Naples-Marco Island appreciation forecasted at 9.30% through June 2007

According to CNNMoney.com, the Naples-Marco Island single-family home market is expected to grow by 9.30% through the next 12 months as compared with 3.5% nationally . This dispells rumors that our area is a victim of the real estate bubble. We will still see price adjustments on the overpriced real estate. However, most prices are leveling off as seller become more realistic about their asking price. Bottomline, this market is priming for an about face. If you are thinking about buying, your best time is now. You have excellent negotiating power and plenty of inventory.

For the full story, click here

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

If you are looking to invest in any of the other markets in this report, we would be happy to recommend someone from our nationwide referral network.

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group
Amerivest Realty
www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Marco Island Homes for Sales

As of 5/23/2006

We continue to widdle away at the real estate inventory on Marco Island. The good news is that we have alway exceeded last month in pending sales for single family and condos. The following shows starting prices for the various categories of condos and homes on Marco Island as of the date above.

Condos
Beachfront from $375,000
Gulffront from $729,000
Water Direct from $275,000
Water Indirect from $505,000
Inland from $167,500

Single Family
Beachfront from $5,900,000
Water Direct from $799,000
Water Indirect from $599,900
Inland from $379,000

Active Listings on Marco Island
670 Single Family Homes
922 Condos
491 Lots

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group
Amerivest Realty
www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

What Bubble?

What bubble? Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said yesterday that the U.S. housing market had cooled, but the slowdown is "moderate" and "orderly." And former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan echoed that belief.

For the full story, click here

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group
Amerivest Realty
www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Home Sales Strengthen on Marco Island

LET THE BUYING BEGIN!!! After three straight months of growing pending sales, it appears that the trend will continue. As of 5/18/2006, both pending sales of Marco Island homes and condos have exceeded April pending sales. As for lots, it is a good bet that it will equal, if not exceed, last month's pending sales.

What does this mean to you as a seller?

We still have a limited pool of buyer's (though growing). So, you need to make sure that your property is getting in front of as many qualified buyers as possible. If you want to sell your property, you will have a good opportunity through the summer if it is PRICED RIGHT and MARKETED WELL. If you can't be competitive in both of these categories, don't waste your time. Hold it or rent it until the market can supply your desired price.

What about buyer's?

This is a golden opportunity for buyers that thought they were priced out of the market. The prices have been adjusting down to a reasonable growth rates, there is plenty of inventory to pick from (so you won't have to sign your offer as you sit at the kitchen table of your potential purchase to beat out the other buyers) and seller's are more motivated to negotiate a deal.

We had a frenzy of investing in the expectation that the baby boomers were on their way. Anything that goes up as fast as our market in the past few years is bound to come down. Correction is a neccesary evil. However, that doesn't mean that the market has burst. The bottomline is, Marco Island is a place were people want to be including retirees, baby boomers, transplants, foreigners and anyone else that has an love of the paradise that Southwest Florida offers. It will only get better from here.

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group
Amerivest Realty
www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

It's confirmed: Marriott buying Radisson from Boykin Lodging for Condos

(As reported by the Naples Daily News)

The Naples Daily News reported that the 233-room Raddison Suite Beach Resort on Marco Island has a new owner - Marriott Vacation Club International is buying it for $58 Million.

For the full story, Click Here

Click here to find out more about real estate on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@bartosgroup.com

The Bartos Group
Amerivest Realty
www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Marco Island Homes for Sales

As of 5/15/2006

Still no significant movement in starting prices. We did see some additional adjustment in water direct and indirect condos as well as some movement on inland condos. As expected, we are starting to see the number of properties coming off the market outpace the new listings. We should continue to see a decrease in inventory through the summer. The following shows starting prices for the various categories of condos and homes on Marco Island as of the date above.

Condos
Beachfront from $375,000
Gulffront from $729,000
Water Direct from $240,000
Water Indirect from $505,000
Inland from $169,000

Single Family
Beachfront from $5,900,000
Water Direct from $799,000
Water Indirect from $599,900
Inland from $399,000

Active Listings on Marco Island
671 Single Family Homes
936 Condos
495 Lots

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group
Amerivest Realty
www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Naples MLS Stats for April 2006

MLS statistics released for improved residential property (not lots) for all Naples MLS users. Steady as she goes... Naples maintained its slower but steady pace thru April continuing the necessary healthy correction our market needed. Essentially, the "Funny Money" (investors) are out of the market. We are back to purchases by true 2nd home and retiree buyers that Naples has always had. Unfortunately it appears the condo market was the victim of our hot market, they were the target of many investors and prices were driven up too far. I would expect this segment to remain flat for sometime. However, the single family and luxury markets are in good balance. If the first 10 days of May are an indication, we could see improved numbers next month as it seems there is good buying activity right now...


Closings For The Month Of
Apr 2006: 529
Apr 2005: 1074

Pendings For The Month Of
Apr 2006: 408
Apr 2005: 975

YTD Closings
2006: 1,955
2005: 3,442

YTD Pendings
2006: 1,653
2005: 4,640

Inventory: 9,700 (approx. an 18 month supply) - Active (active and active with contract status) residential inventory in all Naples areas as retrieved from SunshineMLS today.

Prior Reports: August 2005 - September 2005 - October 2005 - November 2005 - December 2005 - January 2006 - February 2006 - March 2006

As Posted on Naples Florida Real Estate Blog By: Joe Ballarino, Broker
Amerivest Realty, Naples Florida

Marco official, CARES attorney differ over impact of sewer bill

(As reported by the Naples Daily News)

A state law both houses in the Florida Legislature passed last week requiring local governments to provide detailed cost analysis reports on new or expanded central sewer systems before construction begins won't have any impact on Marco Island's septic ...

