Remote Work Is Changing How Some Buyers Search for Their Dream Homes

The way Americans work has changed in recent years, and remote work is at the forefront of this shift. Experts say it’ll continue to be popular for years to come and project that 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025. To give you some perspective, that’s a 417% increase compared to the pre-pandemic years when there were just 7 million remote workers.

If you’re in the market to buy a home and you work remotely either full or part-time, this trend is a game-changer. It can help you overcome some of today’s affordability and housing inventory challenges.

How Remote Work Helps with Affordability

Remote or hybrid work allows you to change how you approach your home search. Since you’re no longer commuting every day, you may not feel it’s as essential to live near your office. If you’re willing to move a bit further out in the suburbs instead of the city, you could open up your pool of affordable options. In a recent study, Fannie Mae explains:

“Home affordability may also be a reason why we saw an increase in remote workers’ willingness to relocate or live farther away from their workplace . . .”

If you’re thinking about moving, having this kind of location flexibility can boost your chances of finding a home that fits your budget. Work with your agent to cast a wider net that includes additional areas with a lower cost of living.

More Work Flexibility Means More Home Options

And as you broaden your search to include more affordable options, you may also find you have the chance to get more features for your money too. Given the low supply of homes for sale, finding a home that fits all your wants and needs can be challenging.

By opening up your search, you’ll give yourself a bigger pool of options to choose from, and that makes it easier to find a home that truly fits your lifestyle. This could include homes with more square footage, diverse home styles, and a wider range of neighborhood amenities that were previously out of reach.

Historically, living close to work was a sought-after perk, often coming with a hefty price tag. But now, the dynamics have changed. If you work from home, you have the freedom to choose where you want to live without the burden of long daily commutes. This shift allows you to focus more on finding a home that is affordable and delivers on your dream home features.

Bottom Line

Remote work goes beyond job flexibility. It’s a chance to broaden your horizons in your home search. Without being bound to a fixed location, you have the freedom to explore all of your options. Let’s connect to find out how this freedom can lead you to your ideal home.

September 23rd, 2023 Posted by Matt

Foxfire Condo Sold!

Another Foxfire Condo Sold! Congratulations to our clients from Massachusetts who just closed on this golf condo in an excellent Naples bundled golf community.

Foxfire Condo Sold – 5351 Fox Hollow Dr. Unit 301 Naples, FL – $481,500

More About this Naples Florida Foxfire Condo:

This highly sought after end unit overlooking the golf course in Foxfire Country Club is light and bright. Gleaming hardwood floors, updated kitchen with quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

This Verandah unit with two bedrooms plus a den and 2 bathrooms offers an open courtyard in the front of the unit and an enclosed sunroom with panoramic views of the golf course. Conveniently located to the clubhouse and all the amenities Foxfire CC has to offer.

• Bedrooms: 2 plus den
• Bathrooms: 2
• Square ft.: 1,663
• Year Built: 1984

Are you considering buying or selling a home in Foxfire? Contact us today!

More About Foxfire Country Club

Foxfire Country Club is a gated community of condos, villas and single family homes with equity membership and home purchase. There are 27 holes of golf on 385 acres designed by Arthur Hills.

Each of the six associations in Foxfire offers a swimming pool and tennis courts. The club is in the midst of significant renovations of the main clubhouse, bar and grill, and fitness center. In addition the club offers Bocce Ball, plus a wide array of social amenities.

Naples Florida Foxfire Country Club single family homes start at $485,000 and condos start at $267,000.  Learn more about Foxfire Country Club…

Not sure which golf community is right for you? Let us be your guide. Call or text us today at 239.370.0892.

September 22nd, 2023 Posted by Matt

Spanish Wells Condo Just Listed!

Turnkey Furnished Spanish Wells Condo Just Listed is on the first floor and overlooks the golf course in a North Naples gated golf community.

9855 Costa Mesa Ln. Unit 403 Bonita Springs, FL – $359,000

More About this Spanish Wells Condo for Sale:

This beautifully appointed condo is in a PRIME location, just west of US-41. Conveniently located 3 miles to the sandy white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy your morning coffee on the tiled lanai with outstanding golf course and water views. Plantation shutters and granite countertops are just a few of the updated finishes throughout the condo.

A 1-car detached GARAGE and GOLF CART GARAGE are deeded to the property, along with an assigned parking space. Roll-down shutters on the lanai offer storm protection in the summer months.

And after a round of golf enjoy relaxation lounging at the pool, only steps away from the property. A 27-hole golf membership to Spanish Wells is optional.

• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• 1,146 Square feet under air
• Built in 1992

Virtual Tour…

For a private tour, contact us at 239-777-8870.

