let's make a plan and let's get rolling!

PS~ Days til Winter = 20!!!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Naples Real Estate Today

I was contacted yesterday by a correspondent who's preparing to write a segment on the current Naples real estate market. When she calls I always try to give her accurate, cutting edge information only a few may have already realized.  Here's what I told her:

If last year's big Naples real estate story was dwindling inventories, this year's big story will probably be about the turn towards a seller's market, smaller list price to sales price ratios and higher pricing.

Naples Real Estate Buyers: Get Strategic!  Up until now it's been fairly easy to march into any Naples neighborhood and find some sort of deal.  Not so much anymore. Ideas of negotiating heavily off list prices in all Naples areas like the beachfront in Bay Colony and other locations throughout Naples are probably in the past. 

As an example there are two properties currently listed in a neighborhood in Tiburon.  They are priced over 70% higher than the last two units sold.  Statements from the listing agents equated to, yes, those were pretty good deals...suggesting the seller may not be firm but clearly not interested in discounting to past levels.

The Good News For Buyers is you can still negotiate if you're a little more strategic than you were in the past.  If you find yourself wanting a property in a Naples location that's experiencing a high level of sales and you don't think you're going to have much negotiating power, you might consider other options.  While many of our best locations are doing well...some still aren't and may welcome your dollars a little more eagerly compared to other hot locations.

For example:

1.  Olde Naples homes are doing quite well right now with only 8 months of inventory.  It might be better for you (depending on your budget) to consider a location like Aqualane Shores where there's 19 months of inventory on the market right now.

2.  Pelican Marsh has 10 months of inventory while Tiburon has 28 months of inventory.  Your negotiating strategy may be far more welcome in Tiburon than Pelican Marsh.

3.  Moorings mid-rise condos have only 9 months of inventory while Vanderbilt Beach has a 27 month supply of inventory.  I think you're seeing where I'm going with this...

So maybe you like your Naples location and you aren't willing to necessarily consider an alternate neighborhood location.  That can be ok too depending on the situation.

For example:

There's opportunity in Grey Oaks right now because their single family inventory has with just over 20 months of inventory and their detached villa product has 24 months of inventory BUT their low rise product is doing exceptionally well. So maybe instead of doing a Grey Oaks condo, you should consider an area like Terra Verde where there's 5 on the market and none have sold during the past 12 months....(although one is now under contract).

The big thing here is just because you've stumbled into a location where all the product is gone or negotiations have tightened doesn't mean your opportunity is lost in Naples.  Just contact a GREAT Naples Realtor who can help you identify what you really want and help you negotiate a deal you can be happy about.

1.  If at all possible. Get to Naples and get this done before October. NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO NEGOTIATE PERIOD.

2.  The smartest buyers choose more than one property to negotiate. It's the best way to keep the emotion out of it and land a deal just in case that first guy is either unrealistic or unresponsive to your offer.

If you're a Naples Seller ~ It's VITAL you have an agent who knows the market and knows what they're doing. This is the time when some sellers leave money on the table unknowingly because they aren't in tune with a changing market and also a time when some sellers fail at selling because they think their properties are worth more than they are because of recent activity.  If your agent will conduct their business in an accommodating fashion while still having the appropriate level of confidence for you to get your price you should do well provided everybody stays realistic. 

As an example:

I listed a Pelican Bay property last season a tad bit prematurely because the owner had just negotiated a contract for another property but hadn't closed yet. They were concerned about holding their old property for an undesirable length of time but I knew they couldn't give possession of their old unit before they could move into their new one. The end of our official selling season was coming to an end but I felt exceptionally confident we had a great condo at a great price and had no concern selling the property for the price I had expected.

The day we closed on their new unit the seller's wife expressed her grave concern about selling her old condo. I looked her straight in the eye and told her we would get it done and told her she couldn't spend five more minutes worrying about not selling. The following day I presented two offers one of which they accepted. Happily, it came in higher than my originally estimated price.  It's this kind of pressure that can make an inexperienced agent stumble or encourage a seller to sell for less than a property is worth and why you should always list your property with an experienced, proven professional. 

For more answers regarding Naples real estate, please contact me direct. If you'd like to see property or review your market value, please give me as much notice as possible so I can best accommodate your schedule.

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl

Foreclosure in Pelican Bay

Hello Naples Friends,

I just received an email from a gentleman who asked, "Are there any foreclosures in Pelican Bay".

The long and short answer to that question is:

There's 1.

As it stands right now there are only 251 active listings in Pelican Bay which equates to 10 months of inventory putting Pelican Bay in an under-supplied inventory status. There are currently 46 pending sales in Pelican Bay today which means despite the time of year, Pelican Bay is experiencing fabulous sales traffic.

Another portion of his question included,  "is anything under $250,000 in Pelican Bay for sale".  The answer is no.

The lowest priced unit for sale in Pelican Bay is listed for $285,00 and there are only 6 properties in Pelican Bay listed for under $300,000 at this time.

I would not be surprised at all if this is the last year you will be able to find anything under $300,000 for a awhile.

