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

Today, Saturday, Nov 13, 2010 is day 3 for the 24th annual American Sandsculpting Championship on Fort Myers Beach.  Locals know this event draws huge crowds to our island paradise.  Last year saw over 40,000 visitors stroll the beach in front of the Fort Myers Beach Holiday Inn to see the master and pro-am carvers.  I stopped by this morning to catch the progress of the carvings.  It was a beautiful morning, there were plenty of smiling visitors and the artists were busy demonstrating their considerable talents.  Enjoy !!!                                                                             11/13/2010

Great Investment:  Gulffront 1 bedroom/1 bath unit with large patio. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  Years ago, this intimate seven mile Island situated between Fort Myers and Bonita Springs was assessible only by boat.  I have a couple of neighbors who remember the old wooden bridge that would swing a bit as you drove over. Today, Estero Island is assessible to all who wish to visit or enjoy living the good tropical lifestyle. Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $129,900.      LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.comListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.com 11/12/2010

Informal Interview of a Florida Real Estate Assistant, on her day off in winter. The video took place on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, a seven mile island with seven miles of white beach line situated on the Southwest Coast of Florida. Some of her comments concerns  buying a home in Cape Coral,  gulf access homes in Cape Coral, beach frontage homes in Fort Myers Beach, dry lot homes on Estero Island, pools homes in Cape Coral, Communities in South Fort Myers, and some comments about her background in the Real Estate business.  Note: this is intended to be entertainment  and is not meant to fully detail the present market, however, the  information disclosed by the Real Estate Assistant are accurate.                                     LLoyd Nichols           Sandals Realty of SWFL        ... 11/06/2010

The Fort Myers Beach 2010 Annual Sandsculpting Championship will be held in front of the Holiday Inn  on the Gulf of Mexico Nov 10-14.  Tickets are: $5 for adults, $3 for kids and a maximum of $10 for a family.  There is no on-site parking but trolly service is available from Lover's Key State Park to the event. This is the 24th annual edition of this popular event and brings an estimated 50,000 visitors to Fort Myers Beach.  Professional competitors enter the 'Masters " category to compete for cash and prizes.  The event uses approximately 1500 tons of local beach sand !  Contestants always rate the Fort Myers Beach sand as some of the best in the world due to it's shape.  Imagine a grain of sand with rough edges.  Those " edges " allow each grain of sand to hold onto others around it ... 11/06/2010

The Homespun Holidays Craft Fair and the Annual Holiday Boat Parade are set for December 4, 2010 at Fort Myers Beach.The Wrap Me Up In Christmas Arts and Crafts event will be THE one stop Island Christmas Shopping Event. The perfect gift for everyone on your list! You’ll find this craft fair on the southern part of the island, at the Santini Plaza, 7225 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL (It is just down the street from the Holiday Inn on the bay side).Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 9am to 4 pm, and plan to get your holiday shopping done!If you don’t live in the area and are vacationing or seasonal residents of the island, no worries! The gift wrapping station will be sponsored by the Bay Oaks Rec Center Seniors, who will be happy to wrap your presents. Then, the ... 11/06/2010

Bonjour les Francophones! Nous savons que meme si vous parlez la langue, d’acheter une maison ou condo en Floride, une maison ou un condo de vacances, ou un investissement est suffisement complique. Avec plus de dix ans d’experience et ayant travaille avec de nombreux acheteurs immobilier Europeens et Acheteurs immobilier Canadiens je comprends que vous avez besoin de quelqun qui puisse vous soutenir le long d’une transaction immobiliere et apres la cloture, et vous expliquer nos contracts Floridiens et symplifier pour vous le procede. Si vous avez l’intention de venir a Cape Coral, Fort Myers et Fort Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Bonita Springs et Naples et etes potentiellement interesser d’acheter un bien dans notre region, n’hesitez pas de me contacter par e-mail ou par telephone. Nous... 11/05/2010

