Hello from Naples!
April was a busy month as everyone prepared for the season’s close. Several of our listings went pending or closed, as buyers felt the urgency to secure a home before heading back north.
Outside of work, we made the most of our time with seasonal friends, soaking up every last moment together before they returned home. On April 10th, Nicola celebrated her birthday with girlfriends at Violi—a joyful evening filled with laughter, incredible food, delicious drinks, and even a few sparklers.
Easter felt a bit different for us this year, as it was the first time neither of our kids were in town for the holiday. Fortunately, we were able to spend the day with Jeff’s parents, Rae and Fred. We attended church in the morning, followed by a lovely Easter brunch at Kensington Golf & Country Club.
We hope you all had a wonderful April. And to our seasonal friends, we wish you a fantastic summer—we’re already looking forward to your return
Here is an excerpt from a recent article from Naples Daily News:
Single women fuel SW Florida homeowner growth in 'unaffordable' market
Who's helping keep the clunky Southwest Florida housing market afloat? Single women, that's who ― based on new data from the U.S. Census and the National Association of Realtors known as NAR.
And that's perhaps a little timely as we begin May's International Victorious Woman Month, which honors resilience and achievements.
Resilience is key, as many females haven't allowed their lower pay as compared to males to slow their achievements to own a piece of the American Dream.
While "single women are becoming a bigger force in the housing market" and now narrowly more likely to own than single men, the stats for Southwest Florida are particularly notable, said Nadia Evangelou, NAR's director of research who put together the springtime study.
"In 57% of metro areas, single women have a higher homeownership rate than single men, and in some markets, the gap is not small," Evangelou said. "Vallejo, California; McAllen, Texas; Asheville, North Carolina; Davenport, Iowa; and Palm Bay and Naples in Florida stand out for having some of the widest differences. In these metros, single women are significantly more likely to own homes than their male counterparts."
"Seeing single women increase in numbers in the housing market in an incredibly unaffordable housing market speaks to the stability of homeownership and how much she thinks that this is the right idea for her future," said NAR Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz. "It gives her the financial stability and not to be at the whim of the landlord and have to be at risk of moving, and that's why she's doing it.
"They truly are this tremendous force. If we look across all generations of homebuyers, what we see is that single women are always outpacing single men, and they're always second only to married couples in the housing market."
Women are taking this on even though they have always been far behind men on pay. "The median income for single women homeowners is about $58,000, compared with $69,000 for single men," Evangelou said. "In other words, single women earn about 84 cents for every dollar single men earn. But despite that, single women are still more likely to own."
And it's not easy.
"Data shows that single women are more financially stretched," Evangelou said. "On average, single women homeowners spend about 30% of their income on housing, compared with 26% for men."
Still, separate research by Realtor .com found that single women now represent 21% of U.S. homebuyers. And NAR says their market share has nearly doubled since 1981, rising from 11% of buyers. They accounted for 25% of first-timers, outpacing single men at 10%, and Realtor .com noted in a report the "resilience and dominance of this segment of buyers" illustrates how the desire for equity and stability can outweigh significant affordability hurdles. There's that persistence.
"They prioritize homeownership financially, cutting non-essential spending," said Stephanie Pinder, an associate broker for Compass and blogger on southern Florida real estate, noting more need to get into the market sooner. "My first house was at 26. Homeownership is one of the strongest indicators of household wealth — so much so that even without counting home equity, homeowners still have about 30 times the net worth of renters. The quicker you get this, the quicker you build generational wealth." Once they figure out a way into the market though, women tend to own their homes longer, and that pays off.
"That longer tenure translates into more housing equity," Evangelou said. "For an average home valued at around $300,000, after 18 years, homeowners have typically paid off close to 45% of their mortgage, turning time into equity. Over that same period, home prices have almost doubled, adding more than $140,000 in value. Combined with years of paying down the mortgage, many single women homeowners have built over $200,000 in total housing equity."
Official April 2026 Climate Data at the Naples Airport
April definitely flipped the script this year. After an unusually dry April last year (just 0.12 inches), we saw a big rebound with 2.76 inches of rain in April 2026—making a meaningful dent in the yearly total, which now sits at 6.41 inches, not too far off the normal pace of 7.48 inches. Temperatures stayed right in the sweet spot, with a high of 90° and a noticeably warmer low of 62° compared to last year’s cooler mornings. While we didn’t challenge any records, this April brought a much more balanced mix of warmth and rainfall—great news as we head into the hotter months.
Book Review: “Who needs Friends" by Andrew McCarthy
I was scrolling through Facebook the other day when I came across a post from Andrew McCarthy—standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. If you grew up in the ’80s, you’ll remember him as a member of the “Brat Pack,” starring in films like St. Elmo’s Fire, Less Than Zero, and the Weekend at Bernie’s franchise.
In the post, he was promoting his new book, Who Needs Friends?, which he describes as an unscientific study of male friendship in America. That was enough to get me curious, so I gave it a listen.
The book opens with McCarthy at home in his New York City apartment when, during a conversation, his teenage son says, “You don’t have any friends, do you, Dad?” That moment sends him on a cross-country road trip to reconnect with old friends. Along the way, he also strikes up conversations with men he meets—waiters, bartenders, and strangers—using those interactions as a backdrop to explore deeper themes around friendship and connection.
McCarthy reflects on how male friendships often differ from female friendships, using humor, honesty, and real-life stories to make his point. I really enjoyed the book, but more importantly, it made me think. It pushed me to take a closer look at how I show up for my own friends—and even prompted me to reconnect with a few I hadn’t spoken to in years.
It’s one of those books that sticks with you a bit. Not because it has all the answers, but because it asks some pretty good questions.
