photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Naples Winter Wine Fest auction raises millions for Collier children

Naples Winter Wine Fest auction raises millions for Collier children

Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Money can’t buy sunny skies in Naples, but it can buy an all-inclusive luxury wine trip to Italy during the Naples Winter Wine Festival live auction.

Though skies were gloomy and rainy, hundreds gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon on Saturday, Jan. 31, to place competitive bids on luxury experiences during the annual live charity auction.

After an overnight call to move the Festival indoors due to weather, attendees used the cold conditions as an excuse to break out designer coats and scarves. Inside the Ritz-Carlton were dozens of tables full of both savory and sweet options for attendees to sample. Desserts were the most eye-catching items, with macarons that looked like burgers, smoked candied bacon-wrapped Oreos, and hibiscus cola creations.

The Grand Tasting room featured not only savory bites, but also tables lined with rare and vintage wines, many that aren’t otherwise accessible to the general public. Guests mingled and sipped wine throughout the afternoon leading up to the live auction.

Festival goers dressed to impress with sparkling designer tops, skirts, bags, jackets and of course, shoes. I mean, what else would you wear to bid hundreds of thousands of dollars on once-in-a-lifetime experiences?

This year’s auction lots were impressive to say the least. From wine excursions in Napa Valley to VIP experiences in France and Italy, there were over 50 luxury lots to bid on. The auction took place under an iconic white tent decorated with sparkly chandeliers and multi-colored lights.

“Every dollar on this day under that tent stays in Collier County,” NWWF public relations consultant Clay Cone said.

More about this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival with photos on naplesnews.com.

NABOR Market Report | December 2025

NABOR Market Report | December 2025

Naples Area Board of REALTORS®

December Home Sales Shows Market Confidence & Stability

Naples, Fla. (January 23, 2026) – Overall closed sales in Naples during December increased 28.8 percent to 773 closed sales from 600 closed sales in December 2024. Broker analysts reviewing the December 2025 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), have been watching closed sales improve for seven months consistently. They believe the increase in sales is largely due to sellers being more willing to negotiate. Adjustments in prices – as a result of seller flexibility – effected a 2.5 percent decrease in the overall median closed price in 2025; and a 5 percent decrease in December to $570,000 from $600,000 in December 2024. With 8.3 months of inventory available to buyers heading into 2026, broker analysts are cautiously optimistic that closed sales will continue to increase as our transition to a more balanced market is ideal for homes sales in Naples.

Paradise Preferred

Sales in the Naples luxury home market – $1.5 million+ – continue to outpace closed sales activity in other price categories. Most remarkable, the December report showed closed sales of properties over $5 million increased 16.6 percent during 2025.

According to the report, overall pending sales increased 12.5 percent in December to 704 pending sales from 626 pending sales in December 2024.

“We had almost the exact number of pending sales in 2025 as we did in 2024 [10,178 vs. 10,090],” said Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. “But if you look at the number of pendings [10,178] compared to closings [8,249] in 2025, you can see that there were still a considerable number of sales that fell through. Sellers need to be aware of this because if a buyer comes back with a request, it may be in the seller’s favor to address their request and negotiate rather than allow the deal to fall through.”

Overall inventory during December decreased 3.8 percent to 5,714 properties from 5,938 properties in December 2024. Inventory in December decreased the most in the 34116 zip code, 30.1 percent. This area also reported the highest closed sales for the month, a 155.6 percent increase.

Condo Grab

While the number of properties available under $300,000 has slowly declined in the last few years, the December Market Report showed the inventory of condominiums under $300,000 has been on the rise, leading to a 28.4 percent increase in closed sales of condominiums in this price category for December. Overall inventory in the condominium market in December increased 1.2 percent to 3,088 condominiums from 3,050 condominiums. An increase in condominium sales is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026 because condominium inventory under $300,000 increased 47.5 percent in December.