This is just one example of a few Naples real estate requests I've seen lately where I could not accommodate somebody's direct request due to strengthening market conditions. Experience is telling me this is the beginning of a new trend that will last until our general consumer base gets a firm understanding of what's going on in Naples, Florida.

I personally equate shopping for Naples real estate in July to Christmas shopping in June. Y U C K! Nobody wants to do that when there's family vacations, summer bar-b-ques, babies to be born, birthdays to be celebrated, families to be cherished, first homes to be graced etc. BUT, if you're a buyer who wants to negotiate, now is probably the time. Especially if you're thinking you want to buy that winter place in an area like Pelican Bay or Bay Colony or really...any location close to one of our Naples beaches.

Many of you have already take steps to purchase this summer in areas like Pelican Bay, Bay Colony and other Naples beachfront locations.  I have experienced dramatic increases in traffic on my Naples real estate website. Web traffic is a terrific indication of projected real traffic in the next 30-60.  For those of you who don't know, August and September are typically the least productive 2 months in our calendar year.  This year might be a different story.

One of the bonuses about purchasing now is that you can do the lion share of your decision making on my Naples Florida real estate website, I can shoot some video for you for additional information gathering and you (if you're experienced enough) can purchase site unseen so you don't have to take precious time out of your summer agenda to get that winter home deal done. I have a tremendous group of professionals like Naples attorneys, home inspectors etc. who can help you confidently purchase from afar.  We can help you get your deal done effortlessly giving you the time to focus on what you most want. 

This way you won't find yourself competing with the others who will show up when the winter gusts start to howl and the snow starts to blow because by that time your buyers edge will probably be gone with that same blast of wind. The other point about purchasing now is if you negotiate and close your deal this summer, you can make your place your own before high-season so you can really feel at home while that January sun is kissing our Naples beaches and golf courses.  After all is there a better place than Naples to entertain friends and family or just reconnect with your own mind, body and soul during January through April?

For more information or to get the Naples party started, just visit my Naples website or contact me direct!

Happy Summer,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Top 7 Locations For Pelican Bay Deals

I received a delightful email from one of my favorite people today regarding his experience he had while listening to a speaker discuss the future demographics that will affect the economy.  Two of his talking points explained that there will be a shortage of supply in the second home markets of Florida. Just for giggles, I pulled up Pelican Bay...now standing at a 10 month supply of inventory with 12 Pelican Bay communities currently completely sold out...

Most buyers I know like to get a good deal and when markets shrink as they are here in Pelican Bay, those deals become fewer and harder to find.  Clearly there are no deals to be had in those 12 Pelican Bay communities and it could be difficult to get a great deal in the 22 Pelican Bay communities that only have 1 or 2 units left. So instead of spending our time focusing on lost ground, I've compiled a list where you might find some great purchasing opportunities based off market conditions.

Topping our list with the most inventory on the market is:

1. Interlachen at Pelican Bay with 72 months of inventory.  There are 6 available with only 1 unit that has sold during the past year.  This might leave one to believe that there's a "problem" in Interlachen at Pelican Bay. Nah, Interlachen is just fine and if you're going to go after a great deal, you have to be where everybody else is not and let's face it, they here right now.  Interlachen has sold better at other times.  Today is just not her day.  Time will pass, intelligent buyers will sniff out the opportunity here and shortly, Interlachen will level out again. 

These are excellent talking points during a negotiation but you'll want more points than just that when you craft your offer.  That's why it's good to have a full negotiating plan.  That's one of the things I can offer when I work with a buyer.

If you're a seller in Interlachen I have 3 special requests:  Please price your property according to the condition of your unit. Stage if you don't want to remodel and at the bare minimum remove seriously outdated furniture. Outdated furniture (even if it doesn't convey with the sale can KILL your deal).


2.  There's a 2 way tie for second place 60 months of inventory: 

St. Lucia at Pelican Bay with 5 currently on the market and an average day on the market range coming in at a whopping 210 days that is something to be excited about if you're a buyer and seriously bummed out if you are a seller.  Yes the average market time in Pelican Bay is 212 days but that doesn't make it right.  If you are a buyer...the best deals here are probably already gone so some negotiating to get a great deal is required BUT...you never know until you give it a shot.  Sellers, if you want to sell, be aggressive! If you don't, you might take a break for awhile and revisit the opportunities to sell later.

Barrington Club at Pelican Bay: This Pelican Bay neighborhood is hot and then it's not and then it's hot and now it's not. Considered an entry level Pelican Bay community, Barrington Club has quite a bit to be happy about.  The aesthetic feel is very well kept and neat.  It's located very close to the Publix Marketplace grocery store. There are terrific amenities here and at one time, you couldn't come here unless you had over $500,000 in your pocket.  Today you can get something in here in the $300k+ price range or if you were that last buyer, $300k even.  The price points have been lower and they are clearly on the rise but if you're looking for a deal here, you might need to kick over a few stones first.  If you're a buyer be prepared to possibly pay over market for something remodeled or you might have to roll up your sleeves yourself.  If you're a seller, don't be too ambitious on price and you might consider remodeling you're whole unit if you already have been down that road.  You don't always get full credit if you only did a partial remodel because the realization of the time and money involved to an outsider can be more than they want to take on initially.

