Blog Makes Top 100 Real Estate Blogs

Today, I was very surprised to find this blog to ranked in the Top 100 Real Estate Blogs as per Top 100 Real Estate Blogs.

The ranking is determined by Google Page Rank, Technorati Rank, and Alexa rankings.

The blog is entitled Naples Real Estate News and Market Updates and does cover the communities of Bonita Springs and Estero as well.

Thank you – Top 100 Real Estate Blogs. 

Naples Condo Market Report December 07

In the Naples real estate market condominiums show some positive trends in new listings coming on the market, closed sales, and pending sales as one reviews the statistics and analysis, with exception of median price paid. The market report covers not only the month of December, but also for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 and 2007 in totality.

Monthly Analysis:
Listings:
The number of new condo listings coming on the market in December was 535.  In December 2006 the number was 683 or a reduction of 22% in volume.  In December 2005, new listings were 720 condos or a reduction of about 26%.  This represents a positive sign as fewer condos are coming on the market and should eventually be reflected in the gross number of available condos for sale.

The number of months of condo resale inventory is 34 months.

Closed Sales:
The number of closed sales for condominiums in the Naples area in December was 118 versus 140 in December 2006 or a volume reduction of about 16%.  Considering the tighter requirements for mortgages and the elimination of sub-prime borrower programs, this is positive for the market.  When looking at December 2005, the closed sales totaled 186, a reduction in closed sales volume of 37%.  December 2005 many of the sub-prime and liberal loans were available.  As many of us are aware the market started to change in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Pending Sales:
A total of 125 condos in the Naples area were pending sale as of the end of December.  In December 2006, 120 condos were pending sale as of month end.  While in 2005 there were a total of 193.  With pending sales we can see the trend or impact of the elimination of liberal underwriting requirements and sub-prime borrower programs, when comparing pending sales between 2005 and 2007.  It is interesting to notice that 2007 pending sales for condos are slightly over 2006.

Median Price Paid:
The median price paid for a condo in the Naples for the month of December 2007 was $285,250.  The median price paid was $326,000 in December 2006, which represents approximately 12.5% reduction in the median price. The median price paid in 2005 was $406,425.  The reduction in whole dollars was $121,175 or roughly 30%.

For the year over year December analysis one can conclude that the real estate market for condominium median prices are declining, while other aspects reflect buyer optimism.

Quarterly Analysis:
Listings:
During the 4th quarter ending December 31, 2007, the total number of new listings was 2,068 versus 2,630 in 2006 and 2,084 in 2005. The reduction in the new listings for the 4th quarter versus 2006 and 2005 could be a sign of the market’s eventual strengthening.  With less condominiums coming on the market, the median price paid could in the future could stabilize or trend upwards slightly.

Closed Sales:
A total of 339 condos were sold in the 4th quarter of 2007 versus 354 in 2006 and 583 in 2005.  The reduction of 15 condos between 2007 and 2006 equates to about 4%. While between 2007 and 2005 the reduction of 244 or 42% is substantial.

Median Price:
The median price paid for a condo in the Naples area during the 4th quarter of 2007 was $285,500.  The median price paid in 2006 was $317,500 and $382,000 in 2005.  The median price reduction between 2007 and 2006 was about 10%.  However, the reduction between 2007 and 2005 was approximately 25%.

2007 Year Analysis:
Listings:
In 2007 there were a total of 8,836 new listings to come on the market for sale.  In 2006, the total was 10,630 and 7,150 in 2005.  The new listings in 2007 were less than 2006 and could represent a stabilization or reduction of new listings for condos coming on the market in the future.

Closed Sales:
During 2007, 1,820 Naples condos were sold compared to 1,967 homes in 2006 and 4,293 in 2005.  The reduction in the total number of condos sold in 2007 compared to 2006 was 147 condos.  This could suggest that the mortgage crisis did not affect the condo market as much as the single family home market as well as buyer confidence in the condo market due to the reduction in median prices paid for a condo.

Median Price:
The median price paid for a condo in Naples in 2007 was $305,000 versus $355,000 in 2006 or a percentage reduction in value of 14%.  The median price was $360,000 in 2005.  The reduction in value between 2007 and 2005 was about 15%. 

What is very interesting to note is that the median price paid for a condo in Naples during 2004 was $241,000.  The big question is the prices going to continue to decline?  Be sure to read my post on the 2008 real estate forecast from Florida economist, Hank Fishkind.

This post has been enhanced with comparative global information for the Florida real estate market. 

Naples Condo Market Report for November 07

Big drop in median price paid for Naples condos – good news for condo buyers, but not very good for sellers of condominiums.

New Listings:
A total of 767 Naples condominiums were listed in November. When compared to last November, the number of condos listed was 1,003 – a reduction of about 23%. In November 2005, 815 condos were listed – reduction of about 6%. Hence, the rate of new listings is slowing, at least looking at November. Could a trend be developing? The reduction in condominiums coming on the market will eventually have an impact on the number of months of condominium inventories available for sale.

Median Price Paid:
In the month of November the median price paid for a condo in the Naples area was $250,000. In November 2006, the median price paid a condo in Naples was $321,250 or reduction in the median price of about 22%. Looking at November 2005, the median price paid was $379,000 – the reduction in the median price is about 34%. The reduction in median price is most likely due to condos being sold in communities that were heavily investor owned and apartment to condominium conversions.

Closed Sales:
The closed sales for condos in Naples during November were 100. In November 2006, the number of closed was 108 and 247 in November 2005; the respective reductions are about 7% and 60%. The reduction in the volume of closed sales appears to be bad news; however, considering the reduction in “liberal” loan programs and more restrictive underwriting criteria, this could be somewhat positive, when comparing 2006 and 2007 volumes.

Pending Sales:
The volume of pending sales came in at 131 contracts. The 131, is a reduction of about 5% from 2006’s 138, but a 36% below 2005’s 206 pending sales. Although the drop from 2005 levels is large, the drop from 2006 can be considered positive due to the elimination of “liberal” loan program and stricter underwriting guidelines.

Currently, there are about 5,300 condominiums available for sale in the Naples area, representing about 35 months of inventory – this is provides buyers with an excellent selection in a very strong buyers market.

Naples Real Estate Market Update – Condos – 3rd Qtr 07

The Naples real estate market for condominiums remains lack luster but there are some bright spots appearing.  The question remains will the bright spots continue to glow and thereby cause strengthening within the market. Below are graphical presentations with commentary on each of the graphs comparing the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to the quarter ended September 30, 2006 with quarterly data for the quarters between the two dates. [Read more...]

Aqua Naples Luxury Condo

aqua luxury high-rise condo

Aqua a new luxury high-rise condominium at Pelican Isle Yacht Club had a topping off ceremony yesterday.  Aqua will have only 80 residences and boat slips available for sale.

Currently the condominium homes are being offered from $2,100,000.

For more information on Aqua or other Naples luxury high-rise condominiums, use the contact form to the right.