By LAURA LAYDEN | Monday, October 28, 2013 |NAPLES
Collier County’s tourism industry continues to shine.
The county has seen more than 1.25 million visitors this year, who have pumped more than $1.2 billion into the local economy.
From January to September, visitation grew 4.6 percent over the year, with spending up 10.9 percent, in part due to a jump in European tourists, according to a report by Tampa-based Research Data Services Inc., a county consultant.
Visitation from Europe is up 4.4 percent over last year. That kind of growth, Walter Klages, president of Research Data Services, said is “truly unbelievable.”
He told the county’s Tourist Development Council on Monday that he looked at 11 competing destinations and none showed such speedy growth from that market.
Year-to-date, more than 173,000 Europeans have visited the county.
Major improvements planned for the Port of Tampa will attract more cruise ships, and with that more Europeans, Klages said. AIDA Cruises, catering to a younger German crowd, recently announced it will arrive at the port next year, offering trips to the Western Caribbean.
Germans, in particular, like to “migrate” when they’re vacationing, rather than staying in one place, Klages said.
“They are what I call gypsies,” he said. “They will travel.”
The county’s visitation from Central Europe grew more than 237 percent from 2003 to 2013, and rose 67 percent from the United Kingdom in those same years.
Tourism growth isn’t just coming from Europe.
Collier County has seen visitation from all of its major feeder markets rise this year, except in the Southeast, where it’s fallen 0.4 percent.
Visitors from other parts of Florida continue to top the list, with more than 454,508 making their way to the county this year, through September, up 4.5 percent from last year.
Year-to-date, visitation is up 6.2 percent from the Northeast, 4 percent from the Midwest, 8.9 percent from Canada and 6.1 percent from what’s described as opportunity markets, or markets where the county doesn’t advertise.
The Klages report, done monthly, only counts “heads in beds,” or visitors staying overnight in hotels and other vacation rentals.
If out-of-towners staying with friends or family and day trippers were counted, the number of visitors to the county would be much higher, increasing the total anywhere from 25 to 50 percent monthly.
“They do have a tax impact,” Klages said. “They do.”
Through September, visitors had booked nearly 1.8 million room nights this year, up 3.4 percent over the last year.
In September alone, visitation rose 3.8 percent to 76,300, while their spending increased nearly 9 percent to more than $56 million over the year. Meanwhile, room nights booked for the month grew 3.7 percent.
Murray Hendel, chairman of the Tourist Development Council, questioned whether all the turmoil in Washington, D.C., might hurt visitation in the final months of the year. While the rest of the world might be shaking its head about what’s going on in the U.S., with the recent government shutdown and mess over Obamacare, Klages said he expects no impact on tourism locally.
“Our travelers are well-heeled people, well-informed people,” he said.
© 2013 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online
RISMEDIA, Monday, October 28, 2013
Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates hitting their lowest levels since this summer amid market speculation that the Federal Reserve will not alter its bond buying purchases this year.
• The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.13 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending October 24, 2013, down from last week when it averaged 4.28 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.41 percent.
• The 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.24 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.33 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.72 percent.
• Survey shows the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.00 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.07 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.75 percent.
• The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.60 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.63 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.59 percent.
“Mortgage rates slid this week as the partial government shutdown led to market speculation that the Federal Reserve will not alter its bond purchases this year,” says Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. “The weak employment report for September added to this expectation. The economy added just 148,000 jobs, which was below the market consensus forecast and less than the 193,000 jobs increase in August.”
For more information, visit www.FreddieMac.com.
More About Buying A Home:
What to Look for in a Mortgage Loan Officer
Housing market heats up — and it’s just getting started
By JUNE FLETCHER | Sunday, October 27, 2013 | NAPLES
Though new homes are being built at a furious pace, real estate market analysts say they aren’t making a dent in Southwest Florida’s housing shortage.
Shelton Weeks, chairman of the department of economics and finance at Florida Gulf Coast University south of Fort Myers, said the surge is driven by the fact that home prices finally have risen above building replacement costs.
But he doesn’t expect new construction will occur fast enough to have a big effect on the resale market for at least two years.
“I don’t think it will take the edge off,” he said. “I expect a healthy market, but inventory will remain tight.”
The latest statistics from MetroStudy show that for the second quarter, annual housing starts were up nearly 42.8 percent in Collier County and 40.7 percent in Lee County from the same period a year earlier.
The firm expects housing starts to continue to increase steadily for the rest of the year.
But new home inventory still remains extremely tight at below-normal ranges: 1.2 months in Collier County and 1.3 months in Lee, the research firm said.
Meanwhile, builders are underscoring their confidence that the boom will continue by taking out new permits.
In August, they were up 30 percent year-to-date compared with the same period a year earlier in Collier County and 42 percent in Lee, the National Association of Home Builders said.
Naples real estate broker Brenda Fioretti notes that builders are building in every price range and location — except the beach, where land is scarce. Many wealthy buyers are buying an older home for its land value, tearing it down and building a custom “dream home,” she said.
