6 Top Benefits of Homeownership Today

What are the top benefits of homeownership? Over the past year, our homes have become an integral part of our lives more than ever. They’re much more than the houses we live in. They’re our workplaces, virtual schools, and safe havens that provide shelter, stability, and protection through the evolving health crisis. Today, 65.8% of Americans are fortunate enough to call their homes their own.

Want to Build Wealth? Buy a Home This Year

If you want to build wealth for you and your family a home purchase may be the perfect investment. Weather you are buying a vacation home, second home or your first home, households across the country look at their earnings, investments and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into consideration monthly housing costs, tax advantages, and other incremental expenses.

Why Owning a Home Is a Powerful Financial Decision

Owning a home is a powerful financial decision for multiple reasons including: increasing equity, the chance to build your net worth, and appreciating home values, just to name a few. If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to think about how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here’s a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater financial security and savings.

Lakewood House Sold!

Congratulations to our clients who now have their Lakewood house sold! A non-gated community which includes Lakewood Country Club, a private golf club with an 18 hole golf course. In addition to golf, the club has a community pool and tennis courts for members.

Lakewood House Sold – 4340 Beechwood Lake Drive – Sales Price $487,500

Palmira Coach Home Sold!

This Palmira Coach Home Sold to a great couple from Ohio! A fantastic unit in Palmira Golf and Country Club which is one of the best Bonita Springs Golf communities in the area. A private country club has 27 holes which was designed by Gordon Lewis.

From the moment you drive through the gates, you can see the world of luxury that awaits you and your family. This condo is in a premium location overlooking the golf course and has picture perfect views from every window!

Palmira Condo Home Sold- 28617 San Lucas Ln Unit 201, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135

More About this Palmira Coach Home:

From the oversized lanai, the new owners will enjoy spectacular views of the golf course and long lake. With an open floor plan and high vaulted ceilings there’s plenty of natural light. Upgrades throughout the home include kitchen cabinetry, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and more!

Palmira is a short drive to the airport, minutes to shopping, dining and the beaches in Bonita Springs and approximately 15 miles from Naples.  It’s a perfect golf community for a vacation home or second home in Southwest Florida. An amazing lifestyle awaits, learn more today!

View Single Family Homes for Sale

View Condos for Sale

More About Palmira Country Club

Palmira Golf Club is a private golf community located in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Palmira offers members a championship golf experience on a Gordon Lewis designed club. Created with dramatic signature holes and designed to ultimately offer three separate nines, the course is a stunning layout, satisfying golfers of all skill levels from five sets of tees.

Home ownership in Palmira includes membership in the Renaissance Center Club. A fabulous sports, fitness and social facility. Residents enjoy a heated lagoon-style swimming pool, a poolside grille and tike bar, state-of-the-art fitness center, seven Hydro-grid clay tennis courts, bocce ball, pickleball and an active social calendar.

Luxury Mediterra Property Pending Sale!

Congratulations to my clients, a great couple from New Jersey who just went to contract on this Mediterra property! Located in one of Naples top luxury golf communities, it is the perfect vacation home.

Mediterra Property – 15501 Monterosso Lane Unit 202 Naples, FL 34110 – $769,000

More About this Mediterra Property

This elegant coach has over $100,000 in upgrades throughout. Breathtaking views of the Tom Fazio golf course and expansive lake. An oversized kitchen features new appliances with natural gas, walk-in pantry and beautiful stone countertops.

• Three Bedrooms
• Three Full Bathrooms
• Golf Course View
• 2,685 Square feet under air
• Built in 2001

More About a Mediterra Real Estate (New Homes or Re-Sales)

View Properties Available in Mediterra

More About Mediterra’s Golf Courses

What Record-Low Housing Inventory Means for You

With low housing inventory, what does it mean to you if you are buying or selling a home? Although the real estate market is expected to do very well in 2021, one challenge to the housing industry is the lack of homes available for sale today. Last week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their Existing Home Sales Report, which shows that the inventory of homes for sale is currently at an all-time low. The report explains:

December Housing Update for Lee County

The Southwest Florida December housing update for Lee County showed a significant jump in closed sales activity for both single family homes and condos for the month. Closed sales of single family homes increased 35 percent and condos increased 34.8 percent. Pending sales for both single family homes and condos also showed significant increases over the same time list year.