Just another day at the office in Fort Myers Beach !   As licensed Realtors we know how important it is to get out of the office and prospect for new clients.  Here on Fort Myers Beach we take that advice to heart !  So, off we go in search of new places where the fish are biting  buyers and sellers !  It isn't as easy as you might think !  The beautiful scenery makes concentration difficult, the sunshine means you need a cool pair of shades !  Not to mention how rough it can be just to keep your balance and not drop your fishing pole computer into the Gulf of Mexico !                 Bright blue skies, gorgeous sunshine, calm seas, good friends and plenty of fish !  Later, we will have an office cook-out with the day's catch and everyone brings a favorite dish to pass !  How cool is th... 11/04/2010

If you love shrimp, the wild caught variety, you are in for a real treat !  The first St. Raphaels Episcopal Church shrimp dinner of 2010 will be held at the parish hall @ 5601 Williams Dr ( right here on Fort Myers Beach ) on Saturday, Nov 6 starting at 5 PM.  You should get there early to gaurantee entrance.  The shrimp are wild caught from local waters and are the tastiest bounty from the Gulf waters !  Locals familiar with the shrimp point out that " farmed " shrimp are raised in huge pens and doused with chemicals to prevent disease.  The over-saturation with chemicals turns the shrimp a dull grey and suppresses the true flavor available only through wild caught seafood.  No farm raised shrimp here !  These beauties are big, pink and succulant.  No chemicals needed ! Doors open aro... 10/30/2010

I hope that doesn't sound too business like !  " Took delivery... "  Hmmm  Truth is, we are happy and excited and feeling so blessed !  Our daughter brought this beautiful little guy into the world Oct 15.  Today she brought him ( and proud poppa, Chris ! )  to our office so we could all do that " Ooh & Aah " thing !!               Welcome to our world Donovan !  Welcome to our world, indeed !   Happy grandma with 2 hour old Donovan !   Both Chris and daughter Ashliegh came through with flying colors and now look forward to being a family !  How cool is that !!! 10/21/2010

An agent in our Century 21 Tripower office has decided to retire after 37 years in the business !  Mr Lee Luenser has been an agent for 37 years and with C21 Tripower here on Fort Myers Beach since 1998.  Over that time Lee has helped countless families find the perfect home on our island as well as surrounding communities.  Always upbeat and positive with a wry sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye !     Lee liked working with buyers here on Fort Myers Beach and took great pride in his indepth market knowledge.   Helping buyers find a single family home or a Gulf front condo was his focus and passion. In recent years Lee has had some medical issues which forced him to scale back his marketing but he was always available to longtime customers.  Lee was also a friend to the agents in o... 10/17/2010

Mr Banker: Please, just shut up !!!  At a recent open house on a short sale property I was speaking with a nice couple who were looking for a great deal on a canal home here on Fort Myers Beach.  A second couple walked in, I acknowledged them and continued speaking with the first couple. The man interrupted and asked what the price was.  I answered and he scoffed, indicating his opinion was much lower.  Our conversation included his comment that it would never appraise at the $280k list price, that it would take a minimum of $200k to " Fix it up a little..." and that " I am a banker so I know more about these things. "                I tried to assure him it would appraise well , needs no where near $200k in repairs, etc.  His entire comments were negative about this listing and his att... 10/10/2010

Fort Myers Beach 2009 Pirate Fest   The 5th annual pirate invasion is in full swing this beautiful October weekend.  The Pirate Festival visits our friendly shores for a weekend of high jinks and high treason !  This is a mostly family affair with games, mock pirate fights, pirate boat tours, vendors and fun !               Located in our commercial district including a pirate boat on the bay makes for plenty of parking.  Bring the kids for a face painting or just to people watch !               Plenty of authentic wardrobes and seafaren types !  Be sure and bring your camera !               The 2009 Fort Myers Beach Pirate fest runs through this weekend ( OcT 9 & 10 ) with fun stuff all day and into the night.  If you are lucky enough to be on the island, or near enough to drive over, ... 10/09/2010

Bay Home:  Florida coastal island home in secluded setting on exclusive, private, gated street. Heated, caged pool and spa directly on Estero Bay, large boat dock with 12,000 pound lift and additional dining area over the water complete the estate. Small coastal islands off-shore provide a nesting area for migratory shore birds.  Master suite offers romantic tub overlooking seven miles of open water. Secluded deck off 2nd bedroom. Fireplace. 3 bedrooms/2 baths/3 car garage. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida, located directly on Estero Bay. Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $669,900. LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.comListingbook: http://lloydnswfl... 10/06/2010

