Hello from Naples!
January was a busy month—honestly, it went by in a blur. After saying goodbye to the kids on January 3rd, our days quickly filled with listing appointments, preparing new listings, and building momentum on those already on the market as we officially entered “season.” Showings have picked up, we’re seeing an increase in pending listings, and we expect this activity to continue building over the next several months. It’s clear season is in full swing: the roads are more congested, restaurants are bustling, tee times are harder to come by, and the pickleball courts are packed.
One of the best parts of this time of year is the return of our snowbird friends. We enjoyed gathering with friends at a wonderful charity event called Empty Bowls, which raises funds to help feed more than 122,000 people in Collier and Lee Counties and takes place in Cambier Park. With your ticket donation, you select a hand-painted clay bowl made by volunteers and fill it with soup, sampling nearly 50 varieties prepared by local restaurants. Tasting the different soups and comparing favorites with friends made for a fun and meaningful afternoon.
Also in January, Jeff played in The Strand Member-Member Golf Tournament. While he and his partner may have finished in last place, they still had a great time and met some wonderful new people. We attended the Riverstone pickleball party as well. One of the things we love most about pickleball is the social aspect. Pickleball players just seem to be especially welcoming and friendly. Additionally, we enjoyed a couple of great dinners out with friends at Blackbird and The London Club, always a treat during season.
Whether you’re a full-time resident or a seasonal visitor, we hope you’re making the most of this lively and enjoyable time of year in Naples.
Here is a recent article from Naples Daily News: Naples Winter Wine Fest: How much Aston Marton sold for at auction
What could you buy with $1.1 million? You could buy two Costco hot dogs per day for 1,104 years, or 550 golden retriever puppies, or even 183,333 Starbucks lattes.
In this instance, $1.1 million bought one Naples Winter Wine Fest bidder seven nights of lakeside luxury and Italian splendor in Lake Como with a stay in Villa Polli. For another bidder, $1.1 million scored a brand new 2026 Aston Martin convertible and a VIP driving experience in Miami.
The 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival live auction brought hundreds to the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon on Saturday, Jan. 31, to place competitive bids on over 50 luxury experiences and items. This year's auction brought in more than $30 million to benefit the most vulnerable Collier County children.
Auctioneers took turns coaxing the crowd into opening their wallets to support the Naples Children Foundation, which aims to address critical gaps in access to mental, oral, vision, and primary healthcare services for Collier children through the Festival's charitable auction. The Festival has raised more than $336 million for local children in need since its inception in 2001.
Bids moved fast, jumping from table to table as the amount soared from $100,000 to upwards of $650,000, depending on the lot being auctioned off. One man's wife tried to pull his paddle down, but didn't succeed before he won the bid. Other attendees cheered as bids skyrocketed. The higher the bid grew, the louder the room roared.
The highest bid of the night went towards a "Million Dollar Night of Country with Thomas Rhett." Fifty-five couples contributed $25,000 to attend an exclusive acoustic performance by country star Thomas Rhett, meaning the auction lot sold for $1.375 million.
Other top live auction lots this year included an eight-night luxurious private yacht voyage along the Greek islands, which sold for $850,000. A nine-night journey to Ecuador with a private Galapagos yacht experience sold for $800,000 and a nine-night African wildlife expedition sold for $650,000.
Forty couples contributed $25,000 each to enjoy an exclusive rooftop dinner at Prime Social Reserve in November. Meals will be prepared by 2026 NWWF Chef de Cuisine Dustin Valette in collaboration with Prime Social Reserve's Executive Chef Alejandra Bringas. In total, this meal brought in a million dollars for Collier children in need.
Festival attendees kept their hearts and wallets open through this year's Fund a Need called "The Picture of Health." Donations surpassed $7 million to support health initiatives for children needing access to mental, oral, vision, and primary healthcare services.
