Friday, September 20, 2019

Let's Talk Hot Off The Press...
August Home Sales Strong as Prices Hold Steady











Naples, Fla. (September 20, 2019) - Closed sales of homes 
in Collier County increased 7.4 percent in August, but overall 
inventory fell 17.8 percent to 4,917 properties compared to 5,980 
in August 2018, according to the August 2019 Market Report released 
by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks 
home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). 
This reduction in inventory - which included 616 homes that were either 
terminated, expired or withdrawn from the Southwest Florida MLS in 
August - resulted in a six-month supply of inventory for Collier County 
at the end of August.

















"We know that traditionally, inventory will begin to creep up 
in September, October and November as many sellers try to 
get a jump on the competition that might list their properties 
closer to our winter season," said Mike Hughes, Vice President 
and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. "But the 
pre-season months (September through November) can be a 
great time for buyers as well. Buyers will find less competition 
[from other buyers] in the pre-season months. They will also 
get an early peek at properties that will probably sell during 
season."
 
The August ShowingTime report indicated that local 
REALTORS® scheduled 16,878 appointments during August. 
This is an increase of 16 percent compared to showings in August 
2018. On average, a home in the Naples area is shown 16 times 
before it secures a contract. 
 
Broker analysts reviewing the August Report are leery of sales 
activity next year as sellers will face market uncertainty brought 
on by a presidential election. In the third quarter of 2016 - right 
before the last presidential election - overall closed sales in Collier 
County decreased 14 percent compared to closed sales during the 
third quarter of 2015.

Budge Huskey, President of Premier Sotheby's International 
Realty added, "The overall market is very healthy today based 
on the average person's financial position continuing to improve 
in tandem with the economy. Yet in the luxury and upscale second 
homes markets, which are often elective, buyers tend to have a 
longer-term horizon and base investment decisions on where they 
believe the economy and markets will be a year or more 
out in the future. Accordingly, there are mixed signals and sentiment." 
 
Incidentally, the $300,000 to $500,000 price category led closed 
sales in August with a 10.1 percent increase followed by closed 
sales of properties under $300,000, which increased 6.5 percent. 
Closed sales of homes between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 
decreased 5.7 percent.
 
"Sales of single-family homes were up almost 10 percent this August,
" said Huskey. "Despite the reduced inventory overall, new listings 
coming on the market were up 4 percent in August and builder 
inventory is up as well."

The median closed price in August decreased just 0.2 percent to 
$317,918, which is only $582 lower than the median closed price in 
August 2018 ($318,500). In fact, price increases have only been 
reported in two of the last 12 months (October 2018, 3.7%; 
and April 2019, 3.4%). 
 
"We don't know how changes in the political climate will affect 
the housing market in 2020," said Wes Kunkle, President and 
Managing Broker at Kunkle International Realty. The August 
Report showed median closed prices for homes below $300,000 
and homes between $1 million and $2 million decreased 4 percent 
in August, while homes between $300,000 and $1 million showed 
no change in median closed prices. 
 
The NABOR® August 2019 Market Reports provide comparisons 
of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest 
Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes 
an overall market summary. NABOR® sales statistics are presented in 
chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) 
findings: 

Kunkle added, "We have an entire generation of first-time 
homebuyers who have never seen interest rates over 6 percent. 
With the recent quarter percentage point cut in interest rates, 
there isn't been a better time to lock in and buy than now!"
 
Geographically, closed sales of single-family homes in the East 
Naples are (34114, 34117, 34120, 34137) increased the most in 
August by 35.6 percent followed by closed sales of single-family 
homes in North Naples (34109, 34110, 34119), which increased 
15.6 percent. 
 
Jeff Jones, NABOR® President and Broker at Keller Williams 
Naples, added, "There were 1,443 price reductions made during 
August [29 percent of the total homes listed], which is important 
for buyers as this is an indication that many sellers are eager to 
sell!"


As always if you have any questions regarding 
the enclosed August South West Florida Real 
Estate Report please feel free to reach out to 
me by e-mail at 
or by calling 239.404.7787.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Michelle

Michelle J. DeNomme, REALTOR, GRI
Cellular Phone I  239.404.7787
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty
Office: 239.659.2400
E-Fax Number: 239.236.5550
Website:  www.NaplesHomeSweetHome.com        
Twitter: DeNommeRealtor

Office Address: 621 Fifth Avenue South Naples, Florida 34102

Member Naples Board Of REALTORS 
Member Florida REALTORS 
Member National Association Of REALTORS 
Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI)
Graduate (C2EX) NAR Commitment To Excellence






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