Home Prices Climb in May

Home Prices Climb in May

Naples, FL (June 25, 2021) – Homes in the Naples area were being sold at 99.1 percent of the list price in May. A tight inventory and buyer demand continued to push prices upward in May, which resulted in an overall median closed price increase of 29.4 percent to $433,500 from $335,000 in May 2020, according to the May 2021 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). Broker analysts reviewing the report predict continued price increases in 2021, but noted monthly showing and sales activity is beginning to show signs of deceleration from the remarkable market experienced during the first quarter of 2021.

Cash sales in May accounted for 58.4 percent of the closed sales transactions. The cash buyers continued to create challenges for competing buyers who required financing. It took an average of 90 days for a home to go from list to contract in May 2020, but in May 2021, the average days on the market was reduced to 43 days, a 52.2 percent decrease.

The May Market Report showed overall closed sales increased 164.4 percent to 1,618 from 612 in May 2020 (a month when all the world was in COVID-19 lockdown). For perspective, closed sales increased 36 percent in May 2021 compared to May 2019 (a non-pandemic lockdown month). Nevertheless, closed sales activity in May 2021 outperformed any other May in the history of NABOR®’s market statistics reports.

The NABOR® May 2021 Market Report provide comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. NABOR® sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings:

NABOR Market Report May 2021

Overall inventory fell 79.1 percent in May to 1,290 homes from 6,177 homes in May 2020, but monthly new listings activity continues. May welcomed 1,274 new listings, a 7.6 percent increase from 1,184 in May 2020. New listings that come on the market each month help to temper the drop in overall inventory and provide more opportunities to eager buyers.

Cash sales were not the only contributing factor to the drop in days on the market. Another factor was the 45 percent increase in showings for May (42,380 up from 29,319 in May 2020), which ultimately resulted in a 46.5 percent increase in pending sales for May to 1,710 pending sales from 1,167 pending sales in May 2020.

Historically, the Naples housing market’s activity in the first half of the year is not sustained during the second half of the year. However, since tourism to Florida is expected to increase this summer and buyers from foreign countries may also begin to arrive in the coming months, a return to more normalized buying behavior in the second half of the year was discussed although remains uncertain.

Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to find your home in southwest Florida.

Collier County sets tourism record in May

Collier County sets tourism record in May

…people itch for return to travel

Laura Layden – Naples Daily News | June 29, 2021

Collier County saw record tourism in May.

Not only are the county’s latest tourism statistics a stark contrast to a year ago, but they top 2019.

According to a report by Tampa-based Research Data Services, the county saw 150,100 visitors in May, an all-time record high. That was up by more than 204% from last year — when COVID-19 raged — and 2.5% higher than the number to beat two years ago — when such a global health crisis seemed unthinkable.

The number of rooms nights booked surged to 219,600 last month, up nearly 176% from last year — and a more than 8% increase from 2019.

With that heightened activity, tourism’s economic impact — or total spending — in May came in at more than $237.4 million, rising nearly 280% from a year ago. It registered more than 26% higher than two years ago.

“Partly that’s because of increased rates, but it’s also because we are seeing people staying longer. So all of those things are contributing to a significant increase in economic impact,” said Anne Wittine, Research Data’s director of data analysis, in a monthly report to the Tourist Development Council on Monday.

Read more on naplesnews.com.

 

Naples, among USA’s best for senior health

Naples, among USA’s best for senior health

Phil Fernandez, Naples Daily News | June 28, 2021

Naples has received yet another honor the growth and development sectors will welcome.

This time, the Collier County metro area landed fifth among the best for senior health in the country.

The Sebastian-Vero Beach region of Indian River County finished second, and The Villages, spread out over three north Central Florida counties, earned the sixth slot. Número Uno: Truckee, California.

The Mesothelioma Center, based in Orlando, looked at the ratio of older residents to the total population, average retirement income, life expectancy, poverty rates, Medicare enrollment and quantities of senior living centers and cancer doctors.

