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As evidenced by several positive reports, the Collier County real estate market is gaining strength and will continue to get stronger.

Consider these trends:

• A recent report by the University of Florida reports that “hopeful homebuyers in Florida should act now; the price is right as the state’s single-family residential housing market bottoms out.”

• A recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau rated Collier County as the seventh fastest growing metro area in the United States.

• The devaluation of the U.S. dollar makes buying second homes more affordable for our friends from Canada, Germany, the U.K. and other countries.

• Lastly, as reported here on May 11, year-over-year sales comparisons indicate continued growth in the real estate market.

When comparing Marco Island sales from October 2006 to April 2007 to the same time period of the previous year (October 2005 to April 2006), total sales increased by 3.9 percent, pending sales increased by 22 percent and new listings increased over 1 percent.

For single-family homes during the same seven-month time period comparison, there was a 6.5 percent increase in homes sales and an 18.2 percent increase in pending sales. Increased sales and a slow down in listing activity are an indication that supply and demand are gradually shifting back into a more traditional alignment.

Many readers ask about the seven-month comparison and using Oct. 1 as the starting point for comparative data. Oct. 1 is the nominal starting point of the real estate season on Marco Island. In our current market, some of the most significant market activity took place in the fall of 2006 and post-Easter 2007.

Realtors remain optimistic that foreign buyers will continue to enter the market and that many Baby Boomers will act on carefully researched buying decisions during the traditionally slower summer months.

The condo market comparison looks at the numbers for closed and pending sales for the time period of October 1, 2005 to May 17, 2006 against Oct. 1, 2006 to May 17, 2007. The comparison indicates the condo market experienced over 6.4 percent growth in closed sales.

If current pending sales are included in these figures, growth in the condo market is estimated to exceed 41 percent.

The largest area of growth in the condo market on Marco Island can be found in the $500,000 to $1,000,000 market. Based on a comparison of strictly closed sale transactions, this market is up over 32 percent from the previous reporting period. If we include pending sales to this figure, the increase in sales jumps in excess of 74 percent.

The next area of growth in the condo market on Marco Island can be found in condos priced under $500,000. For this market, sales growth for Oct. 1 to May 17 against previous year is over 30 percent. When pending sales are included in the current closed sales numbers, this figure jumps to over 74 percent.

The luxury condo market, priced over $1 million, shows slower closed sales than the previous time period. For the $1 million to $2 million closed sale comparison, this market is down more than 26 percent.

Yet this market saw a surge in pending sales after the post-Easter season. When existing pending sales from the post-Easter buying spree are included, this market is estimated to close down a mere 2 percent.

For the over $2 million closed sale comparison, this market is down over 55 percent from the previous year. The inclusion of existing pending sales brings this market exactly level with the previous reporting period, or 0 percent change.

As the real estate market continues to gain momentum, don’t miss your opportunity to purchase your dream home in paradise before you find price appreciation forces you to purchase less for your dollar and your selection continues to dwindle.

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Natalie Kirstein is a Realtor working for Premier Properties of Southwest Florida, Inc.