Curb Appeal Matters Now More Than Ever, Say Realtors®

For the second year in a row, Realtors® report that exterior remodeling projects return the most money as a percentage of cost, as detailed in the 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report.

On a national level, wood deck additions and all types of siding replacements – upscale fiber cement, midrange vinyl, and upscale foam-backed vinyl – returned more than 80 percent of project costs upon resale. Of these, the most profitable project was upscale fiber cement siding, which recouped 86.7 percent of costs, followed by wood decks at 81.8 percent, midrange vinyl siding at 80.7 percent, and upscale foam-backed vinyl siding at 80.4 percent.

“Because today’s buyers have much more to choose from in the way of inventory, any home for sale must make a positive first impression,” said National Association of Realtors® President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “As a trusted source for real estate information, Realtors® understand what attracts and motivates their buyer clients, which is why the results of this year’s Cost vs. Value report underscore the importance of curb appeal in the buyer’s eye.”

In addition to wood decks and siding, window replacements and kitchen remodels also returned a relatively high percentage of remodeling costs on a national basis. All types of window replacements – upscale and midrange wood and upscale and midscale vinyl – returned more than 76 percent of costs. A major midrange kitchen remodel returned 76.0 percent of project costs, while a minor midrange kitchen remodel returned 79.5 percent of costs.

On a national level, bathroom remodels, while still a relatively good investment, do not return as high a percentage as in previous years. A midrange bathroom remodel was estimated to return 74.4 percent on resale, comparable to a midrange attic-to-bedroom conversion, at 73.6 percent of costs recouped, and a midrange basement remodel, at 72.7 percent of costs recouped.

As in last year’s report, the least profitable remodeling projects in terms of resale value were home office remodels, sunroom additions, and back-up power generators, returning only 54.4 percent, 56.6 percent, and 57.1 percent, respectively, of project costs.

McMillan explained that the resale value of any given remodeling project depends on a variety of factors. “A home’s overall condition, availability and condition of surrounding properties, location, and regional economic climate are all factors that will influence the value of any remodeling project,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to consult with professionals like Realtors® in your area when you want to enhance the value of your home. Realtors® see hundreds, if not thousands, of homes every year with their buyer clients and can provide valuable insight into what projects and improvements will make a difference with buyers in your area.”
Source: realtor.org

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples Heritage Community Closed Sales

Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes November 2008, Closed Sale information
42 Active
1 Pending

Source: SunshineMLS, Inc.
Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

NABOR report shows prices over $300,000 have stabilized

Over the past 12 months, the median sold price for properties over $300,000 has increased and the upward trend continues, according to a report released by the Naples Area Board of Realtors, which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island).
"In the category of homes valued over $300,000, the median sold price increased 1 percent in the past 12 months, indicating that prices have stabilized in that category. In the under-$300,000 category, foreclosures and short sales continue to influence home prices as the median sold price decreased 17 percent," according to Phil Wood, managing broker of John R. Wood Realtors. For the 12 months ending October 2008, the median sold price for properties over $300,000 increased 1 percent to $566,000, compared to $558,000 for the 12 months ending October 2007.
The report shows the average days a property is on the market has decreased for single-family homes and condominiums.
The report provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condo sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges and geographic segmentation. It also includes an overall market summary. Source: Florida Weekly

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples Heritage Real Estate - October Closed Sales

Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes October 2008, Closed Sale information
39 Active
1 Pending

Source: SunshineMLS, Inc.
Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Sales of existing homes across U.S. up in September

Sales of existing homes rose by the largest amount in more than five years in September, a real estate trade group said Friday. The data is a possible glimmer of hope that the housing slump could be starting to bottom out.

The National Association of Realtors said Friday that sales of existing homes rose by 5.5 percent in September compared to August, the best showing since a 5.6 percent increase in July 2003, during the five-year housing boom.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Realtors, said a sales turnaround first seen in California was beginning to broaden to other regions of the country including Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Rhode Island.

The rise in September sales pushed activity to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.18 million units last month. Sales were up 9.6 percent on a year-over-year basis before adjusting for seasonal changes.

By region of the country, sales soared by 16.8 percent in the West and rose a more moderate 4.4 percent in the Midwest and 2.2 percent in the South. The only region of the country which saw a decline was the Northeast, where sales fell by 1.1 percent.
Source: naplesnews.com

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples Heritage Real Estate - September Closed Sales

Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes September 2008, Closed Sale information
36 Active

Source: SunshineMLS, Inc.
Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

CNN Money Ranks Collier County the 4th Best Place for a Long Life!

