Our Gulf of Mexico beaches are considered to be some of the finest.  From mid-October through April we have many visitors who come for the terrific weather and love walking the beach.  What can I say, you may have passed me walking my pound rescue lab on a pleasant evening.  Watching one of our world famous sunsets is a favorite pastime for visitors and locals alike !  But once in awhile we get to enjoy a solitary walk with just our thoughts !   It may be an early morning walk with th e shore birds or an evening walk with th e sound of the waves to accompany us.  While showing a gorgeous Gulf front condo and standing on the rooftop deck I spotted this lone figure enjoying a walk on the northern end of the island.  It was approximately 5 PM and still plenty of sun.  I happened to have my... 02/19/2011

The Feb 12, 2011 Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Boil was a total success !!!   Shrimp lovers know a great deal when they taste one and last night was no exception !   St Raphael's Episcopal Church does a monthly Shrimp Boil which has become a tradition here on Fort Myers Beach.  Located at 5601 Williams Dr, Fort Myers Beach just south of Publix and serving from 5 - 7 PM.  The line starts forming around 4:30 and is well worth the short wait !  For $15 bucks you get all the wild caught Gulf shrimp, cole slaw, corn bread, baked beans an desert you could want.  Water, soda, beer and wine are also included.  The dinner is held each month and the next date is Sat March 5, 2011.   It takes many willing hands to serve a large crowd.  Many church members gladly make the corn bread, boil the shrimp, hel... 02/13/2011

Fort Myers Beach " Art on the Boulevard " was a huge success !  The 2011 Fort Myers Beach " Art on the Boulevard " doubled attendance over last year.  The weather was perfect for a  stroll on Estero Boulevard and locals and visitors alike were out in force !  Official hours were Sunday, Feb 6 from noon to four pm.    Art lovers started showing up much earlier.  The Art  Association members were on hand to answer questions,  show their artwork and mingle with visitors while enjoying a glass of wine !   Century 21 Tripower Realty was again the sponsor for this second annual event.  Based on the results and comments from association members and visitors this fun event will be back again next year.  Bigger and better is usually a formula for success !           Unframed prints, note cards a... 02/07/2011

Single-Family Home with extra mother-in-law suite or guest quarters is a one bedroom with a separate entrance. There is also a downstairs laundry room with a bathroom and shower on first level. The main home is a three bedroom/two bath upstairs with huge deck for outdoor living and entertaining. Large garage area and patio with pavers covering the full length of the property. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida, a tropical island located in Southwest Florida:  Seven miles of white beachline. Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $219,900   Condo: 2 bedroom and 2 baths, clean and priced right. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, located at the Santa Maria, a Back Bay Location. Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $184,900. LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Activ... 02/05/2011

Fort Myers Beach Art Assoc annual Art on the Boulevard sponsored by Century 21 Tripower Realty will be held Feb 5 & 6, 2011.  Official viewing hours will be Sunday from 12 - 4. The popular event will be held inside our north office at 2001 Estero Blvd on Fort Myers Beach.  The event showcases local talent and is in its second year.  The artwork is hung all around the new Century 21 Tripower offices and allows visitors to browse at will while enjoying light snacks and wine.  If you are on Fort Myers Beach Sunday between noon and 4 PM please stop in and enjoy the 2011 Art on the Boulevard !   02/04/2011

Many of you read and commented on a very well written post by Dave Halpern, Louisville Short Sale Expert, earlier today.  You should read it here as it is well thought out and presented.   I was going to leave a supportive comment but instead decided to write a brief rebuttal.  The premise to his post is that agents who are not " experts " in handling short sales shoud refer them to agents who are experts.  Predictably, some commentors wanted to know how Dave might define an " expert ".  Others wondered if every short sale required the same high level of expertise/experience.  My thoughts are as follows: 1. Most agents have by now handled at least one or more distressed sale and thus have the basics identified. 2. Most agents have done the short sale classes, webinars, seminars, or both... 01/27/2011

Walk to Beach.This condo has been recently updated with new carpet, paint and appliances. Located in the Gulf West Winds community with an outdoor heated pool. Corner unit with views of the Gulf from the condo. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida, that seven mile island filled with white crystalline sand where I reside with my wife and our Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mimi.  The "Island" is filled has a variety of restaurants and beach pubs.  Our favorite is Terra Nostra. Terra Nostra serves up authentic Italian food located just across the beach. Eat inside or on the outdoor patio at the restaurant. My wife's favorite Dish:  Veal Parm My favorite dish:  Filet Mignon Mimi's Favorite dish:  Any and all leftovers. Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $179,900. LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Re... 01/23/2011

