Hello from Naples!
The big news from last month actually didn’t take place in Naples but in Memphis, TN. Nicola and Jeff dropped daughter Natalie off at Rhodes College for the second semester of her Freshman year. Jeff and Natalie drove from Naples to Memphis in Natalie’s Mini Cooper in one day long day while Nicola flew to Memphis and rented a big SUV. Since Natalie’s car would not hold a lot of dorm supplies, they spent a few days in Memphis getting to know the area and do a lot shopping. They were able to pay a visit to the Lorraine Motel on Martin Luther King Day which was a great way to remember and honor him. Coming from Naples, Florida where all the restaurants and business are open at full capacity, being in Memphis was a bit of a culture shock. Many restaurants and business were closed and those that were open had limited capacity, plus the mask order extends outside as well as inside. Move-in day was Thursday, the 21st. Natalie had to take a COVID test, has her own dorm room (no roommate) and continues to be tested on a twice weekly basis. It was fun getting Natalie’s room all set up but it was a difficult and tearful goodbye for all. The entire Wakelin family feels Natalie’s absence but are happy that she is doing well both socially and academically.
Here’s an Interesting Article from Florida Weekly: Virtual nature talks takes Naples to the wild side in February
If you are looking for something to do that is fun, free and educational, the Naples Preserve continues its Spring Nature Talk Series on the natural habitats and ecosystems of Southwest Florida with new presentations for February via Zoom. Speakers will include rangers, researchers, foresters and other specialists from a variety of the region’s parks, nature organizations and educational institutions. The series will include photographs and artifacts, and the speakers will inform as well as dispel myths. The programs are free and open to the public — email to obtain the Zoom meeting information. The presentations are suitable for adults as well as children over the age of 7 who are keenly interested in nature.
While the Naples Preserve Eco-Center is currently closed, visitors may still take a stroll on the preserve’s boardwalk and watch the many birds, gopher tortoises and other small animals that call the nature sanctuary in the city home. The boardwalk is open dawn to dusk daily.
February’s Spring Nature Talk Series topics
Feb. 2: The Unseen Reptiles of Big Cypress by Ranger Alex of Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress is known for its charismatic reptiles like alligators, diamondback rattlesnakes, and the invasive Burmese python; however, this area is home to a plethora of lesser-known reptiles that make Big Cypress the unique place that it is.
Feb. 9: Liminal Spaces – Florida’s “Faerie” Milkweed by Kara Driscoll, FGCU graduate student. Florida has 21 species of milkweed, the only host plant for monarch and queen butterflies. Florida “faerie” milkweed (Asclepias feayi) is a very uncommon and understudied species with star-shaped flowers that virtually disappears when not in bloom. This presentation will review the relationship between milkweeds and monarchs, discuss what we know about this species’ preferred habitat, its reproduction, and what we can do to protect and conserve it.
Feb. 16: Program to be announced.
Feb. 23: The U.S. Military’s Role in Biodiversity Conservation by Dr. Sasha Tetzlaff, research biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) administers millions of acres of land largely protected from development. DoD lands often have high biodiversity, but these properties also have a higher density of federally protected species than any other federal land management agency.
Nature Talks
» When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays on Zoom
Official January 2021 Climate Data at Naples Airport:
January 2020 |
YTD 2020 |
January 2021 |
YTD 2021 |
Normal YTD |
|
Rainfall in Inches |
1.96 |
1.96 |
.13 |
.13 |
1.85 |
Record High January Rainfall |
9.40 (1991) |
||||
Record Low January Rainfall |
0.00 (1949) |
||||
High January Temperature |
89 |
83 |
|||
Low January Temperature |
40 |
43 |
|||
Record High January Temperature |
89 (2020) |
||||
Record Low January Temperature |
26 (1982) |
Temperatures in January were close to normal for the month. The normal average max temperature in January is 74.7 and we recorded 73.7. Rainfall was well below normal in January, but there is plenty of time to catch up.
Book Review: “Pretty Little Wife” by Darby Kane
This is a great thriller and is a debut novel for the author. Lila was the perfect wife…pretty, perfect and smart. She did everything that her equally handsome husband Aaron asked of her. She quit her job as a lawyer, she rarely worked her real estate deals, so she could stay home and be the perfect little pretty wife…she always did what Aaron told her to do.
