2013 home sales ended with a bang.

The report from the National Association of Realtors showed that there were 5.1 million previously owned homes sold last year, up 9.2% from 2012 and up nearly 20% from 2011, according to CNN.

December sales were up from November, the first month-over-month rise in the reading since July. Mortgage rates have been inching higher since hitting record lows in May, raising the cost of purchases for home buyers.

The Realtors attributed the full-year gain to rising prices, a drop in foreclosures, lower unemployment, pent-up demand and mortgage rates that are still low by historical standards.

The median price of a home sold in the year was $197,100, up 11.4% from the previous year. Rising prices have reduced the number of homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth, helping to bring more buyers into the market. Tight supplies of homes for sale are keeping prices high, as the report showed less than a 5-month supply at the end of the year.

The Housing Market in Naples

Stock Development which includes—Quail West, Olde Cypress and Lely Resort—closed out the previous year with a 57 percent increase in home sales for December, according to the Naples Daily News.

It looks like things are heating up for the gulf coast.

The North Naples developer also reported roughly 600 new home sales for all of 2013—a nearly 44 percent increase in contracts with new home sales worth $342 million for last year, compared to 2012.

2013 also saw a 77 percent increase in dollar volume over 2012.

Perhaps This Will Be a Sign of Good Things to Come for the 2014 Housing Market

On December 30, 2013, 10691 Gulf Shore Drive in Vanderbilt Shores-The Barcelona sold for a staggering $1,850,000—the top price ever paid for a building on Vanderbilt Beach constructed before the year 2000.

The property is a 9th floor 3 bed/2 bath unit with approximately 2,000 square feet of living space and spectacular Gulf views. The home was recently renovated by 41 WEST General Contractors Company, who proudly notes that “their client was clearly ahead of the curve with a contemporary beach design theme, and Christopher Evans Design whose vision from inception was “to bring a contemporary, metropolitan look that would juxtapose perfectly with the beautiful unobstructed Gulf views.

Perhaps this is a sign of more good things to come.