Collier County : news from District 2 Commissioner
District 2 in North Naples spans from Pine Ridge Road to Bonita Beach Road at the Collier-Lee county line.
Click District 2 Update to read the latest newsletter.
Features include new business openings; new residential construction; affordable housing plans; storm risk management; July 4 plans – and much more. (more…)
5 things people don’t know about Naples
Rich Native American History: Naples has a rich Native American history that predates European settlement. The Calusa tribe, known for their sophisticated shell mound constructions and fishing techniques, inhabited the region for thousands of years before contact with Europeans. The remnants of their civilization can still be found in archaeological sites and shell mounds around the area.
Secret Mangrove Tunnels: Naples is home to a network of secret mangrove tunnels that can be explored by kayak or paddleboard. These hidden waterways wind through dense mangrove forests, offering a unique and adventurous way to experience the natural beauty of the area. Many visitors and even some locals are unaware of these hidden gems, making it a special find for those who stumble upon them.
Ancient Fossil Discoveries: Naples is a treasure trove for fossil enthusiasts. The region’s ancient limestone deposits have yielded remarkable fossil discoveries, including those of prehistoric sharks, giant sloths, and mastodons. The Naples area is particularly famous for its well-preserved shells and shark teeth that can be found on the beaches and in the surrounding waters.
The Birthplace of Swamp Buggy Racing: Naples is the birthplace of a unique motorsport called “swamp buggy racing.” In the early 20th century, hunters and fishermen needed a way to navigate the swampy terrain, so they modified their vehicles to tackle the challenging conditions. Over time, these modifications led to the development of a competitive racing sport that has become a local tradition. Naples hosts the annual Swamp Buggy Races, where drivers compete on a specially constructed track filled with mud, water, and obstacles.
A Haven for Birdwatchers: Naples is a paradise for birdwatchers, with a diverse range of avian species that inhabit the area. The city is home to several important birding sites, including the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, which provides a protected habitat for numerous rare and migratory bird species. From majestic bald eagles to vibrant roseate spoonbills, birdwatchers can find a wealth of feathered friends to observe and photograph in the Naples area.
And read these articles:
Florida News
Q1 Market Stats
Naples a top city for corporate headquarters post-pandemic
Naples grabs No. 1 spot on this ‘Best Places to Live’ list (more…)
First Quarter Market Stats
Here are the Q1 stats (and 3-year history) for areas:
Naples Q1 2023 Stats
Bonita Springs_Q1 2023 Stats
and communities:
Bay Forest Q1 2023 Stats
Bonita Bay Q1 2023 Stats
Imperial Golf Estates Q1 2023 Stats
Island Walk Q1 2023 Stats
Pelican Bay_Q1 2023 Stats
Pelican Marsh Q1 2023 Stats
And read these articles:
What drives Mortgage Rates in one chart
Lies, Damned Lies and Inflation “Statistics”*
HOW AND WHEN WILL HOUSING REBOUND?
Why Mortgage rates Will Fall
Florida lawmakers eye property insurance reforms
Over the past year, state lawmakers have made changes on paper through several attempts to cure Florida’s property insurance crisis. But a homeowner in Florida who opens their annual renewal and sees their premium has increased, or finds out their carrier has suddenly dropped them, may not have noticed anything different.
State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, noted during the first of last year’s special sessions to address insurance that relief from any measures taken by lawmakers wouldn’t be realized for at least another 18 months. That session took place in May 2022.
Since then, two hurricanes hit the state. Lawmakers then held a second special session on insurance in December. Six property insurance companies were declared insolvent last year. Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-run “insurer of last resort,” continues to grow with more than 1 million policies.
And now the annual, 60-day regular legislative session is underway. The session is largely where party-line battles are taking center stage, but not insurance. And those homeowners with delayed or unfulfilled property damage claims may find their legal recourses slashed, owing to legislation approved in the special sessions to limit what the insurance industry and lawmakers said was too much litigation over property insurance claims and disputes between homeowners and their insurers.
The story remains the same as it was a year ago: it’s lawyers, contractors and public adjusters versus lawmakers and insurance companies. (more…)
Naples a top city for corporate headquarters post-pandemic
Move over New York and Chicago. Step aside San Francisco.A new study names Naples as a top city for corporate headquarters post-pandemic. Additionally Naples grabs No. 1 spot on this ‘Best Places to Live’ list
The Boyd Co., a corporate site selection consultant based in Princeton, New Jersey, conducted the national study.
The results reflect the “new normal” of remote work and the growing “fiscal and quality of life challenges” in more traditional hubs for head offices, such as “The Big Apple.”
The study included an examination of annual operating expenses and a review of state tax structures.
The cost analysis is based on operating a new, top tier Class A, 75,000-square-foot corporate headquarters, with 200 administrative support workers, from top to bottom.
The estimated outlay in Naples: Roughly $19.2 million a year.That compared to more than $21.1 million in Everett, Washington, the most expensive to operate in, and less than $17.8 million in East Brainerd, Tennessee, the cheapest – among the top cities named in the study.
Asked if the study is confined to city limits, John Boyd, principal of The Boyd Co., said it’s not, with labor pools, support services and real estate options extending beyond those boundaries.For Naples, that means “you should assume the wider Collier County.”
