Meet Our Sales Team

From left, Yani Cardentey and Elianne Onoz

Have you had the pleasure of meeting our amazing sales team yet?

Elianne Onoz is our Business Development Specialist focusing on the Lee County area, and Yani Cardentey is our Business Development Specialist focusing on the Collier County area.

They are both extremely knowledgeable and experienced individuals who are always willing to lend a helping hand. Whether you’re a new customer or a long-time client, they are here to offer their assistance and make sure you have the best experience possible. So don’t hesitate to reach out to them for any questions or title needs you may have.

We are so lucky to have such a fantastic team on board!

Slip Away – For Foodies in Cape Coral

Exciting news for foodies and boaters in Southwest Florida!  Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina is being built by the water in Cape Coral. It will offer a variety of cuisines, boat slips, and ample seating at a central bar. The project, set to be completed by 2024, is estimated to cost $20 million dollars.

This new development is sure to become a hot spot for locals and visitors alike. With 10 different types of cuisines, there will be something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, or a good old-fashioned burger, this food truck will have it all. And with 154 seats at the central bar, you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy your meal and a cold drink while taking in the beautiful waterfront views.

One of the most exciting features of this new Marina is that it will be accessible by both water and car. Boaters can pull up to one of the 30 boat slips and enjoy a meal without ever leaving the water. And for those who prefer to drive, there will be plenty of parking available.

The project officially broke ground on June 22nd the community is buzzing with excitement. In addition to offering a new dining option for locals and visitors, this development will also bring new job opportunities to the area.

Overall, the Marina being built by the water is an exciting development for Southwest Florida. With a variety of cuisines, ample seating, and boat slips available, it’s sure to become a popular destination for years to come. And with the added benefit of bringing new job opportunities to the area, it’s a win-win for everyone involved. We can’t wait to see the finished product in 2024!

 

Be Sure to Obtain Your Homeowners Insurance Before Hurricane Season

Don’t get stuck in “The Box” refers to the “Hurricane Box.” From the beginning of Hurricane Season, June 1st, through the end of Hurricane Season, November 30th, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to buy certain insurance coverage for the peril of Windstorm or Hurricane damage (as well as other insurance coverage).

If a named Tropical Storm or Hurricane enters an approximately 16,000 sq. mile box extending over Florida and the adjacent states and well into the Atlantic Ocean, then the insurance companies will suspend binding coverage. This occurrence is also referred to as “The Storm is in the Box.” Each insurance company may have their own definition of “The Box.” One thing is for sure, if you live in Florida or you are about to buy a house during Hurricane Season, you are inside “The Box.” Note: The restriction also applies when a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning has been issued by the National Hurricane Center. Action Steps to Avoid the Box: If you are purchasing a new home or revising your existing Homeowners Insurance, then it is essential to avoid “The Box.” Simply put, insurance companies do not want to extend homeowners insurance to you immediately before a hurricane (and expose themselves to the risk of loss due to hurricane damage). The rules are fairly technical and we suggest that you discuss the exact details with your property and casualty insurance agent before you attempt a real estate closing in “The Box.”

The key here is to lock in the insurance well before your scheduled real estate closing date. [Alternatively, if you are modifying the coverage, be sure to do it well before hurricane season or consider making the modification during a quiet patch.] To avoid delays in closings that are scheduled during the Hurricane season, we suggest that you find out in advance how to bind the new coverage, as well as what requirements are imposed. This could include paying for the coverage in advance (e.g., 48 hours before the Storm is in “The Box”.) Good luck and stay dry!

May Market Report: Home Prices Holding Steady in Naples

A slight reduction in overall median closed price along with fewer new listings during May indicates a window of opportunity for both buyers and sellers this summer. According to the May 2023 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), overall median closed price decreased 1.2 percent to $600,000 from $607,500 in May 2022. There were also 1,045 price decreases and a 31.2 percent decrease in new listings reported during the month.

“More and more sellers in Naples are starting to adopt a mindset that they need to be open to negotiate on price,” said Jillian Young, President, Premiere Plus Realty, whose comment is supported by data in the May report showing a 3.8 percent decrease in the percent of list price received to 96.3 percent compared to 100.1 percent reported in May 2022.

