"We should so live and labor in our times that what came to us as seeds may go to our children as blossom, and what came to us as blossom may go to them as fruit. This expresses the true spirit of mankind." ~ Henry Ward Beecher Labor Day weekend has always signified the traditional end of summer. People plan that last long weekend--friends and family gather to celebrate with a
Read MoreIs it possible that I am calculating the August real estate sales data? --Hard to believe it is already the 1st of September. Holiday decorations are already adorning the stores...kids are back in school...football pre-season has begun...We're working on our 2011 business plan and marketing budget! Where has 2010 gone? Never mind that...where did the entire decade go? Typically, this is the quietest time of year in Naples--August figures reflect that. Pendings are down approximately
Read MoreChip Harris and Michele Peppe Cater to an International Clientele According to a recent article in Florida Realtor magazine; Florida, California, Arizona and Texas account for 53 % of all purchases by international buyers and have remained the top destinations for the past three years, with Florida leading the way. Over the years Chip and I have sold homes and condos in Naples to a wonderful array of international buyers. They hail
Read MoreToday, Chip and I attended the Previews Luxury Symposium. This is a continuing education program provided by the Coldwell Banker Southeast Region designed to give extensive, ongoing training to agents who work primarily in the listing and marketing of luxury residences. The Southeast region includes Dallas, Atlanta and Miami. This training is mandatory for us to be re-certified as Previews Property Specialists. There are approximately 12,000 Previews Specialists worldwide. Less than 1,000 in the state of Florida. It is an
Read MoreHere is a smattering of statistics recently released by The Naples Area Board of Realtors that I think you will find very interesting: Pending sales up overall 28% in the last 12 months. Single family home pending sales are up 71% in the $1-2 million dollar price range in the past 12 months. Median closed sale price in the over $2 million price range is up 17% in the past 12 months. Single
Read MoreIt may only be August, but now is the best time to plan ahead for your winter vacation in SW Florida! Our Naples Rental Department is already heating up with a lot more inquiries than last year at this time...Reservations are being made now for the "2011 Season". Plan early to get the best selections! We've got a great team of leasing agents at The Coldwell Banker downtown location. Just give
Read MoreThe article in today's Naples Daily News begins, "The infamous well is finally under control..." Our beaches are as beautiful as ever...summer tourists are flocking to the area as was obvious last night based on the great turnout at the monthly 'Evening On Fifth' street event...many of the downtown eateries were packed...and the shoppes on 5th Avenue South were bustling! To read the complete article, click Emergency Official No Longer Worried
Read MoreWhat is PREVIEWS ? In 1933, Coldwell Banker established the "Previews" brand, and became one of the leaders of Luxury Property in the real estate industry in the world. Currently we have a worldwide network of nearly 1,000 International offices located in 50 countries. Coldwell Banker Previews International has a distinguished clientele including some of the world's foremost dignitaries, actors, musicians and sports figures. The Previews Marketing Program is recognized as one of the
Read MoreI like sharing statistics about the Naples real estate market...I'm known around the office as the one with all the data and percentages...it is important to me when showing homes to have facts to back up my reasons for why I selected certain homes to show over others. I am a bit of a 'numbers freak'. Lately, I have been asked quite a bit to share some facts about the short
Read MoreEarlier today Chip and I were interviewed by a correspondent from Deutschlandfunk, Germany's National Public Radio station. [Similar to the BBC and our PBS.] The reporter, Bettina Klein, found us by doing an Internet search, and thereby locating our website, NaplesRealEstate.com. She called yesterday to arrange the meeting here at our office on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. She had never been to Naples, so we spent a good
Read MoreThe long, hot days of summer are here, and if you are looking for something really cool to do, we can suggest a few of our favorites! How about summer golf? The South Florida PGA 2010 GolfPass membership is available for only $48 per individual. It offers play on over 200 South Florida courses! Look for GOLFPASS on the menu bar on their homepage! This is an unbelievable opportunity! If
Read MoreI can't even count the number of times over the course of my nearly 30 year real estate career that a seller did not accept a reasonable offer on their home, only to call me days or weeks later asking, "Has that buyer has bought anything yet?" Today's market does not lend itself to sellers holding out for top dollar...Unless of course, they really don't need to sell...and then I wonder, Why are