Since new homes generally are more expensive than existing ones, that’s pushing some would-be new home buyers into the resale market, real estate agents say.
Currently there are more than 45 active new home communities from Estero to south Collier County, the web site Newconsearch.com says. Others will be launched soon.
Here’s a sampling of what’s available:
* * * * *
The clubhouse at Bonita Lakes will include a resort-style swiming pool and a separate shallow splash zone. There also will be a Har-Tru bocce ball court and lighted Har-Tru tennis courts. photo: Naples News
Ground-breaking for the clubhouse of this gated community took place in September. About 45 homes are in various stages of permitting and construction. Ten of the home designs have first-floor master suites.
■ Builder and developer: Toll Brothers
■ When started: Fall 2012
■ Number of homes when completed: 268
■ Amenities: Two pools, bocce and tennis courts, recreational facilities
■ Project size: 120 acres
■ Types of homes: One- and two-story villa and estate homes
■ Price range: Low $300,000 to upper $500,000
■ Square footage: 2,058 to 4,354
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/01/toll-brothers-holds-ground-breaking-for-at-lakes/
Camden Lakes, 16088 Camden Lakes Circle, North Naples
Grand opening of models will take place Nov. 2, but 15 percent of the homes have been presold. Homes are targeted to move-up buyers and empty nesters. The project is expected to be completed in 2014.
■ Builder and developer: Pulte Homes
■ When started: July 2013
■ Number of homes when completed: 150
■ Amenities: Heated pool; fitness center; half-court basketball; community gathering room; catering kitchen; outdoor barbecue grill; fire pit; pavilion, and covered verandah
■ Project size in acres: 60
■ Types of homes: 150 single-family homes
■ Price range: high $200,000s to low $600,000s
■ Square footage: 1,750 to 3,500
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jul/28/pulte-starts-construction-of-3-models-at-camden/
■ Esplanade at Hacienda Lakes, 8625 Collier Blvd., Naples
■ Land clearing began in mid-summer for the first residential parcel within the new 2,262-acre master planned community Hacienda Lakes. Built by Taylor Morrison, the 153-acre project will be called Esplanade at Hacienda Lakes. Pricing and home designs haven’t been set.
■ Builder: Taylor Morrison; developer: Hacienda Lakes LLC
■ When started: Models will open in early 2014
■ Number of homes when completed: 443
■ Project size: 153 acres
■ Types of homes: Villas and single-family homes with two or three bedrooms and two-car garages
■ Amenities: The master-planned community eventually will include clubhouses, sports courts, pet park, retail, offices, a hotel, a business park and a public school. About 1,500 acres will be preserve land.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/oct/20/clearing-underway-for-hacienda-lakes-first/
Isles of Collier Preserve, southwest corner of Bayshore and Thomasson drives, Naples
On the edge of Rookery Bay, the 2,400-acre master-planned community once known as Sabal Palm will preserve half of the land. Homes will have an Old Florida design.
■ Builder and developer: Minto Communities
■ When started: January 2013; seven models opening January 2014
■ Estimated buildout: 2024
■ Number of homes when completed: 1,600
■ Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, hiking and biking trails, kayak launch
■ Project size: 2,400 acres
■ Types of homes: Single-family and coach homes to start; later estate homes and multifamily will be built.
■ Price range: low $400,000s to mid $700,000s
■ Square footage: 1,621 to 3,995
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/09/groundwork-isles-of-collier-preserve-taking-on/
Maple Ridge at Ave Maria, 5000 Avila Ave.
The single-family homes are targeted to families; 50 have sold during preconstruction. Eight models will soon open; 10 different floor plans are offered with three-to-six bedrooms. Some lots have lake views.
■ Builder: CC Devco; developer: Ave Maria Development/Barron Collier Cos.
■ When started: June 2013
■ Number of homes completed: Four out of eight models will open in November, and four more by year’s end
■ Number of homes when completed: 1,500
■ Amenities: Clubhouse, 18-hole golf course, water park, lakes, sidewalks, parks, bocce and pickle-ball courts, amphitheater, picnic pavilions, playing fields, walking and bike paths
■ Project size: 618 acres
■ Types of homes: Two single-family collections with two- and three-car garages
■ Price range: Low $200,000s to mid-$300,000s, pre-construction
■ Square footage: 1,935 to 4,032
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/aug/25/8-model-homes-underway-in-maple-ridge-at-ave/
Mirasol at Coconut Point, 8570 Evernia Court, Bonita Springs
The first phase of seven buildings in this community is sold out, as are four of six new buildings under construction. Buildout is anticipated in three years. About half of the homes have been sold.