Fort Myers Beach January 2011 events are coming soon, so take note of the following dates! The 2010 Christmas holiday season may be over, but the fun never stops at Fort Myers Beach! January is typically a beautiful time of year in southwest Florida, with lots of sunshine, low humidity, daily high temps in the mid-70’s...and lots and lots of folks here for the season.Fort Myers Beach always offers a fun time for the entire family, whether vacationing, spending the ‘season’ or full time resident.Here are January’s events:The First Annual Putt & Pub Crawl benefiting the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus will be held on January 15, 2011 at various participating watering holes around the town of Fort Myers Beach.Go to the Yucatan Beach Stand (250 Old San Carlos Blvd, 239-333-4386) to register fo... 01/05/2011

Fort Myers Beach Polar Bear Club Dips into frigid Gulf waters !!!   The original Polar Bear Club was started in Coney Island and is still alive and doing well.  Each year Polar Bear Clubs from around the nation gather on January 1 to ring in the new year with a celebratory swim in a local lake, river, ocean, etc. The Fort Myers Beach Polar Bear Club held its' 6th annual swim in the Gulf of Mexico waters in front of the Holiday Inn.  The club meeting starts with a general gatherng at the Pinchers' Crab Shack Tiki.  Members and prospective members meet and greet while fortifying themselves with various adult beverages.  The club band was in attendance and had the place rockin'.  After adequate fortification the club heads to the Gulf of Mexico followed by adoring fans, many dressed for th... 01/03/2011

As a Fort Myers Beach realtor, I am asked about property prices often. Most folks are looking for a great deal on real estate as the prices for homes and condos for sale have dropped dramatically in the last few years.So what will an investment of about $130,000 to $200,000 purchase in Fort Myers Beach? Actually, more than you would expect. I have a list of condominiums for sale that is always current, and as of this writing there are thirty-three properties in that price range.Can you purchase a condo right on the gulf? Yes, you can! On the north end of the island, Sanibel View Villas offer condo ownership with all the amenities of the world famous Pink Shell Resort available...it’s an awesome  and beautiful family resort. Mid-island, the Sandpiper Gulf Resort is the place to consider.... 12/26/2010

Wanted to share this Christmas Star over Fort Myers Beach with all of you !  I was showing a gorgeous direct Gulf front condo to an agent from out of the area.  She has a client coming to Fort Myers Beach next week to look at property.  After looking at the unit I took her to the roof top deck to see the panoramic view.  I took several shots of the Gulf and people enjoying a nice evening walk .  This one just seemed to speak to us both !  I used a circular polarizer filter to create the effect and still get the lone beach walker .  I wanted all my AR friends to enjoy a little bit of what we sometimes take for granted !  Here you go !  Merry Christmas from my family to yours.   12/22/2010

I'm blessed in many ways !  Great wife, daughters and a brand spanking new grandson !  Working every day doing something I really feel passionate about as a Realtor here on Fort Myers Beach is also high on the list.  Southwest Florida is a terrific place to call home even for those who call it home for only 6 months every year !  Sometimes I get caught up in helping my customers achieve their dreams of owning a special island getaway.  Sometimes I forget to enjoy our coastal community or even take a walk along the beach.  Any beach walk is time well wasted but a barefoot walk which includes one of our world famous sunsets is simply stunning !  On the way home this day I happened to glance out the car window for a last look at the Gulf of Mexico.  i was startled to see the sun setting an... 12/18/2010

3 bedroom, 2 bath with main floor guest suite and an in-law suite. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida: The Florida of days long past, with unspoiled white sand beaches, exotic wildlife and lush subtropical foliage, still can be found on The Beaches of Fort Myers& Sanibel in southwest Florida. Known as Florida's tropical island getaway, Fort Myrs Beach is a favorite vacation spot for Floridians as well as visitors from across the United States and abroad. Here, Floridians living in more congested city areas of the state such as Miami and Tampa can visit for a feel of old Florida that no longer exists in many areas. In addition to the beautiful natural environment, active travelers are pleased to find an abundance of golf, tennis and watersports as well as some unusual attractions. Estero ... 12/11/2010

Fresh veggies, fruit & flowers now available on Fort Myers Beach !  What do a custom built trailer, 2 Fort Myers Beach entrepreneurs and tomatoes have in common ?  When you put them together and park the trailer in the Santini Square parking lot you have the brainchild of Gary Nienaber and Travis Owen.  Both have other business interests here on the island but decided there was a need for a convenient location where locals could shop for fresh fruit, veggies and flowers !  Only open for a few days they report business is great and the demand is growing.  Open 7 days a week from 8 - 3 the Santini Market offers a surprising assortment of fresh produce all from the local sources.  Both partners are excited about the convenience of their location and proximity to the many condos surrounding... 12/07/2010

