Marco-Island-Florida-Blog

Naples and Marco Island Named to Top “20 Best Places to Vacation in Florida” by TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has released rankings of the “20 Best Places to Vacation in Florida” focusing on rental home vacation properties and Naples and Marco Island made the powerhouse list ahead of major cities like Orlando and Miami.

The 20 destinations featured are among the highest rated cities in Florida based on rental reviews on the website. To qualify the cities needed to have at least 1,000 traveler reviews and a minimum of 50 bookable vacation rental properties.

The award notes Naples has “lots to do,” highlighting shopping opportunities, the Naples Princess and Collier-Seminole State Park. Marco Island is praised for its “tropical climates and good times” and history, with the accolade mentioning Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and the Marco Island Historical Museum.

“As travel trends continue to show visitors crave authentic, engaging experiences, we know we can provide that to them here in Florida’s Paradise Coast,” said Jack Wert, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There’s nowhere else in Florida that can provide our level of quality beaches paired with outdoor wilderness experiences in the Everglades as well as a vibrant dining scene, high-end shopping and world-class arts and culture. Choosing one of our many vacation rental properties lets families and groups of friends feel at home and experience the area like locals.”

The full article on “20 Places to Vacation in Florida – Where to Stay in the Sunshine State can be found at TripAdvisor Rentals.

This accolade adds to a list of recent recognitions. In 2016 and 2017, Naples/Marco Island was also:

Ranked #1 “Happiest-Healthiest City” by Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index
Ranked #11 “Happiest City in the U.S.” by National Geographic
Named the “Best Beach Town to Live In” by WalletHub
Ranked in the top 10 “Best Adventure Travel Destination in the United States” by U.S. Tourism Quality Index
Ranked 3^rd in “America’s Favorite Beach Towns” by Travel + Leisure
Ranked 8^th “Best Big City” in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler
Awarded a 2017 Readers’ Choice Award by ConventionSouth

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May 1 official start of sea turtle nesting season

Conservancy of Southwest Florida Sea Turtle Monitor and Protection Program

Through patrolling beaches, marking nests, tagging turtles, counting hatched eggs and educating the community, the Conservancy’s team of biologists and interns work to protect and monitor the success of loggerhead sea turtle nests.
Conservancy began the Florida Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program in 1982
Now, in its 36th year, (2018) the program has saved more than 285,000 hatchlings.
The Conservancy’s work on Keewaydin Island is one of the longest running loggerhead turtle monitoring and research projects in the country.
We also work on sections of Naples’ beaches.

Interesting Loggerhead Facts

“The southern coast of Florida is one of only two epicenters in the world where loggerheads come to nest. It is our responsibility to protect this incredible species.”

— Conservancy Biologist Dave Addison

There are only two epicenters in the world where loggerheads nest. One is here, on Florida beaches (mostly in South Florida). The other is in the Middle East.
Only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles survives to adulthood.
Conservancy scientists have saved 265,000 hatchlings
Loggerheads ‘remember’ where they hatched. After about 25 years, when it is her time to nest, female loggerheads will return to the same beaches where they were hatched. This phenomenon is known as imprinting. (Imprinting is returning to the natal beach nest.)
Loggerheads are named for their relatively large heads and powerful jaws.

Loggerhead 101 Sea Turtle Facts:

Scientific Name: Caretta caretta

Adult Length: 3 feet

Weight: 250–300 lbs.

Lifespan: Greater than 50 years

Nesting season: May 1– October 31.

Habitat: Widely distributed throughout temperate and tropical regions of the ocean. Here in Florida, sea turtles forage in sea grass beds, rocky patches and reef areas, just like you can see in the Conservancy’s 6,000 gallon Patch Reef Aquarium inside the Dalton Discovery Center.

Diet: Primarily carnivorous- eating fish, crustaceans, jellyfish, and occasionally sea grass and algae.