Though broker analysts reviewing the report pointed out that an increase in negotiations does not mean home prices in Naples are dropping. In fact, according to Molly Lane, Senior Vice President at William Raveis Real Estate, “Many people thought home prices were going to decrease after Hurricane Ian. But the fact is, prices are holding steady.” The report showed no month over month median closed price decrease for condominiums in May; only a 6.5 percent decrease (month over month) was reported in the single family home market.

New listings decreased 31.2 percent in May to 990 new listings from 1,438 new listings in May 2022. Fewer new listings are putting a strain on overall inventory of homes, which is still recovering from frenzied buying during the pandemic. Young added, “New home construction is not keeping up with demand this year and a handful of homes on the resale market have lingered for a few months because they are not move-in ready. We’re finding fewer buyers are willing to purchase a fixer upper these days.”

Inventory has been increasing at a snail’s pace over the last year, averaging 100 new homes a month. For May, overall inventory increased 27.6 percent to 2,749 homes from 2,155 homes in May 2022. Broker analysts reviewing the May report said listing a home for sale this summer has numerous advantages including the fact that there are historically fewer homes on the market compared to winter season so there is less competition.

Most homeowners who purchased a home in Naples in the last five years have seen a remarkable increase in equity so the profit they enjoy from a sale will likely offset any increase they may pay for a new mortgage on a higher priced home with a higher interest rate.

Pending and closed sales during May decreased 4.4 percent and 20 percent, respectively, compared to last year. Sherry Stein, CRB, Managing Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, remarked that “Many buyers are waiting for interest rates to go down, but purchasing a home this summer might be an opportune time because when rates go down, buyer demand will go up and so, likely, will home prices.”

Nursing home for veterans planned for Collier County

Collier County plans to use the Golden Gate Golf Course as the location for a new VA nursing home. The county has agreed to transfer ownership of the land to the state once the project is ready.

To fund the project, Collier County has approved $30 million, which will be held in an escrow account by the State Department of Veteran Affairs. This funding will help address the lack of nursing homes available to veterans in the county.

In addition to the nursing home, the redevelopment plans for the site include creating affordable housing for essential service personnel and seniors, as well as government offices and potential commercial uses. The aim is to create a unified, campus-like plan that will benefit the surrounding community.

For more information visit the Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court website:

Golden Gate Golf Course Development Projects – Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

Bonita-Estero Real Estate Listings Down 20% Prices Up

New home listings and closed sales in the Bonita Springs and Estero real estate market each experienced 20% year-over-year decreases in April, according to the Southwest Florida Multiple Listing Service.

The market had 382 new listings and 331 closed sales in April, while the median closed price increased nearly 3% from April 2022 to $565,000. Homes spent an average of 36 days on the market with sellers receiving an average of 96.8% of their listing prices.

Naples Home Values Continue to Climb in April

The Naples real estate market enjoyed another month of increased home values driven mainly by another month of below typical inventory levels. According to the area’s top real estate brokers, resale home inventory in Naples this year will unlikely spike to levels we enjoyed before the pandemic. However, since 2019, the number of new listings each month has remained fairly consistent, with most months enjoying an average of between 1,100 and 1,300 new listings. According to the April 2023 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), overall inventory increased 64.4 percent in April to 2,868 homes for sale from 1,745 homes for sale in April 2022.
“One factor holding back home sales right now is interest rates,” said Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. “Even though a majority of our sales in Naples are cash transactions, many buyers who own a home up north and want to purchase a home in Naples are having a hard time selling their northern home because the pool of potential buyers that can afford a mortgage at today’s rates is limited.”

Interest rates may also be influencing prospective sellers in Naples who currently enjoy a low interest rate on their mortgage too. In April, new listings decreased 25 percent to 1,116 new listings from 1,488 new listings in April 2022. Though many homes in Naples have doubled in value since 2019, providing sellers with a nice profit to use toward their next home purchase. With a hefty down payment, these sellers can minimize their next home’s mortgage obligation to make monthly payments affordable, even at a higher interest rate.

