Closings By Dollar Volume:
Jim and Claudia Carrell
Claudia & Jim Carrell bring a wealth of experience with them; a practitioner in retail sales for over 40 years.
When you hire Claudia & Jim, you get the benefit of their knowledge and judgments. They are eager to share their experience with clients as well as with fellow REALTORS®. To paraphrase Will Rogers, “Claudia & Jim know what they are doing, they love what they do and they believe in what they are doing.”

http://naplesforme.com/

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Closings By Number Of Transactions:
Cherrie Cecil

Cherrie is a real Naples Native. She has had the great pleasure to live in Naples for over 25 years. She has watched the stunning growth and opportunity abound in this “small” town. It has been a wonderful place for her to grow up. She attended the Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, where she excelled in Real Estate and Small Business classes. Visit Cherrie on the web at http://cherriesellsnaples.com/

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New Listings By Dollar Volume:
Judi Gietzen

Judi is an expert in finding the right home for you, whether you are looking to buy in Naples, Estero or Bonita Springs she specializes in SW FL Golfing Communities such as Wildcat Run in Estero. Visit Judi on the web at http://judigietzen.com/

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New Listings By Number of Properties:
Alexis Seldin-Rodriguez

A Little Bit About Alexis…
“Se Habla Espanol”
Bachelor’s Degree from Barry University
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: boating and outdoor activities
Mother of two daughters
Alexis is a Certified REO and specializes in Foreclosures
Visit her on the web at http://livelovenaples.com/

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NOTE: At Amerivest Realty our leaders are selected based on their performance over the prior 12 months, not just the most current month. These are proven, dedicated performers, not just one month wonders. An associate or team may only win one category each month and only once a year.

Analysts believe that declines in the percentage of real estate-owned (REO) properties in major markets are early indications of stabilization in the real estate market. At the same time, national home prices continued to improve year-over-year.

National home prices increased 3.7% in Q309 compared to Q209 while the year-over-year price decline improved, according to real estate data provider Clear Capital. The yearly price decline was 8.4% in Q309, 1.5 percentage points narrower than the yearly decline seen in Q209.

A decline in the percentage of real estate-owned (REO) sales in major markets fueled the improved prices, Clear Capital said.

“Nationally, both the top and bottom performing markets are converging to modest quarterly changes, indicating a return to stable markets,” said Alex Villacorta Sr., a Clear Capital statistician. “As we’ve seen since the spring season, many markets have returned to traditional seasonal fluctuations and the strong summer gains are showing signs of slowing.” Source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/national-home-prices-increase-in-third-quarter-54014.aspx

View Naples Golf Course Homes for Sale.  REO property inventory continues to decline, cash buyers are increasing, and overall investor optimism are a positive sign for the recovery of the real estate market in the US.  As more and more buyers sense that home prices have reached the “bottom of the market”, we could see stronger activity in real estate sales in the next few years.

High Demand along with falling listing prices has produced a rise in 3rd quarter transactions for the commercial real estate market in the US.  This is the 2nd consecutive quarter that posted gains.  Prices of transactions increased as well as the demand for commercial properties.  Both of these indicate market confidence is on the rise could this be a sign that the market is on a rebound?  View Naples Golf Course Homes for Sale

Transaction prices rose 4.4% on commercial real estate properties sold in Q309 by major institutional investors, according to the MIT Center for Real Estate (MIT/CRE).

The gain marked the first positive price change in more than a year for the Center’s transactions-based index (TBI). It is also the largest increase since before the market downturn began in mid-2007, according to MIT/CRE.

The findings indicate the US commercial property market may have reached bottom in terms of pricing, the Center said, with the price index narrowing the deficit from its ‘07 peak to -36.5% in Q309 from -39% in Q209. Source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/us-commercial-real-estate-shows-signs-of-improvement-53994.aspx

The Senate might pass its version as early as Wednesday, and aides to Congressional leaders say the House could accept it this week, sending the bill to President Obama to sign into law. After weeks of partisan delay in the Senate, Democrats are eager to show progress before Friday, when the October jobless report is again expected to show high unemployment.

