January 2017 SW Florida Economic Indicators

If you like to read economic stats, you might enjoy the following.

Economic indicators for the Southwest Florida USA region remain strong and are getting stronger. The annual report of economic indicators, as published by Florida Gulf Coast University, shows strong evidence of a continuing strong economy along the Paradise Coast. We have new employers moving into the area, home sales are improving, and prices have stabilized in most areas.

My thanks for JRW colleague Nina Link for passing this along.

I hope YOU will enjoy, and pass it on!

Some Facts About Post-Recession Luxury Consumers

Here are some facts about post-recession luxury consumers, as compiled by Luxury Portfolio International.

1) 2008 financial crisis came as a shock.

2) Previously possessed fear-based buying habits, and insisted on the best price.

3) NOW, these consumers refuse to trade quality or craftsmanship.

4) And luxury consumers expect quality and craftsmanship to dictate price.
    
           These consumers ask themselves, "Which details of this property are worthy of paying more?"
            and,
                                                                  "I know I paid more than I should have, but it was worth it."


 Some interesting factoids to chew on during a quiet week between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Happy Happy and Merry Merry!

Packing a few things up at the office, which will be closed until Tuesday. Though I will be working here and there, gearing up for January.

I wish you all the best of this holiday season. As I write this, different parts of the USA have snow, ice, and 60 degree weather after having both snow and ice. In Naples, Florida today, the temps are in the mid '80s after a cool morning. Perfect.

Friends are in town from Alaska, Texas, Colorado and Minnesota. Getting chances to visit with folks here and there as they prep their own holiday galas with family.

I will write more in the coming days, but 2016 has been a good year. The death of my mother last year was jarring but not unexpected, as she was diagnosed with cancer mid year and told it was an aggressive type with few treatments. She lived a full life, and went out of this world at age 88 with Grace, just as she wanted.

This year has been special for me in many ways, personally and professionally. I will leave it there, but sufficed to say I am happy. And excited to be with teaming with someone I call a friend, who is one of the most professional and accomplished real estate practitioners in SW Florida. As I have posted before, I am delighted to be affiliated with the leading real estate broker in the region -- John R. Wood Properties.

But for now I'm packing up and getting ready to head out onto U.S. 41, which is BUSY. Tis the Season, as we say here in Paradise!

Easy Home Improvements To Attract More Buyers

If you are considering the sale of your home now or in the future, I would be delighted to share my knowledge and expertise with you. Just like a polished apple attracts more hungry snackers, a home that has been spiffed up a bit attracts far more buyers -- or is attractive enough to push someone over the edge from "I like it" to "I love it."

Here are a handful of improvements that generate more buyer interest, along with average return rates for each project according to HGTV.com.

1) Bonus Room Updates -- Average return at resale: 72.8 percent

Do you have an empty bonus room? Turn it into something practical. Keep in mind the needs of your target market and remember that families utilize these spaces differently than empty nesters. Bookshelves and cabinet additions can make for appealing storage spaces. Adding french doors helps potential buyers envision a play room or a home office.

2) Replacement Windows -- Average return at resale: 86.9 percent

Replacing windows can be a costly project. But DO NOT underestimate the return it brings. Energy conservation is big for buyers, and new technology equals big returns on investment. For hot climates like our Southwest Florida area, there is Low-E glass, which reflects heat by blocking infrared energy. Argon gas can be placed between window panes to prevent heat transference through the window. A lot of folks will replace traditional windows with impact glass for lower insurance bills, and to eliminate the need for hurricane chutters. When you do this, be sure to go with Low-E. Even replacing your pool cage sliders with Low-E can make a significant difference in your energy bill!

3) Kitchen Remodel -- Average return at resale: 91 percent

A complete kitchen remodel will be expensive, but its an investment that often pays off. Everyone tends to congregate in the kitchen, and a full package can be the factor that puts you above the competition. If the values of homes in your community have increased, and your kitchen isn't up to par, consider a major remodel rather than small fix ups. Eat-in kitchens are high on the list of buyer desirables.

