Here is what actually moved in Naples and Southwest Florida, and what each story means if you own, want to buy, or are thinking about selling.
Early voting closed in Collier on Oct 31 with the latest polls showing Amendment 3 short of the 60% it needs
Saturday, Oct 31 was the last scheduled day of early voting in Collier County, under the Supervisor of Elections' Oct 22 to 31 calendar, which leaves Election Day on Tuesday, Nov 3 for the property tax measure and everything else on the ballot. The newest public polling predates the close: St. Pete Polls, released about Oct 28, had Amendment 3 at 44% support, 39% opposed and 17% unsure, and a University of North Florida poll taken Oct 12 to 19 had it at 50%. Florida Phoenix, via Islander News on Oct 29, reported more than 3.7 million Floridians had already voted statewide and that state economists estimate lost revenue of $5 billion in year one and up to $12 billion a year when fully in place. No final Collier early voting total or Collier-specific Amendment 3 poll turned up in this research.
Why it matters: The team should be ready for clients to ask about either outcome by Tuesday night, and should not treat the polls as a prediction, since they were taken before voting ended and late turnout could move the result. The Florida Realtors committee raised more than $21.5 million for the measure against a combined $1.3 million for two opposing committees, so AJ Lifestyle should keep client conversations factual and send tax questions to a tax adviser. Separately, the Collier Tax Collector's standing schedule says property taxes are payable from Nov 1 with a 4% discount in November, which is useful for owners whatever happens on Tuesday. For out-of-state and relocating buyers, the result affects ho
New report lists The Island at West Bay Club in Estero from $3 million, above the $2.7 million reported a day earlier
Florida YIMBY reported on Oct 31 that homes at Kolter Urban's 24-story, 86-residence tower at 5100 Baybridge Blvd are currently priced from $3 million. That differs from the expected $2.7 million starting price Gulfshore Business reported on Oct 30, and neither report explains the gap. The new report also gives three- and four-bedroom homes of 3,300 to more than 6,270 square feet, names Premier Sotheby's International Realty as the sales team, and says this is the last neighborhood to be built in the 868-acre West Bay Club. Completion is still slated for mid-2027.
Why it matters: This is the same project in yesterday's briefing, and the new detail is the pricing, so the team should confirm the current starting price with the sales team before quoting either number. The unit sizes also make it easier for AJ Lifestyle to compare price per square foot against resale condos in Bonita Springs, Estero and north Naples. For out-of-state and second-home buyers, the mid-2027 completion date means a wait, so they would need to plan where they will live and how they will budget until closing.
Opinion: Fort Myers News-Press column warns Southwest Florida water and sewer upgrades are getting costlier as residents question bills
This is an opinion column, not a news report, published Oct 31 by Amanda C. Zirzow, a Florida SouthWestern State College professor and vice president of Calusa Waterkeeper's board. It draws on an Oct 22 panel at Florida Gulf Coast University, where Cape Coral Utilities Director Jeff Pearson discussed the city's program to bring water, sewer and reclaimed irrigation service to neighborhoods on private wells and septic. The author argues that rising construction costs make extending service harder, that delays can lead to emergency repairs and higher costs later, and that officials should explain how costs are allocated. The column gives no dollar amounts or assessment figures and does not mention Collier County or Naples.
Why it matters: It is a useful reminder for the team that utility status and assessments can change the true cost of owning a home, especially when a Lee County search includes well and septic neighborhoods. AJ Lifestyle should check a specific property's service and any assessments with the utility or city, not rely on this column, since it offers no numbers and reflects one author's view. For out-of-state and relocating buyers, who may not be used to private wells, septic systems or utility assessments, these are good questions to raise before making an offer.