The homebuyers’ credit — enacted last year, expanded this year and scheduled to expire Nov. 30 — would be extended to cover homes under contract by April 30. Also, it no longer would be limited to first-time buyers; people who have owned a home for at least five years could get a $6,500 credit on a new residence. Income limits for eligibility would be raised, making many more people qualify. Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/us/politics/04cong.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

View Pelican Bay Naples Homes   One could argue either pro or con for the tax credit extension.  It is a huge incentive for 1st time buyers.  Housing prices and mortgage rates are at a level where buyers feel comfortable to commit to purchases.  But on the flip side, this is a costly measure for the government.  Is the US giving more than it should when low home prices and low mortgage rates would usually be enough to warrant buyers into the market?

A deal for members to buy the Shadow Wood and Commons clubs is in the hole.

Or so it appears.

After calling off an agreement to buy their golf and social clubs in The Brooks in early September from their developer, members have negotiated a new deal that could lead them to victory.

On Monday, Bonita Bay Group announced an agreement in principle for members to purchase the two clubs — and their assets — for $8.25 million in cash. In the original agreement, members would have paid $8.3 million.

“Probably the biggest thing was the price. We got a better price by combining The Commons Club with the Shadow Wood club. Before it was going to be a separate deal,” said David English, president of the Shadow Wood Country Club in Estero.

The two sides struck a compromise on another sticking point — the liability of deposits for resigned members. Bonita Bay Group has agreed to keep the liability, but, in turn, it will collect the joining fees from new members to offset that cost, English explained.

The developer abruptly stopped honoring its 30-day policy to refund deposits to resigning members late last year. Based on that policy about $4 million is owed to members of both clubs who have either resigned or downgraded their memberships.

At the Shadow Wood Country Club about 40 members have already resigned. There aren’t nearly as many names on the resign list at The Commons Club, which offers a fitness center, a beach club and a restaurant.

“More people will resign between now and the turnover,” English said.

It’s hoped that most members will stay on. They must, for the new member-owned clubs to work financially.

The deal still must be approved by a majority of the members.

“We really are delighted to be in a position to take the club over and get control over our own destiny,” English said. “We are really anxious to restore the services at the club and make it one of the most premier clubs in Southwest Florida.”

He said there have been few if any sales in The Brooks because of the uncertainty over the clubs. Financially troubled, Bonita Bay Group has been forced to cut hours and services.

“The most important part is that we will restore the confidence of the real estate market in a community that has a member-owned club. And, thusly, hopefully participate in the resurgence of the real estate market,” English said.

The Shadow Wood club has two championship golf courses designed by award-winning architect Bob Cupp, a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse and a nine-court tennis center. A third course, The Preserve, was designed by Arthur Hills and includes a clubhouse and pro shop at Shadow Wood Preserve, located about four miles north of The Brooks.

The golf club has about 830 members. Golf members will pay $5,000 to join the new club. Sports members will pay $3,500 and social members will pay $1,000. Those fees will help generate the money needed to buy the club, English said.

“We do expect to have to finance some portion of it,” he said.

Golf club members will pay $4 million toward the purchase. Members of the Commons Club will kick in the other $4.3 million, mostly through joining fees for their new club.

“This is an opportunity for us to take over the club. This club is extremely important. It’s quite an amenity, with the beach club and the fitness center,” said Terry Furhovden, chairman of the transition team for the Commons Club board.

He said members are looking forward to taking over their club.

“We can chart our own course and have our own club. So we are very excited about it,” Furhovden said.

Lighthouse Bay residents have complained that they are in the most vulnerable spot when it comes to the sale of The Commons Club. They are the only ones in The Brooks who don’t have a choice on whether to belong to the club.

Some Lighthouse Bay residents say they didn’t understand membership was mandatory when they purchased homes in their community, which had a different developer. Whether they will have to join the new member-owned club remains to be seen.

“That’s an issue that will have to wait for the transition,” Furhovden said.

In a fight to avoid bankruptcy, Bonita Bay Group has been looking to sell off all of its golf and other recreational clubs in five communities. Last week, members of the Club at Mediterra agreed to purchase their golf and beach clubs for $6.8 million in cash and assume $15 million in debt for a community development district, which was created to build the community’s roads and provide other basic services.

Bonita Bay Group has also announced that it has reached an operating agreement with the members of the Club at TwinEagles. The Talon golf course, practice range and clubhouse will reopen on Saturday.

“These agreements are important next steps in our process of reshaping and repositioning the company for the future,” said David Lucas, chairman of the Bonita Bay Group, in a statement. “In the future, we expect to be a smaller, more nimble development company with the ability to react more quickly to changing market conditions.”

