What did Coastal Living Magazine report on Naples, FL…

Credit the romanticism of promoters in the late 1800s, who saw a town much like its Italian namesake, with abundant fishing, the temperate climate on the Gulf of Mexico, and a view that surpassed the Bay of Naples in its grandeur. This lively town lives up to its international reputation.

With rich cultural offerings (including resident orchestral and theater groups), this town of just fewer than 20,000 people offers big-city-pay-offs minutes from beaches with some of the finest snowy white sand in the region. A strong arts community has kept the downtown scene as beautiful as the shoreline. Shopping mavens love to scout for antiques and artisans finds at Tin City, an open-air marketplace. Always a center for fresh seafood, the town as undergone a recent culinary boom. And with so much within reach of its neighborhoods, it’s one of the most walkable cities on our list.

1. Kiawah Island, S.C.

2. Naples, FL.

3. Sausalito, Calif.

4. Lake Bluff, Ill.

5. Tiburon, Calif.

6. Laguna Beach, Calif.

7. Half Moon Bay, Calif.

8. Chatham, Mass.

9. Jupiter, Fla.

10. Lahaina, Hawaii

11. Marblehead, Mass.

12. Stinson Beach, Calif.

13. Cohasset, Mass.

14. Duxbury, Mass.

15. Solomons Island, Md.

Craig Jones has been named vice president of marketing for Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, a Southwest Florida luxury brokerage.

Jones will oversee all aspects of the company’s marketing divisions, including advertising, communications, creative design and strategic planning, said Judy Green, president and CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

She also will focus on marketing initiatives for new development projects for the Lutgert Cos., Premier Sotheby International Realty’s parent company. A Naples resident since 2002, Jones previously worked at Premier Sotheby’s Broad Avenue office in Old Naples.

“This home offers a perfect example of how a Mediterranean design can be executed in a way that is more clean lined, lighter and friendlier than the heavier Mediterranean designs of the past,” said Ficarra. “This is a home that is designed to be lived in by a large family. It’s done in a style that will stand the test of time and offers an ideal venue for creating memories with family members and friends. At the same time, it incorporates all of the casual elegance that is a hallmark of the Mediterranean design style. The large covered lanai, outdoor kitchen and the beautifully executed pool offer additional entertainment possibilities. As is the case in the coastal areas of southern Europe, the outdoor living areas take advantage of our temperate year-round climate and Gulf breezes. This is a living space to be enjoyed year-round by every member of the family.”

“Our growth in the last year demonstrates the value real estate professionals are placing on the services we offer and the power of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and its reputation for excellence,” said Michael R. Good, chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. The brand has also acquired the license from the Sotheby’s Auction House last year to develop the brand in Australia, the only region where it did not previously hold the rights.

The goal per Good for 2012 is, “to expand our global footprint even more, with growth in Asia our first priority. To that extent, the brand has three new management positions that will be based in Asia for which it is seeking candidates.

Updated and very clean 3 bedroom, 2 bath pool home located on a very privately landscaped lot. Tall glass sliders open to the beautiful pool and spa area which is surrounded by tropical plants and shrubs. Special features include a fireplace, built-in shelving, French doors, glass block shower, granite counters, upgraded cabinets, and a secluded lanai off the master bath. Tall Pines is conveniently located near shopping and great schools. Move-in condition with a great location and floor plan.

• Overall pending sales increased 55 percent in the $500,000 to $ 1 million category February 2011 to February 2012

• Overall closed sales increased 70 percent in the $2 million plus category February 2011 to February 2012

• Median closed prices overall are up 5 percent from February 2011 to February 2012

• Overall inventory reduced 17 percent from February 2011 to February 2012

• Overall average DOM (Days on the Market) decreased 4 percent from February 2011 to February 2012

• Overall pending sales increased 11 percent in the $300,000 to $500,000 category and 17 percent in the $500,000 to $ 1 million category 12-month ending

• Closed sales increased 13 percent in the $ 1 million to $2 million category 12-month ending

• Naples Beach area pending sales increased 17 percent and closed sales increased 20 percent 12-month ending

The rise in home sales is a positive sign and increased sales lead to less housing inventory in the Naples area.

Beautifully renovated home in the gated community of Autumn Woods. Three bedrooms with an additional large den currently being used as a recreational room, living and separate family room as well as a split bedroom floor plan makes this residence perfect for a large family. Expansive shrubbery behind the screened-in specially designed Nassau pool with outdoor shower allows for privacy from the open view of the lake. Features include plant shelves, volume ceilings, shutters, wood burning fireplace and upgrades galore. New stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and a Blanco sink in kitchen, remodeled master and pool bath with marble and Grohe shower fixtures, as well as a new water heater and air conditioner in the past two years. Autumn Woods is located near shopping, great schools, and the white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sun and sand await you~ with an excellent opportunity to make a beachfront condominium your own ~ This eighth floor unit has views of the Gulf and Bay from every room. A perfect floor to appreciate the spectacular views, and the beautiful parks of Park Shore. The Savoy has just been remodeled, so it now boasts decor of modern beach lifestyle -with a new fitness center, community room, as well as roof top sundecks. This particular unit has already been modified to accommodate a wheelchair, or it could easily be reformatted with a little bit of remodeling.

Beautiful villa in the 2011 Southwest Florida Choice Champion gated golf community of Kensington. Light, bright, and open with lots of storage and a 2-car garage. This home features a large laundry room with laundry tub, plant shelves, shutters, built in bookcase in den, and 10ft ceilings throughout. Lives like a single family residence with private brick paver walkway to entrance with plenty of foliage. Pool is a short distance from the large back lanai. Kensington is near shopping, great schools, and offers a wide variety of year round activities including golf, tennis, swimming, workouts, day spa, and dining.