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July 27, 2010
Posted July 27th, 2010 at 7:30 pm by Michele Harrison
This morning many Collier County residents gathered for the County Commissioner’s meeting as the Jackson Lab debate was up front and center. Residents began gathering early this morning to make sure they got a seat in the room for this exciting meeting.
In the end, the Commisioners voted 4 to 1 to allow a funding evaluation to take place that can be implemented as soon as state money becomes available. Commisioner Henning was the one opposing vote.
It was said that the money would likely come from short-term “interfund loans” meaning it could be taken from one or more departments. With Country Manager Leo Orchs repeating that the funding option was only a short-term solution, it was made clear that the Commissioners would have to re-visit funding for the project for 2012. And, Commissioners were clear about not being in favor of increasing property taxes to support the project.
For complete details of the meeting and the latest updates, go to http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/27/collier-commission-blog-jackson-lab-supporters-fil/
July 20, 2010
Posted July 20th, 2010 at 8:00 pm by Michele Harrison
The numbers are in, and it has been another strong quarter for Collier County real estate! Across all price levels, we saw almost a 20% total increase in closed sales compared to the second quarter of 2009 along with an increase in total pending sales up 8%. Inventory levels overall fell by 9% compared to second quarter 2009, and we saw a 10% increase in median close price for the $300,000 and below price range which is a welcome change.
A few points of interest by price point on the quarterly numbers include:
- $0-$300K – a 22% increase in the median closing price for single family homes jumping from 115 in 2009 to 140 in 2010 and condo closings up 30% compared to the same time last year.
- $300K-$500K – single family closings at a 31% increase over 2009 and an inventory decrease of 17% moving from 935 to 796. The condo market saw a 32% decrease in inventory levels and was the only category that saw a major decline in days on the market coming in at 190 for 2010 compared to 235 for 2009.
- $500-$1M – almost double the average increase in single family closings at 51% coupled with a decrease in inventory levels of 16%. The condo market saw a 29% increase in closings and inventory reductions at a 26% decline.
- $1M-$2M – a 61% increase in single family pending sales and a 60% increase in closed sales. The condo market saw a 31% increase in closings and a 21% reduction in inventory levels.
- $2M+ market – a 30% increase in single family pending sales, an 11% increase in closings, and the highest decrease in both inventory levels (29%) and days on the market (27%). Pending condo sales nearly tripled the average increase at 59%, and had the best decrease in inventory at 36%.
Clearly, it is safe to say that Collier County’s real estate market is in recovery!
To view the full report, go to http://nabor.com/zzdwnlds/news/July_16_2010_Press_Release.pdf
To view statistics, go to http://nabor.com/zzdwnlds/news/2nd_Quarter_Statistics.pdf
Categories: 55+ Living, Naples Home Market
Tags: 2010, closed sales, Collier County, condo, condo closings, days on the market, FL, Florida, increase in closings, increase in pending sales, inventory decrease, inventory levels, inventory reductions, median close price, Naples, pending sales, real estate, recovery, second quarter, single-family homes, statistics —
July 16, 2010
Posted July 16th, 2010 at 5:36 pm by Michele Harrison
For those of you that haven’t seen it yet, the Naples Daily News has started to showcase recently sold properties in Collier County on its website for Realtors for free! They announced earlier this week that they have begun to feature recently sold single-family homes for both Collier and south Lee counties where viewers get a chance to see a set of property images along with pertinent details of the sales.
As a Realtor myself, these types of complimentary marketing efforts are greatly appreciated! So, in lieu of the Naples Daily News helping out the Realty community, I thought I would spread the word about this feature on their site. They have even stated that they will be selecting a few photos each week to publish in Sunday’s Daily News Real Estate section and possibly other community publications as space allows.
The article I read said each feature would include, “an exterior photo of the home, address, selling price, Realtor, square footage or general description. Example: NAPLES — Jane Doe of Smith & Company sold this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home at 501 14th Avenue South, Aqualane Shores. It sold in 327 days for $565,000.”
Yet another form of “spreading the love” in our wonderful SWFL community!