Protection Status: Threatened in Florida, Endangered in other parts of the world

Threats: As hatchlings, sea turtles face several natural predators, but as adults their only predators are sharks and humans. Human threats include habitat loss, poaching, pollution, litter (such as plastic bags), commercial fishing, and boat collisions.

How you can help:

What you can do

Hatchlings follow the lightest part of the horizon (reflected light over the water) which is how they find their way from the nest to the water.

Turn of lights at beaches during nesting season
Don’t touch the animals
Clean up our beaches (turtles will eat and can choke on litter)
Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags,
support fisheries that use turtle safe devices on their nets,
slow-down in designated channel zones
Donate to the Conservancy’s sea turtle protection work at www.conservancy.org/seaturtles

Learn more about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida work with loggerhead sea turtles here: https://www.conservancy.org/our-work/science/wildlife/loggerheads.

you can also read about our Kemp’s ridley sea turtle work here: https://www.conservancy.org/our-work/science/wildlife/kemps-ridley

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Discover Beauty Reborn on Florida’s Paradise Coast Reef

Just off the coast of Naples, a manmade reef system teems with diverse sea life – beckoning divers and anglers alike.

Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades of Collier County, Florida, have always been a paradise of natural beauty and life.

Now, 37 new artificial reefs built from over 18,000 tons of concrete are examples of the community coming together to create a unique aquatic wildlife habitat. These reefs are made with recycled concrete materials, removing this material from the landfill stream. Recent visits to the reef have seen an expansion in types and species of fish not seen in years.

Fishermen, from expert to amateur, can catch their limit of excitement as a wide variety of game and bait fish now call the Paradise Coast Reef their home. Schools of snapper, cobia, grouper and even barracuda live within this thriving deepwater habitat.

Divers, navigate your way to the Naples area to discover the new reefs and their inhabitants – including up to 300-pound Goliath Grouper. Stock up with the help of a local dive outfitter, or take a scuba diving charter with local pros.

A diver explores hidden nooks and crannies of the Paradise Coast Reef.

Visit our local dive shops for air, equipment and information, and explore Florida’s Paradise Coast Reef’s depths for a new southwest Florida experience.

Come explore Florida’s Paradise Coast Reef and help celebrate a bright future for sea-life, fishermen and divers in Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades.

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Competition is Coming… Are You Thinking Of Selling Your Home? Things To Keep In Mind

The number of building permits issued for single-family homes is the best indicator of how many newly built homes will rise over the next few months. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Residential Sales Report, the number of these permits were up 7.4% over last year.

How will this impact buyers?

More inventory means more options. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, explained this is good news for the housing market – especially for those looking to buy:

“This rise in single-family housing construction will help tame home price growth, and the increase in multifamily units should continue to help slow rent growth.”

How will this impact sellers?

More inventory means more competition. Today, because of the tremendous lack of inventory, a seller can expect:

A great price on their home as buyers outbid each other for it
A quick sale as buyers have so little to choose from
Fewer hassles as buyers don’t want to “rock the boat” on the deal

With an increase in competition, the seller may not enjoy these same benefits. As Chief Economist Nela Richardson, added:

“Because existing home inventory has been so low for so long, new construction is taking a larger share of the market…Builders meet the buyers and see the demand firsthand.”

Bottom Line

If you are considering selling your house, you’ll want to beat this new competition to market to ensure you get the most attention for your listing and the best price.

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Ronto’s TwinEagles community offers a unique brand of excellence

With its 1,115 acres of lakes, towering oaks, stately palms and majestic fairways, The Ronto Group’s TwinEagles community in North Naples offers a beautiful setting.

Quiet neighborhoods, where the sounds of silence are punctuated by the calls of myriad wildlife, present breathtaking vistas and unheard of privacy. This tableau serves as a backdrop for the tranquil, amenity-rich lifestyle.

