BY MARLENE GRAHAM, DOWNING-FRYE REALTY 539 5th Ave. South, Naples, FL (239) 821-9046
The Naples area real estate agent who allows YOU to search like an agent. Just email her or click the following email address -- marlenegraham@earthlink.net -- and request an invitation!
www.NaplesHomefinders.com www.NaplesDevelopments.com www.NaplesAgents.com
The Naples Florida, Estero Florida and Bonita Springs Real Estate markets are going crazy with buyers right now, but how can that NOT BE the case when a condo five miles to the sparkling white sand beaches of Old Naples that sold for $219,000 two years ago, just closed out at $35,000. That is an extreme example, but things like this have been happening here and people are once again building equity on the best buys sometimes in a matter of months.
The true investors are certainly here. And as trite as this sounds -- and I can't stand trite but I have no choice but to say it -- cash is king and good credit is coming in a close second. And don't forget the First Time Homebuyers Opportunity! Yikes. It is too good to be true.
Recently a Forest Glen bundled golf condo built in 2005 (with comparable units previously selling in the 300s and 400s with golf course equity included) sold for $100,000. I took five people that I met at various locations -- including snatching them off Fifth Avenue when they made the mistake of pausing in front of my office : ) -- to the unit almost promising them that I would be their "most favorite" friend if they just did it. Not one took advantage of the opportunity although one fellow who had just bought a unit there at a bargain for $130,000 said he would offer $50,000 and basically indicated he would do every inspection known to man on the unit. Well of course the next day he decided he might ease up a bit, and put in a legitimate offer, but by then the unit was long gone.
Now hear this. I just sold a condo in the exact same building this month for $69,000 more! And it appraised!
The smart person who jumped on that unit four months ago could theoretically bank about $40,000 or more profit that unit. I thought that would be the case at the time, but since I can't see into the future with complete certainty, I couldn't promise them what I wish I could have promised them; and then I would have made a commission for my knowledge and effort and they would have made "bank." As I tell my clients, the opportunity to say "I told you so" does neither party any good.
Now keep in mind that not every property in town is a good deal. In fact, many of them are just sitting there waiting for the market to rise to them! The same basic condo in the same basic development could be $100,000 apart and even though those condos just sit there with no agents visiting, they skew the figures. That's why it looks like prices are falling so much. Especially when the people who decide they really must sell (or they just lose their nerve -- or want to buy a bargain property but have to likewise sell theirs at a bargain to make that lateral move) have to drop their prices in order to compete with the bottom of the market which very often -- but certainly not always -- turn out to be foreclosures. I currently have the listing on the lowest priced single family home in Olde Naples. The buyer bought it many years ago and so he can price it in the 400s (though it would have at one time gone in the million plus or minus range and I'm guessing will again someday in the not so distant future. He, however, is not willing to wait.).
But meanwhile, this bottom of the market, the best priced properties, are not dropping another 50% or 75%. They 've already done that! And they are actually becoming the target of multiple offers. That's where it's important to work with a reputable, knowledgable agent that you trust so you can take advantage of these opportunities rather than trying to second guess your real estate agent and missing the boat completely.
As a Realtor heavily invested in the internet with thousands of domain names and dozens of websites, I am now offering my readers, and hopefully future clients, the opportunity to SEARCH THE MLS LIKE AN AGENT. Just send me your email; tell me what you are looking for (and please be reasonable -- just so you know, there are no $100,000 condos on the beach : ) )
Once I get your email, I will put in your order for an invitation to join the new Listing Book service being offered to select agents in the Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero Florida markets. Then you can adjust your parameters as you like and be looking at all the properties we peruse.
TO JOIN THE LISTING BOOK SERVICE SEND YOUR EMAIL TO: marlenegraham@earthlink.net
And if you anticipate a visit to town or wind up here on a whim, please call me at (239) 821-9046. I will be happy to put you on my calendar -- or even get together with you last minute -- so we can look at properties. I also know about some sensational pre-construction deals that are not posted on the Sunshine MLS.
Again if you want the chance to search the our local Florida MLS like an agent with this new program just contact me at marlenegraham@earthlink.net and put in the subject line: SEARCH THE MLS like an AGENT. That will help me set you up more quickly since I get so many emails. I will set you up for the program in my region free of charge with no obligation.
Of course I am hoping you will select us as your agents! That's the goal anyway. So just let me know and I will sign you up ... but no you will not have to sign in blood that you will stick by my side. So don't worry. But again, I really hope that is your intention! It's certainly mine : )
Check out a few of my team's other websites to get to know us!
www.NaplesHomeFinders.com (Naples Home Finders)
www.NaplesAgents.com (Naples Agents)
www.NaplesTouristCenter.com (Naples Tourist Center)
www.BonitaTouristCenter.com (Bonita Tourist Center)
www.EsteroTouristCenter.com (Estero Tourist Center)
www.MarcoTouristCenter.com (Marco Tourist Center)
www.NaplesDevelopments.com (Naples Developments)
Oh, and you will love this one! www.MostInterestingWomanInTheWorld.com
And yes sometimes I do drink Dos Equis, as apparently does the Most Interesting Man in the World.
Hope to meet you soon!
