Real Estate News

NAPLES, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2012) – Judy Green, President and CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, announced today that the luxury real estate brokerage achieved sales of more than $1.7 billion through the end of 2011, an 18 percent increase from the same period in 2010, solidifying its position as Naples’ and Southwest Florida’s leading luxury real estate firm.

With the largest market share of properties sold for more than $1 million ─ more than its next two competitors combined ─ Premier Sotheby’s International Realty is the largest luxury real estate brokerage in Southwest Florida. According to the most recent Real Trends 500, the leading source of analysis and information on the residential brokerage industry, Premier…

Mercato Naples is the new mixed-use community located just north of Vanderbilt Beach Road and US41 and built by a collaboration of the Collier Companies and the Lutgert Group that has had Naples buzzing.

The Strada at Mercato offers one-of-a-kind sophisticated luxury living where residents can enjoy all the amenities that Marcato has to offer. The community is city living at its best and is located only minutes from the pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.

Buyers can choose from one, two or three bedroom condominiums with each unit boasting crown molding, wood flooring, marble master baths, granite countertops, as well as designer appliances. 

The complex combines the best of everything...city living residential units, upscale shopping, dining…

It has been a long time coming, but recently the Bonita Bay Community Association finally was turned over to the residents.  Prior to that, the association board had been made up of members appointed by the developer, Bonita Bay. 

The association board was prior and is now responsible for for overseeing the management of the master community association within the requirements of Florida Statutes, as well as the Bonita Bay Homeowner Association Master declarations.

The former board of directors felt that the time was right to transfer responsibilities to the residents and have them take control.  During the transition time, the old board worked with a team of residents comprising the Homeowners Transition Committee.  The vote for transition was 7 - 0. …

Back in early June, the Wall Street Journal published an article that touted all the reasons why it is time to buy real estate.  While some of the article may not be pertinent statistically to our area, the general gist of it certainly applies.

Our summer sales are strong and getting stronger and as we begin the runup to 'season' in the Fall, I believe that they will look even better.

For a look at the article, please CLICK HERE.

A just released report of the 23 top hotspot cities in the United States for international buyers included Naples which was ranked at #7.  40% of the most popular destinations were in Florida, and for good reason, lower price points and favorable currency exchange rates.

It would not be unexpected because Naples has always appealed to international buyers going way back into the 60s and 70s when the Germans discovered the area and began purchasing properties.  People from the United Kingdom and Austrailia are also very partial to Florida. 

Florida has always been a hot destination for the Canadians as well and even more so now with the strength of their economy, as well as the Canadian dollar being on par or over for the past six months.  Canada is fast…

International buyers are streaming in to the United States to purchase property and this past year has shown the highest increase in recent memory by some $16 Billion.  What's even more amazing is the fact the Florida garnered 31% of the total international transactions last year!  That was followed by California with 12%, Texas with 9% and Arizona with a mere 4%.

Not only has the U.S. always been attractive to foreign investors, but more so now with the plentiful inventory coupled with low price points.  Plus the fact that the marketplace has gone global.  Realtors are working hard to put together international transactions and many, like myself, have worked to attain their CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) designation to make it easier…

Month after month, year after year Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. leads the league in total real estate sales volume and closed transactions and last year was no exception.  Even in the down years that we have experienced, our firm has done well over one billion dollars in sales, an astounding figure! 

Naples International Group is proud to be a part of the Downing-Frye family and look forward to a banner year ahead as the greater Naples Real Estate Market continues to gain strength.

For the past five or six months, the Canadian buyer has been a strong player in the market.  With their dollar hovering around par and sometimes over par, the Canadians have bolstered the market and have been responsible for a great amount of the sales volume, although primarily…

The main issue is that in a lot of cases, the foreclosed properties were not executed properly. Although closed, these homes could potentially have major problems with clouded titles down the road when people go to sell them and the legal process to get them untangled could be extremely costly.

It is our position that until…

NAR (National Association of Realtors) stated in no uncertain terms that families will suffer greatly if the current freeze on foreclosed properties is allowed to continue.

Those who will be affected will be  the buyers of foreclosed properties in several different categories, first-time buyers, as well as move-up buyers. While awaiting closing there will be great fear and anxiety that the closing will in fact not take place because a clear title may not be able to be issued because of the lender foreclosing imporperly.

For those interested in purchasing a foreclosed property, they would be well advised the read the following article and pay close attention to how the issue is to be resolved. Read the article HERE.

Having just completed my C.I.P.S. (Certified International Property Specialist) course because I'm interested in the foreign buyer and establishing a base in certain countrys, it was gratifying to read an article recently about the increase of foreign interest in Florida properties. Coupled with that, I have tracked the countries around the world that have produced interested customers for greater Naples Real Estate opting in through my website at www.previewnaples.com. The numbers are staggering!

Naturally with the advent of the Canadian dollar again almost on par with the US dollar, the Canadians lead the league. Since the first of the year, there were an amazing 20,599 hits from the province of Ontario followed by Quebec with 2,902 and British…