I have had several customers this season inquiring about income property on Fort Myers Beach. As the old "cliche" goes, location..location...location is key to being able to rent a property out. I know of owners who are making $80,000 or more on their investment per year.  There are really three keys in my personal opinion that will assist you in making back some money on your investment. 1. The property management company will be key. Finding a property management company that is not only going to market your property but market it international. There are many tourist that spend winters in Florida from Europe and if your management company can tap into the market your chances of getting the property rented on a more consistent basis is much greater. 2. The location of the properties t... 03/01/2010

The Fort Myers Beach Condo Market offers substantial buying power right now. Currently the average days on market is 362 while a year ago it was about 154. The median price a year ago was around $455,000 while the median price today is just shy of $ 400,000. Although this is a buye's market, the point I would like to highlight is the orane and black lines, which over the past three months have stabilized. This means that the price is staying pretty stable as well as the days on market. We are starting to see another shift in the real estate market on Fort Myers Beach. If you examine the black line which is the median price, you will see that it is actually slightly heading up, and I anticipate that this will continue to be the trend for Condo's. One of the unique things about the Fort M... 02/28/2010

Beautiful 2 bedroom + DEN, 2 bath condo. Located on 2nd floor. Nice open and bright floor, great for entertaining. Kitchen offers raised panel cabinets and granite countertops. Large garden tub and double sinks in master bathroom. Screened lanai with canal views.  Community pool and cabana area. Short walk to beach.  Built in 2006.  1637 square feet. Located on Fort Myers Beach,Florida, an intimate little island seven miles long with a beach line to match filled with white sand. A Floreclosure listated at $299,900 Lloyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.com  Right Choice Realty LLCcell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Activerain Local Blog: http://localism.com/neighbor/lloydnActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com Search the MLS in Southwes... 02/27/2010

The Island:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Attractive home with remodeled front porch, french door entryway, master bedroom and bath with brand-new hardwood floors, this 2-bed, 2-bath home is a great buy. Note the high kitchen ceiling as well as the kitchen bar area, Great pool area with privacy fencing and lush landscaping back and front.  Some Gulfview.  Listed at $335,000. Lloyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.com Right Choice Realty LLC cell: 239-849-3064 office: 239-463-5217 Activerain Local Blog: http://localism.com/neighbor/lloydn Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com Search the MLS in Southwest Florida Listingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.com 02/19/2010

  Fort Myers Beach Florida in February 2010  Joe Kendall, Realtor with Sandals Realty writes; As the sun slowly sets over the top of Sanibel Island, the view from the north end of Fort Myers Beach will amaze you!  This picture was taken just before sunset looking across the Gulf of Mexico as the last Boat pulls up his fishing lines from another great day of Fishing right off the shore of Fort Myers Beach. You can enjoy this view almost everyday, as many homes and condos in the Greater Fort Myers area is within 25 minutes away and less by boat !  Now is the time to buy your vacation home ! Prices are rolled back almost ten years! Foreclosures and bank short sales are driving prices in southwest Florida. Search Thousands of Single Family Homes, Townhomes and Condos from my website at www... 02/14/2010

Often we take for granted what nature offers you. Yesterday while walking a few miles along Fort Myers Beach towards the Fort Myers Beach Pier, I opened my eyes again. There are no prefect place on this planet, but this small island on the southwest of Florida will do very well. For more information regarding condos or single homes on Estero island or Black island or Fort Myers Beach call LLoyd.I would be glad to show you this small piece of paradise.       and Happy Hunting! Lloyd Nichols Right Choice Realty LLC 239-810-2980 realtorlloydn@aol.com 02/09/2010

Estero Island in Winter:  No Snow and Good deals on Fort Myers Beach. Below is a 3 bedroom2/ bath pool home on a canal located right on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Nearly 2000 square feet.  Boat dock included. Gulf Access, of course.l This is a foreclosure listed at $419,900.   Lloyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.com Right Choice Realty LLCcell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Activerain Local Blog: http://localism.com/neighbor/lloydnActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com Search the MLS in Southwest FloridaListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.com 02/03/2010

$45 million dollars would buy a few gorgeous beachfront homes on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. There's nothing like a soap opera, zings back and forth, to spice up the ratings.  First, Jay said that it's the agents who are blame for the mess, not him and certainly not Conan.  Letterman took offense at that line and kept repeating to his audience:  Don't blame Conan.  Don't blame Conan.  Then, later, Letterman said:  If Jay had taken responsibility five years ago, this mess would have been avoided. Everyone would still have jobs.  Then Jay said something about Letterman's wife. Well, Conan doesn't have a job at the present time, but he was given $45 million to not work while Leno and Letterman will be left to zing each other.        01/29/2010