Lila Ridgefield lives in an idyllic college town, but not everything is what it seems. Lila isn’t what she seems. A student vanished months ago. Now, Lila’s husband, Aaron, is also missing. At first these cases are treated as horrible coincidences until it’s discovered the student is really the third of three unexplained disappearances over the last few years. The police are desperate to find the connection, if there even is one. Little do they know they might be stumbling over only part of the truth….
Hold onto your hat once you open this book. The ride is fast and dark with twists and turns you can’t see coming. I read this in one sitting and until the very end, although the murderer is revealed in the first chapter, I had no idea where the body was, who moved it, or even if there was a body!”
Here are a few reviews on Amazon:
“This was an amazing mystery, so well written and complex. I read it in 3 hours. This needs to be a movie. It would be awesome. I will be preordering anything else Darby writes in the future!!”
“I spent the entire book trying to predict what would happen next. If I had the time, I would have read the entire thing in one day. Page turner for sure.”
Restaurant Recommendation: Mr. Big Fish 754 Neapolitan Way, Naples
Naples is becoming a series of little hubs of restaurants. Many wonderful restaurants and markets dot the landscape along Pine Ridge Road between Airport-Pulling and Goodlette-Frank roads. The Bayshore Drive area has opened two very popular restaurants in the past year.
Now, along Neapolitan Way, off U.S. 41 between Golden Gate Parkway and Pine Ridge Road, places such as Mr. Big Fish are helping to create another little area of great restaurants. Mr. Big Fish is representative of these upscale casual dining choices, where you can get classic favorites without spending a fortune.
Mr. Big Fish is the brainchild of Stephen Karakosta, whose family has a long and storied Florida restaurant history. He wanted to focus on a single restaurant that would feel like home to regulars while serving great food. He has achieved this in Mr. Big Fish. You can bring your family or plan a romantic date here and feel comfortable either way.
We ate here with friends last weekend and had a great experience.
Here are a few recent reviews on Trip Advisor:
“We chose Mr. Big Fish because they had so many different selections of fish. We couldn’t resist having the Walleye because you never see it on a menu. It was prepared perfectly! The fact that you get two expertly prepared sides and a salad meant it was a very good value. Their bread was fresh and crusty. Our server, Susan was very attentive. The restaurant was VERY clean. They have outdoor heaters if you want to eat outdoors. We were so glad we went there. Another plus is they open at 3:00 so you can beat the traffic versus having to wait till 5 or later at the other highly rated seafood restaurants.”
“Have eaten here last two times in Naples and tonight was just as good, or I’d say GREAT. The service (Karl) always professional and prompt and friendly (a rare find) and food topped that! We had black grouper (melts in your mouth), Branzino and crab cakes! The main dishes along with fresh sides (spinach and an gratin potatoes) were served piping hot and delicious! And wine and cold beers were added please urge! This place is all that and then some!”
“Once or twice a year. King Crab heaven. My wife and I are locals, this is one of our favorite seafood places in Naples. Tonight was very good. She had Snapper and I had King Crab. Chrissy our waitress was wonderful. I have yet to have a bad meal there.”
Naples Real Estate: Here are the January 2021 Naples/Bonita market statistics.
For January 2021, there were 1,430 closed sales of existing homes in all of Naples and Bonita. This compares with 970 closed sales for the same period last year. YTD sales are up 47% from last year
Here’s an interesting chart comparing January 2021 to last year:
Closed Sales |
Total |
Under $300,000 |
$300,000 to $700,000 |
$700,001 to $1,000,000 |
$1,000,001 to $3,000,000 |
Over $3,000,000 |
YTD Jan. 2020 |
970 |
405 |
371 |
63 |
98 |
33 |
YTD Jan. 2021 |
1,430 |
484 |
621 |
117 |
164 |
44 |
Difference |
+460 |
+79 |
+250 |
+54 |
+66 |
+11 |
% Change |
+47% |
+20% |
+67% |
+86% |
+67% |
+33% |
Every category we measure is significantly ahead of last year in January. Naples real estate sales continue to be strong.
