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CONTENTS FEATURES
30 Heading East
Several new communities planned to rise in eastern Collier County will boost housing inventory by 11,600.
34 A Century of Growth and Prosperity
Step back in time as Collier County and the City of Naples honor their centennials in 2023.
38 In Ian’s Wake
The historic storm brought with it several attendant issues.
DEPARTMENTS
12
Message from the President
16 For Openers
Update on Bayshore Triangle Development and the Downtown Gateway. New REALTORS® guide. Legislative update. Meet the 2023 NABOR® Officers and Board of Directors. Q&A with 2023 President Nick Bobzien. Two apps for planning interiors.
44 Get Smart
What’s happening in the Naples real estate market? The 50 Percent Rule. The benefits of attending NABOR® events. City and county sign regulations. Proper disclosure after the hurricane. When a buyer’s agent bonus is taken off the table. Learn more about the revised NABOR® contract forms. REALTOR® safety during open house showings.
60 Welcome New Members
62 NABORhood
RPAC Committee, social photos, and upcoming events.
73 The Close
Destination: Naples Preserve. Art & Culture: ¡Arte Viva! Festival. Local Scene: The Edge Johnny Nocera Skate Park at Fleischmann Park.
NAPLES REALTOR®
NABOR® Officers 2023
President Nick Bobzien
President Elect
PJ Smith
Vice President/Secretary
Terrilyn VanGorder
Treasurer
Christine Citrano
NABOR® Directors 2023
Paula Angelopoulos Urbinati, Ryan Bleggi (Immediate Past President), Shaun Garry, David Puskaric, Marcie Roggow, Mary Waller, Izabela Wright
NABOR® COMMITTEES 2023
Budget & Finance Chair
Christine Citrano
Commercial Chair
Cristin Madden
Vice Chair
Stuart Tackett
Community Involvement Chair
Nancy Bjork
Vice Chair
Spencer Rigsby
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair
Paula Angelopoulos Urbinati
Vice Chair
Sandra Schlaupitz
Events for Networking Chair
Ben Boorom
Vice Chair
Shari de Ron
Expo Chair
Julie Blanton
Vice Chair
Dave Antis
Economic Summit Chair
Gwen Davis-Gideon
Facilities Management
Wes Kunkle
Global Business Chair
Brett Brown
Vice Chair
Carol Kairis
Governmental Issues Chair
Tom Regan
Vice Chair
Tina Muracco
Governmental Issues – Water Quality Chairs
Corey McCloskey, Adam Vellano
Grievance Chair
Courtney Smith
Vice Chair
Robert Nardi
Leadership Development Chair
Mariana Beckner
Vice Chair
Vicki Allen
Legal Resources
Chair
Sam Saad
Vice Chair
Nick Bobzien
Media Relations
Chair
Nick Bobzien
Membership Chair
Perry DeSiato
Vice Chair
Nancy Golya
Membership – Broker Involvement Chair
Adam Vellano
NABOR® History Chair
Spencer Haynes
Vice Chair
Heather Haynes NABOR® Magazine Chair
Mary Waller
MLS Chair
BC Cloutier
Vice Chair
Adam Vellano
Professional Development Chair
Rick Baranski
Vice Chair
Tina Falzarano
Professional Development – REALTOR® Safety Chair
Tim Guerrette
Professional Standards Chair
Carrie Lademan
Vice Chair
Will Watson
RPAC Chair
Sara Brand
Vice Chair
Debbie Zalewski
Young Professionals Network Chair
Allisa Pipes
Vice Chair
Kimberly Vargas
Naples REALTOR® Magazine Editorial Board
Chair
Mary Waller
Director of Marketing
Marcia Albert
Paula Angelopoulos Urbinati
Patricia Asencio
Yvette Benarroch
August Cardona
Shari de Ron
Heather Haynes
Paula King
Liz Koplitz
Julia McCabe
Ruthie Morency
Nicole Porro
Bill Poteet
Dr. Ron Repice, III
NABOR® Staff
Chief Executive Officer
Marty Manion
Chief Financial Officer
Carl Russell
Chief Administrative Officer
Corie Chase
Administrative Assistant
Ann Mazzei
Administrative Assistant to the Executive Committee
Deborah Linville
Assistant to Chief Financial Officer
Deb Joyner
Director of Engagement and Events
Melissa Bognaski
Director of Marketing
Marcia Albert
Director of Membership
Elizabeth Saggio
Director of MLS
Cindy Cornman
Director of Professional Development Services
Michelle McKenna
Education Administrator
Jeanette O’Neill
Membership Administrators
Sherry Olson
Zamira Collado
MLS Compliance and Support Specialist
Cheyenne Chase
MLS Support Specialist
Allisson Gonzalez
Network Technician
Michael Bryant
REALTOR® Store Manager
Taiana Londoño
Receptionist
Joan Welsher
Vice President of Public Policy
Danielle Brazil Hudson
Videographer
Wade Mastro
Publisher Liz Goodman
Editorial Director Daphne Nikolopoulos
Editor Cathy Chestnut
Creative Director Olga M. Gustine
Art Directors Diana Ramírez, Jorge Marquez
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Karen Feldman, Artis Henderson, Dick Hogan, Seth So ian, Nanci Theoret
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shane Antalick, Mariana Birmingham, John Eder, Wade Mastro, David Michael, Andrew Occhipinti
ADVERTISING
Liz Goodman at 239-595-7269
Advertising Services Coordinators Elizabeth Hackney, Pamela Schultz
Marketing Manager Rebecca Desir
PRODUCTION
Production Director Selene M. Ceballo
Production Manager Lourdes Linares
Digital Pre-Press Specialist George Davis
Production Coordinator Ileana Cabán
Digital Marketing Manager Tyler Sansone
Advertising Design Coordinators Anaely J. Perez Vargas, Je rey Rey
OPERATIONS
Chief Operating O icer Todd Schmidt
Accounting Specialist Mary Beth Cook
Accounts Receivable Specialist Ana Coronel
Distribution Manager Judy Heflin
Logistics Manager Omar Morales
Circulation Manager Marjorie Leiva
Circulation Assistant Britney Stinson
Circulation Promotions Manager David Supple
IT Manager Keith Gonzalez
Group Publisher Terry Du y
SUBSCRIPTIONS
800-308-7346
In
(1935-2013)
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CEO Stefan Wanczyk
President John Balardo
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
It is an incredible honor to serve as your 2023 President. I am fortunate to lead our association with a dedicated group of directors, sta , and volunteer members who are the backbone of NABOR®. As a graduate of the 2014 NABOR® Leadership class, I believe that leadership is about doing the right things, at the right time, for the right reason—and teamwork, collaboration, and inclusion are the keys to success. erefore, I encourage you to join a NABOR® committee. You’ll be empowered to make a di erence and your contributions will be meaningful, e ective, and appreciated. Plus, you’ll forge invaluable relationships, some of which could positively impact your business.
As 2023 unfolds, your board of directors plans to put the following goals into action:
Foster individual resources in order to achieve full potential
2 Continue the spirit of cooperation with the Women’s Council of REALTORS® and National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® to strengthen our associations
3 Provide cutting-edge technology, tools, and services to give members a competitive edge
4 Expand educational opportunities to provide multiple pathways to members’ success
5 Advocate the ideals of private property rights and the integrity of the real estate industry
6 Strictly adhere to the association’s fiduciary responsibilities with the best interests of members in mind
I am confident we will meet the opportunities and challenges ahead, together, in cooperation and consensus.
“Let’s roll!”
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A NEW DAY FOR BAYSHORE GATEWAY TRIANGLE
Metropolitan Naples ‘will undoubtedly redefine’ the eastern gateway into downtown
BY CATHY CHESTNUTAfter decades of dreaming—and hard work by grassroots and governmental groups—the future of the Bayshore community southeast of Naples’ city limits has arrived. A complex of four mid- and high-rises and a public green space with a boardwalk are taking shape while new businesses are opening in the a hip, vibrant, artsy neighborhood.
Twenty years ago, Bayshore was mostly a place where motorists simply passed through while they were headed someplace else. But that’s no longer the case. e Naples Botanical Garden draws visitors from throughout the region and Celebration Park—with food trucks, craft brews, and entertainment— consistently buzzes with regulars and good vibes. In addition to investors and entrepreneurs, the community is attracting young families and a glowing reputation.
Bayshore Drive Earns Accolades
e nearly two-mile-long Bayshore Drive corridor recently won the ninth annual “Great Places in Florida” competition sponsored by the American Planning Association Florida Chapter (APA FL). e theme of the contest was “Great Healthy Places” and Bayshore Drive bested three other innovative nalists.
In announcing the 2022 award, APA FL noted: “Bayshore Drive has transformed from an underutilized corridor to a complete street and community asset, setting the standard for other jurisdictions looking to bring health,
well-being and vibrancy to outdated roadways. Bayshore Drive promotes healthy and active lifestyles, advances the community’s quality of life, and fosters social activity, while protecting and enhancing appreciation for the environment.”
Among other features, such as clearly marked bike paths, APA FL cited these projects as contributors to its “Great Healthy Places” status:
∙ A pocket park created on the site of the former Del’s store
∙ New banners greeting visitors
∙ A tra c-calming roundabout at omasson and Bayshore drives
The Time is (Finally) Right
Residents and government o cials recognized the immense potential of the community, so in 2000, Collier County established the Bayshore Gateway Triangle Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). CRAs work to improve residents’ and business owners’ quality of life in targeted communities through capital improvements and coordination with other public and private agencies.
For instance, CRAs coordinate sidewalks, parking lots, and tra c improvements and management, and o er grants to incentivize improvements by property owners. In July, a Public Art Pilot Plan was approved by the CRA Executive Board, made up of the Collier County Board of Commissioners, to
encourage the creation of murals.
e award-winning Bayshore Drive is one section of the CRA. at’s where plans for a 17-acre park with restored vegetation and a meandering boardwalk connecting to Sugden Regional Park are underway. e green space includes open lawn and patches of woods and ponds. Collier County CRA Director Debrah Forester says the agency is working with Naples Botanical Garden on site-appropriate plantings and the design is expected to be nalized by the end of May.
e other section is the Gateway Triangle area bounded by U.S. 41 East, Davis Boulevard, and Airport-Pulling Road across the street from Naples Bay Resort & Marina.
In 2009, the CRA purchased land there “as a catalyst site” for redevelopment. e CRA purchased it in 2009 but things moved slowly due to the economic downturn, Forester says, and a request for proposals for mixeduse development “that allows people to live, work, and play in the area and encourage other people to invest in the area” was nally issued in 2015. In November 2020, the CRA sold three parcels totaling 10.4 acres to two entities, which included Metropolitan Naples.
Metropolitan Landmark Rising
Construction on the first high-rise at Metropolitan Naples started in fall 2022. Metropolitan Naples Realty Director of Sales Ed Gonzalez says construction will begin on the second high-rise, Aura, at the beginning of this year. “The construction timeline for Aura is about 18 months; the expectation is for residents to move in during the third quarter of 2024,” Gonzalez estimates.
Metropolitan Naples has a sales office at Fifth Avenue South.
The Metropolitan Naples complex will include four buildings:
∙ The Ellington, a 10-story luxury hotel with two restaurants
∙ Aura, a 15-story luxury condo residence with 56 residential units and 6,000 square feet of retail space on the ground levels and
a rooftop infinity pool and fitness center overlooking Naples Bay, downtown Naples, and the Gulf of Mexico
∙ A 15-story tower with long-term, luxury condo rentals and 10,000 to 12,000 square feet of retail and office/professional space
∙ A condo development with 70 to 90 residences and 50,000 square feet of restaurant and retail
“I think the impact in the community will be huge,” says Gonzalez. “Metropolitan Naples will undoubtedly redefine the entire area. As a mixeduse community with restaurants, boutiques, and office space and Aura as its signature building with first-class amenities, Metropolitan Naples will become a destination on its own.”
Metropolitan Naples is being developed by two respected, long-time Naples residents and veteran developers, Fred Pezeshkan and Jerry Starkey.
Top: Two renderings of Aura at Metropolitan Naples illustrate how this modern high-rise will reshape the urban landscape. Above: The popular Celebration Park is a popular gathering spot. Below: A bird’s-eye view of Haldeman Creek in the Bayshore community. BORGES ARCHITECTSFOR OPENERS
New REALTORS ® Guide
10 Things to Know
BY NANCI THEORETNewly licensed REALTORS® and new-to-Naples agents are bound to encounter topics not covered in the classroom or the licensing exam: Selling here is di erent versus “up north.” ere are realities only seasoned local REALTORS® know—and they’re willing to share.
REALTORS® who understand how and why the local real estate landscape is unique will help their customers make informed decisions by knowing the nuances of the Naples market and any potential restrictions, extra costs, and considerations that can a ect their bottom line and peace of mind.
1Hurricanes & Insurance
Owning a home in a hurricane-prone area involves risks. REALTORS® should learn how elevation, age, location, roof type, storm protection systems, and other variables factor into a property’s ability to withstand heavy wind and rising water.
“A wind mitigation report by a quali ed inspector documents a home’s features that help withstand high winds in a major storm, including storm shutters, impactrated glass, building materials, and structural reinforcements,” says Corey R. McCloskey, President 2021. “Often, a wind mitigation report sent to an owner’s insurance company will trigger discounts on the premium.”
Agents should also remind buyers that ood insurance is separate from a homeowners policy.
“Only a ood policy will cover damage caused by rising waters,” McCloskey says. “It’s good practice for REALTORS® to maintain a working relationship with a reputable insurance agent and refer buyers to them
before committing to a purchase. In addition to quoting rates, they can con rm whether the home is in a ood zone.”
2
Homestead Exemptions
Florida’s Homestead Exemption reduces a home’s assessed value up to $50,000 before property taxes are calculated. Homeowners must be permanent Florida residents as of January 1 and le the application in person with the Collier County Property Appraiser. Additional exemptions may also apply to qualifying seniors and disabled military and civilians. Check out the exemption tab at collierappraiser.com.
3
MPCs (Master-Planned Communities)
Newcomers soon notice the tell-tale gates of Southwest Florida’s most popular lifestyle: the master-planned community where private amenities deliver a resort experience with supersized pools, grand clubhouses, restaurants, tness centers, spas, pickleball and tennis courts, and championship golf (see No. 4). MPCs are often associated with HOAs and CDDs (see No. 5).
4
Golf Communities
“REALTORS® from other areas are often surprised by the number of Southwest Florida communities with on-site golf clubs, and for some buyers the club is as important as the home,” says McCloskey. “Agents should understand the di erences between equity, nonequity, and bundled memberships, if a club has mandatory fees, and spending minimums.”
Savvy REALTORS® can often arrange a private tour and even a complimentary round for the buyer.
5HOAs, COAs, CDDs & MSTUs
A customer’s big vehicle or big dog may not be welcome in certain neighborhoods or communities. In addition to county and city restrictions, many Southwest Florida homes are also governed by a homeowners or condominium association (HOA or COA) which may govern architectural styles and exterior paint palettes; forbid trucks, motorcycles and RVs; and restrict certain sizes and breeds of dogs. Many communities also establish a community development district (CDD), municipal service taxing unit (MSTU), or other special governmental entities to nance and maintain infrastructure and neighborhood improvements. HOAs, COAs, CDDs and MSTUs add another layer of cost and show up on property taxes.
“When showing property, it’s important to know if the property is subject to any of these entities and what it might mean to the buyer both from a nancial and practical point of view,” says McCloskey. “Make sure your buyers receive a full copy of the current association documents before committing to a purchase and all association and other fees are disclosed to the buyer in writing—on the correct forms,” says McCloskey.
6Mold & Radon: The Hidden Hazards
While there’s always the potential for mold given Florida’s humid climate, out-
of-state buyers and REALTORS® are often surprised to learn that radon is also a concern. A professional mold and radon inspection prior to closing can prevent unforeseen issues.
7 Closing Costs
Both buyers and sellers typically pay closing costs in Florida, which often catches out-of-state buyers and REALTORS® o guard, says McCloskey. “ e NABOR® sales contract clearly outlines who’s responsible for certain portions of the closing costs so there are no surprises at the closing table,” she says. “Agents should talk to their buyers and sellers about their responsibilities
or obtain an estimated closing statement from a local attorney. Some law rms have closing cost calculators on their websites.”
8
Know the Market Knowledge is power. Agents should school themselves in key market indicators and advanced features on the Southwest Florida MLS to create customized reports for their customers.
professional network and get acquainted with allied and a liate members who o er local services agents and their customers need, from builders, legal rms, banks, and mortgage, insurance and title companies to home inspectors, interior designers, landscapers and accounting rms specializing in real estate.
10
The ‘NABOR®’-hoods you need to know
NABOR® Membership has its Privileges NABOR®’s events, mixers, and activities help REALTORS® expand their
9
From Abaco Bay to Wyndemere, NABOR® provides a comprehensive A-to-nearly-Z rundown of Collier and Lee County developments at naplesarea.com/ nd-community.
FOR OPENERS
Key property insurance reforms Not a Moment Too Soon
BY CATHY CHESTNUTREALTORS® and homeowners can breathe a little easier thanks to a comprehensive property insurance reform bill—Senate Bill 2D—passed during a special legislative session in May convened specifically to address the state’s property insurance issues. Here are highlights of the new laws, which were supported by Florida Realtors®:
Protecting Policyholders from Nonrenewal: Insurers may not refuse to write or renew policies on homes with roofs that are less than 15 years old solely because of the roof’s age.
Roof Solicitations: Requires roofing solicitations to contain consumer-awareness language that the homeowner is responsible for the deductible under the insurance policy. It is insurance fraud for the contractor to reduce or waive the deductible or file a claim with false or misleading information.
Roof Deductible: Allows insurance companies to offer a policy at a reduced rate to consumers that includes a roof deductible of up to 2 percent, with certain circumstances like a total covered loss waiving the deductible.