3.  A tie for 3rd place at 42 months of inventory:

St. Nicole at Pelican Bay Can I tell you there is a screaming deal in here and one that smells absolutely disgusting and they are not the same unit. That is all part of that market knowledge you get when you work with an agent like me :).  One thing I LOVE about St. Nicole is the view. Views from the 5th floor and above are decent and get progressively better the higher you go.  If you're a buyer looking for a great place to put a toe in the Pelican Bay high-rise market, you should consider doing something in this building and you can call me direct to see which one specifically that one should be. ;)  If you're a seller in St. Nicole, pricing logically is probably your best friend.

Toscana at Bay Colony  It pains me to see anything from Bay Colony on the list especially since the neighborhood as a whole is such a success story this year but unfortunately for Toscana...it's slow.  With 7 currently on the market and only 2 that have sold, it's time for sellers to get creative! There are some really cute units on the market here and some of them seemed to be priced fairly well and then others are not...the end.  It's been a tough battle this year between beachfront and barely off the sand in Bay Colony and barely off the sand has kinda lost while beachfront has won, won, won.  That doesn't make those units or buildings a bad buy though and you get considerably more for your money in those buildings if you can live without the full Gulf view...I would encourage you to peek around.  The views of Clam Pass are magnificent! If you're a seller you may want to de-personalize your space if you have amazing taste (especially if those things don't convey with your deal) or possibly stage your home to sell.  If that fails you can always price it appropriately :)

4.  36 months of inventory = Chanteclair Manor at Pelican Bay

I can hardly consciously count this one in my countdown since two of these are fairly new listings and because this Pelican Bay neighborhood is usually such a sleeper with listings hitting the market here hitting so few and far between but that shouldn't stop a buyer from taking note and seeing what can be done with the assistance of a fabulous Realtor, there might be something great that can happen here.  If you're a buyer you're either going to have to do some renovations or you may have to pay more than it's worth.  The location is super fabulous though.  If you're a seller it might be wise to go out of the neighborhood to comp out the value of your home here because some things are simply unexplainable :)

5.   33 months of inventory = Trieste at Bay Colony

This one is a tough one...as many of us know.  The best parts about Trieste is the magnificent amenities in the building and I must say you can tell this building was built during the happiest of times.  They used so many magnificent materials that when you stand in the lobby you feel like you're back in the time before the market meltdown or the financial bubble burst.  It is pure bliss for sure.  Of course it's a dusty mess right now with the parking lot renovation going on but that too shall pass and then it will be back to fabulous for sure.  By the way, do you think those sellers grimaced when they heard there was going to be a big renovation project while they were attempting to sell?  YES...do you think it takes a special buyer to look over the dust and mess and noise to see what really exists...yes...can a buyer be compensated for that?  Probably.... :)

Well, that's all I have time for today.  That' enough to get you started at least.  By the way there are 79 pending properties in Pelican Bay right now did you know that?  If you're planning on coming down this summer, please call or email me as soon as you know your schedule so I can best accommodate you.

Stay tuned on Friday for Part II of Where The Deals Might Be In Pelican Bay.

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Hello Naples Fans!  I'm here to announce I have completed my first full circle of experience in Naples real estate and it only took me 9 years and 10.5 months.  There's something to be said about experience and fortunately for those who put in the time and effort, there's a real payoff.  It's still the one thing that can't bought or acquired through gaming a system in fact....it can't even be gained through just showing up.  You have to be in it to get it. So that's why the few agents who "can" include on their business card, "selling Naples real estate since 200BC".

I used to see all sorts of lingo like that in the old newspaper advertising and used to think, so what! Just because you've been here for that long doesn't make you a great Naples real estate agent.  I must admit I was jealous of all that inside intelligence those agents had and sort of I guess maybe bitter because in my defense, I would've gladly gotten here sooner had I known Naples existed before I did...But, now that I have that full real estate cycle successfully under my belt, I get it and now, I'm one of "them".

How do I know I have the full circle in my pocket?  I'll tell you exactly how the market was when I started selling here in 2002.  We had just dealt with that whole 9-11 tragedy and many of the other agents around town were very detailed about their stories about how miserable the market was for Naples after all that happened.  By the time I got rolling here, the market had somewhat recovered and after awhile the large tone of the buyer prospect base was if I had to sum it up in one word, regretful. They were regretful that they did not purchase when pricing was low.  I met several people who felt like that. They all streamed into town as they often do at the beginning of season and describe in detail that deal they had seen the year before and didn't pull the trigger.  Many went back to where they came from only to be largely disappointed when they came back down.  Some bit the bullet and paid more for similar Naples homes and condos they found of interest. Some lost their window of opportunity all together.

