All About Naples Florida

Royal Harbor

A Boater's Paradise..... Royal Harbor, Naples Fl.

Royal Harbor consists  of approximately 420 waterfront single-family home sites; and offers direct access to beautiful Naples Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. There are many deep water canals located behind the homes for boating enthusiasts and in the nearby areas of Oyster Bay and Golden Shores. 

The quiet palm lined streets include a variety of Florida design styles and offer some of the best waterfront values in Naples.  Many homes come complete with a swimming pool, lanai, and a dock right out the back door!  Boats and Yachts used in this area are in all sizes with some in the thirty+-foot range. Recently much remodeling has occurred with some tear downs as owners modernize some of the older, smaller homes and take advantage of the tremendous views and boating opportunities. . 

Located on the  east side of Naples Bay off Tamiami Trail, Royal Harbor is within 5 minutes of the beach, and is within Naples City limits. You are minutes from Olde Naples Beaches, shopping on 5th Avenue S, and 3rd St, fine dining, churches, golf, fishing, and entertainment.

Presently there are 48 Active Single Family Homes to choose from in Royal Harbor.Thinking of building? there are also several nice waterfront lots available.  Why not build your dream home?  Prices range from $8,950,000 to $1,049,000.  This area is a boater's dream and is just minutes to the reknowned downtown 5th Avenue Shopping District.  Marco Island and the Isle of Capri are a short distance away as well ( by either car or boat).  Thinking Thinking of having guests .... why not point them toward the nearby and gorgeous Naples Bay Resort. A luxury hotel with club ;it is located on Rt. 41 aka Tamiami Trail and is conveniently situated at the entrance to Royal Harbor....  Also located nearby for fun and entertainment are the Waterfront shops and restaurants of Tin City.      The fish tacos and blackened grouper sandwich at Riverwalk Restaurant or it's sister The Dock are fantastic!.

Finally looking for the right place to buy that new yacht?  Well there are plenty of places and supply stores for all your yachting needs in the immediate surrounding neighborhood.  Also for dry dock why not try Naples Bay Yacht Stowage, with it's dry storage area for yachts up to 45' private pool, and fueling stations you'll be set should you want to secure your yacht while not here in town. 

Want to see more listings in Royal Harbor or other areas?  email Shannon at sgilmore@johnrwood.com.  I am happy to help.

Today I was doing an  Open House.  My parents stopped by and my Dad ( a former detective) did his usual Dad/cop thing and said " Remember if some guy ever wants you to show him a room you let him go in don't go in first."   I was like yeah, yeah I will... 

I am actually very viligent about where I am, who knows where I am, keeping an extra door open at the open house as an alternate route out etc.  After my parents left a nice couple came through and then it was quiet.  My next visitor was a gentleman who I did not hear pull up.  He came in my open front door and shut it behind him with a resounding " thump".  He immediately came towards me quickly holding the advertisment for my company's open houses and asked if there was a typo with the address.  I however was already on the go making a loop away from him to the front door and reopening it wide.  

Now here is the important part; anyone can shut a door and it means nothing, HOWEVER there was something in his manner that put me immediately on edge.  Whether it was just my Father's reminder playing in my head or not, there was something about this person that made me uncomfortable.  His demeanor was a little off to me and I felt he kept trying to get into my personal space.  I swear after I reopened the door I saw a glimpse of amusement cross his face. 

Anyway my point is please always be safe, let someone know where you are, when someone is in the house it isn't rude to have your cell phone in hand, bring your husband or friend,  speak to the neighbors, get to know them and let them know you are  there, finally and probably most importantly LISTEN to your instincts.   If someone makes you uncomfortable then there is reason.  BE SAFE!

HOW TO JOIN THE TEAM

•1.       Just follow this link to join the John R. Wood Team http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeFloridaDivision?pg=team&fr_id=4362&team_id=180043

        and click on "join our team"

•2.       From the site send out an e-mail to your Friends, Family & Business Partners asking them donate ONLINE via Credit Card...... Yes it is that easy!