As a result of the increased closed and pending sales, the number of homes for sale continues to fall and it remains a seller’s market. Home prices continue to trend upwards due to the lack of inventory in Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers.

So, if you are considering selling, you are in the driver’s seat. Now would be an an excellent time to connect with a real estate professional to learn about your home’s value in today’s market.

December Housing Update – Single Family Homes

December 2020 versus December 2019 Single Family Home Highlights:

• Closed sales increased 35 percent going from 1,221 transactions up to 1,648 sales
• Pending sales increased 39.8 percent up from 1,041 last December versus 1,455 this December
• Inventory fell 53.2 percent down to 2,485 properties for sale compared to this same time last year when there were 5,312 homes for sale
• New listings increased from 1,177 up to 1,196 which is a 1.6 percent increase
• Median days on market decreased to 26 days which is a 54.4 percent decrease versus December 2019
• Available inventory of single family homes ended December with a 1.9 months supply of homes available for sale which is a 58.7 percent decrease

Activity over the past six months continues to set new records setting. Once again, the Lee County area saw a significant amount of single family homes closing as well as homes going to contract.  Also, there was a significant decrease in the number of days from a property being listed until it went under contract. Buyers should be prepared to make an offer quickly if they see one they are interested in purchasing. Not only are properties going to contract quickly, there are often multiple offers being submitted at the same time.

On a positive note, new listings increased at the end of the year. However, inventory is still extremely limited. We are down to a 1.9 months’ supply of single family homes for sale. Typically, a healthy level of inventory is considered to be 6 to 7 months’ supply of homes.

Bottom line, it remains a seller’s market. If you are considering selling a home, now is a great time to maximize the value of your home.

Lee County December Housing Update – Condos and Townhomes

December 2020 versus December 2019 Condo Highlights:

• Condo sales increased 34.8 percent going from 615 real estate transactions up to 829 sales
• Pending sales increased 35.7 percent up from 526 last December versus 714 this December
• Inventory decreased 36.8 percent down to 1,887 condos for sale compared to this same time last year when there were 2,985 units for sale
• New listings decreased from 602 down to 582 which was a 3.3 percent decrease
• Median days to contract decreased to 46 days which was a 33.3 percent decrease versus December 2019
• Available inventory of condos ended December with a 3.0 months supply of properties available for sale which was a 42.3 percent decrease

Similar to single family homes, condo closings and those going to contract increased significantly during December. At the same time, the number of homes for sale decreased more than 40 percent which bring us down to a 3 months’ supply of condos for sale. Therefore, we continue to be in a sellers’ market.

Ultimately, homebuyers are looking for larger homes in a gated community. With the flexibility to work from anywhere, many families are looking for homes with plenty of space for a home office, home fitness, home schooling and ample room for the whole family.

Finally, interest in second homes or vacation homes in a warm, sunny climate to spend the winter are driving sales in all of Southwest Florida.

If you are ready to make a move to Southwest Florida, let’s connect to discuss your real estate needs.

Southwest Florida December Housing Update

Lee County December Housing Update for Single Family Homes

Lee County December Housing Update for Condos

SWFL Luxury Golf Community Trends

Naples Area Market Report

US News & World Report Names Fort Myers and Naples Among Top Places to Retire

January 28th, 2021, Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

Another Greyhawk Home Pending Sale in Golf Club of the Everglades

This fabulous Naples Greyhawk Home pending sale is being purchased by a fantastic couple from Minnesota! A fabulous large single family home located in Golf Club of the Everglades. Located in a  Private Naples Gated Golf Community with an 18 hole championship golf course designed by Rees Jones.

Naples Greyhawk Home Pending Sale – 8945 Bahama Swallow Way Naples, FL – List Price $975,000

More about this fantastic Greyhawk Naples Home in Golf Club of the Everglades

This rarely available single family home offers a wide open floor plan ideal for the entire family to gather and enjoy the Florida lifestyle.  The kitchen features a gas stove, wine cooler, beautiful countertops and walk-in pantry. me has a breathtaking view of the golf course and spectacular lake. The lanai has a generously sized pool with plenty of room to lounge and relax with friends and family.