The Naples real estate market moves very quickly here.  I'll never forget the day I was walking through the lobby of my office and overheard a young couple who were looking at a huge map of Collier County.  She said, I can't believe there isn't one house on this whole map we can afford.  I was in the parking lot of our office by the time I thought to myself...didn't you know that before you came here???  How did you not get on the internet to do some peeking around before you got on that plane, forgetting that not everybody shopped for real estate that way then.
Then the Naples market went into that crazy feeding frenzy where buyers bought everything even if it didn't make sense no matter what you said to try to talk them down.  The best example from that time is the argument I had with a lady who was planning her arrival the day before Hurricane Wilma was supposed to hit...do you know it took 4 separate conversations with her to get her to cancel her flight...shesh.  There's several other turns in the natural real estate cycle as many of you know already and I won't bore you with all the details here but I want you to know:

Where Naples Is Now ~ This Is Important.
Pricing has already started to go up in many Naples luxury neighborhoods and listing inventory in some locations is ALARMINGLY low meaning pricing is going up.

Here's a snapshot from Trulia last week:

While it is customary for new listings to slow down this time of year it sure as heck isn't customary for pricing to go up or for the number of price reductions to go down.

This is the time of year when sellers mourn the loss of their successful negotiation they were hoping for during high-season.  The average listing price went up over 1% in a week...the second week of May...WHAT?

Sales are up 16% for the month of May compared to the first 21 days of May last year. Up 19% compared to 2 years ago during the same time.

The reason why I think this is SO important is because I was completely bewildered by the amount of people who seemed to be so caught off guard about the price increases Naples recognized back then.  How do you find yourself priced out of a market?  I remember thinking to myself, had I been working with you last year, you would've bought because I would've told you it was going to go that way.  I guess I always assumed agent were giving potential buyers a heads up.

Just last week I showed 3 units in Pelican Bay with what should be considered a fabulous Gulf view under (a certain price range).  I only showed 3 because that was really all there was...I didn't even know that myself until I offered to find more product for my customer only to be equally blown away at the lack of inventory currently available.  It had been a month or so since I'd been nosing around in that exact product and now...not much was left.

Of the three available, one was a smelly dog (hard to believe), the second was an ok deal and the last, an outstanding deal. I do not expect this one to be around for too much longer. Contact me direct if you want more information about any of those 3 because after these I expect this to be it.

Earlier this year you could purchase beachfront in Bay Colony for $1,325,000.  Now it's $1,975,000 That prices some who were looking earlier this year completely out of the market unless something more affordable hits the market between now and next season.

I sadly have discovered that now there are probably 5 customers who will be among the group who will come back sometime within the next several years and say, "we should've bought that one...". It honestly makes me sad to come to this realization.  Was there something more I should've said or maybe did I say too much?  Maybe I'll just write a blog post to the rest of you in hopes of preventing more of this in the future.

So while it may not have been a first priority for you to come and see what's available right now, it might be best financially for you to make a plan and get down here. Of course you can always purchase site unseen as well and we'll make the process as easy as possible should you identify something you like.

If you want to come down and look for yourself, PLEASE let me know in advance so I can do my best to accommodate you. After all, I have that full Naples real estate cycle on my side along with a fabulous knowledge of the Naples real estate market and excellent negotiating skills.

For more questions on Naples real estate or to simply get the ball rolling give me a shout or shoot me an email direct.

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Bay Colony Naples Florida Update 4/23/12

It appears the tables have turned in favor of the sellers for Bay Colony Naples Florida this year. With barely over 9 months of inventory buyers were found scrambling for the best Bay Colony choices this year and some were simply not happy about it.

As an example I received a call from a lady earlier this season who sounded exasperated about an experience she was going through with her husband.  They had just tried to purchase a Bay Colony beachfront condo and had lost the deal because  they ended up in a competing situation and lost. They felt like maybe they had been slighted and wanted to know my opinion about what was going on in the Bay Colony market.

Yes, it did heat up quite considerably this year and some buyers found they had lost their negotiating power. In fact I had buyers who simply decided not to purchase this year because he's hoping if the election doesn't go well, they'll have more power next year.  He's not the only one who felt that way, I had two buyers who are hoping if taxes go up considerably next year, some Bay Colony sellers may decide to sell which will push inventories up a little and give buyers the negotiating power they've grown accustomed to during the past several years.

Current inventories are light and even though we had a ridiculously mild winter up north, many buyers still have their eye on acquiring Bay Colony property which is a strange phenomenon in itself. Not that we don't sell property when it's nice up north...we just don't sell alot of it.  As an example, there were 7 properties in Bay Colony that went under contract in April last year (when many were experiencing record snow falls. There are currently 7 Bay Colony properties under contract so far this April).  Demand is increasing. Period.

