Naples Open Houses

Good Morning Naples Enthusiasts!

There are 602 Naples Open Houses today! Here's what's happening in some of the best neighborhoods in Naples, Florida:

• Audubon Naples:      8              $599,000 - $1,300,000
• Collier's Reserve:      1              $1,025,000
• Coquina Sands:         5              $417,900 - $3,795,000
• Grey Oaks:                5              $799,000 - $3,995,000
• Mediterra:                10             $519,000 - $4,250,000
• Moorings:                21             $398,500 - $3,995,000
• Old Naples:             34             $595,000 - $7,995,000
• Park Shore:              20             $199,900 - $6,295,000
• Pelican Bay:            15             $459,000 - $2,328,000
• Pelican Marsh:        16             $349,900 - $1,595,777
• Pine Ridge:               1              $850,000
• Port Royal:               7              $5,750,000 - $15,900,000
• Quail West:            10               $1,400,000 - $4,700,000
• Royal Harbor:          3               $3,995,000 - $4650,777
• Tiburon                    6               $549,000 - $1,325,000
• Vanderbilt Beach     3               $229,000 - $3,999,000

Where you won't find Naples Open Houses today:

• Bay Colony
• Naples Cay

Additionally, you won't find any of the best Naples luxury beachfront condos open today.

If you would like to see properties in Bay Colony, Naples Cay or Naples luxury beachfront condos, you'll have to do it the "old-fashioned way" by making an appointment. Call me! I can assist!

If you would like the entire Naples Open house report, just shoot me a text or email. I'll send it to you!

Happy Hunting!

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

Naples Real Estate Inventory Update

Naples Real Estate Inventory Update: Naples real estate inventories should be high now. A 13% drop in new listings compared to 2016 could raise prices in some Naples neighborhoods. See where!

Vanderbilt Beach Naples Update

With a 95% list price to sales price ratio running for the last 12 months on Vanderbilt Beach, I'd say today is a great day to be a SELLER in Vanderbilt Beach.  Here are some beginning statistics:

There have been 40 (*real) Vanderbilt Beach beachfront sales during the past 12 months.  Here's the stats on the Vanderbilt Beach closed sales:

• Average list price - $2,438,859
• Average list price/sq.ft. $736
• Average sales price - $2,369,512
• Average sales price/sq.ft. $708
• Average days on the market 206

The inventories are low with only 6 months of inventory on the open market which reminds me...let's talk about that.  Vanderbilt Beach has fallen victim to false reporting of beach or Gulf front designations on properties that are absolutely NOT true beachfront or Gulf front locations.  The two biggest areas that are often tagged as such is Regatta which is located here...technically over a block away from the sand:

As you can see from the photo above the properties located on the right side of the photo is Regatta and while it is very much a short distance to the beach it is not beachfront.
The second offensive rich location is located on the north side of Vanderbilt Beach best described as Bluebill Avenue:

Once again...a short walk to the sand (but a longer jaunt than those properties listed across the street from the beachfront properties on Gulf Shore Drive...or is it Gulfshore Drive? Believe it or not the tax records available to the REALTORS through MLS show it both ways depending on what property you're viewing. When you search Vanderbilt Beach properties you'll see both ways on the listings because the address from our tax data auto populates into our listings.  The tax data is wrong, the listing data is wrong. Welcome to my world :).  It's little reasons like this that makes it important to have an expert on location helping your identify properties that fit your requirements and helping you with paperwork saving you time and money.
Back on course...
Vanderbilt Beach properties for sale statistics:

• 20 Active Vanderbilt Beachfront properties exist today.
• Average list price - $1,874,471
• Average list price/sq.ft. - $658
• Average market time - 165 days

If you're paying attention it appears that prices are going down by 11% yet days on the market is also going down by a whopping 20%.  Friends, that whole "if it looks to good to be true it probably is" philosophy rings true here.  The reason why there's such a weird discrepancy in the numbers is because an ENORMOUS supply of inventory in Moraya Bay has closed during the past 12 months and to me, this is the most compelling part of my message.
MORAYA BAY NAPLES Statistics:
A whopping 21 condos in Moraya Bay have sold during the past 12 months that's 29% of the building unless you want to count the other 7 units that are under contract right now bring the sales % for Moraya Bay up to 38%...SAY WHAT? Yes, my friends, people have been purchasing these super high end beachfront condos out of season as well. 4 in June and 3 in July alone...WOW.  That's amazing! While we're on topic, yes pricing is creeping up unless you want to count that one they're keeping at really low price to get you in the door.  It doesn't cost more to have somebody on your side going in...and it's a pretty good idea to do so.  My job is to get people stuff and I'm good at it :).
What I've talked about mostly is YESTERDAY'S news so let's talk about now.
Of course the 7 units still on the market in Moraya Bay are going to feel brand new. While much of Vanderbilt Beach has aged, some of these buildings are going to feel substantially better than say some of the older ones in Coquina Sands or Moorings (located south of this location and closer to Olde Naples). Which is good because most of you really like new. If you can't or don't want to afford the millions it takes to get into Moraya Bay then you still have some FABULOUS choices at some pretty decent pricing so don't feel to inflated about that just yet.  If you'd like a list of my favorite Vanderbilt beachfront listings, call or email me.  :)
With Mercato on the scene just a couple of miles away and still commanding a very young and active vibe this late in the summer, I have to comment that Vanderbilt Beach is showing serious signs of reaping the rewards of cool, sexy night life being SO much closer than it had before it opened. Vanderbilt Beach used to be a four letter word or a complete unknown to much of my clientele but since the opening of Mercato and continued success, it's clearly a destination spot today.  Did you know it's closer to the Fort Myers airport? Between 15 and 25 minutes depending on the location of other Naples beachfront destinations...not bad.
Hey since we're talking about traveling let's talk about the weather. I understand many of you are experiencing cooler and in some cases soggier weather than normal. Breckenridge, Colorado saw their first snow today.  That's 40 days earlier compared to last year.  The tone coming from several of you is anxiousness as you have expressed your desires to purchase in Naples this year. I can help but I need your help. By the uptick of my traffic on my Naples real estate website I'm betting many of you are coming down at or around Labor Day.  I've alerted my team and will make every attempt to accommodate you but you need to contact me so I can assess your objectives and get you on the schedule so I can best serve you.

