Luxury Market Report 2012

Coldwell Banker Previews International released their 2012 Luxury Market Report yesterday. I thought I would share some of the interesting facts that were covered in this report. Included in this publication are Global Points, Domestic Overviews and notable achievements by the Previews brand.

Coldwell Banker has 83,000 associates in 3,100 offices in 51 countries and territories. With affiliates in every corner of the globe, Coldwell Banker has established itself as a leader in the world of luxury real estate.  According to the National Association of Realtors, total sales volume to international buyers in the U.S was estimated at $82.5 billion for the 12 months ending March 2012 -up from $66 million for the prior 12 months. Canada is responsible for the majority of the international sales, but we are currently seeing buyers from Russia, China, Brazil and the Middle East. Chinese buyers are now the 2nd largest buyers of homes in the U.S. mainly because of the power of the yuan and their country's restrictions on property purchases. Presently there are nearly 960,000 millionaires in mainland China. Brazilian buyers are purchasing condos and homes in the Miami area due in part to the rising real estate values in their country, and the fact that their currency gain against the U.S dollar increased 45% since 2008!  According to The National Association of Realtors, overall activity of foreign buyers is up 24% this year over the prior 12 months. Florida, and specifically the Miami area, has been a big contributor to that. California and New York continue to lead the U.S. in luxury sales, while other areas such as Greenwich and Chicago also attract affluent buyers.  Most international buyers pay cash, therefore the tighter lending restrictions have not effected them as much. Many of the buyers are "multi-generational", by that I mean they select high-end homes for themselves, as well as for their parents and children to use and enjoy. There is a big demand for modern styling and architecture. Amenity rich communities which offer natural resources such as nature trails and boating, exercise facilities and jogging paths are a big draw for the Europeans. Naples Florida ranks number 8 of the top 10 cities with the highest number of multi-million dollar sales, and number 9 of the top 10 markets in the U.S. with listings priced at or above $10 million. 

Previews agents participated in more than 13,5000 transaction sides of homes priced at $1 million or more in 2011. On average, Coldwell Banker Previews International handles $70.1 million in luxury sales every day! We continue to be an integral part of the strength of the luxury market worldwide.

Please let us know if you would like additional information about Luxury Real Estate in Naples Florida. The Harris Peppe Team considers it a privilege assisting you with all your housing needs. 239.370.0574

Thank you, and make it a great day!

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

  

Naples Real Estate Update

Strong Summer Sales in Naples Florida

Recently released statistics show strong summer sales abound in Naples Florida.  As reported in the Naples Area Board of Realtors Market Report, all three categories documented: Pendings, Closed Sales, and Median Sales Price showed increases for the 12 month period ending July 2012. Comparing July 2012 to July 2011 it is clear to see positive signs in every price point. Those sales posted in all pricing categories over $500,000 range were up a whopping 30%. Additionally, inventory in Naples remains at record breaking lows. Currently there are less than 3,000 single family homes for sale in the Naples SunshineMLS. ~And, considering those that have contracts 'pending with contingencies' are still included when calculating Active Listings, the inventory is even lower than what shows up when the public does independent searches on IDX sites.  The July statistics can be found on the local website which is available to the public by clicking here, Naples Area.

The entire report is quite interesting, and outlines both single family homes as well as condominiums in a chart format that is easy to read. Of course, if you would like information about a specific neighborhood, The Harris Peppe Team at Coldwell Banker Previews International would be happy to assist you.

Many of their prospects have read this report and have mentioned that it really isn't fair to compare 2012 to 2011 and expect to believe the market is as strong as purported. Many think that 2011 wasn't a very good year, so just because 2012 is showing strong sales it doesn't necessarily mean the market is strong overall. My response to this is: I compared the 2012 sales year-to-date to the total sales in 2005, a year that everyone can agree was the peak of the market. In 2005 the Naples SunshineMLS reported a total of 8,856 closed residential sales; this equates to an average of 738 closings per month. So far, in 2012 from January 1st through July 31st we have had 5,698 closings; which translates to an average of 814 closings per month. Approximately a 10% increase in units sold.  A lot of seller's are testing the market at a higher price than the comparables substantiate because of the lack of competition and then reducing the prices until an offer is obtained, rather than listing at a price in line with recent sales. This results in a lag in the list date to sold date and could account for the slight increase in days on the market, up 2% in July 2012 from July 2011. 

One of the "hottest" tickets this summer are listings in the coastal communities. As an example, the areas where we live and sell have had brisk sales and very low inventories. Coquina Sands had 26 closed sales in the past 12 months and presently there are only 8 single family homes on the market. Gina Fischer, the resident specialist for Coquina Sands mentions in her monthly update that there is only 1 home listed in this entire neighborhood priced below $1 million! This could prove to be an opportune time for sellers, especially those in older homes, and should consider having Gina do a no-obligation evaluation. You can reach Gina directly at 239.564.5475. The Royal Harbor Area presently only has 25 homes for sale. With 39 closings in the past 12 months, this means there is less than an 8 month supply of homes for sale in this community. ~And, only 7 of the 25 are priced below $1 million. Olde Naples is another coastal community being effected by high demand and low inventories. If you have any questions about waterfront properties or the downtown market, please call or email Chip Harris. 239.370.0574  

As always, all of us at NaplesRealestate.com hope to earn your business and look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you again for taking the time to read our blog. Make it a great day!

The Naples Real Estate Blogger   

Facebook and Linkedin and Twitter, oh my!

...Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! Yes, like the old quote from one of my favorite movies goes...there's a lot of scary things out there on the road to Oz! The road to Oz being the successful path to social media...

Everyday it seems I am being introduced to a new method of social networking--Yesterday I discovered Mailchimp [don't ask]...I subscribe to Hubspot, Activerain, The Real Estate Tomato,  Market Leader...to name a few...Plus various blogs and bloggers...newspapers and magazines...When I first turn my laptop on early each morning I generally have between 300 to 500 emails to sort through...On Linkedin I am a member of dozens of groups...I also check in on Foursquare [we especially like foursquare when we are out of town as it helps us to locate restaurants--seriously!] I tweet when I remember to tweet [still haven't figured out the real benefits to that one]...and when I think of it I use Hootsuite as it allows me to tweet, facebook and link in all at the same time...I have 3 pages on Facebook [four if you consider that I usually post for Chip--although he does give the ok as to what is written on his page]. ~Recently I created a Pinterest account, and I must admit, this could possible become my most addictive form of networking/sharing [which is why I stay off of it during business hours]. I get requests from friends for Branchout, Yearbook, and Farmville...and various other sub-groups and games and networking opportunities on facebook, which quite frankly I also have trouble figuring out the benefits. I just can't do them all! I'm in a few Google+ circles, and although I am certain I am not using it to its best potential, I do Google+ all my own blog posts [ha ha--why not?] Let's not forget Youtube...NaplesRealEstate.com has had a Youtube channel for nearly 5 years!

Anytime I have a free moment I am researching how to write better blogs, how to better optimize landing pages, how to measure successful email marketing...learning new ways to integrate current links and sites and how to better engage both personal and business contacts...This is the age of agents staying tethered to their electronic devices 24 hours a day...How then does one set boundaries and create balance? 

I've had people ask me if I am on facebook all day long--quite the contrary. I log on usually first thing in the morning to see what activity has transpired overnight. I log directly into our business page which allows me to write a quick post...sometimes a 'quote of the day' or a photo of Naples...I then switch over to my personal page and send out birthday wishes to friends, comment on a few posts and pictures, send out a few links so that people know I am thinking of them...and that's about it! Throughout the day I get alerted to friends updates via my cell and email...I can opt in to read the posts and give a quick *like* and/or comment, or wait till I log in again at the end of the day to get a better look. I make sure most of my Naples Real Estate website's blog posts go onto our facebook business page directly where I also promote listings, events, and other business related stories. I was taught years ago when I first got into facebook to keep the business and personal pages as separate as possible--None of my real estate agent friends want their customers and friends to read all my posts about open houses and such. It's a good tip that few follow...

The best recommendation I can give is to try to actually schedule social networking. That's right...Put it on your calendar! Block it in and stick to it. Thirty minutes in the morning--once or twice throughout the day depending on how busy you are, and again in the evening. This is still a people business, and all the Internet marketing in the world cannot take the place of good old fashion belly-to belly communication. With that being said, I would be remiss not to mention the fact that The Harris Peppe Team dervives approximately 50% of their business as a direct result of Internet Marketing!

I hope you will take a few moments to click on the links above and check out our channels and pages! Please feel free to *like* us, follow us, Google+ us...or any of the other forms of keeping us top of mind. When you think of  Naples Real Estate, please think of us!

Thank you, and make it a great day!

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

Naples Real Estate ~ Listing of the Week

Gulf Access ~ No Bridges

NaplesRealEstate.com is proud to announce their "Listing of the Week"!

One of Southwest Florida's premier boating communities, this Royal Harbor residence will satisfy the most discriminating buyer. It's all in the details in this Key West-style home which features wrap around porches and balconies overlooking the private gardens and tropical landscaping. The dream kitchen has Viking appliances and every imaginable 'must have' for the gourmet cook! The home boasts 4 spacious bedrooms plus a den and 4.5 luxurious baths. Beautifully appointed French doors, Bahama shutters, multi-terraced ceilings and crown mouldings, hardwood floors, two fireplaces, and a 650 bottle wine cellar are just a few of the other features. The outside entertainment area is fabulous and includes a wonderful pool & spa, plus two boat lifts and a lay-along dock!  Make an appointment for a private showing today!

Please call us if you would like additional photographs or a floor plan of this exquisite property. Being offered at $2,150,000. This is one of Naples' best newer home buys [built in 2008] on the water. 239.370.0574 If you would like a complete list of everything currently listed on the water, with direct gulf access, in Naples Florida, please let us know! Homes for sale in this neighborhood start just under $1 million dollars. It is our pleasure to assist you!

Thank you, and Make it a great day!

The Naples Real Estate Blogger



Naples Real Estate Listing of the Week

Architectural Masterpiece

Located in the prestigious neighborhood of Terracina, and within the gated golf course community of The Vineyards, this Naples residence features a main home boasting 3 spacious bedrooms plus a study with custom built-ins, and two detached & separate guest quarters with private baths which are ideal for visiting friends or family, adult children, in-law suites or live-in au pair. The king-sized lot offers the ultimate in privacy, amazing trees and vegetation, and the pool & spa and outside kitchen & entertainment area is perfect for enjoying the tropical Florida lifestyle. Nearly 3500 sf of living area surround the huge covered lanai with brick pavers. The home also features a 3 car side entry garage, a 180 bottle wine cellar and a gourmet granite kitchen with gas stove. Please call The Harris Peppe Team today for additional information about this week's featured property. 239.370.0574

Thank you and make it a great day!

The Naples Real Estate Blogger