FACT:   Our area tops the list of Luxury Resort Communities in the country, and is among the most desirable in the world.  It has and will continue to draw the most discerning of affluent people seeking an elegant but low-key lifestyle, offering the best in residences, beaches, shopping, culture, and golf---in an intimate setting.

FICTION:  The media portrays our area as “the most overpriced“ or “least affordable” for the past year or two.  What they fail to realize is that rather than compare our area to adjacent communities, one should compare us to the most affluent and desirable areas in the country and to resort destinations world-wide.  On that stage our lifestyle is a bargain! In Aspen for example, the average home is listed at $3.5 Million.

• Of the 12,000 properties now listed in MLS in Collier County (Naples area), half are under $500k and only 2000 over $1Million -----------overpriced???  I do not believe so.  And current absorption of resale homes at about 4500 annually tracks with recent trends, so well priced properties are continuing to move.

• Inventories of luxury properties have increased, so that buyers have many choices - unlike the past year or two, when choices were limited.  Many of you remember ’05 when if you did not purchase the property we showed you in the morning, it was gone by sunset!

• Our market is cyclical, just like the stock market.  And just like the stock market, buyers who hold out to “market time” their purchases usually fail to maximize their position---and often lose wonderful long term buying opportunities.

• I have not seen a Buyer’s Market like this for over 10 years - BUT, it is even more critical for Buyers to seek our services to sort through the available properties, to make absolutely sure that our clients find the property that fits them the best, and that the value is there.

• Many of you, at our urging, refused to indulge in the craziness of the investor driven market of the past 2 years, and chose to wait until the market became more realistic.  Well, we are nearly there!  We still see softness in the market under $3 Million, and most sellers still have lofty expectations that do not match the appetite of astute buyers.

We feel that they will “get it” by early summer, when they realize that they will have to carry their property for another year.  Hence, a wonderful buying opportunity exists in the next 90 days.

Naples Coming Attractions

Some exciting new communities are starting to take shape, with some new twists on our great lifestyle-combining mixed use with great amenities. We think this trend is the wave of the future, and several are coming our way in Naples----if any interest you, let us know and we will get current info to you.

• The Strand at Mercato has started marketing and construction of “Uptown Chic” residences set above a wonderful mix of shops, restaurants, offices, theater, and boutique hotel  in a main street setting  with a Whole Foods Market on site,   at the corner of Vanderbilt Beach Rd and US 41. Exciting floor plans, from the $500’s-- refreshing architecture and planning, with beach shuttles to the nearby Ritz Carlton beach area. Delivery late ’08.