As evidenced by the closed and pending sales contracts worth more than $15.2 million that have been processed since Jan. 1, luxury homebuyers continue to discover Twin Eagles. Sixty purchase opportunities out of the original 719 remain available at TwinEagles, including furnished models, unfurnished move-in-ready homes and buildable home sites with water, preserve and golf course views. The community is now nearly 94 percent sold.

For those who love resort living, TwinEagles offers a classic country club lifestyle. The community’s array of amenities includes two championship golf courses. The Talon golf course has been a favorite of professional golfers for years. The Talon course is the host course for the annual Chubb Classic PGA Tour Champions tournament and hosted the 2018 Chubb Classic earlier this month. The 2018 event marked the seventh consecutive year and 12th time overall TwinEagles’ Talon golf course has served as the tournament site.

Set against a backdrop of the community’s natural setting, the Talon Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son and is regarded as the top residential course in Southwest Florida. Consistently ranked as one of the finest golf courses in Florida, the Talon Course is considered the jewel of the TwinEagles community. The Talon features all of the trademarks of a Nicklaus-designed course, including length, tricky approaches and undulating greens. Bunkering and mounding also come into play, and there are several sparkling lakes sprinkled throughout its 7,193 yards. Thoughtful shot strategies and course management are the keys to scoring well on the Talon Course.

The caliber of play and the overall club experience at TwinEagles have been repeatedly acknowledged. Most recently, Boardroom magazine recognized TwinEagles as a Distinguished Emerald Club for the second time, a designation accorded to the top 5 percent of private clubs throughout the world.

The magazine developed the award program to help vitalize and preserve the institution of private clubs by fostering a ceaseless drive to improve the member experience provided by private clubs worldwide. To be a Distinguished Emerald Club, the club must provide a member experience at a level attained by only the finest clubs in the world. Boardroom’s criteria for member experience include intangible quality, service quality, governance quality, facility quality and product quality.

The Talon Course is one of two distinctly different golf courses at TwinEagles. After purchasing the community in September 2010, Ronto worked with noted golf course architect Steve Smyers to create a new course that has a challenging historical design with modern yardages. When the new Eagle Course opened, it was named “Best New U.S. Private Course of the Year” by Golf Magazine.

TwinEagles’ residents and golf professionals appreciate the Talon’s thought-provoking playing angles, optical challenges and gorgeous setting. Smyers and his design associate Patrick Andrews consider the Eagle Course a work of art that makes the most of the natural setting. Like their historical mentors and classic course designers Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor, Smyers and Andrews adapted the holes to fit the land — and lengthened the historical layouts to accommodate modern equipment.

In addition to the two championship golf courses, TwinEagles is the home of “Doc” Jim Suttie’s Golf Academy. Doc has been named one of the top golf teachers in the country. Using sophisticated monitoring and training equipment, Doc Suttie and the Golf Academy staff can help golfers take their game to a new level. TwinEagles also boasts “one of the finest practice facilities in the nation,” according to Jack Nicklaus.

The golf courses provide a magical tableau for the peaceful grand estate neighborhoods tucked along lush fairways and shimmering lakes that offer vistas and a sense of privacy seldom found in resort communities. A 47,000 square-foot clubhouse pays homage to St. Andrews, where golf was born.

In addition to a golf pro shop offering an array of golf equipment, clothing and accessories, the Clubhouse’s wrap-around verandas that overlook preserve views and the finishing holes of both courses provide an ideal setting for enjoying a post-round beverage and conversation. The clubhouse also offers one of the finest dining experiences in Southwest Florida. A variety of treats ranging from seafood and stuffed chicken to pasta can be accompanied by a selection from the wine list.

The clubhouse is complemented by a community swimming pool and fitness center. This beautifully designed amenity center includes a 2,500-square-foot pool with a large spa, a zero-entry feature and an expansive sunning deck overlooking a lake. An outdoor lounge, dining venue and lighted Har-Tru tennis courts are next to the pool.