The other point that has me a little worried for future Bay Colony buyers is we have sold almost all entry level Bay Colony properties.  As an example, for just under one million, you can acquire a Bay Colony condo. That is the lowest priced unit to get into Bay Colony, it has been at that price for awhile.That one is located in Mansion La Palma (if you like tennis, you will LOVE Mansion La Palma). If you want beachfront in Bay Colony now you're going to have to bring nearly $2,000,000 to make it happen.  The lowest priced unit on the beach this season was $1,350,000 those days might be over for awhile. Another example is located within the Bay Colony home statistics.  The lowest priced home in Bay Colony was on the market for $2,695,000. Now the lowest priced home is $4,495,000.  Clearly those numbers now price some of the Bay Colony prospect base out of the market and I won't be surprised if I start to hear grumblings about how somebody should've pulled the trigger when they could've.

As a matter of fact, I received a call exactly like that on a a ridiculous deal that took place in Pine Ridge earlier this year. Now those people with a specific set of requirements have no options left but to build...in comparison, building a condo on the beach in Bay Colony...not an option.

That's why I think there's still traffic in Bay Colony and why I think we'll continue to see sales through the off season.

Now is a good (not terrific) time to be purchasing in Bay Colony because you do have some obvious talking points but obvious talking points are just part of the ingredients to a successful Bay Colony negotiation.  I encourage you as a potential Bay Colony buyer to be strategic. I can help you identify the perfect Bay Colony property and help you prepare a terrific negotiating strategy but it may take some tenacity on your part to get it done.  Also, I don't know many people who enjoy Christmas shopping in July just as it can be tough to get fired up about purchasing in Naples when you're thoughts about Naples have been mentally tucked away like last season's sweaters but....if you think there's going to be any good negotiating this next fall if inventories or low and we get colder quicker (since we seem to be on this 1 to 2 months in advance weather pattern anyway)...you might guess again. Because if the snow starts blowing say in October AND we don't have a great deal of inventory AND the election goes the way many of us hope....it will be tougher than you might have guessed.

Call me and let's get started today so that by the time all that other silliness starts to happen, you have the perfect Bay Colony place to rest your smart self!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!
239-595-6223

Naples Smart Girl's Method of Operation

Hello Naples Friends,
I've noticed there seems to be a common thread with many of the Naples real estate customers I've worked with this season that begins with a bit of perhaps...bewilderment. 
The first phone call starts out with something like:

• Hi, this is _______ we've been using your Naples real estate website and we're thinking about buying and wanted to call you first...
• Hi this is _______ we're in town and saw these properties on your site and wanted to see if you're available...
• Hi we're not sure if we want to purchase or not but we're considering doing something in Naples Florida can we meet...

While I get many calls and/or emails every year there seems to be a little more uncertainty about how it all actually comes together.
As an example, I worked with a F A B U L O U S couple this past week. After initialing the last initial on a contract they had successfully negotiated, she expressed how mystified she was that she could call at the beginning of the week to request a "let's get acquainted" meeting and at the end of the week she's going home with a fully executed contract to purchase a fantastic Bay Colony condo. 
Friends, I am highly trained to hear your every detail when describing what it is you want to accomplish when you speak of purchasing your Naples real estate desire. I can competently point you in the best direction possible to help you locate the exact property that will best fit your wishes within your budget if it exists and can quickly assess if your goals can be reached.  What I mean by that specifically is sometimes what people want in Naples real estate and what they're prepared to spend don't always match up.  If the budget is a little off, I can accurately prepare you for what adjustments need to be made to get you where you will be most happy. Sometimes that means Naples isn't for you.  Most of the time it means Naples will fit perfectly and I can cut out what could be a great deal of wasted time.
It used to be that people wanted to spend hours and hours, days, months, years to find the perfect Naples property to purchase.  Today with the help of the Internet, it doesn't take nearly that long and provided you're able to help me visualize the prize, in many cases I can take you straight there.
Many of my customers today would like to spend maybe a day or two to identify a Naples property they can be excited about and consider it a bonus when they can spend the rest of their time in Naples doing something fun like playing golf, hitting the beach or maybe a little shopping. Because I'm able to quickly identify your needs and wants and have productive conversations with you so you can best understand the "lay of the land" if you will, you're able to accomplish a great deal in a short amount of time.  That's just another benefit you receive when working with me and another example of my continued commitment to make buying and selling Naples real estate super easy and fun.


Even though Naples is now technically in "off season" there are still quite a few people in town looking and purchasing. I want to take care of you. Please help me help you by giving me plenty of time to clear my schedule for you when you come to town and I will do my best to help you reach your Naples real estate objective. 

Contessa at Bay Colony Naples Florida Update

Contessa at Bay Colony current statistics show the building going a little against the Pelican Bay grain.  Here are the current Contessa at Bay Colony stats:

• Contessa at Bay Colony condos for sale = 7
• Contessa at Bay Colony pending condos = 0
• Contessa at Bay Colony sales during the past 12 months = 5

There's a slight oversupply in Contessa right now coming in at 16 months of inventory.  That number hardly seems fair considering 3 of those units just hit the market within the last 30 days.  If you're a penthouse fan, you're in luck! There are 2 on the market at this time and like Julia Roberts said herself in the movie Pretty Woman, "It's the best". You have a real opportunity to capture fabulous views if you can afford it. Talking about fabulous views, one of the features that separates Contessa at Bay Colony from some of the other buildings on our fabulous Naples beaches is the fact that there's single family homes on the south side of this building.  That location is called The Strand at Bay Colony...unfortunately there isn't anything for sale in there now but that's a different blog.  What this means to the Contessa '01 and '02 stack owners is that they have unbelievable jillion mile views down the coast...and how the sun casts her beautiful sunset hue on the homes in the Strand is truly magnificent.   Absolutely outstanding! You must see if you're in the price range! Here's a shot I took today from one of the lower floors.