• 5 Bedrooms plus a den
• 4 Full Bathrooms and 1 Half Bathroom
• 3 Car garage
• 4,416 Square feet under air
• Built in 2018

Additionally, Greyhawk is one of the few Naples Golf Communities still offering new construction homes in addition to resales of existing homes.

Should I use a Realtor if I’m buying new construction?

Learn more about Golf Club of the Everglades

Golf Club of the Everglades is a private golf course that closely resembles an open links-style course.  At the same time, several of the back fairways are lined with mature trees. Sculptured bunkers, rolling fairways, expansive lakes with native grasses provide the diversity, challenge and aesthetic appeal on this south Florida course. The wind is a major factor for golfers on this open course.

Also, Golf Club of the Everglades membership requires an upfront initiation fee with annual dues. Learn more about the club, course and amenities…

Begin Your Naples Property Search

So, if you’re ready to begin your search for your own Naples Luxury home or condo, explore our website to find information about communities in the area.  If golf is your game, we specialize in golf community real estate and we’ll help you navigate more than 150 different golf communities in our area.  If you prefer a more direct approach, we will provide a list of properties and communities that meet your needs.

Also, if you are considering new construction, remember the contractor’s real estate agent represents the builder’s best interest, not yours.  There is no cost for you to have an agent represent you. In fact, we may be able to help you save money and negotiate for extras which the builder may not let you know about.

Lastly, we will handle all contract negotiations for your property from offer to close!

January 28th, 2021 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

December Real Estate Review For Naples Florida

The December Real Estate Review for Naples Florida continued to show very strong activity. Pending sales (homes under contract) increased 89 percent over last December and closed sales increased 45 percent during the same time period. Additionally, overall the number of Naples homes for sale declined 49 percent.

The sustained market demand is placing pressure on home values. In fact, the median closed price jumped up to $405,000 which was an 18% compared to last December.

Out of state buyers continue to look for a resort style living in the Naples area. Larger homes with more space are at the top of the list for home buyers.

2020 December Real Estate Review

December 2020 Versus December 2019 Real Estate Activity Highlights

• Single family home sales increased by 41 percent with 692 Naples real estate transactions
• Condo sales increased to 704 sales which was a 50 percent increase compared to last November
• Overall pending sales increased from 814 to 1,535 which represented an 88.6 percent increase
• Overall inventory fell 49.1 percent down from 6,163 homes for sale to 3,140 properties for sale compared to the same time last year
• Days on market decreased to 77 days which is a 21 percent decrease versus December of 2019

It continues to be a seller’s market. Property showings increased 65 percent over this same time last year, which equated to an average of 10 showings per listing. Buyers are actively looking and ready to purchase a vacation home or relocate to Naples altogether. So, if you are considering selling, now is an excellent time to jump in the market to take advantage of the high demand for Naples property.

Naples Closed Sales

The latest Naples real estate market reports show home sales remained strong during December. Overall, closed sales increased 49.8 percent year-over-year.

Additionally, closed sales increased in nearly every price category. Most notably, Naples Luxury homes priced above $2 million increased significantly with a 62.4 percent increase over the same time period last year. Also notable was the increase in sales between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 which were up 38.1 percent.

The most expensive home sold in Naples during the month was in Old Naples for $19,500,000. For those purchasing luxury golf homes, Pelican Bay, Grey Oaks, Talis Park and Mediterra topped the list with the highest priced home sold coming in at $8,495,000.

The trend of homebuyers looking for properties with more space continued during December. Sales of single family homes with 4 bedrooms or more increased 35.4 percent and condos with at least 4 bedrooms increased 75.5 percent.

As more home buyers make a shift to working remotely, or others are accelerating their plans to retire to Naples, they continue to look for properties with enough rooms for their family as well as space for a dedicated home office, home schooling and home fitness.

View Large Single Family Homes for Sale in Naples Gated Golf Communities…

Days on Market for Naples Home Sales

Due to the heightened demand for Naples homes, the number of days on Market decreased once again. Overall, the number of days a home was on the market before it went to contract dropped to 77 days which represented a 21 percent decline compared to December of last year.