The 6,430-square-foot fitness center was designed to complement the clubhouse architecture. The floor plan includes men’s and women’s locker rooms, areas for aerobics and yoga, and an expansive fitness hall that houses state-of-the-art exercise equipment. In addition to the amenity center, TwinEagles offers the serenity of dozens of lakes, miles of walking paths that meander through the community, and neighborhood parks and gardens that dot the landscape.

The award-winning Ronto Group has been creating new experiences in luxury living for nearly 50 years. Founded in 1967 by A. Jack Solomon, Ronto is a family-owned company now managed by Jack’s son, Anthony. Ronto’s expertise and attention to detail are showcased in a constantly expanding number of successful communities in Southwest Florida.

In addition to TwinEagles, Ronto is developing the Seaglass luxury high-rise towner in Bonita Bay that is scheduled for completion this summer. Ronto is accepting reservations for residences in Omega, the final high-rise to be built at Bonita Bay. Ronto’s Orange Blossom Naples community in North Naples presents an opportunity for working families to enjoy a fully amenitized resort lifestyle and single-family residences by Lennar Corporation and Pulte Homes priced from the $200,000’s.

Ronto transformed how people live in downtown Naples with the introduction of Naples Square, a walkable, bikeable community at Fifth Avenue South and Goodlette-Frank Road. Construction of Phases I and II are complete. Vertical construction of Phase III is underway. Ronto is accepting reservations at Eleven Eleven Central, a new community on Central Avenue between 10th Street and Goodlette-Frank Road in downtown Naples. The walkable, bikeable Eleven Eleven Central community offers amenities normally reserved for gated master planned communities far removed from the downtown district.

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Azure at Hacienda Lakes releases new lakefront home sites

Azure at Hacienda Lakes by Toll Brothers, the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes, is a new luxury gated master planned community in Naples. Azure will include more than 400 coach and single-family homes featuring all-new exterior designs, along with resort-style amenities.

Azure at Hacienda Lakes has released a selection of new Estate Collection home sites with expansive lake views.

Ranging from 2,131 to 2,950 square feet and priced from the upper $300,000s, the Estate Collection is comprised of six one- and two-story home designs with flexible floor plans, expansive great rooms, private master suites and picturesque lake views. Prospective buyers can tour the designer-decorated Estate Collection Massiano and Serino models.

The award-winning Massiano includes three bedrooms, 2½ baths and a den. The 2,231-square-foot, two-story home features an elegant great room with sliding glass doors leading to a covered lanai, as well as a gourmet kitchen highlighted by granite countertops, a spacious breakfast bar and a pantry. The Massiano’s luxurious master suite offers private access to the lanai and features a well-appointed bath with a Roman tub, separate shower and dual vanities.

The 2,285-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2½ bath Serino features an open single-story floor plan with a gourmet kitchen overlooking a large sunlit breakfast room and an elegant dining room. An expansive great room leads to the Serino’s lanai and outdoor space. The home also features a master suite with two walk-in closets, an art niche and a master bath.

“These Estate Collection home sites offer buyers exciting new options in a prime location in this vibrant community,” said Chris Adams, senior project manager for Azure at Hacienda Lakes. “We encourage prospective buyers to visit the community soon to tour our model homes and select their favorite home site.”

Several move-in ready, quick delivery Estate Collection homes are also available for sale, including a Massiano Traditional, Massiano Caribbean and Serino Caribbean.

Azure also offers Coach Collection homes priced from the mid-$300,000s and Signature Collection homes priced from the upper $500,000s.

Homeowners will soon be able to enjoy indoor and outdoor amenities at Azure’s clubhouse. Scheduled to open in late 2018, the clubhouse will include a resort-style swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, a flex room and a social room with a catering kitchen. Its interior design theme will feature a neutral color palette highlighted by distinctive accent pieces, a combination of wood and tile, and patterned fabrics.

Azure at Hacienda Lakes is close to Naples’ Fifth Avenue South shopping district, beaches, golf courses and country clubs, and Artis—Naples – home of the Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic.