•3.       Come to Gulf View Middle School on April 18 or 19th 2008 to walk one lap or walk all night it is up to you! Note: Friday Night April 18^th is the very moving Luminary Ceremony

HOW TO DONATE TO THE TEAM - if unable to walk or participate

1 . Make a Donation to the Team at  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeFloridaDivision?pg=team&fr_id=4362&team_id=180043 and click on "donate"

I truly hope you and your family will walk with me to raise funds for the American Cancer Society at the Naples Relay For Life.

For more info visit http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeFloridaDivision?pg=entry&fr_id=4362

At a loss what to do this weekend?  Why not visit Cambier Park and the Naples Artcrafters show from 10- 4p.m. on Saturday 4/12. Also at Cambier Park  Saturday at the Bandshell will be Folk Music from 7 - 9:30 p.m.  Did I mention the events are FREE? On Sunday the NDN Jazz Band will appear at the Bandshell from 2- 4 p.m.  There are so many great things to do like the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings behind the Naples Pub off 3rd St. S, visit the beach, watch some skim boarders, try your luck fishing at the Naples Pier.  Enjoy Naples!

Recently I went on a showing with a buyer. ( Yes there are still buyers out there).  Unfortunately this down turn in the market has caused many sellers to consider renting their properties;  Such was the case with this listing. 

My first clue to the trouble we were in for was when I unlocked the lock box and the key did not work.  I looked at my buyer and she looked at me.  We had a confirmed appointment, and upon closer inspection noticed the back door was open on the lanai ( screen porch for all you Northerners). 

We headed around to the back of the house and noticed a note in the lanai with pet instructions for showings.  Feeling confident that this was left for our benefit we made our way inside. 

The house did not appear horribly dirty but was in a state of slight disarray.  There were shoes strewn about, a few dishes here and there and an unkempt feeling.  We made our way to the two bedrooms and shared bathroom.  My customer turned around with a grimace and pointed over her shoulder.  I immediately noticed the

open toilet with how shall we say... oh well here goes.... lots of PEE in it.... GROSS!!!!  ( this is not an actual picture)

After quickly scurrying away from the bathroom we pick our way past some dirty laundry and enter the master suite.  Ahhh suite makes you think something nice right?  Wrong... AGAIN the same toilet scene... more PEE... I back out quickly and my customer says come here there is something you should see.... Now I know she works at a hospital and has a strong stomach but nothing prepared me for the oddity I saw next...

    YES  your eyes do not deceive you... I saw GUM!  Chewed, old, nasty GUM! Now folks mind you there wasn't just one piece like I have shared with you all here ( again picture is a representation of the gum)  there was a month's  ( 30 plus pieces) worth of chewed, old, nasty GUM. It was Florida's largest chewed gum collection.  It was next to the bed on the bedside table on a magazine, lots and lots of pieces of it.  Is it possible this tenant didn't want the house to sell or was just a real piggy?  or possibly an official gum chewer for Trident? hmmmm

Well that was enough for me! ( and my customer) We were looked at each other and said " THAT IS SO DISGUSTING!"  Out the lanai, ( carefully closing the door so that cat did not get out) and into the car we headed on to our next house and hopefully a better experience ( it was, thank goodness). 

A day later the listing agent called for feedback.  I know I hear you all sharply inhaling in anticipation... Yes I am not one to mince words so I told her the entire story.  She was equally horrified, explained they were desperately and legally trying to be rid of the renter, and then there was a long pause....  (this is where under better circumstances when  a listing wasn't what my buyer needed I'd say I'd keep it mind and mean it ,but I really wanted to erase it from my mind.  ) Finally after much apologizing she laughed and said " I really don't know what else to say..."  I laughed with her and said What a job! 

Another day in the life of a Realtor® and another reason I keep a large bottle of hand sanitizer in my car!

Ok for those of you who like to focus on the negative here is a link to a positive article on Naples Florida.  I think Forbes knows what they are talking about!  Naples #22