The NABOR® December 2025 Market Report provides 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 for 2025:

NABOR Market Report December 2025 chart

New Conversations

According to several broker analysts reviewing the December report, conversations in 2026 will look much different than in previous years because last year proved hurricanes are not an annual threat, insurance rates are now more competitive – Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, a not-for-profit insurer of last resort that was created by the Florida Legislature in 2002, just lowered its rates – and mortgage rates hovering around 6 percent are increasingly considered the new normal and will likely remain for the immediate future.

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

How long does it take to sell a house in Naples, FL? What to know for buyers and seller

How long does it take to sell a house in Naples, FL? What to know for buyers and seller

USA TODAY Network

The median home in Collier County listed for $729,725 in December, up 1.2% from the previous month’s $722,900, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows.

Compared to December 2024, the median home list price decreased 5.8% from $775,000.

The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale in Collier County, not houses that were sold. Information on your local housing market, along with other useful community data, is available at data.naplesnews.com.

Collier County’s median home was 1,816 square feet, listed at $415 per square foot. The price per square foot of homes for sale is down 5.5% from December 2024.

Learn more on naplesnews.com.

The $10 Billion Question: Is Naples Becoming Florida’s Next Palm Beach?

The $10 Billion Question: Is Naples Becoming Florida’s Next Palm Beach?

Naples News Now

For decades, Palm Beach held the crown as Florida’s ultimate destination for ultra-wealthy residents — a playground for hedge fund managers, financiers, and old-money estates. But lately, a new name keeps popping up in the same conversations: Naples. Naples real estate

And it’s not just anecdotal.

Behind the scenes, a quiet but massive migration of wealth is underway, and Naples is emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries. Real estate agents, developers, private bankers, and business owners across Southwest Florida are all seeing the same trend: high-net-worth individuals are choosing Naples over traditional luxury hubs like Palm Beach, Miami, and even parts of New York.

The big question is why — and what it means for everyone already here.

Read the full article on naplesnewsnow.com.

Recipe for success: 9 Naples restaurants withstanding the test of time

Recipe for success: 9 Naples restaurants withstanding the test of time

Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

We’re nearly a month into the new year, but I’m here to reflect on the old.

The Naples restaurant scene is constantly evolving and growing, bringing new and unique spots to the area every season. But for every new restaurant that opens in Collier, two close. The restaurants that continue to endure deserve their flowers, and these nine spots have endured quite deliciously for decades.

So, what’s the recipe for success when it comes to maintaining a popular restaurant in Naples? These nine restaurants all have different owners, menus, and environments, but have a few things in common: great service, fresh local ingredients, and an authenticity you can’t buy.

While lots of new restaurants have chic modern interiors and flashy unique dishes, these Collier gems find the simplicity in good ingredients, classic dishes, and friendly service to be the pillars that keep them in business for decades.

Key points:

  • Several Naples-area restaurants have remained popular for decades by focusing on fresh local ingredients and friendly service.
  • Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room, founded in 1953, is the oldest restaurant highlighted and is known for its “Old Florida” feel.
  • Many of the enduring establishments, such as The Dock at Crayton Cove and Riverwalk at Tin City, specialize in fresh seafood.
  • Other long-standing favorites include The Pewter Mug steakhouse, Pastrami Dan’s sandwich shop, and the uniquely themed Spanky’s Speakeasy.

Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.

Be close to good food with a home in the area. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

 

New waterfront restaurant makes chic debut in Bonita Springs

New waterfront restaurant makes chic debut in Bonita Springs

Kendall Little, Robyn George | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

It’s not every day that a new waterfront restaurant opens in Southwest Florida.

And it’s even more rare when it’s helmed by a globally renowned chef.

You’ll get both with Acqua Bistecca, which opened Wednesday, Jan. 21, overlooking Estero Bay at Saltleaf Marina in Bonita Springs.

The chic waterfront restaurant is powered by James Beard Award-winning and Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina.

Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.