The wine festival itself spans several days. Other than auction day, highlights include exclusive wine dinners in the homes of festival trustees and supports. These dinners are prepared by celebrity chefs, adding to the luxury of the entire event.
This year's theme was "Picture This," acting as a call to imagine and believe in what's possible when you mix compassion and action. Organizers wanted supporters and donors to picture the impact their generosity can have in paving the way for local children to succeed in their futures.
The Naples Winter Wine Festival remains one of the biggest in the country. In fact, USA Today readers and judges recognized the Festival as the best wine festival in the country, beating out events in California and New York.
Official January 2025 Climate Data at Naples Airport:
January is a fantastic month to be in Naples. The weather is usually close to perfect, with cooler evenings and warm, sunny days paired with very low humidity—ideal conditions for enjoying the winter season. While temperatures are optimal, we need rain. As many of you know, we experienced a very dry summer and fall, which has left the area unusually dry as we begin the year. Naples didn’t experience even a tropical storm in 2025, this has caused our water table to drop. As of January 16, 2026, all unincorporated areas of Collier County are under a strict burn ban.
Book Review: “Rock Paper Scissors: A Novel” by Alice Feeney
Rock Paper Scissors is my book club’s February selection, and I’m so glad it made the list—I loved this book. I usually read on the Kindle app on my phone, but I actually purchased the paperback version of this novel, and it didn’t sit on my nightstand for long. I devoured it.
This is a clever psychological thriller about shadowed pasts, eroding trust, and the way secrets—both kept and revealed—reshape everything we think we know about the people closest to us. The narrative follows Mr. and Mrs. Wright, who win a weekend away in Scotland. As the story unfolds, layers peel back through alternating timelines and narrators, with each chapter offering a fresh angle, a new doubt, or a subtle shift in perspective.
No point of view feels completely trustworthy; each character carries their own blind spots, defenses, and distortions. This narrative design amplifies the suspense, turning every revelation into a puzzle piece that may—or may not—fit into the larger picture. It’s a smart, tightly constructed thriller that rewards close attention and will make for a lively book club discussion.
Here are a couple reviews on Amazon for The Game You Played:
“Alice Feeney is an amazing writer. What a creative mind. This is the second book I have read and it is fantastic. I thought I had it figured out but no. She is definitely gifted at creating twists that stay woven together. I don't know why anyone would give this book less than a 5-star. I did not skim one page, not even a sentence. I held on to every word and could not put this down. I had the same experience with His and Hers. Fabulous!!”
“Atmospheric, haunting, and full of twists. Highly recommend!”
“If you think you know how this story will end, think again." Rock Paper Scissors is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The story is full of twists and surprises that will keep you second-guessing everything you think you know about the characters and their motives. The dynamics between the couple, the eerie setting, and the cleverly woven secrets all build up to a shocking conclusion I didn’t see coming. While a few parts felt slightly predictable, the overall execution was fantastic. If you love thrillers that keep you on edge, this one is a must-read. 4 stars!”
Restaurant Recommendation: Savour Restaurant 15301 McGregor Blvd #1 Fort Myers, FL
Last month we had tickets to see Some Like It Hot at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center in Fort Myers and were looking for a place to enjoy dinner beforehand. After coming across several strong reviews, we decided to try Savour Restaurant. Formerly known as Azure, the restaurant is now under new ownership—and what a wonderful discovery it turned out to be.
When we first arrived at the unassuming strip-plaza location, we were admittedly a bit wary of what awaited us inside. Any hesitation disappeared almost immediately. Savour is owned by a husband-and-wife team, with the husband leading the kitchen and the wife warmly overseeing the front of the house. The restaurant is intimate, the welcome gracious, and the overall experience felt thoughtful and personal from the start.
The quality of the food and presentation rival what you would expect from a fine-dining establishment. During our visit we enjoyed the Spanish olives, crispy yellowtail, beet salad, grilled pulpo, pasta Savour, and pomme frites. Every dish was delicious, but the beet salad truly stood out—it was hands down the best beet salad we have ever had (and we have had many). The yellowtail and pasta were also highlights and dishes we would happily order again.
