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The Naples Area Board of Realtors November 2020 Market Report

Upward Trend in Naples Real Estate Market Continues

Naples, FL (December 18, 2020) – According to the November 2020 Market Report, released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), the Naples real estate market continues to see an upward trend in both showings and closed sales. In November 2020, there were 36,508 showings, which represents a 43 percent increase over the same period in 2019. Closed sales for the overall market increased 58.8 percent to 1,126 closed sales in November 2020, up from 709 closed sales in November 2019

The sustained market demand is placing pressure on real estate pricing, with notable increases in median and average closed prices of homes when comparing month over month statistics. At $669,409, the year-to-date average closed sales price in November 2020 reflects a more accurate and modest growth with a 12.7 percent increase over November 2019 year-to-date average closed sales price of $594,065.
It is important to understand the difference between the “average” price of a home and the “median” price of a home. The “average” price is calculated by adding all the closed prices for homes sold in a specific area within a specified time frame and dividing that total by the number of properties sold. The “median” price is the price in the middle of a data set where exactly half the houses are priced for less and half are priced for more. Note: the average price may be skewed due to outliers in the data (if a property sold for a price far higher or lower than typical).
Broker analysts agree there are multiple driving forces influencing buyers. In addition to buyers coming from out of state, local homeowners are taking advantage of low interest rates and upgrading to more spacious homes and condominiums within their existing communities. Homes priced over $2,000,000 saw the strongest increase in sales, with a 51.6 percent increase in November 2020 over the same time period in 2019.
“Mortgage rates have once again dropped to a record low, with a fixed-rate average of 2.67 percent. Even though housing prices are going up and buyers are upgrading to more expensive homes, mortgage payments are going down,” said Jeff Jones, Broker at Keller Williams Realty.
Collier County continues to be among the most desirable locations in the state. “Regardless of the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, employees are being encouraged to work remotely. This allows them to upgrade their quality of life and they are clearly choosing to live, work and play in Naples,” said Molly Lane, Senior Vice President at William Raveis Real Estate.
Mike Hughes, Vice President of Downing-Frye, Realty, Inc agreed. “Although the area’s traditional seasonal patterns have been disrupted, winter residents are continuing to arrive in the Naples area market. This is a strong indication of consumer confidence in Southwest Florida.”
“With the many uncertainties in the market, the Naples Area Board of Realtors remains a steady resource for our REALTORS®, providing access to the latest market data, industry education, legal forms, and professional guidelines,” said Corey McCloskey, VP of Operations at John R. Wood Properties, and the 2021 NABOR® President and Media Relations Committee Chair.
The NABOR® November 2020 Market Reports 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:
“Naples’ high quality of life, favorable business policies, and strong local government have always been appealing to home buyers. But we are in unprecedented times with housing demand outpacing supply,” said Dominic Pallini, Broker at Vanderbilt Realty of Naples. “First time home buyers should evaluate their options as the market grows.”
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

 

Posted in: Blog

The Naples Area Board of Realtors October 2020 Market Report

Naples Real Estate Market Sees Another Record Month in Closings
Naples, Fla. (November 20, 2020) – According to the October 2020 Market Report, released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), the Naples real estate market continues to see strong demand in both the single family and condominium markets. Buyers are getting a jump on the winter seasonal market as shown by the reduced inventory, increase in multiple bids and the jump in closed sales. Closed sales activity for the overall market increased 65.2 percent to 1,249 closed sales in October 2020 from 756 closed sales in October 2019.
Inventory continues to be a challenge for buyers seeking to purchase a home in Naples. While the overall market inventory in October 2020 decreased 33.8 percent to 3,543 from 5,351 in October 2019, overall pending sales for the same time period increased 73.0 percent to 1,708 from 987 in October 2019. With strong demand, sellers are receiving multiple competitive offers on their listings during what is a traditionally slower time of year. Offers are coming in more quickly as well, with homes sold during October 2020 staying on the market 11.5 percent fewer days than October 2019. The average number of days on the market until sale was 92 in October 2020 compared to 104 days in October 2020.
“In a typical year, October would be a time when inventory numbers rise as sellers prepare for increased demand during season,” said Mike Hughes, Vice President of Downing-Frye, Realty, Inc. “However, the pandemic disrupted traditional seasonal patterns. Buyers are motivated to seek larger, more comfortable homes that accommodate their work-from-home lifestyles.”
In a recent interview in Inc. magazine, Bill Gates acknowledged the nationwide, post-pandemic migration of families to bigger houses in smaller communities with less traffic. Annual market statistics support that trend is happening locally. During the period of January through October 2020, there were 9,785 closed sales in Naples, which represents a 13.8 percent increase over the same period in 2019. With more active buyers on the market, housing prices are seeing moderate but sustainable growth.
“Home pricing will likely continue to rise”, said Dominic Pallini, Broker at Vanderbilt Realty of Naples. “Today’s buyer is willing to pay more for the comfort and quality of life that Naples offers. “Additionally, we are seeing new construction come online in the local market, which is supporting the increased demand.”
The October Market Report showed that single-family homes saw an increase in the median closed sales price of 12.1 percent to $458,000 during January to October 2020, up from $408,500 during the same period in 2019. Condominium median closed sales prices also saw an uptick of 5.8 percent to $275,000 during January to October 2020, over $260,000 during the same period in 2019.
Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, notes that 30.6 percent of homes on the market experienced a price increase during October. “Sellers are receiving multiple, competitive bids on their listings. So, it is important for buyers to make a serious offer when they find the right home.”