Improving Affordability for Policyholders:
Authorizes $2 billion for a new Reinsurance to Assist Policyholders (RAP) program for insurers. This reinsurance is provided at no cost to the insurer. Participating insurers had to reduce their premiums by June 30, 2022, to reflect savings from the program. Insurers that deferred using RAP until 2023 must reduce policyholder rates by May 1 this year.
Assignment of Benefits Reform: Bans the transfer of the one-way attorney fee provision through an assignment to third parties and
closes a loophole that some unscrupulous vendors used to circumvent the law.
Contingency Fee Multiplier: Overturns bad case law by returning the use of a contingency fee multiplier to “rare and exceptional” circumstances, reducing the chance of extraordinarily inflated attorney fee awards in run-of-the-mill cases.
Notice of Intent to Litigate: Enforces the required notice of intent to litigate contained within 2021’s Senate Bill 76 by allowing the insurer to collect attorney fees if the case is dismissed because a notice was not properly filed.
Civil Remedy Notice: Reins in “gotcha” bad faith lawsuits by requiring an actual breach of contract for extra-contractual damages to be awarded.
Home Hardening Grants: Appropriates $150 million to provide hurricane mitigation inspections and matching grants to help Floridians afford home hardening improvements to their homestead singlefamily residences valued at $500,000 or less. The program provides $2 in grant funds for every $1 provided by the homeowner. Applicants may receive up to $10,000 in program money.
A New Year, New Board
The incoming leadership discusses 2023 goals
2023 O cers
“Private property rights are vital to homeownership so, through our Governmental A airs Committee and REALTORS® Political Action Committee advocacy e orts, we are going to stay at the forefront of these issues and be the voice for all.” —Nick
Bobzien, President 2023“My top five goals are: Help grow members’ businesses to be resilient and thriving; be a strong advocate for private property rights and homeownership; provide training and mentorships for chairs and vice chairs to be more e ective leaders; foster a culture of inclusion on committees, events, forums, and communications; and be a voice of conservative fiscal management of our members’ finances.” —PJ
Smith, President-Elect“I hope to make valuable contributions such as helping in the planning of events, working to improve e ciencies relative to scheduling meetings and events, developing and facilitating communication with our members, and making certain that allied and a liate members are fully aware of the benefits of their NABOR® membership.”
—Terrilyn VanGorder, Vice President/Secretary“The successful management of our finances allows us the opportunity to provide our members with the tools and education they need to run their businesses, and the networking events that we o er a ord our members the chance to interact with each other in a fun way and to form alliances that will further foster the success of their businesses.”
—Christine Citrano, Treasurer“My goals are to create an environment in which REALTORS® feel motivated to further their education and advance their careers, to give energy and traction to new ideas, to support members who wish to have a voice, and to help members feel that their participation, input, and feedback are highly valued.” —Paula
Angelopoulos Urbinati“My goal is to empower the next generation of NABOR® leadership by supporting new ideas and sharing a historical perspective. I also will continue my focus on new MLS products and services to keep NABOR® at the forefront of innovations in real estate.” —Ryan
Bleggi, Immediate Past President“My focus will be on providing the best possible tools and education to our members to be successful. I am also focused on looking forward to the future of NABOR®. As a real estate attorney and a REALTOR®, I look forward to providing my unique perspective to the board. I am honored as a native of Naples to be a part of this wonderful community.” —Shaun
“My goal is to continue to do my part to advance a shared vision that puts a spotlight on education, professionalism, and inclusion while implementing lasting, innovative changes for the benefit of our members and their businesses.” —David Puskaric
M. Garry, JD“In my 49 years as a REALTOR®, my three key focus points have been on education, governmental issues that affect private property rights, and professional standards/ethics. There is much work to be done in all three of these categories. One goal is to bring in more national trainers to NABOR® to share their wisdom. And the Naples City Council and Collier County Board of Commissioners are going to keep us busy with proposed changes. The NABOR® Strategic Plan calls for a specific focus on these three topics.” —Marcie
Roggow“My focus will be on providing quality resources to help build members’ business, always at their service, always with a smile.” —Mary Waller
“I will promote diversity and inclusion at NABOR® and encourage members to make a difference at the local, state, and national levels. The real estate industry is rapidly changing, and the leadership has an obligation to adapt so we can better serve our members and the community at large. Raising awareness among members on the impact and opportunity of international real estate is another important goal of mine.” —Izabela
WrightFOR OPENERS
Looking Ahead
Meet 2023 President Nick Bobzien
BY CATHY CHESTNUTTen years ago, Nick Bobzien got involved with the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®) when he joined the Young Professionals Network. With a decade of service and leadership in the association, he’s assuming the year-long term as 2023 President with passion and vision.
“I’m looking forward to a positive and successful year, along with the 2023 board of directors,” he says. “We are here to serve members’ best interests at the local, state, and national level.”
Bobzien, a broker associate at DowningFrye Realty, moved to Naples in 2003 after earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in sports management from Florida Southern College in Lakeland. In April 2005, he joined Downing-Frye Realty as a sales agent and has been with the rm ever since.
During his free time, the father of three–a daughter at Florida Atlantic University and a daughter and son at St. John Neumann High School–enjoys boating and relaxing at the beach. A former golf professional, Bobzien sneaks in rounds when he can. “I don’t have as much time to play as I’d like,” he says, “But I still love to play the game.”
You have many family members who were in real estate—it’s literally in your blood. Tell us about that. My great-grandmother was the rst female real estate broker in the state of Kentucky. One of my uncles owned and operated one of the rst real estate colleges in the state of Florida. At one time, my parents
both had their Florida appraiser licenses. My dad held a real estate sales license in Hawaii and a real estate broker license in Florida and Colorado before he retired last year.
What are some of the most important NABOR® benefits? e extensive education classes o ered (in-person and on Zoom)— many of which are free—are designed to help members become more successful. We have more than 20 committees that members can join. ese committees help support and grow NABOR® and provide valuable networking opportunities for our members. Personally, I can attest that I’ve had many real estate transactions that grew out of relationships fostered through networking and volunteer opportunities at NABOR®.
What are some of the biggest statewide and/or nationwide issues in this industry? Protecting homeowners’ private property rights is paramount. Homeowners should have the ability to rent their property or build on their land without having to worry about government overreach.
Other issues we’re facing in Florida are homeowners insurance, the attainable housing shortage, and comprehensive planning and zoning policies, especially at the local level. Nationwide, high interest rates will certainly play a huge role in our industry in 2023, and likely longer. In January 2022, the 30-year, xed conventional rate was just over 3 percent and by November 2022, it was in the 7 percent range.
COURTESY: NICK BOBZIENAnother major nationwide issue is potential fundamental changes to the MLS currently under review by the U.S. Department of Justice. The National Association of REALTORS® is also facing lawsuits targeting the MLS. Our members should be aware of, and stay updated, on both issues.
What are some goals you want to achieve as the new president? One of my goals is to continue to offer our members plenty of
educational classes, most of which will be for free. The more educated our members are, the more professionalism we provide for customers.
Private property rights are vital to homeownership so, through our Governmental Affairs Committee and REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) advocacy efforts, we are going to stay at the forefront of these issues and be the voice for all. Also, I would be thrilled to see more engagement and participation from NABOR® members. We have a myriad of
talent within our membership, and utilizing these talents is an asset for our association.
As a professional in this market, what makes buying and selling property unique in the Naples area? Buyers from all over the world specifically search for Naples real estate. It’s a well-known destination where people want to live. We have properties for sale in Naples from $200,000 to more than $60 million. We have something for everyone— other than mountain views, I often joke.
LOVING LIFE
in a Big Kind of Small Town
FOLDABLE SHOE COVER HOLDER
BY TATIANA LONDOÑO, NABOR® STORE MANAGERThere’s so much to love here. New homes from four premier builders. A vibrant town center with shopping, dining, and fun events. Parks, trails, open space, and recreational activities galore. You’ll find yourself saying, what’s not to love?
This welcome bin is great for open houses—especially when you may not be able to greet everybody that comes in—because it shows potential buyers you care about the oors in what may be their new home. e foldable shoe cover holder is made of heavy-duty canvas and is available in black and blue.
Member Price: $9 + tax
Size: 8 in. x 8 in. x 10 in. (open)
1 in. x 11 in. x 12 in. (folded)
Shoe covers sold separately. A package of ve pairs: $1.95 + tax
HOME TOOLS
Two apps for planning interiors
Here are two cool apps that can help you answer two frequent questions that often arise in the eld (professionally and in your own home): magicplan
With magicplan, use your phone or iPad to scan a room and ascertain its size and dimensions, including ceiling heights. If you’re feeling ambitious, build complete oor plans and save the dimensions as a PDF. is app—designed for contractors but handy for anyone programming or planning an interior space—provides a quick, accurate, and professional way to measure a room in 2D or 3D and even store and share it through the cloud.
How to get it: Google Play, Apple App Store, or magicplan.app
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ColorSnap Visualizer by Sherwin-Williams
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How to get it: Google Play, Apple App Store
Price: Free
Your golfing friends at Eagle Creek invite you to
Discover the Difference
HEADING EAST
NEW COMMUNITIES PLANNED TO RISE ON THE LAST REMAINING LARGE SWATHS OF LAND IN EASTERN COLLIER COUNTY ARE EXPECTED TO EXPAND HOUSING INVENTORY BY 11,650 UNITS
BY SETH SOFFIANCollier County’s housing supply will be getting a shot in the arm in the indefinite future as developers push east into some of the county’s last large swaths of available land. Spearheaded primarily by county namesake Collier Enterprises, at least five large-scale communities have moved through various stages of planning and approvals on former farmland. Most of the development will unfold along Oil Well Road east of Golden Gate Estates.
Three of those communities—the villages of Rivergrass, Bellmar, and Longwater—are part of Collier Enterprises’ proposed Town of Big Cypress, approved in 2020 and 2021 by the Board of Collier County Commissioners for up to 7,850 homes. Each village encompasses about 1,000 acres.
Also in 2020, Sarasota-based Neal Communities was approved to build up to 1,800 homes as part of 642-acre Hyde Park Village on Oil Well Road east of Everglades Boulevard. And in October, the Collier County Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of a new Barron Collier Companies community called Brightshore. The 681-acre development still needs final approval for what
will be 2,000 homes north of the intersection of Immokalee Road and Everglades Boulevard, six miles north of Oil Well Road.
All five communities sit within the county’s Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA). Encompassing 185,000 acres around Immokalee, the RSLA allows for development on land with low conservation value, such as farmland, in exchange for preservation of more environmentally sensitive areas.
The RLSA program—enacted by Collier County in 2002 in response to state orders to direct development away from wetlands and wildlife habitat and avoid urban sprawl—began in earnest in 2005 with the establishment of the bedroom community of Ave Maria, also on Oil Well Road.
While the new developments have faced challenges over concerns about environmental impacts, increased traffic, and required costneutrality to the county, they ultimately would bring 11,650 new housing units to eastern Collier on more than 4,300 acres.
Positioned between Golden Gate Estates and Ave Maria, the new communities would collectively add a town approximately half the size of Ave Maria.
An aerial of the town of Ave Maria, developed by Barron Collier Companies. Since the opening of the community in 2007, more than 3,900 new homes have been sold in the town, which has a planned build-out of approximately 11,000 residents with housing options that include single-family, condo, and villa homes.Collier Enterprises has “a demonstrated track record of success in planning awardwinning, sought-after projects in Southwest Florida … all with a consistent focus on responsible stewardship for the unique environment of the place the company has called home for more than a century,” according to the development’s website.
Responsible Development
As stipulated for projects in the RLSA, developers must set aside land elsewhere to be preserved.
In Big Cypress, for instance, Collier Enterprises says 12,300 acres will be preserved in exchange for the three 1,000-acre villages,
as well as a 515-acre town center that will link all three villages on both sides of Oil Well Road and along the eastern side of the proposed Big Cypress Parkway.
Rivergrass, approved by a 3-2 vote of county commissioners in January 2020 ahead of their 4-1 approvals for Longwater and Bellmar roughly 18 months later, has seen progress
slowed by an unsuccessful lawsuit from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida that has been appealed.
But commissioners ultimately have decided the proposed communities meet the rules outlined by the RLSA, which itself is open to a public review period typically every five years.
Along with varying housing mixtures—including 880 attainable housing units—all five community plans include varying amounts of commercial development, town space, parks and other amenities, such as a golf course in Rivergrass and school in Big Cypress.
“These are the lands that are set aside for this kind of development,” planning commissioner Robert Klucik said during a public meeting in October in support of Brightshore. While Klucik, who lives in Ave Maria, recused himself from the vote due to a conflict, he and other planning commissioners described Brightshore as an exemplary model of development within the RLSA in part because of its location on the least sensitive land in that area. The RLSA sits between the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge to the south and the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest to the north.
Brightshore “looks ideal,” planning commissioner Paul Shea said of the environmental intent of programs in the RLSA, calling it “one of the best projects we’ve seen.”
“We would love to put the whole thing in preserves, but we can’t,” planning commissioner Joe Schmitt said at the meeting. “People own this property. They have the right to develop it.”
Above: There are more than 40 businesses in the Ave Maria Town Center. The town includes other amenities, including a water park, soccer and baseball fields, amphitheater, dog park, trails, playground, bocce and tennis courts, and private schools. It is located at the intersection of Oil Well and Camp Keais roads in the Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA), where future communities, such as the Town of Big Cypress, will be taking shape. Left: Collier County Planning and Zoning Division map of the RLSA.Price Points
Targeted sales prices and affordable housing have been important discussion points with all the pending communities.
After voting against approval of Rivergrass in January 2020, County Commissioner Burt Saunders voted in favor of sister communities Longwater and Bellmar 18 months later, in part because Collier Enterprises committed to devoting 15 percent of their 5,350 units to affordable housing.
Hyde Park was approved in June 2020 with the developer at the time targeting price ranges from $168,000 for multi-family to $373,000 for single-family homes. County housing staff recommended the developer commit to setting aside 215 of Hyde Park’s 1,800 units for low- or moderate-income housing because of changing market conditions. No requirements were established.
Now, as Brightshore joins the mix of pending projects, it does so under revised RLSA requiring developers to set aside affordable housing units, although they need not be on site. The requirement is part of revisions approved by the county in July 2021 after a years-long delay caused by a host of factors, including the Great Recession.
Brightshore’s proposal includes providing 170 low- or moderately priced units. If those are built off-site rather than among Brightshore’s 2,000 homes, the county could purchase the land for it using money already allocated for that use. That would enable the county to maintain the affordable price and control the targeted income levels for those homes as long as it chooses, according to county planning Director Mike Bosi. “We would have control of that in perpetuity,” Bosi told the planning commission.
Bear Country
The perceived potential impacts on wildlife also vary with each project. Hyde Park, for instance, faced less pushback from environmental groups over its potential impact on the Florida panther despite sitting almost immediately west of more-controversial Rivergrass – both on the northern side of Oil Well Road.
Longwater and Bellmar, meanwhile, are positioned on the southern side of Oil Well Road, extending south of Golden Gate Boulevard’s termination into the future Big Cypress Parkway. That puts them closer to the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.
But these communities and newly proposed Brightshore have support in environmental corners for the land that is being preserved in exchange for development rights—as the RLSA program intends—as well as for elements meant to minimize human and wildlife interactions.
Those include more wildlife crossings, dark sky lighting, bear-proof trash cans for residential and commercial properties, and homeowners guides for “living in bear country.”
In gaining approval for Longwater and Bellmar, Collier Enterprises agreed to use more than the minimum required credits it earned in exchange for setting aside 12,300 acres for preservation for the Town of Big Cypress. That leaves fewer credits for future developments.
Brightshore, if approved, would bring the total land preserved through the RLSA program to just under 50,000 acres, Bosi told the planning commission. “That’s an economic benefit to the county,” Bosi said, “at no cost to the taxpayer.”
RURAL COMMUNITIES AT A GLANCE
*BELLMAR
Developer: Collier Enterprises
Acreage: 1,000
Location: South of Oil Well Road, east of Everglades Boulevard
Homes: Up to 2,750 singleand multi-family
Timeline: Approved 4-1 by the Board of Collier County Commissioners in June 2021
Commercial space: At least 45,000 sq. ft.
Timeline: Approved 4-1 by the Board of Collier County Commissioners in June 2020
*LONGWATER
Developer: Collier Enterprises
Acreage: 1,000
Location: South of Oil Well Road, east of Everglades Boulevard
Homes: Up to 2,600 singleand multi-family
Timeline: Approved 4-1 by the Board of Collier County Commissioners in June 2021
BRIGHTSHORE
Developer: Barron Collier Companies
Acreage: 681
Location: North of Immokalee Road at intersection with Everglades Boulevard
Homes: Up to 2,000 singleand multi-family
Commercial space: Up to 120,000 sq. ft.
Timeline: Approval unanimously recommended by Collier County Planning Commission in October 2022
HYDE PARK VILLAGE
Developer: Neal Communities
Acreage: 642
Location: North of Oil Well Road, east of Everglades Boulevard
Homes: Up 1,800, including 300-1,000 multi-family residences
*RIVERGRASS
Developer: Collier Enterprises
Acreage: 1,000
Location: North of Oil Well Road, east of Everglades Boulevard
Homes: Up to 2,500 singleand multi-family
Timeline: Approved 3-2 by the Board of Collier County Commissioners in January 2020
* Bellmar, Longwater, and Rivergrass are connected by the proposed Town of Big Cypress. Note: The total commercial space for the Town of Big Cypress and Rivergrass, Bellmar, and Longwater villages is 1.575 million square feet, according to the developer.
