My Blog - a.k.a. Don's Take On Naples and Bonita Springs Florida

Wow!  The most amazing Sea Bass ever!!  If you are a seafood lover (and who isn't), then head to U.S.S. Nemo in Naples on your next dinner outing.  Nemo's Signature Dish - the MISO BROILED SEA BASS - is life changing.  Well, that may be an overstatement, but is the best sea bass I've ever eaten.  The fish melts into your mouth with the citrus-ginger butter sauce exploding with flavor.  There are Indian influenced menu items like nan breads and a tandoori chicken appetizer that were absolutely delicious.  Our friend Margaret, also a seafood lover, was quite impressed with the ADMIRAL TSO' S GROUPER AND SHRIMP she ordered.  It's the second time we've been there, and certainly won't be the last.  It is the place to go for fresh seafood!

U.S.S. Nemo is located at 3745 Tamiami Trail North, in Naples (in the Parkshore Plaza.)  The phone: 239-261-6366.  Enjoy!

I have to tell you what a pleasant surprise Pazzo! Italian Cafe was.  My friends Kay and Johnny suggested Pazzo! for a get together recently on one of their visits here from Ohio.  The restaurant is one of the family of restaurants that include Chops City Grill (my absolute favorite restaurant), Blue Water Bistro, and Yabba.  The food was amazing including appetizers of meatballs, bruschetta and caprese salad were delights.  My Rigatoni Arrabbiatta with pulled beef and spicy sauce were the best I've had.  All the entrees looked amazing and my dinner companions were in heaven.  It was a wonderful atmosphere, great food, and our waiter, Jimmy, was excellent!  I highly recommend Pazzo! on your next trip to Fifth Avenue South in Naples.

Pazzo! Italian Cafe, 853 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102.  Phone is (239) 434-8494.

I had the opportunity to dine at Ruth's Chris Steak House this past week.  My mom was visiting from Michigan and along with my neighbor Margaret and partner Nick, we made a reservation for dinner at the fairly new location in the Coconut Point Mall in Estero.  There is also a new location in the Coastland Center Mall in Naples. 

I made the reservation on their website www.ruthschris.com which was quite easy.  I was impressed with the call from the restaurant to confirm they received the reservation.  When we arrived we were welcomed and seated at our very comfortable booth in the well appointed dining room.  The menu is available online which gave me a chance to think about what to order and what we should try. 

I am a filet mignon lover, so my order was easy.  I also requested some au poivre sauce.  The filet was amazing ... probably the best I've had in Southwest Florida.  The side dishes are incredible and enough to easily share among 3-4 people.  Try the sweet potato casserole - it's very sweet and creamy ... almost candy like.  We also had roasted tomatoes topped with parmesan cheese which was very tasty.  The salads were delicious with homemade dressings.  Margaret had their chopped salad which looked wonderful ... and she confirmed it was. 

I have been to other premium steak houses across the country and I have to say -- Ruth's Chris is the best.  We will definitely dine there again ... soon!

Community Involvement Is An Important Role To Play!
As one of over 1 million Realtors in this country, I am proud of the commitment and ongoing involvement we have nationally and within our local communities to support some very needy and worthwhile organizations.

On a national basis, ERA Franchise Systems LLC proudly celebrated the 30th anniversary of its partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). As MDA's only corporate sponsor from the real estate industry, ERA Real Estate presented MDA with a check for $2 million at the 2007 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day.

Locally, the Bonita Springs/Estero Association of Realtors has helped fund and support many wonderful causes including the new Bonita Springs YCMA, the Tots Lot for the new Estero Community Park, and the Bonita Springs Assistance Office which has helped thousands of area residents at a time of crisis. In addition, the Association of Realtors has changed our annual banquet for installation of new officers into a fund raising event benefiting Habitat for Humanity. As the saying goes ... "it takes a village" and this one is ours!

  ... for August 28, 2007

Current Conditions
I am constantly amazed at the amount of e-mail I receive as a REALTOR. On any given day I must get at least 40-50 e-mails from other agents with new listings, price drops, or notifications of short sales or pre-foreclosures. There is still a large imbalance of sellers trying to actually sell their homes and those staying on market hoping to get values from the boom 2 years ago. Those really hoping to sell their homes have “gotten real” about home values and dropped their prices to pre-boom days still providing modest gains. I continue to receive e-mails with price changes with words like: “reduced $75,000”; “lowest priced home in development”; and “price dropped $45,000”. One home priced in the mid-300’s, started out priced $105,000 higher – and it still hasn’t sold.

Yesterday I was reading the Fort Myers News-Press and saw some interesting statistics. For June 2007, existing home sales were 558 and the median home sales price was $253,900. The trend has shown a relatively small decline for the last year. However, by comparison to September of 2005, the number of existing home sales is down 48% and similarly, the median home sales price is down 12%!

Back in late 2005, homes were selling in days rather than months and sellers were getting close to their asking prices – and sometimes over asking price as buyers engaged in bidding wars. Now, as days-on-market soars for most active homes, the realization is sinking in for some sellers that price adjustments are needed if they are truly interested in selling their property. This is a very encouraging sign.

The Silver Lining
As a REALTOR, I am privy to the real-time statistics available to me through my local Multiple Listing Service or MLS. To further demonstrate the market conditions here in SW Florida, there are currently 16,922 active on market residential homes listed in the MLS. The MarketWatch graphic here shows that for yesterday alone there have been only 15 homes sold, while 144 new homes were listed and a whopping 180 homes had price changes. The price changes are a good indicator that sellers are indeed “getting real” about the market.

So it appears buyers are still hesitant, but there are extraordinary deals to be had and an amazing inventory of homes to choose from. It may be time to start thinking about getting the home you’ve always dreamed of or that snowbird getaway to winter in paradise. 

Hi All!  I just returned from a week in New York City.  While I really enjoy traveling and NYC is amazing, it's great to be back home.  Obviously, New York has some of the busiest airports in the world ... and it makes me really appreciate the wonderful airport we have right here in Southwest Florida International Airport.  The ease of access to our airport, the parking, ticket counter service and security screening are significantly more organized and sane!  I know we have a smaller airport -- and that's OK. 

The out-of-state traveling also makes you appreciate the space we have to enjoy the outdoors.  I know season can be congested and driving can be aggravating for some.   I really feel I am escaping to paradise when I return home from a trip.  If Dorothy lived in Southwest Florida, she would have never gone over the rainbow!