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!

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

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!

Strand at Bay Colony Update

Strand at Bay Colony Naples Florida Update

The Strand at Bay Colony is the most luxurious and exclusive enclave in Bay Colony and is one of Naples most coveted locals.  Today 2 of the 12 Strand at Bay Colony homes are available ranging over 10 to nearly 13 million dollars.   The tail end of Bay Colony Drive looks like something out of a European old world village but few people seldom get the luxury of a drive by since all of these homes sit behind a second gate within Bay Colony.  Some residents with units in buildings like Marquesa at Bay Colony, Salerno at Bay Colony and Toscana at Bay Colony and even Montenero at Pelican Bay can admire the Strand at Bay Colony from afar while Contessa at Bay Colony has a more up close and personal view of the exquisite architecture this haven has to offer. Don't be fooled though...even with the Contessa high rise as a neighbor, the Strand at Bay Colony still offers outstanding privacy to surroundings and pool areas. 

One of the attributes the Strand at Bay Colony has to offer is its location on the Naples beach.  The closest public access point is about a half mile starting at the Ritz Carlton and stopping at the first house in the Strand.  That's quite a stroll on the sand for most people and while you'll see many people walk the beach it's a tough jaunt if you think you're going to take your own beach chair and all the other stuff that makes for a great beach experience all the way down just so you can park it in front of one of these beauties. So while there is no private beach in Bay Colony or in Florida for that matter, it might as well be because it's quiet for the most part. 

Some who aren't familiar with the Strand would think 2 out of 14 homes currently listed might be cause for alarm...nah.  Let's face it, not everyone can stroke a check for 10+ mil and these sellers, I'm guessing, have the ability to wait for a real buyer.  While we're talking about real buyers, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to purchase.  You won't be entering any of these homes without the proper documentation.

For those of you who are skeptical about pricing and can stroke the check, the Strand at Bay Colony is worth taking a peek.  Historical figures show homes at Strand at Bay Colony have brought an average of $1,354 price per square foot overall since inception and values have remained steady.  It must be something about supply, demand and ability to hold.  Let's face it we're not talking about a large area and it's not likely to expand much from here.

For more information about Strand at Bay Colony or any Naples Beachfront real estate, contact me direct and I'll be happy to accommodate you.

Hope you're staying warm where you are and if not, there's a fix for that!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

Naples, Florida Magnificent Properties

If there was ever a time to select a magnificent Naples, Florida property...now might be the time to do it. Not because prices are rock bottom or because "now is the time to buy" which is (in my opinion the most overused and least believed term in real estate)...but I believe now is the time to check out the inventory because now more so than any other time in my seven year Naples, Florida real estate memory have there been SO MANY INCREDIBLY AWESOME PROPERTIES to choose from.

I feel it's important to preface, I'm not talking about the really pretty Naples houses and Naples condos you've grown accustomed to seeing if you're familiar with my market. I'm talking about the kind of properties that will absolutely leave you breathless.

I've been previewing and showing pretty much solid for the last few weeks. I've also been keeping my eye on the market almost as often as I did during our crazy days back in '04 and '05 because I have buyers who want specific product that simply isn't available right now.

Just this evening I noticed a new listing that hit the market in the Strand at Bay Colony...one of the most exceptional locations in all of Naples. Currently there are three for sale there which is unusual but more importantly the FINEST OF THEM ALL just went on the market today. I had the luxury of dining there during the Naples Winter Wine Festival a few years back and I simply can't tell you how phenomenal this property is. Anybody who has walked by on the beach knows which one I'm talking about and anyone who's "anyone" knows how truly amazing this place is.

This estate along with the other two fabulous listings located in The Strand are not properties designed for the weak at heart. It will take a pretty penny to purchase one of those magnificent homes with prices beginning at a cool $14,990,000 and increasing from there but I think they're worth it. The owners know they are too and will be the type of owner who will wait for the right person to step up to the plate.

Now before you get your hopes up in taking a drive by or perhaps scheduling a showing, be prepared. There are two gates preventing you from doing a drive by and even the sweetest talking driver can't get through them. Also, be prepared to show a little documentation proving you have the means to make the purchase. There won't be a broker's tour and they won't open the door for just anyone.

If you find those choices to be a little out of your budget or perhaps estate homes are not your style, l'd love to introduce you to some of the luxury high rise condos I've been previewing as of late. The Windsor is considered THE building to be in on the beach at Bay Colony and there is every good reason for that. There are currently three units available there starting at $5,699,000 and continue to increase in price to slightly over $10,500,000.

I've only previewed two as the last is entirely out of my customer's desired price range but the two I saw are guaranteed to tickle your "I gotta have that" bone. There's also a magnificent unit in Remington that cannot go without mention. The decor there is absolutely awesome but when it comes right down to it, there's a unit in The Windsor that made my eyes water. The decorating and lay out may be the absolute best I've ever seen....EVER.

Continuing to Park Shore there's a high rise condo at Le Rivage that I would give another highest rate of approval on. Again the floor plan and decor here was above exceptional. The location for those who prefer more of a city feel might choose this location over Bay Colony and between this one and the one in The Windsor, if it were my money well, I might have to buy both and try them out for awhile before finally deciding...they are that great.


I also had the opportunity to preview one of only two beachfront villas for sale in Park Shore. Again a spectacular place offering something unique and special that the Park Shore beachfront high-rises can't do. A private pool with view of the beach, soaring ceilings and ample square footage with a fabulous floor plan are just a few of the superb attributes this place has to offer. A must see if nearly $4,000,000 is within your range.



Continuing South I could not complete my post without mentioning three more fabulous Old Naples homes I've either shown or previewed within the last couple of weeks. Price ranges start at a "wiggle" over $2,000,000 and increase to a whisper under $6,000,000. All of them are remarkable in their own outstanding ways. The lowest priced one I firmly believe is the best deal in Old Naples and is an absolute knock out. The character and appeal displayed throughout every inch of this home will please the most discriminating buyer and if that buyer is somehow attached to the most number driven counterpart, even they will find no reason to turn it down. This home is a perfect match for both parties.

My next favored property is located just over a stone's throw to the beach and within a tiny distance to 3rd Street where fine dining and shopping awaits. It has been masterfully decorated and the home design must have been brilliantly selected for the lot overlooking a beautiful lake. It will take a tiny bit more ranking in at almost $6,000,000 but again, the buyer who "wins" this one is winning something truly sweet.

My last notable property I've had the luxury of previewing is not on the market yet and I doubt it will be on long. It's a brand new construction single family home on a fabulous over-sized lot with every custom feature included. It's beautiful, unique and exquisite not super formal or casual but possesses the ability to swing either way. The builder is one of the most highly regarded builders in all of Old Naples and there's no mystery as to why he holds such an outstanding reputation. You can see just by touring the home that he loves what he does and what he creates loves him back.

This has been a remarkable time for me. To see the magnitude of real estate I've seen has always been a dream of mine.

If you'd like to see what I see or if you'd like me to talk about your property the way I've described these, I'm happy to take your call.