July started off with a bang—literally. Nicola, Jeff, and Riley spent the evening of the 4th on Naples Beach. We packed up a festive picnic dinner and headed downtown. We were worried we'd be rained out, but it turned out to be perfect. The chance of rain kept the temperature down, with a nice breeze in the air. It also helped keep the crowds to a more manageable level. It was fun hanging out, eating, and talking before the fireworks show started at 9:00 PM. It's such a great location for fireworks because you can not only watch them in the sky but also see their reflection in the Gulf waters.

Later in July, we had the opportunity to travel somewhere Jeff spent a lot of time as a kid, but Nicola had never been, and had always wanted to go. We enjoyed a five-night stay on Cape Cod at a fantastic inn called The Little Inn on Pleasant Bay. The innkeepers, Phoebe and John, were a wonderful couple who treated their guests to a beautiful breakfast every morning, a lovely happy hour each evening, and even boat tours around Pleasant Bay. If you ever find yourself on Cape Cod, we highly recommend staying at The Little Inn.

While on the Cape, we took several day trips. One day, we ferried to Martha's Vineyard, rented E-bikes right off the ferry, and rode to a charming beach town called Edgartown. The next day, we drove to Provincetown. The day after that, we took a different ferry to Nantucket, rented bikes again, and spent some time at a couple of beaches. On our last full day, we explored Chatham. All the islands and towns were beautiful and fun to explore. We were especially impressed by the sheer volume and beauty of all the hydrangeas in bloom! The food was incredible; we had many memorable meals, almost eating our weight in lobster rolls and oysters. 

At the end of our trip, we drove back into Boston and met up with a small group of Jeff's college friends. Together, we went to the Tuesday night Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium. Coldplay is our favorite band, and we love seeing them live. What a fun show! We even made it on the Jumbotron and were thrilled to be featured on the big screen. (The infamous "kiss cam" moment happened the following night in the same stadium.) 

We hope you've also been enjoying your summer—whether you've been traveling, spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, attending concerts, or all of the above!

 

Here is a recent article from Naples Daily News: Why has it never reached 100 degrees in Naples? Two big reasons, weather expert says 

The fact that Naples has never officially reached a high daily temperature of 100 degrees is mind-boggling. 

Should it be?

You would think because Florida, because intense summer heat in the Sunshine State and because lots of other places in Florida have a history of eclipsing the 100-degree mark, Naples would be in that meteorological bucket as well.

At 3:30 p.m. July 27, Tampa International Airport logged 100 degrees, breaking a record that has stood since 1890 when records started being kept. But it took one of Florida's biggest cities, Tampa, 139 years to record its first ever 100-degree day on July 27.

Naples also tied a record for its second hottest temperature on record when the thermometer at the Naples Airport reached 98 degrees on July 27, just one degree short of the all-time hottest day ever recorded − 99 degrees on Sept. 1, 1986, the one and only time that has ever happened.

What's stopping Naples from hitting 100 degrees?

We reached out the National Weather Service in Miami and asked what factor or factors are causing the temperature to have never hit triple digits in Naples. According to Sammy Hadi at the NWS-Miami, the explanation can be divided it into two important parts: geographical and atmospheric. "A combination of ingredients came together yesterday (July 27) which resulted in temperatures well above normal," Hadi said. "A residual amount of Saharan Dust over the region combined with mid-level ridging (sinking air) prevented cloud cover (and shower/thunderstorm chances), allowing for ample sunshine all morning and afternoon which allowed for temperatures to quickly heat up and remain elevated even into the early evening hours."

What else?