Learn More About Spanish Wells:

Spanish Wells Country Club is a gated golf community located in Bonita Springs, FL.  The community is situated on 600 acres that were originally planned with an 18-hole golf course designed by Gordon Lewis. Designer Bruce Howard added an additional nine holes in 1996. Water hazards are the main obstacles on these courses as they come into play several times.

Hidden in the beachy town of Bonita Springs which is Southwest Florida’s best-kept secret.  Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club provides a fun and active lifestyle for Club Members with a 27-hole Championship Golf Course. Additional amenities include a Fitness Center, Bocce Courts, Pickleball, Bocce, a Relaxing Heated Pool, and 3 Har Tru Tennis Courts with a premier playing surface!

This gated community is conveniently located in Bonita Springs only minutes from shopping, dining, and the pristine white sandy beaches of the gulf coast.

Learn more…

Home Selling Tips

Make Your Home Listing Stand Out

Why Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

Home Selling Tips…

Are you considering selling your home? Call us today to learn your home’s value in today’s market – 239-370-0892.

Spanish Wells Golf Condo Coming to Market Soon!

Turnkey Furnished Spanish Wells Golf Condo is about to hit the market! This TURNKEY furnished 1st Floor Spanish Wells Golf Condo has it all.

9855 Costa Mesa Ln. Unit 403 Bonita Springs, FL

More About this Spanish Wells Condo for Sale:

You can’t beat the PRIME location, only steps away from US-41 and 3 miles to the Beach. Enjoy your morning coffee on the tiled lanai with outstanding golf course and water views. Plantation shutters and granite countertops are just a few of the updated finishes throughout the condo.

A 1-car detached GARAGE and GOLF CART GARAGE are deeded to the property, along with an assigned parking space. Roll-down shutters on the lanai offer storm protection in the summer months.

And after a round of golf enjoy relaxation lounging at the pool, only steps away from the property. A 27-hole golf membership to Spanish Wells is optional.

• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• 1,146 Square feet under air
• Built in 1992

Learn More About Spanish Wells:

Spanish Wells Country Club is a gated golf community located in Bonita Springs, FL.  The community is situated on 600 acres that were originally planned with an 18-hole golf course designed by Gordon Lewis. Designer Bruce Howard added an additional nine holes in 1996. Water hazards are the main obstacles on these courses as they come into play several times. This gated community is conveniently located in Bonita Springs only minutes from shopping, dining, and the pristine white sandy beaches of the gulf coast and was developed in the early 1980s.

Hidden in the beachy town of Bonita Springs which is Southwest Florida’s best-kept secret.  Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club provides a fun and active lifestyle for Club Members with a 27-hole Championship Golf Course. Additional amenities include a Fitness Center, Bocce Courts, Pickleball, Bocce, a Relaxing Heated Pool, and 3 Har Tru Tennis Courts with a premier playing surface!

Learn more…

Home Selling Tips

Make Your Home Listing Stand Out

Why Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

Home Selling Tips…

Are you considering selling your home? Call us today to learn your home’s value in today’s market – 239-370-0892.

Naples Park Home New to the Market!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! This spacious Naples Park Home is now for sale. The home is in a prime location west of U.S. 41 just 1 mile to Vanderbilt Beach and half a mile to Mercato’s upscale restaurants and shopping.

755 92nd Ave N. Naples FL – List Price $1,499,000

Learn More About this Naples Home For Sale:

The home is light and bright and includes IMPACT GLASS windows and doors with Plantation Shutters. The trey ceilings make the living space feel larger and aesthetically pleasing.

The generous sized bedrooms include custom closets. The lucky new owners will enjoy the outdoor lanai with pool and spa in a private setting with the entire backyard fenced-in with lush landscaping.

• 3 Bedrooms plus Den
• 3 Bathrooms
• 1,837 Square feet under air
• Built in 2014

View 3D Tour

This Naples Park home is perfect for a full-time or seasonal residence. Or with no Home Owners Association (HOA) Fees, this property is an excellent investment opportunity with flexibility for annual or short-term rentals.

For a private tour, contact us at 239-777-8870.

More About Naples Park

Naples Park is a non-gated community in North Naples, just west of Tamiami Trail N. (U.S. 41), north of Vanderbilt Beach Road and South of Immokalee Road. The neighborhood is made up of single family homes, some of which are located along canals.

Located within walking distance to the beach, shopping, dining, grocery, fitness center, and much more!

Home Selling Tips

Make Your Home Listing Stand Out

Why Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

Home Selling Tips…

Are you considering selling your home? Call us today to learn your home’s value in today’s market – 239-370-0892.