July 14, 2010
Posted July 14th, 2010 at 5:38 pm by Michele Harrison
To keep everyone in the loop on the situation surrounding bringing Jackson Laboratory to Collier County, I thought I would make note of a few points mentioned in articles that have recently come out surrounding this subject. There has been a strong focus on the possible financing tactics that are on the table for this project to happen, and there has been a push calling into question the breakdown of projected jobs the venture would bring to the area.
According to the articles I have seen, the seven financing alternatives as it stands right now are:
- “Imposing a franchise fee of 2.4 percent to residents of Florida Power & Light in unincorporated Collier .”
- “A property tax levy with a pay-as-you-go approach and not bonded, and therefore would not require a voter referendum. ”
- “A property tax levy with a pay-as-you-go approach but with the state money being tapped first. ”
- “A property tax of 14.3 cents per $1,000 of property value and issuing general revenue bonds, which would require a voter referendum. ”
- “A non-ad valorem revenue source that would be bonded but no voter referendum would be required. ”
- “A combination of an FP&L franchise fee and property tax of 10 cents per $1,000 of property value for 15 years. ”
- “A combination sales tax increase of a half cent, to start Jan. 1, 2011, along with a 20 cent tax rate per $1,000 of property value for two years. ”
These different directions are going to be presented to the Collier County Commission before the end of the month when a decision will have to be made on whether or not to move forward with this project.
With regards to jobs, there is a citizen’s advisory committee requesting a breakdown of expected job creation – direct and indirect, and permanent and temporary – if the center is built near Ave Maria. According to the article I was reading, “The consultants projected a 23-year build out for the biomedical park with 11,490 jobs created, which include Jackson’s proposed 563 jobs over the first 10 years, other research park jobs and spin-off jobs.”
Stay tuned for future postings on this as news surfaces!
Categories: 55+ Living, Naples News
Tags: Ave Maria, biomedical park, citizen's advisory committee, Collier County, Collier County Commission, financing, Florida Power & Light, franchise fee, Jackson Laboratory, jobs, property tax, research park, sales tax, voter referendum —
July 12, 2010
Posted July 12th, 2010 at 9:34 pm by Michele Harrison
July 2, 2010
Posted July 2nd, 2010 at 6:37 pm by Michele Harrison
Can you imagine what our Founding Fathers must have been feeling as they wrote, signed, and put in to law our Declaration of Independence back on July 4, 1776?
Think about being in the room as they drafted, “All men are created equal” and “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Talk about a powerful experience. I often wonder what men like: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the others would think of America today.
After all, it was through their efforts that we became a free nation. It is because of them that we have celebrated this glorious holiday with parades, fireworks, family gatherings, etc. throughout the years. In fact, this will be the 234th year for celebrating the Fourth of July. Although, it officially became a recognized holiday in 1870, and then became a legal national holiday in 1938.
I would recommend checking out the www.History.com website for a plethora of information about July 4th – from images, to videos, to movies, etc. It will definitely get you in the spirit of the holiday!
For local events go to the Naples Daily News site at www.naplesnews.com
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!
Categories: Holiday Wishes, Human Interest
Tags: 1776, 1870, 1938, 4th of July, Alexander Hamilton, America, Benjamin Franklin, Declaration of Independence, family gatherings, fireworks, Founding Fathers, free nation, George Washington, John Adams, July 4th, parades, Thomas Jefferson, www.history.com, www.naplesnews.com —
June 30, 2010
Posted June 30th, 2010 at 9:54 pm by Michele Harrison
I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that there is no oil on our beaches here in Naples!
With all the coverage lately showing oil coming ashore in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, it is important that we get the word out that Collier County has not seen any of it yet on our coastline. In fact, the Naples Daily News reported that the county’s summer marketing campaign has focused on the message that the beaches are clean and the county is open for business. According to Collier County’s Tourism Director, Jack Wert, surveys have shown that the the “unspoiled environment” and the “white, sandy beaches” were the most influential factors bringing visitors to our area lately.
Stated in a recent report given to County Commissioners:
- “There were 111,700 visitors staying in hotels or other short-term rentals last month, up 3.9 percent from 107,500 in May 2009.”
