Hello Folks,Many people know Southwest Florida (Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs) as being a playground for many of the rich and famous. Typically it is in Naples where many of the wealthy buy vacation homes as a place to retreat to when mother nature makes life cold up north. This phenomenom actually started many many years ago. A couple of our earliest "famous" residents were Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Both of these gentleman had homes next to each other and spent a considerable amount of time in Fort Myers during their life. Today the homes of these two families are now tourist attractions.Being the curious person which I am, I decided to find out who many of these famous people are/were who called Southwest Florida home or a vacation home. Here is the list:Porter Goss ..... F... 03/31/2008

Things are heating up in  Southwest Florida in more ways than just the Thermometer. Real Estate presents great opportunities for fine investments there.  The activity has picked up substantially due to the opportunity and buyers who believe that we are at or near the bottom of this market.  A friend of mine just purchased a property in Naples that originally listed for $1.2 million  for $635K.  Updated, remodeled and walking distance from 5th Ave.  Cycling even for me.  His agent who is experienced in this market estimates that it will be worth $1+ million in the reasonably near future.  Two of the agents in my Market Center have a number of $1 Million + listing under contract in Naples and Bonita Springs.  Our Market Center will have its most profitable month in some time.  The opportu... 03/31/2008

How many of us are tired of the media telling the consumer how bad real estate is?  I'd venture to guess there's more than two of us who feel this way.  Of course the flip side of the problem is the real estate professional driven statements like, "Buy Now?  Absolutely"!  A headline I just came across in Florida Realtor Magazine. Blanket banter like this is only making us look like we don't know what we're talking about especially when we're countering the "real estate is bad bad bad" banter we all have the luxury of hearing from our media.  Some blame the real estate industry for this bubble and when I hear blanket tag lines like the ones I'm getting ready to discuss, I can't really blame them. How can we fix it?  Obviously sources like our magazines and real estate entities on a natio... 03/29/2008

For those of you who are familiar with the Naples, Florida subdivisions: Pine Ridge and Royal Harbor, I'm sure you must think I'm crazy to even be trying to tie the two areas together.  These two subdivisions hardly have anything in common.  Royal Harbor is located on the eastern side of Naples Bay in the southern portion of Collier County...very close to Old Naples I might add and best known for featuring many Pine Ridge Lots are available, well, just click on the links! 03/25/2008

The February Naples condo market update reflects signs of the market strengthening as less condos are coming on the market, and pending sales increased over 2007 and 2006. These are subtle signs of changes taking place in the market and does bear watching by those thinking about purchasing a condominium residence. New Listings: During February 2008 [...] Click here to learn about Naples FL real estate. 03/23/2008

Some positive signs are continuing to show in the Naples single family home market, but it still remains a buyer’s market. Through out the month March additional commentary, neighborhood or community specific will be posted to better inform both buyers and sellers. New Listings: In the month of February a total of 887 Naples homes were [...] Click here to learn about Naples real estate. 03/23/2008

NABOR REPORTS FEBRUARY REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONSReport Shows Overall Pending Sales Increased 10.6% Breaking 28-Month Trend NAPLES, Fla. - March 17, 2008 - For the third consecutive month, real estate activity in the Naples area steadily increased, with condo sales and single-family homes under $300,000 leading the way, according to a report released by the Naples Area Board of Realtors® (NABOR), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). Most notably, February marked the end of a 28-month downward trend of pending home sales, which increased 10.6 percent overall from February 2007.NABOR President Arlene Carozza, a Realtor® and corporate trainer with Amerivest Realty, attributes the increased activity to lower median prices, reduced interest rates... 03/22/2008

What in the heck is "Shantastic"?  A property I deem exceptional above all others and let me tell you, I must be one of the most pickiest of all people.  Why?  I've seen it, I've been there, I've done that...what most consider cool or unusual is typical for me...well in many cases something I've seen...grown accustomed to...neat...but....I'm here to tell you, it TAKES ALOT TO EARN THE "SHANTASTIC" designation.  What does the designation intail specifically...it could be a number of things.  It could be location or choice of materials...furniture or interior design selections...floor plans....sometimes price if it really is that killer of a deal. I'm in a wide arrangement of homes and condos.  I can spot super cool and unusual stuff quickly and precisely...why?  I gage the responses of m... 03/21/2008