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National group says Marco Island is Florida’s safest community

You can feel safer on Marco Island than any other community in Florida. At least according to a report released Monday by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, a trade association comprised of home security professionals across the United States.

The organization released its “Safest Cities in Florida for 2018” list and Marco Island landed in the No. 1 spot, followed by Weston, Parkland and Satellite Beach.

The association said it used the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics, along with population data and internal research, to come up with its findings. Eliminated were cities failing to submit a complete crime report to the FBI. Also removed were cities with populations under 10,000.

The National Council for Home Safety and Security based its cities’ rankings on the number of reported violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder, rape, and robbery), property crimes (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, motor-vehicle theft) per 1,000 people.

Those variables were then weighted, with violent crimes assigned a value 1.5 times (due to their severity) that of property crimes.

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Stock features furnished & move-in ready homes in Southwest Florida’s finest neighborhoods

Above: The Marigold great room. Left: Lely Players Club & Spa. Below: The Sophia II pool, the Majestic II exterior, the Polynesia exterior.

Stock Development offers homebuyers an unparalleled selection of exquisitely furnished models and move-in ready inventory homes.

Stock is one of Southwest Florida’s most successful and respected builders and visitors can tour dozens of homes that are ready for immediate occupancy across ten area communities. No other builder has such a diverse array of residences in highly amenititzed communities. The company recently netted and amazing 13 Sand Dollar Awards, including an unparalleled 8th Community of the Year Award for Lely Resort and seven product design awards.

“We are thrilled to have once again been honored by our peers in the industry with more than a dozen Sand Dollar Awards!” said Claudine Léger-Wetzel, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Stock Development. “Homebuyers can tour these homes this weekend.”

One of the keys to Stock’s success has been its aggressive inventory and custom homes program. Stock has move-in ready and soon to be complete homes available in Quail West, Lely Resort, Naples Reserve, The Isles at Collier Preserve, Esplanade Golf & Country Club of Naples, Fiddler’s Creek, Twin Eagles, Marco Island and The City of Naples.

Stock Signature Homes’ Majestic II is located in Esplanade Golf and Country Club of Naples, a beautiful golf course community.

This four-bedroom, four-bath home offers 3,843 square feet under air and a total of 5,735 square feet. The spacious floor plan features a formal living room and an informal family room, both of which provide direct access to the covered lanai via stacked sliding glass doors. The home melds the outdoors and indoor living areas to provide homeowners with a large, open environment for entertaining. An outdoor kitchen and an elaborate pool and spa package complete the idyllic scene.

Raised tray ceilings throughout the living areas add to the homes spacious feel. There is a large island style kitchen, and a formal study with French doors. Outside the brick paver driveway leads to a courtyard area in front of the attached, side- loaded, three-car garage, which offers an air-conditioned storage area. It is priced at $1,549,990

Stock Signature Homes’ Magnolia Collection at The Isles of Collier Preserve includes 90-foot homesites showcasing golf course and water views.

The Sand Dollar-winning Marigold’s superb floorplan includes 3,578 square feet under air plus a covered lanai measuring 1,062 square feet. The plan features a great room with an optional built-in entertainment center, a large gourmet island kitchen and breakfast area and a formal dining room.

The amazing outdoor living space is situated beneath the sprawling covered lanai area and features a fireplace and even more cooking and entertaining space around a beautiful summer kitchen. A stunning pool and spa are surrounded by a furnished sundeck.

There are four bedrooms or three bedrooms plus an optional bonus room, a study, four-and-a-half baths. The Master suite features twin walk-in closets, a soaking tub and a large walk-in shower.

The furnished Marigold model offers an exquisite interior design by Vogue Interiors’ Sheila Corasaniti, IDS.

Stock also offers stunning coach homes in two neighborhoods at the Community of the Year, Lely Resort. Coach home residents have access to the award-winning Players Club & Spa. Lely also includes three championship golf courses. Four Venice residences are available for immediate occupancy with prices starting at just $344,990. The Venice is a ground floor residence with 2,287 square feet under air and 3,004 total square feet, including the attached two-car garage. It is a three-bedroom, three-bath great room style coach home offering an island-style kitchen.