Read MoreIn a letter dated today, July 1st, 2010, the National Association of Realtors President, Vicki Cox Golder, announced the extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline to September 30, 2010. This is a huge win for REALTORS and homebuyers as well as the National Association of Realtors [NAR] who all worked closely with members of Congress to make it happen! The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts
Read MoreColdwell Banker Expands to 50 Countries! Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC signed an agreement yesterday that expands the Coldwell Banker brand's presence in France, and adds Monaco! With the addition of Monaco, the Coldwell Banker international network is now represented in 50 countries and territories on six continents worldwide! Coldwell Banker France and Monaco is based in Paris, led by Laurent Demeure, president and chief executive officer of Demeure S.A.,
Read MoreA national average tells us that less than 9% of short sales listed will go through to closing! One in every 173 housing units in Florida are more than 30 days late on their mortgage payment. Approximately 30% of the listed homes and condos are "distressed"...80% of those are "underwater", or in a short sale situation. An example of the huge learning curve that all of us in the real
Read MoreJust another follow up to my most recent post (see June 9th, 2010) regarding some interesting trends going on in Southwest Florida. Here's a link to a couple of charts that give a good, clear picture of the strengths and weakness in our present market condition. Click HERE For additional information about the Naples Real Estate market, please call The Harris-Peppe Team today! 239.370.0574
Read MoreIt is hard to believe it's already June! This year is flying by, isn't it? Here's a brief recap of some of the more interesting *statistics about the local real estate market here in Naples Florida: Currently there are 2,270 residential properties under contract in Naples per the MLS. This includes listings that are still considered "Active with Contract" [awaiting contingencies to be met or waived], and those that are
Read MoreIn Naples, the coast is clear! The coast of Florida has miraculously been blessed with weeks of winds blowing mostly from the north and east, keeping "the spill" away...for now. This wind direction is the opposite of normal for this time of year! (photo insert taken on 05/31/2010 between Naples and Marco Island-click on picture to enlarge) Chip and I have not had many inquiries about the oil spill, but it did come up as
Read MoreToday, June 1st, marks the first day of the 2010 hurricane season. This will run for six months, ending November 30th. Here are a few facts about hurricanes, as well as a few helpful websites that I'd like to share with you. Did you know that for hundreds of years, hurricanes in the West Indies were named after the particular saint's day on which the storm made landfall? Using a
Read MoreCurrently, if a buyer asked me to find them a newer home (built 2007 or later), on the water in Naples with direct gulf access; there are presently only 16 to choose from in *MLS. These homes list from $2,195,000: a 2-story Bermuda-style 4 bedroom boasting over 4,300 square feet of living area (that's about $500. per sq ft.) with a beautiful pool, spa, waterfall, outside fireplace, summer kitchen, elevator,
Read MoreThere's a lot going on in the Naples real estate market. Here's a brief recap. The average sale price in Naples is $357,010. In April 2009 the average sale price was just under $350,000. In March of 2010 it went above $400,000 for the first time since November 2008. In January through April 2009 there were 11,243 new listings taken in Naples compared to the first 4 months of 2010
Read MoreSeveral years ago, the brainchild of The Downtown Naples Association, Naples CityFest, became a reality. What began as a celebration for the "locals", who endure the influx of our wonderful snowbirds from approximately October through April, has now become one of the best city festivals of the year! ~And, this event occurs not only in May to kick up our heels at the end of "season", but once again in
Read MoreIt's May 1st, and the polls are closed on the NaplesRealEstate.com blog. 60 days ago I posted this question: "How did you find NaplesRealEstate.com?" The results are in! 70% of the respondents found us by looking in a search engine, 20% read about us in a print media publication, and 10% by personal recommendation. It pays to be on the 1st page of Google where over a quarter of a
Read MoreGet Ready for Breathtaking Sunsets! This luxurious bay front home is waiting for that special buyer looking for one of the most dramatic views in Naples Florida! Located on an estate-size lot measuring 100' X 175' with desirable western exposure in prestigious Royal Harbor! Boasting over 3,700 square feet of Living Area; this well cared for 3 bedroom +den residence features soaring ceilings, great room plan, custom built-ins, crown mouldings,
Read MoreBuying a home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. Many buyers today are interested in a green lifestyle. People want to reduce their "carbon footprint" by taking advantage of the long-term savings that a green home affords. Do you know your "carbon footprint"? I think you'd be surprised to find out what an impact your lifestyle has on our planet. Click HERE to take calculate your carbon
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