#4 Collier County, FLTowns include: Golden Gate, Naples -Life expectancy at birth: 80.97 years.
Collier County, which includes the city of Naples, is the picture of Florida leisure.
By land area, Collier is the largest county in the state, and 80 percent of it is devoted to parks and nature preserves. Any kind of water-related recreation or exercise you can think of is readily available. Naples has long been a destination for artists: Take a class at the Von Liebig Center or just work your way through the county's 100-plus art galleries.You can also take in a show-or star in one-with the Naples Players, which is recognized as one of the nation's top community theaters.
source: cnnmoney.com

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples Heritage Real Estate - August Closed Sales

Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes August 2008, Closed Sale information
36 Active

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Existing single-family home sales up 80 percent in Fort Myers/Cape Coral

Sales made with the help of a Realtor in Southwest Florida rose again in July. Existing single-family home sales — or resales — grew by 80 percent to 768, from 426 a year ago, in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral market.

Condo sales rose 35 percent to 174, from 129 a year ago, according to statistics from the Florida Association of Realtors. On Marco Island, 31 single-family homes sold, up 19 percent from 26 a year ago. Condo sales rose 5 percent to 41, up from 39 in the same month last year.

[T]he Naples Area Board of Realtors in its own market report showed sales continued to rise in July. There were 361 home sales, up 31 percent from 275 a year ago.
Source: naplesnews.com

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale

Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist

Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples Heritage Real Estate - Closed Sale Info

Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes July 2008, Closed Sale information
32 Active
1 Pending



Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

REALTORS® Pledge Support to Finalize Housing Stimulus Bill

The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan housing stimulus bill that “is a big step toward helping people buy and keep their homes,” said National Association of Realtors® President Dick Gaylord. The Senate action moves a housing stimulus package closer to law, which would help bring stability to the housing market and stop the rising rate of foreclosures.

“We are eager for the House and Senate to come together to finalize an aggressive bill that will ensure that every American who can afford to own a home and wants to do so will have the opportunity, and that every American who responsibly owns a home is able to keep it,” said Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif.

NAR has expressed ongoing support for many of the provisions in the legislation, including Federal Housing Administration Modernization that will simplify and make FHA-backed mortgages more available, a tax credit for first-time home buyers, reform of government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, permanent increases to both GSE and FHA loan limits, and a program to expand FHA that would allow more mortgages to be refinanced.

“The tax credit for first-time home buyers would be a strong stimulus to a weak housing market, and FHA stabilization should help thousands of families refinance existing mortgages and in many cases keep their homes,” said Gaylord.
Source Realtor.org

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples Heritage - June 2008 Pending & Closed Sale Report

31 Active
1 Pending
1 Closed
Source: Sunshine MLS, Inc.

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples manager meets with Antaramian to discuss 22-acre purchase

The ball is rolling.
Naples City Manager Bill Moss told a group of public relations and marketing professionals Thursday that he met with local developer Jack Antaramian earlier that morning to discuss purchasing the 22 acres of land on Goodlette-Frank Road and Fifth Avenue South.
Antaramian was planning to build a mixed-use community called Renaissance Village on the property. While the property is not currently on the market, Antaramian has authorized his staff to look into the possibility of selling “all or a substantial part of the 22 acres which comprise Renaissance Village to the city of Naples for fair market value,” according to an e-mail sent to Naples City Council on Wednesday from John Passidomo, Antaramian’s attorney.
Moss told members of the Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising Professionals of Collier County that opportunities like this rarely come along.
“Let’s keep watching this,” he said.
Naples Mayor Bill Barnett spoke to Antaramian two months ago about whether the city could purchase the 22-acre property. He said he later spoke to Passidomo, who told Barnett he would discuss the possibility with Antaramian.
Around the same time, Councilwoman Teresa Heitmann said she was approached by several community members who asked whether the city was considering buying the property.
The property has an appraised taxable value of $17.9 million. Antaramian Development purchased the 15.7-acre property at Grand Central Station from the NCH Healthcare System for $25 million in spring 2005, and added adjacent parcels to complete the project’s 22 acres.
The city would need to put the request to buy the property to voters. A referendum is necessary any time a bond is needed that would be paid back with a property tax.
Council would need to make a decision about whether to pursue the purchase by Aug. 26 to get the issue on the November ballot.
Moss said Thursday he doesn’t think any decisions will be made in time to get the issue on the November ballot.
Source: Naplesnews.com
View Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale
Contact Sarah Hoag Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate Specialist
Sarah@SarahHoag.com

Naples Heritage 12 Month Pending Activity Report

Naples Heritage Golf Course Real Estate, 12 Month Pending Activity Report

Search Naples Heritage Golf Course Homes for Sale

Contact Sarah Hoag, Naples FL Golf Course Real Estate Specialist

Sarah@SarahHoag.com