I cannot believe that February is already over and I am working on month end reports again. I know it’s a short month, but didn’t it just fly by? While reflecting back on last February, and comparing it to the activity here in Naples this February, I found some *newsworthy numbers that I thought you might find interesting.Listing inventory is down. Now, that could just be that we are all too busy working with buyers to concentrate on getting new listings…or it could simply mean that many sellers have decided to keep their properties off the market until the over-correction of pricing stabilizes. Whatever the reason, the lower inventory and higher pendings, is establishing a trend that we have not seen in years. In February 2010 in Naples there were 1,633 new Listings that came on the market. In February 2011 only 1,362! ~About a 17% decrease. Those new listings last year that were priced over $1 million numbered 180, and those listed below $500,000 numbered 1,229. This year, February 2011, of those new listings taken, 156 were priced at or above $1 million, while only 1,004 were listed below $500,000! This translates to fewer listings going active in both the higher & lower price points. Those that had been listed above $1 million last year are now feeling the downward pressure and are being priced below $1 million. The lower priced listings continue to be the most popular range in both pending and closed sales. ~and, The middle prices are beginning to see an increase in activity. I call this a trickle up effect. I think we will slowly begin to see an absorption of the better, well priced listings in the lower price range over the course of the next 90 days. Emphasis on well priced! I also believe that we will continue to see an increase in sales in the luxury market–But, since a much lower percentage of those listings are going under contract, they must be much more competitive with pricing in order to take advantage of what’s left of the peak selling season! Overall Pendings in February 2010 were 1,188 compared to 1,221 in February 2011. Approximately a 3% increase…compound that with a 17% decrease in inventory! There are pockets in Naples where neighborhoods have seen a more substantial increase in sales then 3%. Those homes and condos listed at or above $1 million had 80 listings pend in 2010 and 81 of the 1,221 in 2011 were listed over $1 million. In 2010 February saw 988 residences listed under $500,000. go under contract in Naples, while last month the pending sales of listings priced below $500,000 were 1,038. Approximately a 5% increase. Closed Sales were almost identical in Naples MLS: In February 2010, 570 residential listings closed. In February 2011 there were 571 closings. 31 of the 570 in 2010 were listed at or above $1 million. February 2011 40 luxury properties closed, including a home in Port Royal which was listed at $13,900,000 and closed for $10,500,000. Luxury home closings represented 7% of the closings in February. In February 2010 there were 482 closings listed below $500,000 vs. 469 that closed in February 2011. The lower price range is driving the market. Presently there are 8,015 Active Residential Listings in Naples MLS. 1,364 are Previews Properties: those listed at or above $1 million, which represents 17% of the market. 5,194 are listed at or below $500,000. If you would like a market analysis of a specific neighborhood, please call Harris Peppe Wellstoday. 239.370.0574 Of course, this is a broad brush of the overall real estate market in Naples Florida and does not reflect the statistics of unique communities within Naples. It is always our pleasure to do a more in depth study of a particular area whether you are considering buying or selling, and it is always a no-obligation service. Thank you, and make it a GREAT day, The Naples Real Estate Blogger *All data is derived from the Naples multiple listing system, SunshineMLS and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.
