Here in Naples and other parts of Southwestern Florida annual flooding is an unavoidable disaster. The pleasures of living near an ocean or on a beach are obviously not without their risks, and can be considerable. However, what you may not know is that inland living can be just as risky. No matter where you live, the threat of flash floods is very real. Did you know there does not even have to be a body of water anywhere near your home? Flash floods can strike quickly and without any warning, due to large quantities of rainfall within a short time period. The smallest amount of water can afford a huge amount of damage. Will you be prepared in case of flooding in Naples Florida? Does your homeowners insurance provide the additional flood coverage necessary to offer you real peace of min... 03/04/2008

My excitement seems to build a bit more each time I drive down Vanderbilt Beach Road and catch a glimpse of the new Mercato shopping center. As a real estate professional my interest is obvious, but my enthusiasm also comes from an understanding of what this shopping center will mean to our Naples Florida community. Here in Southwest Florida, and throughout the state of Florida, land is at a premium. The Mercato project was created by one of the founding developers of Parkshore Beach in Naples Florida, and is situated on 53 acres of prime real estate just 1.5 miles from the LaPlaya Beach. This is a golden opportunity and may not happen again for a long time, if ever. The largest store in the Mercato shopping center, and the most highly anticipated arrival is Whole Foods. Whole Foods is ... 03/04/2008

As some of you may know real estate trends continuously.  When one person calls me about Old Naples real estate it seems as if I get two or three more calls or email requests asking for the same type of property.  Where are the current Naples, Florida real estate search concentrations? Since March 1st, I'm seeing the following as reported in my web statistics, phone and email inquiries: Pelican Bay:  Traffic related to Pelican Bay is still high with Pelican Bay condo searches out performing Pelican Bay single family home searches by almost 300%.  The most visited neighborhood within Pelican Bay so far this month is Bridge Way Villas at Pelican Bay and Grand Bay at Pelican Bay taking a close second. Bay Colony:  Traffic is high as well with many locations within Bay Colony out performing... 03/04/2008

When you think of Spring Break, you think Naples, Florida right?  No?  Really?..... Maybe you should!  But let's start with the basics!  When you think of spring break, what comes to mind? Are lots of young kids acting crazy? Lots of under aged drinking? Lots of high-jinxed activities like bikini contests and mud wrestling? Live, Loud music? Lots of traffic? Old men with binoculars? Crowded beaches? Ok so take all of those visions in your head and THROW THEM AWAY! That is not spring break in Naples, Florida.Spring break in Naples, Florida, is quiet...for the most part!  You will not find a lot of craziness going on at the Naples beaches.  There are no crazy contests or binge drinking or under-aged teens stumbling around wasted on our beaches.  These kids have not taken over the cheap ho... 03/03/2008

Somebody made a comment yesterday about there not being very much for sale in Bay Colony making me realize it's time for a Bay Colony Naples, Florida real estate update! What's HOT! Mansion La Palma at Bay Colony has no inventory left.  Both units have recently gone under contract. Brighton at Bay Colony has 2 of the 5 units that were available left. Carlysle at Bay Colony has 1 of the 2 remaining units left. Contessa at Bay Colony has 3 available. (None of these have been on the market long) Salerno at Bay Colony has 2 available. Toscana at Bay Colony only has one left from 4 (earlier this year). Villa La Palma only has 1 left. Vizcaya at Bay Colony has 2 left. What's Not As Hot! Biltmore at Bay Colony has 2 available. Remington at Bay Colony has 3 available. Trieste at Bay Colony is s... 03/03/2008

My sellers at 400 Lambiance Cir. #202 had me reduce the price on this lovely unit from $664,900.00 to $624,900.00.  An open floor plan with 1967 under air, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, an attached garage and a peaceful lake and aquascape view, this makes for a good buy in L'Ambiance in Pelican Bay.If someone desires to be close to the Gulf of Mexico in a beach community, L'Ambiance in Pelican Bay is a great place to live.  L'Ambiance is walking distance to shopping, movie theaters, the library and the Pelican Bay Community Center.Escape those cold winters,own in Pelican Bay and you could feel the warm sand between your toes while enjoying sunsets at the beach in Pelican Bay.  03/02/2008