The agreement with members at The Brooks was hammered out over the past few weeks. The plan is to close the deal by Dec. 31.(source: naplesnews 11-3-2009)

Industry experts are debating whether the gradual return to housing price stability was a natural progression, or that it has been artificially driven by federal programs. Nonetheless, while prices continue to fall the rate of decline is slowing, with the nation’s metropolitan centers posting steady improvements.

Residential property prices in the US declined by over 10% in August compared with the previous year, according to the latest house price index to be published.

But the year on year declines are slowing and it is the seventh month in a row to show improvements for the two indices from Standard & Poor’s which track the price path of typical single family homes in major metropolitan areas.  Source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/metropolitan-real-estate-posting-steady-improvements-53978.aspx

Is this recent improvement just a result of temporary federal policies or is it just that home prices have settled at a level that is affordable enough to incur a lasting recovery.  The federal tax credit of $8,000 and low mortgage rates seem to keep most buyers interested in the real estate market.  View Naples Homes for Sale

The number of contracts signed for home purchases jumped for the eighth consecutive month in September, the National Association of Realtors said Monday, as home buyers moved quickly to take advantage of the first-time home buyer’s tax credit.

According to NAR, the industry group’s pending home sales index rose 6.1% in September, compared with the 0.1% fall in the index that economists were expecting.

Pending home sale activity is now 21.2% higher than it was a year ago, NAR said, making it the largest annual increase in pending home sales on record. The index is also at its highest level since December 2006.

“What we’re witnessing is a rush of first-time buyers trying to beat the expiration of the tax credit at the end of this month,” said NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said.

The first-time home buyer’s tax credit was set to expire at the end of this month, but now the program is expected to be extended until April. The Senate approved this week an extension on the program while increasing the income limitation on who can participate.

Pending home sales are contracts signed for a home but for which a buyer still needs to complete financing and close on the house. That process can take several weeks.  Source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/real-estate/pending-home-sales-rise–september/
The increase in pending sale activity shows that buyers are still entering the market.  An increase in pending sales could eventually lead to an increase of sold homes.  Increase in activity is one of the first signs of market recovery.  View Naples Beachfront Homes for Sale

Closings By Dollar Volume:
Michael Kolb
After I had finished my education in Germany with a degree in computer science and economy I started my business career as a consultant. So I got a great experience in organising and the understanding, what people want and need. Some years ago we spent our holidays in Naples and fell in love with this region. My wife bought a shop for European Kids fashion in Venetian Village and I started my new career in the Real Estate business. 
http://michaelsellsnaples.com/

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Closings By Number Of Transactions:
Eydie and Bob
Eydie & Bob are Top Producing full time Realtors and will always look out for your best interests. It’s important that we build a trusting relationship and understand your specific needs. It’s our job to listen, learn, and satisfy those needs. We’ll never assume.
Our Web Site is http://eydiebob.com/

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New Listings By Dollar Volume:
Cherrie Cecil
Cherrie is a real Naples Native. She has had the great pleasure to live in Naples for over 25 years. She has watched the stunning growth and opportunity abound in this “small” town. It has been a wonderful place for her to grow up. She attended the Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, where she excelled in Real Estate and Small Business classes.
http://cherriesellsnaples.com/

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New Listings By Number of Properties:
Bridgette and Gene Foster

The FosterTeam is the prominent waterfront real estate professional team in Naples and Bonita Springs. Bridgette and Gene Foster are dedicated to providing the finest service available while breaking new ground. Constant research of the market and effective innovative marketing of your property is what we use to help meet your real estate goals.

Visit them on the web at http://golfngulfnaples.com/

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NOTE: At Amerivest Realty our leaders are selected based on their performance over the prior 12 months, not just the most current month. These are proven, dedicated performers, not just one month wonders. An associate or team may only win one category each month and only once a year.

Closings By Dollar Volume:
Carter Wheeler
Carter is a native of Boulder, Colorado and now lives in Naples with his wife and two daughters. Carter is very knowledgable in all areas of Real Estate and specializes in listings and foreclosures. From Luxury Waterfront Real Estate to Investment Properties or First Home purchases contact Carter.

http://carterwheeler.com/

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Closings By Number Of Transactions:
Claudia and Jim Carrell

Claudia & Jim Carrell bring a wealth of experience with them; a practitioner in retail sales for over 40 years.
When you hire Claudia & Jim, you get the benefit of their knowledge and judgments. They are eager to share their experience with clients as well as with fellow REALTORS®. To paraphrase Will Rogers, “Claudia & Jim know what they are doing, they love what they do and they believe in what they are doing.
http://www.naplesforme.com/