A Century of Growth and Prosperity
From swampland to prime property, Collier County and the City of Naples are honoring their centennials this year
BY NANCI THEORETIn 1923, Time published its debut issue, Babe Ruth hit a homer during the first-ever game played in Yankee Stadium, and a sign advertising a new real estate development in the hills above Los Angeles was hoisted, spelling out its name in block letters: Hollywoodland. Meanwhile, in the remote reaches of Florida’s most southwestern coast, a county and two cities were newly minted by state legislators.
2023 rings in year-long celebrations commemorating the triple centennials of Collier County and its county seats—first Everglades City, then Naples. During the past century, the untamed wilds of this Florida backcountry transformed into a coveted cosmopolitan destination of resorts, high-end retailers and restaurants, and rich cultural landscape, and a robust real estate market punctuated by record-breaking prices, including last summer’s $62 million titleholder.
From Wilderness to Winter Playground
Collier County and its cities tend to woo almost anyone who steps foot here. Long before airports, interstates and electricity, the area was accessible only by boat, then by seaplane.
There were no roads plunging into the tangle of wilderness and swampland, and travel by land was time-consuming and arduous. Those arriving by sea in the late 1800s were welcomed by a postcard setting—sweeping stretches of white-sand beaches along the gently sloping Gulf of Mexico, a bay just beyond with meandering tributaries, and mangrove islands teeming with fish.
The area’s history is intrinsically tied to the railroad, the road and real estate. It’s a past forever intertwined with the unique visions of two men who made their fortunes in publishing and advertising. Walter H. Haldeman and U.S. Senator John Stuart Williams, Naples’ founding fathers, recognized Naples’ potential in the 1880s, imagining the country’s newest wintertime paradise.
Barron Gift Collier, Sr., however, was the harbinger of future growth and tourism, providing the missing link by forging across the inhospitable Everglades terrain to connect the state's west and east coasts with the completion of a Tampa-toMiami thoroughfare—which came to be called the Tamiami Trail—across Florida’s “Last Frontier.” A self-made millionaire, Collier bankrolled both projects and in return, state legislators thanked him with a county named in his honor.
First Comes Naples
Haldeman, the publisher of the Louisville Courier, joined Williams, who had served as a Confederate general, during U.S. surveys of Southwest Florida in 1885. With dreams of establishing a new city, they sailed south, combing the shoreline for potential sites. They were smitten by Naples’ location and regaled folks back home with tales of balmy beaches and beautiful blue water.
The Naples Town Improvement Company was established in 1886 as the city’s first developer with the goal of attracting tourists to the peninsula formed by the Gulf and Naples Bay, a location promoted as reminiscent of the Italian city. The company paid $11,136 for 3,712 acres, sold lots for $10, and went belly-up in a year.
Williams, Haldeman, and their Kentucky cronies assumed ownership in 1887 and within two years built the 16-room Naples Hotel on the fringes of the present-day Third Street South district, the 600-foot predecessor of the Naples Pier, a general store, and post office. Rose Cleveland, the sister of President Grover Cleveland, was the hotel’s first official guest in 1889. Despite exciting progress, the
newest iteration of the Naples Town Company failed, and its assets were sold in 1890 at a public auction in the hotel. Haldeman was the sole bidder, paying $50,000 for 8,600 acres, the hotel, pier, and the steamship Fearless, which ferried visitors to Naples.
Today, Haldeman’s two-story, 3,500-square-foot, tabby-and-mortar home built in 1895 is the headquarters of the Naples Historical Society. Called Historic Palm Cottage, it’s Naples’ oldest home. When Haldeman died in 1902, St. Pete developer Ed Crayton stepped in, building upon Haldeman’s modest success for three decades and ushering in the era of Barron Collier, rail service, electricity, and the Tamiami Trail.
Then Comes Collier
A visit to the historic Ted Smallwood Store on Chokoloskee Bay provides a freeze-frame of life in nearby Everglades City at the turn of the century—a stark contrast to Naples
Milestones
1886 The Naples Town Improvement Company is founded to promote the city as a winter vacation retreat
1889 The company completes the 16-room Naples Hotel and 600-foot Naples Pier
1890 Kentucky publisher Walter Haldeman buys the Naples Town Improvement Company’s entire holdings,
40 miles away. Perched on stilts and filled with curiosities, the store was a trading post for the Seminoles in a wilderness becoming legendary for its prime hunting and tales of 300-pound Goliath grouper and game fish larger than a human.
Collier, who made his millions in streetcar advertising, bought Everglade City’s Rod & Gun Club and much of Southwest Florida in 1922. At the club, he entertained international dignitaries and U.S. presidents, and in 1923 agreed to finance the beleaguered Tampa-to-Miami road—an $8 million project the state couldn’t afford. Construction crews were based out of Everglades City, which the state recognized in 1923 as the county seat of the new county carved out of adjoining Lee County.
By its first U.S. Census count in 1930— two years after the Tamiami Trail’s official grand opening —Collier County was home to a population of 2,833. Upon his
encompassing 8,600 acres, the hotel, pier, and the steamship Fearless for $50,000
1895 Haldeman builds Palm Cottage, today the city’s oldest home
1896 The Key Marco Cat is discovered on Marco Island
1919 Botanist and ornithologist Henry Nehrling plants the
death in 1939, Barron Collier was Florida’s largest landowner. His influence and legacy continue today with fourth-generation heirs operating development companies and the 7,721-acre Collier-Seminole State Park, founded in 1947, to share Collier’s love of the land with the public.
Port Royal and Rapid Growth
The advent of air conditioning and commercial aviation brought big changes in the mid-1900s, improving access and travel times from the north and relief for those who dared to take on sweltering humid summers. Naples also got an airport courtesy of Uncle Sam. The Naples America Airport, an Army airfield and flight training school for combat pilots activated in 1943 during World War II, was turned over to the city in 1947.
Many servicemen returned to Naples following the war, prompting the area’s
garden that will become the Naples Zoo and Caribbean Gardens
1923 Collier County, Naples, and Everglades City are established by state legislation
1923 The newly formed county commission meets at the Barron G. Collier-owned Rod & Gun Club
1925 The Naples Town Council holds its first meeting
1926 Electricity is introduced to Naples
1927 Naples’ first passenger train, the Seaboard Air Line’s Orange Blossom Special, marks the completion of the railroad
1928 Tamiami Trail is completed
1930 Collier County’s first U.S.
(Sources: Barron Collier Companies; Collier Museums; colliercountyfl.gov; Florida Dept. of Transportation; Naples Historical Society; Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau; Third Street South Association)first real estate boom. John Glenn Sample also arrived around that time. A pioneer in radio advertising and an apparent fan of the Jamaican town steeped in pirate lore, he purchased two square miles of Naples’ southwestern tip, filling in marshland and dredging canals with the goal of creating another Port Royal as “the finest place to live.” Sample's venture foreshadowed Florida’s land rush in the 1950s and ‘60s when
Census records a population of 2,883
1947 Ownership of the Naples America Airport is transferred to the city
1947 Everglades National Park is dedicated
1949 Naples becomes an incorporated city and the Naples-on-the-Gulf Board of REALTORS® is chartered
developers converted the barrier island of Marco Island into a waterfront residential community—wining and dining potential home buyers with paid vacations and the opportunity to own a vacation home.
As the decades unfolded, Interstate-75 and a new international airport brought more tourists and residents. Wilderness Country Club introduced a new lifestyle in 1975 as Naples’ first private, gated golf community
with a membership of 13
1962 The county seat relocates from Everglades City to Naples
1968 The 78-mile Alligator Alley opens, connecting Florida’s two coasts
1975 Wilderness Country Club opens as the first gated golf community
1981 I-75 is extended from
selling two- and three-bedroom condos from $70,000 to $125,000—now from the mid-$700,000s to over $1.2 million. The 1985 opening of The Ritz-Carlton on the gulf forever elevated Naples’ cachet.
For local history, centennial events, and a photo gallery: colliercounty100.com. For official city happenings: naplesgov.com/ centennial.
Corkscrew Road in Estero to Immokalee Road in Collier County
1983 The Southwest Florida Regional Airport opens
1985 The Ritz-Carlton debuts on the beach
1989 The Philharmonic Center for the Arts announces its inaugural season
1993 The regional airport is
renamed Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
1997 Marco Island becomes an incorporated city
2005 A $400 million terminal is completed at RSW
1992 Waterside Shops introduces luxury specialty stores
2002 Naples becomes one of only a handful of destinations with two Ritz-Carltons
In Ian’s Wake
BY DICK HOGANWhen Hurricane Ian brought its almost-Category 5 winds and storm surge to Southwest Florida on September 28, it created a worstcase scenario for thousands of homeowners who experienced record-breaking devastation wrought by flooding and roof and other property damage. By dawn the following day, residents and property owners immediately began picking up the pieces as several post-hurricane issues began to emerge.
Insurance Issues
Not surprisingly, one industry that’s been in overdrive in Ian’s aftermath is the insurance industry. By the end of October, David M. Arter, Jr, private lines department manager at Private Client Insurance Services, had handled nearly 2,000 Ian-related claims in four weeks. “There was a point when my daily goal was just to keep my voicemail from filling up,” he says.
Look at hard-hit areas in Lee County—Estero Island was covered by 15 feet of surge and Sanibel, Captiva, Matlacha, and Pine islands suffered brutal, widespread damages—and it’s easy to understand the volume of claims. One of Arter’s Sanibel clients reported that almost nine feet of water coursed through their home. When there is water damage, insurance adjusters use the high-water mark on walls to determine the difference between flood damage and water damage caused by wind.
Standard homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so homeowners who live in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)designated flood zone can buy separate flood insurance. People who own their homes without a mortgage are not required to buy flood insurance, though those who have mortgages must have flood coverage.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, only 18 percent—1 in 5—of Florida's 10 million homes are covered by flood insurance. Eighty percent of flood insurance policies in the state are from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is managed by FEMA. Congress created NFIP in 1968 “to share the financial risks of flood and restrict development in floodplains. Even for those who have NFIP, however, payouts may not be enough to cover their losses.”
Flood insurance coverage through the NFIP covers: Single-family homes and two- to four-family residential structures are limited to $250,000 in damages. Other residential buildings and non-residential buildings are capped at $500,000. For contents-only policies, residences are limited to $100,000 in damages, while the contents of commercial and other structures are capped at $500,000.
Home insurance policies offer windstorm coverage, but it is not mandatory if you own your home and many choose not to pay extra for the coverage or a separate windstorm policy that covers water damage that was “wind-driven” or caused by wind,
This historic storm brought with it several attendant issues
such as a punctured roof or window or rapid stormwater run-off that causes overflowing swales. The cost of wind insurance in Florida varies depending on several factors, including a home’s value, location, and how it was built. Policies are more expensive in coastal areas.
State law requires insurance companies to offer discounted windstorm insurance rates to residents who buy homes with wind mitigation features or install them. To qualify for discounts, a certified inspector must make sure certain wind-resistant features are installed, such as: Impact-resistant doors and windows, roof truss clips, hurricane straps, and storm shutters. (Florida owners of single-family homes with an insured value of $500,000 or less and a homestead exemption are eligible for credits toward a free inspection.)
Finding Rentals
Many in Southwest Florida recognize that Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island was ground zero for Ian’s storm surge with thousands of houses swept away. Throughout the region, people were scrambling for another place to live. “You’ve got a lot of people who were displaced, and the rental market was very tight even before the hurricane,” says Mike Hughes, vice president and general manager for Downing-Frye Realty. “After the hurricane, it was worse. Where are people
FEDERAL AID BY THE NUMBERS
going to live?”
Standard flood insurance policies don’t include money for housing. And homeowners insurance will only pay for temporary housing up to 10 or 20 percent of the amount for which your dwelling is insured if there is a wind declaration —and the homeowner can prove their dwelling is uninhabitable because of wind, not water. “It’s looked at as ‘reasonable expenses,’” Arter says. “If you’re living in a small, modest home, they don’t expect you to be staying at The Ritz-Carlton. It’s got to be reasonable.”
Further complicating the issue is a drastic shortage of rental housing in Southwest Florida—and escalating rent costs. As a result, some people displaced after Ian are simply packing up and leaving.
Collier County experienced less displacement than Lee but for businesses throughout Southwest Florida, the problem is regional, says Greater Naples Chamber President/CEO Michael Dalby. “It’s not a secret that a good part of our workforce lives in Lee County,” Dalby says. “And the scale of the damage and impacts in Lee County, combined with the impacts in Collier County, have certainly led to a significant number of displaced workers.”
Some have managed to stay in the area, “but there’s also a number of them that have left the area. It remains to be seen if those
After the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Ian, Collier County residents had received more than $61.6 million in federal funds as of October 31:
$25.8 MILLION in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters, and businesses
$35.8 MILLION in FEMA grants to 12,991 homeowners and renters through its Individuals and Households Program. This includes:
→ $23,950,263 in housing assistance for home repair or replacement, and/or rental assistance
→ $11,900,333 in “other needs” assistance to replace essential household items and for other critical disaster-related expenses
→ 2,681 homeowners and renters approved for rental assistance
→ 7,159 home inspections issued; 6,992 completed
→ 4,579 households in Collier County visited by Disaster Survivor Assistance agents
(Source: Florida Attorney General’s Office)
individuals will be coming back,” Dalby says. “Certainly, we have heard from employers that Ian only made it tougher to regain employees and to attract new employees into the area.”
Especially in demand, Dalby reports, are “skilled tradesmen and credentialed professionals—any field where you’ve got to have a certified worker. We were already tight in that labor market and it’s only gotten tighter.”
So far, he’s seen no signs that supply chain issues with construction materials worsened. “There were already challenges getting things like faucets and appliances; I haven’t heard that Ian impacted that.”
In the long term, Dalby’s optimistic there will be a strong economic recovery. “Southwest Florida has proven to be incredibly resilient, and it’s a place where people still want to be,” Dalby says.
Taking it to the Curb: Debris Disposal
After a hurricane, people tend to move fast to clean up yard debris. With the severity of Ian, they were also hauling sodden household contents to the curb, followed by demolition materials, such as drywall, cabinetry, and
appliances wrecked in floodwaters. Long-time residents who’ve experienced post-hurricane life probably knew that there are rules that guide debris separation and curb placement. But those who got to work and piled it all together, or in the wrong place, were deflated to learn afterwards that their piles may not be picked up.
Collier County has specific guidelines in place for any storm. Residents are asked to place all yard debris curbside in the right-ofway as soon as possible. The right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole, or easement. It’s also important to prevent debris from clogging drainage swales and driveway culverts, which can create blockages and more drainage problems.
Collier County Solid & Hazardous Waste Division debris separation rules state:
→ Place storm-related yard waste in a separate pile. Do not mix yard waste with household trash or construction/demolition debris. Yard waste must be kept in a separate pile. Piles of yard debris mixed with other waste will not be collected.
→ Do not put yard waste in bags. Only loose debris will be collected. Keep vegetative debris (such as limbs, extracted stumps and shrubbery) separated from construction and demolition debris, as it will be.
→ Household hazardous waste (paints, solvents, etc.) cannot be mixed with household debris.
→ Do not stack or lean debris near or on trees, utility poles, or other structures, including fire hydrants, water meters, or backflow prevention devices as that makes removal difficult and could lead to property damage. Place the debris at the edge of your property before the curb.
→ Avoid blocking the road, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes, water meters, fire hydrants, and utility poles.
A GOOD TIME FOR BUYERS OR SELLERS?
What do Hurricane Ian and higher interest rates bode for the Naples market?
BY DICK HOGANHurricane Ian hu ed and pu ed and blew some of Collier County’s houses down—but a month later, prices hadn’t budged an inch.
e median home price in October was $555,000, exactly the same as it was in September, according to the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®) October 2022 Market Statistics Report.
“I think, right now, if you have a house that’s ready to sell, it’s still a seller’s market,” Mike Hughes, Downing-Frye Realty vice president and general manager, said four weeks after the Category 4 storm made landfall in Lee County on September 28. “I’m more concerned about rising interest rates.”
Still, that doesn’t mean that robust prices are not vulnerable—just that Ian’s likely not to blame. “I do think we’re headed towards a buyer’s market,” Hughes predicted.
NABOR®’s October numbers showed that Ian didn’t keep homes o the market or discourage interest by buyers.
Overall, inventory rose from 2,146 in September to 2,325 in October. Pending sales were up from 619 to 673 with new listings jumping from 694 to 908.
If past is prologue, Ian’s longer-term e ects won’t upend the thriving Naples-area real estate market, experts say. Past storms indicate otherwise.
Statistics assembled and analyzed by Florida Realtors ® Chief Economist Brad O’Connor, PhD, show that major storms haven’t always been followed by a long-term decline in home sales or prices. ree months after Hurricane Michael struck Bay County in the Panhandle in October 2018, “sales were back to prestorm level”—except for a one-month blip in December re ecting closings delayed by the
storm—according to O’Connor. And prices continued to remain stable.
Similar results occurred in the supercharged 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons and in the aftermath of both Hurricane Andrew in Miami in 1992 and Hurricane Opal in Pensacola in 1995. “ at doesn’t guarantee that it will be the same for Ian, but it is encouraging nonetheless,” O’Connor said at a presentation following Ian.
A ter the storm...and interest rate hikes
NABOR®’s September 2022 Market Statistics Report showed a cooling market. While the single-family home median closed price was up 22 percent year over year, inventory, pending sales, new listings, and closed sales were all down.
After a major storm has passed, Hughes says, “initially there’s a very short window
where the price might actually hold up fairly well.” Eventually, though, the inventory will likely grow as people for whom the hurricane was “the trigger point for them making the decision” put their houses on the market.
Appraiser Cindy S. Carroll of Carroll & Carroll Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants says that by late October she was seeing “very encouraging activity in the Old Naples market in terms of land values because properties within three blocks of the beach are still in demand and in short supply.”