4) Bathroom Remodel -- Average return at resale: 93.2 percent

Whether you go small or big on bathroom updates, there's a consistent return on investment. Sometimes relocation of the major pieces can give the illusion that there's more space. New lighting, a linen closet, and fresh tile can equal a big payoff that buyers will love.

5) Exterior Improvements -- Average return at resale: 95.5 percent

An updated front entryway and some fresh paint turns MANY buyers' heads! One gallon of paint covers roughly 400 square feet, and is one of the most cost effective upgrades to increase your home's curb appeal. Accent lighting can draw more attention to your home's best exterior features and provides a sense of security.

6) Landscaping -- Average return at resale: 100 percent

This is a no-brainer investment to bring more interested buyers to your doorstep. If you're stuck for ideas, most garden centers offer free consultations. Find a color scheme with your landscaping that accents your home's color palette. A custom walkway and fountain adds considerable appeal. When we purchased our home in North Naples, it was like a jungle. For one thing, it was surrounded by far too many very high privacy hedges. We spent many weeks cleaning it up and replanting. We constantly receive compliments from our neighbors about our beautiful house, that they only recently have been able to see. It was hidden by too much greenery.

If you'd like to know more about how to increase your home's marketability compared with other homes for sale in your community, or anything else regarding the sale of your home, please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to discuss it with you. Further, if you or someone you know requires the services of a real estate professional in the future, please allow me to outline how I can not only meet your needs, but exceed your expectations.

November 2016 SW Florida Market Report

The latest SW Florida residential real estate market report is out, and John R. Wood Properties continues to be the market leader YTD through November based on closings and volume of closings. Have I mentioned how proud I am to be a part of this incredible organization?

Click here for the full report. If you're interested in homes in our Naples -- Bonita Springs -- Estero corridor, please feel free to get in touch. My team and I are already busy as Season kicks in, but never too busy to help folks find their dream home along the Paradise Coast.

John Glenn Has Passed Away

As a kid in Columbus, Ohio, I was fascinated by anything to do with space. I don't remember John Glenn orbiting the Earth, but I have a vague recollection of the Gemini missions. And of course, I was transfixed with the Apollo moon landing program.

I can recall lying on the floor at our home, watching the black and white TV late into the night -- especially when the Eagle, the lunar lander, touched down on the surface of the Moon. Furthering my fascination, was that the first human to set foot on that lunar object was an Ohioan, Neal Armstrong.

So obsessed with all things space, one year my parents took us on a 3-week trip to southeast U.S., a mix of business for my dad and vacation for the family. Just before we were to take the northward swing toward home, our parents gave us a choice of last fun excursions. We were revisiting SWFL, relaxing for a couple of days. The choices: a brand new amusement park in Orlando that they didn't know much about, DisneyWorld, or over to Cape Canaveral and a tour of the space facility there.

Which do you think two young boys -- at the end of Apollo and the dawning of the Space Shuttle program -- chose?

Fast forward many years later, on two occasions I had the opportunity to shake John Glenn's hand. Less as  U.S Senator, but more as one of my childhood heroes. A living legend, a fellow Ohioan, right in front of me, warm to the flesh.

With Sen. Glenn's passing, we are diminished. He is the last of the original Mercury 7 astronauts. When I heard a few days ago that he had been hospitalized at the James Cancer Center in Columbus, I had a sense of foreboding.

I wish peace to his bride, Annie, and to the entire extended Glenn family, to Ohioans on the loss of one of their heroes, and to Americans who marveled at the risks John Glenn and others of that first astronaut corps took, on the top of a rocket filled with explosive fuel, that had been constructed by the lowest bidder on a government contract.

Rest In Peace John Glenn.

Real Estate After Trump's Election: What Next?