For the full story, Click the title above

Click here to find out more about real estate on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@BartosGroup.com
The Bartos Group
Amerivest Realty
www.Marco-Naples-Homes.com

www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Boykin Lodging Enters Into Agreement to Sell Marco Island Property

(As posted today on Hospitalitynet.org by Boykin Lodging's Investor Relations)

Boykin Lodging Company (NYSE: BOY) , a hotel real estate investment trust, today announced that Boykin Marco LLC ("Boykin Marco"), a subsidiary of the Company, has entered into an agreement to sell the Radisson Suite Beach Resort-Marco Island to an unrelated third party for a price of $58.0 million.

For the full story, Click Here

Click here to find out more about real estate on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
http://www.thesantagroup.com/
http://www.naples-marco-homes.com/

Rezoning of Tract K Halted

Here is an excerpt regarding the Tract K Rezoning from the Marco Island Cityscape Newletter.

City Council agreed to suspend the application process to rezone Tract K, after the Collier County School Board voted to remove the parcel of land from its surplus list that could have resulted in its sale.

Discussions on the future of the land will continue between the City and the School Board, possibly for at least six months.

Click here to find out more about real estate on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
www.TheSantaGroup.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Naples' Mega-Homes Cause Flooding

Ran across this story on the NBC 5 website. It is something to consider when buying on Marco as well.
http://www.nbc-2.com/Articles/readcollierarticle.asp?articleid=6908&z=13&p=

I don't believe that there would be a problem with waterfront homes since there is a natural runoff into the canals and bays. However, inland areas, especially those low lying area, may experience problems until the new codes are enforced.

Click here to find out more about real estate on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
http://www.thesantagroup.com/
http://www.naples-marco-homes.com/

New Pedestrian Beach Access Approved

Here is an excerpt regarding the new pesdestrian beach access from the Marco Island Cityscape Newletter.

Council voted to open the proposed beach access at the northern boundary of the Marco Beach Resort PUD (Marriot/Mass Mutual property). Council emphasized it would be a low-key walkway with no allowance for parking or stopping to allow passengers to disembark. There is a slight possibility that installing public bathroom facilities may be explored, but Councilors were specific that it may not be possible in that location. It may be possible to install bike racks.

Click here to find out more about real estate on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
www.TheSantaGroup.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Waterways Ordinance Passes

Here is an excerpt regarding the Waterway Ordinance from the Marco Island Cityscape Newletter.

The vote that many have waited for finally occurred last night when Council took the proposed Waterways Ordinance off the table, and voted to accept it unanimously after amending it to allow boaters to anchor for 72 hours plus an additional 72 if they showed proof of having pumped out their sewage tanks. The second amendment was to change the anchoring distance from 100 to 200 feet.

The Marco Island Eagle reported that the anchoring distance was changed to 300 feet in the May 1st meeting.

Click here to find out more about real estate on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at info@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
http://www.thesantagroup.com/
http://www.naples-marco-homes.com/

Developer says: Speculators influencing local markets

Here is an interesting article that features Aubrey Ferrao, CEO and president of Gulf Bay Group, developer of Fiddler's Creek.

Click Here for the whole story

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Click here for more information on the Marco Island real estate market
Provided by
Joe Bartos
The Santa Group at Amerivest Realty
(239) 404-5068
joe@thesantagroup.com
www.TheSantaGroup.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Marco Island Statistics for April

As of 5/1/2006

Although the numbers are low, they represent marked improvement in the market. We have now had 3 consecutives months of increased pending transactions. Although we continue to see adjustments in the overpriced properties, starting prices remain steady. We anticipate that we will continue to see more good deals pop up. Be ready, they won't last long.

The following shows closed and pending statistics for Marco Island only as of the date above.

Condos:

23 Closed (4% increase over March)

37 went under contract (68% increase over March)

927 currently active listings

Single Family:

21 Closed (38% decrease over March)

25 went under contract (39% increase over March)

687 current active listing

Lots:

14 Closed (700% increase over March)

9 went under contract (350% increase over March)

507 currently active listing

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at joe@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
www.TheSantaGroup.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Marco Island Homes for Sales

As of 5/1/2006

Starting prices remained steady through April. We saw good activity in the market for the last couple of weeks of April. The prognosis is good for Marco Island real estate market as we enter the summer session. If your thinking about buying, now is the time to start looking.

The following shows starting prices for the various categories of condos and homes on Marco Island as of the date above.

Condos
Beachfront from $375,000
Gulffront from $729,000
Water Direct from $275,000
Water Indirect from $545,000
Inland from $159,900

Single Family
Beachfront from $2,500,000
Water Direct from $799,000
Water Indirect from $599,900
Inland from $359,900

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at joe@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
www.TheSantaGroup.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com

Homes Prices, Sales in Naples Increase in March

Naples Daily News reports that home prices and sales volumes increased in March.

Click Here for the Full Story

On Marco Island, sales of single family homes had doubled in March from a slow February. Prices seem to be leveling off as more properties are nearing realistic market prices.

Want to know more about buying or selling on Marco Island?

Contact Joe Bartos at (239) 404-5068 or email at joe@TheSantaGroup.com
The Santa Group
Amerivest Realty
www.TheSantaGroup.com
www.Naples-Marco-Homes.com