Moraya Beach Tower boasts forever views
6:00 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2009
Contributed by Signature Communities- Naples Daily News

Take one step into the grand entry of the new Moraya Bay Beach Tower on
Vanderbilt Beach, and view a panorama of turquoise and emerald colored
Gulf waters across a lobby as large as the upper deck of an ocean liner.
Architect Van Auken Miller of Naples created a jaw dropping sense of
arrival with splashing fountains, skyrocketing sculptures of water and
fire, and extraordinary curved glass "window walls" and Gulf-front
balconies.

The curvilinear entrance foyer and lobby is an overwhelming space with
an unbroken view of the water's edge to welcome residents and leave
guests with an unforgettable impression.

Giant squares of glass set within flowing curved walls define the
contemporary 11-story tower of luxury residences. The polished stone
floors reflect the colors of the beach and sky. Rich dark woods define
the concierge's desk and station in the tradition of a five-star resort.
Moraya Bay Beach Tower by Signature Communities on Vanderbilt Beach will
open this summer. The tower is located at the northernmost end of Gulf
Shore Drive. The views to the north extend for three miles across state
and county park-protected conservation areas beyond Wiggins Pass to
Barefoot Beach Park.

Signature Communities, who have built over 3,000 luxury residences in
Naples, consider Moraya Bay to be the company's crowning achievement.
Residents are steps away from the beach and can comb it for miles to
Wiggins Pass without passing another condominium.

Moraya Bay Beach Tower is the culmination of two decades of Signature
luxury residences and a history that includes development of prestigious
neighborhoods: Pelican Bay, Pelican Marsh, Regatta and The Dunes.
Residents drive to the elevated motorcourt entry and grand lobby. The
building's plaza level is dedicated to amenities. At the south end, a
glass-surrounded fitness center overlooks the beach and Gulf of Mexico.
At the northernmost end, a private clubroom and lounge command sunset
views of the Gulf.

Residents can take an elevator or outdoor stairways to two tropically
landscaped sundecks, each with a resort-style swimming and lap pool. A
poolside grotto bar is reminiscent of the Cain at the Cove pool deck
within the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. The dune line between the
pools and the Gulf's shore has been planted with native vegetation.
Private elevators open directly into each residence. A second service
elevator also opens into the owner's service hall. Floor plans are open
and light filled offering up to 4,500 square feet of air-conditioned
space and 5,400 square feet of total living area. Prices range from $2.9
to $4.9 million.

Nine-foot ceiling heights and floor-to-ceiling window walls capture and
accentuate the feeling of openness. Wide and deep covered open air
terraces with glass rails wrap around each residence to create panoramic
vistas. From the grand salon, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom,
residents will view the Gulf and beach.

Those who love to entertain will appreciate their gourmet kitchen and
the adjacent pantry and catering kitchen. These large open spaces
include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and custom
European cabinetry. GE Monogram appliances include a gas cook top,
icemaker, Advantium combination convection/conventional ovens,
side-by-side refrigerator, and under-counter wine cooler. All kitchens
adjoin catering kitchens which include a full size refrigerator, double
sink, dishwasher, wine coolers and additional counter and storage space.
The baths feature marble countertops, jetted tubs and all-glass showers
and his-and-her water closets. Master bedrooms include room sized
walk-in dressing rooms.

The 06 Residence exemplifies the luxury offered within the tower. The
private elevator doors open to views that expand outward to the Gulf and
beach. Three bedrooms each have private baths.

The beachfront master suite includes a 23-by-9-foot, 6-inch dressing
room. All main living areas - family room, grand salon, dining room and
gourmet kitchen - are focused toward the arch of a window-wall that
opens to a 670-square-foot open terrace.

Floor-to-ceiling window walls capture gulf-front breezes and accentuate
the feeling of openness. Wide and deep covered terraces with glass rails
wrap around each residence to create panoramic vistas.
From the grand salon, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom,
residents will view the Gulf and the beach.

Over half of the 72 tower residences have been sold. Residences are
smart-wired for a variety of advanced technological features for
entertaining and communication.