Naples Park Home Coming to Market Soon!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! This spacious Naples Park Home is about to hit the market. The home is in a prime location west of U.S. 41 just 1 mile to Vanderbilt Beach and half a mile to Mercato’s upscale restaurants and shopping.

Naples Park Home – 755 92nd Ave N. Naples FL

Learn More About this Naples Park Home:

The home is light and bright and includes IMPACT GLASS windows and doors with Plantation Shutters. The trey ceilings make the living space feel larger and aesthetically pleasing.

The generous sized bedrooms include custom closets. The lucky new owners will enjoy the outdoor lanai with pool and spa in a private setting with the entire backyard fenced-in with lush landscaping.

• 3 Bedrooms plus Den
• 3 Bathrooms
• 1,837 Square feet under air
• Built in 2014

View 3D Tour

This Naples Park home is perfect for a full-time or seasonal residence. Or with no Home Owners Association (HOA) Fees, this property is an excellent investment opportunity with flexibility for annual or short-term rentals.

For a private tour, contact us at 239-777-8870.

More About Naples Park

Naples Park is a non-gated community in North Naples, just west of Tamiami Trail N. (U.S. 41), north of Vanderbilt Beach Road and South of Immokalee Road. The neighborhood is made up of single family homes, some of which are located along canals.

Located within walking distance to the beach, shopping, dining, grocery, fitness center, and much more!

Home Selling Tips

Make Your Home Listing Stand Out

Why Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

Home Selling Tips…

Are you considering selling your home? Call us today to learn your home’s value in today’s market – 239-370-0892.

Are More Homes Coming onto the Market?

An important factor shaping today’s market is the number of homes for sale. And, if you’re considering whether or not to list your house, that’s one of the biggest advantages you have right now. When housing inventory is this low, your house will stand out, especially if it’s priced right.

But there are some early signs that more listings are coming. According to the latest data, new listings (homeowners who just put their house up for sale) are trending up. Here’s a look at why this is noteworthy and what it may mean for you.

More Homes Are Coming onto the Market than Usual

It’s well known that the busiest time in the housing market each year is the spring buying season. That’s why there’s a predictable increase in the volume of newly listed homes throughout the first half of the year. Sellers are anticipating this and ramping up for the months when buyers are most active. But, as the school year kicks off and as the holidays approach, the market cools. It’s what’s expected.

But here’s what’s surprising. Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, there’s an increase in the number of sellers listing their houses later this year than usual. A peak this late in the year isn’t typical. You can see both the normal seasonal trend and the unusual August in the graph below:As Realtor.com explains:

“While inventory continues to be in short supply, August witnessed an unusual uptick in newly listed homes compared to July, hopefully signaling a return in seller activity heading toward the fall season . . .”

While this is only one month of data, it’s unusual enough to note. It’s still too early to say for sure if this trend will continue, but it’s something you’ll want to stay ahead of if it does.

What This Means for You

If you’ve been putting off selling your house, now may be the sweet spot to make your move. That’s because, if this trend continues, you’ll have more competition the longer you wait. And if your neighbor puts their house up for sale too, it means you may have to share buyers’ attention with that other homeowner. If you sell now, you can beat your neighbors to the punch.

But, even with more homes coming onto the market, the market is still well below normal supply levels. And, that inventory deficit isn’t going to be reversed overnight. The graph below helps put this into context, so you can see the opportunity you still have now: 

Bottom Line

Even though inventory is still low, you don’t want to wait for more competition to pop up in your neighborhood. You still have an incredible opportunity if you sell your house today. Let’s connect to explore the benefits of selling now before more homes come to the market.

September 18th, 2023 Posted by Matt

Why Is Housing Inventory So Low?

One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.

There aren’t enough homes available for sale, but that shortage isn’t just a today problem. It’s been a challenge for years. Let’s take a look at some of the long-term and short-term factors that have contributed to this limited supply.

Underbuilding Is a Long-Standing Problem

One of the big reasons inventory is low is because builders haven’t been building enough homes in recent years. The graph below shows new construction for single-family homes over the past five decades, including the long-term average for housing units completed:

For 14 straight years, builders didn’t construct enough homes to meet the historical average (shown in red). That underbuilding created a significant inventory deficit. And while new home construction is back on track and meeting the historical average right now, the long-term inventory problem isn’t going to be solved overnight.

Today’s Mortgage Rates Create a Lock-In Effect

There are also a few factors at play in today’s market adding to the inventory challenge. The first is the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Basically, some homeowners are reluctant to sell because of where mortgage rates are right now. They don’t want to move and take on a rate that’s higher than the one they have on their current home. The chart below helps illustrate just how many homeowners may find themselves in this situation:

Those homeowners need to remember their needs may matter just as much as the financial aspects of their move.

