NAPLES GOLF GUY BLOG

Seller: Now Is the Time to Buy!

Are You a Home Seller: Now Is the Time to Buy!

Are you a seller trying to decide if now is a good time to sell your current home and move into your dream home? Falling interest rates coupled with increasing inventory create the ideal market to find the home of your dreams. There’s no time like the present to move up! Let’s get together to discuss your options.

Seller: Are you Considering Listing Your Home?

Begin Your Next Property Search

So, if you’re ready to begin your search for your next home in southwest Florida, we encourage you to explore our website to find information about communities in the area. If golf is your game, we specialize in golf community real estate and would be happy to help you navigate the more than 150 different golf communities in our area. If you prefer a more direct approach, we will provide a list of properties that meet your criteria and/or 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 and make the transaction as smooth as possible!

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for a focused and goal-oriented real estate representative in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero or Fort Myers who will help you achieve your Real Estate needs, please reach out to us directly. Additionally, if you are looking for a golf community expert or you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, vacation home, golf home or dream home, call us or text us at 239-370-0892 or email Matt at Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 17th, 2019, Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

Palmira Home Pending Contract!

Palmira Home Just Went to Contract While Off the Market

My clients just went to contract on this fabulous Palmira home before we put it on the market! A great opportunity to own a home in Palmira Golf and Country Club which allows the buyers to join the club without going on the waiting list for membership! Located in one of the best Bonita Springs Golf communities – Palmira Golf and Country Club is a private golf club with 27 holes. 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 Home – 14511 Bellino Terrace #201, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135

More About this Palmira Property:

One of only three Paloma Buildings facing the 9th hole of Ibis. A wide open view of the golf course, wooden bridge, two lakes, water fountains and breathtaking sunsets, in a word, perfect! This unit is a short walk to tennis, the golf course, clubhouse and grill, pickleball, bocce ball, chipping and putting green, dog park and the Renaissance Center with resort-style pool and fitness facility.

Also, this unit is newly updated and spacious with high ceilings. Upgrades include kitchen cabinetry, oversized tile on the diagonal, upgraded baseboard, California Closets, new carpet, fans and fixtures, newer appliances, high-efficiency HVAC and water heater and much more!

Paloma has its own pool, fitness room and rec center. Palmira is a short drive to the airport, minutes to shopping, dining and the beaches in Bonita Springs and approximately 15 miles from Naples. Palmira is also home to the 27 hole Gordon Lewis Championship Golf Course. An amazing lifestyle awaits, learn more today!

View Single Family Homes for Sale

View Condos for Sale

Naples Real Estate News

Naples Golf Guy Monthly Market Report

Considering Listing Your Home?

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 17th, 2019 Posted by Matt

Real Estate Terminology

Buying a Home: Do You Know the Terminology?

Are you familiar with the real estate terminology you need to know to buy a home? From appraisal, down payment, credit score to closing costs, there are several keywords you will need to understand to navigate through the home purchasing process. Most importantly, an experienced real estate agent will help guide you through the process and make your transaction as stress-free and effortless as possible!

Some Highlights:

Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process.
To point you in the right direction, here’s a list of some of the most common language you’ll hear when buying a home.
The best way to ensure your home-buying process is a positive one is to find a real estate professional who will guide you through every aspect of the transaction with ‘the heart of a teacher.’

Begin Your Naples Property Search

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

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

Bottom Line:

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 16th, 2019, Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

Late May Naples Home Sales

The Late May Naples Home Sales Report shows there were 386 Naples Properties Sold during the week of May 27th, compared to 336 homes sold the previous week. So, activity remains very strong for the end of May in Naples, Florida.

North Naples remained in the first position for the most real estate transactions for the week with 82 homes sold compared to 90 transactions the prior week. Of the 82 real estate transactions, 45 percent were single family homes and 43 percent were condos. The remaining properties sold were vacant lots.

East Naples is still in the second position with 73 properties sold versus 72 the week of May 20th. Home sales in the area consisted of 14 percent were vacant lots, 27 percent were single family homes and 58 percent were condos. The remaining property sold was a mobile home.

And finally, the City of Naples had 50 homes which was almost the same as the previous week when there were 51 Naples properties sold. Of the 50 real estate transactions, 30 percent were single family homes and 70 percent were condos.