■ Builder and developer: D.R. Horton
■ When started: September 2012
■ Number of homes completed: Seven buildings comprising 48 units
■ Number of homes when completed: 200
■ Project size: 23 acres
■ Types of homes: Two- and three-bedroom condos and townhouses, with one- or two-car garages
■ Amenities: Pool, hot tub, rock waterfall, fitness center, game room, community room
■ Price range: high $100,000s to mid $200,000s
■ Square footage: 1,244 to 1,655
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/nov/09/big-land-deals-again-big-deal-in-southwest-says/
Talis Park, 16980 Livingston Road, North Naples
Former NFL player Syd Kitson and his partners bought the former Tuscany Reserve in 2011. Now 12 builders are creating homes along the Greg Norman/Pete Dye golf course. By January, phase one of the clubhouse, seven new models and 20 ready-to-move homes should be ready. The project should be built out in 2017. Ten percent of the homes have been sold.
■ Builders: Borelli Construction, Distinctive Communities, Divco Construction Corp., Fox Custom Builders, Gulfshore Homes, Harbourside Custom Homes, Harwick Homes, Imperial Homes of Southwest Florida, McGarvey Custom Homes, Randall Mitchell Companies, Sunwest Homes and Van Emmerik Custom Homes.
■ Developer: Kitson & Partners
■ When started: October 2012
■ Number of homes completed: 25
■ Number of homes when completed: 590
■ Project size: 461 acres
■ Types of homes: Villas and single-family homes
■ Amenities: 18-hole golf course, walking trails, bocce and tennis courts, pool, spa
■ Price range: $700,000 to more than $5 million
■ Square footage: 2,600 to 17,000
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/apr/08/develop-kitson-revive-talis-park-collier-county/
Treviso Bay, 9800 Treviso Bay Blvd., Naples
■ The clubhouse and sports center are near completion. Lennar Homes is building condos to executive homes ranging from the low $200,000s to the upper $600,000s; Stock Construction will build 26 luxury homes in the first phase.
■ Developer: Lennar Homes
■ Project size: 1,050 acres
■ Amenities: Arthur Hills/Hal Sutton designed golf course, bocce and tennis courts, lakeside beach, clubhouse and sports center
■ Price range: Low $200,000s to millions
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/29/villa-rilissare-clubhouse-in-treviso-bay-nears/
Colony Golf and Bay Club, 4541 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs
This project is a gated condominium community within the Pelican Landing master-planned community.
■ Builder and developer: WCI Communities
■ When started: 2012
■ Number of homes completed: 825
■ Number of homes when completed: 1,352
■ Project size: 809 acres
■ Type of homes: Mid-rise condominiums
■ Amenities: Clubhouse with formal and casual dining; spa and fitness center; pool; tennis pavilion; beach park
■ Price range: Mid-$400,000s to mid-$640,000s
■ Square footage: 2,100 to 2,900
http://www.wcicommunities.com/colony-golf-bay-club/
Valencia at Spanish Wells, 28474 Tasca Drive, Bonita Springs
A model is under construction at this gated neighborhood, which is part of the Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club. Residents will have privileges at the Tarpon Cove Yacht and Racquet Club in North Naples.
■ Builder and developer: Toll Brothers
■ When started: July 2013
■ Number of homes when completed: 128
■ Project size: 54 acres
■ Types of homes: Single-family, all with a first-floor master suite
■ Amenities: 27-hole golf course, tennis center, pools, clubhouse, fitness center; yacht-club access
■ Percentage of homes sold: Not yet open for sales
■ Price range: $300,000s to $500,000s
■ Square footage: 2,000 to 3,000 square feet
http://www.naplesnews.com/blogs/bonita-and-beyond-jim-boeglin/2013/oct/11/housing/
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The Housing Market Continues to Progress
Amid Falling Foreclosure Rates and Rising Prices, Trade-Up Buyers Are Coming Back
If you recently moved into a new space, you’ve undoubtedly invested a lot of time, energy and money into making your new house a home. And throwing a housewarming party is a great way to get all of your friends, family and neighbors together and show off your new digs. If you’re ready to unveil your new space, keep the following tips from the Relocation.com blog in mind.
-When it comes to throwing a party, it’s easy to go overboard and shell out more money than you originally planned, so setting a budget is crucial. Make sure your budget is realistic and in place before any plans are even made. And, by all means, stick to it!
-While your party doesn’t necessarily need to have a theme, it’s always a good idea to have a few activities or games planned. Or, simply put together a playlist to add some background noise and let your guests mingle.
-Deciding on your menu well ahead of time will eliminate unnecessary stress as the big day draws closer. Whether you’re cooking the food yourself, getting the party catered or even renting a food truck for the occasion, don’t leave these decisions until the last minute.
-As the host, it’s your job to introduce everyone. While this can be a challenge with everything going on, name tags can be a great addition to your party. Have guests write their name as well as their relation to you, providing an easy conversation starter.
-Be sure to thank your guests for taking the time to come to your housewarming party. If anyone brought a gift, take the time to write them a thank you note.
Source: Relocation.com blog
Q: I was thinking of making a couple of home improvements this fall. Is the government still offering home energy improvement tax credits? If they’re available, where’s the easiest place to find information on what items qualify? I don’t want to get lost in the IRS website.