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New Listings By Dollar Volume:
Jim and Debra Monterosso

Jim and Debra can help you find your new property with integrity, years of experience, and knowledge. From Naples to Ft.Myers this husband and wife team specializes in every aspect of Real Estate.

http://www.debjimm.com/

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New Listings By Number of Properties:
Eydie and Bob

Eydie & Bob are Top Producing full time Realtors and will always look out for your best interests. It’s important that we build a trusting relationship and understand your specific needs. It’s our job to listen, learn, and satisfy those needs. We’ll never assume.

Visit them on the web at http://eydiebob.com/

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NOTE: At Amerivest Realty our leaders are selected based on their performance over the prior 12 months, not just the most current month. These are proven, dedicated performers, not just one month wonders. An associate or team may only win one category each month and only once a year.

95 Percent of Mediterra Members & Residents Support New Club

NAPLES, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2009) – The Mediterra Members’ Advisory Board and Bonita Bay Group today announced an agreement for the members of the New Club at Mediterra to purchase the combined club assets for $6.8 million in cash and assume the $15 million Community Development District (CDD) debt. The agreement received strong support from the residents and members of Mediterra with 95 percent of former members and an additional 150 residents, who were not previously members, joining the New Club as golf, sports or social members.

            “We are deeply appreciative of the overwhelming support of our Mediterra residents and club members who together seized this opportunity to control the destiny of our club and community,” said Richard Schmidt, chairman of the Mediterra Members’ Advisory Board. “This agreement puts our club on firm financial footing and restores Mediterra’s position as Naples’ premier private club community with recreational amenities that are second to none.”

            The sales agreement includes The Club at Mediterra and its two Tom Fazio-designed championship golf courses, an 1,800-square-foot golf learning center with short-game practice area, a 25,000-square-foot clubhouse, named best clubhouse twice by the Collier Building Industry Association, and a Sports Club with five Har-Tru tennis courts, an outdoor pool, three spa rooms and a recently expanded fitness center. It also includes the private Mediterra Beach Club on the Gulf of Mexico with an elevated swimming pool, expansive sundeck and indoor and al fresco dining overlooking 200 feet of shoreline.  

            “While this has been an incredibly difficult process for everyone involved, it has created a unity and bond among all the residents and members in Mediterra that sets our community apart as a very special place to live,” said Schmidt.

            “Today’s agreement represents a significant step toward resolving the financial challenges facing our company due to the global economic crisis and the dramatic downturn in the Southwest Florida real estate market,” said David Lucas, chairman of Bonita Bay Group. “We sincerely appreciate the dedicated and professional leadership of the Mediterra Members’ Advisory Board throughout this process and hope to be successful working with the members of other clubs to achieve the best possible resolution to the mutual challenges we face.”

            Lucas said the agreement at Mediterra is consistent with the company’s restructuring plan and amended credit facility with its senior lending group. The company remains committed to continuing negotiations with the advisory boards of its other membership clubs in Southwest Florida to achieve mutually beneficial agreements.

            Mediterra is a 1,697-acre community that has been named Community of the Year by the Collier Building Industry Association five times, received the Award of Excellence for Open Spaces from the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and has been honored with the Environmental Leaders in Golf Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and Golf Digest magazine in the private course category. It has been named by Golf Magazine as one of The 50 Best Golf Communities in America and by Travel & Leisure Golf as one of the top 100 golf communities in America for four consecutive years. It was the first-ever 36-hole course to earn Audubon International’s Silver Signature Sanctuary status.

Source: Jennifer Laderer, Director of Marketing, 239.390.1199, JenniferL@BonitaBayGroup.com

Homeowner’s fees apply to a large majority of communities in Naples and Bonita Springs FL.  Many of these communities have seen homes go to foreclosure which means that the dues are left unpaid.  This causes the residents to have to bear the unpaid cost creating an increase in HOA dues or even a special assessment on the community. 
On the flipside, prices are low. And for the brave home buyer, there are bargains out there. The trick is looking closely at the homeowner association’s health. Buyers need to question the association board about dues payments, and have their inspectors examine common elements before committing to a purchase. It’s also important to review the financial documents that every buyer has a right to inspect before closing.
Points to consider about the HOA before purchasing:
Make sure you get all the documents, and have sufficient time to look them over, Check the financial statement, Review the reserve study, See what percentage of reserve funds has been raised. 
Source:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704322004574475640874117808.html