Everyone in my business is trying to get an understanding of what a Trump presidency will mean for real estate, both residential and commercial. The stock market has surged since November 8, and while there are sharp disgreements, a lot of people in business are pleased.

Here is how two industry news organizations analyze it, as of December 7, 2016.....

From REALTOR.com:

"We do know that the incoming president will limit the federal government’s role in the real estate market, as was outlined in the 66-page Republican Platform 2016. So, longer term, the implications of this for home buyers, sellers, and owners could be sweeping.

"As for now, “our November elections come at one of the slowest time of the year for sales, so I doubt we will see much disruption to the normal seasonal pattern” of home buying and selling, says realtor.com’s chief economist, Jonathan Smoke. “However, one short-term risk could be if the [election] has a big impact to financial markets that lasts more than a few days. “About half of voters got what they wanted,” he adds. “If this does impact purchases, it is more likely to be in blue states and not the red heartland.” 

"A Trump presidency could be a boon for home buyers struggling to save up for a hefty down payment. That’s because he has promised to cut taxes and shrink the number of tax brackets from seven to three. This could, in theory, leave buyers with more money to spend on the homes of their dreams. 

"And it could give the luxury market, which has been slowing down as of late, a boost, says James Harris, one of the star real estate agents on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles. “For the high-end, luxury market, it may turn into something very positive.”


From NREI Online:

"Business owners, investors and others are asking key questions, such as whether it is feasible to make hiring decisions, launch expansion programs or make investments during this uncertain period. In a broader sense, they are asking how markets and foreign leaders will respond. Some early signals, within the first seven to 10 days after the election, aren’t conclusive; they may only reinforce the uncertainty: Just after the election a prospective client announced his intention to delay investing in our Fund III until there is “greater clarity about what a Trump presidency means for the investment outlook” in the United States. Since election day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has produced a 625-point-gain (3.4 percent) to about 18,957. This is far different than late election night when the futures market was down 800 points. Interest rates already have started to climb, increasing more than 30 percent, from 1.75 percent to 2.30 percent. We know a lot of the president-elect’s positions and likely actions on a variety of issues, or at least we think we do.” 

My own perspective:

In addition to the continuing stock market surge, Carrier announced a deal where it will keep some 300 engineering jobs and 800 lower wage manufacturing jobs in the U.S. rather than shipping them all off to Mexico. The company still plans to send another 1300 jobs to Mexico, but was persuaded to keep a plant open in Indiana rather than shutter the facility. Mr. Trump has claimed credit for that agreement, though some suggest he is taking credit for too much.

More recently, the CEO of Softbank, Mr. Masayoshi Son, announced in a joint appearance with President Elect Trump, that the Japanese business concern will invest $50 billion in the United States in the next several years. He expects that infusion to wind up creating some 50,000 jobs for Americans.

Regardless of politics, when jobs are increasing, that is good for the economy and GREAT for housing. Reducing the number of tax brackets also would be a boon for all buyers, particularly in the luxe segment.

Time will tell. More to come . . .

U.S. Dollar Value Against Other Currencies Spiking

BLOOMBERG -- The U.S. dollar is headed toward its largest gain since 2009.

"The greenback has risen more than 7 percent in November amid speculation U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will pursue reflationary policies, as futures signal growing bets that the Federal Reserve will follow an interest-rate increase in December with additional hikes next year."

Read the full story here.

Monday Funny

October Sales of Naples Area Homes Fell 7 Percent In October

October home sales in the Naples area were down 7 percent from last year, and the number of homes listed for sale last month was 39 percent higher.

 

The Naples Area Board of Realtors also reported that the median sale price of single-family homes and condos rose to $315,000 in October, up 9 percent from the same month last year. October sales of houses and condos in the Naples area dropped to 556 from 601 last year. Sales of condos in October fell more steeply than sales of houses.

 

For the full story, click here.