“Our list of the country’s best cities for senior health clarifies 10 ideal locales for older adults to find an idyllic lifestyle,” said Walter Pacheco, managing editor at the advocacy organization of legal and medical workers. “As the results show, the sunshine and beach access Florida offers makes it a popular choice for seniors with three cities making the top 10.”

Spokeswoman Laura Kutch pointed out Thursday how the research intersected with the best beach towns news In the Know first detailed for you about a dozen days ago.

Naples had topped the WalletHub analysis, and Vero Beach grabbed the 12th spot. Traverse City, Michigan, which had the highest slot among lake communities in that tally, picked up third in the senior review.

And all that makes some sense.

“Living near miles of beaches (can be) good for senior health,” the report said. “Coastal areas are linked to having better mental health.”

The gulf breezes aren’t the only pluses.

“Aside from being another beach city, Naples is one of the top-rated cities in the nation for air quality, according to the American Lung Association — which is an important factor for seniors with underlying lung health conditions,” the group found.

In its newly released “State of the Air” 2021 findings, the association gave Collier an A grade for not having high ozone days, which are linked to pollution emissions. From 2003 to 2005, the county had been above the national average, but it steadily dropped since then, hitting the zero mark a decade ago and holding there through 2019, the most recent recorded.

Lee, Sarasota and Pinellas counties received a B, Manatee a C and Hillsborough a state-worst F among fellow Southwest Florida coast regions. It didn’t have monitoring data for Charlotte. Hendry and DeSoto counties.

Collier has a lot more going for it.

“Home to 117,197 seniors, Naples has the highest average retirement income and is one of the cities with the highest average life expectancy of 82 years of age,” the senior study noted.

Collier matches Indian River at 32% of its population 65 and over for second in the Top 10. The county surpasses the 70,918 total in The Villages, where it is 57%, the highest in the U.S.

Leading the Top 10, Collier’s life expectancy of 82 beats the 78 for the Peninsula, the nation and the counties of Hendry, DeSoto, Pinellas and Hillsborough.

Lee, Charlotte and Manatee inhabitants survive to 79, and those living in Sarasota and Indian River just make it to octogenarian, barely out of septuagenarian level, according to the U.S. Census and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The average retirement income of $48,633 provides Naples retirees more than $10,000 annually than those in Vero Beach and Truckee, which also were near the top of the list.

The senior probe also rated Collier high for its quality level of numerous adult hospital procedures and conditions including those for colon cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“Naples’ rank as No. 5 on our list reflects a relaxing beachside community where seniors can peacefully live out their lives surrounded with top-rated air quality and premier medical care,” Pacheco said Friday. “Proximity to hospitals and quality doctors is a critical concern for seniors with serious health conditions, such as mesothelioma and other cancers, which is why we made it a focus of our study.”

Collier has a track record for this kind of recognition.

In 2016, Kiplinger magazine named it as one of a dozen “Great Places to Retire for Your Good Health.”

The Naples-Marco Island metropolitan area has ranked No. 1 in the last four renditions of the annual Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, based on dwellers’ views about health, financial security, community and sense of purpose.

Not that other parts of the Sunshine State were left off near the top of the most recent one: Cape Coral-Fort Myers, sixth; North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, ninth; and Port St. Lucie, 11th.

Other Naples accolades include:

In addition to WalletHub earlier this month, Travel + Leisure magazine wrote in April that the Southwest Florida city was the top U.S. beach town to reside. And WalletHub also put Naples at No. 1 in 2019.

Last summer, a report generated by Resonance Consultancy, a specialist in the destination-branding industry, ranked the community No. 2 on its 2020 list of Best Small Cities.

Collier tourist director Jack Wert has told me the county welcomes the well-earned praise.

“The more awards we receive, the more people become convinced that Collier County is the place to eventually settle down in,” Wert said recently. “That grows our economy and jobs and support the many amenities we offer that many other communities our size do not have. Visitors support the large number of restaurants, our three performing arts venues, our array of unique shops and attractions and our many outdoor activities.”