View Beachfront Homes for Sale

Buying a foreclosure home often is appealing to house hunters trying to stretch their dollars. But finding a good one can be a challenge.  A buyer probably won’t find a property advertised as a foreclosure in marketing materials.
Where to Find Them – One option: Go straight to the bank. Banks’ Web sites will list properties that the financial institution has reclaimed. To find a list, do a Web search for “REO” and the name of the lender. Contact information for the property’s listing agents is usually provided for each entry.  You also can enlist the help of an experienced real-estate agent. Someone who works regularly with REOs might be able to track down the properties more easily than a traditional agent.
When purchasing a short-sale or foreclosure it is crucial to find an experienced Realtor to help with the purchasing process.  They will help with attaining a thorough inspection and will also help the buyer write a clean contract as well as secure financing where necessary.  They are the most important ally a buyer can have when dealing with lenders in this process. source:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125399707660143695.html
View Naples Luxury Bargains

Despite a year of economic turmoil and challenging market forces, top real estate agents continue to sell homes in 2009. In fact, every day, 13,698 homes are sold– that’s 570 homes sold every hour daily.

To boost consumer awareness and share the success of its advertisers, The Real Estate Book, one of the leading publishers of real estate information online and in print in North America, has kicked off the SOLD 2009 program for a second year. SOLD 2009 not only helps home buyers and sellers find top real estate professionals in their local markets, but also helps agents and brokers show the types of homes that have sold over the past year while marketing homes currently for sale affordably and effectively.  Source: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-20/u-s-housing-market-gains-steam-from-sold-2009-program/#ixzz0UlbfsuSG  It is crutial to circulate the news about the market especially when it is positive news.  Consumers are bombarded by all of the negative which brings down the confidence in the market.  Positive gains are being made which provide the push for more transactions and this publication is creating an outlet for it. 

View Naples Golf Course Homes for Sale

There are plenty of signs that the housing market can sustain a short-term recovery, even though the sector has lost some of its momentum and will continue to feel the effects of the weak labor market.

First, the government’s incentives to attract first-time homebuyers has been a success.
Second, the inventory of new homes is starting to diminish.
Third, there seems to be a healthy correction in the inventory of existing homes.
Lastly, mortgage rates are becoming very attractive.
Source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/shrinking-housing-inventory-favors-short-term-recovery-53820.aspx  The short-term recovery looks favorable, though the US is not out of the woods yet so to speak. Other trends such as the rate of unemployment, number of foreclosures, will affect the real estate recovery and the rate of that recovery.
View Beachfront Homes for Sale

The CEO of Deerfield Beach, Florida-based McCabe Research and Consulting watched as the good times in the real estate world went sour – and now that that pain is being felt worldwide, says that there has been a return to a more traditional bulk of investors.
“These markets have all come crashing down once the market understood it had doubled in size, not due to population increases, or job development, but due to speculative flipping by people who had no intentions of ever occupying these units,” he says. “When these things got out of hand, it was musical chairs, and who was going to get caught without a chair.”
“Now the prices have dropped so much that the real long-term investors that have been sitting on the sidelines watching this debacle unfold are re-entering the marketplace, many of them with cash,” McCabe says.
So who will succeed in this new market? According to McCabe, it’s the investors who want to buy low, sell high, and not do a quick flip on properties, but rather hold them for seven to 10 years – or longer. Source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/real-estate-consultant-flippers-give-way-to-real-investors-53878.aspx
Investors need to do their “homework” before choosing an investment property.  Searching to find a property on the internet is only half of the equation.  In today’s market there are too many other variables to consider and the only way to understand these is with time and experience in the market.
View Lely Resort Homes for Sale

While many sellers continue to cut their asking prices, fewer are doing so, according to recent data compiled by ZipRealty, national real estate brokerage, which may lead to an upward trend in home prices. According to MLS data, more than 44% of home listings in 28 major markets tracked by ZipRealty in September 2009 included at least one price reduction, down 2.8% from September 2008.  Source: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-13/percentage-of-price-reduced-homes-available-for-sale-down-from-last-year-but-still-substantial/#ixzz0UlWC67SK
The Naples Real Estate Market has yet to bounce back to the prices seen in 2004-2005.  But less price reductions by homeowners means that the market has reached its bottom.  The question is will buyers jump in and not miss this opportunity.