Nobody prepared me when I stumbled upon Naples, Florida over six years ago.  My husband, Jerry, and I happened to be vacationing at Fort Myers Beach in January of 2002 when we aimlessly drove to Naples to see what it was all about. We, like many unsuspecting tourists, took Tamiami Trail South all the way down until we got to 5th Avenue through Old Naples:From there, we took a left and continued our track to Port Royal:(This is one of the first houses I ever photographed in Port Royal.  I took the picture with my camera hanging out the window and clicked aimlessly because there were cars behind us, and Jerry didn't feel comfortable going too slow.  I have since retaken the picture.  This home is one of my favorites in Port Royal.) That was the end for me...or maybe the beginning.  We had... 03/18/2008

Offering homes from the $600,000's to over $6 million, Mediterra is a posh, gated community of no more than 950 new homes planned.  The community theme incorporates the rustic style of the Italian country, and the decor of the Mediterranean coast. Mediterra golf boasts many amenities, which include two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio with limited membership of 275 members per 18 holes of golf, and 25,000 sq. ft. clubhouse.  The Sports Club includes a fitness center, juice bar, pro shop, and locker facilities.  Outdoor activities include 10 Har-Tru tennis courts and a swimming pool with sundeck.  The Lifestyle of the Beach Club will also feature a pool, dining area and changing facilities for Mediterra residents and guests. An enrichment center, lakeside amphithea... 03/18/2008

If there was ever a time to select a magnificent Naples, Florida property...now might be the time to do it.  Not because prices are rock bottom or because "now is the time to buy" which is (in my opinion the most overused and least believed term in real estate)...but I believe now is the time to check out the inventory because now more so than any other time in my seven year Naples, Florida real estate memory have there been SO MANY INCREDIBLY AWESOME PROPERTIES to choose from.  I feel it's important to preface, I'm not talking about the really pretty Naples houses and Naples condos you've grown accustomed to seeing if you're familiar with my market.  I'm talking about the kind of properties that will absolutely leave you breathless.  I've been previewing and showing pretty much solid f... 03/13/2008

The Strand is a golf course community encompassing 575 acres located in the highly desirable North Naples area with easy access to beaches, the Naples Philharmonic, restaurants, shopping, Southwest Florida International Airport, I-75, hospitals and more. The focal point of the community is the 27-hole championship golf course designed by Gordon Lewis. It is a triad of courses each with nine holes. The course's rolling fairways are bordered by picturesque lakes and wooded preserves. A practice aqua range and putting green complete the one-of-a-kind golf experience.Created in world-class style, the 55,000-square-foot clubhouse invites members and their guests to relax in an elegant and comfortable atmosphere where they can experience award-winning cuisine. In addition to its grill room, t... 03/12/2008

Regarding Naples, Florida, real estate, and that old adage: You can go down, but you can't go back up...well, it's wrong!  Our prices go down, our prices go up, and we do everything in between!Here are a few examples just off the MLS hot sheet today:1.  Was $5,295,000 Now $4,850,000, a price reduction of $445,000 (WELL DONE).2.  Was $2,995,000 on 2/13, Then $2,994,500 on 3/3, Now $2,994,000 (OH BROTHER), But you can't blame the listing agent.  He's been tracking his MLS stats, and he knows he gets great exposure every time his listing shows up on the hot sheet!  Now it takes one click from there to see the listing history.  When I see a history like this, I think, PLAYER!3.  Was $2,590,000, now $2,595,000...well, it's been on the market since June of last year...maybe the market is heat... 03/10/2008