Our value for a new home in Naples is clearly the best. Can you think of a Naples golf course community with $100 per square foot pricing? No? Of course not, becuase there is not any.25 of or 43 inventory home have been bought in the last 22 days. Please call me now before the last inventory home is gone.  Photo of Home          Model  www.michaelkupper.com        Purchase Date          Details Mistella04/01/08Pending Giacosa03/28/08Pending Frascati03/28/08Pending Meliana03/18/08Pending Viansa03/17/08Pending Cento03/17/08Pending Bardolino03/17/08Pending Petaluma03/11/08Pending Cento03/11/08Pending Cento03/10/08Pending Mistella03/07/08Pending Meliana03/04/08Pending Cento02/27/08Welcome our new homeowners from Naples, FL Allegrini02/22/08Welcome our new homeowners from Naples,FL 03/01/2008

Not all of Pelican Bay homes and condos are on the rise but if you were hoping to break into Pelican Bay with $350,000 it will take some negotiating if you can make it happen at all.  Until earlier this month there were two units available in Pelican Bay for $350,000 but both of those units have since gone under contract.  The next greatest deal in Pelican Bay is now listed for $374,900. ***SPECIAL NOTE***If you are searching MLS or any websites with IDX you may notice listings with an address of 800 Vanderbilt Beach Rd.  This is Pelican Bay Inn which is a condo conversion and not actually affiliated with Pelican Bay as no amenities are available with the purchase of one of these units. Some areas are completely sold out at this time while other have limited inventory left: Barrington a... 02/29/2008

 Here in Southwest Florida we continue to have beautiful days, warm breezes and lots of activity.  There is increased activity and this comes from agents who report that the buyers are more active than last season.  Although some buyers are still anxious about getting back in, the hesitation may cost them as the well priced, fabulous listings with fabulous prices are being plucked off the market... some in as little as 3 weeks market time.  Not only has Naples reported condo sales increases but Bonita Bay as well... what are you waiting for? higher prices?? 02/26/2008

I attended a Parade of Homes at Lely last week sponsored by Stock Development and the Southwest Florida Building and Industry Association. Lely has been under development for quite a few years and understandably, in the recent past, development has slowed. However, with prices adjusted substantially from 2 years ago there is a renewed interest. This is particularly true in that many new neighborhoods have opened and there are new construction products available at "crazy prices", at least, as compared to years gone by. Ole, for example, is one of the hotest multi-unit Spanish styled neighborhoods. Follow the link below for some photos and more information on Ole, condos, coach homes, villas, and single family homes. Ole pricing starts at $194,000 but there is existing inventory on sale:... 02/25/2008

There many real estate agent professionals touting the short sale as the MAGIC pill for property owners as a cure all for any situation from loans based upon dishonest income information (stated income loans – “liar loans”) to real estate investors that are not realizing the profits they anticipated. People are always looking for the MAGIC pill [...] Real more about short sales. Click here to learn about Bonita Springs real estate. 02/24/2008

  I just came from a delightful evening Luau at Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club off Immokalee Rd. here in Sunny, Warm, Naples Florida.   This gated community with bundled golf ( 27 holes) was celebrating it's Grand Opening of the new Clubhouse.  The fitness equipment looked terrific, the tiki bar was flowing, food was tasty and everyone had a smile on their face!I have personally golfed at this gorgeous course and cannot say enough about the staff and beauty of the natural surroundings!   There is a bit of everything in this Lennar built community offering condo's, single family homes, and villa living.  Give me a call  or send me an email http://www.floridahmz.com/   We can get you set up for a preview, maybe some golf for the day and if you really like it put a deposit down on a lo... 02/21/2008

NABOR REPORTS JANUARY REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONSReport Shows Strong Condo Sales and Reduced Median Price NAPLES, Fla. - February 14, 2008 - January home sales were up slightly compared to a year ago, including an 11 percent increase in condo sales, announced in a report released by the Naples Area Board of Realtors® (NABOR), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island).According to NABOR President Arlene Carozza, a Realtor® and corporate trainer with Amerivest Realty, while overall pending sales decreased year-to-date, the report includes many positive indicators of market activity."The momentum we saw last month is continuing and sales are being made, especially in the condominium market and single-family homes under $300,000." Carozza stated.The re... 02/20/2008