One older house on the beach with damage had “at least two parties interested in buying,” along with “two or three cases on ird Street South or east of ird Street that came on
the market and were picked up very quickly,” Carroll reports.
William Dukes, senior mortgage loan o cer of Naples-based Summit Mortgage Corp., a mortgage lender, was expecting prospective homebuyers looking to relocate will rush in during Ian’s aftermath, hoping for a bargain. But they likely won’t nd one, especially for the more desirable properties, he says.
“When Charley hit Punta Gorda in 2004, the prevailing thought was that it was going to lead to a big reduction in price. People came down looking for a deal but found the locals were standing fast,” Dukes recalls. “Nine months after Charley hit, when all was said and done, the price in Punta Gorda actually increased by 7 percent.”
But the story didn’t end there—many bargain-seekers eventually decided to meet stubborn locals’ asking prices, Dukes remembers. “ ey said, ‘‘You know what? We’re not going to get rock bottom. But we like it here a lot. We’re still going to buy.’”
Even high interest rates don’t deter someone who’s made a rm decision to come, Dukes says, like his recent customers from New York who purchased a home in rural Moore Haven. “ ey work from home and couldn’t wait to get here; they were ecstatic,” he says. He also notes that some buyers embrace the real estate industry adage “marry the house, date the rate,” which suggests that a mortgage can be re nanced down the road if or when interest rates drop.
GET SMART THE 50 PERCENT RULE
Flood regulations often force property owners in low-lying and coastal areas to measure the costs of rebuilding—or walk away—after storm inundation
BY DICK HOGANIn the wake of Hurricane Ian, a little-known federal regulation has some of the area’s most nancially vulnerable residents suddenly faced with losing their badly damaged older homes if they try to make repairs.
Experts are warning that the issue may force some essential workers to leave the area just as they’re needed most in Collier County’s perennially tight workforce.
e problem regulation is called the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “50 Percent Rule,” which prohibits repairs to a structure in a ood zone if the repairs cost more than 50 percent of the building’s value—unless the entire structure is brought into full compliance with current FEMA ood regulations.
Although this rule is federal, it is administered by local municipalities. As a result, each locality has its own procedures for implementing the rule. Property owners in the disaster area who sustained major damage received letters from county or city o cials informing them that their property may have to meet the 50 Percent Rule guidelines and provide documentation to show how much they paid for repairs.
Impact on Moderately Priced Neighborhoods
Appraiser Ray Carroll of Carroll & Carroll is a certi ed oodplain manager. He is one of the few with the training to deal with the intricacies of the rule. Before Hurricane Ian, 50 Percent appraisals were 10 percent of his
workload—after the storm, they consumed the bulk of his services.
When the 50 Percent Rule is triggered, the cost to repair can be prohibitively expensive for some home owners, and the house is simply torn down.
Compliance usually means raising the entire structure to meet modern elevation codes or demolishing the existing structure to build a code-compliant house, some owners may nd the repairs would cost more than the house’s replacement value, says Carroll. “Older, modest homes are the most di cult to pass the 50 Percent Rule test because they represent less expensive construction,” he says.
Sometimes the owner can a ord to walk away from a house that would cost more than it’s worth to bring up to code, but that’s not always the case. Carroll says the “hardest calls” he receives are from working-class and cost-burdened owners living paycheckto-paycheck who have houses dating from the 1960s and older in low-lying areas. “If the house comes down, then the only thing that can replace it is new, code-compliant construction, which will cost much, much more and will change that to another kind of housing,” Carroll says. “ at family will probably not go back into that neighborhood in new construction.” e result: Modestpriced homes are replaced by newer ones that can be sold for more than the original.
A building’s value is determined by calculating what it would cost to reproduce it exactly as it originally was constructed. e
problem has been compounded by higher construction costs, which went up 10 to 15 percent higher than they were on September 27, the day before the strong Category 4 storm arrived. Experts say this typically occurs after catastrophic natural disasters, but it makes repair costs substantially higher as a percentage of the building’s value, Carroll says. “For a $100,000 house, the e ective rule isn’t a 50 Percent Rule, it’s a 40 or 30 Percent Rule.”
The rule requires the owner to determine what the repairs would have cost at the time of the damage, so Carroll uses Sept. 27 for his pricing benchmark. The applicant for a permit can use the adjusted tax assessment of the property but for a big project, “the appraisal almost always yields a higher building value,” says Carroll. (The tax assessment for condominiums is done by individual condo units.)
Other Alternatives?
Charles Whittington, a real estate attorney with Grant Fridkin Pearson, says there’s often no palatable solution for those who can’t avoid the 50 Percent Rule. He says, often, it means demolition and starting over. The other option is to stagger the work if the jurisdiction you’re in will allow that, Whittington says. “You would do just enough to make the house habitable and then
you come back a year later and finish it. It’s not very palatable but it’s possible.”
Before Hurricane Ian, the 50 Percent Rule usually came up when homeowners or house flippers were trying to make significant home improvements—known in the regulatory world as “substantial improvement.” he says. “I never in my wildest dreams thought it would come into play how it’s coming into play” amid the duress of a natural disaster.
FROM EDUCATIONAL TO ENGAGING
NABOR ® events offer something for everyone
BY KAREN FELDMANYou’re racing from showing to closing to open house to your son’s basketball game. Somewhere in there you need to t in dinner. So why add a nonmandatory event into the lineup?
Because:
A. You might learn something.
B. You might meet someone who could bene t your career.
C. You might have fun.
Any or all of those are likely to happen when you attend Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®) events.
ere are classes, social events, appreciation nights, and events for the community.
“We plan a range of events to appeal to the di erent types of personalities in NABOR®,” says NABOR® Board Vice President/Secretary Terrilyn VanGorder.
Some recent classes and events included: “Body Language and Other Negotiation Skills,” “Working with Canadians,” “Bingo Night,” “NABOR® Sales Contracts Seminar,” “Cyber Security Update 2022,” and “New Member Orientation Class.”
“It’s a great way to socialize with other people in our industry. REALTORS® are unique because we work daily with our competitors, and it is valuable to build that relationship. Attending events allows us to have relationships with competitors,” says VanGorder. “It helps facilitate deals more easily when you know the other person.”
It’s also a good way to meet allied and a liate members, such as title brokers and attorneys, so that you can comfortably call upon them when you need them. ere are events that focus on NABOR®’s appreciation of members “to thank them for what they do, for those who volunteer and participate,” VanGorder says.
Some events are open to the entire community, such as the annual Family Fun Day and family-friendly Halloween Trunk and Treat held at NABOR®. Adults o ered candylled trunks and costumed children could trick or treat from trunk to trunk.
“At the end of the day, attending events helps people do business,” she says.
Sign of the Times
Specific ordinances guide sign usage within the City of Naples and Collier County
BY ARTIS HENDERSONOne of the most important tools in the REALTOR® toolbox is the real estate sign. Signs do their work on two levels. First, they help advertise a property for sale. e right For Sale sign can do wonders to grab attention and draw in potential buyers. Second, they help potential customers make contact with a REALTOR®. A smartly laid out sign with clear information is a REALTOR®’s gateway to the public.
Within Collier County and the City of Naples, speci c regulations guide the dimensions, placement, and usage of real estate signs. We’ve compiled a roundup of what agents must keep in mind when posting their real estate signs. Remember, there are separate and distinct ordinances for real estate signs in the City of Naples and unincorporated Collier County. A complete description of the rules governing signage in both the city and county can be found on the Municode website (library.municode.com).
In addition, each individual gated community has its own rules. Check with a community’s guidelines before posting a sign.
All Naples-area REALTORS® are urged to adhere to signage guidelines. “It’s extremely important that we follow the rules,” says Bill Poteet, Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR) board member and President 2012. “If we’re not respectful, then the city and county might change the rules to be more restrictive.”
City of Naples
∙ Maximum size: 12 by 18 inches
∙ Maximum height: ree feet above the ground. is can be extended to four feet if visibility is otherwise obstructed.
∙ Color is allowed.
∙ No portion of the sign may be closer than 15 feet to a paved roadway.
∙ Signs must be placed parallel to the roadway.
∙ O -site and Sold signs are not permitted.
∙ One For Sale sign is permitted per parcel.
∙ One Open House sign is allowed per parcel during supervised open houses.
Signs that don’t adhere to these regulations will be removed by Code Enforcement o cers and agents who break the rules may be ned. To avoid having to pay nes or losing valuable real estate signs, make sure to avoid these most common violations:
∙ Using signs that are too large
∙ Placing signs perpendicular to the roadway
∙ Staking more than one For Sale sign per parcel
e most common complaints Code Enforcement o cers receive are about perpendicular signs placed too close to the road. If a REALTOR® discovers their signs missing, then they most likely have violated one of these provisions. Missing signs can be retrieved at the o ce of Code Enforcement. For any questions regarding signage within the city, Code Enforcement can be reached by calling 239-213-5030.
Collier County
∙ One sign per street frontage for each parcel
∙ For parcels less than one acre: One ground sign with a maximum height of six feet and a maximum area of four square feet per street frontage. e sign must not be located closer than 10 feet from an adjacent real estate property and may be placed up to the property line abutting a right of way,
provided it is a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the road. No building permit is required.
∙ For parcels between one and 10 acres: One ground sign with a maximum height of eight feet and a maximum area of 12 square feet per street frontage. No building permit is required.
∙ For parcels in excess of 10 acres: One pole sign with a maximum height of 15 feet and a maximum sign area of 64 square feet per street frontage. A building permit is required.
∙ Real estate signs must be located a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.
∙ Real estate signs must be removed within seven days after a sale. A Sold sign can be displayed up to 14 days after it is installed.
∙ Open House signs may only be displayed on supervised open house days between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. No ags, pennants, balloons, or other attention-getting devices may be used with these signs. e signs may not be illuminated.
∙ One sign may be placed in the public right-of-way abutting the open house property. Two signs may be placed in the right-of-way when the house is available for immediate viewing. No building or right-of-way permit is required.
∙ Open house signs shall not exceed four square feet in area and four feet in height. However, any open house sign placed in an intersection shall not exceed 29 inches in height. Signs are not allowed in medians.
When these rules are violated within Collier County, the signs are con scated and disposed of. e Collier County Code Enforcement o ce is available at 239-252-2440.
Proper Disclosure
Preparing a seller’s disclosure in the wake of Hurricane Ian
In late September 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, cutting a swath of destruction in its path. From Marco Island to Punta Gorda, the region was lashed by rain and high winds and ooded by storm surge. Initial estimates from the global data and analytics rm CoreLogic valued the losses from Hurricane Ian between $41 and $70 billion, making Ian one of the costliest storms in Florida history.
In the Naples area, it’s hard to nd someone not a ected by the storm. Many people experienced property damage from the devastating hurricane. As Collier County moves forward with rebuilding and reconstruction, REALTORS® will need to update their seller’s disclosures to include damages caused by Hurricane Ian.
In the state of Florida, standard wear and tear on a home do not need to be disclosed in the seller’s disclosure. But signi cant damage like what happened during the hurricane— especially ooding and major roof damage— will need to be disclosed. e standard legal language around the seller’s disclosure requires that the seller relay any facts or conditions they know about that materially a ect the value of the property. e case law reads, “Where the seller of a home knows of facts materially a ecting the value of the property which are not readily observable and are not known to the buyer, the seller is under a duty to disclose them to the buyer.” e seller should disclose anything that would make the property less desirable. Of course, this only
BY ARTIS HENDERSONincludes what the seller directly knows. Any damage outside the seller’s knowledge does not need to be revealed, and sellers are not required to perform an extensive search of the property looking for damages to disclose.
Under normal circumstances, the types of damages that might be disclosed would include environmental hazards like lead, asbestos, or mold; termite infestations; problems with the air-conditioning system; cracks in the foundation; and water leaks, either in the past or currently. Following Hurricane Ian, this list can be expanded to include a wide range of damages such as ooding; roof damage; damage to the exterior walls; and damage to the foundation.
Florida law does not require sellers to use the o cial Florida Realtors® disclosure form. In fact, a disclosure statement can even be made verbally. But the safest practice for both buyers and sellers is for REALTORS® to use a standard form. e Florida Realtors® form provides an easy-to-use and comprehensive checklist. For sellers in the wake of Hurricane Ian, it’s important to note that the checklist includes sections that speci cally address roof-related items and any structural damage to the property from events like ooding. It also includes a provision to note outstanding insurance claims.
Michael Lehnert, a real estate attorney with Pavese Law Firm, encourages his clients to disclose all outstanding insurance claims. “It’s not technically required,” Lehnert says, “but I advise my clients to disclose any outstanding insurance
claims. is will help head-o complications down the road if it’s already out in the open.”
Lehnert works on both commercial and residential transactions and was named a “Rising Star” in Florida by Super Lawyers in 2020-2022 for his work in real estate law. He understands that the extent of the damage from the storm will play an important role in seller’s disclosures in the future. “After Ian, with many people having water damage and roof damage, there are going to be repairs related to those damages,” he says. “Generally, if the issue was repaired and there are no issues related to it, and if the contractor says there are no problems remaining, then a seller doesn’t need to disclose those damages.”
But as a courtesy to the buyer, Lehnert suggests it might be worth noting water intrusion from ooding or roof leaks. “ e inspector will be aware of those damages and will be more precise in their inspection,” he says.
When his clients are in doubt as to what they should disclose, Lehnert encourages them to follow the Golden Rule. “I advise my clients to ask themselves what they would want the seller to disclose if they were buying the property,” he says. “ at way they understand that they might want to disclose some things even if legally they’re not required to.”
In these cases, he says, it’s about going beyond the letter of the law. “Sometimes it’s about being a good person and a good citizen.”
In the wake of Hurricane Ian’s widespread devastation and heartache, being a good citizen is more important than ever.
A BUYER’S AGENT BONUS IS TAKEN OFF THE TABLE
BY CORIE CHASE, NABOR® CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERDear Corie:
I had been working with a buyer named Bob over the last several months trying to find him the perfect home. Bob is a single father of a young daughter and employed full time. However, he had a limited price range. As you can imagine, it is difficult in the Naples market to find affordable housing these days.
I searched the MLS high and low every day until I finally came across a listing that fit the items on Bob’s wish list and was within his price range.
I immediately printed out the MLS report, called the listing agent, and scheduled an appointment to preview the property that same afternoon. While I was reviewing the MLS report, I noticed that the listing agent was offering a $500 bonus to a buyer’s
agent who brought an offer that ultimately resulted in a successful closing. The bonus was in addition to the 3 percent offer of compensation to a buyer’s agent. After previewing the property, I contacted Bob and told him about this property. We scheduled a showing for the following morning at 9 a.m. The next morning, Bob and I spent nearly an hour looking around the interior and exterior of the property. I could tell by the expressions on his face that he was very excited. After some back-and-forth discussion, he agreed to put in an offer slightly below the asking price. We wrote up the offer that same day and submitted it. I received word later that evening that Bob’s offer was accepted. I’m happy to report that the closing was
successful, and Bob is now an extremely proud homeowner.
In connection with the closing, my broker completed a commission verification form requested by the closing agent, which stated that my brokerage was entitled to a 3 percent commission together with a bonus of $500. Shortly before closing, the listing agent texted me stating that she reviewed the commission verification form and, while the 3 percent commission was correct, there would be no bonus because she had revoked the bonus in the MLS listing two weeks ago. After speaking with my broker, we decided not to do anything about the request for the bonus until after the transaction closed. Now that it has closed, what can we do?
Dear Member:
Initially, I would suggest you verify both the offer of compensation that was in MLS at the time you submitted Bob’s offer and the date upon which the listing agent removed the bonus. Presuming the offer of compensation was changed after Bob’s offer, I recommend you discuss the unpaid bonus with your broker now that the transaction has closed. If the bonus offer was changed by the listing agent after Bob’s offer was submitted, you may have a valid claim. Let me explain.
Standard of Practice 3-2 under Article 3 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics provides, in part, that REALTORS® are required to communicate to the other REALTOR® any change in compensation offered for cooperative services prior to the time that the
REALTOR® submits an offer to purchase/ lease the property. A listing agent simply going into the MLS and revising an offer of compensation and/or removing a bonus does not meet the requirement outlined in this Article as to any offer already submitted or an existing sales contract. Once a REALTOR® has submitted an offer to purchase or lease a property, the listing broker may not attempt to unilaterally modify the offered compensation with respect to that cooperative transaction. A change would require an agreement of both brokers to a particular transaction. Your broker may want to submit a request for arbitration against the listing agent’s broker and/or firm.
In addition to asking your broker to consider filing an arbitration request, you may
also want to consider simultaneously filing a formal ethics complaint alleging a violation of Article 3 of the Code. Please note that while only your broker may file an arbitration request pursuant to the rules of the National Association of REALTORS®, an ethics complaint can be filed by any person, whether a member of the National Association of REALTORS® or not, against a REALTOR® member. At the same, there is nothing that prohibits the two brokers from engaging in discussions or an alternative form of dispute resolution to resolve the matter.
Have a question? Contact Corie Chase, NABOR® Chief Administrative Officer, at (239) 597-1666 or corie@nabor.com.
REVISED NABOR® CONTRACT FORMS
A quick-and-easy guide to key changes in the new forms copyrighted in October 2022
BY KEVIN R. LOTTES, ESQ.Every two years, the REALTOR® and attorney members of NABOR®’s Legal Resources Committee review, revise, and update NABOR®’s sales, listing, and related contract forms to address important changes in the law and the real estate marketplace. e revised NABOR® forms are the product of a year’s worth of study, input, evaluation, and deliberation by the Legal Resources Committee. e updated forms have been approved by NABOR®’s Board of Directors and the Marco Island Association of REALTORS® and Collier County Bar Association.