The NABOR® October 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
Oct 2019
Oct 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
756
1,249
+65.2%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month)
987
1,708
+73.0%
Median closed price (month/month)
$329,950
$385,000
+16.7%
Total active listings (inventory)
5,351
3,543
-33.8%
Average days on market
104
92
-11.5%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
389
580
+49.1%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$395,000
$523,000
+32.4%
Single-family inventory
2,675
1,501
-43.9%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
367
624
+70.0%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$255,000
$284,500
+11.6%
Condominium inventory
2,676
2,042
-23.7%
“Despite the uncertainty that the coronavirus pandemic has brought to the country, there are many positive trends such as low-interest rates that have continued to support the Naples real estate market and the overall economy,” said Bill Coffey, Broker with Amerivest Realty. “With buyers becoming less seasonal, the market has remained stable.”
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog, Uncategorized

The Naples Area Board of Realtors September 2020 Market Report

Best September on Record for Naples Housing Market

Naples, Fla. (October 23, 2020) – According to the September 2020 Market Report, released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), performance in several key areas was at a 20-year high compared to activity reported during any other September on record. As such, closed sales increased 52.9 percent to 1,096 closed sales in September 2020 from 717 closed sales in September 2019. Pending sales activity also increased a whopping 83.4 percent to 1,509 pending sales in September 2020 from 823 in September 2019.

“September is typically the slowest month for REALTORS® in Naples,” said Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, who added, “but agents were very busy this September as the number of showings increased 80 percent to 35,465 appointments compared to 18,745 appointments in September 2019.”
Confirming the activity, Budge Huskey, CEO, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, also remarked, “beyond pent-up demand from COVID-19, there is a clear change in buying behavior as a result of the pandemic resulting in a departure from normal seasonality. It’s unclear whether this unprecedented pace of sales is sustainable, as some of these buyers were held over from last winter season while others appear to be buying early in advance of the upcoming season.”
Huskey added, “the National Association of REALTORS® forecasted sales in 2020 would increase by only 1 percent; yet there are currently hot markets around the country benefiting from the environment reporting 3 and 4 percent increases to date for the year. In comparison, the incredible allure of the Naples market is reflected in closed sales up 7.5 percent since January compared to the same time frame in 2019.”
“I believe that the pandemic pushed some people to make buying decisions a few years early,” said Adam Vellano, West Coast Sales Manager, BEX Realty – Florida, who added that “many buyers from northern states have said they are concerned that proposed tax increases could make long-term retirement difficult for them. Instead, they are opting to move to Florida before their home states get aggressive with tax adjustments.”
Median closed prices for September increased 18.2 percent to $384,000 from $325,000 in September 2019. Broker analysts reviewing the market data also said they saw an uptick in multiple offer occurrences in September and advise buyers facing this situation not to delay with an offer if they like a property.
Inventory continues to be a challenge for buyers in Naples. In September, inventory decreased 32.2 percent to 3,980 properties from 5,873 properties in September 2019. Spencer Haynes, Director of Business Development and Broker with John R. Wood Properties said, “Multi-million properties are being grabbed up with many buyers making an offer sight-unseen. There are currently less than 500 properties on the market over $2 million.” Not surprisingly, closed sales of homes above $2 million have increased 30.7 percent in the 12-months ending September 2020.
According to the September Market Report, 9.9 percent of the sales reported in September were from new construction sources. But broker analysts say this number does not adequately reflect actual sales activity for the new construction market as sources indicate that builders are just too busy to input every sale in the MLS.
The NABOR® September 2020 Market Reports 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:
CATEGORIES
Sept 2019
Sept 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
717
1,096
+52.9%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month)
823
1,509
+83.4%
Median closed price (month/month)
$325,000
$384,000
+18.2%
Total active listings (inventory)
5,873
3,980
-32.2%
Average days on market
102
90
-11.8%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
367
577
+57.2%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$402,000
$474,000
+17.9%
Single-family inventory
3,057
1,710
-44.1%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
350
519
+48.3%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$246,195
$290,000
+17.8%
Condominium inventory
2,816
2,270
-19.4%
“There has been a 19.6 percent increase in closed sales of homes with a minimum of four bedrooms over the last year,” said Coco Amar, VP, Strategic Growth, South Florida, William Raveis Real Estate. “This data reflects another shift in buying behavior as a result of the pandemic. The demand for single family homes with additional space to accommodate a home office and a virtual schoolroom is increasing.” The September Report showed a decrease of 37.9 percent to 779 properties on the market with four or more bedrooms compared to 1,255 in September 2019.
Upon reviewing the report, Jeff Jones, Broker at Keller Williams Naples, remarked “30 percent of the inventory available in September has been on the market for over 150 days. In many cases, the properties that have been on the market for a long time will require considerable repairs or renovations, which is why they have not sold. Some may not be priced correctly. Working with a REALTOR® can help you negotiate an offer that takes into account the property’s condition.”
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, The Wakelin Team at BHHS FL Realty as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog

The Naples Area Board Of Realtors August 2020 Market Report

Summer Housing Market Momentum
Expected to Continue into Fall
Naples, Fla. (September 18, 2020) – Closed sales activity in the Naples area housing market maintained steady momentum through August with a 35.2 percent increase in overall closed sales to 1,098 closed sales from 812 in August 2019. According to the August 2020 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), homebuying activity in Naples during the last three months exceeded activity reported in the first three months of 2020, more typically known as our peak resident season. Broker analysts reviewing the report predict this momentum, driven from more closed sales, more new pending sales, and more new listings compared to a year ago, will set the Naples area housing market up for continued positive performance into the fall months.
The market report showed August had the highest month-over-month increase in pending sales compared to any other month reported in 2020, with a 70.4 percent increase to 1,479 pending sales from 868 pending sales in August 2019. Not surprising, homebuyers seeking single-family homes continued to tilt the scales in August as the report showed a 76.4 percent increase for this home category, while pending sales of condominiums increased 63.9 percent.
In comparison, this summer’s closed sales have eclipsed our peak season’s closed sales as there were a combined 3,133 closed sales reported during June, July and August compared to a combined 2,659 closed sales reported in January, February and March.
August’s inventory decreased 29.1 percent to 4,174 properties from 5,887 properties in August 2019. However, despite the month-over-month drop in inventory during August, there were more new listings added over the summer months than new listings added during the peak season months. Broker analysts were quick to point out that some of the new listings added during the summer were likely listings that had been pulled off the market during the Great Lockdown, which occurred in April and May.
“Increased buyer demand is helping to move some of our old inventory,” said Adam Vellano, West Coast Sales Manager, BEX Realty – Florida. This increased buyer demand is illustrated by the number of days on the market in August, which decreased 5.9 percent to 96 days compared to 102 days in August 2019. The report also showed the Naples area has only 184 single-family homes under $300,000 available to buyers. And inventory for single-family homes between $300,000 and $500,000 decreased 54.9 percent in August to 446 single-family homes from 990 single-family homes in August 2019.
Vellano remarked that “incentives offered by new home builders after the lockdown restrictions were lifted are starting to go away and these new home prices are also increasing.”
Phil Wood, President & CEO of John R. Wood Properties, added that “Eighty-one percent [793] of the total price changes reported in August [970] were decreases in price. But, there were fewer price decreases in August than in June or July. These price decreases indicate that some homeowners might have overpriced their homes when they initially listed them and the adjustments in August now reflect more competitive prices. That’s not to say that these homeowners won’t see prices increase again as agents report many multiple offer situations occurring across all price categories.”
Overall median closed prices in August increased 26.7 percent to $399,000 from $315,000 in August 2019. Single-family home median prices increased 15.7 percent to $457,000 from $395,000 in August 2019, and condominium median closed prices increased 18.4 percent in August to $290,000 from $245,000 in August 2019.
However, keep in mind that the median closed price is a figure that is “in the middle,” as half of homes listed are above this price and exactly half are below this price. Broker analysts reviewing the report were quick to point out that one sale of a high-worth property (e.g., $2 million+) during a given month can greatly influence this figure, and that it doesn’t mean all home prices increased. As such, when evaluating pricing trends, brokers prefer to use the 12-months ending median closed price statistics. For the 12-months ending August 2020, the median closed price increased 5.4 percent. Interestingly, using this metric, the August report showed median closed prices for homes between $300,000 and $2 million have actually decreased.
“I think we’ve turned a corner and can safely say that we are now in a seller’s market,” said Bill Coffey, Broker Manager of Amerivest Realty Naples. “We have 4.8 months of inventory and median closed prices are on the rise.” Florida Realtors® considers the benchmark for a balanced market (favoring neither buyer nor seller) is 5.5 months of inventory.

The NABOR® August 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
Aug 2019
Aug 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
812
1,098
+35.2%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month)
868
1,479
+70.4%
Median closed price (month/month)
$315,000
$399,000
+26.7%
Total active listings (inventory)
5,887
4,174
-29.1%
Average days on market
102
96
-5.9%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
421
583
+38.5%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$395,000
$457,000
+15.7%
Single-family inventory
3,041
1,784
-41.3%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
391
515
+31.7%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$245,000
$290,000
+18.4%
Condominium inventory
2,846
2,390
-16.0%
According to Vellano, “buyers seeking single-family homes were on the rise this summer because of changing lifestyle preferences caused by the pandemic. Plus, those who now work from home or have children that attend school from their homes want more space. Once we have a better understanding of how to medically treat people with coronavirus and have a vaccine for it, I think people will begin to explore condominium living again.”
The August report confirms Vellano’s statement, as sales of properties priced above $2 million increased the most (18 percent) compared to other price categories tracked in August.
“This is a great time for high-end buyers to invest in real estate,” said Wood. “Because interest rates are low, a 50 percent deposit on a $2 million home means loan payments could be as low as $4,200 a month!”
Geographically, closed sales of properties in the Naples Beach area (34102, 34103, 34108) during August increased 84.4 percent and saw an 82 percent increase in median closed price; the South Naples area (34112, 34113) reported the most new listings in August, with a 32.7 percent increase; and the East Naples area (34114, 34117, 34120, 34137) reported the biggest drop in months of inventory to 2.9 months of inventory in August from 6.4 months of inventory in August 2019.
The August report shows sellers are at an advantage with decreasing inventory and rising prices. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog

The Naples Area Board Of Realtors July 2020 Market Report

Naples Housing Market Sees Summer Sales Surge
Naples, Fla. (August 21, 2020) – The Naples housing market experienced a continued surge in activity during July, which resulted in a 57.3 percent increase in pending sales (homes under contract) for the month. Closed sales during July increased 35.4 percent compared to July 2019 – greatly surpassing June’s closed sales activity following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. However, a decreasing supply of inventory, which broker analysts believe is caused by heightened homebuying interest this summer, is making it difficult to keep up with the strong buyer demand.
“Compared to markets on the east coast of Florida and in big cities like Chicago and New York, the Naples real estate market is quite affordable,” said Spencer Haynes, Director of Business Development and Broker with John R. Wood Properties. “People aren’t just looking for homes in low density areas in Florida, they want to live in a town that fits their lifestyle. And Naples provides a much better lifestyle for the money.”
The tapestry of out-of-state license plates on local roads may be an unfamiliar summer sight to local residents, but according to broker analysts reviewing the July 2020 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), these visitors are here to do more than just golf and visit the beach this summer.
“A considerable number of buyers already looked at homes during season [January and February], prior to COVID-19 restrictions,” said NABOR® President Lauren Melo, PA, Licensed Real Estate Broker with Florida’s Realty Specialists. “They watched and waited during those months of restrictions and are now back to buy a home this summer.”
There were 15,634 showings during July, less than half the number of showings during June (36,912), yet pending sales increased which indicates that properties were purchased virtually, sight unseen. July’s pending sales spiked to 1,446 pending sales in July 2020 from 919 pending sales in July 2019.
The majority of sales that resulted in the 35.4 percent increase in overall closed sales during July occurred in the single-family home market, which saw a 42.8 percent increase in closed sales compared to a 27.3 percent increase reported in the condominium market. Concern over the pandemic has compelled many people to spend the majority of their time indoors, at home. As a result, buyers are looking for single-family homes that offer more personal space, and more space to work from home and home-school children. They want their own backyard, their own private pool, and private garages that single-family homes offer.
Overall inventory decreased 28.8 percent in July to 4,390 properties from 6,168 properties in July 2019. However, many sellers were not hesitant about entering or staying in the market this summer. A steady rise in consumer confidence resulted in 1,193 new listings added to the overall inventory during July (a 21.7 percent increase compared to July 2019). Of those 1,193 new listings, 572 were single-family homes and 621 were condominiums. The report also showed fewer homes were terminated/expired/withdrawn from the MLS in July (599) compared to June (1,677).
For those who are considering selling, now is a good time to jump in the market to take advantage of the high demand for Naples property, according to broker analysts. Plus, with fewer homes on the market for buyers to purchase, this may be the time for your house to stand out from the crowd with less competition and more eyes on your property.
“This is a summer of surprises. New listings surged, closed sales surged, pending sales surged, median closed priced increased and days on the market dropped,” said Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc., who added, “There are several factors in play that are fueling the strong summer real estate activity: 1) winter visitors pushed off buying until the summer; 2) people’s ability to work remotely is convincing them that it’s okay to relocate; 3) more East Coast residents are migrating to our West Coast; 4) Naples continues to be a more affordable alternative to high-tax living in other areas of the country; and 5) interest rates are low.”
While the overall median closed price for July increased 13.5 percent to $368,750 from $325,000 in July 2019, the report also showed there were 829 properties that reduced their list prices during July. It appears sellers recalibrated their pricing and/or were striking new deals.
The report showed closed sales of properties priced above $500,000 increased over 50 percent in July, with the $500,000 to $1 million price category reporting the highest increase (99.1 percent) to 223 closed sales in July 2020 from 112 closed sales in July 2019.

The NABOR® July 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
July 2019
July 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
852
1,154
+35.4%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month)
919
1,446
+57.3%
Median closed price (month/month)
$325,000
$368,750
+13.5%
Total active listings (inventory)
6,168
4,390
-28.8%
Average days on market
104
92
-11.5%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
446
637
+42.8%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$405,000
$462,000
+14.1%
Single-family inventory
3,203
1,957
-38.9%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
406
517
+27.3%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$240,000
$272,500
+13.5%
Condominium inventory
2,965
2,433
-17.9%
“Single-family home inventory dropped 38.7 percent in July to 1,957 homes,” remarked Melo. “This is the lowest it’s been since October 2015. But even at this level, Naples has 4.5 months of supply in the single-family home sector.”
In comparison, Naples had 5.2 months of supply in the single-family homes sector in June, which was much higher than Florida Realtors® statewide reported June single-family home figure – 2.8 months of supply.
According to Florida Realtors®, “The benchmark for a balanced market (favoring neither buyer nor seller) is 5.5 months of inventory.” The July 2020 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®) showed 5.2 months of inventory (single-family homes and condominiums).
Even though interest rates on mortgages remain low, 43 percent of July’s closed sales were cash sales.
“The coronavirus pandemic slowed the housing market in March and April with its lockdowns and restrictions,” said Hughes, who was referring to a comparative look at closed sales year-to-date. The July report showed 6,226 closed sales between January 2020 and July 2020 compared to 6,332 closed sales between January 2019 and July 2019. “I believe that, by the end of August, our market will be on track to outperform 2019 year-to-date sales.”
The July report shows consumer confidence is growing for both sellers and buyers in Naples this summer. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog, Uncategorized

The Naples Area Board of Realtors June 2020 Market Report

June Market Activity Sets the Stage for Strong Summer Sales
Naples, Fla. (July 24, 2020) – According to the June 2020 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), pending sales (homes under contract) increased 61.3 percent compared to June 2019, with single-family homes being the home choice for a majority of buyers. Broker analysts reviewing the report also noted that new listings during June increased 25.8 percent compared to June 2019, which indicates growing consumer confidence for both sellers and buyers leading into the summer Naples real estate market.
The everlasting desirability of the Naples real estate market was undeniable in June, especially in the single-family home market where pending sales increased 83.9 percent to 835 pending sales from 454 pending sales in June 2019. Pending sales of condominiums during June increased 38.7 percent to 634 pending sales from 457 pending sales in June 2019.
“The Naples residential market is showing signs of rebounding after a temporary pause in activity caused by the pandemic during the latter part of March, and through April and May,” said Budge Huskey, CEO, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “Naples seems to be the beneficiary of a migration of people making life changes and coming to our market. Contributing factors are our low density and coastal properties.”
While closed sales in May were down nearly 50 percent compared to May 2019, closed sales in June decreased only 4.6 percent to 881 closed sales from 923 closed sales in June 2019. However, according to Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Realty, “June had the third highest number of showings this year, behind the historically high showing months of January and February. In comparison, there were 36,912 showings in June compared to 42,299 showings in January and 44,137 showings in February.”
Before the pandemic, the number of closed sales of single-family homes and condominiums was about equal each month; but the June Market Report revealed a shift in buyer preference to single family homes compared to June 2019, as closed sales of single-family homes increased 2.9 percent to 498, while closed sales in the condominium market decreased 12.8 percent to 383. This trend could be attributed to buyers wanting a larger home with more space to accommodate working from and sheltering at home.
Inventory decreased 27.6 percent to 4,739 homes in June from 6,547 homes in June 2019. The majority of this depletion was reported in the single-family home market, which decreased 34.5 percent, while the condominium market had a decrease in inventory of 20.3 percent. The report also showed the largest drop in inventory occurred in the $300,000 to $500,000 single family home market, which decreased 47.7 percent in June compared to June 2019.
As a result of heightened buyer demand, the median closed price increased 8.2 percent to $357,000 in June from $330,000 in June 2019. Bill Coffey, Broker Manager of Amerivest Realty Naples, remarked, “The overall median closed price increased in June because the luxury market is hot this summer, and the level of demand is driving up the prices, particularly in the $1 million and above market.”
Coffey’s comment was validated by other brokers reviewing the report including Huskey and Phil Wood, President & CEO of John R. Wood Properties, who both claimed their offices saw multiple offer situations in the luxury market during June. Fioretti added that her agents reported multiple offers in every price point during June.
Wood added that closed sales for the year are not yet on track with last year’s activity due to the pandemic, yet he’s optimistic because “as of June, the number of closed sales were only 400 less than last year at this time.” He added, “When the stock market dropped at the beginning of the pandemic, high-end buyers hit pause. But the stock market is strong today and these buyers – who we typically only see during high season – are seeking to buy luxury properties in Naples this summer.”