Glenn Griffin serves as chief marketing officer of Signature Communities.
"Forever views and value best describes the Moraya Bay Beach Tower,"
said Griffin, and potential buyers will find this a most fortunate time
to purchase, as they can tour the nearly finished building, choose their
views and create the home of their dreams."

For additional information on this or other Vanderbilt Beach properties, contact MARI VESCI REALTORS, Inc. today at 239-566-8989

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/apr/25/moraya-beach-tower-boasts-forever
-views/

Labels: Moraya Bay, naples fl real estate, Naples Real Estate Market, Southwest Florida Real Estate Sales, vanderbilt beach

NABOR Reports March 2009 and First Quarter 2009 Real Estate Transactions

SALES OUTPACE NEW INVENTORY

Report Shows Inventory Declines 8 Percent

The increase in sales indicates that the Naples real estate market is making a comeback. An upward swing in the local market has boosted consumer confidence, attracting buyers who had been cautious due to watching national trends.

"Significant increases in the number of buyers actively looking at residential property are being reported by area REALTORS®, noting that realistic pricing adjustments have spurred buyers to get off the fence.The first quarter report provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condo sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges, geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary.

The statistics are presented in chart format, along with the following analysis: Overall home sales for properties under $300,000 saw a 113 percent increase, with 964 sales in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 452 in the first quarter of 2008.Single-family homes sales under $300,000 increased 242 percent with 510 in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 149 in the first quarter of 2008.

The overall median closed price decreased 36 percent to $237,000 for the 12 month ending March 2009 from $370,000 for the 12 month ending March 2008. The median refers to the middle value in a set of statistical values that are arranged in ascending or descending order, in this case prices at which homes were actually sold. It should be noted that in any given period the median could vary greatly if there is an anomaly, a single sale that is significantly higher or lower than other properties in the area.

The inventory in the under $300,000 single-family home market has a current 14 month supply, down from 45.6 months of inventory in March 2008.

Pending sales in the under $300,000 price range continues to lead the way in March 2009 increasing 194 percent with 808 compared to 275 in March 2008.The March report provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condo sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges, geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary.

The average days on the market decreased 14 percent to 159 compared to 185 in March 2008.Overall single-family pending sales saw a 137 percent increase, with 625 in March 2009 compared to 264 in March 2008Condo sales saw a 11 percent increase with 277 in March 2009 compared to 250 in March 2008."

Labels: http://www.naplesarea.com/realtor-issues.asp, Naples Real Estate, Naples Real Estate Market, Naples Real Estate Statistics, Southwest Florida Real Estate Sales

Florida Realtors and Gov. Crist agree: ‘Now’s the time to buy’ a home in Florida

Realtors reported an upswing in existing home sales in the past three to six months, to which the governor responded, “Now is the time to buy, while the deals still exist.”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – April 15, 2009 – Ten Realtors from across Florida met with Gov. Charlie Crist this morning to discuss increased home sales and other positive trends in their markets, as well as offer insight into some current issues facing the real estate industry. It’s part of this year’s Great American Realtor Days, April 14-15, when about 1,000 Realtors from throughout the state join forces at the state capital to meet with their legislators and discuss concerns affecting all Florida residents.

Representing markets from Miami to Jacksonville and all points in between, Realtors reported an upswing in existing home sales in the past three to six months, when comparing year-to-year activity and also month-to-month sales figures. John Sebree, vice president of public policy for the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), kicked off the Real Estate Roundtable meeting with Gov. Crist by noting that February’s statewide existing home sales rose 20 percent over the same period last year, according to FAR data. He also reported that February’s home sales were about 17 percent higher than January’s statewide sales activity.

Realtors also told the governor about other positive indicators such as: mortgage interest rates under 5 percent; reduced housing inventory levels as buyers take advantage of current, more affordable housing opportunities; and encouraging market reaction to the federal economic stimulus package, especially the new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Upon hearing these reports from around the state, Gov. Crist said, “It doesn’t get much better than this. [Housing] supply and demand is going to come into balance here. Two to three years from now, people will be saying, ‘Back in April 2009 I could have gotten that home for so many dollars’ – so you don’t want to wait.

“Prices have gotten as low as they can. Now is the time to buy, while the deals still exist,” the governor said.