Savour is an excellent choice for dining before a show, but truthfully, we would not hesitate to make the drive from Naples just to return. It was that good.
Here are a few recent reviews on Google Reviews:
“What an amazing dinner last night! Hats off to the chef who really tried hard to accommodate my mother’s dietary needs: vegetarian / gluten free / vinegar allergy. She absolutely loved her food and everything we ate was delicious. Definitely recommend trying out this new restaurant (formerly Azure)! The truffle pasta on the small plates menu is heavenly.”
“Food was delivered beautifully and tasted amazing! We enjoyed the new decor, friendly atmosphere and the personal touch the Chef/owner gives to each guest. We can’t wait to go back on our next trip.”
“Savour delivers an outstanding dining experience. Chef Matt and his team showcase exceptional skill, from precise execution to beautiful plating and presentation. Sitting at the kitchen table was a highlight—watching the pass felt like a live culinary showcase. Excellent service, a well-curated wine list, and memorable food. We visited for my wife’s birthday and couldn’t have chosen a better place. Highly recommend.”
Naples Real Estate: Here are the January 2026 Naples & Bonita Springs market statistics
Overall, January 2026 sales were down 3% compared to January 2025. This decline was largely driven by higher-price-point homes, which were down 10% year over year. Entry-level price points saw a healthy increase, while the $1.0M–$3.0M segment remained virtually flat. In mid to late January, The Wakelin Team saw activity pick up across our listings, and we remain very optimistic about a strong year ahead for Naples real estate.
The following table provides a snapshot comparison of sales activity through January 2026 versus January 2025
As the following table shows, the level of inventory varies by price point:
Overall inventory in January ticked up slightly from October’s and November’s 8-month supply. This is exactly what we expect to see as we get into “High Season” Inventory is especially elevated in the luxury segment, where homes priced over $3 million now represent a 16-month supply. The broader trend suggests that while buyers are enjoying more choices, sellers may need to remain flexible with pricing and expectations as we are now clearly in a buyer’s market.
Riverstone Real Estate:
Riverstone is the community where Jeff and Nicola live. Riverstone has numerous amenities available for residents to enjoy. You can spend days swimming and relaxing at the community resort-style pool, playing tennis, taking a fitness class or socializing in the community’s private clubhouse. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Riverstone as of February 2, 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 22 active listings, 2 pending sale and 3 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 43 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 3.50 per month, there is 6.2 months of inventory at Riverstone.
Stonecreek Real Estate:
Stonecreek is the sister community to Riverstone, about a mile up Logan Blvd. and was built by the same developer, GL Homes. Both communities offer social, vacation-inspired lifestyles with extensive amenities & A-rated schools. Stonecreek is a bit newer and home prices in this community tend to be a bit higher than Riverstone. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Stonecreek as of February 2, 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 18 active listings, 1 pending sale and 2 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 34 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 2.83 per month, there is 6.3 months of inventory at Stonecreek.
Valencia Trails Real Estate:
Valencia Trails is the active, adult community about 5 miles east on Immokalee Road from Riverstone and was built by the same developer, GL Homes. As a 55+ lifestyle community, Valencia Trails offers even more amenities than Riverstone and Stonecreek including a 43,00 SF clubhouse, that includes a theater for live performances, a spa, a restaurant and pool bar. The fitness facilities and calendar of events are extensive. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Valencia Trails as of January 2, 2025:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 36 active listings and 2 sales pending and 3 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 45 homes sold in the last 12 months; however, this number includes many new construction and builder spec homes. With average monthly sales 3.75 per month, there is about 9.6 months of inventory at Valencia Trails.
With over $300M in closed sales, The Wakelin Team has the experience that moves you! Give us a call if we can help with any real estate questions you have at 239-451-9351.