View Naples Golf Course Homes for Sale

Interest in prime commercial property in Europe is increasing as many investors act on expectations of improving capital values as the region recovers from the global economic downturn.

According to a briefing paper from international consultants CB Richard Ellis the majority of interest is coming from equity investors who operate with a low level of leverage and whose investment is mainly in core property.
 
The exception to this rule is the UK, where investor interest has spread from the prime segment into nearly all parts of the market, largely due to the lack of prime property that is on the market.

This trend is expected to spread to other parts of Europe over the next few months, with Paris expected to be one of the first places where demand expands to include the semi-prime part of the market.  source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/interest-in-prime-european-commercial-real-estate-trending-upward-53837.aspx
Spain, Paris, even the UK are experiencing renewed optimism for worldwide economic recovery.  The European commericial real estate market’s prime yield rates have stabilized mainly due to investor demand. 

View Naples FL Golf Course Homes

As the housing market continues to struggle its way toward stabilization, Steve Cinelli, founder and chief strategy officer at PRIMARQ, discusses the notion of equity financing and how he and his team are working with leaders in Washington, D.C., to change the face of real estate. “As the housing market began to crumble and financial institutions began to fail, both Washington and Wall Street provided solutions in hopes of fixing the economy, but most of them aren’t going as far as they should,” says Cinelli.

PRIMARQ is currently in the process of building the first-ever exchange for investing and trading in owner-occupied real estate equity and is creating a lot of buzz throughout the real estate industry. While the exchange is not yet open, its premise could change the way in which the real estate industry does business. Based on the same principles as NASDAQ, PRIMARQ is bringing a method of shared ownership to the housing industry—one of the only industries in the country that doesn’t revolve around a shared-ownership foundation.

“Our equity financing solution can assist buyers into getting into homes and it applies to all income levels,” says Cinelli. “Real estate transactions will become more affordable because individuals buying homes won’t have to borrow as much money from banks and their payments won’t be as high as they have been in the past- creating more financeable transactions and more sustainable ownership.” The program is beneficial to the industry as it creates financeable transactions since deals won’t fall through because of financing problems.  source: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-11/equity-financing-a-solution-to-todays-housing-crisis/#ixzz0UlSHCWfi
Revitilization of the housing market is dependent upon a number of factors, one of which is banks ability to finance.  Until Mortgage lenders can actively participate in the game of Real Estate, the market will remain as is.  With PRIMARQ’s innovate idea, it will be interesting to see if the banks will be willing to participate. 

View Naples Luxury Beachfront Homes for Sale

With the fate of the stimulus bill in the hands of Congress, a vast majority of people in the real estate industry are touting the benefits of the first-time homebuyer program, and even urging its extension to current homeowners. Yet a Zillow poll disputes the extent of the credit’s impact, indicating that for a significant number of buyers continuation of the incentive would not be a factor in their purchasing decision. Many experts have said that the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit, which is due to finish at the end of November, has had a major impact on the property market.

A bill to extend the programme is currently before the US Senate.
 
Realtors are backing an extension. In a poll by real estate company Weichert 71% said that the homebuyer tax credit was the single largest factor motivating buyers in 2009
If the credit were extended, Zillow predicts that 1.86 million homebuyers would take advantage of the program and that would cost around $14.86 billion.
The only way we can assure that the progress we’ve made can continue is to extend the credit and to do that now,’ said NAR president Charles McMillan. source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/survey-undermines-importance-of-first-time-homebuyers-credit-53802.aspx
Consumer confidence is at a low point for most of the population in the US.  Purchase of a home is a huge decision as well as financial commitment.  The tax credit has a positive effect on buyer confidence in today’s market.
View Beachfront Property for Sale

LaSalle Investment Management’s annual index placed real estate in Munich at the top of its list for the best locations in Europe. Munich has replaced the former number one city, London, because of one important factor:it has maintained a strong economy.  Not only is their economy strong, it is well shielded from the global recession. Munich is the top city in Europe for property investors as it has withstood the global economic downturn better than any other location, it is claimed.

The German city has strong levels of wealth and a highly diversified local business structure consisting of strong global players protected it from the full impact of the recession, according to the annual E-REGI index from LaSalle Investment management.

‘Munich offers particularly favorable business conditions, which are complemented by extensive R&D activities.

