REAL ESTATE FORECAST - The housing downturn hit bottom and has started its turnaround, at least according to National Association of REALTORS®’ latest forecast. While the association has downgraded its forecast month-by-month for a while, the December prediction marks the first time since after the boom that National Association of REALTORS® has predicted a short-term [...]Click Here to Read More About mortgages, interest rates and finding the down payment in Naples Real Estate News. On Monday, December 17th - the market update for Bonita Springs real estate will posted. 12/13/2007

REAL ESTATE TAX AMENDMENT - Floridians will save money on their property taxes if the constitutional amendment passes in January, but not as much as first estimated. A state panel revised the numbers downward by $3.2 billion on Friday, saying it expects fewer residents to move in a slower housing market. WCI COMMUNITIES - It’s a [...]Read More About WCI and Naples Real Estate News. Market reports for the Naples real estate market will completed over the weekend and be available on Monday, December 17th. 12/13/2007

FLORIDA REAL ESTATE FORECAST - All is not gloom and doom with Florida real estate, according to the latest University of Florida study, which finds a positive outlook for commercial properties. “Job formation and migration to the state are still strong, and these are the factors that drive the real estate [...]Continue reading Naples real estate news. Looking for a Estero golf course community? Give me a call or visit my website. 12/12/2007

MORTGAGES - There are non-traditional ways to get a mortgage, and evidence suggests they’re on an upswing. Called “private-money mortgages,” they have different lending standards and carry substantially higher interest rates and fees. SUBPRIME MORTGAGES - The Bush administration plans to help strapped subprime homeowners by freezing introductory “teaser” rates on subprime mortgages for those who [...]Read additional for Naples real estate news. A great Bonita Springs golf course community is Vasari Golf and Country Club. 12/12/2007

SUBPRIME MORTGAGES - Some experts say Bush Administration efforts to help at-risk subprime mortgage borrowers won’t offer much relief since less than one-third of the mortgages qualify for the plan. FANNIE MAE - FREDDIE MAC - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. While policymakers say they should [...]Read More Naples real estate news. Looking for a Naples golf course community? You might want to consider a bundled golf course neighborhood like Cypress Woods Golf and Country Club in North Naples. 12/12/2007

FLORIDA RESEARCH - A lot of Florida government information is online – if you can find it. An agreement signed yesterday with Google, however, could make a search easier if you’re looking for state business information or doing research on a property listing. FLORIDA HOME BUILDER - Miami-based homebuilder Lennar Corp. may be in a slightly [...]Continue reading more about Naples real estate news. Thinking of moving to the Naples area - The Vineyards maybe for you if you want a Naples golf course community. 12/12/2007

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE - Many Florida homeowners are starting to see more options when it comes to property insurance coverage. Since January, eight insurers have received approval from the state Office of Insurance Regulation to cover Florida homes, with another three companies waiting for the go-ahead. FHA - According to HUD, 33,000 homeowners have taken advantage of [...]Continue reading more for Naples real estate news. Search for properties for sale in Estero Florida. 12/12/2007

REAL ESTATE TAXES - The tax swap may be back. A panel of the Florida’s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, a group with the power to put an amendment directly on the November 2008 ballot, is considering a plan to reduce homestead property taxes and cap non-homestead property taxes with a temporary increase in the [...] Continue Reading More Naples real estate news. Search for homes and condos for sale in Pelican Marsh, a guard gated Naples golf course community. 12/12/2007

REAL ESTATE INVESTING - The subprime mortgage problem has hit home for many local governments in Florida. State cities, counties and agencies have pulled billions of dollars out of a state-run investment fund that is backed by subprime mortgages. ECONOMY - The Federal Reserve’s latest economic snapshot released yesterday finds that the housing slump and credit [...]Read More Naples real estate news. Search for homes and condos for sale in Pelican Bay. 12/12/2007

HOME SALES - Disruptions in the mortgage market and tightening credit continued to impact Florida’s housing sector in October, with statewide sales of existing single-family homes totaling 9,165, a decrease of 29 percent from the October 2006 figure. The statewide existing-home median price last month was $222,100. MORTGAGES - After avoiding major trouble most of the [...]Continue Reading More About Naples real estate news. Search for Bonita Springs homes and condos for sale. 12/12/2007

HOW’S FLORIDA DOING? Gov. Charlie Crist promised to make Florida government more accessible to the public, and a new Web site seems to do just that. Florida Performs compiles data from a variety of sources and provides a synopsis of Florida’s current state of affairs. And it appears to be balanced, citing the bad news [...]Read more for Naples real estate news. Search for Naples Homes For Sale. 12/12/2007

REAL ESTATE TAXES - Continuing to bash a property-tax plan he reluctantly voted for, House Speaker Marco Rubio is now urging supporters to back a citizens’ petition to cap the total amount of taxes paid by every property owner to 1.35 percent of the property’s value. ECONOMY - Some 2 million homeowners hold $600 billion of ... Read more about Naples real estate news. Find detail information about Naples. 12/12/2007

