I have always spread the word on the new home value of the community but fail to tell you how nice the golf course is. Golf Course The Valencia Golf & Country Club is one of the few public courses in the area and is a must play course. It is surrounded by vibrant landscaping and rolling fairways. Golf Digest recently rated it 3.5 out of 4 stars. See for yourself at http://www.golfdigest.com/courses/places/6355 For More Information, please visit their website: http://www.valenciagolfandcountryclub.com    09/30/2008

 Yesterday my day was dominated by my cell phone.  I  had calls about listings, land, and what our market is doing.  It was a noticeably busier day.  I spoke to a colleague and she also had a lot of calls and appointments lined up. Hmmmm..... I also had a call from my mother in-law who has property for sale.  She also has money market accounts.  I found what she had to say very interesting.  What she said was.... I think I will hold onto my house ( it was for sale)  and maybe buy more.  I know where my money is ...I feel like it's ( her money) safer in the house, prices are low, and it is an investment. I have made money with the houses and land we have bought over the years. Yesterday I also met up with an out of state buyer. She, on a whim, had flown down to check out the area.  Her c... 09/30/2008

Are you familiar with the word Lanai?  What is a Lanai ?  How do you say it?     Here in Naples, Florida ( and other Florida towns) homes often have a Lanai.  If you are unfamiliar with the word according to Wikipedia  Lānaʻi (in Hawaiian pronounced [lɑːnɑʔi is a Hawaiian Island. Lanai (without the okina) is the Hawaiian word for a porch or balcony. Since we are not in Hawaii, you guessed it the term is used here in Naples to describe a porch or living area. This area is often shared with a pool/spa and often (though not always )is enclosed by a large screen structure.  It may incorporate a roof (covered area), fireplace, or outdoor kitchen. This " living area" is not counted in the living area square footage of a listing but will show in the total square footage on the MLS print out.  ... 09/29/2008

     R.I. P.  Rooster In Peace Yesterday we overslept.  Not something that usually ever happens at our house.  At first I didn't think anything about it then when I went out to feed the horses I noticed it was really quiet.  Now if you know me or have ever called me at home when I'm outside then you know where this is going.  Among the many animals at my house was also A.H. the Rooster.  Often I'm asked " Is that a rooster I hear?" He wasn't always charming and occasionally had real moments, but still he belonged to our little group. Some of my least favorite moments were normal rooster teenage moments.  If you are at all familiar with roosters you know what I am talking about.  There are the moments when they start feeling their oats and run up behind you and try to jump on you and att... 09/28/2008

If you know me you know I'm an outdoor girl!  Being the weekend I like to try and squeeze in some fishing time.  Don't worry I am sitting here now at an Olde Naples Open House so I still manage to balance both work and fun! Remember all work and no play makes for a burnt out Realtor®. So here is some of  what is happening on the local fishing front here in Naples.  Fishing has been hot along the shore.  The last week has been  great!  Sheepshead are being caught along the pilings & rocks with live bait (shrimp). Schools of Jacks have been going crazy and Snook are back in season ( Sept 1 -Dec 1).  Limits are 1 per day 28 to 32 inches. Snook are large and hanging out along the rock walls.  Last weekend I watched a lady fly fishing off the beach.   She caught a few nice big ones.   When I... 09/27/2008

With our new inventory coming on line soon our preferred lender is offering an interest rate incentive for homes purchased this weekend. This weekend any home sold that closes within 30 days will receive a reduced interest rate. Conventional conforming 30 yr fixed rated will be 6.25% and FHA 30 yr fixed will be 6%. The rate special is for primary home purchase for qualified buyers. I MUST receive the full purchase contract by 8:00 a.m. on Monday with a completed tri-fold. Please call me at 239-253-1190 with any question. Have a great weekend!!! John R. Platt DHI Mortgage Branch Sales Manager Tel 239-275-3713Fax 239-275-4740   09/27/2008

Compass Cove Moorings   The latest numbers from the MLS for the Moorings show the following: 2007 Total Units Sold 109 2007 Total Single Family Homes Sold 32/109 2008 Total Units Sold To Date 99 2008 Total Single Family Homes Sold To Date 32/99 Presently there are 5 Single Family Homes Pending and 3  Pending Condo's, High Rise , Low Rise  * Total of  8 Pending Moorings Units Leeward Lane Listing    Also important to note are that New Listings in the Moorings are declining.  New Listings tend to increase during the winter months as indicated however the trend appears to be downward overall.   The source of this real property information is the copyrighted and proprietary database compilation of SunshineMLS, LLC.This information is not warranted or guaranteed. This information should be i... 09/26/2008