Life on a Seven Mile Island in Southwest, Florida: Fort Myers Beach, Florida in the Shell Mound area, on canal with easy access to the back bay and the gulf.Split bedroom plan for privacy. kitchen has island with area for bar stools.Screened in porch with patio area and large slab of concrete at covered boat house. 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Jacuzzi Whirlpool tub in master bath. French doors in the guest bedroom and the florida room look out on the canal. 2 car garage with a work shop area.  $473,000   Boardwalk Caper, just off the Beach, Twonhosue completely renovated.  End Unit.  2 bedrooms and 3 baths.  Private Dock.  Great amenities include heated pool and tennis.  Garden spot. $239,500   Watch nature from your balcony with view of the lagoon. 2 bedrooms/2 baths, on Fort Myers Beach.  ... 12/05/2010

Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Boil is Paying It Forward.  Looking for a terrific shrimp dinner ?  Want some great Gulf shrimp ?  Is your mouth watering for some " wild caught " shrimp rather than the store bought kind ?  You're in luck !  Saint Rafaels' Episcopal Church has exactly what you want !  The first of the season dinners was a complete sell-out !  The next shrimp boil will be held December 4, 2010 starting about 4:30.  The church is located 3 blocks south of Publix at 5602 Williams Dr.   There is plenty of parking and guests should get there shortly after 4:30 .  A $15.00 donation gets all you can eat wild caught shrimp, homemade corn bread, cole slaw, baked beans, wine/beer/water and desert !   These shrimp are wild caught from nearby Gulf of Mexico waters !  They are succulent, fir... 12/02/2010

Paying It Forward one Fort Myers Beach sunset at a time !    Sometimes we take so much for granted.  Today it hit me that I have been so busy with real estate here on Fort Myers Beach that some of our greatest attractions are missing from my daily/weekly routine !  Shame on me.  I live here on the island.  I sell real estate here on the island. I help others buy here on the island.  I help them understand how terrific it is to walk on the beach and enjoy our world famous Gulf of Mexico sunsets !  And now I can't remember the last time I took my own advice !         It is very common for visitors here to ask what it's like to live in such a gorgeous place !  I have no problem encouraging them to explore our beautiful island and even consider buying their own pice of island paradise.  How... 11/28/2010

The Christmas Holidays are an eventful time of year all over the world, and Fort Myers Beach is no exception. You can have it all at the Beach...warm, sunny days, miles of white sandy beaches...and holiday activities to enjoy as well! Here are some of the highlights for Fort Myers Beach Holiday activities: 23rd Annual Holiday Boat Parade December 4th beginning at 6:00 p.m. Location: 17200 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL, 33931 Watch the 22nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade! You’ll see boats in their holiday finest, lit up for the evenings festivities, as they travel down the bay for everyone’s enjoyment. If you would like to participate, follow this route, which leaves from the Pink Shell Beach Resort at 6:10: Leave Pink Shell Beach Resort head South East approx 1130 under sky bridge;... 11/25/2010

The 24th Annual Fort Myers Beach Sand Sculpting Championships are in the books.  And what an amazing event it was !  Approximately 50,000 visitors walked among the artists as they transformed a pile of sand into these incredible sculptings ! The " masters " division winner was Brad Goll, Austin, Texas with his effort titled                " Headache ".  His win qualifies him for the 2011 World Championship in federal Way, Wash.  Other masters winners were Dan Belcher, " Writer's Block " and Russ Croft, " Divine Discontent ".   Spectators vote for their personal favorites and this year the crowd overwhelmingly rated this as the 2010 Peoples' Choice !  The title was " American Spirit "  and it proved a real crowd favorite ! Perennial favorite Amazin' Walter was on hand again in 2010 and w... 11/20/2010

The 3rd Annual Snowbird Festival comes to Fort Myers Beach  on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at The Yucatan Beach Stand What is this event?  It's our annual gesture to officially welcome the snowbirds back to southwest Florida, and Fort Myers Beach specifically. It's also a fun way for locals to spend the day, too! Located at The Yucatan Beach Stand, 250 Old San Carlos Blvd in downtown Fort Myers Beach from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, you'll find food and fun for the family. Many area crafters and artists will  display their merchandise for those special holiday gifts, while some of the best local tropical entertainers perform all day. There is no cost to attend so come on down and enjoy! There will be food available to purchase, and as a regular patron of The Yucatan I can tell you that the food ... 11/18/2010