The sun is shining and the birds are singing along with the distant sound of chainsaws putting the finishing touches on the clean-up in downtown Naples, Florida. It has been a few weeks now since Irma blew across our beautiful town but it was mostly nerves that were frayed in the end. There are still large Banyan trees down and a few palm trees that have lost their fronds but for the most part you really have to try and look for structural damage. Of course there was damaged property, we got hit by an eye of a CAT 4 storm, so damage was expected. As you drive through downtown you will see a few street signs at 45 degree angles and the Cove Inn is still the ove Inn having lost it's C temporarily, some blue tarp roofs can be seen. However, 5th Avenue is bustling and the hotels are at or near maximum capacity for this weekend. Music can be heard in the cafes and the beaches are welcoming anyone who wants white powder sand and gulf breezes.
I had clients fly in this weekend and they were taken back by what Naples looks like compared to how the media portrayed what the storm did to our town. In a week or so the FEMA trucks will have removed the debris just in time for the October weather to kick in... 77 degrees and sunshine for the next 8 months sounds good to me! I think the talk on the street this season will be focused on how resilient Naples is. We have strict building codes as well as a mid western mentality that shows in times of turmoil. I felt pride in my community having returned the day after the storm to find friends and neighbors actively looking to help one another. If anything, Irma made us stronger and we can say that we weathered the 200 year storm.
Please keep in mind that there are many people throughout SWFL who are still in need of help. Please visit the link below for ways to provide assistance.
For more information on the Naples real estate market please contact Adam Carriero at 239-641-3876 or [email protected].
Please contact Adam Carriero at [email protected] or 239.641.3876. I am available for consultation on the Naples, Florida, market.