Well whether you love it or hate it SURVIVOR is back... If you missed tonights premier you can have a look at all the contestants and read about our own Naples Resident Ace Gordon's Bio and see his video here.   This years Survivor will take place in Gabon, Africa.  Survivor airs on CBS on Thursday nights at 8 p.m.      With all the bad news it's a little entertaining to see someone from around town .... whether you end up liking him or hating him ...it's all in good fun and a nice break from the billion dollar bailout!      As always for all your Naples real estate needs and area information I am here www.FloridaHmz.com         09/25/2008

  Professional Settlement Services, LLC have their Naples office up and running. Many of us  in real estate are familiar with Marilyn Mannarino.  She is a charming lady with a huge heart.  Often she can be spotted at a NABOR ( Naples Area Board of Realtors) or WCR ( Women's Council of Realtors) Events. Recently I had the good fortune to join her for lunchand again at a WCR event.  As always she makes me smile and has some good promotions. Marilyn is more then a business aquaintance, she is a friend as well. Marilyn Mannarino Marilyn is the Sr. Underwriter and does a great job promoting Professional Settlement's  services. Wth over 30 years in the business Marilyn has seen her share of markets ( good and bad) and helped to close many deals.  Her daughter Susan Mannarino is the Managing P... 09/24/2008

I recently visited the new Whole Foods Store Grand Opening which took place on Friday September 5th, 2008. The 52,000 square foot Whole Foods Market's at The Mercato near the intersection of Vanderbilt Beach Rd. and US41 (Tamiami Trail) is the first store in Southwest Florida.  The opening is estimated to generate approximately 100 new jobs in addition to the 100 plus employees transferred from the Wild Oats store that recently closed along Airport-Pulling Road and Naples Boulevard (near Pine Ridge Rd.) in North Naples. The store is much larger than a normal grocer and more like a gigantic warehouse with many more offerings than the Wild Oats store in which it replaces.  Not only does it sell fresh pre-made sushi, but now they also have a large selection of fresh salads, soups, ready-to... 09/24/2008

  One of our recent Farm postcards has rewarded us with 3 new listings! The front of the postcard asks, "How Can You Tell If It's a Team Paradise Listing?" and on the back we respond with "Because It's Got Sold Written All Over It!" We used something similar in the past and did not have the similar response although we got more business from it. Here's the wining difference. Instead of the property description below, we added testimonials from the sellers. We also included at the bottom, "Don't take our word that Greg & David are the best choice for Autumn Woods...Just read what your former Autumn Woods Neighbors had to say about us!" WOW...What a difference and more business will soon come! Use the idea for yourself and share your best success with us! Please share your comments, pet p... 09/23/2008

Vanderbilt Beach This weekend there are two exciting events that will be happening here in Naples Florida. On Saturday 9/27 from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Outdoor Family Movie Night will be held on an inflatable screen at  the Cambier Bandshell in Cambier Park.  This is a FREE event and is a great idea for families or if you have grandchildren visiting. The featured movie is STREET RACER. You are welcome to set up your beach chair or blanket... (p.j.'s are a great idea then you can put the kiddos straight into bed when you get home!)...  and the concession stand will have some snacks if you're hungry.  Outdoor Movie Night  is a lot of fun and for many of us  brings back memories of sitting in the back of the station wagon at the Drive In.  My favorite  (it's one of the few still in existence )is... 09/23/2008

The start of Fall is not just a day! You may not think much of the first day of fall but it is one of only two days in the year that the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west.  This is referred to as the equinox because you have an equal amount of day and night.  It stands to reason the that the day of the equinox is the only day that you can directly locate. We have winter here in the northern hemisphere because starting in the fall the north pole begins to tilt away from the sun.  Cooler weather comes because the rays are no longer shining directly down on the earth.  In winter when the north pole is tilted farthest away from the sun you have the shortest amount of daylight hours and the coldest weather. It stands to reason then that people love the winters here... 09/22/2008

