Located on the Gulf side of southwest Florida, Naples is an idyllic place to live or invest in real estate—if you have the cash.
Park Shore, Naples (Photo: T. Tabliasacchi via Flickr/ CC0 1.0 )
Naples is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, consistently ranking in the top 10 for per capita income—and number of millionaires. The city boasts some of the most picturesque and luxurious waterfront in the country and is known as a popular tourist destination due to its calm, warm waters, “sugar” sand beaches, sport fishing, golfing, and high-end shopping among palm-lined avenues. But don’t confuse Naples with party towns like Miami or Fort Lauderdale—this is an older, more refined crowd.
Residents and visitors alike are attracted to the area for its priceless natural beauty and diverse ecosystems, and like most beach towns, a laid-back atmosphere prevails. If you’re looking to purchase a home, you’ll have plenty of options for sprawling estates, villas, waterfront retreats, and more modest single-family dwellings. There’s also a strong market for vacation rentals—with summer tourists and winter “snowbirds,” Naples has roughly seven months of in-season rental months. If you do invest in rental property in Naples, you must report to the IRS any income generated from renting the property for longer than 14 days. However, there is no limit to how much you can charge for those days. You can also deduct expenses such as property management, cleaning, utilities, landscaping, the mortgage, and any other products or services necessary to maintain the property. If possible, you should visit during different seasons, particularly if you plan to relocate. This way you can explore different neighborhoods—Naples is much more than just the beach. Below, we’ve outlined three well-known and trusted resources that can help you find houses and vacation homes for sale in Naples, Florida.
Gulf Coast International Properties
With more than 100 years of combined experience in buying and selling Naples real estate, Gulf Coast International Properties is one of the most respected brokers in Florida. Their website is aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate and filled with helpful information such as virtual tours and neighborhood video guides for prospective buyers. This agency can help you locate the right place for your needs, whether it be a retirement home, an investment property, or land to build on later. They can also assist with new home construction, and show model homes and custom builds in some of Naples’ most desirable neighborhoods. At the high end, we found a 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom home in Port Royal for nearly $49 million; at the lower end, an absolutely lovely 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom with a small backyard pool in Park Shores for $120,000.
Royal Shell Real Estate
Although this agency specializes in southwest Florida real estate, they do have strong roots in Naples and can help those looking to relocate or purchase investment properties in the area. Their website is filled with helpful resources such as an out-of-country purchasing guide for international buyers, a real estate blog, and even two digital magazines. Royal Shell also provides relocation services for individuals, families, and businesses who need to relocate several employees. In their listings, we found everything from a 4-bedroom, 9-bathroom estate in Port Royal for $50 million to a one-bedroom manufactured home in a senior living community for $90,000—proving you can still own a piece of paradise without breaking the bank.
Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s is synonymous with luxury, and here you’ll find some of the most lavish properties in Naples and its surrounding areas. Case in point: the bevy of multimillion dollar estates on the Naples home page. We found a 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom home in Old Naples for $27 million and several properties in the $4-5 million range, which isn’t unusual here. Amongst the high-end real estate though, we found a few deals, like a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condominium in a golfing community. This one came with several perks—like waived greens fees for owners and resort-style amenities including nine pools, tennis courts, pickleball, shuffleboard, bocce ball, classes and activities, and a plethora of bars and restaurants where residents can mingle. At just $150,000, we consider this a steal—particularly when you factor in a mere $800/year in property taxes.