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!
Of course if you have any questions, comments or feedback...I LOVE it! It reminds me some of you are really out there reading :).
Thanks so much for your support! Those of you who have chosen to use my services in which I actually get paid are helping me put my kiddo through school and helping me support my community that I love.

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

Vanderbilt Beach Naples Ridiculous Deals

There are two terrific Vanderbilt Beach Naples Florida deals right now tailor made for the buyer who has always been a day late and a dollar short!

Vanderbilt Beach Deal #1 "The Fixer Upper"

• Deeded boat dock (Gulf of Mexico Access)
  
• Across the street from Vanderbilt beach
• 1 + den 1 bath condo
• 1 carport space
• community pool
• fees are $675/quarter
• 30 day min lease 12 times per year
  
• Built in 1962
  
• Needs to be remodeled but VERY clean

Priced in the $260,000's (That's all!!!)

Vanderbilt Beach Deal #2 "Beautifully Remodeled"

• Deeded boat dock (Gulf of Mexico Access)
• Across the street from Vanderbilt Beach
• 1 bedroom 1 bath
• 1 carport space
• community pool
• condo fees are $675/quarter
• 30 day min lease 12/per year
• Built in 1962
• PROFESSIONALLY REMODELED
• furniture negotiable

Priced in the mid 300's

Now both of these units are small but are you kidding me?  These prices are fabulous for the person or couple who just want to get out of the cold and enjoy some fun in the sun.  Plus...now with Mercato rocking and rolling you're SO close to great restaurants, shopping, grocery store, movies etc., it's silly!

That's why I'm tagging these two as RIDICULOUS NAPLES DEALS!

Wanna see them?  Give me a shout!

Best Regards,

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!

A friend of mine asked me the other day what my favorite restaurant in Naples was. My response, was, "gosh, do I have to pick just one". I eat out all the time, too much in fact and enjoy the variety of places to eat so I sectioned out what my favorite places were for food types. If you're in town, you must try to stop.
* Tropical Reef, located across the street from Pelican Bay is an excellent place for seafood. I love their sesame encrusted tuna but everything I've eaten there has been out of this world. The outside of the building is a crazy kiwi green color and you may think that the food will not be so great but it is fabulous! The chef is from Texas and is truly a legend.
* Andre's Streak House for steak. We the porterhouse for two when we go and it's awesome! You will not find better creamed spinach ANYWHERE. Again, the outside of this building is old and not very attractive making you think you're going to experience a less than average meal....it is very good. The inside I'm pretty sure has never seen fresh coat of paint so if your an ambiance kinda person, wear a blind fold because the meal is worth it.
* Trulucks for crab claws, steaks and really anything they have on their menu. They're located in Old Naples not too far from Aqualane Shores and Port Royal. The service is phenominal, the menue is outstanding and they have live music, a guy who sings and plays the piano in the bar. It's a great place and during season, near impossible to get into so make sure you make reservations WELL IN ADVANCE or you'll be dining at 5 or 10. Jerry, my husband says they serve the best carrot cake in the world there....he's tried ALOT of carrot cake so I believe him.
* Tommy Bahama's for ribs and the most delicious chocolate brownie EVER. They have live music too and there's really a fun tropical island atmosphere there. They only rsvp 10% of their restaurant so you can get a seat there most of the time but be prepared to wait.
* The Turtle Club they have AWESOME food there too...the best crab cake EVER. They're located on Vanderbilt Beach and it's a great place to catch one of our famous sunsets! OUTSTANDING! Again, this dining room is small so rsvp's are important.
* Darumma for sushi. Located across the street from Bay Colony I think it's the best in town. Their fried roll is served warm with a tangy almost fizzy dipping sauce that is so GOOD!
* The Dock restaurant serves rock shrimp nachos. It's hard to believe their nachos because they have kind of a sweet and spicy chinese sauce on them but they are really good. They're located on Naples Bay right next to Aqualane Shores in Old Naples.
The only thing missing really is super great Mexican Food. Labamba on the north-west corner of Pine Ridge and Airport is the best but it's certainly not fine dining. I guess Mexican food rarely is....but you can get a decent margarita and a very good giant quesadilla there.
There are more Italian food places than you can shake a stick at down here. I'm not that big of a fan but if you must, Il Bellagio seems to get pretty good reviews.
I'm sure there's more, but it's late. I'll do some thinking and come up with part two perhaps tomorrow.