The study factored in all major geographically-variable cost factors considered critical to the corporate site selection process, including labor, real estate, construction, utilities, taxes and travel.(Naples Daily News)
And read these articles:
What drives Mortgage Rates in one chart
Lies, Damned Lies and Inflation “Statistics”*
HOW AND WHEN WILL HOUSING REBOUND? (more…)
Naples grabs No. 1 spot on this ‘Best Places to Live’ list
People who live in Naples already know it. But every now and then it’s good to get a reminder that the popular Southwest Florida city, known for everything from great golf to great health care, is a fantastic place to live.
According to Schoolaroo, a nonprofit educational research company and scholarship website engine, Naples is the No. 1 place to live in the United States.
This study compared 151 cities across 47 metrics distributed in 9 key relevant categories: Crime & Safety, Affordability, Economy, Quality of life, Leisure and entertainment, Health care, Education, Employment, and Infrastructure.
Naples scored top overall rankings in health care (number of hospitals) and leisure and entertainment. Also in the Top 10 were education (3) for highest number of public schools, crime and safety (4) and economy (9). (Naples Daily News).
And read these articles:
Naples a top city for corporate headquarters post-pandemic
What drives Mortgage Rates in one chart
Lies, Damned Lies and Inflation “Statistics”*
HOW AND WHEN WILL HOUSING REBOUND? (more…)
Naples Area January Market Video Report
Here is a short video to accompany the graphic. Note that this is an overview – contact me for more specific area or community updates.
Mot mentioned in the video: the median Single Family sale price increased 6% to $715,000, and the median Condo price increased 13.5% to $482,500.
Pending sales rebounded as the new year began. In fact, pending sales in January were remarkably higher than pending sales not only in December (682), but also compared to January 2019 (660) and January 2020 (892). Though compared to last January’s phenomenal sales activity, pending sales this January decreased 20.5 percent to 1,092 pending sales from 1,373 pending sales in January 2022.
And read these articles:
What drives Mortgage Rates in one chart
Lies, Damned Lies and Inflation “Statistics”*
HOW AND WHEN WILL HOUSING REBOUND?
Why Mortgage rates Will Fall
Buyers Undeterred in Ian’s Hardest-Hit Areas
Home Prices After Ian? Probably Going Up
How have home prices behaved after previous major Hurricanes?
How to protect your house from title fraud
Expansion Plans for Fort Myers Airport
Guide to Buying and Selling in Southwest Florida
Market Summaries
The story in 2022 was that prices continued to rise, while sale dropped sharply
Bonita Springs 2022 Housing Market Report
Florida Market Update in 4 minutes
Sales Resemble Pre-Pandemic — But Not Pricing & Inventory
- Andrew Oliver, M.B.E., M.B.A.
Real Estate Advisor
Andrew.Oliver@Compass.com
m 617.834.8205
New Listing in StoneCreek, North Naples
My real estate team, the Feins Group, has a listing in StoneCreek in North Naples hitting the market this week. You can view professional photos, take the virtual 3D-walkthrough tour, and read all about the features here
Naples 2022 Housing Market Report
The story in 2022 was that prices continued to rise, while sales dropped sharply.
And read these recent articles: (more…)
Coming Soon: 3 bedroom/2 bathroom condo in Laurel Oaks at Pelican Bay.
My real estate team, The Feins Group, has a listing hitting the market very soon. You can view professional photos, take the virtual 3D-walkthrough tour, and read all about the features here
Serene water views and plenty of sunshine await you from this bright, fully-furnished 3 bedroom/2 bathroom condo in Laurel Oaks at Pelican Bay.
The 2nd-floor end-unit boasts 1481 square feet of living area and includes a southwest-facing balcony overlooking the community lake.
With vaulted ceilings peaking at 13 feet high, hurricane-impact glass throughout, and a new hot water heater (2021), this property is a can’t-miss.
Contact me ASAP on 617.834.8205 to see this property in person!
And read these recent articles: (more…)
BERMUDA GREENS Open Houses this weekend
OPEN HOUSES SATURDAY 1-4; SUNDAY 1-4
Click HERE to see video tour and photos of property. (more…)
Imperial Golf Estates Year End 2022 Review
There are no more sales in Imperial Golf Estates scheduled to close this year, so here are the year-end numbers which demonstrate a frequently heard refrain this year: prices up, sales down.
Highlights (more…)
Imperial Golf Estates Open House TODAY
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Housing Market Favorable for Preseason Buyers
Speculation that home sales in October would drop dramatically in Collier County following Hurricane Ian was proven inaccurate as closed and pending sales for the month increased 23.7 and 8.7 percent, respectively, compared to closed and pending sales reported in September, according to the October 2022 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). And even though 525 listings were either terminated, expired or withdrawn from the Southwest Florida MLS during October, overall inventory for the month increased 72.7 percent to 2,325 properties from 1,346 properties in October 2021.
According to NABOR®’s statistics (more…)
Pelican Bay Villa $205,000 Price Drop!
There are now 4 villas for sale in Pelican Bay:
3 Las Brisas: $2.6 million, 3 bed +den, 2,800 SF, Pool, Pets with approval
7229 Pelican Bay Blvd: $1.95 million, 2 bed + den, 2,319 SF, Community Pool, 2 Pets
6644 Trident Way: $1.1 million, 2 bed, 1,354 SF, Community Pool, 2 Pets
and following a $205,000 price reduction to $2,290,000: 5893 Via Lugano
Call me on 617.834.8205 with questions or to schedule a showing. (more…)