"Combined with relatively strong enough east north-east surface flow resulted in air heated over inland South Florida to continue pushing across the region without the development of a gulf breeze," he said. "So in simple terms, no rain or cloud cover + ample sunshine + the lack of winds veering onshore off of the Gulf at any point in the day set the stage for temperatures to reach record values. Hadi added that during the summer-time, the weather here is dictated by daily sea-breeze and land-breeze patterns. During the day, low pressure develops over land as it heats up faster than the nearby ocean with high pressure developing over the relatively cooler waters. At night, the inverse occurs with low pressure setting up over water and high pressure setting up over land as the land cools faster than the ocean. "Air flows from high to low pressure, and that is why we often see sea-breeze (in this case "gulf breeze") circulations push inland from the coast during the late morning and early afternoon hours," Hadi said. "However on days like yesterday that featured strong east-northeast flow, the gulf breeze can remain directly along the coast (pinned) and fail to push inland ... preventing any of the cooled oceanic air to move inland.

Combined with the ingredients Hadi listed above, he said it sets the stage for well above average temperatures. 

What does geography have to do with air temperature? 

The fact that weather observations are made at the Naples Municipal Airport is one of the factors to consider, Hadi said. "As you can see from the google maps image above, the airport is located very close to the Gulf which tends to moderate temperatures compared to locations further inland," Hadi said. "When comparing KAPF (Naples Airport) to KFMY (Page Field in Fort Myers), you can see just how much further inland FMY is to APF. So in this case, there is also a geographical explanation to why APF has never officially hit 100."

Is it possible other locations in the Naples area reached 100 degrees?

"Given that the airfield officially recorded 98F ... it is certainly plausible that isolated locations further inland (east) in the Naples metro did reach 100," Hadi said. 

 

Official July 2025 Climate Data at Naples Airport:

Looks like July in Naples decided to keep things interesting, trading last year's record-breaking 14.47 inches of rain for a measly 4.07 inches this year. We did, however, snag a new record high of 98°, so if it seemed like your sunscreen was working overtime, it probably was. Lows hovered in the low 70s, so there wasn't much nighttime relief either. Year-to-date rainfall is now trailing the "normal" pace, which was good news for outdoor plans, not so great for thirsty landscaping.

 

Book Review: The Child In My House by Lucy Lawrie 

The Child in My House quietly pulled me in, then kept me reading far later than I intended. It's part psychological suspense and part intimate family drama. 

The main character, Juliet returns to her childhood home under the guise of being six-year-old Kitty's nanny, but it quickly becomes clear that the house holds more than just family memories for Juliet, it carries old wounds, unspoken truths, and a tangle of emotions she's not sure she's ready to face. Kitty is an enigma, silent, watchful, and somehow at the center of a mystery Juliet doesn't fully understand but works to solve. 

Lucy Lawrie has a gift for threading suspense through the smallest domestic moments, a look held too long, a door left slightly ajar, a half-remembered conversation from years ago. The tension builds steadily, until the revelations feel like a sudden flood. And yet, beneath the mystery, this is a story about belonging, about the weight of the past, and about how love, whether for a child, a friend, or a family member, can be both a source of strength and vulnerability.

If you enjoy novels where the real heart of the suspense lies not just in "what happened," but in why it matters to the people involved, this is one to add to your list.

Here are a couple reviews on Amazon for The Child In My House

"I think Ms. Lawrie's books are the best I have read in the past few months! She has a gift for describing intense emotions while weaving in complex suspense and mystery. Can't wait to read her next book!" 

"This was a wonderful read. It moved fast, even through the changing of characters and timing. Highly recommend you enjoy it also."

"Well-written - it pulls you in from the start and takes you on a journey through to the last page. The author tells a story that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, full of mystery and suspense, and manages to bring the characters alive, so that you can't wait to find out how it's going to end."

 

Restaurant Recommendation: Estia 8990 Fontana del Sol Way Naples

I was devastated when my favorite Naples restaurant, 21 Spices, closed. But I may have found a new favorite. While Estia offers a completely different cuisine, it shares the same qualities I loved about 21 Spices: a gorgeous setting, attentive service, and food that is absolutely out of this world. 