Why The Super Wealthy Are Getting Mortgages

One of my lender colleagues here in SWFL, Gerry Teeven of New Penn Financial, has penned an interesting piece on the trend of how the ultra wealthy using mortgages as a tax tool. Not a new approach, as we have seen it before.

BUT, it seems to be gaining in popularity.

Check out his piece by clicking here. 

BUCKS WIN

A real nail-biter yesterday as Ohio State narrowly defeated Michigan, in a battle of #2 against #3, respectively.

An instant classic. This game could have gone either way, but it was hard to watch the Wolverines dominate my Bucks for the first three quarters.

Channeling Woody and Bo

Watching the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry game, referred to as "The Game" by fans of both schools.

My Buckeyes trailing by 3 in the fourth quarter, but this has been a back-and-forth, defensive grind so far. Harkens back to my childhood watching these teams slog it out in Ohio Stadium every two years.

Both coaches -- Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh -- have turned their teams into juggernauts this season. But somehow I think Woody Hayes and Bo Schembecler are smiling down from their perches on high. THIS is how football is supposed to be played by two college superpowers.

Why Did I Join John R. Wood Properties?

Recently, I've had a couple of telephone calls and emails from friends and colleagues, wondering why I joined a family owned, independent real estate brokerage in Florida, rather than one of the more well-known national "flag" brands.

The answer is simple. John R. Wood Properties IS the big dog brand in the Paradise Coast corridor.

Besides making a difference for our customers, John R. Wood Properties turns heads when it comes to statistics regarding its weight in this market, the state of Florida, and nationally.

Consider the information below, and it will make sense

-- #1 In Per Agent Productivity/Sales In Florida
-- #18 In the USA In Agent Productivity/Sales
-- Ranked 65 out of 500 U.S. brokerages in total closed sales volume at $2.365 billion

Those are just a few items to consider, to start. I couldn't ask for a better strategic partner in John R. Wood Properties with which to serve my customers in Naples, in Florida, and across the nation.

AP: Some Buyers Starting To Panic

As I wrote in an earlier post, interest rates are very likely to creep up in the near future. According to the Associated Press, that has some home buyers in a panic

Says the AP:  "With mortgage rates surging following the election win of Donald Trump, homebuyers may feel compelled to snap up loans before rates rocket even higher. But housing experts say consumers shouldn't get carried away by the post-election wave. The advance of the past week or so, stoked by a surprise victory that turned economic expectations on their head, could soon settle.

Says Erin Lantz, vice president of mortgages at Zillow, "Consumers considering buying or refinancing now should stay patient, as we'll likely see rates stabilize once markets find a new equilibrium."

The AP continues: "In the week ended Thursday, the average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate loan jumped to 3.94 percent from 3.57 percent the previous week, mortgage company Freddie Mac reported. That put the benchmark rate close to its year-ago level of 3.97 percent. The average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, climbed to 3.14 percent from 2.88 percent.

"The rate rise was powered by a sustained decline in U.S. government bond prices in the days after Trump's victory became known early last Wednesday. Bond investors looked toward tax cuts and beefed-up spending to upgrade roads, bridges and airports under a Trump administration, which could fuel inflation. That would depress prices of long-term Treasury bonds because inflation would erode their value over time."

My opinion is not to be fearful, just aware of what is coming and make decisions accordingly. As always, there is more to come on this story . . .

Its Game Day For Buckeyes

Remember I said I am a big Ohio State Buckeye fan?

We are in Denver for the Thanksgiving holiday. My significant other and her daughters and their kids are baking cookies. It snowed a couple of days ago. Temp is hovering around 20 degrees F.

And I have the Ohio State-Michigan State game on my laptop. OSU needs to win this game, as well as against the highly ranked Michigan Wolverines next Saturday in Columbus.

Still in the hunt for the National Championship . . .

Folo On Likely Gradual Interest Rate Hikes

Catching up on my reading, I noticed a piece in USA Today stating that Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said Friday that the case for raising interest rates gradually "is quite strong."

More fuel to bolster my opinion that the rate hikes are coming.