Misinformation in the Media Is Creating Unnecessary Fear

Another thing that’s limiting inventory right now is the fear that’s been created by the media. You’ve likely seen the negative headlines calling for a housing crash, or the ones saying home prices would fall by 20%. While neither of those things happened, the stories may have dinged your confidence enough for you to think it’s better to hold off and wait for things to calm down. As Jason Lewris, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl, says:

“In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”

That’s further limiting inventory because people who would make a move otherwise now feel hesitant to do so. But the market isn’t doom and gloom, even if the headlines are. An agent can help you separate fact from fiction.

How This Impacts You

If you’re wondering how today’s low inventory affects you, it depends on if you’re selling or buying a home, or both.

• For buyers: A limited number of homes for sale means you’ll want to seriously consider all of your options, including various areas and housing types. A skilled professional will help you explore all of what’s available and find the home that best fits your needs. They can even coach you through casting a broader net if you need to expand your search.
• For sellers: Today’s low inventory actually offers incredible benefits because your house will stand out. A real estate agent can walk you through why it’s especially worthwhile to sell with these conditions. And since many sellers are also buyers, that agent is also an essential resource to help you stay up to date on the latest homes available for sale in your area so you can find your next dream home.

Bottom Line

The low supply of homes for sale isn’t a new challenge. There are a number of long-term and short-term factors leading to the current inventory deficit. If you’re looking to make a move, let’s connect. That way you’ll have an expert on your side to explain how this impacts you and what’s happening with housing inventory in our area.

September 17th, 2023 Posted by Matt

Planning to Retire? Your Equity Can Help You Make a Move

Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities. As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving needs.

Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few reasons why.

Consider How Long You’ve Been in Your Home

From 1985 to 2009, the average length of time homeowners stayed in their homes was roughly six years. But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number is higher today. Since 2010, the average home tenure is just over nine years (see graph below):

This means many homeowners have been living in their houses even longer in recent years. When you live in a home for such a significant amount of time, it’s natural for you to experience changes in your life while you’re in that house. As those life changes and milestones happen, your needs may change. And if your current home no longer meets them, you may have better options waiting for you.

Consider the Equity You’ve Gained

And, if you’ve been in your home for more than a few years, you’ve likely built-up substantial equity that can fuel your next move. That’s because you gain equity as you pay down your loan and as home prices appreciate. And, the longer you’ve been in your home, the more you may have gained. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) illustrates that point (see graph below):

While home prices vary by area, the national average shows the typical homeowner who’s been in their house for five years saw it increase in value by nearly 60%. And the average homeowner who’s owned their home for 30 years saw it almost triple in value over that time.

Whether you’re looking to downsize, relocate to a dream destination, or move so you live closer to friends or loved ones, that equity can help. Whatever your home goals are, a trusted real estate agent can work with you to find the best option. They’ll help you sell your current house and guide you as you buy the home that’s right for you and your lifestyle today.

Bottom Line

As you plan for your retirement, let’s connect so we can find out how much equity you’ve built up over the years and plan how you can use it toward the purchase of a home that fits your changing needs.

September 16th, 2023 Posted by Matt

Foxfire Condo Pending Sale

Another Foxfire Condo Pending Sale! Congratulations to our clients from Massachusetts who just went to contract on this golf condo in an excellent Naples bundled golf community.

Foxfire Condo Pending Sale – 5351 Fox Hollow Dr. Unit 301 Naples, FL

More About this Naples Florida Foxfire Condo:

This highly sought after end unit overlooking the golf course in Foxfire Country Club is light and bright. Gleaming hardwood floors, updated kitchen with quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

• Bedrooms: 2 plus den
• Bathrooms: 2
• Square ft.: 1,663
• Year Built: 1984

Are you considering buying or selling a home in Foxfire? Contact us today!

More About Foxfire Country Club

Foxfire Country Club is a gated community of condos, villas and single family homes with equity membership and home purchase. There are 27 holes of golf on 385 acres designed by Arthur Hills.

Each of the six associations in Foxfire offers a swimming pool and tennis courts. The club is in the midst of significant renovations of the main clubhouse, bar and grill, and fitness center. In addition the club offers Bocce Ball, plus a wide array of social amenities.

Naples Florida Foxfire Country Club single family homes start at $485,000 and condos start at $267,000.  Learn more about Foxfire Country Club…

Not sure which golf community is right for you? Let us be your guide. Call or text us today at 239.370.0892.

September 11th, 2023 Posted by Matt