Buying a pre-construction vacation home from another state involves much more than choosing a floor plan. An out-of-state client wanted a Naples retreat for family visits, warm-weather stays, and access to boating. Their schedule made repeated trips to Florida impractical. My job was to turn a large set of development choices into a well-supported purchase decision while keeping the client involved in the details that mattered most.
The client chose a residence at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Naples on Vanderbilt Beach. This is an active transaction, so the story below covers the advisory work and planning completed to date—not a closed sale.
The brief: a family retreat that works when the owners are away
The client was looking for a newly built second home in Naples, Florida, suited to family visits and a boating-oriented lifestyle. They wanted to understand how the property could be ready for seasonal use without creating an avoidable management burden after completion.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences merited a close look because the development combines new construction, a Vanderbilt Beach location, residential services, and a marina setting. But selecting the right development was only the first decision. We still had to determine which residence, position, layout, and interior package made sense for this family.
The challenge: making a consequential purchase from out of town
The client was busy and could not be on site to do the research personally. I gathered and organized the available inventory across the development. We compared relevant residences and narrowed the choices by position and how the space would function during visits.
I did not want the decision reduced to a rendering or a price sheet. The buyer needed to understand what was included, what remained subject to the construction process, and which details would affect everyday use of the home.
Looking beyond the floor plan
The selected residence offered a furnished interior package. For an out-of-state buyer purchasing a vacation home, that could remove a substantial amount of work between delivery and the first stay.
Turnkey only helps if the design fits the people who will live there. I worked through the interior selections in detail with the client, reviewing furnishings and finishes rather than assuming that a designer package would suit their taste. Early involvement in the construction process also created room to discuss selected adjustments to the interiors. The aim was a home that felt personal without placing an entire design project on the buyer after closing.
Working through the developer purchase
I worked directly with the developer's sales team through the purchase discussions. My familiarity with the development and its representatives helped keep communication clear. The objective was to make sure the client understood the residence and the terms under consideration, with their professional advisors involved where appropriate.
The work continues beyond the initial selection: tracking the project, coordinating inspection resources, and planning what the owner will need when the property transitions from construction to use as a second home.
Preparing for ownership before closing
Closing on a new residence is only one milestone for someone who lives elsewhere. I have helped coordinate contacts for inspections, estate management, and other services so the buyer can prepare for arrivals, departures, and care of the property between visits. The specific services ultimately engaged are the owner's choice; the point is to identify the needs early enough that the first season in Naples feels manageable.
What remote buyers can take from this example
- Compare the actual residences, not just the development. Position, floor plan, included finishes, and intended use can change the right answer within the same project.
- Define what “turnkey” includes. Review furnishings, installation responsibilities, and opportunities for personalization while changes are still possible.
- Keep the decision team aligned. When buyers, advisors, the developer, and design professionals are working in different locations, documented questions and timely answers matter.
- Plan the ownership handoff early. Inspections and ongoing property services deserve attention well before the family expects to use the home.
- Confirm boating details for your own plans. A marina setting is a meaningful lifestyle feature, but buyers should verify slip availability, rights, vessel restrictions, and costs for their specific purchase rather than assume that a slip comes with a residence.
My take
This purchase illustrates why remote new-construction representation is an ongoing process, not a single property tour. The residence had to fit the client's lifestyle, design preferences, and practical demands of owning a Naples vacation home while living elsewhere. The transaction remains in progress. Any future update should stick to facts that can be shared without identifying the owner.
If you are evaluating a new-construction or branded residence in Naples from out of state, I can help you compare the available options, examine what is included, and plan for the transition into ownership. Explore Naples new construction or contact me to discuss your search.
Jamie Chang | Global Luxury Real Estate Advisor | Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
