Metas
A Friend in Need - Helping Other People
Yesterday, I was informed of a very close and dear friend, Charles Richey, had been hospitalized with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This particular disease afflicts the nervous system and the inflicted individual looses the use of all their limbs and ability to swallow.
Charles has helped me with my website on many occasions and has always been there to just to talk or give me encouragement when things were rough for me. There are many real estate agents through the United States that have benefited from his assistance. In addition, Charles, is very active in the Las Vegas area with animal rescue organizations. Many times when we talk he will tell me about a new dog that he has staying with him until a home can be found.
Charles does not have any health insurance at this time and with the overall real estate market not as strong as it has been, he will be incurring substantial hospital, physician, and after inpatient care - if you have been hospitalized you may have some idea of what Charles will be facing in the future.
On the Internet, we meet many people and may not meet them in person. So when a call goes out to help another- the internet is a power vehicle to get the word out. I have been lucky to meet Charles and his wife Jacqui in person and have had dinner with them.
You may not know Charles Richey from Las Vegas, but perhaps you know someone that has been striken with this disease and can offer comforting words of advice for this family or if you are so inclined to assist Charles you can visit this site or click on the graphic below.
Donate to the Charles Richey Fund
Thank you for reading this post and any assistance you can offer Charles Richey from Las Vegas.
Bonita Springs Home Market Update Feb 08
The Bonita Springs real estate market update continues to show subtle but positive signs of improvement as the number of homes coming on the market for sale are less than in the immediate previous two years and more homes were sold in 2008 than in 2007.
New Listings: During February 2008 a total of 136 Bonita Springs single family homes were listed for sale. The February 2008 reflects a reduction of new listings coming on the market from 193 homes in 2007 and 213 homes in 2006. The absorption rate for the new listings is 4.4 months, lower than 6.7 in 2007 and 5.5 in 2006. The lower absorption rate generally the faster homes are apt to sell. The lower number of listings this year compared to previous years represents a strengthening within the Bonita Springs real estate market for homes.
Pending Sales: During the month of February, 50 homes went under a sales contract. In previous years 59 homes were pending sale during the month of February. Pending sales for homes in Naples and Estero saw an increase over 2007.
Median Sold Price: The median sold price for a single family home in Bonita Springs was $450,000, which was a reduction of about 25% from the 2007 median price of $600,000 and about 24.3% from the median price of $595,000 for sold homes in 2006.
Closed Sales: During February, 31 homes were sold versus 29 in 2007 and 39 in 2006.
Currently, 1201 homes are available for sale in Bonita Springs or about 33 months of inventory based upon the average monthly closed sales over the immediate past 12 months.
Naples Real Estate News 02/25/08
FLORIDA HOME SALES - The mortgage credit crunch and a sluggish economy continued to affect the sales pace of existing homes and condos in Florida in January, with a total of 6,737 existing single-family homes sold statewide, a decrease of 28 percent from January 2007, according to the Florida Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price for existing single-family homes was $208,600.
For comparison purposes the sale of existing single-family homes in Naples was 111, a decrease of 20 percent, with a median sales price of $450,000. In Bonita Springs 26 homes were sold, a decrease of 16 percent, the median price was $802,500. Estero single-family homes sold were 16, an increase of 23 percent, with a median price of $463,750.
The areas of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero are performing stronger than the statewide sales volumes.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE - State Farm Insurance, Florida’s largest private property insurer, plans to essentially shut the door to the Sunshine State. State Farm Insurance officials told the state last week that the company would essentially stop selling new homeowners policies in Florida.
HOME TRENDS - Because of their style, relative affordability and durability, metal roofs are becoming a popular alternative to asphalt-shingle roofs. Architectural metal roofs in new-home construction reached a projected 30 percent of the market in 2007, up from 23 percent in 2004, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association.
Blog Makes Top 100 Real Estate Blogs
Today, I was very surprised to find this blog to ranked in the Top 100 Real Estate Blogs as per Top 100 Real Estate Blogs.
The ranking is determined by Google Page Rank, Technorati Rank, and Alexa rankings.
The blog is entitled Naples Real Estate News and Market Updates and does cover the communities of Bonita Springs and Estero as well.
Thank you - Top 100 Real Estate Blogs.
Bonita Springs Home Market Report January 08
Real estate market conditions for Bonita Springs shows the median sold price increasing and new listings less than last January. Pending sales are down from last year, but higher than December 2007. Closed sales were down from December, in addition, to 2007 and 2006 closed sales.
New Listings - in January 2008 Bonita Springs showed a total of 232 single family homes came onto the real estate market. This compares favorably with the 271 and 270 homes listed for sale in January 2007 and January 2006, respectively. In December 2007 a total of 109 homes were listed. January is traditionally the month with the highest number of new home listings during the calendar year.
