Home Prices Holding Steady

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, “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% decrease (month-over-month) was reported in the single-family home market.

New listings decreased 31.2% 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% 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% and 20%, respectively, compared to last year. Sherry Stein, 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.”

The report also showed that we were 150 closed sales short of what sold in May 2019, but with half the inventory. Demand for homes in Naples has not diminished and as Lane pointed out, “On average, summer buyers are more serious.”

Based on market conditions reflected in the May report, brokers recommend sellers keep their listings active during the summer. Additionally, since 2021, closed sales of high-end properties have increased during summer months. As such, during May, the median closed price of single-family homes in close proximity to the beach (34102, 34103, 34108) increased 20.2% to $3,125,000 from $2,600,000 in May 2022.