Naples FL is Happy!

According to Coastal Living Magazine’s new rankings, Naples ranks #2 as the “Happiest Seaside Town” and I have to agree!!

The list was compiled using a complicated formula involving editors’ picks, the Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index, sunny days, beach quality, low crime, commute time, education of residents and other factors.

Check out our listings in Naples, FL

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 65. See more Royal Shell Listings.
(all data current as of 5/21/2012)

  1. $1,995,000 : 1385 Pelican, Naples
    5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,418 sq ft
  2. 2 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 2,159 sq ft
  3. 4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,603 sq ft
  4. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 1,672 sq ft
  5. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 2,229 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Naples Real Estate Market Shows Encouraging Trends

The Naples Real Estate market showed encouraging trends this past month.  The Naples Area Board of Realtors reports that pending mid-priced home and condo sales increased by 29% in January, with  some of that increase  attributed to new development projects. The overall market also experienced a 5% increase in closed sales for the 12 months ending January 2012 as compared to the 12 month period ending 2011.

Comparing January 2011 to January 2012 showed a drop in inventory by 19% and a decrease of 10% in average days on market, as well as a rise of 23% in pending sales for property in the $500,000 to $1 million dollar range, a leading market indicator.  All signs point to Naples moving towards an overall healthy market.

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing your first home, vacation home, or retirement home here in Naples, Florida, now may just be the right time! Contact Jackie Sweet & Associates, and discover why we are the right choice for advising you and assisting you in finding the home of your dreams.

 

Arts Weekend in Naples, Florida

Think Naples Florida and you most likely think of its pristine beaches, great golf, gourmet dining, and upscale shopping. What may not come to mind as quickly is that in addition to being a natural paradise of sea and shore which enjoys a mild year-round climate, Naples is a major arts destination as well, ranked among the top 25 in the country.  Get your inner artist revved up for a powerful arts weekend in Naples, Florida!

Head over to Cambier Park and 8th Street South in the heart of beautiful, downtown Naples for the 33rd Annual Naples National Art Festival, Saturday, February 25 – Sunday, February 26 2012.  Not only a favorite event among the locals, this competitive, juried event also draws thousands of visitors to this high quality showcase of fine artists. Over 1,000 artists from around the country compete for 260 coveted spots at this prestigious art festival, with displays of art in an array of mediums including oil and acrylic, aluminum, wood, ceramics, metal sculpture, photography, and more – there is something here for all tastes and budgets. Named the #10 art festival in the United States according to Sunshine Artist Magazine, the Naples National Art Festival also includes a variety of performing artist at the Cambier Park Band Shell throughout the event,  including theater groups, dance troupes, performers from Opera Naples, and more.

As hosts of the event, the mission of the Naples Art association is to promote and advance education, interest and participation in the contemporary visual arts and the $5 suggested admission fee is used to benefit youth art education programs.

Also taking place is The prestigious Naples International Art & Antique Fair, which runs from February 24 – February 28, 2012 at Naples International Pavilion at 4835 Immokalee Road.  Look into the annals of history while browsing exhibits that showcase both European and American paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, sculpture, haute, original design and period jewelry. Every single piece of art and jewelry for sale at the fair is carefully selected and fully vetted by a team of museum curators.

Whether you’re a connoisseur of art, or looking to enjoy beautiful Naples and its fabulous weather in a unique, fun way, these are two must-see events for a great February weekend in Naples, Florida!

It would be my pleasure to help you find a home in this charming and distinguished city.  We are the area’s preeminent real estate professionals, members of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, and Certified International Property Specialists. Contact Jackie Sweet & Associates, we would be proud and happy to help you find your piece of Naples Real Estate and welcome you to paradise on the Gulf!

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Hesitating to Buy Your Dream Home Thanks to the Economy? Think Again…

Over the past few years the media has provided an abundance of, often times conflicting,  information on the economic crisis and the condition of the U.S., leaving people confused and unsure of how to effectively use this information when dealing with their own finances.   Are the myriad reports to be believed?  Certified Financial Planning expert Robert Keats doesn’t think so.  In fact, in a recent article, he explained exactly why- and how – the US will rebound quite nicely and even thrive as a result of the current economic crisis.