If you're thinking about buying in Contessa at Bay Colony:  There's a little for everybody on the market right now...high floors low floors penthouses...this is super because there isn't this kind of selection in many of the other Bay Colony buildings so far.  The average list price to sales price ratio is currently at 91% so I wouldn't get too excited about strong arm negotiating here but call me. Let's review your objective and see what we can do about making that happen for you!

If you're thinking about selling in Contessa at Bay Colony:  You have competition so price and condition continue to be key here. Many owners appear to be pretty realistic on pricing and that is fabulous because that will help spur the vitality market value in the building.  That also means you need to be pleasantly aggressive.  Go with somebody who knows how to attract ready, willing and able buyers to your place and keep them interested in your unit compared to bouncing them all over the neighborhood. :) Give me a shout for even more ideas how you can get your unit sold fast!

I hope you enjoyed the Contessa at Bay Colony Naples Florida update.  For more information about Pelican Bay, Bay Colony or any other Naples real estate, call me direct!
Sincerely,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl

Carlysle at Bay Colony

Carlysle at Bay Colony has some recent exciting news.  Here's the latest Carlysle at Bay Colony statistics:

• Carlysle at Bay Colony condos for sale = 3
• Carlysle at Bay Colony sales during the past 12 months = 1
• No pending Carlysle at Bay Colony condos are pending at this time.

Bucking what seems to be the topic of the month is the fact that Carlysle for much of the year was sold out with it's one and only listing available for the 2011 season going under contract in early February and closing in April. 

On the surface there appears to be 3 years of inventory in Carlysle at Bay Colony. I have to admit, that's not a fair picture.  You can't sell what isn't for sale....well you can but that's a blog for a different day.  Seriously though the first listing in preparation for the 2012 season or perhaps sooner went on the market in September with two more hitting the scene this month and let me tell you....there's a REAL beauty in the mix!  I really think there's something for everybody here and priced pretty well for the most part.  You should take a peek at the current Carlysle at Bay Colony condos for sale if you're remotely interested.

If you're thinking about buying Carlysle at Bay Colony: You want to come early if you want your pick of the litter and knowing many of Bay Colony's most fabulous fans, I have a sneaking suspicion one of those is really going to knock your socks off.  I don't really expect it to be on the market long so let's do it today before it's gone or you find yourself in a bidding war.  Bidding wars are only fun for the seller (usually) and let's face it, when you're the one bellying (is that a word?) up to the bar, you want to be treated as you should and that's really hard to do when there's more than one of you at a time.  With a 90% list price to sales price ratio it's going to take alot more than a "poor economy" spiel to get the deal you're looking for and with my 5 point negotiating plan you may have a better shot.  Call me today and let's GO :)

If you're thinking about selling in Carlysle at Bay Colony:  Price well.  Look pretty and hire a listing agent who knows how to smile! You want your magnificent place represented by a smart agent who knows how to do it and since there's competition now, it doesn't hurt to be pleasantly aggressive. You want someone who knows how to attract ready, willing and able buyers and buyers who are happy to be purchasing in Bay Colony.  You don't necessarily want to sign up with someone who knows how to open the door to your home as readily and excitedly as they do all their other listings which are by the way, your neighbors.  Call me today for more ways to a smooth sailing transaction!

I hope you enjoyed my Carlysle at Bay Colony update. For more about Bay Colony, Pelican Bay or Naples Florida real estate, contact me direct!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

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!

Biltmore at Bay Colony Naples Florida

Biltmore at Bay Colony has had a tremendous year! Here are the current stats:

• 3 Biltmore at Bay Colony condos are currently available.
• 6 Biltmore at Bay Colony condos have sold during the past 12 months.
• 0 Biltmore at Bay Colony homes are currently pending.

That means there's only 6 months of inventory in Biltmore at Bay Colony right now. 

While we're on the topic of decor...let's talk about decorative borders.  You know those silly 6 to 9 inch strips of wall paper we used back in the 80's to decorate the top couple of feet of our walls most commonly found in our kitchens and bathrooms. This is a good time to just let it be known that if you have that....it needs to go...sorry.  When buyers ask me for properties that have been updated and I see those borders, 9.9 times out of 10 that listing gets knocked off the must see list...unless there's nothing else to show.  Of all the different things we can do to update a property a little paint can go a really long way in making a unit look SO much better and it's one of the least expensive updates you can do. Besides looking better, paint can also give your unit that, "just been painted" smell and believe it or not some people feel the same way about that as they do that, "new car smell". 