Oh and don’t forget the Corkscrew area which had an outstanding week for real estate transactions. There were 71 properties sold, 43 of which were vacant lots. Most of which were in a large block, which will likely result in a new community being built.

In summary, the late May Naples Home Sales Overview for the week of the May 27th show sales were broken down as follows: 161 condos, 134 single family homes, 89 vacant lots and 2 mobile homes sold throughout Collier County.

Late May Naples Home Sales Overview for the week of May 27th Organized by zip code:

City of Naples

34102 – 19 properties sold (6 single family home and 13 condos)
34103 – 18 properties sold (3 single family homes and 15 condos)
34105 – 13 properties sold (6 single family homes and 7 condos)

North Naples

34109 – 20 properties sold (2 vacant lots, 10 single family homes and 8 condos)
34110 – 32 properties sold (12 single family homes and 20 condos)
34119 – 30 properties sold (8 vacant lots, 15 single family homes and 7 condos)

East Naples

34104 – 13 properties sold (7 single family homes and 6 condos)
34112 – 34 properties sold (1 mobile home, 4 vacant lots, 5 single family homes and 24 condos)
34113 – 26 properties sold (6 vacant lots, 8 single family homes and 12 condos)

Ave Maria and Immokalee

34142 – 17 properties sold (12 vacant lots and 5 single family homes)

Barefoot Beach

34134 – 5 properties sold (2 single family homes and 3 condos)

Big Cypress

34117 – 5 properties sold (2 vacant lots and 3 single family homes)

Coco River

34108 – 16 properties sold (3 single family homes and 16 condos)

Corkscrew

34120 – 71 properties sold (43 vacant lots, 27 single family homes and 1 condo)

Eastern Collier County

34114 – 30 properties sold (1 mobile home, 11 vacant lots, 7 single family homes and 11 condos)
34116 – 9 properties sold (6 single family homes and 3 condos)

Marco Island

34145 – 28 properties sold (1 vacant lot, 17 single family homes and 10 condos)

Naples Florida Real Estate News

Naples Golf Guy Monthly Real Estate Report

Collier County Real Estate Transactions Week of May 27th 2019

Begin Your Naples Property Search

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

Considering Selling your home?

Since home sales remain strong in Southwest Florida, now is a good time to consider selling your property. If you are looking to sell a home in Bonita Springs, Estero or Naples, 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. 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.

Bottom Line:

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 15th, 2019, Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

Busting Housing Myths

Busting Housing Myths About Affordability Crisis

There are a couple of housing myths when it comes to affordability. It seems you can’t find a headline with the term “housing affordability” without the word “crisis” attached to it. That’s because some only consider the fact that residential real estate prices have continued to appreciate. However, we must realize it’s not just the price of a home that matters, but the price relative to a purchaser’s buying power.

Homes, in most cases, are purchased with a mortgage. The current mortgage rate is a major component of the affordability equation. Mortgage rates have fallen by over a full percentage point since December 2018. Another major piece of the affordability equation is a buyer’s income. The median family income has risen by 3.5% over the last year.

Let’s look at three different reports issued recently that reveal how homes are very affordable in comparison to historic numbers, and how they have become even more affordable over the past several months.

**1. National Association of Realtors’ (NAR)** Housing Affordability Index:

Here is a graph showing the index going all the way back to 1990. The higher the column, the more affordable homes are:

We can see that homes are less affordable today (the green bar) than they were during the housing crash (the red bars). This was when distressed properties like foreclosures and short sales saturated the market and sold for massive discounts. However, homes are more affordable today than at any time from 1990 to 2008.

NAR’s report on the index also shows that the percentage of a family’s income needed for a mortgage payment (16.5%) is dramatically lower than last year and is well below the historic norm of 21.2%.

2. Black Knight’s Mortgage Monitor:

This report reveals that as a result of falling interest rates and slowing home price appreciation, affordability is the best it has been in 18 months. Black Knight Data & Analytics President Ben Graboske explains:

“For much of the past year and a half, affordability pressures have put a damper on home price appreciation. Indeed, the rate of annual home price growth has declined for 15 consecutive months. More recently, declining 30-year fixed interest rates have helped to ease some of those pressures, improving the affordability outlook considerably…And despite the average home price rising by more than $12K since November, today’s lower fixed interest rates have worked out to a $108 lower monthly payment…Lower rates have also increased the buying power for prospective homebuyers looking to purchase the average-priced home by the equivalent of 15%.”