Pending Sales - a total of 39 Bonita Springs homes were pending sale. A pending sale is where a seller has an accepted an offer on their home. Last year’s month of January, a total of 53 homes were pending sale, while in 2006 the number was 55. Pending sales in January compared favorably with December’s 31 pending sales.
Closed Sales - the number of homes sold in Bonita Springs during January was 26 homes down from the 33 homes sold in December 2007. Comparing to the previous years’ January there were 31 and 49 homes sold respectively.
Median Sold Price - in January the median price paid for a home in Bonita Springs was $802,500, up from December’s median price of $525,000. The year over year analysis shows the median price paid in January 2007 was $525,000 and in 2006 - $660,000. The higher median price can be attributed to some fairly expensive homes sold in Bonita Bay, Bonita Beach and Quail West, which caused the increase.
Bonita Springs Home Market Report December 07
In the Bonita Springs real estate market homes show some positive trends in new listings coming on the market, closed sales, and pending sales as one reviews the statistics and analysis, with exception of median price paid. The market report covers not only the month of December, but also for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 and 2007 in totality.
Monthly Analysis:
Listings:
The number of home listings coming on the market in December was 109. In December 2006 the number was 145 or a reduction of 25% in volume. In December 2005, new listings were 138 homes or a reduction of about 21%. This represents a positive sign as fewer homes are coming on the market and should eventually be reflected in the gross number of available homes for sale.
The number of months of home resale inventory is 31 months, down about one month from November 2007.
Closed Sales:
The number of closed sales for homes in the Bonita Springs area in December was 33 versus 41 in December 2006 or a volume reduction of about 19%. Tighter requirements for mortgages and the elimination of sub-prime borrower programs, does have impact, however it would have been better to see 16% or less as a percentage reduction. When looking at December 2005, the closed sales totaled 45, a reduction in closed sales volume of 26%. December 2005 many of the sub-prime and liberal loans were available. As many of us are aware the market started to change in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Pending Sales:
A total of 31 homes in the Bonita Springs area were pending sale as of the end of December. In December 2006, 28 homes were pending sale as of month end. While in 2005 there were a total of 49. With pending sales we can see the trend or impact of the elimination of liberal underwriting requirements and sub-prime borrower programs, when comparing pending sales between 2005 and 2007. It is interesting to notice that 2007 pending sales for homes are slightly over 2006.
Median Price Paid:
The median price paid for a single family home in the Bonita Springs for the month of December 2007 was $525,000. The median price paid in December 2006 was the same figure of $525,000. The median price paid in 2005 was $510,000. The increase in whole dollars was $15,000 or roughly 3%.
For the year over year December analysis one can see the number of months of inventory of resale homes reducing by about one month, fewer homes coming on the market, pending sales remaining stable, and the median price paid in the Bonita Springs area remaining stable.
Quarterly Analysis:
Listings:
During the 4th quarter ending December 31, 2007, the total number of new listings was 513 versus 492 in 2006 and 446 in 2005. The increase in the new listings for the 4th quarter versus 2006 and 2005 could be a sign of the market’s eventual strengthening. With less homes coming on the market, the median price paid could in the future could stabilize or trend upwards slightly.
Closed Sales:
A total of 80 homes were sold in the 4th quarter of 2007 versus 83 in 2006 and 142 in 2005. The reduction of 3 homes between 2007 and 2006 is insignificant considering the tighter credit criteria and elimination of liberal loan programs. While between 2007 and 2005 the reduction of 62 or 43% is substantial.
Median Price:
The median price paid for a home in the Bonita Springs area during the 4th quarter of 2007 was $532,500. The median price paid in 2006 was $435,000 and $569,000 in 2005. The median price increase between 2007 and 2006 was about 22%. However, the reduction between 2007 and 2005 was approximately 6%.
2007 Year Analysis:
Listings:
In 2007 there were a total of 2004 new listings to come on the market for sale. In 2006, the total was 2015 and 1458 in 2005. The new listings in 2007 were slightly less than 2006 and could represent a stabilization or reduction of new listings for homes coming on the market in the future.
Closed Sales:
During 2007, 430 Bonita Springs homes were sold compared to 456 homes in 2006 and 841 in 2005. The reduction in the total number of homes sold in 2007 compared to 2006 was 26 homes. This could suggest that the mortgage crisis did not affect the home market as well as buyer confidence in the single family home market due to the reduction in median prices paid for a home.
Median Price:
The median price paid for a home in Bonita Springs in 2007 was $532,000 versus $524,950 in 2006 or a percentage increase in value of slightly more than 1%. The median price was $505,000 in 2005. The increase in value between 2007 and 2005 was about 5%.
What is very interesting to note is that the median price paid for a home in Bonita Springs during 2004 was $346,375. The big question is will the prices remain so stable? Be sure to read my post on the 2008 Bonita Springs real estate forecast from Florida economist, Hank Fishkind.
Post has been updated with data from a state of Florida real estate perspective.
