The Naples Insider has an update on that Florida market. "Real estate over time usually results in a very good investment. And this has been particularly true with Naples real estate. But real estate trends can run in cycles."

"Overall the number of single family homes and condos available for sell in the Naples area is over doubled that of one year ago. Some communities, and property types have 3, 4 and 5 times more availability than a year ago. I hear a lot of comments from area brokers and sales associates saying such things as 'The busiest buying time is from February to May, so once the buying season starts thing will pickup.' Many sellers in the area have been counting on that advice in hopes of getting top dollar."

"It's true that historically Naples has higher number of buyers in February through April than other months. But a record number of buyers would be needed to make a marginal difference in the number available for sale."

"For example, at the end of January 2006 there were more listed for sale over $300,000 then what sold during the 2005 season."

"A comparison of actives (homes for sale) vs. pending (homes under contract and waiting to close) is a good measure of the health of the housing market. In a healthy real estate market, pendings will make up approximately 60% of of homes listed for sale in the mid price ranges, and 20 - 25% in the highest price ranges."

"A year ago that ratio was near or over 100% for many area communities; an indication that the market was on fire. In January 2006, the actives vs. pendings ratio for the Naples area was under 20%. An indication of low buying activity."

"Advice to Naples Sellers: You need to be competitively priced, not only based on trends within your community, but based on property type and leading indicators within the market as a whole. To sell in the short term, you need to be a value leader. Not just when compared to list prices, but when compared to what has actually sold over the previous months."

"Advice to Naples Buyers" You are in the drivers seat. For most property categories and price ranges, there are many great choices now available for sale. It's just a matter of paying the right price."