If you're considering purchasing in Biltmore at Bay Colony, pricing has appeared to go up a little. (Can't really blame them) I also see where the average list price to sales price ratio is at a higher than Pelican Bay average coming in at 94% so don't expect to do a whole lot of bickering unless you and/or your REALLY SMART AGENT can put together a compelling negotiating plan.  There are some units that don't require a complete remodel available here which is worth a little something to most Bay Colony buyers.  There's also a nice cross section of opportunities here too so if you like a high floor, a low floor or even something in between, you can find that now. Lastly, you have 6 Biltmore at Bay Colony comps to analyze to make sure you're not overpaying when you go in to negotiate.  Call me today to get started!

If you're considering selling your Biltmore at Bay Colony unit, you might want to consider sprucing up if you have an original unit or staging your property to sell for maximum price.  Much of your competition has caught on to the concept of staging and if you have not, you'll want to call me to find out more about this.  You might be able to ask a few more dollars for your unit depending on what you have to offer but make sure you don't overprice your property or you may find yourself sitting there for awhile.  Also, get on the market within the next month or so if possible.  Many people have already started their Bay Colony searches online and will be making their showing selections shortly and you don't want your unit to be missed.  Let's get going now so we can get your property sold this season!

That concludes the Biltmore at Bay Colony good news.  Give me a shout when you're ready for me to help you out more!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Bay Colony Naples Florida Update

Bay Colony Naples Florida Update!

I know I said I was going to write about Pelican Bay sub-communities separately, and I will...but we can't leave out Bay Colony as a whole! So here it is!

Bay Colony has a LEVEL amount of inventory...in fact in a short period of time it may even be technically under-supplied!

Bay Colony Active Listings = 38
Bay Colony Solds (During Past 12 Months) = 38
Bay Colony Properties pending contract = 4

Market time in Bay Colony is shrinking! Average market time for properties that have sold is 270 days, for properties pending it's 671 days and for Bay Colony properties that remain on the market 244.

List price to sales price ratio is 90.21% but somebody actually negotiated a deal last September for only 68% of list price. WOW! That doesn't happen very often!

At first glance it looks like Bay Colony is getting less expensive since the average list price per square foot of the Bay Colony properties that remain on the market come in at $743/sq. ft. and the sold price per square foot average is $786/sq. ft. but ultimately that is because we had two homes in The Strand at Bay Colony sell during the past 12 months.  Strand homes are the biggest homes in Bay Colony and the only single family homes available on the beach in Pelican Bay. 

You're going to find some Bay Colony High Rise buildings doing very well and some with a slight over-supply of inventory. Some of this is going to be properties that have just hit the market in preparation for the upcoming selling season.

BUYERS~ Do not expect to go into negotiations with just a run of the mill, "the economy is in the toilet" negotiation tactic here. Many owners will hold out for their price as proven by the seller who owned Brighton at Bay Colony 1702. I personally had 2 people interested in that unit who were not willing to pay what the seller wanted.  The owner ended up getting over 95% of his list price...much less than what my buyers were willing to pay.  While it is always great to have a negotiating plan (when you work with me, I provide one to assist you) it must be understood there are some sellers here willing to leave a few dollars on the table to get the deal done, some sellers are more interested in the bottom line and can/will wait. If you think you're ready to make a Bay Colony purchase. Call me to get started!

SELLERS- If you are thinking about selling I would strongly consider reviewing the market in your building or subdivision first and making your decision based on the amount of inventory already on the market if possible. If you don't care about that and you want to sell anyway, property condition and price are two HUGE key factors.  Hard Contemporary decor is not a huge selling point here.  If you have decorated your unit in this fashion, you might consider having your home staged to sell fast and even net more money.  If you have a unit in original or near original condition, it may be most advantageous to do some remodeling if time and money permits. Many units are starting to show their age in Bay Colony and this may become a problem for people who want to net a certain amount or sell quickly.  Pricing your Bay Colony property properly will alleviate any market time issue.
For more information on how you can sell faster and net more, call me direct!

You can expect to see more updates about the individual sub-communities of Bay Colony as we go. 

PS~ I received a call from the sweetest lady from Boston today who is in Naples with her husband and are ready to see Pelican Bay high-rises.  I absolutely LOVED talking with her today and look forward to assisting you with your Pelican Bay endeavors as well!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Villa La Palma Naples Florida Update

Villa La Palma at Bay Colony is STABLE. :)

Not much to report about Villa La Palma other than there's currently one unit available and one sold last year.  That's kinda been the story during the last 5 years:

• 2010- 1 sold
• 2009- 2 sold
• 2008- 1 sold
• 2007- 2 sold
• 2006- 1 sold
• 2005- 3 sold

and while a handful of Villa La Palma properties have sold for over $2,000,000, they've been bringing between $1,700,000 and $1,800,000 during the last couple of years. 