The NABOR® June 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
June 2019
June 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
923
881
-4.6%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month)
911
1,469
+61.3%
Median closed price (month/month)
$330,000
$357,000
+8.2%
Total active listings (inventory)
6,547
4,739
-27.6%
Average days on market
104
96
-7.7%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
484
498
+2.9%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$398,450
$437,500
+9.8%
Single-family inventory
3,382
2,215
-34.5%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
439
383
-12.8%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$265,000
$270,000
+1.9%
Condominium inventory
3,165
2,524
-20.3%
Despite a decrease in overall inventory for June, the report showed geographic areas where new listings grew including the Naples Beach area (34102, 34013, 34018), which added 260 new properties to its inventory compared to 159 new property listings added during June 2019. But supply is simply not keeping up with demand as overall inventory for the Naples Beach area decreased 16.1 percent.
The market data indicates that now is a good time to sell, as the number of showings and pending sales are increasing, and prices are also rising! If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog

The Naples Area Board of Realtors May 2020 Market Report

Heightened Buyer Demand Influences Naples Real Estate Market
Naples, Fla. (June 19, 2020) – REALTORS® kept busy in May as pent-up demand for homebuying resulted in a remarkable spike in buyer interest. As a result, showings in May increased 244 percent compared to showings in April. As remarkable, showings in May outpaced showings a year ago, which increased 5.5 percent compared to May 2019. According to the May 2020 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 found the data reflected the everlasting desirability of the Naples real estate market, even during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Despite the restrictions of social distancing, with many REALTORS® conducting virtual open home tours and adopting electronic signings and virtual closings, 599 buyers purchased homes in Naples last month. REALTORS® and brokerages adapted to the challenges at hand ­- and will continue in the future – to ensure the real estate industry is a leading factor in our country’s economic recovery,” remarked NABOR® President Lauren Melo, PA, Licensed Real Estate Broker with Florida’s Realty Specialists.
“The Naples real estate market is extremely resilient,” said Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. “REALTORS were able to adapt fast as new buyers started pouring into the market in May. This is apparent because the report shows pending sales in May increased 90 percent compared to pending sales in April.”
Upon reviewing the May Market Report, Coco Amar, VP, Strategic Growth, South Florida, William Raveis Real Estate, commented, “Buyers have less negotiating power because inventory in the Naples area continues to decline. This shrinking inventory led to modest price increases in the single-family home market during May, which saw a 31.8 percent decrease in inventory and 3.7 percent increase in median closed prices compared to May 2019.
Prices held stable, in spite of the outlying issues, with the year-to-date median closed price up a modest 2.3 percent. Jeff Jones, Broker at Keller Williams Naples, pointed out, “The report showed only 103 price increases during May out of the 5,116 properties in inventory, and there were fewer price reductions in May than reported in April.”
Overall inventory during May decreased 27.2 percent to 5,116 homes from 7,023 homes in May 2019. However, while there was a 4 percent decrease in new listings of single-family homes in May, there was a 6.5 percent increase in new listings of condominiums.
“We have a 5.8-months’ supply of single-family homes in Naples,” said Bill Coffey, Broker Manager of Amerivest Realty Naples. “Buyers don’t have as many single-family home choices right now so they shouldn’t hesitate to make an offer if they find a home they love.”

The NABOR® May 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
May 2019
May 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
1,188
599
-49.6%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month)
1,218
1,167
-4.2%
Median closed price (month/month)
$354,450
$333,000
-6.1%
Total active listings (inventory)
7,023
5,116
-27.2%
Average days on market
107
91
-15.0%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
595
314
-47.2%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$410,000
$425,000
+3.7%
Single-family inventory
3,608
2,461
-31.8%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
593
285
-51.9%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$270,000
$260,000
-3.7%
Condominium inventory
3,415
2,655
-22.3%
Historically, some sellers in Naples take their homes off the market after season, and May inventory and pending sales activity always reflected this behavior. However, COVID-19 left many sellers uncertain about the real estate market. With the quarantine recommendations in place, fewer sellers listed homes during May. Despite an inventory drop, pent-up demand unleashed a new set of buyers in May, which changed history. May’s pending sales activity, a measure of signed contracts and not closings, increased 90 percent compared to April 2020, despite tight supply.
Heightened buyer demand is also evident in the number of Days on Market for May as reflected in a decrease of 15 percent to 91 days on market compared to May 2019, which reported 107 days on market.
“There was a significant number of high-end pending sales in May,” said Hughes, who added that the stock market has come back from a low of 18,000 in late March to over 25,000 at the end of May. “The impact of the stock market rebound renewed consumer confidence in May with a certain percentage of wealthy individuals looking to diversify their portfolio and invest in real estate again.”
Spencer E. Haynes, Director of Business Development and Broker with John R. Wood Properties, is optimistic that summer sales will be strong in Naples, but added “even if a second surge of coronavirus cases emerges that force new restrictions, REALTORS® and the public have become very adept at using technology like virtual showings and electronic closings, which can help overcome the challenges that might affect home sales activity in Naples.”
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale, especially in the unusual circumstances of this health crisis and its challenges. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog

The Naples Area Board of Realtors April 2020 Market Report

April Report Shows Naples Real Estate Market
Held Its Value During Pandemic
Naples, Fla. (May 22, 2020) – Coronavirus slowed real estate market activity in April as expected during Florida’s safe-at-home restrictions. According to the April 2020 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), overall closed sales decreased 28.6 percent to 838 closed sales compared to 1,173 closed sales in April 2019. Inventory decreased as well in April by 29.1 percent to 5,394 homes compared to 7,605 homes in April 2019. The April report also confirms home values remain intact.
“Our priority is the safety of Naples residents and our members, as we all continue to practice socially responsible distancing while we conduct business during this health crisis,” said NABOR® President Lauren Melo, PA, Licensed Real Estate Broker with Florida’s Realty Specialists. “With the assistance of technology, creativity, and cooperation, real estate professionals are successfully completing transactions.”
To encourage a safe path to homeownership, NABOR® implemented three new actions in April to assist members as they conduct business during the COVID-19 pandemic:
  1. NABOR® lobbied state and local governments to successfully recognize real estate services as an essential service, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
  2. NABOR® created a COVID-19 addendum and amendment to sales contracts to protect buyers and sellers;
  3. NABOR® trained members on new COVID-19 related services including virtual open house tours, COVID-19 stimulus relief package benefits, and new lender requirements.
According to Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, “The good news is that – even during a pandemic – Naples home values are being maintained. The report shows April’s overall percent of current list price received increased .5 percent.” This figure represents what the buyer paid for their home compared to the seller’s listed sale price. In April, the contract price averaged 95.9 percent of list price. In comparison, during April 2019, the contract price averaged 95.4 percent of list price. This statistic demonstrates that homes in the Naples area did not lose their values during April, the worst month of the pandemic to date.
Median closed prices increased .3 percent in April to $340,000 from $339,000 in April 2019. “Although there were slightly fewer price decreases in April than in March, still 1,654 or 31 percent of all listed properties experienced reductions in their offering price during April,” said Jeff Jones, Broker at Keller Williams Naples.
Like many essential service businesses, REALTORS® in Naples focused on implementing new strategies and modifying their business models during April to comply with self-distancing practices and accommodate for the welfare and safety of their staff, clients and the community.
“We saw a surge in virtual showings during April,” said Budge Huskey, CEO, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “What happened was a buyer would participate in several virtual showings, typically while their REALTOR® did the walkthrough onsite. Then, once the buyer eliminated the options down to one or two homes, they would do a physical walkthrough.”
As people were urged to stay home in April, showings decreased to 9,420 from 22,862 in April 2019 (does not include virtual showings). As a result, pending sales in April decreased 53.6 percent, as was expected.
“The desire for virtual home showings has risen rapidly,” remarked Fioretti. “During video tours, agents become the eyes of the buyer. They’re talking more than they would on a traditional tour, pointing out things that would be obvious in person but aren’t as clear through a camera lens like the quality of workmanship on any repairs or whether a bedroom will fit a king-size bed. Virtual home tours are becoming the new first step in homebuying,” added Fioretti.
Another asset that REALTORS® added to their toolbox in April was NABOR®’s COVID-19 contract addendum (or amendment for active contracts). The revised contract extends a closing date for an agreed amount of time if the lender is unable to approve the loan due to temporary obstacles caused by the pandemic including employee furloughs, and delayed appraisals, inspections, or government filing services.
“Given the amount of uncertainty right now, agents are quickly adding our special coronavirus addendum to new and existing contracts to provide some breathing room for delays in this fast-changing environment. These new documents are keeping deals together,” said Jones. “It’s providing much peace-of-mind for both buyers and sellers.”

The NABOR® April 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
Apr 2019
Apr 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
1,173
838
-28.6%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month)
1,322
613
-53.6%
Median closed price (month/month)
$339,000
$340,000
+0.3%
Total active listings (inventory)
7,605
5,394
-29.1%
Average days on market
98
87
-11.2%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
510
409
-19.8%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$464,500
$429,500
-7.5%
Single-family inventory
3,850
2,639
-31.5%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
663
429
-35.3%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$272,500
$270,000
-0.9%
Condominium inventory
3,755
2,755
-26.6%
Adam Vellano, West Coast Sales Manager, BEX Realty – Florida, said the April report “shows real estate is essential. The fact that REALTORS® were able to process over 800 closed sales during a month when most of the world was on lockdown is a testament to our market’s desirability and how real estate professionals are quickly adapting and conducting business in new ways. REALTORS® are helping their customers buy and sell homes through this crisis.”
Not all geographic areas in Collier County reported a decrease in closed sales during April. Single family home sales in East Naples (34114, 34117, 34120, 34137) during April increased 7.2 percent.
Broker analysts reviewing the April Market Report are optimistic that activity in the Naples area real estate market will resume momentum in the coming months (barring a return to April’s restrictions). If you’re a seller who took your home off the market in April because you feared social distancing would prevent a sale, consider relisting your home in May. You could attract an eager buyer. Property values are holding steady with price increases in two price categories reported in April (i.e., the $300,000 and below price category and the $2 million and above price category reported median closed price increases in April). And the overall list to sales price has remained steady at about 95 percent (for April 2019 compared to April 2020).
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the ability to provide a virtual showing, an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale, especially in the unusual circumstances of this health crisis.The