The inventory of available resale property remains down from last year and continues to decrease. As the following table shows, the level of resale inventory varies by price point:
Naples Home Inventory Supply as of Feb. 4, 2021 |
Total |
Under $300,000 |
$300,000 to $700,000 |
$700,001 to $1,000,000 |
$1,000,001 to $3,000,000 |
Over $3,000,000 |
Number Sold Last 12 months |
17,117 |
6,077 |
7,609 |
1,239 |
1,722 |
470 |
Average Number Sold per Month |
1,426 |
506 |
634 |
103 |
144 |
39 |
Total Available for Sale |
3,063 |
979 |
1,089 |
309 |
433 |
253 |
Months of Supply Feb. 4, 2021 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
We saw housing inventory fall again this month. Inventory fell by 19% to 3,063 homes. The supply of homes has declined every month for the past year. Sales increased in January while the number of available homes decreased. Average monthly supply is only 3 months. It’s hard to believe how little inventory of existing homes we have in Naples. This is the lowest number in more than 20 years. Most Realtors consider that a six-month supply of homes is neither a buyers’ nor sellers’ market, so this is truly a sellers’ market.
For comparison, the high point of available existing home inventory was June of 2007 when there were 11,601 listed in the MLS system for Naples and Bonita! Also keep in mind, that a significant number of new homes are not included in this number. That’s because they are brand new homes being sold by builders and developers and are not included in the MLS totals.
Keep in mind a significant number of new homes are not included in the statistics in the above chart. That’s because they are brand new homes being sold by developers and are not included in the MLS totals. There are many new home developments either being built or in the planning stages right now. If you are looking to buy, we can help guide you through the maze of new home availability. If you are planning to sell, you need to know details of the new competition you are facing.
Kensington Real Estate:
Kensington is the golf course community where Rae and Fred live. Golf and Social memberships are available at Kensington, although none is required to buy here. As of February 4, 2021, there were 16 active listings in Kensington. This is 1 less than last month but still the lowest number in many years. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Kensington as of February 4, 2021:
Type of Property |
Number |
Lowest Price |
Highest Price |
Average Price per Sq. Ft. |
Avg. Days on Mkt. |
Estate Homes |
0 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Villas |
2 |
$650,000 |
$895,000 |
$324 |
134 |
Coach Homes |
14 |
$339,900 |
$728,000 |
$203 |
171 |
Total |
16 |
There have been 34 closed sales in the past 12-month period. At this average selling rate of 2.83 properties per month, the 16 homes listed represent 6 months of inventory on average. It is a buyer’s market for Coach Homes. There are no Estate Homes and only 2 Villas on the market. As of February 4, 2021, there is 1 sale pending and 10 sales pending with contingencies at Kensington.
Riverstone Real Estate:
Riverstone is the community where Jeff and Nicola live. Riverstone has numerous amenities available for residents to enjoy. You can spend days swimming and relaxing at the community resort-style pool, playing tennis, taking a fitness class or socializing in the community’s private clubhouse. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Riverstone as of February 4, 2021:
Property |
Number for Sale |
Lowest Price |
Highest Price |
Avg. Asking Price Per Sq. Ft. |
Avg. Days on Market |
Riverstone |
5 |
$549,900 |
$1,275,000 |
$271 |
39 |
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market thru MLS:
|
|
$500,000 to $599,999 |
$600,000 to $699,999 |
$700,000 to $799,999 |
$800,000 to $899,999 |
$900,000 and Over |
Number for Sale |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
Average Price per Sq. Ft. |
$265 |
NA |
NA |
$308 |
$257 |
Average Number of Days on Market |
61 |
NA |
NA |
71 |
2 |
Available inventory is 1 less than last month. As of February 4, there were 5 active listings, 1 pending sale and 6 pending sales with contingencies. The MLS system lists 80 spec and resale homes sold in the last 12 months which means there is slightly under 1 month of inventory available in Riverstone.
Give us a call if we can help with any real estate questions you have at 239-398-0028 (Rae) or 239-451-9351 (Nicola).Th