If you're a Villa La Palma at Bay Colony property owner and you're considering selling there are 3 things you can to get the best price for your property.  Update your home if needed, stage it properly and price it right.  There are buyers who will pay a premium for a home that doesn't require heavy renovations and for fabulously furnished properties and while that buyer has been a little scarce over the last few years, we are seeing a new showing of that prospect base today.  Considering it's the end of January you may not have time to do a lengthy renovation.  Let's at least get it staged properly so you can have your home look the best!

If you're a buyer looking at Villa La Palma at Bay Colony, you've got one shot unless you would be willing to consider Vizcaya at Bay Colony but that's a different blog post.   Since there are no blogging rights on the current active listing, I can't go into detail here on this post but give me a shout if you'd like to know more or want to see it. 

5 Bay Colony condos have gone under contract so far in 2011 and 2 have already closed.  Traffic is stronger compared to years past.  Please don't sit on the sidelines thinking you are the only one interested in Bay Colony this year. 

For more information about Villa La Palma or any Bay Colony property, contact me direct!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl

Salerno at Bay Colony Naples Florida Update

Salerno at Bay Colony Naples Florida Update.



Salerno at Bay Colony is one of 4 Bay Colony high rise buildings not located directly on the sand.  While Salerno offers the best Gulf of Mexico views compared to the other 3 high rises, you'll find Salerno also offers interesting Vanderbilt Beach views, and will encompass twinkling lights from the beachfront high rises in Bay Colony at night which is SUPER considering the fact that the Gulf of Mexico goes completely dark at night leaving just a black backdrop for those who just face the Gulf.

Currently there are 6 Salerno at Bay Colony units on the market and once again, only two sales during the past 12 months...the same number of units that sold in 2009.  It's pretty safe to say there are 3 years of inventory in the building currently on the market. 

If you've been following my Bay Colony series of posts, you're starting to see a pretty crazy trend especially if you knew that Bay Colony was really the golden child of all of Naples just a few years ago. 

One of the biggest complaints I get about Bay Colony are the fees and there's no mystery that fees have become a much bigger deal the last couple of years compared to before.  It used to be that people would grimace about the fees, sigh and sign the dotted line but I did notice starting about 2 years ago that people started putting the breaks on purchasing in Bay Colony and the fees were a big part of that decision.  The thing is though, there are people who truly appreciate all of what Bay Colony has to offer...hence the sales that continue to take place.

I do think there are some magnificent deals in Salerno right now and I have noticed there is a HUGE amount of traffic on my website this year from Bay Colony search terms...it might be worth checking Salerno at Bay Colony out now. Let me know if you want to take a peek!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Carlysle at Bay Colony Naples Florida Update 1.5.11

Three cheers for Carlysle at Bay Colony!



Carlysle experienced a FABULOUS 2010!  With only 1 currently on the market and 3 closed this past 12 months, that makes the listing inventory at a 4 month level or UNDER SUPPLY! 

So what happened in Carlysle at Bay Colony that produced such outstanding results compared to her two sister buildings, Biltmore at Bay Colony and Brighton at Bay Colony that paled in comparison as far as closed 2010 sales are concerned? 

First, pricing had a TON to do with it!  With an average of 88% list to sell price ratio and a 99% original list to ending list ratio, it appears only 1 Carlysle at Bay Colony past seller rode the price down through time while the other two Carlysle sellers chose to list pretty close to the price that would cause the unit to sell with just a couple of minor adjustments. 

Now I'm not saying 88% list to sell ratio is a healthy difference....it's still high compared to Pelican Bay as a whole which teeters between 90% and 91% but it's considerably different that the 80% Brighton at Bay Colony experienced last year. 

There's no better way to show value in a community than to prove short market times and low inventory. 2 of the 3 units that sold, sold in less than 6 months which is outstanding for Bay Colony.  One unit took a few contracts, a few back outs and eventually a Carlysle at Bay Colony give away before they experienced a sale...a risk you take when trying to get that last dollar on the table. 

While we're on the subject, let's talk about first offers.  I spoke with one of Naples most successful agents yesterday while shooting video of one of her listings. I explained that while the property she had listed was priced great per square foot...it was a large project and would take a huge amount of money to remodel it and that my buyer's offer would probably reflect this.  She responded by saying,

show me how he came up with his offer, and I'll be happy to present it.  I understand...and you know as well as I do, the first offer is usually the best. 

She explained further her experience when educating sellers of how it works and while many take her advice, many don't and find in retrospect she was accurate in her explanation after losing money by not accepting prior offers. 

For a unit to sell for less than 2 million in a building like Carlysle is such a bonus for the buyer, even if it has to be completely gutted and if I never saw a 1.9 sales price again in this building for a unit with a nice Gulf view, I simply would not be surprised. 

Is this more evidence that the bottom has come and gone in Bay Colony?  Only time will really tell but at least it has in Carlysle at Bay Colony for the time being considering the one left is at almost 3 million. 

To see Carlysle at Bay Colony condos, review Carlysle at Bay Colony sales or review information about Carlysle at Bay Colony, you're welcome to call me direct or visit my Naples Florida real estate website!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!