Keats stresses that the doomsday prophecy that seems to be overtaking the financial markets has no merit.  America’s remains the largest free economy in the world, with government holdings of commercial real estate that are worth billions of dollars.  The American dollar is backed by the largest gold reserve in the world – and given the sharp rise in the value of gold and other precious metals, that dollar is going to get much stronger.  Meanwhile we remain the world’s largest food exporter – and as long as others have to eat, we are assured of a demand for whatever we can supply.  The US  also leads in creating the some of the largest and most successful corporations, and while other countries populations are in decline, the US not only has one of the best birthrates in the world, but also continues to be a destination of choice for immigrants around the world, sustaining our population growth. And then there is the matter of history repeating itself – in America’s 235-year history, we have gone through similar or worse financial crises, and we have always rebounded with equal or greater growth.

So what does this mean?  For the seeker of the dream, it might be the perfect time to buy that new home in Naples.

 

Jackie Sweet & Associates are committed to helping both buyers and sellers reach their Naples, FL real estate goals. With an intimate knowledge of the Naples community, we can help you find that Florida Beach Front Condo or picture-perfect home that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Contact us, and discover why we are  the right choice for advising you and assisting you in finding the home of your dreams.

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source: Az Business magazine

Naples, FL Golf Clubs

A natural paradise of sea and shore, Naples represents the ultimate in year-round outdoor recreation. The only city in the world that is home to two Ritz-Carlton properties, the area has superb upscale shopping, gourmet dining, and entertainment that rivals any major metropolitan area.

Recreational attractions include dozens of beautifully landscaped golf courses, some of which are sufficiently challenging to host major PGA events such as the Greg Norman-designed course at Tiburon. There are numerous tennis facilities, including the Ivan Lendl World Tennis Center, plenty of premier sport fishing opportunities and nearby are the natural wonders of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and the 10,000 islands of Everglades National Park, the largest federal land reserve in the country.

At this time, many of Naples’ golf clubs are offering historically low membership fees. If golf is an important part of your life and you are considering joining a club, now is the time to take advantage of the current values. Now that the Naples real estate market is seeing a turn around, I expect to see the cost of memberships go higher. Contact Jackie Sweet & Associates, as a golfer myself, and having played many of the area golf courses, I am confident that I will uncover the ideal situation for both your game and your lifestyle.

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Naples, Florida Real Estate Market News – 2011 Year End

As we start into 2012, there is encouraging news for both buyers and sellers of Naples, Florida real estate – The Naples Area Board Of Realtors (NABOR), reports that Collier County showed an increase in overall sales and a reduction in inventory, with the starting number of available homes at a level that hasn’t been seen since 2007. The available inventory of homes declined 17% in 2011, while pending sales increased by 8% and closed sales increased by 5% – trends that would indicate that buyers are moving back into the more favorable market conditions.  Virtually every market category demonstrated increases in both pending and closed sales, with the overall median closed priced showing an increase of 2% from 2010 to 2011, and with the largest increase in the $1 million and above categories.

Whether you enjoy beautifully landscaped golf courses, premier sport fishing, or a performance at the Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts, you’ll find it all here in Naples.  A paradise of sun, shore and nature, Naples residents enjoy sublime outdoor recreation all year long, as well as upscale shopping, gourmet dining and quick access to the metropolitan attractions, amenities and activities of Naples.

It would be my pleasure to help you find a home in this charming and distinguished city.  We are the area’s preeminent real estate professionals, members of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, and Certified International Property Specialists. Contact Jackie Sweet & Associates, we would be proud and happy to help you find your piece of Naples Real Estate and welcome you to paradise on the Gulf!

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Naples Botanical Garden

Naples, Florida provides a wonderful variety of recreational events for every member of the family. Never is this more true than at the Naples Botanical Garden, where visitors of all ages can find educational entertainment and enjoyment. The 160-acre Naples Botanical Garden, located just south of Olde Naples, houses over 600 different species of flora within seven distinct ecosystems.