Posted in: Blog

The Naples Area Board Of Realtors March 2020 Market Report

March Housing Activity Signals Essential Need for Homes
Naples, Fla. (April 23, 2020) – Like all industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Naples area housing market was not immune to its effect in March. While home sales dropped, home prices remained steady, and in some cases, increased. Because the stay-at-home order went into effect mid-month, real estate activity during the first two weeks of March was strong, while activity during the second half of March tempered remarkably well. Brokers analyzing the March 2020 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), agree that the report showed one indisputable truth: The need for housing in the Naples area – whether it be a rental, new home construction, or homes in the resale market – is essential and still in demand.
“The real estate industry has been given a great responsibility in this time of crisis to help meet the needs of Naples area residential and commercial property buyers and owners, and the overall welfare of our local economy. Of utmost importance to all real estate professionals is that all real estate transactions are undertaken with the strictest adherence to health and safety guidelines. Real estate transactions are moving forward,” stated Lauren Melo, PA, President of NABOR®, andLicensed Real Estate Broker with Florida’s Realty Specialists.
Overall closed sales in March increased 15.8 percent to 1,148 closed sales compared to 991 closed sales in March 2019. This was an increase of 359 closed sales over February (789 closed sales) and 426 more closed sales than January (722 closed sales)! The report also showed a 22.5 percent increase in closed sales for the first quarter of 2020 (2,689 total closed sales) compared to the first quarter of 2019 (2,195 total closed sales).
Coco Amar, VP, Strategic Growth, South Florida, William Raveis Real Estate, pointed out that the report showed closed sales for properties priced between $1 million and $2 million increased 23 percent year over year (12-months ending March 2020) and its median closed price decreased by 2.3 percent. “The high-end of the market is becoming popular again, especially condominiums over $2 million, which had the highest percentage increase in sales [37 percent] in the last 12 months.”
Pending sales took a hit during the second half of March, down 38.1 percent for the month to 977 pending sales compared to 1,578 pending sales in March 2019. But according to Melo, “pending sales increased 5.3 percent during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019. The Naples area housing market was on solid footing before the coronavirus pandemic flared up.”
Bill Coffey, Broker Manager of Amerivest Realty Naples, pointed out that “even though showings in March decreased 41 percent compared to showings in February, there were still over 19,000 appointments scheduled to show homes in March. Serious buyers are not being discouraged by the stay-at-home order. Because real estate is considered essential, buyers can tour homes as long as they abide by the social-distancing order – or they can tour homes virtually with their REALTOR on site hosting their virtual tour.”
Open house guidelines by NABOR®, which follow Centers for Disease Control and local Department of Health recommendations, ensure safety practices are being followed by REALTORS®. Questions about open house guidance during COVID-19 can be found HERE.
Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc., added that homebuyers were not the only people looking for housing in March. “We saw an uptick in rental contract extensions in March as many winter residents are choosing to stay in the Naples area rather than return to their northern homes in states where virus activity rates are high.”
The March report showed overall inventory remained strong through March, with 5,772 available properties. This was a 27.5 percent decrease in inventory compared to March 2019, which had 7,965 properties available. Interestingly, while March had only 53 fewer homes on the market than what was available in February, the month of March had 11 more homes available in inventory than what was reported in January! Plus, Collier County holds steady with 6.4 months of supply compared to other highly desirable counties in Florida like Orlando, which reported 2.3 months of supply in March.
According to Jeff Jones, Broker at Keller Williams Naples, “There were fewer price reductions during March compared to previous months in the quarter.” The overall median closed price in March increased 10 percent to $372,750 compared to $339,000 in March 2019. The month of March also reported the highest median closed price compared to the other months in the first quarter. However, while median closed prices for the single-family home market increased 16 percent in March to $470,000 compared to $405,500 in March 2019, the median closed price for the condominium market decreased 1.3 percent in March to $276,500 compared to $280,000 in March 2019.
Jones also pointed out that the pandemic is affecting the new home construction industry. “Many builders in the area are offering big incentives in order to move their new home inventory. It’s good to work with a REALTOR® who understands the local market well and can negotiate the best price, whether it’s a home for sale by a builder or an independent seller of an existing home.”

The NABOR® March 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
Mar 2019
Mar 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (month/month)
991 1,148 +15.8%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (month/month) 1,568 977 -38.1%
Median closed price (month/month)
$339,000 $372,750 +10.0%
Total active listings (inventory)
7,965 5,772 -27.5%
Average days on market
106 98 -7.5%
Single-family closed sales (month/month)
485 563
+16.1%
Single-family median closed price (month/month)
$405,500 $470,000 +15.9%
Single-family inventory
4,055 2,862 -29.4%
Condominium closed sales (month/month)
506 585 +15.6%
Condominium median closed price (month/month)
$280,000 $276,500 -1.3%
Condominium inventory
3,910 2,910 -25.6%
“There is solid inventory in all price categories right now,” said Hughes. Phil Wood, President & CEO of John R. Wood Properties, agreed with Hughes adding that “current low interest rates and a strong stock market are favorable reasons why people buy second homes. Low fuel prices will also inspire people to travel more by air and car to Southwest Florida once the -stay-at-home order is lifted. It may take a few months to get back to normal, but I believe the housing market in Naples will recover fast because people love the beach and we have 24 miles of it to explore. Plus, after being locked at home for months, people are going to want to live in a community that doesn’t have high-density issues.”