In the first remarks by a Fed policymaker since the election, Fischer didn't specifically address the vote or whether the Fed will lift its key rate at a mid-December meeting. But in a speech he delivered at an event in Chile, he didn't give any indication the Fed's roadmap has been altered."

"In my view, the Fed appears reasonabl close to achieving both inflation and employment components of its mandate," Fischer said. "Accordingly, the case for (raising interest rates) gradually is quite strong, keeping in mind that the future is uncertain and that monetary policy is not a preset course."

Again, if you are a buyer, LOCK IN YOUR RATES. If you are thinking about buying, get in touch with your lender NOW to get the ball rolling.

Lock In Your Rates! And Other Thoughts . . .

As I have shared with my readers in my Cash On Cash blog over the past few years, if the stock market rises steadily, then interest rates normally follow suit.  

Over the past several days, the stock market has risen dramatically. As money pours out of bonds, Treasuries and mortgages-backed securities into the stock market, those markets are raising interest rate yields -- at an almost hourly rate -- trying to keep investors.  Buyers and sellers of residential real estate need to pay attention. If you're not paying attention, or you're with a lender or agent who doesn't alert their customers, you may not only be in for a shock but your loan approval could be in jeopardy if you are tight on debt-to-income ratios.

If you are a buyer in contract, make sure your interest rates are locked.  If they are not, I strongly advise you to read the news and seriously consider doing so.  The majority of the media has failed to prepare the public for this, so be pro-active.  

Further, President-Elect Trump has indicated he will likely retain Janet Yellin as head of the Federal Reserve. She and her colleagues have already hinted that interest rate hikes are likely coming. My guess is we will see a full percentage point increase by this time in 2017.

Now the good news!! This run up on the stock market is a sign of renewed confidence in our economy and, with the new administration already sending signals that they are going to encourage U.S. companies to bring the trillions of dollars now banked overseas back to the U.S. (under a one-time tax forgiveness program), we could see a huge investment by business and their infrastructure.

More jobs + higher wages + confident consumers = MORE HOME BUYERS!

Which is VERY good news for sellers!

I Am Joining John R. Wood Properties -- The Market Leader

I am proud to announce I have joined the market leader in luxury home sales in Southwest Florida -- John R. Wood Properties.

This is a great company, with deep roots in Naples and surrounding communities. The other firms can say they sell more properties or dollar volume in Florida, but John R. Wood leads in both when it comes to the Paradise Coast, which encompasses Marco Island to the south, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Captiva/Sanibel Island to the north.

This company is solid. Its reputation is sterling. Of the top 500 real estate companies across the United States, JRW ranked Number 13 in the entire nation and Number 1 in Florida in Per Agent Sales. Not too shabby for an independent real estate brokerage on the coast of SWFL.  

I didn't come by this decision lightly. A respected agent with whom I knew well, trusted and spent eight or so years exchanging referrals, suggested that I come aboard. The details of the partnership took some time, and then I had to take a leave of absence in order to take care of an ailing family member.

2017 is going to be a great year for my customers in Florida, and my many client and broker relationships in Ohio and the Midwest, with whom I still work. The market in the Naples area is stable-ish, and as we had into "season," inventory is growing. Naples continually ranks among the most livable cities in America. Plus, you just can't beat the white sugar sand beaches -- or golf -- depending on your interests.

Rest assured, I bring you readers, buyers and sellers, the kind of expertise, ethics and professionalism you want in a real estate adviser.

My job isn't to sell you anything. I'm here to make the process simpler.

SWFL: Not Enough Housing, New Building To Keep Up With Demand

THIS is a great market, for buyers and sellers!

"After analyzing employment and permits, the National Association of Realtors concluded that there’s a shortfall of 13,609 new single-family homes in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, and a shortfall of 3,020 homes in the Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island metro areas."

THIS is why I love working and living here!

CLICK HERE for the full story . . . . 