All the NABOR® forms have been reissued bearing the new copyright date of October 1, 2022, shown as “© 10/1/2022” which appears in the lower right-hand corner of each NABOR® form. All older versions of the NABOR® forms should not be used; they should be discarded.
is article does not address every change in every NABOR® form. Following is a brief explanation of the most signi cant changes that are important for buyers, sellers, and REALTORS® to know.
As in the past, all the revised forms are available at NABOR.com, Transaction Desk, Form Simplicity, ZipLogix, Florida Realtors® ( oridarealtors.org), and in ZipForms disc format that can be ordered through the NABOR® store.
NABOR® SALES CONTRACT AND RELATED FORMS
NOTE: e paragraph references are to the NABOR® “Sales Contract (Residential Improved Property)”. Similar changes, where applicable, have also been made to the corresponding provisions of the following NABOR® forms:
◆ “Sales Contract — AS-IS (Residential Improved Property)” (unless noted with *)
◆ “Sales Contract (Residential Vacant Land)” (unless noted with ++)
◆ “Listing of Residential Improved Property — Exclusive Right and Authority to Sell Contract”
◆ “Listing of Residential Vacant Land — Exclusive Right and Authority to Sell Contract”
ADDED — Inclusion of Electric Vehicle
Charging Equipment, Sales Contract, Page 1 ++: e rst page of the Sales Contract has been revised to speci cally include, as part of the Property to be conveyed, “electric vehicle charging equipment including all operational components.”
ELIMINATED — Elimination of “Checkbox” in Section 8 of “Sales Contract (Residential Improved Property)” Referencing Attachment of “As Is Sale of Property/ Due Diligence” Addendum, Sales Contract, Paragraph 8 *
++: Paragraph 8 of the Sales Contract (Residential Improved Property) has been revised to eliminate the previously existing “checkbox” referencing the attachment of the NABOR® “As Is Sale of Property/ Due Diligence” Addendum. (Note: e NABOR® “As Is Sale of Property/Due Diligence” Addendum remains in the NABOR® forms library.)
ELIMINATED — Elimination of $150.00 Title Evidence Credit for Failure to Provide Prior Title Policy, Sales Contract, Standard B: Although the Seller is obligated to furnish to the Buyer with “any [prior] owner’s title insurance policy in Seller’s possession,” Sales Contract Standard B has been revised to eliminate the prior requirement that the Seller give the Buyer a $150 “title evidence
credit” in Collier County transactions in which the Seller fails to provide the Buyer with a copy of the title insurance policy.
REVISED — Prior Survey to be Provided by Seller, Sales Contract, Standard C(1): Sales Contract Standard C(1) has been revised to require the Seller to provide to the Buyer a “complete copy of any survey of the Property in Seller’s possession,” whether or not such survey was certi ed to the Seller. e prior version of the Sales Contract required such prior survey to be provided only if it was certi ed to the Seller.
ADDED — Additional Basis for Survey Objection, Sales Contract, Standard C(1): Sales Contract Standard C(1) has been amended to give the Buyer the right to assert a Contractually de ned “Survey Objection” if the Real Property “does not meet the applicable development standards of the local government having jurisdiction over the Real Property (and is not otherwise deemed legally non-conforming).”
ADDED — Ambient Noise Levels, Sales Contract, Standard D(1)(c)(4): Sales Contract Standard D(1)(c)(4) has been revised to include “ambient noise levels” to the list of items which the Buyer is advised may not be addressed in the relevant association documents.
ADDED — Seller’s Obligation to Cure Association Violations, Sales Contract, Standard D(2)(c): e “Seller’s Maintenance Obligation” as referenced in Sales Contract Standard D(2)(c) has been expanded to require the Seller to cure “any and all violations documented by the Association”.
ADDED — Additional Seller’s Instruments and Expenses, Sales Contract, Standard E:
Sales Contract Standard E has been revised to add the following items as expenses to be borne by the Seller: (a) utility estoppel fees; (b) outstanding utility balances due; and (c) outstanding balances or fines due to any Association. For transactions in which the Seller is subject to withholding under FIRPTA, amended Contract Standard E also requires the Seller to pay “charges associated with preparing IRS Form 8288 and 8288A and/or 8288B … and reasonable fees to Buyer’s attorney or Closing Agent for escrow, disbursement and/or remittance to withheld funds.” In addition, the Seller is responsible for preparing the instrument(s) for the “assignment of insurance and service contracts which Buyer elects to assume at closing.”
ADDED — Buyer’s Timely Application for A ssociation Approval AND Limitation on Seller’s Ability to Terminate Contract if Required Association Approval of Buyer is Not Obtained, Sales Contract, Standard J: For transactions in which Association membership approval of the Buyer is required, the Buyer remains obligated to make formal application to such Association within ten (10) days after the Effective Date; however, Contract Standard J has been amended to expressly provide that, if Association approval is not obtained by the Closing Date, “Buyer’s right to terminate [the Contract] under .. Standard J is conditioned upon Buyer timely submitting the application to the Association.”
ADDED — Limitation on Seller’s Ability to Terminate Contract if Required Association Approval of Buyer is Not Obtained, Sales Contract, Standard J: In circumstances in which required Association membership approval of the Buyer is not obtained by the Closing Date, Contract Standard J has been amended to expressly provide that the Seller’s ability to terminate the Sales Contract is “conditioned upon there not being any violations of the applicable Association’s governing documents or any past due balances due to the Association(s).”
CLARIFIED — SMS (Test Message)
Communications Do NOT Constitute Proper Notice, Sales Contract, Standard Q: Sales Contract Standard Q has been amended to expressly provide that communications by SMS (Text Message) do NOT constitute notice for
purposes of delivery of notices, disclosures, and acknowledgements under the Sales Contract.
ADDED — List of “Checkboxes” to Identify Attached Addenda, Sales Contract, Immediately After “Other Terms and Conditions” Section: The Sales Contract has been revised to add an extensive series of “checkboxes” to identify the specific NABOR® Addenda which are attached to and made a part of the relevant offer (or counteroffer). This new section of the Sales Contract states that the addendum associated with the marked “checkbox” is incorporated into the Sales Contract, provided that the addendum is attached to the Sales Contract.
NABOR® SALES CONTRACT AND RELATED FORMS
CLARIFIED — Addendum To Sales Contract
— Back-Up Contract: This Addendum has been amended by adding the following advisory statement near the top of the document: “IN THE EVENT A SELLER DESIRES TO ACCEPT MULTIPLE BACKUP CONTRACTS, THE PARTIES SHOULD SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL.”
AMENDED — Addendum to Sales Contract
— Post-Closing Occupancy: The NABOR® Post-Closing Occupancy Addendum has been amended by adding the following optional sentence at the end of the document: “If box is checked , BUYER shall, upon 24 hours’ notice be given access to the Property for purposes of inspection and storage of personal property after Closing.”
CLARIFIED — Addendum To Sales Contract
— Seller’s Right to Make Back-Up Contract
Primary Contract: This Addendum has been amended by adding an advisory statement that the Seller’s rights under such Addendum are expressly “subject to the rules governing the Naples Area Board of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service (“MLS”).
CLARIFIED — Inspection Notice — Buyer’s Election and Seller’s Response: The NABOR® Inspection Notice form has been amended by adding the following advisory statement near the top of the document: “NOT TO BE USED WITH THE AS-IS SALES CONTRACT”.
ELIMINATED/REPLACED — Flood Insurance Disclosure: The previous NABOR® form entitled “Flood Insurance Disclosure” has been replaced with a NEW (and broader) NABOR® form entitled “Insurance Disclosure.”
NEW FORM — Condominium and Cooperative Safety Disclosure: This NEW optional NABOR® form, which is intended to be signed by purchasers of condominium/cooperative units, advises the Buyer of recent consumer protection and safety legislation enacted during the 2022 Florida Legislative Session following the Surfside/Champlain Towers condominium collapse in Dade County. The new statute, among other things, requires periodic inspections of the structural integrity of condominium/cooperative buildings which are three (3) or more stories tall. This new NABOR® form also advises purchasers that the new statute “may have a financial impact on assessments collected or to be collected in the future from unit owners as well as on the ongoing costs of ownership in these affected buildings.” This new form specifically advises that, “Buyers considering the purchase of a Condominium or Cooperative in a building affected by these new regulations are encouraged to discuss these matters and any other questions with the Condominium or Cooperative association and the Buyer’s legal, financial and other professional advisors prior to entering into a sales contract.”
NABOR® LISTING CONTRACT FORMS
ADDED — Litigation/Prevailing Party Attorney Fees Clause: The provisions of each of the NABOR® Listing Contracts have been revised to expressly provide that “[i]n connection with any litigation concerning this Listing Contract, venue shall be in the county where the Property is located, and the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs, including on any appeals, from the non-prevailing party.”
Please familiarize yourself with the revised forms before using them. Do not mix old forms with new forms. We hope that you will agree that, with these additions and revisions, NABOR®’s sales, listing, and related forms remain the best in the business.
Kevin Lottes is a Florida Bar Board-Certified Real Estate Attorney. He can be reached at Kevin@LottesLaw.com.
OPEN HOUSE SAFETY
9 Tips for Maintaining Vigilance
BY KAREN FELDMANNo matter how high-tech society gets, REALTORS® will continue holding open houses to provide potential buyers a personal walk-through experience.
at could mean being the only person in an empty house. You never know who will show up or what their intentions might be.
Tim Guerrette is chair of the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® Professional Development REALTORS® Safety Committee and retired as a chief in the Collier County Sheri ’s Department. He has plenty of open house safety tips:
∙ Prior to hosting an open house, Guerrette advises doing a precheck. “Familiarize yourself with the property. Know where it’s located. Are there neighbors? Animals? Fences?”
∙ Look it up on Google Maps rst so you
can see where it’s located and how close neighbors are. In the o -season, you might be the only person in a condo building or discover the property has no cell service. “Make sure you have your phone charged and that there’s service there,” he says.
∙ Let someone know the exact address and hours you will be there. Text them when you set out for the home and when you leave it.
∙ On arrival, be mindful about where you park. Don’t park at the top of the driveway where you could be blocked in by a vehicle parking behind you. “Find an appropriate place where you could leave from, if needed,” he says.
∙ If you carry a security device, have it readily accessible and know how to use it, such as which way to point a vial of pepper spray. And don’t leave it in your purse.
∙ “You also have an obligation to keep the house somewhat secure,” Guerrette says. “When I talk to sellers, I say, ‘It’s
very important to put away prescription medications, weapons, anything of value prior to your open house.’ People do go to open houses just to check medicine cabinets and look for valuables.”
∙ Once you enter the house, do a visual inspection and “have an exit strategy. Familiarize yourself with the exits and how the doors open,” Guerrette says. “If there’s anything that would stick out as a potential weapon, put it away.”
∙ Don’t unlock all the doors. at ensures no one comes in through the garage or a back door.
∙ At the end of the open house, check the closets and vacant areas to ensure everyone has left, close and lock the house, and text the person with whom you planned to check in. In planning, Guerrette says to go with your instincts. “If you have the slightest misgivings, take someone with you,” he says.
Acuna, Maria Alejandra
Adams, Cory
Albadan, Juan C.
Alexander, Ed
Allen, Robert J.
Alomar Lugo, Cesar J.
Alvarez, Daniela
Andersen, Geoff
Anderson, Adela Rosario Soto
Anderson, Sara Claire
Andrews, Caitlin
Arango, Jeanine Marie
Ashley, Jody
Assal, Christian
Avila, Any
Battoe, Adrienne
Beall, Kris
Beckner, Russell
Bennett, Leilani
Berardi, Joseph R.
Bermudez Oro, Anna E.
Best, Irene
Bevans, Joshua Michael
Beyzadov, Erol Erdalov
Bitzel, Peter Dominic
Blaney, Laura A.
Bonacuse Martin, Maria
Borgela, Lodnya
Borovic, Alexandru
Brauer, Robert J.
Broselle, Demi
Brown, Denise Anne
Bua, Shane David
Buchanan, Diane
Burke Jr., Patrick Anthony
Welcome New NABOR® Members!
(Q3 — July through September 2022)
Burns, Heather
Bussell, Brett Allen
Calderon, Josue
Callahan Pfeifer, Christine
Cameron, Nicole Amy
Carta, Massimo
Casanova, Alexander
Castaneda, Mario Luis
Castanon, Linda
Castilla, Melanie
Castle, Kristi S.
Celej, Alan Maciej
Cirone, Dean
Claveria, Ralph Kevin
Clemente, Avril
Coduto, William
Collins, Aaron Ben
Collis, Jeffrey M.
Collis, Joanne
Colthorp, Todd
Combs, Emmitt
Connelly, Sarah
Cook, Donald Joseph
Cooney, Frank W.
Cooper, James
Cordova, Yoisel Vicente
Cortez, Gumesindo
Cronenbold, Vivian Jessy
Cross, Carlos A.
Cubberly, Raymond George
Cuevas de Romero, Mairy
Curwick, Kaitlynn
Dalessandro, Sebastian
Dall, Chenoa
Damouni Jr., Jacob Fayez
Daniels, Nichole Karin
Daubel, Kathleen
Davila Mondragon, Emma C.
Dedio, Victoria
Dempsey, Christopher
DeSilvio, Cynthia
Dier, Laura Lynn
Dominguez, Israel
Dominska, Grazyna Maria
Donahue, Mina Dianna
Dornema, Valerie
Douglas, Mary Jane
Doyle, John
Duhamel, Mechele
Easterling, Anna Leigh
Ede, Steven Thomas
Eisenmenger, Jennifer Sue
Eller, Jade Ann Marie
Ely, Patricia A.
Esbach, Douglas
Farshchian, Jennie G.
Faticone, Carrie Ann
Fontanive, Laura
Fox, Natalie Christiane
Foy, Susan
Francher, Nicholas Stephen
French, Jayne
Fry, Valerie C.
Fuchs, Michelle
Galeano, Marisol
Garcia, Osmany
Gasbarre, Ann Maire
Gasteiger, Lisa Carol
Giannakakis, Bessie
Giunta, Renee
Gloth, Maybian
Goldman, Justin
Gomez, Shirley
Gordon, David Scott
Greenspahn, Jonathan Stuart
Griffin, Karmen Renee
Grooms, Leigh Ann
Groth, Bridgette
Guerra Jr., Jorge Luis
Hakeem, Fairouz Fay
Harcarik, Jake
Hatzilambros, Thomas
Hawran, Diane
Heflin, Ashley Arlene
Heinen, Johanna
Hellenbrand, Nicole Elizabeth
Hernandez, Samantha Noelle
Heuerman, Matt
Hughes, Todd
Hummel, Detlev
Hummel, Wesley
Hunter, Nicole
Igoe, Caroline Duarte
Jackson, Diane Mary
Jaramillo, William
Jasinski, Michael Josephine
Jenkins, Spencer
Jenkins, Timothy Adam
Johnson, Kiera Shea
Jordan, Matthew
Kao, Kevin Princeton
Karambellas, Anthony George
Karp, Kathie J.
Kartheiser, PA, Marissa
Kascsak, Damita
Kascsak, Paul Michael
Kashyap, Kristina Nicole
Kath, Janet Lynne
Keto, Jill
Kinnaird, Marcus
Kinter, Ana
Klahm, Mark W
Koons, Joy
Krause, Kateri
Lafreniere, Eric
Laguia Hernandez, Enrique
LaPlante, Michelle Daniela
Larose, Joseph V.
Lattanzio, Noemi Milagros
Lebowitz, David
Lebron, Jaimy
Lefebvre, Shane
Leon, Tatiana
Leon-Smith, Marisol
Limas, Randy
Lisea, Ashley Layla Marie
Loconte, Joanna
Lopez Gonzalez, Gaudalupe A.
Lopez, Rosalilnda
Maag, Natasha D.
Maddox, Linda C.
Madrid-Bolock, Pahola Alejandra
Mammoliti, Chiara
Mangiapane, Danilo
Mangieri, Jo
Marck Sherk, Madeline
Martinez, Jocelyn
Martinez, Viridiana
Max, Jaunita
McCarthy, Charleen
McKenzie, Roy Bershell
McLister, Melanie
McMillan, Lisa
McMurray, Andrew
Meda, Marta
Melgar Pereira, Alejandro
Meritt, Ruth Taylor
Merryman, Bradley
Miller, Heather Lynn
Minnick, Duncan Baekeland
Miranda Jr., Wilfredo
Mitchell, Joshua
Moore, Ronald David
Morpurgo, Bruno
Muff, Patricia Lee
Murzanski, Sebastian Wieslaw
Muscato, Angela
Nabozny, Cristina Cabada
Narcisi, Christina
Nee, David Michael
Nelson, Gina
Nervo Smith, Tiffaney
Newlon, Emily
Normil, Ibrahim C.
Nunez, Ena O.
Nyumbwe, Hollo
O’Donnell Jr., Kevin Francis
Obermann-Gil, Monica
O’Connell, Catherine A.
Oglesby, Reagan E.
O’Keefe, Claire Therese
Olin, Kelly
Orfanakis, Sarah Kristan
Pacyga, Kyler
Pagan, Dianne Kelly
Palmer, Jodi Lynne
Pantoja Sanchez, Melissa
Paredes, Claudia
Parga Reyes, Maria L.
Parkey, Laura
Parmelly, Vance A.
Pearson, Deana
Perner, Vera O.
Petit Frere, Yolande
Posca, Shauna
Poteet, James M.
Premezzi, Nina
Prok, Paul
Rawson, Lois E.
Redmond Hamaoui, Rebecca Gail
Resendes, Dino
Rimes, Ashley Desiree
Rivero Pena, Adriana
Rodriguez, Mariana
Roig, Hector
Rowe, Michael John
Royal, Kimberly
Rubido, Daylan
Saez, William John
Salama, Haide Samir Tawfek
Sandell, Hunter Michael
Schaefer, Lauren Amanda
Scharr, Lisa Michelle
Sears, Ivy D.