3. First American’s Real House Price Index:

While affordability has increased recently, Mark Fleming, First American’s Chief Economist explains:

“If the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage declines just a fraction more, consumer house-buying power would reach its highest level in almost 20 years.”

Fleming goes on to say that the gains in affordability are about mortgage rates and the increase in family incomes:

“Average nominal household incomes are nearly 57 percent higher today than in January 2000. Record income levels combined with mortgage rates near historic lows mean consumer house-buying power is more than 150 percent greater today than it was in January 2000.”

So, now that we’ve clarified the housing myths about the “affordability crisis” if you’ve put off the purchase of a first home or a move-up home because of affordability concerns, you should take another look at your ability to purchase in today’s market. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Begin Your Property Search for Southwest Florida Property

So, if you’re ready to begin your search for your southwest Florida 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.

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

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for a focused and goal-oriented Realtor in southwest Florida who will help you achieve your Real Estate needs, please reach out to me directly. Additionally, if you are looking for a golf community expert or you are considering buying or selling a home, luxury home, vacation home, golf home, pet-friendly or dream home, call me or text me on my mobile phone at 239-370-0892 or email me at Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 15th, 2019 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

Growing Home Equity

The Benefits of Growing Equity in Your Home

Over the last couple of years, we’ve heard quite a bit about rising home prices. Today, expert projections still forecast continued growth, just at a slower pace. One of the often-overlooked benefits of rising home prices is the positive impact they have on growing home equity. Let’s break down three ways this is a win for homeowners.

3 Tips to How to Grow Home Equity:

1. Move-Up Opportunity

With the rise in prices, homeowners naturally experience an increase in home equity. According to the Homeowner Equity Insights from CoreLogic,

“In the first quarter of 2019, the average homeowner gained approximately $6,400 in equity during the past year.”

This increase in profit means if homeowners decide to sell, they’ll be able to put their equity to work for them as they make plans to move up into their next home.

2. Gain in Seller’s Profit

ATTOM Data Solutions recently released their Q2 2019 Home Sales Report, indicating the seller’s profit jumped at one of the fastest rates since 2015. They said:

“A look at the national numbers showed that U.S. homeowners who sold in the second quarter of 2019 realized an average home price gain since the original purchase of $67,500…the average home seller gain of $67,500 in Q2 2019 represented an average 33.9 percent return as a percentage of the original purchase price.”

Looking at the amount paid when they bought their homes, and then the amount they received after selling, we can see that some homeowners were able to walk away with a significant gain.

3. Out of a Negative Equity Situation

Negative equity occurs when there is a decline in home value, an increase in mortgage debt, or both. Many families experienced these challenges over the last decade. According to the same report from CoreLogic,

“U.S. homeowners with mortgages (roughly 63% of all properties) have seen their equity increase by a total of nearly $485.7 billion since the first quarter 2018, an increase of 5.6%, year over year.

In the first quarter of 2019, the total number of mortgaged residential properties with negative equity decreased…to 2.2 million homes, or 4.1% of all mortgaged properties.”

The good news is, many families have moved beyond a negative equity situation, and no longer owe more on their mortgage than the value of their home.

So, if you’re a current homeowner, you may have more equity than you realize. Your equity can open the door to future opportunities, such as moving up to your dream home. Let’s get together to discuss your options and start to put your equity to work for you.

Considering Selling Your Home?

If you are looking to sell a home in Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples or Fort Myers we recommend you work with a real estate professional or consultant who has the experience and knowledge to provide an accurate market comparison so you can determine the right asking price. 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.

Bottom Line:

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 14th, 2019 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

5 Real Estate Reality TV Myths

5 Real Estate Reality TV Myths Explained

Have you ever been flipping through the channels, only to find yourself watching a Real Estate Reality TV show such HGTV? We’ve all been there, watching entire seasons of shows like “Property Brothers,” “Fixer Upper,” and “Love It or List It,” all in one sitting.

When you’re in the middle of your real estate-themed TV show marathon, you might start to think everything you see on the screen must be how it works in real life. However, you may need a reality check.