  Going to the Races is a favorite pastime for many Americans. Some people, like myself, prefer going to the horse races like the Kentucky Derby in my home town, while others prefer the NACAR races.Naples, Florida is also known around the United States for their racetrack. Also known for being the only city in the world to have two Ritz Carltons, numerous Million Dollar residences and for being the home of the Rich & Famous. Naples is an extremely nice place to live or visit, but can be quite pricey to do either.About 3 or 4 times a year the Naples racetrack is busy with excitement and the sound of engines being revved up.  We even celebrate a "Queen" for the races each year and she proudly gets to wear her crown for all to see. So, you are probably scratching your head about now wonder... 03/08/2008

Our long awaited clubhouse will be open soon!!! The facility has a fitness center, child's play room, locker room, movie theater, card room, billiards room, lounge and ball room. Additionally, a huge heated pool it being built in the back overlooked by a large covered patio. The HOA management office will also be in the building.  Progress pictures taken 3/9/08 03/08/2008

  Hi everyone....just thought I would share this great new marketing tool I am using.http://realtytimes.com/reuv/GinnyLeeIt is bringing me lots more hits to my website.  I have only had it since Tuesday and I love it.  It cost me $500 set up fee and 24.95 monthly.  I already got 80 hits to my website from it and it automatically updates the news everyday.  Let me know what you think...I am adding it to all my websites! Ginny Lee 03/08/2008

Our activity has been very exciting on all levels. Buyers are receiving an opportunity never scene before and current home owners are please to see the prices increase again. Please log on to http://www.michaelkupper.com/ for community information and purchasing opportunities. Recent SalesPhoto ModelClosing DateDetails Giacosa04/08/08Pending Mistella04/01/08Pending Giacosa03/28/08Pending Frascati03/28/08Pending Meliana03/18/08Pending Mistella03/17/08Pending Viansa03/17/08Pending Cento03/17/08Pending Petaluma03/11/08Pending Cento03/11/08Pending Meliana03/10/08Pending Cento03/10/08Pending 03/07/2008

I am a business person. I watch numbers and analyze behavior to see how they affect these numbers. The Naples market is better then it has been in a couple of years. It is still slow, but not following the national numbers the news media keeps telling us. This is Naples! There is only so much land and only the 3rd yr of baby boomers. We have 13 more years of this population migration so let's look at the bright side. What I have noticed: If the property isn't on the bottom of the curve (picture a bell curve with the list prices moving up) in a certain criteria, it doesn't get shown. When it does get shown -- it will most likely sell -- but then the low-ball offers come in. The buyers don't understand Naples----- most sellers can hold these properties for years --- they will come down to... 03/07/2008

It seems like Naples, Florida buyers come from everywhere...at least in the United States anyway!  Of course they come from abroad as well but here is a quick run down of the people who own property here in Naples but have a primary address somewhere else in the USA.  IL- 7,870NY- 6,623MI- 5,491OH- 5,300MA- 5,070NJ- 4,640PA- 3,640MN- 2,332IN- 2,299CT- 2,165WI- 1,887VA- 1,477MD- 1,427TX- 1,219CA- 1,160MO- 1,074KY- 1,071NH- 826GA- 810NC- 789RI 716TN- 609IA- 536CO- 463AL- 360ME- 354SC- 334AZ- 296DE- 233KS- 230WV- 186VT- 173WA- 141OK- 119NV- 111NE- 109LA- 101AR- 79SD- 78OR- 67ND- 65MS- 57VT- 45NM- 41HI- 32MT- 32WY-30AK- 27ID- 21If you're considering purchasing property in Naples, Florida but want to know what the people are like...chances are many of them are just like you!  Although we see... 03/05/2008

Anyone that has met me knows I love sports! It has been a passion of mine since childhood! (I am the only person I know who has the Superbowl Shuffle DVD - and has it memorized! ) I also love selling real estate and enjoy being a leader in the industry. I especially enjoy helping athletes find the home of their dreams in both Naples, Florida and Chicago.A professional athlete or retired professional athlete needs an agent who understands their specific needs - not just a local real estate agent. After 14 years of working and associating with professional athletes both professionally and personally, I have an understanding of your need for a trustworthy, confidential and informed agent. My knowledge of the luxury real estate market, proven track record and experience in assisting high pr... 03/05/2008