 ModelSq. Footage(Under Air)DetailsPrice Ashmore 1382 3X2X2 on the lake with a golf course view TOTAL: $210k Devon 1827 3x2x2 Southern exposure water view READY in Sept '08 TOTAL: $251k La Palma 2046 4x2.5x2 & Southern water view READY in Oct '08 TOTAL: $264k Cassiano 2423 4x3x2 w/ den & golf view READY in Nov '08 TOTAL: $343k Madeira 2554 3x2.5 w/ loft, upgrades, lake & golf view READY in Nov '08 TOTAL: $295k Madeira 2554 4x2.5x2 & Golf view READY in Nov '08 TOTAL: $292k Salina 2676 4x2.4x2 w/ loft & southern water view READY Oct '08 TOTAL: $295k Torino 4377 5x4.5x3 w/ bonus READY in Nov '08 TOTAL: $492k 09/22/2008

Naples was declared as a recovering market that was "slightly undervalued" by Richard Dekaser who was also the one that proclaimed "three years ago, the poster child for excess valuation in America was Naples, Florida!" In an interview with CNBC Wednesday night, Richard Dekaser, a senior vice president and chief economist at National City Corp., singled out Naples in talking about the "first rays of sunshine on a possible end to the housing crisis." No longer is it overvalued. Through the second quarter of this year, prices have dropped 33 percent, he said, leading him to judge the market as "slightly undervalued." That means home prices are actually lower than where they should be. I believe it's been apparent that many of the resort communities have been extremely well valued since th... 09/21/2008

I'm always most delighted to pass along stories that report good news about the Naples Florida real estate market. In my last two market updates, I provided statistical information that supported that sales were increasing each month in 2008. The prices, as I always emphasize, were still down in certain geo locations. Again, if you buy or own property in what I refer to as the "it" locations, you may have already seen the bottom.Today, the Naples Daily News (story below) cites an interview on CNBC where Naples is said to be slightly undervalued. Oh la la!  Finally the story we have all been waiting for.  Enjoy and, take heart, for some the bottom may be here at last. A word to buyers - if you're intent is to buy in the market over $300,000, west of 41, waterfront, downtown Naples or cer... 09/19/2008

This paraphrased from a Naples News article by Laura Layden We all know that Florida, Naples included of course, is the sunshine state so we expect no less than sunshine all the time! There hasn't been much sunshine in the media with regard to real estate in a long time but just maybe it's starting. It is according to Richard Dekaser, senior VP and chief economist at National Citi Corp., in a very recent interview on CNBC this past Wednesday. Dekaser singled out Naples in talking about "the first rays of sunshine on a possible end to the housing crisis". Can you believe that? He actually used the words 'end to the housing market' and he was talking abut Naples! "Three years ago,", said Dekaser, "the poster child for excess valuation in America was Naples, Florida." Naples is the only ma... 09/19/2008

Twin Eagles is now offering two types of golf memberships. The original refundable membership and a new, reduced cost, non-refundable membership. It may be reduced in cost but it is not reduced in what it offers. It is a full-privileges lifetime membership. The non-refundable membership is available for a limited time only. Follow the link to view listings - resale and new construction. Read more... 09/19/2008

I will select articles from NaplesNews.com from time to time that reflect what is happening in Naples, Florida with regard to The Naples Florida Real Estate Market, the Naples Florida Lifestyle and just about anything that sounds interesting to ponder about.   NAPLES — Twenty something doesn't sound old. At least in people years. But it's different in retail. The Village on Venetian Bay off Gulf Shore Boulevard is more than 20 years old, and to keep it looking as good as its younger competitors around town, the shopping center is getting a multimillion-dollar makeover. The work got under way a few weeks ago. That's when the "Pardon Our Dust" signs went up and the hard hats of construction workers became partof the shopping scene at the upscale, waterfront center. The center — owned and ... 09/19/2008

Three years ago Naples, Florida couldn't buy a positive real estate market article.  Naples, Florida was once tagged "Most Overvalued Real Estate" market in countless articles across the country and perhaps world.  It was unbelievable!  One day we were negotiating deals within minutes of properties hitting MLS to trading "end of the world" articles with colleagues like kids trade baseball cards.  It felt like we were Homecoming Queen in the Fall only to find out in the Spring we couldn't even get a date to Prom.  I distinctly remember when the first negative article came out.  There didn't seem to be an ounce of proof of a cooling market.  Buyers were still busy buying and properties were still appreciating.  I remember thinking what courage that writer must have...I wonder what he's sm... 09/18/2008