In combination, these factors result in comparatively strong economic and employment growth forecasts despite the current slowdown,’ it says. source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/munich-real-estate-tops-list-for-best-location-in-europe-53798.aspx
View Luxury Beachfront Condos

As an island of property boom in a global sea of downturn, Australia faces a dubious dilemma with Melbourne and Sydney leading another big monthly gain in housing prices. While this boom threatens housing affordability, price increases could also stimulate lending and construction, helping fill the supply side of the equation. For more on this, see the following article from Property Wire.

Residential property prices in Australia are continuing to surge as the Royal Bank of Australia warns that the real estate market is about to explode.

The latest price index from RP Data shows house prices rose 1.9% in August, the largest monthly movement since the group’s indexes began in January 2005.
 
Melbourne and Sydney recorded the biggest jumps in August, up 2.67% and 2.09% respectively. Australia’s two biggest capital cities have also outpaced the rest of the nation this year, with Melbourne prices rising 11.6% and Sydney up 8.67% in the first eight months of 2009.

Overall, Australian house prices are up 7.9% in the same period. source: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/australia-real-estate-continues-surge-53794.aspx
The state of the world market is not always as doom and gloom as the national media would project.  There are still areas in the world as well as the US where there are positive gains in the market.  One of those places would be Naples, Fl.  Each month the Naples Area has experienced an increase of sales from the previous month. 
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Despite the number of websites that now offer consumers never-ending information, traditionally only available through agents, most consumers still-and should-prefer to bring in a professional if they’re serious about transacting.

Buying and selling real estate are complicated processes, and most consumers prefer to have the wisdom and guidance of a professional. The advance of information online allows consumers to better understand the process and have more meaningful and productive conversations with their agents. Consumers have an incredible hunger for knowledge, and many of the real estate sites that have launched in recent years aim to satisfy that hunger. Source: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-05/for-tech-savvy-consumers-real-estate-agents-are-still-the-experts-2/#ixzz0UaXxWTZP

All communities in Naples are not the same.  The internet provides the ability to research homes, the location, the features and amenities included.  The one thing it does not always provide is a true image of the location and the state of the market in that location.  It takes an agent with experience to be able to tell a client if the choice of real estate they are purchasing will really fit their needs.
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According to a recent survey of real estate agents, the first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extremely successful in stimulating the housing market and the overall economy. However, the overwhelming majority of agents polled, see challenges for real estate if the tax credit is allowed to expire on Nov. 30, 2009.
Of the nearly 1,000 agents surveyed in a study conducted by Weichert, 71% reported that the $8,000 tax credit was the single largest factor motivating the buyers they have worked with in 2009 far surpassing affordable home prices (20%) and low interest rates (8%).
While the tax credit has helped stimulate the market since being passed by Congress in February, it appears real estate agents feel more support is needed. The vast majority of respondents (92%) think the market will decline if the tax credit is allowed to expire this year. Given that expectation, it’s not surprising that 97% favor extending the tax credit with the majority wanting to continue the credit until Dec. 31, 2010.Source: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-01/tax-credit-extension-needed-to-guard-against-real-estate-decline/#ixzz0UaXijNRj

This is an important part of legislation that could not only continue to have a positive effect on the Naples real estate market, but this can also help to inspire buyer’s confidence.  Without the buyers the real estate market as well as the economy could suffer.
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The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year fixed mortgages decreased slightly from last week to 5.02%, down from 5.04% the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by real estate website Zillow.com. Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages fell to 4.42% from 4.45%, and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages fell to 3.94%, down from 4.00% the week prior.Source: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-01/national-30-year-fixed-mortgage-rate-nears-5-00/#ixzz0UaXR7zVZ

The Naples Real Estate Market has not only shown positive activity and positive growth within the last year.  Prices in most areas are stabilizing, meaning they are not dropping or increasing by large percentages. 

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The housing market is getting a much-needed boost as first-time homebuyers rush to take advantage of an $8,000 federal tax credit that is set to expire Nov. 30, 2009.
A full accounting of the program’s popularity won’t be available for several months, but brokers say first-time buyers have been driving much of the activity in the market in recent months, especially for cheaper homes.

This program is a huge incentive for first-time buyers.  It gives the extra confidence that a buyer needs especially now that prices are at pre-2003 prices in Naples.  Home prices in most areas have settled, there is not a lot of extra room for negotiating. 

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Source: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-01/first-time-homebuyers-buoy-real-estate-market/#ixzz0UaXIBlo9