Discussing some of the challenges in today’s market, many Realtors pointed to difficulties with so-called “short sales,” where the bank or lender agrees to accept less money on a home sale than the seller owes on the mortgage. They said that short sales are problematic not only because of how long it actually takes to finalize the sale, but also because of the inconsistencies in information and documents required by lenders. Streamlining the short-sale process and providing consistency in required documentation among the lenders would boost the recovery of Florida’s real estate market.

Solutions to ease lenders’ restrictions on the state’s condo market are also needed, said Edgewater Realtor Robert Clinton. “Not only is the prospective condo buyer having to be approved for a mortgage, but the condo owners association itself has to be approved and qualified, which is causing problems,” he said.

Largo Realtor Alan Riley told Gov. Crist that 50 percent of buyers involved in recent home sales in the Tampa Bay area paid cash for their purchases, a strong indicator that investors have returned to the housing market. “Savvy investors have returned to our market as well,” added Eric Sain, a West Palm Beach Realtor. “But we’re also seeing a lot of young families buying a home to settle down and establish roots in the community. That’s a sign that people aren’t leaving the area, aren’t leaving Florida.” Gov. Crist agreed, saying, “Of course they are [establishing roots] – it’s Florida. Why would they go anywhere else?” Not only is it a great time to buy a home in Florida, it’s also a great time for businesses to move to the Sunshine State, noted Suzanne Sherer, a Fort Myers Realtor. Commercial and business properties are readily available in a range of price options, she said, providing prime opportunities for entrepreneurs. She asked the governor and state leaders to take steps to encourage the relocation of businesses and industries to Florida.

At noon today on the steps of the old Capitol, Gov. Crist addressed the crowd of nearly 1,000 Realtors participating in Great American Realtor Days, applauding their perseverance and dedication to their profession despite challenges posed by the economy and the marketplace. Amid reports of increased home sales and other positive signs, the governor said that the “changing landscape” for Florida’s real estate markets is “nothing short of remarkable.” Other participants in Gov. Crist’s Real Estate Roundtable included: Jacksonville Realtor Millie Kanyar; Fort Lauderdale Realtor Jesse Acevedo; Miami Realtor Carlos Cruz; Port St. Lucie Realtor Scott Wingfield; Panama City Realtor Katie Patronis; and Orlando Realtor Les Simmonds.

© 2009 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Please let us know what you think about this current buyers market? Post your comments below!

Labels: Florida Real Estate, Naples Real Estate Market, Real Estate Prices

Christopher Palmeri, Mara Der Hovanesian and Prashant Gopal
updated 7:43 a.m. ET, Tues., April. 7, 2009

Last year the Cape Coral area of Florida had the highest foreclosure rate in the country. Banks moved to seize more than 1 in 10 residential properties in the Gulf Coast community of 165,000. The reverberations are still being felt. Newly built McMansions sit vacant, dusty monuments to the great real estate boom. Smaller homes have been ransacked. Apartment buildings have been boarded up. Former owners are stripping whatever items they can from their homes before the locks get changed, says Kirsten Prizzi, a local real estate agent at AC Global Realty. "Knobs, appliances. Someone was selling windows."

But a curious thing is happening in this blighted former boomtown: Buyers are swooping in. First-time home-owners are suddenly entering bidding wars with real estate speculators from as far away as Spain and Germany. Sales in February outpaced those at the peak of the boom, with some houses getting more than 50 offers and selling above their asking price. "I look for markets that are downtrodden," says Rich Lehrer, a retiree and self-proclaimed "emerging-market investor" from Wilmington, N.C., who wants to buy several properties in the area. "I'm expecting to get better yields than I would get on my cash."

Cape Coral isn't the only bright spot in housing land. Some of the very regions that led the U.S. housing market into the abyss are beginning to show signs of life. Sales on the Gulf Coast of Florida, California's Inland Empire near Los Angeles, and the Las Vegas metropolitan area surged by more than 80 percent in February vs. the same month last year.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30032506/

Call MARI VESCI REALTORS, Inc. for a free list of properties & foreclosures in our area, 239-566-8989

Labels: Buy, Foreclosures, Naples Real Estate, Naples Real Estate Market