Previews Luxury Symposium

Today, Chip and I attended the Previews Luxury Symposium. This is a continuing education program provided by the Coldwell Banker Southeast Region designed to give extensive, ongoing training to agents who work primarily in the listing and marketing of luxury residences. The Southeast region includes Dallas, Atlanta and Miami. This training is mandatory for us to be re-certified as Previews Property Specialists. There are approximately 12,000 Previews Specialists worldwide. Less than 1,000 in the state of Florida. It is an exclusive group of agents that make up less than 10% of the Coldwell Banker sales agents internationally. 

In addition to discussing The Power of Previews and building a personal brand, we were given several interesting luxury housing updates and recent facts about the affluent consumer.

Here are a few statistics that I found interesting:

• Across the nation, in the $10 million + price range, sales have increased approximately 60% YTD.
• More than half the sales in the state of Florida YTD have been cash transactions.
• Previews sales, defined as closings of listings priced at or above $1 million, in Florida's SW Region, comprised of communities from Sarasota to Marco Island, were up 19.7% YTD
• YTD, the list to sale ratio of Previews properties from the ORIGINAL asking price to the closed sale price was  -31%
• The top 1% of the affluent in the USA own 34% of the wealth.
• The top 10% are responsible for 50% of the dollars spent, and 70% of the margins in retail.
• If you earn $100,000 or more, you are in the top 16% in the USA.
• More than 80% of today's affluent were raised in the middle class.
• 84% of today's affluent still describe themselves as "middle class."
• Over 86% of today's affluent begin all their luxury purchases online.

Another fact that I was personally very proud of, when one of the guest speakers did a "Google search" and typed in "Luxury Homes Naples Florida", only one Coldwell Banker agent came up on the first page...that was me and Chip! In addition to this, during the seminar, the publisher of Unique Homes magazine, who was also one of our guest speakers, received a "Google Alert" which directed him to our website.  

Chip and I are dedicated to the real estate industry. This is more than just a career to us, it's our way of life...we continually update our marketing materials to reflect the current trends and we are committed to being the best we can possibly be. We understand the importance of all aspects of promoting properties; from print marketing campaigns to direct mail pieces, to Internet exposure, social networks and blogging! It is for that reason that we have affiliated ourselves with the world's leader in Luxury sales: Coldwell Banker, and why we feel privileged when a consumer chooses us to assist them with their luxury home sale or purchase. Thank you!

For additional details about the local luxury market in Naples Florida, please call us today. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to earn your business. 239.370.0574 direct

Thank you,

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

A Rare Occurrence

The very rare ghost orchid is in full bloom in Naples Florida!

The Ghost Orchid is the rarest of all specimens of orchids and perhaps the most revered in the world! Right here in Naples, at the Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary for the 3rd consecutive year, we are experiencing this magnificent and rare occurrence. The current blooming phase consists of 10 buds and is visible from the sanctuary's boardwalk now through the beginning of August. (photographers are urged to bring powerful telephoto lenses as the blooms are 45' up in an ancient bald cypress tree about 150' from the boardwalk). Area botanists have nicknamed this particular plant a Super Ghost because it bloomed 3 times in 2007 and again 3 times in 2008; both summers with multiple buds. Typical ghost orchids might have 1 or 2 buds and bloom once per year, if at all.

If you are interested in traveling to Naples to witness the ghost orchid firsthand, the area's Convention & Visitors Bureau has a special "orchid deals" web page! or you can call 1-800-688-3600.

Click here for more information about this magnificent bloom!

There is rare beauty all around us. South Florida is the only place on earth where the ghost orchid is now known to bloom...We truly are blessed to call Naples home...call us if you'd like to call Naples Home.

House-Spouse magnet

This may well be one of the weirdest real estate blog entries ever, but I felt it was worth the time for those ladies out there looking for a husband...okay, don't laugh, but here goes. We have a cute little condo listed in a neighborhood and price point that we do not normally handle. The mom of the owner is a real estate agent in another Florida city and found us on the Internet. Given her daughter's situation I decided to take the listing myself hoping that someone would do the same for one of my kids. I promised her I would take care of her daughter as though she were my own kiddo. I know it gave her a good sense of comfort knowing my years of experience. Well, never did we think a year ago that the market would have continued it's downward spiral and at such a pace...This lovely little condo is a super buy, located just a few short miles to downtown Naples and all the wonderful amenities Naples offers. Further, it boasts a spacious bedroom plus a den, covered parking, cute furnishings, in-home laundry, a wonderful community pool, a nice park-like setting, golfing nearby and best of all...are you ready for this? The last two ladies who owned this condo moved in single and met their husbands shortly thereafter. Now, this might be pushing the envelope, and of course I cannot make any guarantees, but thinking outside the box is my specialty and in this crazy market I figured, what did I have to lose, right? Oh, by the way. This sweet little condo is priced at $100,000 even. Call us if you're interested in the details or check it out yourself on our website: http://www.naplesrealestate.com/