Here are a couple reviews on Amazon for Who Needs Friends
"At first glance the book looks like a memoir of one man reconnecting with old buddies on a cross-country road trip. But it quickly becomes something much deeper: a sharp, honest social study of male friendship itself—what it is, what it’s become, and why so many men today feel it slipping away."
"McCarthy doesn’t just focuses on the nostalgia or current status of his own longtime friendships. He hits the road to visit them, and along the way turns the mirror on American men everywhere. He visits Elvis Presley’s childhood home in Tupelo (and casually drops that he’s already been to Graceland twice). He stays in the small Mississippi B&B where scenes from Steel Magnolias were filmed."
"He stays in the very hotel where James Dean stayed while filming Rebel Without a Cause, wanders the delightfully off-the-beaten-path Roy Orbison Museum in tiny Wink, Texas, and yes, stands on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. Cheap motels, cheaper diner food—the whole trip has that authentic, slightly gritty American road vibe.I adore this book. And I can so relate to being an introvert who prefers to dwell in my own fortress of solitude, but also did a solo cross-country road trip and found so much of what McCarthy says about friendship to be true. Just show up. And speak from the heart. Favorite parts were his stay in Natchitoches and the Steel Magnolias references; learning about/adding the Natchez Trace Parkway to my must-see list; Sedona; Utah; the haunted hotel; and stopping to "bear witness" in Uvalde. Some of his sentences ring so true I have to stop and sit with them a bit. Great writer."
Restaurant Recommendation: Alexander’s Restaurant 4077 Tamiami Trail N. Naples
Last month, we returned to a restaurant we hadn’t visited in nearly ten years. I’m not sure why we waited so long—perhaps because there always seems to be a new place to try. Alexander’s is something of an institution in Naples, having served the community for around 30 years.
It’s an ideal spot for outdoor dining, with a charming, garden-like patio that creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. We arrived early to take advantage of their $45 early dining menu, which includes a starter and choice of entrée. That evening, we also added a shared Watermelon, Burrata & Tomato salad, which was thoughtfully split into two plates before being served.
For starters, we enjoyed the Crab Cake with Lobster Sauce, followed by Trout Almondine and Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp and Scallops as our entrées. Both dishes were well prepared, though we found the risotto a bit light on seafood.
For dessert, we ordered the Three Berry Pie and the “Hot Love” Sundae. The sundae was, without question, the standout of the evening—vanilla bean gelato with fresh raspberries, topped with a warm raspberry rum sauce and Chantilly cream. It’s the kind of dessert worth returning for on its own.
Here are a few recent reviews on Google Reviews:
“This place is absolutely magical!!! The ambience is perfection. Our server Kathryn was so friendly and knowledgeable. The food choices are so diverse ii had a hard time choosing with all the additional specials. Our friends said this was THE BEST PLACE they had dined at (and we dine out regularly trying to find the treasure spot). My husband got the venison and said ithat it was delish. My girlfriend said that she grew up eating venison and it’s too gamey. She finally tried his and could not believe how great it was. I had filet mignon, which was very tasty and cooked to the right temperature. Our friend had the Cioppino and loved it. This is a must when you have friends and family in town or for a romantic dinner. Thanks Chef and Kathryn!!!!”
“If I could give 100 stars I would. This is a beautiful, quaint restaurant with impeccable service, delicious food, fine dining ambiance, the most attentive social staff, and beautiful art decor. I sat at the bar over lunch. The owner was back cooking lunches, the food runner was seamless and so in sync with kitchen and waitstaff. Every server knew the restaurant history and takes great pride in their work. I couldn’t be more impressed and will definitely be back once in town again. Thank you for raising the bar so high that 99% can’t attain. Congratulations on your well-earned success! I chose the snapper. Wow! Loved the sauce and veggies!!”
Naples Real Estate: Here are the April 2026 Naples & Bonita Springs Market Statistics
The Naples and Bonita Springs market continues to show solid momentum in 2026. Year-to-date closed sales are up 17% over last year, rising from 3,671 to 4,288 transactions—a meaningful jump that signals strong buyer activity. What stands out is the broad-based growth across all price points, with the most significant surge happening in the under $300,000 segment, which jumped 34%. Mid-range markets between $300,000 and $1,000,000 also posted healthy gains, while the luxury tiers—especially $1M to $3M—saw a strong 19% increase. Even the ultra-high-end market over $3M edged up 8%. This kind of across-the-board growth suggests a balanced and active market, with demand staying resilient from entry-level all the way through luxury.
As the following table shows, the level of inventory varies by price point:
After building through the start of the year, inventory levels in Naples and Bonita are now starting to come down, signaling a market that may be finding its footing. Total available homes peaked earlier in the year at over 7,600 properties and have since declined to 6,912, while months of supply has eased from around 9 months to 8 months overall. This shift, combined with rising sales activity, points to a market that is stabilizing rather than softening. While inventory remains elevated—especially in the luxury segment, where supply is still significantly higher—conditions are improving across most price points.
What this means for buyers and sellers: buyers still have more choices and negotiating power than in recent years, but the window of maximum leverage may be starting to narrow. For sellers, the market is becoming more encouraging—properly priced homes are beginning to see stronger activity, and in some communities, early signs of recovery are already emerging. Overall, this is shaping up to be a more balanced and stable market heading into the summer.
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 May 4th, 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 20 active listings, 0 pending sale and 5 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 39 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 3.25 per month, there is 6.15 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 May 4th 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 10 active listings, 3 pending sale and 3 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 36 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 3.0 per month, there is 3.33 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 May 4th, 2026:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market in MLS:
There are 40 active listings and 2 sales pending and 4 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 61 homes sold in the last 12 months; however, this number includes many new construction and builder spec homes. With average monthly sales 5.08 per month, there is about 7.8 months of inventory at Valencia Trails.
With over $300M in closes 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.