Single family homes saw a 9.9 percent decline and condos saw a 11.8 percent decline in days on market. The price range with the largest decrease in the average number of days between when a property was listed and when an offer was accepted over the past 12 months were properties priced between $300,001 and $500,000.

Naples Inventory of Homes for Sale

Similar to the rest of the country, inventory in the Naples area remains a challenge. Overall inventory during December decreased 49.1 percent to 6,163 homes. Single-family homes for sale fell by 57.6 percent and condos available for sale dropped by 40.5 percent.

As evident in the chart to the left, all price ranges saw major reductions to inventory levels. Properties priced between $300,001 and $500,000 saw the biggest impact with a 56.1 percent decline in properties for sale. Similar to the previous month, the decrease in inventory is primarily due to the large number of pending and closed sales which rose significantly.

Bidding wars continued to be a common occurrence during the month. So, if you are planning to buy a home be prepared to make an offer quickly if they see a property you are interested in buying.

Also notable is the percentage of list price remained high at 96.3 percent of list price for single family homes and 95.6 percent of list price of condos over the past 12 months. Ultimately, the percentage of list price increased in all price categories. As a result of the low inventory, it remains a sellers market. Therefore, if you are a buyer, you should be prepared for home sellers who are less willing to negotiate.

Ultimately, Naples offers a luxury lifestyle with numerous outdoor activities, sunshine and low taxes. So, if you are considering buying a primary residence, second home or vacation home now is a great time start your search.

If you are seller contemplating listing your home, now is an ideal time to maximize the value of your home. Buyer traffic continues to increase and season is still a couple of months away. For those who are just in the planning stages of selling your home, there is no better time than now to connect with us to learn about your home’s value.

December Real Estate Review For Naples Florida

December 2020 Statistics

Luxury Golf Community Housing Trends

Find a Real Estate Expert Who Specializes in Golf Community Real Estate

Look for an agent who specializes in the type of community or properties you are interested in purchasing. If you are considering a Southwest Florida Golf Community, there are more than 150 golf course communities to chose from. How do you know which one is right for you and your family?  Find a specialist who has the knowledge and experience about golf community real estate to help you navigate the various clubs, courses, membership options, amenities and location that will best match your lifestyles.

“Luxury Lifestyle” has different meanings for different people. What does it mean to you? Golf course communities in our area have enhanced their amenities to provide members with the ultimate luxury experience. From wellness centers to pickleball and everything in between. We will help you identify the best communities to visit.

Do I need a Realtor if I’m Buying New Construction?

Selling Your Home? Work with an Experienced Naples Luxury Realtor

It is a seller’s market so why work with a realtor? There are over 100 actions required to complete a real estate transaction. From scheduling showings, contract negotiations, organizing inspectors, attorneys and a mountain of paperwork. We’ll save you time!

Additionally, we’ll help ensure your home is priced to maximize the return on your investment.

To ensure you obtain the highest value for your home, it is critical to expose your home to as many potential buyers as possible. As such, a digital game plan and an effective online marketing strategy will help you secure the best and highest offer on your home.

So, if you’re ready to move forward, our virtual practices can help make your sale happen. We know exactly what today’s buyers need, and how to put the necessary digital steps in place. For example, according to a survey, when asked to select what technology would be most helpful when deciding on a new home, here’s what today’s homebuyers said, in order of preference:

• Virtual tour of the home
• Accurate and detailed listing information
• Detailed neighborhood information
• High-quality listing photos
• Agent-led video chat
• Paperless transactions

So, if you are contemplating selling a home in Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples or Fort Myers, we encourage you to work with a Professional Real Estate Agent or REALTOR® who has the experience and knowledge to provide an accurate market comparison so you can determine the right asking price.

Now more than ever, an agent’s presence on the internet is critical to selling your home. Let’s connect to talk about how we would leverage new real estate technology such as virtual tours and high-end photography, e-mail marketing, social media marketing and much more.

Finally, if you live in a golf community in southwest Florida, you are competing with more than 150 other golf communities.  Contact us today to learn how your home or condo stacks up against the competition and how we can position your property to sell quickly and for a fair price.

Should I Use a Realtor or Sell on My Own?

View Testimonials…

January 28th, 2021, Posted by NaplesGolfGuy