Interestingly, and according to Cindy Carroll of Carroll & Carroll Appraisers & Consultants, LLC, months of inventory is decreasing in communities off the water and east of I-75; a telltale sign that living in close proximity to the beach is not always a required factor of homeownership in Naples anymore. “In January 2019, Port Royal had 1.3 years of inventory; and today it has 1.3 years of inventory. But in January 2019, the Vineyards had 10 months of inventory; and today it has less than a month.” Carroll went on to add that in some areas east of Collier Boulevard (SR 951) there is less than four months of inventory.

As a result of slow inventory gains this year, pending and closed sales activity simmered slightly in April compared to March. Pending sales decreased 18.4 percent to 1,123 pending sales from 1,377 pending sales in April 2022, and closed sales in April decreased 24.2 percent to 947 closed sales from 1,250 closed sales in April 2022.

While the April report revealed 1,128 price decreases occurred during the month, Hughes said, “some price negotiating is happening, though low ball offers are not a good strategy in today’s tight inventory market.”

The report also showed the area’s overall median closed price is not increasing by double-digits each month anymore. In April, the median closed price for single family homes increased 3.1 percent to $825,000 from $800,000 in April 2022. But it’s a different story in the condominium market, where the median closed price increased 14.3 percent in April to $526,000 from $460,000 in April 2022.

Tides of Recovery in Ft Myers

We are excited to share with you the success of our recent event, which aimed to showcase the recovery of our beloved Fort Myers Beach after the devastation of Hurricane Ian. The event was held in the parking lot of our office on Fort Myers Beach at 100 Lovers Lane.

Our company, along with our co-sponsors, Movement Mortgage and State Insurance, had the pleasure of inviting all local realtors to the event, where they were able to witness firsthand the progress that has been made since the hurricane hit. The event was a great opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate the resilience of our community.

The event featured informative presentations from city officials, including the mayor of Fort Myers Beach, Dan Allers, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Jacki Liszak, the Fort Myers Beach fire chief, Scott Wirth, and the police chief, Commander Morgan Bowden. Attendees were able to learn about the various initiatives that have been put in place to ensure the safety and sustainability of Fort Myers Beach for years to come.

In addition to the informative presentations, attendees were also treated to food and beverages. It was a great opportunity for everyone to come back to the beach and see that, even though there is still much restoration to be done, there is business happening on the beach.

Overall, the event was a huge success, and we are grateful to everyone who attended and helped make it possible. We would like to extend a special thank you to our co-sponsors, Movement Mortgage and State Insurance, for their support and partnership in making this event a reality.

Watch the video and the closing remarks were made by Access Title’s CEO, Greg Kosin below:

CEO Greg Kosin Remarks:

As someone usually has a way with words, at the Tides of Recovery Event which took place on Fort Myers Beach recently, I let my emotions get the best of me. I had so much more I wanted to say so I would like to take a few moments to do so.

Fort Myers Beach is a very special place. The opportunities are here for a very unique lifestyle for which many people strive. To work on the beach is exciting. To spend time on the Beach is special. To enjoy the beauty and the lifestyle that so many of us cherish is a dream come true. We see so many signs of life and positive change that we all need to nurture and grow the seedlings that are appearing.

What was once, was.

What can be, will be. Nothing is impossible.

Chicago’s motto of “I WILL” are two simple but powerful words.

“I” denotes me, you, personal responsibility and accountability.

“WILL” is an action word. It expresses inevitable events.

The architect of Chicago’s comeback after the Fire of 1871, Daniel Hudson Burnham, said it quite eloquently:
“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood”. The rest is history.

“I will” commit that Access Title will be a beach business. Access Title will commit to continue participation and providing human and financial resources to support the community, people, and businesses on the Beach. What we all will need to do is to commit to the future of FMB . We need to work together, shoulder to shoulder, united in the vision and the goal of making FMB the best barrier island on the Gulf Coast.

What will you commit to? What will we as an industry commit to?

If we work together, anything can happen. The best can happen. Fort Myers Beach will be better than it ever was and the crown jewel of the Gulf Coast.

If we work together, Fort Myers Beach ‘will’ be the best place to live, love, work, play, and pray.

Thank you to our guest speakers and thank you to our sponsors: State Insurance; Movement Mortgage and Access Title Agency.

Thank you all for caring. God Bless you and God Bless Fort Myers Beach.

Sincerely,

Greg Kosin