Guided tours are available or set out on your own to explore the seven distinct gardens, each with their own restored natural habitats reflective of the environments for which they are named: learn about the seven terrestrial ecosystems of the Brazilian Garden, explore the mountain tropical forests in the Caribbean Garden, view the natural elements found in the Florida Garden, discover the Water Garden filled with lotuses and water lilies, experience the 90-acre nature sanctuary of The Preserve, or visit the hands-on learning environment in the Children’s Garden, where nothing is off limits.

There is no end to how you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and miles of walking trails here at The Naples Botanical Garden – not when there is a calendar of daily events filled with everything from Health and Wellness activities and yoga, to designated canine-friendly walks and early bird visits, and the Lifelong Learning Series or the Lectures & Workshops offered throughout the year will put you in the know on a variety of garden-related topics.

Jackie Sweet & Associates are committed to helping both buyers and sellers reach their Naples, FL real estate goals. With an intimate knowledge of the Naples community, we can help you find that Florida Beach Front Condo or picture-perfect home that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Contact us, and discover why we are  the right choice for advising you and assisting you in finding the home of your dreams.

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Naples, Florida Real Estate Market News

Naples, Florida is located along a seven-mile strand of pristine beach on the edge of the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A natural paradise of sea and shore which enjoys a mild year-round climate, Naples offers a relaxed, yet sophisticated, lifestyle. The Naples area has superb upscale shopping, gourmet dining, and entertainment that rivals any major metropolitan area. Recreational attractions include dozens of beautifully landscaped golf courses, numerous tennis facilities, plenty of premier sport fishing opportunities, and nearby are the natural wonders of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and the 10,000 islands of Everglades National Park, the largest federal land reserve in the country.

If you are considering purchasing a home or condominium in the Naples area, a recent report from the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® comparing November 2011 data to November 2010, indicates encouraging news for the Naples real estate market.  Sales have risen in all price categories and the luxury market, with homes in the $1 million to $2 million range, had an increase of 42% in pending sales.  Additionally, as buyers are beginning to consider an investment in real estate as an alternative to more traditional capital investment markets, the available inventory of homes in this category decreased, down 22% from the previous year.

The report also showed positive trends that point to a strong 2012 market; comparing the 12 months ending November 2011 compared to the 12 months ending November 2010, there was an increase in both single-family home and condo pending sales, 7% and 3% respectively, and a 5% increase in median closed price.

Naples visitors and residents alike expect and receive the highest levels of excellence whether it be entertainment, shopping, education, or real estate. We know this well. We are the area’s preeminent real estate professionals. Contact  Jackie Sweet & Associates for information on Naples properties,  we would be proud and happy to welcome you to paradise on the Gulf!

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Naples Florida Performing Arts

Naples is a major arts destination, ranked among the top 25 in the country. It is home to the superb Naples Museum of Art, a major arts education facility, the Von Liebig Center for the Arts, numerous art festivals, and more than a hundred fine art galleries and antique stores.

Entertainment facilities include a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, which stages performances by the Miami Ballet, Sarasota Opera and national and international entertainers from Dave Brubeck to Tony Bennett. There are two professional theater companies, a chamber music ensemble and an opera group showcasing national standard performances. The country’s largest annual wine festival is held in Naples and the city recently staged its first international film festival.

Naturally, with so much to offer, Naples has attracted investors from all over the world who have created some of the finest award-winning commercial and residential properties to be found anywhere.

Contact Jackie Sweet & Associates, we have an intimate knowledge of the Naples community and we can help you find the Florida beach front condo or the picture-perfect home that you will cherish for a lifetime.

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Naples FL Short Sale Opportunities

Whether to live or merely to visit, tourists and residents alike flock to the sparkling white beaches of Naples – the crowning jewel of the Gulf Coast.  A relaxed and sophisticated area offering a luxurious living environment along a breathtaking stretch of pure white coastland and a wide variety of real estate.

A paradise of sun, shore and nature, Naples’s residents enjoy sublime outdoor recreation all year long, as well as upscale shopping, gourmet dining, and quick access to the metropolitan attractions, amenities and activities of Naples.

We currently have over 60 short sale opportunities, all located within 1 mile of the beach and priced from $100,000 to $2,000,000. Contact Jackie Sweet & Associates for more information on these incredible properties!