Luxury home market booming
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

Some agents may be doing their best to stay afloat in what many have called a "doom and gloom" market in Southwest Florida, but for Realtors Mike McMurray and Trevor Nette business is booming.

McMurray and Nette, managing partners of McMurray & Nette, of VIP Realty Group, Inc. report that the company will close over $100 million in sales during the first three quarters of 2007. More impressive, the duo have closed on the top four highest priced sales on Sanibel and Captiva Island in 2007, including the highest priced home ever sold on Sanibel and the highest priced home ever sold on Captiva and in Lee County.

In June, McMurray and Nette sold a gulf-to-bay home at 16646 Captiva Drive for $7.95 million. The home features five bedrooms, seven baths and over 16,000 total square feet. Also in June, the partners closed on a gulf front home located at 3791 West Gulf Drive on Sanibel for $6.1 million. This property includes over 5,000 square feet with six bedrooms and six baths.

Out of the total 10 waterfront properties sold in Lee County to date in 2007, McMurray & Nette have served as the selling agents on over half of the sales.

"Homes are still selling, especially in the luxury market," McMurray said. "Some areas, products and price points aren't moving like they were. If agents are waiting for the phone to ring, it's not going to happen, but by educating our buyers and sellers on the current market and keeping a high level of communication with them, we have experienced great results."