Bonita Springs Home Market Report for November 07
New Listings:
A total of 199 Bonita Springs homes were listed in November 2007. When compared to November 2006, the number of homes listed was 173 – an increase of about 15%. In November 2005, 188 Bonita Springs homes were listed – an increase of about 6%. The volume of new listings showing an increase over 2006 and 2005, but could be related to the construction lag for new homes in the Lee County area.
Median Price Paid:
In the month of November the median price paid for a home in the Bonita Springs area was $572,987. In November 2006, the median price paid a home in Bonita Springs was $455,000 or an increase in the median price of about 26%. Looking at November 2005, the median price paid was $544,500 – the increase in the median price is about 5%. The increase in the median price is due largely to due to expensive sales occurring in Mediterra Golf and Country Club, The Brooks, and Bonita Bay. These 6 sales in excess of $700,000 represents about 38% of the home sales for November.
Closed Sales:
The closed sales for homes in Bonita Springs during November were 16. In November 2006, the number of closed was 17 and 56 in November 2005; the respective reductions are about 6% and 71%. The reduction in the volume of closed sales appears to be bad news; however, considering the reduction in “liberal” loan programs and more restrictive underwriting criteria, this could be somewhat positive, when comparing 2006 and 2007 volumes.
Pending Sales:
The volume of pending sales came in at 45 contracts. The 45, is a reduction of about 4% from 2006’s 47, but 12% below 2005’s 51 pending sales. Looking at the pending sales volumes for the three years is rather interesting on the surface, however, one must remember in September 2005 the real estate market was starting to be a more balanced market, rather than seller’s market previously and the current buyer’s market. As with the closed sales volumes, there could a positive signal due to the reduction of “liberal” loan programs and more restrictive underwriting guidelines.
Currently, there are about 1,200 homes available for sale in the Bonita Springs area, representing about 32 months of inventory – this is provides buyers with an excellent selection in a very strong buyers market.
Naples Florida Real Estate News - 10/24/07
HOME SALES - Mirroring the national trend, turmoil in the mortgage market impacted Florida’s housing sector in September, despite continued low unemployment rates and other positive economic activity. Statewide sales of existing single-family homes totaled 8,688 last month, a decrease of 38 percent compared to September 2006 activity, according to Florida Association of REALTORS. The statewide median price for existing single-family homes last month was $221,200.
Read the analysis for the 3rd quarter for Naples homes sold in 2007 with a year over year comparative figures.
Also, read the analysis for Bonita Springs homes sold in the 3rd quarter of 2007 with comparative figures for 2006.
FLORIDA REAL ESTATE TAXES - The Florida House thinks it has a better plan for real estate tax reform, but time may be on the Senate’s side in a showdown over the issue. Lawmakers must settle their differences by next Monday, or it will be too late to put a proposed state constitutional amendment on the January 29, 2008 presidential primary ballot.
ECONOMY - Former Fed Chief Alan Greenspan said Tuesday that a bloated inventory of new homes, rather than existing homes, has unsettled the U.S. economy; but he expressed optimism that the nation will avoid a recession. “Where the problem lies is in home prices – new home prices, very specifically,” Greenspan said.
HOMEBUYERS PICKY - Homebuyers have many properties to choose from, but can nix one as a possibility quickly if it has a problem that traditionally spooks buyers – even if the problem would cost only pennies to repair.
Bonita Springs Real Estate Update - Homes - 3rd Qtr 07
How is the Bonita Springs real estate market performing in the single family home segment of the real estate market? When looking at the statistical information for the third quarter of calendar year 2007 and compare it to the same period in 2006, it appears encouraging, but a seller should not get excited and think about raising their list price or putting their property on the market, unless they need to sell. For buyers, if they are thinking of holding the property for three or more years, it might be a good time to buy, because there are many excellent opportunities within the Bonita Springs real estate market.
Bonita Springs Real Estate Home Update - Oct. 2006
Market Update for Bonita Springs Florida Real Estate:
During the month of October 2006, a total of 26 Bonita Springs homes were sold. The median price was $355,000 and the average price was $668,844.
Compared to October 2005, 49 homes sold, with a median price of $580,000 and average price of $830,361.
The volume of closed sales for Bonita Springs homes comparing the current year to prior year is a 47% reduction.
The median price shows a reduction of about 39%. The average price also reflected a reduction of about 19%.
The reduction in median and average prices is largely due to the volume of million dollar plus homes in the Bonita Springs area.
The average days on market (listing to contract) increased from 78 days in October 2005 to 148 days in during the same month in 2006.
The statistics for September 2006 activity was 27 homes sold, with a median price of $329,900, an average price of $526,322, and average days on market of 108 days. The difference between September and October 2006 is largely due to the number of million dollar homes sold in October.
Please visit my web site for more information about Bonita Springs real estate and Naples Florida real estate.