CatchySimpleShortSweetWittyDirect and, most of all... Memorable! Here are a few of my personal favorites... "Connecting People" ~Nokia "Because You're Worth It." ~L'Oreal "The Ultimate Driving Machine." ~BMW "Expect the Best" ~Coldwell Banker "Where Do You Want To Go Today?" ~Microsoft If I had not listed the company name you probably would have guessed most of them correctly, right? But, if any of these companies had the slogan without the substance to back it
Read MoreI am always a couple of days delayed when the 1st of the month lands on a Friday, but here are a few statistics from September that I found interesting and wanted to share with you: New listings taken in Naples, September 2010 numbered 1299. This is the fewest number of new listings taken in a month since August 2009. Currently there are 7,709 Active residential listings in Naples. Both "Pendings" and
Read MoreThe difference between September 30th and October 1st is this: One day it still feels like summer, the next day you're trying to decide at whose house will you be eating Chistmas dinner...The pumpkin decorations have been out at the stores for weeks, but I was still able to avoid that "the holidays are upon us" feeling....Until today! Turning the calendar page over, and having it read "OCTOBER" does it to me every
Read MoreThis is a long story, but I will try to make it as brief as possible. Basically, I am just wondering what kind of experiences other agents are having when out of the area, flat rate brokers are listing homes in the Naples area, and we are forced to handle both sides of a sales contract's negotiations? I've had several experiences, none of which have ended in a sale. Here
Read MoreThere is definitely something for everybody in Naples Florida. Check out this spacious 1st floor two bedroom, two bath condo with a 28' boat dock included! This fabulous condominium is located in Mariners Cove--a hidden treasure right on the Gordon River, within walking distance to all the downtown amenities. The low condo fees include general insurance, professional management, a reserve fund, water & sewer, basic cable, exterior & interior pest control, lawn care and recreation
Read MoreIn Naples, when we say, "Season's coming", we don't necessarily meaning the holiday season...Contrary to popular beliefs, we DO have seasons in Southwest Florida! Dry and Rainy--just kidding...although that is pretty much right on! ~What I am actually referring to is our "Selling Season". When the autumn winds start to churn, and leaves begin to fall...the annual migration of snowbirds begin to make their way down to a warmer climate. Whether
Read MoreNaples Beachfront Le Ciel Park Tower offers one of the most prestigious addresses along Naples eminent Park Shore beach. Spectacular views of both the Gulf of Mexico and Venetian Bay from this 14th floor mansion in the sky! Three spacious bedrooms, 3 full-baths, an updated kitchen with stainless appliances & granite, brand new gorgeous hard wood flooring, Bahama shutters, and an expansive screened terrace with built-in BBQ...Imagine yourself watching the magical sunsets
Read MoreBIKE TO THE BEACH! This little slice of paradise is waiting for a new owner to call it home! Year round, or seasonally, this is a fabulous opportunity to buy a 2 bedroom / 2 bath, first floor, lakefront condo west of U.S. 41 within close proximity to the beaches, downtown amenities, and all the great Naples shopping! The western exposure gives you the best sunsets over the picturesque lake. Spacious living
Read MoreI remember when I was a little girl...every year on December 7th my father would share stories with me about the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was a moment...a day...a date in history, that he would never forget--that our nation would never forget. It was important for him to tell me about that day---He instilled deep within me, a passionate love for my country. Today, December 7th comes and goes with very little
Read MoreThese are the Top 10 Market Facts for Uncertain Times, as reported yesterday on The National Association of REALTORS website. We also believe that the prices are close to, if not at the bottom in Naples; and trends have shown a leveling off in all price ranges in the past several months. So far, in the first 10 days of September, which is typically a "quiet" month in Naples, we have
Read MoreAbout 50 miles east of downtown Naples, heading through The Big Cypress National Preserve on Route 41, lies an adventure of a lifetime. Back behind Clyde Butcher's gallery, along Loose Screw Sanctuary Road, deep into the pristine swamp forest, the understated majesty of the 400 year old cypress trees and still dark waters call out to those brave enough to venture in... For much of the 90 minute hike through the
Read More"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.,
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