Estia transports me right back to our visit to Greece, capturing the spirit of Mediterranean hospitality and the vibrant, fresh flavors we discovered there. The restaurant itself is elegant and warm, with stylish coastal décor that echoes the sun-drenched charm of the Greek islands.

On my first visit, a few girlfriends and I dined on their lovely outdoor terrace. We ordered several small plates—or "Mezedes" as they're traditionally called—including the octopus, shrimp, and ceviche. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. We also shared a traditional Horiatiki salad and one of their whole fish selections, which was perfectly grilled and finished tableside. I was thrilled to see they serve Assyrtiko, a crisp white wine I fell in love with while in Santorini; just one of many thoughtful touches that make the experience feel truly authentic.

On my second visit, Jeff and I went together and found ourselves ordering many of the same favorites; the octopus and Horiatiki salad again, but this time we added the spanakopita. Let me just say: the spanakopita is incredible, honestly better than what I had in Greece. It's flaky, rich, and deeply flavorful. Trust me this is a must-order item. We shared a couple of main courses as well. Truly, it doesn't matter what you order at Estia; everything is exceptional. We were both so impressed, we've already reserved a table for our family's New Year's Eve dinner.

Estia is more than just a meal, it's a culinary journey, and I'm already looking forward to my third visit. 

Here are a few recent reviews on Open Table: 

"Great dining experience as loved the vibe throughout the bar and restaurant! Great cocktails and wines with delicious appetizers, entrees and dessert. Loved the Estia Chips and artichoke kabob as apps and lamb chops were off the chart good! Others had halibut and lobster and loved them. Desserts of baklava with ice cream and budino were delicious! We will definitely be back!"

"Had the pre fixe dinner with friends. From the start…entering this beautifully decorated restaurant to the excellent appetizers (3 spreads with pita; beet salad; & spanakopita) to delicious entrees (fish of the day Sapora; lamb chops; & chicken) to finishing with baklava (fresh & topped with ice cream… all food served made our tastebuds very happy. The servers were pleasant, informative & attentive. I highly recommend Estia…a perfect dining experience."

 

Naples Real Estate: Here are the July 2025 Naples & Bonita Springs market statistics.

For the first 7 months of 2025, there were 6,265 closed sales in Naples and Bonita Springs. This compares with 6,760 closed sales for the same period last year, a 7% drop in sales year-to-date.  While most price categories experienced decreases, the most significant drops occurred in the $700,001 to $3 million range, down 16%. The market under $300,000 was the only segment to see a substantial increase, rising 37% which could suggest a shift in buyer demand toward more affordable properties but also reflects an increase in supply of lower priced homes.

Here's an interesting table comparing July 2025 to last year:

As the following table shows, the level of inventory varies by price point: 

Inventory ticked down again in July, decreasing from a 10-month supply in May to a 8-month supply in July. This decline is partially due to sellers who didn't sell during season choosing to take their homes off the market during the slower summer months. We anticipate that much of this inventory will return to the market in the upcoming season. Inventory remains particularly high in the luxury segment, with homes priced over $3 million currently sitting at a 13-month supply. The overall trend suggests that while buyers now have more options, sellers may need to adjust their expectations. 

 

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 August 1, 2025:

Here's a breakdown of what's currently on the market in MLS:

There are 21 active listings, 3 sales pending with contingencies and 1 pending sale. The MLS system lists 37 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 3.08 per month, there is 6.8 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 August 1, 2025:

Here's a breakdown of what's currently on the market in MLS:

There are 25 active listings and 2 sales pending with contingencies. The MLS system lists 31 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 2.58 per month, there is 9.7 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 August 1, 2025:

Here's a breakdown of what's currently on the market in MLS:

There are 17 active listings, 1 sale pending with contingencies and 1 pending sale. The MLS system lists 69 homes sold in the last 12 months; however, this number includes many new construction and builder spec homes. Valencia Trails is almost sold out. Of the 17 current active listings, only 4 are builder spec homes.

 

Give us a call if we can help with any real estate questions you have at 239-451-9351.