Naples and Lely Resort, Post Hurricane Irma

As we prepare for the coming seasonal activity it is good to see Naples back up and open for business after Hurricane Irma paid us a visit in September. There are still a few businesses and hotels struggling with major repairs, but most are now open to the public with a few exceptions. County officials have done a pretty good job of getting resources from across the country to handle the 4.2 million cubic yards of landscape debris moved off the main roads. To date they have picked up 1 million cubic yards so we will be seeing the trucks on our roads for a while as the debris removal continues. The good news for us here at Lely Resort is that most of the hurricane-damaged landscape in the neighborhoods and golf courses has been removed. Driving through the community I see a good number of blue tarps in many of the older neighborhoods. That unfortunately will be the case on into 2018 as skilled workers and construction supplies are in high demand right now and many companies are booked several months out with hurricane repair jobs. Residential sales through November at Lely Resort have been strong compared to the same months of 2016, showing a 21.5% increase with average selling prices rising and the number of days on market prior to getting an acceptable offer also increasing.