Here is The Mesothelioma Center’s top 10, which can be found at asbestos.com:

1. Truckee, California
2. Sebastian-Vero Beach
3. Traverse City, Michigan
4. Ocean City, New Jersey
5. Naples
6. The Villages
7. St. George, Utah
8. Barnstable, Massachusetts
9. Pinehurst, North Carolina
10. Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Read more on naplesnews.com

Do you want to find a home in healthy Naples, Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086

Now Selling: Grandview at Bay Beach tower – world-class water views on Estero Island

Now Selling: Grandview at Bay Beach tower – world-class water views on Estero Island

Gravina Smith Matte & Arnold – Special to Naples Daily News | June 26, 2021

Sales are now underway for London Bay’s bold, bay-front vision at Grandview at Bay Beach – Estero Island’s newest 11-story tower within walking distance to the beach and close proximity to boating and marinas.

Boasting panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, Estero Bay and Southwest Florida’s picture-perfect sunsets, Grandview at Bay Beach offers a sought-after location that will inspire residents to immerse themselves in the natural Southwest Florida lifestyle.

Located within the gated Waterside neighborhood at Bay Beach, a short distance from Naples, Grandview’s 58 stunning residences will illustrate new heights in uncommon coastal luxury within 2,400 to 2,900 square feet. Grandview’s open-concept floor plans will feature 9’1” ceilings, three or four bedrooms, a den, up to three-and-a-half bathrooms, private elevator access and a dedicated covered space in the main garage. Six exclusive top-floor penthouses will feature 11-foot ceilings and a private two-car garage.

“Grandview presents a winning combination of world-class views, a waterfront lifestyle and resort-style amenities,” said Sales Director Michael Veliz of London Bay. “Residents will feel like they are living in paradise.”

In each thoughtfully designed residence, a wide foyer leads to a living area that includes a great room with a breezy, screened covered terrace, an elegant dining area and a gourmet island kitchen. Spacious dens afford additional comfortable space for working or relaxing.

A luxurious master suite features wide vestibules, spacious walk-in closets and a sitting area that creates the ideal spot to enjoy water views and a spa-worthy bathroom boasting dual vanities and an oversized walk-in shower.

All floorplans feature luxury features and finishes, including porcelain tile throughout living areas and bathrooms with fully tiled floors on all outdoor terraces as well as Kohler fixtures. Kitchens will include Bosch stainless-steel appliances, natural stone countertops and an open island featuring cabinetry with self-closing drawers in a variety of finishes.

Grandview’s on-site, resort-inspired amenities include a wellness lifestyle focus built into the tower’s design. Residents can make Grandview’s fitness center part of their commitment to self-care and a healthy lifestyle. With state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment, fitness goals are within reach. The adjacent yoga studio, complete with a mirror wall, barre, and cushioned flooring for impact absorption, will provide additional relaxation space for residents. Men’s and women’s changing rooms have been elegantly envisioned with sleek stainless-steel fixtures and finishes, along with shimmering wallcovering in soothing, soft blue.

Grandview residents will also have access to the activities and amenities offered within Waterside, including a resort-style swimming pool and spa, and walking and jogging paths adjacent to a private, open space.

Grandview’s elevated waterfront living comes alive in “The EL,” its upscale, on-property amenities hub accessed by a floating staircase curving from the first-floor lobby.

A fishing pier, beach access and nearby marinas offer additional opportunities for outdoor excursions, including boating, biking, fishing charters and sunset cruises. Residents can rent a power boat, sailboat, jet ski or kayak along the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, a 190-mile canoe and kayak trail that weaves through the waters of Lee County.

Situated two miles north of Lovers Key State Park, Grandview is minutes from the beaches and fun of Fort Myers Beach and world-class shopping, dining, golf and cultural experiences of Naples.

Grandview residences are available starting from the low $1 millions, and also offers a pet-friendly living environment with no weight restrictions.

Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 for more information or to visit Grandview Bay Beach.