Naples Real Estate Blog

To bring you up to date on some activities around Naples, Florida check these out:

• Our company, Downing-Frye Realty, made Realtor Magazine’s “Top 100 Companies” list once again. The list is based on closed sales volume. We were ranked #85, posting more that $1.3 billion in 2007.
• This announcement is a little early, but it’s always good to plan ahead and in this case get in a little practice. The Philharmonic Youth Chorale will be conducting auditions on September 6th for young singers between 7 and 17 years of age. For more information call the Phil’s Educatiion Department at 239-254-2642.
• Order your season tickets to the Phil at 239-597-1900.
• Sanibel Island is spotlighted in the July issue of Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the “Top shelling Beaches”.

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William Wegman, It’s a Dog’s Life, will have his traveling exhibit on view at the von Liebig Art Center here in Naples, Florida from July 12th to August 24th. The show will have 28 of Wegman’s Polaroid images installed in the Frederick O. Watson Gallery.

Anyone who is a dog lover, pet lover, photographer or who just simply has a sense of humor, should drop by and check out this exhibit. It’s amazing the patience Wegman must have working with these dogs to get these great images.

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©Rick Bethem

©Rick Bethem

Well, tomorrow is the big day and everyone will be celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks. Taking fireworks photos has been a mystery to alot of people who would really like to have a memorable photograph of the event. If you’re interested in how I do it, check out the article I wrote a while back on “How to take fireworks photos” on our Naples website.

We wish everyone a safe holiday and enjoy your time with your friends and family. See you at the Naples Pier around dusk!

Naples Pier, ©Rick Bethem

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Ruth and I had an opportunity to tour the new facilities at the Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club here in Naples, Florida. This is just a beautiful project that is just inside the Gordan Pass and makes for a short trip to the Gulf of Mexico. You can have your boat stored in either one of the 35 wet slips or stored inside of the new concrete dry storage building where there are 325 slips.

The Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club membership provides many benefits to add to your boating experience. On site they have a Harbor Master, beautiful dining room and an outdoor area for casual waterfront dining, yacht cleaning services and much more.

Below are a few photos I took last weekend, but if you if would like more information and also some more photos, please visit the Hamilton Habor Yacht Club page on Ruth’s Naples real estate website. If your interested in membership, give Ruth a call toll-free at 877-777-7545 and she can give you more information and connect you to the proper contact.

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This is a new construction listing in the Connors community off of Vanderbilt Beach. With 5,650 sq ft under air, it boasts 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths and a 4 car garage. Fantastic views. Offered at $3,950,000. There is also a vacant lot next door that is available for sale too.

MLS # 208009283

A boaters paradise in this fabulous new build boasting over 8600 total Sq. ft. You can enjoy a great lifestyle on the largest canal in Vanderbilt with access to the gulf of Mexico just minutes away. You and your guest will enter the grand foyer, to a lifestyle of serenity that provides comfort and room to entertain family and friends. Catch the morning sun from your balcony, and enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility of the fresh gulf air. Take a morning dip in your private pool, before you pack your picnic lunch for a day of boating on the gulf of Mexico. After a relaxing day on the gulf, you can entertain your guest at the bar,or catch up with friends in your wonderful gathering room. This home offers all the upgrades to include impact glass throughout. There is plenty of room to entertain your children or grand-children in your recreation room, and plenty of storage for all your toys. Don’t miss the lifestyle of Florida’s Gold Coast Beaches, Great shopping, and Fine Dining.

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Hi guys, you don’t mind if we drop in to see your home do you? We certainly don’t want to inconvenience you but, since you’re here in the photo, how’s the family?

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In an effort to keep you updated on some of the latest news from Naples, check out the following:

Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort ©Rick Bethem

• Scenes on the Bay, a new waterfront restaurant overlooking Naples Bay, has opened. The eatery is at 489 Bayfront Place near the Gordon River bridge.
• The Keg Steakhouse & Bar is scheduled to open in late August at 8990 Fontna Del Sol Way, the former site of the Sanibel Steakhouse off Vanderbilt Beach Road near Airport Road. The restaurant chain has 100 operations throughout Canada and the U.S.
• HB’s on the Gulf has received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine. The restaurant is at the The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club.
• On July 19th, The Fab Four: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute will be at the Phil. Call 239-597-1900.
• If you’re looking for live music, the following establishments have had their permits renewed: Bayfront Inn, Handsome Harry’s, Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, Naples Yacht Club, the Old Naples Pub, Truluck’s Seafood, The Village Pub and Yabba Island Grill on Fifth Avenue.
• A Conde Nast Traveler 2008 survey of readers ranked the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort as the top golf resort in Florida. The resort rankes 9th overall in the list of “Top Golf Resorts” in North America, the Caribbean, the Atlantic, Ireland and Scotland.

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Here is a single family home for sale in the Olde Cypress community of Naples, Florida. This 3 bedroom plus den home has 2 1/2 baths and a total of 2,686 sq ft under air. Offered at $895,000.

MLS # 208017618

This home is decorator furnished with upgrades galore. The southern exposure with views of lake and 6th &7th golf holes of the P.B. Dye golf course. Not to mention full golf membership is included with the purchase of this home. Beautifully decorated with faux finishes, custom cabintry thoughout, crown molding, enlayed tile in foyer. This home comes with $11,000 surround sound system throughout the house. Custom drapes in everyroom. Ceramic tile except bedrooms which has berber carpet. 3 decorator chandeliers. Tray ceiling in master bedroom with his and her closets. Separate tub and shower.Oversize garage with built-in cabinets. Heated pool & spa with aqualink system. Outdoor kitchen. Electric hurricane shutters. Outside freshly painted in March 2008. Ready to move in.

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The Naples SummerJazz program got off to a great start Saturday night at the Naples Beach Hotel. As mentioned in an earlier post, Mike MacArthur was the feature artist and really got the crowd involved. We were quite hot and humid when we first arrived, but a rain storm from the gulf swept through the area and everyone ran for cover as Mike played through the storm. Afterwards, the night was filled with a cool breeze and cool jazz. Check my other post for the SummerJazz schedule.

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And as you look this direction you see our bright and airy living room. You can see it can’t you?

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