Reality TV Show Myths vs. Real Life:

Myth #1: Buyers look at 3 homes and decide to purchase one of them.
Truth: There may be buyers who fall in love and buy the first home they see, but according to the National Association of Realtors, the average homebuyer tours 10 homes as a part of their search.

Myth #2: The houses the buyers are touring are still for sale.
Truth: Everything is staged for TV. Many of the homes shown are already sold and are off the market.

Myth #3: The buyers haven’t made a purchase decision yet.
Truth: Since there is no way to show the entire buying process in a 30-minute show, TV producers often choose buyers who are further along in the process and have already chosen a home to buy.

Myth #4: If you list your home for sale, it will ALWAYS sell at the open house.
Truth: Of course, this would be great! Open houses are important to guarantee the most exposure to buyers in your area, but they are only one piece of the overall marketing of your home. Keep in mind, many homes are sold during regular showing appointments as well.

Myth #5: Homeowners decide to sell their homes after a 5-minute conversation.
Truth: Similar to the buyers portrayed on the shows, many of the sellers have already spent hours deliberating the decision to list their homes and move on with their lives and goals.

So, having an experienced professional on your side while navigating the real estate market is the best way to guarantee you can make the home of your dreams a true reality.

Begin Your Property Search for Southwest Florida Property

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

Bottom Line:

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 12th, 2019 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

American Confidence in Housing

American Confidence in Housing at an All-Time High

What is American Confidence in housing right now? Fannie Mae just released the July edition of their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). The HPSI takes information regarding consumers’ confidence in the real estate market from Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey and condenses it into a single number. Therefore, the HPSI reflects consumers’ current views and forward-looking expectations of housing market conditions.

Great News! The index reached its highest level since Fannie Mae began their survey. Breaking it down, the report revealed:

The share of Americans who say it is a good time to buy a home increased from the same time last year.
The share of those who say it is a good time to sell a home increased from the same time last year.
The share of Americans who say they are not concerned about losing their job over the next 12 months increased dramatically (16 percentage points) from the same time last year.
The share of Americans who say mortgage rates will go down over the next 12 months increased dramatically (24 percentage points) from the same time last year.

The day after the index was released, Freddie Mac also announced the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate fell to its lowest level in three years.

Doug Duncan, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Fannie Mae explained the uptick in the index:

“Consumer job confidence and favorable mortgage rate expectations lifted the HPSI to a new survey high in July, despite ongoing housing supply and affordability challenges. Consumers appear to have shaken off a winter slump in sentiment amid strong income gains. Therefore, sentiment is positioned to take advantage of any supply that comes to market, particularly in the affordable category.”

So, consumers are feeling good about the real estate market and American confidence in housing is at an all-time high. Since Americans are not worried about their jobs, see mortgage rates near an all-time low, and believe it is a good time to buy, the housing market will remain strong for the rest of the year.

More Information Southwest Florida Real Estate

Naples Golf Guy Monthly Real Estate Report

Begin Your Naples Property Search

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

Considering Selling Your Home?

Bottom Line:

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 12th, 2019 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

Early July Lee County Real Estate Recap

Early July Lee County Real Estate Sales

South Lee County early July real estate report showed we had 124 properties sold for the week of July 6th compared to 238 properties sold the prior week in the Southern Ft. Myers, Estero and Bonita Springs area. So we’ve clearly had a slow week in real estate transactions. Preliminary indications indicate the figures will increase significantly for the week of July 13th.

Southern Fort Myers remained in the first position with 46 real estate transactions down from 87 the week before. Of the 46 homes sold, 13 percent were vacant lots, 17 percent were condos and 61 percent were single family homes. The other properties sold in S. Ft Myers were commercial units, multi-family units and mobile homes.

Bonita Springs remained in the second position with 39 sales compared to 85 properties sold the week of June 29th. Home sales consisted of: 13 percent vacant lots, 36 percent condos and 41 percent were single family homes. The remaining property sales in Bonita were commercial units, mobile homes and multi-family units.

Finally, Estero rounded out the week with 38 sales which was down from 65 real estate transactions during the previous week. Of the 38 real estate sales, 18 percent were vacant lots, 29 percent were condos and 50 percent were single family homes. And, the remaining property sold in Estero was a mobile home.