Serna, Margaret
Shook, Chloe Anne
Shuaipi, Akela
Shuster, Kristopher Cain
Silva, Javier
Simera, Jackson
Simpson, Brandice
Singletary, Cody
Slabosz, Justyna
Smith, MD, Stephen E.
Smith, Brianna
Smith, Dylan W.
Smith, Rebecca C.
Smith-Higbie, Morgan
Snider, Ayden Matthew
Somers, Daniel
Sossamon, Julie
Sotiraj, Ilva
Souza, Gabriela Marquez
Staffordsmith, Gregory Edward
Stapleton, Mary Beaton
Starman, Tonya Hines
Steeves Jr., Russell Charles
Tabasso, Shelby
Tello Jr., Erick Abel
Termidor, Jude
Thomas, Lydia
Tidwell, Cherrylyn S.
Tinedo, Alberto
Tooker, Jeffrey Paul
Torcomian, Alexander Deron
Tovar, Andrew
Tovar, Angela M.
Troiano, Dominick
Uglialoro, Santo C.
Vartani, Andrew
Velazquez, Damian Lazaro
Vessella, Kristina Maria
Vezmar, Mila
Waechter, Adam
Walker, Tyler
Warren, Dion Daryl
Watt, Ann
Watts, Robert S.
Way, Mikayla Anne
Weadon, Lisa Marie
Weisbecker, Jessica Lynn
Welker, Michael Austin
Wells, Lauren Ellis
White, Christina Kathryn
Whitehead, Mark John
Willette, Madelyn Renee
Winter, Heather N.
Winthrop, Cindy P.
Wunderlich, Sabina Magdelina
Zampogna, Carlo
Zebouni, Andy
Zuk, Todd A.
Zurraco, Maria Cecilia
Committee Spotlight
2022 RPAC Committee
Brett Brown, Chair, President 2009; Sara Brand, Vice Chair; Jacquie Walter; Paula Angelopoulos Urbinati, Director; Allisa Pipes
(Not pictured: Jeannette Batten; Melissa Cure; Ray Gonzalez; Rosa Madrid; Jayne Malinowski; Dylan Newton; Dominic Pallini, President 2017; Bill Poteet, President 2012)
Economic Summit
Sept. 8 * Hilton Naples
1. Speakers Brad O’Connor, PhD, Chief Economist, Florida Realtors®; Ryan Bleggi, President; Elliot Eisenberg, PhD, Chief Economist, Graphs and Laughs; and Jeff Lytle, Moderator 2. President Ryan Bleggi and Economic Summit Committee Members: Marcia Albert, Marketing Director; Rick Fioretti, President 2016; Brenda Fioretti, President 2010/2011; Gwen Gideon-Davis; Jayne Malinowski; Cheyenne Chase, Staff; Terrilyn VanGorder, Director; Jim Pilon, President 2003 (Not pictured: Thamara Pamankada; Bill Poteet, President 2012; PJ Smith, Treasurer)
Logo Unveiling Party
Member Business Meeting
Sept. 14 * NABOR®
1. 2022 Leadership Academy: Mariana Birmingham; Vicki Allen; Eric Nagel; Deborah Linville, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Committee; Melissa Pierce; Liam Barker; Nicole Porro; Lisa Rogstad; Spencer Rigsby; Gretchen Shelton; Paula King; Jeffrey Zeiler; Ron Coburn 2. Committee Spotlight Award recipients Shari de Ron and Spencer Rigsby with Ryan Bleggi, President 3. Ryan Bleggi, President; Debbie Zalewski, Committee Spotlight Award recipient
Allied & Affiliates vs. REALTORS® Kickball Game
Sept. 22 * Paradise Coast Sports Complex
Food Drive
Oct. 1-31 * NABOR®
Non-perishable food items were generously donated by NABOR® members for the Collier Harvest Foundation to distribute to local partner agencies.
1. FRONT: Jillian Young; Andrew Occhipinti; Mary Kay Dedousis; Allisson Gonzalez, MLS Support Specialist; Spencer Rigsby; Stephanie Rosenblum; Gretchen Shelton; Nancy Bjork; Eric Nagel BACK: Heather Haynes; Michelle Pardis; Oksana Sherman; Debbie Zvibleman; Taiana Londoño, REALTOR® Store Manager 2. Jillian Young, Gretchen Shelton, Eric Nagel 3. St. Vincent de Paul employees
Trunk or Treat
Oct. 28 * NABOR®
Kevin R. Lottes Real Estate Corporate 239-552-4114
9132 Strada Place Suite 207 Naples, Florida
Kevin@LottesLaw.com
239-552-4178 (Fax)
A Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law, Kevin Lottes is proud to be named in the Best Lawyers in America for the eleventh year in a row. He credits these honors to his unwavering commitment to excellent client service.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisement. Before you decide, please visit our website at www.lotteslaw.com to read about our qualifications and experience.
Golf Tournament
Oct. 20 * Treviso Bay Golf Club
1. Mark Hobert, Ben Booroom, Thamara Pamankada, Bernard Faithful 2. Ken Stadalsky, Ryan Chiodo, Greg Lammert, Stacey Maczuli 3. Wes Weidenmiller; Lauren Melo, President 2020, Florida Representative, District 80; PJ Smith, President Elect; Chris Hudson
Oktoberfest Sunset Cruise
Oct. 13 * Pure Florida’s Double Sunshine
1. FRONT: Nelida Rojas, Miriam Armas BACK: Missy Patterson, Ralph Claveria, Dawn Wheldon 2. Oktoberfest revelers enjoy the boat cruising 3. Eugene Moreno, Tyler Buckunv 4. John Lopez, Monica Oberman, Maya Ismilova, Rosa Guidicelli, Rocio Mora
BINGO NIGHT
November
New Officers Installation Banquet
Dec. 9 * The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón
1. 2023 Board of Directors: Ryan Bleggi, President 2022, Paula Angelopoulos Urbinati, Shaun Garry, David Puskaric, Marcie Roggow, Mary Waller, Izabela Wright, Christine Citrano, Terrilyn VanGorder, PJ Smith, and Nick Bobzien, President 2. Mike Hughes, Master of Ceremonies and President 2015, with his wife Ruth Hughes 3. 2023 O cers: Terrilyn VanGorder, Vice President/Secretary; Nick Bobzien, President; PJ Smith, President Elect; and Christine Citrano, Treasurer
4. Nick Bobzien,
by Ryan Bleggi, President 2022
NAPLES PRESERVE
Just about every visitor to the Greater Naples area has driven past the intriguing, glass-walled structure located at the intersection of Tamiami Trail North and Fleischmann Boulevard. e Hedges Family Eco-Center at Naples Preserve is a unique roadside stopover that introduces modern visitors to Collier County’s local history museums and natural areas.
Built in 1961, it’s said to have been one of the rst buildings raised after Hurricane Donna ripped through the area in 1960. Designed by Naples architect Dick Morris, it was commissioned by Julius Fleischmann to establish a landmark so visitors could easily drop by to nd out about local attractions, hotels, and golf courses. Fleischmann was an active developer and promoter of Naples who owned Caribbean Gardens and had the building sited
BY CATHY CHESTNUTnear his attraction, which is the Naples Zoo today. Fleischmann used it as a promotional ticket booth for Caribbean Gardens, and then it served as the Naples Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center through the late 1980s.
After the chamber moved on, the small building sat vacant for more than a decade and was left to deteriorate. In 1999, voters approved a referendum to purchase the property for $8 million. A nonpro t group of citizens, Friends of Naples Preserve, rolled up their sleeves and removed trash and non-native vegetation. ey worked to raise $250,000 to restore the midcentury gem to defray the cost for taxpayers.
Today, nature enthusiasts can traverse the 9.5-acre green space, comprising pine atwoods and oak scrub, via a half-mile-long boardwalk. ere’s plenty to see along the walk: butter y pollinator gardens, gopher tortoises (a
state-designated threatened species), and the National Champion myrtle oak standing at 41 feet tall—the largest documented in the United States. ere are also picnic tables.
In many ways, it’s ful lling its original intent: welcoming newcomers with information about Collier County’s natural and cultural amenities. It’s a place for quiet re ection and a quick immersion in nature amid the urban bustle. Although it was once eyed for demolition, this geometric landmark has become a symbol of Naples’ past design in uences and residents’ desire to preserve some of the community’s unique history.
e Hedges Family Eco-Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, except holidays. It is located at 1690 Tamiami Trail N. For information, call 239-261-4290.
The Hedges Family Eco-Center provides a retro welcome and quiet respite.
ART & CULTURE
¡ARTE VIVA!
Along with the community’s commemoration of its centennial anniversary, the diversity of Hispanic culture in the region is being celebrated with a year-long ¡Arte Viva! Festival. Here is a sampling of events:
La Calavera Catrina, through January 21, Naples Botanical Garden
Mexican-born sculptor Ricardo Soltero has brought his unique vision of Mexico’s iconic Day of the Dead celebration to the Naples Botanical Garden with a showcase featuring eight largerthan-life sculptures of La Catrina, the iconic painted female skeleton central to the holiday. e exhibit
also includes a large ofrenda, the altar where offerings are made to the spirits of deceased family members.
Frida and Her Garden, January 14 through September, Naples Botanical Garden
This exhibit transports visitors to La Casa Azul, legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s (1907-1954) iconic home and refuge recreated on the garden’s grounds along with monumental sculptures representing some of the animals that sparked Kahlo’s creative work.
“Frida Fest,” January 21–February 5, Naples Art District Stroll among the art district’s 100-plus studios and galleries to find life-sized “Fridas” decorating the district, as well as a large, colorful mural made with the guidance of Mexican-born artist Ricardo Soltero.
Clyde Butcher’s Cuba: The Natural Beauty, January 24–April 23, Marco Island Historical Museum
The immense beauty of Cuba is captured in largeformat, black-and-white images created by Florida’s most famous landscape photographer.
The Barber of Seville, February 26–27, Silverspot Cinema
Gulfshore Opera presents this classic comedy in a whimsical new production.
Miradas De Mujeres, March 1–31, Naples Art
Frida Kahlo’s iconic garments are reinterpreted in bold and bright paper creations by Belgian contemporary artist Isabelle de Borchgrave in this exhibition.
Festival Under the Stars: Carmen, March 28–30, Cambier Park
Opera Naples brings to life Georges Bizet’s wrenching depiction of a woman who craves love.
Troupe Vertigo “Latin Extravaganza,” April 4-8, Artis-Naples
Troupe Vertigo and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, led by principal pops conductor Jack Everly, present a captivating reimagining of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, featuring the cirque troupe’s stunning gymnastic feats and aerial acrobatics woven with the opera’s memorable score.
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Presents “Tablao Flamenco,” April 5–6, Artis-Naples
America’s foremost flamenco and Spanish dance company presents the centuries-long tradition of southern Spain’s most iconic dance.
Full schedule of events: paradisecoast.com/arte-viva-festival
Portraits of Frida Kahlo by Misoon Whang (above) and Wendy Wagner (left) will be on display, along with many others, during the Naples Art District’s “Frida Fest” from January 21-February 5.LOCAL
SCENEHIGH LINE
BY CATHY CHESTNUTTyler Walter appears to be a veteran of e Edge Johnny Nocera Skate Park as he adeptly cruises the bowl in a Zen-like state. Professional photographer Shane Antalick, a surfer and skateboarder, says this image “helps those who don’t skate see the sport in a positive and vibrant light. And for those who do skate, it urges excitement and reignites passion.” On this winter day in 2021, Antalick was on assignment at the Naples park for skateboarding brand Flexdex. “ is is one of the best parks in Southwest Florida—it’s truly one of a kind,” he says. Antalick was born and raised on Sanibel Island and earned a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. (shaneantalick.com)
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ACCOUNTING SERVICES
ALLURE INTERNATIONAL TAX CONSULTING
(239)992-3355 O alluretax.com
Elke Drechsel marketing@alluretax.com
Marena Loeffler info@alluretax.com
COTTRELL TAX & ACCOUNTING, LLC
(239)449-4881 O cottrelltax.com
Benjamin Cottrell Jr. bjc@cta.tax
DAVIS & ASSOCIATES CPA’S (239)775-8588 O johndaviscpa.com
Brigit Elfinger belfinger@johndaviscpa.com
JAIKES ADVISORY GROUP
(239)272-6275 O
Mark R Jaikes mark@jaikesadvisorygroup.com
MEDRANO & CAIL BOOKKEEPING PROFESSIONALS
(239)610-5056 O
Jennifer Cail jennifer@medranoandcail.com
NAPLES TAXES ~ LAURA’S WAY! (239)431-5755 O Naplestaxes.com
Laura Sklow laura@naplestaxes.com
THE FIRPTA GROUP LLC (239)920-5225 O
Benjamin Cottrell Jr. FIRPTA@cta.tax
Olga Vindell olga@cta.tax
APPRAISAL SERVICES
ADVANTAGE APPRAISAL GROUP, LLC
(586)738-6782 O
Steven Ede edeappraisal@gmail.com
ALAN S JONES CERT APPRAISER (239)777-2731 C
Alan Jones Alanjonesnaples@gmail.com
AMO APPRAISALS (239)784-8757 O
Anthony M Ojanovac amoappraisals@gmail.com
APPRAISAL SERVICES OF SWFL (239)293-2540 O
Margaret Hodge mhodge@longviewappraisals.com
APPRAISE SW FLORIDA, LLC (239)826-8651 O rehollingsworth.com Ryan Hollingsworth (739)826-8651 C appraiseswfl@gmail.com
BRAD KROLL & ASSOCIATES (704)651-2564 O
Bradford Kroll bkroll77@gmail.com
CARROLL & CARROLL (239)775-1147 O carrollandcarroll.com
Raymond Carroll ray@carrollandcarroll.com
Timothy Sunyog tims@carrollandcarroll.com
CAROL A ROCKMAN, APPRAISER (239)351-6834 O
Carol Rockman carol.rockman@yahoo.com
CERTIFIED RES. APPRAISAL (239)649-1446 O
Burkhard Klein burkhardklein@earthlink.net
DITIO APPRAISALS APF (888)696-9689 O
Robert O’Leary roberto@ditio.com
DON RICHMOND (239)571-7917 O
Donald Richmond donrichmond1@embarqmail.com
EDWARD ALLEN KOON APPRAISERS (239)287-9580 O
Edward Koon (239)287-9580 C universalappraisers@yahoo.com
FOX FAMILY REAL ESTATE APPRAISALS (239)595-6830 O
Kristin Fox (239)595-6830 C foxfamilyappraisals@centurylink.net
GILBERT MOYA (305)496-3949 O
Gilbert Moya gvc887@aol.com
AFFILIATE MEMBER DIRECTORY
HARRY HENDERSON REAL ESTATE APPRAISER (239)370-2813 O
Harry Henderson (239)593-4897 C goodkind@comcast.net
INVESTMENT APPRAISERS, LLC (239)241-0264 O Crystal Hyde invappraisers@outlook.com
JAMIE MUELLER APPRAISAL Services (239)293-6847 O jamiemuellerappraisalservices.com Jamie Lynn Mueller muellerjamie@yahoo.com
JESSIE BOONE (239)775-0929 O jessieboone.com
Jessie Boone jlboone10@yahoo.com
JUDITH SABBAGHZADEH (239)272-0650 O
Judith Sabbaghzadeh judy@cappraisers.com