- “Hotel occupancy rose 2.3 percent in May, compared to the same month a year ago.”
- “The total economic impact of tourism reached nearly $98.3 million last month, up 5.4 from a year ago.”
Even with the above positive statistics related to tourism, I think there is some concern that exists out there about vacationing on Florida beaches in general. People have to be told explicitely that our area is fine; otherwise, they assume our beaches look like the ones they are seeing on the national news.
Make sure to spread the word!
Categories: 55+ Living, Boating, Environment, Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: beaches, Collier County, Collier County Tourism Director, county commissioners, economic impact, Florida, Florida beaches, Gulf of Mexico, hotel occupancy, hotels, Jack Wert, Naples, Naples Daily News, no oil in Naples, short-term rentals, tourism, unspoiled environment, white sandy beaches —
June 27, 2010
Posted June 27th, 2010 at 6:48 pm by Michele Harrison
This weekend, the Humane Society Naples celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Grand Re-opening! Congratulations to them!!!
Construction over the past year is finally complete, and a state-of-the-art shelter and adoption center is now open! To celebrate this event the festivities included: music, tours, demonstrations, food, treats for the kids and lots of “bow-WOW!” Adoptable pets also showed off the incredible new surroundings, and visitors were able to see the latest in shelter technology and procedures available.
The Humane Society Naples is our local Collier County no-kill shelter that has been giving animals loving homes for 50 years now. Without a doubt, we all should show our support for this wonderful organization. If you get a chance take some time to go visit the updated facility, and consider bringing a new friend home with you to become part of your family!
For more information of the Humane Society of Naples, visit http://www.collierhumanesoc.org.
June 22, 2010
Posted June 22nd, 2010 at 8:11 pm by Michele Harrison
The May report is in…Naples total sales increased at least 47%!!!
According to the report, “The increase in sales ranged from 33 percent in East Naples to 56 percent in South Naples.” And, as I mentioned in the report, the median close price has continued to level out since Septmber 2009 with the closed price coming in at $190,000 for May. That is a 9% increase over May 2009.
A few other notable points:
- Pending sales for single-family homes increased to 477 contracts in May 2010 compared to 433 contracts in May 2009.
- Overall condo sales increased 25 percent - 398 sales in May 2010 compared to 318 sales in May 2009.
- Condo sales in the under $300,000 category increased 69 percent with 3,573 contracts in May 2010 compared to 2,117 contracts in May 2009.
- Available inventory decreased 10 percent with 9,006 units in May 2010 compared to 10,046 in May 2009
For the complete report visit www.Naplesarea.com
Categories: 55+ Living, Naples Home Market
Tags: condo sales, East Naples, increase in sales, May, median close price, Naples real estate report, NaplesArea.com, pending home sales, single-family homes, South Naples —
June 16, 2010
Posted June 16th, 2010 at 11:03 pm by Michele Harrison
Forbes.com just released a story a few days ago naming Collier County as the number one relocation destination for wealthy Americans. After analyzing IRS data on moves between counties across the US, Forbes found our county to lead the way for areas where the rich are moving to in large numbers.
According to the report, “Tax returns accounting for 15,150 people showed moves to Collier County from other parts of the country in 2008, the latest year for which IRS data is available. Their average reported income: $76,161 per person–equivalent to $304,644 for a family of four. Although slightly more taxpayers moved out of Collier County than into it, the departing residents’ average income came out to just $26,128 per person. Households that moved to Collier County principally came from other parts of Florida, with Lee, Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Orange counties leading the list. Big northern cities also sent lots of migrants: Cook County, Ill. (home to Chicago); Oakland County, Mich. (near Detroit); and Suffolk County, N.Y. (on Long Island) each sent more than 100 people to Collier County during 2008.”
Clearly our year round beautiful weather coupled with low taxes has been seen as an attractive combination by many of our fellow Americans!
To view the entire story, go to – Forbes.com
Categories: 55+ Living, Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: Broward, Collier County, counties, Florida, Forbes, Forbes.com, IRS, Lee, Miami Dade, Michigan, New York, Orange, Palm Beach, rich, Suffolk county, tax returns, US, wealthy Americans —
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