In Case You Missed It

Here is a news recap from last week that impacts the U.S. residential housing industry.

The major headline? First-time buyers represent 35 percent of home-buyers overall, according to a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors.

-- The Federal Reserve voted not to raise policy rates at last week's meeting, but did signal that they may raise rates at December's meeting if economic improvement continues.

-- Jobless claims were up slightly, but layoffs were at a five-month low. A strong non-farm payroll report could fuel speculation that the Fed will raise rates in December.

-- Consumer spending is up and factory orders rose for the third straight month. As the economy slowly heats up, inflation could become an issue and bring higher rates. It also might not. We have been in an inflationary period for some time with the non-stop printing of money (evidenced by spikes in food prices at stores, etc.), though the way the government "officially recognizes" inflation, we official have had none. With rates held artificially low for so many years, in my opinion we are due for an increase soon.

-- Although construction spending was down slightly in September, most of the drop was non-residential. Spending on residential construction was up 0.5 percent for the month.

-- Mortgage purchase applications were down slightly from the previous week, but were up nine percent compared to the same week in 2015.

Its Election Day!

VOTE!!!

In Port St. Lucie, Florida's Foreclosure Capital, Voters Are Mixed

An interesting read from CNBC, on how voters on this east Florida coast city are mixed on the election.

More than anyone else across the United States, homeowners are voting either for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton because of their pocketbooks. Some eligible voters are even sitting out the election this year, having no idea which candidate they prefer.

Check it out here.

U.S. Presidential Observations

Isn't it interesting.

For all the blather, bloviating, etc. from both presidential candidates, isn't it interesting that neither candidate has elevated housing or mortgage lending to a central issue.

From a business view, this is a bit startling. Trump has talked about easing regulations on lenders. Clinton has forwarded an idea of providing down-payment match for households earning less than the median income.

Overall, however, both candidates have been remarkably vague in the few cases where housing or lending was the subject.

Tax Straddling: The Surprise Advantage of a Year-End 1031 Exchange

Halloween may be over, but a treat might exist for those taxpayers who initiate a 1031 tax-deferred exchange on their second home residential property investment (or rental investment, or commercial/investment property) toward the end of 2016, only to find that their exchange fails in 2017 or they receive any amount of cash boot in 2017.

The good news is the IRS provides the treat in that there might be a back-up benefit in store – 1031 tax straddling – which provides added incentive to most taxpayers selling investment property at the end of the year who face the above mentioned circumstances.

Here is how it works. In a tax deferred exchange, taxpayers typically have 45 days from the sale of the old property to identify potential replacement property and 180 days to complete the purchase of the identified property. Once a 1031 Exchange is initiated, if replacement property is not purchased to complete the exchange, the earliest the Qualified Intermediary can return the taxpayer’s funds is on the 46th day (the day after the identification time period has ended) or, in some cases, the 181st day (the day when the 1031 Exchange time period is complete).

Taxpayers who enter into a 1031 Exchange during the fourth quarter of 2016 and receive their funds back from the Qualified Intermediary in 2017, have the option of deferring payment of taxes on the profits from their sale until 2018 – the due date of their 2017 tax return. Combining §1031 with §453 permits the cash received from the Qualified Intermediary at end of the exchange to be treated as a payment in the year of actual receipt, rather than in the year the property was sold.

The best part? The IRS does not penalize investors for attempting to complete a 1031 Exchange. Tax straddling merely provides added incentive to taxpayers selling investment property at the end of the year. So why not attempt to complete a 1031 Exchange when a one year deferral is available as the back-up plan?

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THIS IS NOT ACCOUNTING NOR LEGAL ADVICE and I AM NOT AN ACCOUNTANT.

Consult with your tax advisor since tax straddling does not apply to all sales, and any gain attributed to debt relief will still have to be recognized in the year of sale.

Happy Halloween!

Did You Know?

Did You Know . . . ?