KENNEDY APPRAISAL & ASSOC., LLC (239)947-6281 O Kappraisals.com
Richard Kennedy (239)450-0984 C richard@kappraisals.com
Kevin Morrow kevin.kennedyappraisal@gmail.com
KERRY WAYNE JR APPRAISER (239)289-2319 O pbdappraisers.org
Kerry Wayne, Jr. (239)289-2319 C appraisers@wayne-dudley.net
KRISTI RIVERA APPRAISER (239)826-1611 O
Kristi Rivera kriveraxvi@gmail.com
L G APPRAISALS OF NAPLES (239)263-6917 O appraiserinnaples.com
Lynda Gibbins (239)263-6917 C lynda@appraiserinnaples.com
LAPLATTE APPRAISAL SERVICES (239)455-9970 O laplatteappraisals.com
Frank LaPlatte (239)269-8891 C appraisals@laplatteappraisals.com
LAWRENCE WEINER APPRAISAL (908)456-8772 O
Lawrence Weiner
lwmetro@live.com
LINDA REITZES APPRAISER (239)919-6083 O
Linda K Reitzes lkr19819@aol.com
LISA BARFIELD (239)431-1321 O
Lisa Barfield lisabarfield2012@gmail.com
MAGHER APPRAISALS (239)566-7525 O
Christine Hale mhchristine@earthlink.net
MICHAEL CHURCH APPRAISALS (239)238-7820 O Michaelchurchappraisals.com
Michael R. Church michael@michaelchurchappraisals.com
NEW CENTURY APPRAISAL (239)231-3500 O
Jacob Crawford jacob@newcapp.com
PARADISE APPRAISALS (239)596-4888 O paradiseappraisals.com
Michael Manganaro (239)293-8701 C mmanganaro@paradiseappraisals.com
Annemarie Hammond Ahammond@paradiseappraisals.com
REGENCY APPRAISALS (239)304-6025 O regencyappraisals.com
Brett Gerard (239)304-6025 C info@regencyappraisals.com
SDC APPRAISALS INC (516)710-9277 O
Stephen Carollo stephencarollo@gmail.com
WE FLORIDA, LLC (239)572-4995 C wefloridallc.com
Tricia Eriksson tricia@wefloridallc.com
WILLIAM DIVELEY APPRAISALS (302)897-4111 O
William Diveley wjdiveleyappraisals@gmail.com
WILLIAM FALL GROUP (239)594-7818 O williamfallgroup.com
Marcilene Greer marcigreerllc@gmail.com
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES
KTS GROUP
(239)963-6763 C ktsgrp.com
Scott Kish II skish@ktsgrp.com
BANKING
AMERIS BANK MORTGAGE SERVICES
(239)770-2270 C
Stephanie Whiffen (NMLSID #653675) stephanie.whiffen@amerisbank.com (239)784-3066 C
Tammy Randolph (NMLS #1246047) tammy.randolph@amerisbank.com
CENTRAL BANK (786)232-1243 O Centralbank.net
Angela Hernandez NMLS#407985 angela.hernandez@centralbank.net
CHASE BANK (239)260-6016 O
Teresa Stachurski (805)602-0943 C teresa.stachurski@chase.com
FIRST HORIZON BANK
Tim Allen (239)571-5440 C Tallen@firsthorizon.com
Sylvia Connor (239)8601954 C sylvia.connor@firsthorizon.com Ryan Wilson (239)287-0613 C ryan.wilson@firsthorizon.com
FIRSTRUST BANK
(800)220-2265 O
Joe Kentfield jkentfield@firstrust.com
GUARANTEED RATE
(914)263-7077 O
Daniel Somers daniel.somers@rate.com
KEY BANK MORTGAGE
(239)659-8811 O
(239)929-6062 C
Tori Dopp Crummack ToriCrummack@keybank.com
LAKE MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION OF FLA (239)908-5864 O
Jayne Malinowski jayne.malinowski@lmcu.org
(239)994-3565 C
Bryan Mundy bryan.mundy@lmcu.org
(239)850-3348 C
MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION (239)850-3348 O
Ellen Benton ellen.benton@midflorida.com
MIDWEST ONE BANK (239)213-6768 O
Eduardo Alfaro ealfaro@midwestone.com
MONEYCORP (407)352-5890 O
Robin Eekhof robin.eekhof@moneycorp.com
MOVEMENT MORTGAGE (239)821-5661 O
Rosa Madrid rosa.madrid@movement.com
Vicki Allen (484)358-6764 C vicki.allen@movement.com
Dave Marzinke dave.marzinke@movement.com
PNC BANK (813)486-9397 O
James Lang james.lang@pnc.com
PNC PRIVATE BANK (239)687-7235 O
Russell Beckner russell.beckner@pnc.com
Jessica Cameron Jessica.cameron@pnc.com
SANIBEL CAPTIVA COMMUNITY BANK (239)274-7411 O
Puja Romero promero@sancapbank.com
SEACOAST BANK (800)706-9891 O
Phillip Lorraine phillip.lorraine@seacoastbank.com
SOUTHSTATE BANK (630)781-4022 O
Holly Weseman holly.weseman@southstatebank.com
SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION
Michael Greenhoe (800)999-5887 michael.greenhoe@suncoastcreditunion.com
Tamara Kiehl (813)426-4641 tamara.kiehl@suncoastcreditunion.com
Oksana Sherman (813)465-2404 oksana.sherman@suncoastcreditunion.com
SUNTRUST NOW TRUIST (239)269-4725 C suntrust.com/jeannie.scott
Jeannie Scott NMLS ID#659712 jeannie.scott@suntrust.com
SYNOVUS BANK (215) 760-2134 C
Robin Koneski robinkoneski@synovus.com
TD BANK (239)963-7124 C Mariana Beckner Mariana.Birmingham@td.com
TRUSTCO BANK (239)218-7390 O
Shari de Ron sderon@trustcobank.com
WATERFORD BANK N.A. (419)343-1149 C
Todd Hughes todd.hughes@waterfordbankna.com
WELLS FARGO PRIVATE MORTGAGE (239)393-1286 O
Todd Gierhart CMPS (239)821-2854 C todd.gierhart@wellsfargo.com Brandice Simpson (239)300-1483 C brandice.simpson@wellsfargo.com
BUILDER/DEVELOPERS
FLORIDA LIFESTYLE HOMES (239)919-4040 C
Kelley Reischl Kelley@flhfl.com
KTS GROUP (239)963-6763 C ktsgrp.com
Scott Kish II skish@ktsgrp.com
LUTGERT CONSTRUCTION (239)216-0403 O
Michelle McLeod michellem@lutgert.com
PULTE GROUP (239)495-4842 O pultegroup.com
Jessica Edwards jessica.edwards@pultegroup.com
PREFERRED BUILDERS OF FL (239) 354-6766 O preferredbuilders.net
Louis George louis@preferredbuilders.net
RYAN & VOIGT CONTRACTING (239)300-8936 O
Jacob Voigt III jake@ryanandvoigt.com
STOCK DEVELOPMENT (239)592-7344 O stockdevelopment.com
Claudine Leger-Wetzel cwetzel@stockdevelopment.com
COMMERCIAL SALES
GRANT FRIDKIN PEARSON PA (239)514-1000 O gfpac.com
Cheryl L.Hastings chastings@gfpac.com
Alexandra Gabel agabel@gfpac.com
Charles C. Whittington cwhittington@gfpac.com
HENDERSON, FRANKLIN, STARNES & HOLT (239)344-1378 O henlaw.com
G Donald Thomson donald.thomson@henlaw.com
Sharon M Zuccaro sharon.zuccaro@henlaw.com
John D Spear (239)344-1351 D John.spear@henlaw.com
LOTTES LAW GROUP, PLLC (239)552-4114 O
Kevin R. Lottes kevin@lotteslaw.com
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
COLLIER BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (239)436-6100 O cbia.net
Kathleen Curatolo kathy@cbia.net
GREATER NAPLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (239)262-6376 O
Michael Dalby michael@napleschamber.org
CONTRACTOR
HONC INDUSTRIES (239)772-4662 O
Jayson Rider jayson@honc.com
AFFILIATE MEMBER DIRECTORY
STORM SMART (239)910-1894 O
Lisa Winters lwinters@stormsmart.com
COUNTRY CLUBS / HOTELS
EVERGLADES GOLF COURSE ASSOCIATES (239)261-4987 O
Matthew Taylor MattT@rpgolfclub2.com
TARPON COVE YACHT RACQUET CLUB (239)592-9808 O
Brett Mance bmance@tarponcoveclub.com
WYNDEMERE COUNTRY CLUB (239)263-1700 O wyndemere.com
Cheri Schwartz membership@wyndemere.com
CONSULTING
AUC CONSULTANT, LLC (239)595-2394 O
Claudine Auclair claudine@aucconsultant.com
JAIKES ADVISORY GROUP (239)272-6275 O
Mark R Jaikes gmgsavingsnaples@aol.com
NAPLES CUSTOM HOME COST CONSULTING (239)450-4586 O Naplescustomhomecostconsulting.com
Mike Swanson mike@naplescustomhomecostconsulting.com
PLATINUM CLOSING AGENTS (239)272-3739 O
Glenn Torres glenn@platinumclosingagents.com
EDUCATORS
FLORIDA PRO REAL ESTATE ACADEMY (239)249-9423 O
Timothy Guerrette tim@floridaprorealty.com
LARSON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
(239)344-7510 O larsoned.com
Brad Larson Brad@Larsoned.com
NAPLES SCHOOL OF REAL ESTATE (239)261-0222 O
Lisa Farrell-Sands info@naplesreschool.com
TRANS-EQUITY (239)398-8650 O trans-equity.com
Patricia Pitocchi PPitocchi@comcast.net
FINANCIAL SERVICES
COTTRELL TAX & ACCOUNTING (239)449-4881 O cottrelltax.com
Benjamin Cottrell Jr. bjc@cta.tax
CURRENCIES DIRECT (407)900-2174 O
Christian Assal christian.assal@currenciesdirect.com
MIDLAND IRA AND 1031 (239)333-1032 O Midlandtrust.com
Janet Davis jdavis@midland1031.com
Brenda Whetsell bwhetsell@midlandtrust.com
TD BANK
(239)963-7124 C Mariana Beckner Mariana.Birmingham@td.com
FLOORPLAN SERVICES
PRECISION FLOORPLANS (239)598-9411 O precisionfloorplans.com
Stephan Putier (239)370-2165 C precisionfloorplans@earthlink.net
FURNITURE COMPANIES
ROBB & STUCKY (239)270-5639 O RobbStuckyIntl.com
Jessica Schneider
jschneider@robbstuckyintl.com
HEALTH
CALIBER CHIROPRACTIC (239)658-2665 O
Dr. Josh Bell drjoshbelldc@gmail.com
EYE ASSOCIATES OF SWFL NAPLES (239)593-7747 O
Stephen E Smith MD abrust@easwfl.com
ULTIMATE MD-KETAN TRIVEDI MD (239)451-4929 O
Dr. Ketan Trivedi eric@ultimatemd.com
THE V-BENEFITS GROUP (239)989-3584 O
Scott Verdonck scott@v-groupinc.com
HOME INSPECTIONS
3SIXTY HOME INSPECTIONS (239)249-3858
Rich Fuechslin office@3sixtyhomeinspections.com
ALLIED BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES (239) 687-3794 O
Lucas Stokes info@inspectionsflorida.com
ALPHA OMEGA INSPECTIONS (239)394-6210 O alphaomegainspections.net Bart Drake (239)450-8211 C alphaomega.inspect@aol.com
CGTL GENERAL SERVICES (239)362-8521 O
Carlos Giraldo cgtlgs@gmail.com
COASTAL INSPECTION PROS LLC (239)238-4322 C Coastalinspectionpros.com
Kris Beall
kris@coastalinspectionpros.com
239 INSPECTION SERVICES (239)300-2420 O
Adam Dalton adam.dalton@239inspect.com
HAZELBAKER INSPECTION SERVICES (239)451-9415 O
John Defossez angiehcs2@gmail.com
HOMETEAM INSPECTION SERVICE (239)489-3334 O
Pam Jensen hometmlee@aol.com
HOUSEMASTER HOME INSPECTION (239)430-8220 O
John M Prete john.prete@housemaster.com
JOE THE HOME PRO (513)238-4218 O www.joethehomepro.com
Joe Nugent joe@joethehomepro.com
METZGER’S HOME INSPECTION LLC (239)248-3892 O
Kenneth Metzger ken@metzgershomeinspection.com
PANTHER HOME INSPECTION INC. (239)389-0996 O
Jim Scarpa jim@pantherhomeinspection.com
PILLAR TO POST HOME INSPECTORS (239)300-4148 O
Janine Brown browneganteam@pillartopost.com
SWF HOME INSPECTIONS (239)330-9910 O
Robert Massanova clientcare@swfhomeinspections.com
TWIN PSALMS INSPECTIONS, INC. (239)289-5293 O
Bill Gillum twinpalmsinspections@gmail.com
HOME REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
CONSERVA IRRIGATION OF NAPLES (239)300-9383 O
Detlev Hummel naples-fortmyers@conservairrigation.com
Wesley Hummel naples-fortmyers@conservairrigation.com
FIRESERVICE DISASTER KLEENUP (239)261-1422 O
Christopher Roessner croessner@fireserviceusa.com
JUNK KING NAPLES (239)293-9018 O
Shauna Posca shauna.posca@junk-king.com
MO BETTER GARAGE (239)319-6073 O
Florice Hodges florice.hodges@mobettergarage.com
HOME WARRANTY
HOME-TECH CONSOLIDATED (800)800-8356-Ext 210 O home-tech.com
Donna Raynor (239)913-9310 C draynor@home-tech.com
OLD REPUBLIC HOME PROTECTION (239)682-1812 C
Shannon Livingston shannonLi@orhp.com
HOME WATCH
SPECTRUM CONCIERGE (239)777-6173 O
Robert Peia Robert@spectrumconcierge.com
INSURANCE
ASSURED PARTNERS OF FL, LLC (239)649-1444 O Assuredpartners.com/naples
Joann Whitney joann.whitney@assuredpartners.com
GULFSHORE INSURANCE (239)435-7154 O gulfshoreinsurance.com
Andrea Pelletier (239)777-0138 C apelletier@gulfshoreinsurance.com
HARBOUR INSURANCE (239)354-4053 O
Tracy Crowell tcrowell@hrm.us
JOHN GALT INSURANCE (239)734-1197 O
Diana Aikens
diana.aikens@johngaltinsurance.com
MAPPS INSURANCE (239)908-0518 O
Alissa Russo alissa@mappsinsurance.com
ONE GROUP INSURANCE (239)935-9423 O
Jaimy Lebron jlebron@onegroup.com
PRESTIGE INSURANCE CONSULTANTS (239)263-3455 O prestigeins.com
Shannon Morgan shannon@prestigeins.com
PRIVATE CLIENT INSURANCE SERVICES (239)464-2311 O
privateclientinsuranceservices.com
David Arter, Jr. darter@pcis-FL.com
STARKWEATHER & SHEPLEY INSURANCE (239)935-7159 O
Sandi Benson (239)290-4009 C sbenson@starshep.com
STRATEGIC INSURANCE GROUP (239)325-5130 O
Kimberly Vargas kimvargas@signaples.com
WAGNER AGENCY INSURANCE (239)593-1498 O
Donald M Wagner donwagnerfl@gmail.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
BENNETT INTERIORS/HOME PHILOSOPHIES (239)465-9675 O
Leilani Bennett lani@bennettinteriors.com
CHRISTINA GEORGE INC. (239)641-6904 O
Christina G Heller christinaginc@aol.com
DWAYNE BERGMANN INTERIORS (239)344-7455 O
Jayne French jayne@dwaynebergmann.com
GAMMA TECH SERVICES, LLC (239)330-4939 O
Andrew Tovar andrew@gtmail.us
LG INTERIORS (239)315-2847 O
Lisa Green
lisa@lginteriordesign.com
NAPLES HOME STAGING, LLC (239)776-0440 O
Ann Waters ann@napleshomestaging.com
AFFILIATE MEMBER DIRECTORY
ROBB & STUCKY INTERNATIONAL (239)415-6060 O
RobbStuckyIntl.com
Jessica Schneider (239)415-6060 C jschneider@robbstuckyintl.com
MEDIA/ PUBLICATION/ MAGAZINE
PRINT PAGE (239)777-7243 C printpageusa.com
Mollie Page mollie@printpageusa.com
MORTGAGE SERVICES
ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LLC (239)839-6720 O
Germaine McFarlane germaine@alliancemortgage.net
AMERANT MORTGAGE (239)285-9064 O
Renee Giunta
Renee.Giunta@amerantmortgage.com
Carol Hatosy
carol.hatosy@amerantmortgage.com
AMERIS BANK MORTGAGE SERVICES (239)770-2270 C
Stephanie Whiffen (NMLS #653675) stephanie.whiffen@amerisbank.com (239)784-3066 C
Tammy Randolph (NMLS #1246047) tammy.randolph@amerisbank.com
BUCKEYE LENDING SOLUTIONS, INC (239)980-7588 O
Steven Fishman Steve@buckeyelends.com
CARDINAL FINANCIAL CO (239)235-9442 O
Buddy Koolhof buddy.koolhof@cardinalfinancial.com
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE (239)631-0434 O
Andronic Gostevskyh andronic.gostevskyh@myccmortgage.com
CROSS COUNTRY MORTGAGE (734)748-0162
James Seewald james.seewald@ccm.com
CALIBER HOME LOANS (239)777-4141 C
Lisa Rudy lisa.rudy@caliberhomeloans.com
CHARLOTTE STATE BANK & TRUST (239)281-1706 O
Cristin Madden cmadden@csbtfl.com
CORE MORTGAGE FINANCIAL (239)514-2674 O
Nate Tasso (239)877-3712 C nate@mycoreloan.com NMLS # 335891
EQUITABLE MORTGAGE (614)623-6132 O
Steven Calabrese stevec@eqfin.com
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE (239)293-2069 O
Charles Kansy NMLS ID#69854 chuck.kansy@fairwaymc.com
Rhys Fernandez rhys.fernandez@fairwaymc.com
FINANCE OF AMERICA MORTGAGE (218)849-0760 C
Peter Prodanov pprodanov@financeofamerica.com
FIRST HORIZON BANK
Tim Allen (239)571-5440 C Tallen@firsthorizon.com
Sylvia Connor (239)8601954 C sylvia.connor@firsthorizon.com
Ryan Wilson (239)287-0613 C ryan.wilson@firsthorizon.com
FLAGSTAR BANK (239)784-1984 O
Ciara Young ciara.young@flagstar.com
GUARANTEED RATE AFFINITY (239)273-5239 O
Kelly Rebimbas
Kelly.rebimbas@grarate.com
HOMEXPRESS MORTGAGE CORP. (877)225-8961 O
George Aristizabal garistizabal@ldwholesale.com
HULI BY BEST INTEREST MORTGAGE (800)355-1733 O
Melanie McLister melanie@hulifinancial.com
KEY BANK MORTGAGE
(239)659-8811 O
(949)929-6062 C
Tori Dopp Crummack
ToriCrummack@keybank.com
LAKE MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION OF FLA (239)908-5864 O
Jayne Malinowski
jayne.malinowski@lmcu.org
(239)994-3565 C
Bryan Mundy
bryan.mundy@lmcu.org
(239)850-3348 C
LENDING PATH MORTGAGE
Gretchen Shelton (239)215-2288 D gretchen@lendingpathmortgage.com
Larry A Utterback (239)571-3134 D larry@lendingpathmortgage.com
LEXICON MORTGAGE LLC (410)800-3226 O
David Lebowitz
david@lexiconmortgage.com
LOANDEPOT (239)228-4026 O
Karen Boring NMLS ID #572256 kboring@loandepot.com
LOAN DEPOT WHOLESALE (617)905-5073 O
John Doyle
jfdoyle@ldwholesale.com
MARKET RATE MORTGAGES, LLC (239)398-3978 O
Linda Culotta NMLS#213838 linda@marketratemortgages.com
MAXWELL MORTGAGE TEAM (239)596-0500 O
Teresa Barajas
teresa@maxwellmortgageloans.com
Liz Cashman (239)250-6414 C liz@maxwellmortgageloans.com
MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION (239)850-3348 O
Ellen Benton
ellen.benton@midflorida.com
MOTTO MORTGAGE (239)221-2550 O
Scott Dixon
scott.dixon@mottomortgage.com
MOVEMENT MORTGAGE (239)821-5661 O
Rosa Madrid
rosa.madrid@movement.com
Vicki Allen (484)358-6764 C vicki.allen@movement.com
Dave Marzinke
dave.marzinke@movement.com
MVM GROUP, CARDINAL FINANCIAL (239)200-0781 O
Geomaris Barriel gbarrielmtg@gmail.com
Leon Palacio Lpalacio@mvmgrp.com
MY PRIVATE MORTGAGE BROKER, LLC (239)349-2749 O
Eric Westberg ericwestberg@myprivatemortgagebroker.com
NEW AMERICAN FUNDING (239)287-9075 O
Heather Call NMLS ID #300172 Heather.Call@nafinc.com
Alejandra Garces Alejandra.Garces@nafinc.com
NEWREZ MORTGAGE (239)370-1158 O
Albert Beatrice Albert.beatrice@newrez.com
NORCOM MORTGAGE (860)676-8003 O
Abraham Rodrigues abe.rodriguez@norcom-usa.com
NORTHPOINTE BANK (239)215-1115 O
Chris Heidt (239)470-6310 C chris.heidt@northpointe.com
NORTHSTAR MORTGAGE & REALTY (408)374-8400 O
Cheryl Glorch glorch@northstarmtg.com
NRL MORTGAGE (239)329-1554 O
Viridiana Martinez viri.martinez@nrlmortgage.com
PLATINUM CLOSING AGENTS (239)272-3739 O
Glenn Torres glenn@platinumclosingagents.com
PREFERRED RATE
(239)500-7777 O
Ivania Ferrufino ivania.ferrufino@preferredrate.com
PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE
(239)631-1145 O
Edgardo Balentine ebalentine@primeres.com
PRMG (239)659-1660 O
Edward Aristizabal Edaristi100@gmail.com
QUINTESSENTIAL MORTGAGE GROUP (914)368-7122 O
Kateri Krause kateri@QMGLLC.com
SIMPLE HOME LOANS (305)898-9677 O
Cid Fernandez cid@mysimpleloan.net
SUCCESS MORTGAGE PARTNERS, INC (866)398-9909 O
John Martin john@martin4mortgages.com
SUMMIT MORTGAGE (239)272-2241 O willdukes.com
William Dukes NMLS ID #211983 wdukes@summit-mortgage.com
SUNTRUST NOW TRUIST (239)269-4725 C suntrust.com/jeannie.scott
Jeannie Scott NMLS ID#659712 jeannie.scott@suntrust.com
SUN WEST MORTGAGE (714) 325-8611 O
Alexandra Galleres alexandra.galleres@swmc.com
THE MORTGAGE PLACE, INC (239)227-8505 O
Joanne Russell jrussell@themortgageplaceinc.com
TIDEWATER MORTGAGE SERVICES (757)498-7400 O
Kyle Kuba kkuba@twmortgage.com
WELLS FARGO PRIVATE MORTGAGE (239)393-1286 O
Todd Gierhart CMPS (239)821-2854 C todd.gierhart@wellsfargo.com Brandice Simpson (239)300-1483 C brandice.simpson@wellsfargo.com
MOVING AND STORAGE COMPANIES
RAY THE MOVER (239)643-4100 O
John C Smarge jsmarge@raythemover.com
AFFORDABLE MOVING & STORAGE (239)405-7233 O
Alysia Mackarvich office@affordableflmoving.com
PERSONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES
COTTRELL TAX & ACCOUNTING (239)449-4881 O cottrelltax.com
Benjamin Cottrell Jr. bjc@cta.tax
PEST CONTROL COMPANIES
HUGHES EXTERMINATORS (239)596-6545 O hughes-exterminators.com
B. Darin Whitlock bwhitlock@hughes-exterminators.com
Audra Snyder
asnyder@hughes-exterminators.com
MOSQUITO MARSHALS SW FLORIDA (239)322-2813 O
Josh Neely
jneely@mosquitomarshals.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS
360 PROPERTY PHOTO.COM (617)828-3636 C 360PropertyPhoto.com
Jerry Cibley Jerry@360propertyphoto.com
ANTIS MEDIA (855)268-4733 O Antismedia.com
David Antis info@antismedia.com
DAVID MICHAEL PHOTOGRAPHY (239)913-7097 O davidmichaelphotography.net
David Di Martino (239)913-7097 C davidmichaelphotography@comcast.net
JOHN FERNANDEZ PHOTOGRAPHY (239)571-6293 C johnfernandezphotography.net
John Fernandez john@johnfernandezphotography.net
NAPLES JC STUDIO LLC (23)351-8330 O
Juan Albadan naplesjcstudio@gmail.com
AFFILIATE MEMBER DIRECTORY
PINNACLE REAL ESTATE MARKETING (800)557-3005 O
Marc Weiskopf info@pinnaclerealestatemarketing.com
REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY (239)297-3614 O
Jay Gonzalez estheticphotography@gmail.com
SANDY WINDHAM PHOTOGRAPHY (239)289-6486 O
Sandy Windham sandyrwindham@yahoo.com
PRINTING SERVICES
EVERYDOORUSA.COM
(239)263-2500 O
Blase Ciabaton art@everydoorusa.com
SWFL MARKETING GROUP
(239)437-4370 O
Martin Pahnke martin@swflcreative.com
REAL ESTATE LAW
AKERMAN, LLP (239)449-5600 O
George Powell george.powell@akerman.com
Beverly Sutton beverly.sutton@akerman.com
BALLENGER LAW FIRM, PA (239)263-0775 O BallengerLawFirm.com
Glenn Ballenger Glenn@BallengerLawFirm.com
BERLIN PATTEN EBLING, PLLC (239)206-1736 O
Adam Bleggi ableggi@berlinpatten.com
Samantha Schwartz sschwartz@berlinpatten.com
BOATMAN RICCI PA (239)330-1495 O
Brandon Karas bik@boatmanricci.com
BOND, SCHOENECK & KING, PLLC (239)659-3800 O jmorey@bsk.com
James Morey
COHEN & GRIGSBY, P.C. (239)390-1900 O
Christopher N Davies cdavies@cohenlaw.com
COLEMAN,YOVANOVICH & KOESTER PA (239)435-3535 O cyklawfirm.com
Greg Urbancic gurbancic@cyklawfirm.com
CONA LAW PLLC (239)234-6822 O
Chris Cona ccona@cona.law
CONROY, CONROY & DURANT PA (239)649-5200 O
Kristin M. Conroy kconroy@naplespropertylaw.com
Bradley Friedman bfriedman@naplespropertylaw.com
CREW LAW, P.A. (239)790-8133 O
Adam Gross agross@crewlawfl.com
DAVIES DUKE, PLLC (239)784-4944 O
Noel Davies Noel.davies@daviesduke.com
FARSCHCHIAN LAW P.A./MARINA TITLE (239)935-8599 O
Jennie G Farshchian jennie@jfrealestatelaw.com
GRANT COTTRELL MILLER-MEYERS, PLLC (239)201-2616 O Grantcottrell.com
Erin Miller erin@grantcottrell.com
GRANT FRIDKIN PEARSON PA (239)514-1000 O gfpac.com
Cheryl L.Hastings chastings@gfpac.com
Alexandra Gabel agabel@gfpac.com Charles C. Whittington cwhittington@gfpac.com
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP (239)254-2925 O Hahnlaw.com
Jayne Skindzier jskindzier@hahnlaw.com
HENDERSON, FRANKLIN, STARNES, & HOLT, PA (239)344-1378 O
Jeff Wright
Jeff.wright@henlaw.com
G. Donald Thomson donald.thomson@henlaw.com
Sharon M Zuccaro sharon.zuccaro@henlaw.com
John D Spear (239)344-1351 D John.spear@henlaw.com
KELLY, PASSIDOMO & ALBA, LLP (239) 261-3453 O
Kathleen C Passidomo kpassidomo@kpac-llp.com
KUSHI LAW FIRM (239)527-8731
Enita Kushi enita@kushilawfirm.com
LINDSAY & ALLEN, PLLC (239)593-7900 O
Todd Allen todd@naples.law
LOTTES LAW GROUP, PLLC (239)552-4114 O
Kevin R. Lottes kevin@lotteslaw.com
MCLAUGHLIN & STERN LLP (230)207-3051 O
Jeffrey H Glassover jglassover@mclaughlinstern.com
MONDOCK LAW LLC (239)673-2211 O
Amber Mondock
PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR (239)593-2900 O porterwright.com
Jeffrey Cecil jcecil@porterwright.com
ROBERT L KLUCIK JR. P.A (239)455-4529 O AveMariaLawyer.com
Robert L Klucik
rlk@avemarialawyer.com
ROETZEL & ANDRESS (239)649-6200 O
Mark Price mprice@ralaw.com
ROSS TITLE & ESCROW (239)424-7700 O
Donald K Ross Jr. dross@rossescrow.com
SARRETT PRICE, PA (239)325-3350 O
Michael Gebeau mgebeau@sarrettprice.com
SKRIVAN & GIBBS, PLLC (239)597-4500 O
Kent A Skrivan kent@sgnapleslaw.com
SIESKY & PILON (239)263-8282 O
Jim Pilon jpilon@spplaw.com
STEPHEN D MCCANN, PA (239)591-2700 O sdmccann.com
Stephen D McCann sdmccannpa@aol.com
THRELKELD LAW PA (239)234-5034 O
Hector Roig hector@napleslegal.net
THOMPSON LEWIS LAW FIRM PLLC (239)316-3006 O
Douglas A Lewis doug@tllfirm.com
Stephen E Thompson sthompson@tllfirm.com
THORNTON LAW FIRM, PLLC (239)649-4900 O
Chris J Thornton cthornton@swflalaw.com
WILLIAM G. MORRIS, P.A. (239)642-6020 O wgmorrislaw.com
William G Morris wgm@wgmorrislaw.com
WILLIS & DAVIDOW, LLC (239)784-4782 O willisdavidow.com
Christina Davidow cdavidow@willisdavidow.com
LAW OFFICE OF SAM J SAAD III (239)963-1635 O
Samuel J Saad sam@saadlegal.com
LAW OFFICE ERIC L SOLOMON PA (239)325-2709 O
Eric Solomon (239)293-7138 C esolomon@ltflorida.com
WOOD, BUCKEL & CARMICHAEL PLLC (239)552-4100 O
C. Lane Wood lane@wbclawyers.com
WOODS, WEIDENMILLER, MICHETTI, RUDNICK, LLP (239)325-4070 O Lawfirmnaples.com
James Caudill jcaudill@lawfirmnaples.com
Morgan Hila mhila@lawfirmnaples.com
Michael Michetti, Esq. mmichetti@lawfirmnaples.com
Joshua Rudnick jrudnick@lawfirmnaples.com
Christoper R O’Brien cobrien@lawfirmnaples.com
Samuel F. Colburn scolburn@lawfirmnaples.com
RESIDENTIAL REMODELERS
KTS GROUP (239)963-6763 C ktsgrp.com
Scott Kish II skish@ktsgrp.com
RYAN & VOIGT CONTRACTING (239)300-8936 O Jacob Voigt III jake@ryanandvoigt.com
TURN KEY CONSTRUCTION (239) 821-1822 O turnkeynaples.com
Harry Fiocchi harry@turnkeynaples.com
RESTORATION SERVICES
DEMERS MOVING OF SWFL LLC (239)215-9696 O
Adam Demers demersmovingofswfl@gmail.com
Retirement Communities
DISCOVERY VILLAGE AT NAPLES (239)350-6200 O
Kari Bone kbone@discoveryvillages.com
Suppliers
SMOKY STONE (239)778-0072
Karissa Chesser karissa@smokystone.com
TITLE SERVICES
5TH AVENUE TITLE ESCROW SERVICE (239)354-7157 O
Jaime Jorgenson jaime@5thavenuetitleservices.com
ACCESS TITLE AGENCY, LLC (239)434-0100 O accesstitlefl.com
Randi Benge RBenge@AccessTitleFL.com
ACTION TITLE SERVICES (239)572-3733 O actiontitlenaples.com
Patti Decker Pdecker@actiontitlenaples.com
ALPHA TITLE SERVICES OF FLORIDA, INC. (239)260-1495 O
Mary Kay Dedousis mk@alphatitleservices.com
BANKERS TITLE & ESCROW SERVICE (239)920-4900 O
Daniel Montecelo dan@bankerst.com
BERLIN PATTEN EBLING, PLLC (239)206-1736 O
Adam Bleggi ableggi@berlinpatten.com
BRYANT TITLE LLC (239)566-1001 O
Bradley Bryant bbryant@btenaples.com
CITIZENS TITLE AGENCY (239)571-0412 O
JoAnne lorio joanne@citizenstitleagency.com
COLLIER TITLE INSURANCE AGENCY (239)261-6689 O
Lynn L Gray colliertitle@outlook.com
CONA LAW PLLC (239)234-6822 O
Chris Cona ccona@cona.law
COTTRELL TITLE & ESCROW (239)449-4888 O
Eric Nagel eric@fltitlegroup.com
AFFILIATE MEMBER DIRECTORY
DOMA (239)593-8803 O Doma.com
Sue Martin (239)682-2213 C sue.martin@doma.com
Mark J Loterstein mark.loterstein@doma.com
eTITLE AGENCY, INC. (239)842-6505 O
Laurien Bartuccio lbartuccio@etitleagency.com
FIRST BOSTON TITLE (239)596-3650 O firstbostontitle.com
Philip Maiorca (239)248-5067 C pmaiorca@firstbostontitle.com
GREY STREET TITLE (239)228-7269 O
Carlo Zampogna carlo@gstnaples.com
KELLY, PASSIDOMO & ALBA (239)261-3453 O
Kathleen C Passidomo kpassidomo@kpac-llp.com
LINDSAY & ALLEN, PLLC (239)593-7900 O
Todd Allen todd@naples.law
NAPLES TITLE (239)643-1844 O naplestitle.com
Tim Toole (239)289-2504 C tim@naplestitle.com
NOBLE TITLE & TRUST (239)449-4000 O
Jamie Russell jrussell@nobletitleandtrust.com
OMEGA NATIONAL TITLE AGENCY (239)566-8908 O
Fran Legdan (239)580-7906 C flegdan@omeganationaltitle.com
PARADISE COAST TITLE & ESCROW (239)784-5556 O paradisecoasttitle.com
Sam J Saad III (239)784-5556 C sam@saadlegal.com
RIVERSIDE TITLE LLC (239)920-4979 O
Clinton J Shattuck clinton@riversidetitle.org
ROBERT L KLUCIK JR. P.A (239)455-4529 O AveMariaLawyer.com
Robert L Klucik rlk@avemarialawyer.com
ROETZEL & ANDRESS (239)649-6200 O
Mark Price mprice@ralaw.com
ROSS TITLE & ESCROW (239)434-7700 O
Donald K Ross Jr. dross@rossescrow.com
SERENITY TITLE GROUP OF SWFL (239)610-1452 O
Lynnette Farris lynnette@serenitytitlegroup.com
SUNBELT TITLE AGENCY (239)849-3113 C SunbeltTitle.com
Tracy L Barkhausen Tracy.barkhausen@sunbelttitle.com
Jason Shields jason.shields@sunbelttiltle.com
Dana Hamilton dana.hamilton@sunbelttitle.com
THOMPSON LEWIS LAW FIRM PLLC (239)316-3006 O
Douglas A Lewis doug@tllfirm.com
Stephen E Thompson sthompson@tllfirm.com
TITLE SERVICES OF COLLIER COUNTY, LLC
(239)659-6590 O
Leslie DeVico (239)293-7092 C titleservices@tsofcollier.com
THORNTON LAW FIRM, PLLC (239)649-4900 O
Chris Thornton cthornton@swflalaw.com
TITLE ZONE, LLC (239)249-5225 O
Andrea McGuire
Andrea@TitleAgency.zone
VENTURE TITLE SERVICES (239)734-2400 O
Ryan Marrie
Ryanmarrie@venturetitleservices.com
Leah Ackerman LeahAckerman@venturetitleservices.com
Tricia Stadalsky
TriciaStadalsky@venturetitleservices.com
Vadim Barash vadimbarash@venturetitleservices.com
Stacey Maczulis staceymaczulis@venturetitleservices.com
VINEYARD VIRTUAL TRANSACTION (239)229-0021 O
Tracey Mancini tracey@vineyardvirtualtransactions.com
WOOD, BUCKEL & CARMICHAEL PLLC (239)552-4100 O
C. Lane Wood lane@wbclawyers.com
VACATION RENTALS-SHORT TERM
ITRIP VACATIONS - NAPLES (239)219-9999 O itrip.net/naples
Neil Novak (314)378-1709 C neil@itrip.net
NAPLES TRUST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (239)263-4474 O
Victoria Dedio naplestrustPM@gmail.com
NAPLES TRUST VACATION RENTALS (239)431-5939
Michael Dedio Michael@NaplesTrustRealEstate.com
VACASA (239)326-1460 O
Kerry Barth Sheilds kerry.barthshields@vacasa.com
VACASA VACATION PROPERTY RENTAL MANAGEMENT (312)218-7969 O
Kathleen Daubel kathleen.daubel@vacasa.com
Websites/Online Marketing
ELM STREET TECHNOLOGY (517)214-3333 O
Todd Colthrop toddc@tryelevate.com
2023
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Once you’ve sold five or more homes within the D.R. Horton fiscal year (October 1 through September 30), you will become a VIP Agent for the current and next fiscal year. VIP Status earns you 4% commission on all sales!