Geographically, the Naples Beach area (34102, 34103, 34108) had the most inventory in the Naples area available in March, with 8.6 months of supply. New listings were highest in East Naples (34114, 34117, 34120, 34137), which had an increase in March of 9.2 percent.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the experience and knowledge to provide an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog

The Naples Area Board Of Realtors February 2020 Market Report

February Housing Activity Reflects Naples Enduring Desirability
Naples, Fla. (March 27, 2020) – Despite state recommendations to practice self distancing, the housing market in the Naples area continues to breathe with life. The February 2020 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), showed overall closed sales increased 29 percent to 789 closed sales in February 2020 compared to 610 closed sales in February 2019. Admittedly, this report reflects comparable activity in February 2020 – which preceded self-distancing recommendations due to COVID-19 – but it is a glimpse at our market’s significant and enduring desirability.
“We have a resilient real estate market that was proven during the last recession,” said Dominic Pallini, Broker at Vanderbilt Realty, who was the President of NABOR® during Hurricane Irma in 2017. “This interruption should end in a few months; not seven to ten years.”
Like many professionals, REALTORS® in Naples are working remotely or from home and using creative solutions to stay connected to their buyers and sellers. Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, remarked that “some offices are closed, but we are all still in business!”
In an industry that is already technology-focused and adept, NABOR® and its members are continuing efforts to help foster the sale of homes, all while following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. NABOR® is also providing new digital resources during the coronavirus outbreak to help keep the public and real estate professionals connected and safe.
Overall pending sales in February increased 43 percent to 1,526 pending sales compared to 1,068 pending sales in February 2019! There were also 32,712 showings by agents in Collier Collier during February, which is roughly 11,000 more showings than reported in February 2019.
Wes Kunkle, President and Managing Broker at Kunkle International Realty, keeps an eye on market activity daily by analyzing activity in the Southwest Florida MLS and said on March 25, 2020, that “the MLS data is showing an average of 25 new pending sales every day.”
Fioretti said her firm is “currently focusing our efforts on closing pending transactions because February’s pending sales were so strong and many buyers and sellers are eager to successfully close on their properties.”
Fioretti added that “there are many important tasks that must be completed in order to have a successful closing, such as inspections, appraisals, final walk through, meeting lender requirements, Homeowner Association applications and approval and more.” She predicts that March closings should be strong as a result of strong February pending sales, and the vigorous efforts of REALTORS®, lenders, and closing agents.
February’s Market Report also shows a renewed and growing interest in condominium sales, which saw pending sales increase 45 percent to 802 pending sales in February 2020 compared to 552 in February 2019.
Budge Huskey, President, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, agreed with Fioretti that March’s closed sales will be strong as “most everywhere there is respect for the need to foster closings of pending sales.”
Properties priced between $1 million and $2 million reported the highest increase in closed sales (21 percent) for the 12-months ending February 2020 than any other price category. Single-family home sales in the $1 million to $2 million price category had the highest increase among all properties reported with a 27 percent increase (12-months ending February 2020)! However, condominiums priced above $2 million had the highest increase in closed sales for its property type, reporting a 20 percent increase (in the 12-months ending February 2020). These increases are in line with what broker analysts predicted in January that many buyers are rebalancing their portfolios and pulling money out of the stock market to buy homes.
Overall median closed prices increased 3 percent in February to $345,000 compared to $335,000 in February 2019. Broken down by property type, median sales prices rose 5 percent for single family homes and nearly 7 percent for condominiums in February 2020 compared to February 2019. Fioretti added that “price increases in February were expected due to the low inventory we are still experiencing.”

Because the federal government enacted stricter standards for financing following the recession in 2008, “most buyers in the last ten years have purchased homes using cash or conventional financing with significant down payments,” said Adam Vellano, West Coast Sales Manager, BEX Realty – Florida. “This has created larger amounts of equity in the market and, with our current balanced inventory, we can absorb a short disruption.”

Vellano added that we are not facing a housing crisis like what we experienced in 2008 because we don’t have a lot of highly leveraged owners with second mortgages that will be forced into foreclosure.

The NABOR® February 2020 Market Reports 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:

CATEGORIES
Feb 2019
Feb 2020
CHANGE
Total closed sales (year/year)
610
789
+29.3%
Total pending sales (homes under contract) (year/year)
1,068
1,526
+42.9%
Median closed price (year/year)
$335,000
$345,000
+3.0%
Total active listings (inventory)
8,160
5,825
-28.6%
Average days on market
101
95
-5.9%
Single-family closed sales (year/year)
300
376
+25.3%
Single-family median closed price (year/year)
$403,750
$425,500
+5.4%
Single-family inventory
4,134
2,868
-30.6%
Condominium closed sales (year/year)
310
413
+33.2%
Condominium median closed price (year/year)
$265,000
$283,250
+6.9%
Condominium inventory
4,026
2,957
-26.6%
The February 2020 Market Report also showed a 6-month supply of inventory for properties under $500,000, while properties priced above $500,000 are at an 8-month supply. Interestingly, there is currently a 14-month supply of inventory for properties priced above $2 million.
“The February report is a continuation of the incredible pace of the market we saw in January, with impressive results across all categories and price ranges,” said Huskey. “These figures reflect the market in advance of the coronavirus impact, which will no doubt be evident in March. The reality is business is continuing, albeit at a far slower pace as the REALTOR® community and the public enact the recommended precautionary steps to ensure the situation is short-lived. But, the first two months of the year confirmed that Naples is more desirable than ever, an attraction which will be sustained long after concerns of the virus have passed.”
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Naples, contact The Wakelin Team as we have the experience and knowledge to provide an accurate market comparison or negotiate a sale. We can ensure your next purchase or sale in the Naples area is a success.

Posted in: Blog

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