In review, based on the early July South Lee County Real Estate Sales report for the week of the 6th, sales were broken down by the following property types in Southwest Florida: 34 condos, 63 single family homes, 18 vacant lots, 4 mobile homes, 3 commercial units and 2 multi-family units sold.

South Lee County Early July Real Estate Sales for the Week of the 6th – Organized by zip code

Bonita Springs

34134 – 10 properties sold (4 single family homes and 6 condos)
34135 – 29 properties sold (2 commercial units, 1 mobile home, 1 multi-family unit, 5 vacant lots, 12 single family homes and 8 condos)

Southern Fort Myers

33912 – 19 properties sold (15 single family homes and 4 condos)
33913 – 16 properties sold (1 commercial unit, 2 mobile homes, 3 vacant lots, 6 single family homes and 4 condos)
33967 – 11 properties sold (1 multi-family unit, 3 vacant lots and 7 single family homes)

Estero

33928 – 23 properties sold (1 mobile home, 7 vacant lots, 9 single family homes and 6 condos)
33967 – 10 properties sold (9 single family homes and 1 condo)
34134 – 1 property sold (1 condo)
34135 – 4 properties sold (1 single family home and 3 condos)

Miromar

33913 – 1 property sold (1 condo)

More Information Southern Lee County Real Estate Sales

Naples Golf Guy Monthly Real Estate Report

Early July Lee County Real Estate Transactions Week of the 6th 2019

Begin Your Naples Property Search

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

Considering Selling Your Home?

Bottom Line:

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 11th, 2019 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

Naples Condo Sold in The Glades

Just Closed on a Naples Condo Sold in The Glades!

Congratulations to a wonderful client and NaplesGolfGuy team member, Mike Pepple, who helped facilitate the real estate transaction for a Naples Condo in The Glades. This is a private bundled golf community which means your membership is bundled in with the purchase of your home. The Glades is one of the very few golf courses in the area where you are able to walk or take a golf cart.

Begin Your Own Naples Property Search

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

Bottom Line:

About Naples Golf Guy

Contact Matt: Matt@NaplesGolfGuy.com

or at 239-370-0892

August 10th, 2019 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy

SWFL Golf Community Real Estate Experts

NAPLES GOLF GUY BLOG

Are You a Home Seller: Now Is the Time to Buy!

Seller: Are you Considering Listing Your Home?

Begin Your Next Property Search

Bottom Line:

Palmira Home Just Went to Contract While Off the Market

Palmira Home – 14511 Bellino Terrace #201, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135

More About this Palmira Property:

Naples Real Estate News

Considering Listing Your Home?

Buying a Home: Do You Know the Terminology?

Some Highlights:

Begin Your Naples Property Search

Bottom Line:

Late May Naples Home Sales

Late May Naples Home Sales Overview for the week of May 27th Organized by zip code:

Naples Florida Real Estate News

Begin Your Naples Property Search

Considering Selling your home?

Bottom Line:

Busting Housing Myths About Affordability Crisis

1. National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Housing Affordability Index:

2. Black Knight’s Mortgage Monitor:

3. First American’s Real House Price Index:

Begin Your Property Search for Southwest Florida Property

Bottom Line:

The Benefits of Growing Equity in Your Home

3 Tips to How to Grow Home Equity:

1. Move-Up Opportunity

2. Gain in Seller’s Profit

3. Out of a Negative Equity Situation

Considering Selling Your Home?

Bottom Line:

5 Real Estate Reality TV Myths Explained

Reality TV Show Myths vs. Real Life:

Begin Your Property Search for Southwest Florida Property

Bottom Line:

American Confidence in Housing at an All-Time High

More Information Southwest Florida Real Estate

Begin Your Naples Property Search

Considering Selling Your Home?

Bottom Line:

Early July Lee County Real Estate Sales

South Lee County Early July Real Estate Sales for the Week of the 6th – Organized by zip code

Bonita Springs

Southern Fort Myers

Estero

Miromar

More Information Southern Lee County Real Estate Sales

Begin Your Naples Property Search

Considering Selling Your Home?

Bottom Line:

Just Closed on a Naples Condo Sold in The Glades!

Begin Your Own Naples Property Search

Bottom Line:

As Seen On

**1. National Association of Realtors’ (NAR)** Housing Affordability Index: