Now may be a great opportunity to purchase a new single family home in the neighborhoods of Coquina Sands, Moorings, and Park Shore. The past year has left no doubt about the strength of this market with over 20 new single family homes selling and 2 more pending sale with numbers reaching toward off water record sales (Adam Carriero and Shawn Bleh still hold the highest recorded sale for an off water home 3140 Leeward Lane closed November 12th, 2008 for $3.2m). Many developers jumped into this market with both feet seeing a shift in high end home interest moving toward these communities. With the rapidly changing demographics of Naples home buyers interest has been peaked by a central location, large lots, and convenient access to the beach. As we make our way through the summer months a few builders are offering more than one spec home on the market (currently there are 20 new homes built in 2013-2014 on the market both on and off water). In my experience when the market gets hot as it has been competition gets fierce and nobody likes to compete with themselves especially in real estate spec building. The market has also brought new builders into these neighborhoods that have not had the history of selling homes in this type of climate. What I mean by this is these neighborhoods are not your "gated golf course communities" where most construction is consistent in finishes and style. It is an often used strategy when building to survey the current product and "one up" them buy adding better features, newer style, or in some cases a better location. With 20 new homes on the market a buyer who wants to put the time and effort into searching for a deal will most likely have success and get a quality home. Just because a home is priced below the competition does not necessarily translate to someone getting a good deal. Unfortunately some builders will not try the strategy I mentioned before in building a better home and will in turn do the opposite and build poor quality in a good market with the thought that a lower price will blind the buyer. I was once told by a prominent appraiser that "Naples is one of those rare places in the world where someone can build a brand new house that as soon as it is finished it's a tear down". What she was talking about is quality! Naples is a very savvy community when it comes to home construction and finishes but it is hard to see behind the walls as to what was really built. This is where a buyer with a good realtor who has a working knowledge of the market and an understanding of whose who in the construction business can be worth their weight in gold.