 Hello Naples Buyers....  Tell me what are  YOU  currently looking for?  How can I help?  Excellent deals come across my desk via my email everyday, call me and tell me what you are looking for... Condo sales are up, there are high rises along Gulf Shore Blvd, N - quick walk to Venetian Village, some are waiting for the finishing touch like the John R. Wood at ARIA - an amazing building.  Have a pet don't worry I can help place you in the perfect winter residence.  Visit www.floridahmz.com for more information, contact me I am happy to help.                                              Current temperature is 74 Degrees , Partly Cloudy.... Sending you Warm Breezes                                                                                                                              ... 02/20/2008

properties homebuyers can select from: single family homes, luxury condos, gated communities and gorgeous golf communities.  Why would you want to opt for a Naples golf community instead of something traditional like a single family home?  For one, you’ll be living in a property that’s far more valuable than what these conventional homes cost.  If the thought of moving into a golf community home has crossed your mind, there are a couple of things to be aware of in advance. Location is everything.  This is something you may be thinking goes without saying but it becomes a tad more involved when it comes to golf homes.  Since you’ll be living practically feet away from a golf course, you want to make sure you’re not so close to the point that the noise from golf carts or people on the co... 02/11/2008

Many potential buyers in Naples real estate market are looking for possible short sales, pre-foreclosures, or foreclosed properties. Their search begins with reading that the state of Florida is one of the states with the highest number of foreclosures. Real estate is local and just as it is local, not all localities have a large number [...] read more of this more informative article and data.Click here to learn about Naples real estate. 02/09/2008

Anyone spending anytime in real estate learns quickly that everything trends.  If one person is looking for a beach front condo...3 more people are contacting me about the same thing.  Pelican Bay and Bay Colony is trending hot right now as far as that goes but this post isn't about Where Naples, Florida buyers are purchasing.  This post is more about How Naples, Florida buyers are purchasing. Site-unseen offers were something we saw back in 2005 when everything was hot, hot, hot when properties were on the market for mere minutes compared to days and months so site-unseen offers were more of a necessity compared to today.  What's curious though is I just wrote two site-unseen offers this week for similar reasons.  Buyer "A" is purchasing in Bay Colony. Buyer "B" is purchasing in Pelica... 02/08/2008

Front of the home. Single garage on left and 2 car tandem garage on right. This Giacosa Model is our most popular for obvious reasons. It is beautiful and offers big square footage and extraordinary features. The front of the home has 2 balconies off a guest bedroom and loft. The owner's suite has a large balcony of the rear. Please take a look at an interactive floorplan here http://medialabapprovals.com/DRHortonHomesFtMyers/Valencia/Ebrochures/giacosa.html Large kitchen with granite, maple cabinets and Whirlpool stainless appliances Guest bathroom tile detailLoft doors to balcony  Guest bedroom balconyFront viewRear veiw from owner's suite balcony 39' foot 2 car garage 02/07/2008

The calls and emails regarding Pelican Bay homes and condos continue steadily, most of which are still beginning with "I want a deal."  I've had the following conversations with countless people lately, and it continues to be a hard conversation with the buyer does not quite believe what I have to say based on all of the news they've gathered from various news sources across the county.  This post was written for not one buyer in mind but four to help me get some valid points conveyed. If you, too, are looking for a Pelican Bay deal.  DO NOT DELAY!Here are some more examples of Pelican Bay's best deals now pending contract or recently sold:Avalon at Pelican Bay:What I considered the best deal in Pelican Bay just went under contract with a list price of $350,000.  It was reduced from $37... 02/06/2008

  For those who want Naples' exclusivity, championship golf and oceanfront elegance, there is The Ivy. Offering more than 3,000 square feet of living, the spacious homes feature the finest interior appointments and grand architectural details. While the private clubhouse provides the residents with the perfect place to meet and socialize with family and friends. THE IVY AT NAPLES GRANDE WITH RESIDENCES STARTING FROM THE LOW $700'SPRICE RANGE FROM $700,000 - $1,200,000RESIDENTIAL OFFERINGS - FLOOR PLANSWHITE OAK Floor Plan:  TWO BEDROOM TWO BATH WITH STUDY Total Area: 3,358 Sq. Ft. LAUREL: Floor Plan: 3 BEDROOMS 3 1/2 BATHS WITH STUDYTotal Area: 3,269 Sq. Ft. ASPEN Floor Plan: 3 BEDROOMS 3 1/2 BATHS WITH STUDYTotal Area: 4,310 Sq. Ft.The Ivy at Naples Grande offers a location that keeps ... 02/05/2008