A dollar from cash flow is generally better than a dollar from a job because the former is not subject to social security tax or self employment tax, AND it can be sheltered from income tax.

October 2016 Southwest Florida USA Market Report

Hot off the presses! Values have generally stabilized along the Paradise Coast, but inventory is increasing.

Click here to get the latest report from John R. Wood Properties about market values from Capita/Sanibel south to Marco Island, with Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero in between.

From these latest stats, clearly some areas are becoming a buyers' market, while others areas are stable.

It all comes down to Location, Location, Location!

Here's How To Get Lucky

How To Get Lucky

1. work hard
2. complain less
3. teach others
4. share the credit
5. show up on time
6. be responsible
7. stay teachable

-- Alex Stojkovic


Pass it on . . . . .

Closing In On Halloween

My significant other and I recently moved into a new house in North Naples. We don't know yet what the Halloween "Trick Or Treat / Beggar's Night" situation will be like. Our neighborhood is a mix of empty nest professionals, retirees, a handful of "snowbirds" and young families.

But we love Halloween and she has decorated the exterior of the house. Several of our neighbors have commented positively that the house looks a little bit more lively (well, for one you can see it as it was surrounded by brush and bushes and trees that we have thinned and/or removed, but that's a post for another day).

And so, earlier today I was reminded today of a HUGE downtown Halloween party that fills the streets of Columbus, known as Highball Halloween.

Two years ago, with friends whom I have "Halloweened" with before, we dressed as the iconic Addams Family. Guess where I am in the photo?

Most Haunted Cities To Spend A Weekend

Love Halloween?

Love visiting spooky places. Not much spooky in Naples unless your in a fixer-upper attic and you run across a palm rat.

But seriously, here is a link to some of the nation's more spooky cities and why they are popular with visitors.

U.S. Housing Indicators Continue Improvement

A few news items help illustrate how the economy, however slow, continues to improve across the U.S.

-- Single family home starts surged in September. Groundbreakings jumped 8.1 percent to the highest level since February.

-- Despite a tight supply, existing home sales rebounded in September to rise 3.2 percent. Median prices of existing homes were up to $234,200 on average across the U.S. -- a 5.6 percent annual increase (Of course, averages along the Paradise Coast trend much higher).

-- And finally, a recent index shows home builder confidence at its second highest level of the year. 

The news is good!

Welcome to Paradise!

If you've ever considered Southwest Florida -- the Paradise Coast -- as a vacation spot, or a place for a second home, you've come to the right place to find information.

BUY UP PARADISE.

My hope for this blog is for us to cover the ins and outs of home sales in this region of Florida, an area that frequently ranks highly in reviews of the world's most beautiful beaches, and most laid back communities.

My name is Brent Greer. I have been a real estate agent in the USA since 2005. Originally from the American Midwest, I spent more than decade as a highly productive commercial/investment real estate agent, focused on assisting clients who trade specialty real estate and hard-to-move luxury properties, large multifamily complexes and retail centers. My passion is helping people achieve their "forever home" dreams, and institutional and individual investment goals.

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, my family discovered Naples, Florida when I was 10 years old during a business trip/family vacation. Collier County became a second home for our family. My parents loved it here, and more recently I made it my home.

For those of you who are considering visiting, or investing in real estate along the Paradise Coast, you will never regret it!  I can guarantee you the Buy Up Paradise blog will always be an interesting and informative read. A place to learn and laugh; there will always be humor. Oh, and the occasional reference to Ohio State University football. I grew up two miles from Ohio Stadium and studied journalism there before moving into a very satisfying news and public relations career. Then one day I discovered real estate is where I am meant to be.

My interests are many, but bringing people and resources together is at the top of the list. It would be my honor to assist you with your residential and commercial real estate needs. Experienced, focused, ethical, and always working in a controlled manner.

I look forward to your input, comments, and feedback!

WELCOME
BIENVENIDO
WILLKOMMEN
DOBRO POZHALOVAT