Being a board member for the Immokalee Child Care Center is definitely something that warms my heart.  On December 7th, the Church Women United held their annual "Green Tea" where members donate unwrapped toys and money to benefit the children who attend the center on Christmas.  Pine Ridge Middle School girl's chorus presented a wonderful selection of holiday songs that were enjoyed by all in attendance.  The main event consisted of the children presenting "Twas the Night Before Christmas"  It was so well done, it brought tears to many eyes.  We are so proud of these children.  The center not only provides day care for parents who usually earn very low wages, but is also a school that prepares children to enter kindergarten.  We are always looking for sponsors, so if you would like to ... 12/11/2007

If you're looking for a gated, equity golf course community that offers two Tom Fazio 18 hole golf courses, a sports center, spa, tennis and a fabulous beach club, look no further.  Mediterra has been awarded "Community of the Year" for the fifth time since 2002.  Punctuated with fountains, lush landscaping and beautiful parks, this is an exceptional community designed for the discriminating buyer.During the last three months of 2007, there are 113 listed properties, 3 under contract and 6 closed sales.  Mediterra offers coach home properties from the $600's to luxurious estate homes into the $7,000,000 range.  If you want expert information on what is currently available, call or email me.  I live in Mediterra and know the community well. 12/11/2007

  NAPLES FLORIDA - WINTER RESORT FOR THE AFFLUENT! Naples, Florida has always been considered the winter resort for the affluent with its large magnitude of golf courses, beaches and cultural activities.  Today, it has reached the status of being the West Palm Beach on the Florida Gulf Coast.  With the growth of the luxury home and vacation-home development in the area the past few years, Inc. magazine has ranked the Naples-Marco Island area as one of the "Best Cities for Doing Business".  In the past years the redevelopment of Naples' 5th Avenue has brought a number of unique upscale boutiques, elegant restaurants and an abundance of art galleries.  Today the 5th Avenue area can acclaim a "World Famous" status.    The following Naples, Florida demographics are 2006 estimates:Population... 12/05/2007

Planning on hitting one of the beaches on the Gulf anytime soon?  Water temperatures around our Naples beaches are still in the 70's thanks to La Niña effects which makes for BEAUTIFUL NAPLES BEACH DAYS.  If you go in the water, remember to do the "Sting Ray Shuffle".  No, it's not one of the latest dance crazes you'll find people doing in one of the night clubs at South Beach, Miami.  It's when you shuffle your feet through the sand without actually picking them up to avoid stepping on one of our little creatures. Just like you, they get mad if you try to squish them and chances are they're little stinger will pack a mean little punch.  So if you shuffle your feet through the sand, chances are you won't step on them but you'll scare them away instead, making for a happier beach experie... 12/04/2007

I'm back and ready to roll!    Seems like a few of our favorite cities up north got a little bit of snow and ice while I was away.  I will be returning comments and posting as time permits between phone calls and emails from those who are starting to get interested in warm and sunny Naples, Florida real estate again.  I hope everybody up there is staying warm!  Last news update said there were 10 weather related deaths!  So button up, buckle up and be careful!  We want you guys to be safe and secure while you continue to do you real estate magic. I realize this is the first big storm and while everything is beautiful and looks like a winter wonderland, we're ready to help you find a place in sunny Naples for you to get away from it all when you grow weary of the cold weather! Hugs! 12/03/2007

 Thats right, over 200 homes sold in Naples in November!31 Homes sold between $1,000,000 - $1,999,99910 Homes Sold Between $2,000,000 - $2,999,9994 Homes Sold between $3,000,000 - $3,999,9991 Home Sold between $4,000,000 - $4,999,9991 Home Sold Between $5,000,000 - $5,999,9991 Home Sold Between $6,000,000 - $6,999,999Lastly an 8,000+ s.f waterfront home sold for $10,300,000, thats $1,281.73 per square foot! Buyer know what they want, and will buy it when they see it.  This home closed 3 days after it went pending.Oh did I mention the buyer paid cash!  12/03/2007

I am so excited to announce www.ShannonLefevre.com is now the #1 Most Popular Naples, Florida Real Estate related website according to www.Alexa.com.  I enjoyed this title briefly earlier this year but got beat out by my competition (a real estate company who has over 200 agents) and I'm almost positive that it has alot to do with my affiliation with Active Rain that gave me my competitive edge to eak back into the top spot! That's pretty exciting news considering the fact that I developed my site after getting a helping hand from a colleague.  I wrote the text, took the pictures and did almost all of the design work so to beat out big companies who spend thousands and thousands of dollars a year is a really nice surprise and honor!Another exciting result besides the fact that www.Shann... 11/30/2007

Pelican Bay is one of the most sought after Naples, Florida communities primarily because of the unique amenity package it offers in regards to beach club, dining and other recreational and fitness facilities including the highly acclaimed Pelican Bay Golf Club.  There are over 70 Pelican Bay communities so there's certainly something for everybody at Pelican Bay. So what's it take to "break in" to Pelican Bay right now?  Despite how some advertising may appear, the Pelican Bay Inn which was recently converted into condos is NOT in fact a part of Pelican Bay and does NOT offer Pelican Bay amenities.  The lowest priced condo you can purchase today is: Listed for $385,000.  2 bedroom, 2 bath with a primary view of a park.  It has been freshly painted and although some may choose to do som... 11/30/2007