Stock Custom Homes has completed its furnished Polynesia model on Marco Island. The 3,903-square-foot, two-story Polynesia features an interior by Soco Interiors’ Daniel Kilgore. The open concept plan includes a great room, dining area, and island kitchen, a study, four bedrooms, four full baths and two half baths, an upstairs loft, a three-car garage, and an outdoor living area with a summer kitchen, fireplace, pool and spa.

The spacious great room features four pocketing sliding doors opening to the spectacular pool area and covered lanai beyond. This large lanai runs the entire width of the home and include a complete summer kitchen, perfect for entertaining guests. The outdoor fireplace has a sitting area with a sofa and two club chairs.

Upstairs on the loft level, the two guest bedrooms each have their own bath. Both bedrooms have sliding doors opening onto a long covered balcony overlooking the lanai and pool below. The loft is the casual entertainment area of the home with media cabinetry and television. A small desk with a linen chair placed off to the side provides extra workspace for the owner or guests. The Polynesia model is priced at $2.895 million.

Within Quail West, Stock’s 4,554 square feet Atherton estate also earned a Sand Dollar Award. The residence includes a great room with a fireplace, a wine room, four bedrooms, four full baths and two half-baths, a study, formal dining room, a spacious island kitchen, an exercise room, an outdoor living area with a custom pool and spa, fireplace, summer kitchen, and dining and conversation areas. The plan also includes two two-car garages. Priced at $3,236,980 furnished, the Atherton features an interior by Charlotte Horvath at Soco Interiors.

Please visit our sales centers. We are confident that Stock has the home of your dreams waiting for you this weekend!

For full details of all of Stock Development’s offerings and complete list of the Sand Dollar winners, visit the company website at www.stockdevelopment.com. You may email at info@stockdevelopment.com or call (239) 592-7344. Stock Development is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FLStockDevelopment. Stock Development is headquartered at 2639 Professional Circle, Suite 101 in Naples. ¦

Flawless 3 Bedroom 3 Bath Offering Southen Exposure, Long-Water Views and Second Master Suite

Virtual Tour & 3D Walkthrough | Marco MLS | Naples MLS | Website

Luxury awaits you in this meticulous, extensively renovated, custom-built JJ Baker Home offering tranquil long-water views and a southern exposure nestled on an oversized corner lot. Fall in love with your Piece of Paradise offering vaulted ceilings, spectacular contemporary stone wall and built-in cabinets with new 4K Smart TV and electric fireplace in living room, chic interior design, new flooring throughout and windows dressed in modern roller shades and plantation shutters. Entertain your guests in the expansive island kitchen offering black granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, under cabinet lighting and tiled backsplash. Live comfortably throughout this three bedroom, three bath home with second master suite, two separate screened lanais, summer kitchen and swimming pool. Venture out to the artistically landscaped grounds or launch off the boat dock equipped with 12,000LB boat lift. Bonus! Store your toys in the oversized three car garage or the large circular drive. Take full advantage of island living as this home is just over 1 mile from Marco Island’s Residents’ or Tigertail beaches. Don’t miss your opportunity to enjoy island life in this incredible, move-in-ready dream home!

Post Irma Update!

Contrary to the reports, Southwest Florida is alive and well with the exception of a few areas. We are continued to be amazed by our area and the people that live in it! We are now 9 days post Irma and have assessed a good number of homes for our clients in Naples, Marco Island and Bonita Springs. It is amazing that the majority of homes have little to no damage.

Southwest Florida is an amazing place where the people pitch in to help their neighbors and our construction is built to withstand high winds. We are protected by mangrove wetlands that help with any surge. It is truly paradise!

Naples and Marco Island Named to Top “20 Best Places to Vacation in Florida” by TripAdvisor