Ahoy, Mates! The 5th Annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival is almost here, and it promises to be a boatload of fun for the entire family! Friday, October 8th thru Sunday, October 10th are the dates, so mark your calendars and plan to join in the festivities.   The entire downtown area of Old San Carlos Blvd on Fort Myers Beach will be transformed into Tortuga (Tortuga is an island in the Caribbean; it was one of the last free ports and a safe haven for piracy.) for the weekend, with ‘pirates’ roaming the streets, vendors selling their wares, food and fun for everyone! All events are kid-safe and family friendly, including a pirate’s ball, cannon demonstration, pirate cruise, kids treasure hunt, live music, children’s costume contest and much more! You might want to take a pirate cruis... 09/30/2010

I've actually spent Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts, home of the renowned Witch Trials.  Of course, by October 31st, winter is setting in and icicles may be hanging from the pumpkins.  I'm glad to be on Fort Myers Beach to celebrate this fun holiday.  Halloween on the "Island" or in Fort Myers is full of spooky events, themed parties and activities for everyone. Just check out the Fort Myers Nightlife Guide or the Fort Myers Events Directory. What sounds particularly festive is a cruise.  The Fort Myers Princess is offering Halloween cruises.  The Princess is a 7 fort double-deck tour boat with a spacious open deck.  She runs all year long, but the Halloween cruise promises to be particularly eventful.  There's a full snack bar and service bar and, of course, spooky entertainment on b... 09/30/2010

2 homes located directly across from the beach.  6 bedrooms 3 baths in all.  One home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and the other 3 berooms and 1 bath. 2668 square feet in all. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.   Rental property is a good investment on Fort Myers Beach, as this seven mile island is major vacation destination, particulary in winter.  It is situated on the Southwest Coast of Florida, convenient to Fort Myers and Naples. If you enjoy fishing and water sports, you will certainly get more than your fill at Fort Myers Beach. The pier is perfect for fishing, and there are numerous charter boats to enjoy. Water sports enthusiasts will find parasailing, waverunner and jet ski rentals, and more.  . The beach is also ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxation. Terms:  Foreclosur... 09/26/2010

The Fort Myers Beach Annual Sand Sculpting Festival 2010 is right around the corner, coming November 10-14. This popular event is in its 24th year and draws over 50,000 spectators, which is quite a few folks, for sure! The official name for this event is 2010 American SandSculpting Championship & Beach Festival. There are two categories of artists.  The Amateurs will be competing at the South end closest to the Gull Wing Hotel and the Masters will be competing at the North end closest to the Holiday Inn. This year there will be sixteen top Masters in the competition. In case you are not familiar with these two resorts, they are located mid-island, a couple of miles south of Times Square on Fort Myers Beach. The Annual Sand Sculpting Festival is free to spectators, with the option of pur... 09/24/2010

Upgraded three bedroom condo very close (across the street) to the white sugar sandy beach at the Holiday Inn on the south end of the island. Custom woodwork, crown molding, mirrors and much more - it is a must see in Captain's Bay. Perhaps the most beautifully customized unit in the project. Glass sliders will protect your lanai, yet allow lots of sunshine, also.  3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  1350 square feet. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  Experience "The Island." Powder white sand, warm Gulf of Mexico waters and spectacular sunsets await you in your very own island paradise. Captain's Bay Condominiums are the prettiest condos on Fort Myers Beach. Set amongst lushly landscaped gardens, as soon as you arrive you will begin to appreciate the tranquility of this secluded location. This ... 09/21/2010

DIRECT GULF ACCESS ~ Boardwalk Caper ~ no bridges ~ no locks ~ 2/2 first floor corner unit with underbuilding parking, great SW view of sunsets, water, boats, and lighted boardwalk. Enjoy choice of 4 pools, 2 tennis courts, basketball, shuffleboard, and much more in this premium gated boating community. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  Just a bit off the island, great location.  Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $249,900. LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.comListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.com 09/20/2010