APRIL 2009 Newsletter We hope that you all had a memorable winter and a glorious Easter season. Great News!!!! Reuters economists reported that nationally home sales rose 4.7% in February, with the South leading the way at 9.7%. Florida reported home sale increases of 20% and condos at 15%. Naples reported 808 pending sales in February – up 69% over February of 2008 (the highest number of pendings since 2005). Marco Island also showed a 66% increase in pending sales over last year. In Naples Lakes, there were eight (8) pending sales in the past 45 days and two (2) closed sales. Additionally, the Florida Consumer Confidence Ratings continued to rise during this period. Mortgage rates are at their lowest level on record at 4.78% (records began in 1971). Even major builders showed a 7% increase in late March. People are starting to buy, as they feel we have reached bottom. We’re especially seeing cash buyers coming back into the market, feeling its time to make a selection before prices start to rise. Since we are at the end of “season” we just may see a very active summer, as several people have indicated they will be coming back to look once again. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Interesting statistic from United Van Lines. They have tracked movement in and out of states since 1977. In 2008 Florida was a balanced state with an equal number in and out of the state, based on 199,000 moves they made in 2008. Top gainers were DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Nevada (the 23rd consecutive year with more coming than going). The biggest losers were Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Some interesting websites: (many thanks to the readers for passing on interesting websites to share with you) www.stimulus.watch.org/project/by_state. Detail by state by city as to where the dollars are scheduled www.museum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/ Worldwide headlines that change daily www.medlineplus.com Registry of clinical medical trials www.fdic.gov an FDIC site as to how to keep your money safe www.epa.gov/greenvehicles compares car models for emissions and more www.breathinbearth.net instantaneous update of births and deaths – just select the country www.gao.gov Investigative arm of Congress that rates the Feds Looking ahead to that time of year, we have the initial report for hurricane season. Experts indicate that three (3) hurricanes will either strike or brush the east coast of the United States this season (June – November), specifically from Cape Hatteras, N.C northward. Overall the prediction calls for thirteen (13) named storms, including eight (8) hurricanes with two (2) of those being major. They indicate that the east coast will be more “under the gun than the Gulf of Mexico or Caribbean. The cooler temperatures in the Atlantic and an increase in Saharan dust will hamper storm formation this year.” The final projection will be released in May. Check out our website (www.naplesgolf-marcobeach.com) to view some great properties of interest. We currently have an array of multi-family and single family homes available for your viewing. Prices range from $220,000 to $674,900 with square footage from 1,394sf to over 2,600sf. In addition to reflecting our listings on Marco and in Naples, local websites and Realtor.com expanded listings, we just added another 10 sites to gain even more exposure. Remember the Naples Lakes Country Club listings are updated every Sunday morning. Also as we mentioned in our March Newsletter, our Rental Website (under the name of Rentals @ Naples Lakes) is in the process of taking listings, as well as people looking for rentals for next season. The response thus far has been gratifying. Our rental operation will be done with the same attention to superior quality customer service as we provide with our residential real estate business in Naples and Marco Island. Tenants are assured of a pleasant, carefree rental experience. We have had several requests, and are in need of additional units or homes. So if you, or someone you know, are planning to rent your unit for all or part of the season next year, let us know. We also have interest in 6-12 month rentals. Please contact us at 239-793-6493 for more information, or should you have any questions. REMEMBER…if you need assistance or have questions about your investment in Paradise or any other property in the area, please give us a call at 239-793-6493. We will be happy to provide any information you may need when making a Real Estate decision. And don’t forget to visit – and make part of your favorites – our website at www.naplesgolf-marcobeach.com where you can find all types of information including a nationwide MLS plus Naples Lakes active listings updated weekly.