It all started with Marsha.  She was the Town Manager of Fort Myers Beach, Florida forever, until Hurricane Charlie struck.  She refused to allow residents of Fort Myers Beach, including homeowners and business owners, to return to the Island.  She was demonized by the citizens and fired by Town Council.  Applicants for a new Town Managers were sought and the Town Council selected several finalists.  The winner was named.  What was his name again?  He remained very quiet at council meetings and quit after a few months. He never even moved his family to Fort Myers Beach.  Jack Green of Public Works was then selected as interim Town Manager.   Another search was on for a permanent Town Manager and Scott Janke was the man.  Unfortunately, he was fired by Council when it was discovered that... 01/27/2010

You will find this Fort Myers Beach canal home three quarters  down towards the southern end of Estero Island. Its a well constructed boating property build in 1953. Don’t let the age fool you as it was completely remodeled and it boasts 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms for about 2200 Square feet under air for a total of over 4000 square feet.This is the classic Fort Myers Beach Island home, with its direct canal waterfront, its private boat slip, dock, its direct gulf access canal and its screened lanai, large decks which will enhance your life outdoors as you view the waterway.        For more information regarding this luxury Fort Myers Beach waterfront home click on the following link: Fort Myers Beach gulf access property You will enjoy reaching the Gulf Of Mexico via the back bay o... 01/21/2010

Wedding Special includes "Romantic" Wedding Ceremony at Sunset on the Beach.  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  Also included is a week's stay at a studio cottage within walking distance to beach, shops, grocery, etc.  Cottage is fully furnished and supplied with linens, dishes, toaster, beach chairs, books, with washer/dryer, cable TV, deck overlooking tropical gardens/Very Private and Romantic. Cost:  $500 includes all. To make your reservation, call 239-849-3064.       01/14/2010

There aren't an abandance of foreclosures on Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  A few.  Below is a furnished turnkey with 3 flatscreen TV's and a comfortable tropical decor. This 3rd floor getaway offers a large screened lanai from which to enjoy the setting sun over the gulf.  Direct beachfront.  2 bedrooms/1 bath, 802 square feet.  This is a good investment, as there is no limitations on how many times a year the unit may be rented. Daily/Weekly/Monthly. Community Pool.  Sold furnished.  Listed for $400,000.       Realtorlloydn@aol.com Right Choice Realty LLCcell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Activerain Local Blog: http://localism.com/neighbor/lloydnActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com Search the MLS in Southwest FloridaListingbook... 01/12/2010

When I woke up this morning and it was cold once again, I began to wonder if I'm even in Florida.  Yes, we're used to the odd front drifing in, bringing a cool evening o two, but but not a week's worth, certainly not two week's worth.  Our personal discomfort is nothing, of course, compared to the worries of the farmers.  In central and south Florida, farmers are trying to salvage citrus and vegetable crops by spraying them in protective layers of ice and covering them in plastic.  Our Govenor, Charlie Crist, signed an executive order Wednesday that gave the state's Division of Emergency Management and other agencies the authority to provide farmers with assistance. Sunday morning, there is a prediction of snow flurries, not on Fort Myers Beach, where the temps are usually a few degrees... 01/07/2010

It's certainly not ironic that on the coldest day of the year on this small Island in Southwest Florida,  I realize with absolute certainty that I could never live up north again.  The temperature may not reach 60 today and the temps last night dipped into the low 40's. This is not a typical winter's day in Florida.  Even more distressing, this weather is to carry on for a few days.   I do not like cold weather and after residing in Florida for over 18 years, I am not accustomed to it.  Realtors are always quick to accentuate the positives about Florida and gloss over any negatives.  There are, of course, negatives, the more significant being:  The Florida summers are extremely hot and humid. There are hurricanes. There is not an abundance of "culture" to be found.  The cuisine in gener... 01/03/2010

One does not need to study art in Paris or New York to enjoy having fun on the shore of Fort Myers Beach. This piece of art ( lol) has many influences. One can clearly see the cubist influence of Picasso, the vision of Chagall, and the genius and madness of the colors of Van Gogh…or maybe not. Anyone at any age can make something silly. Sometimes we all need a bit of silliness. Someone once said that” life is to serious to be taken seriously”.   Right Choice Realty LLCcell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Activerain Local Blog: http://localism.com/neighbor/lloydnActive Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydnWebsite: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com Search the MLS in Southwest FloridaListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook. _____________________________________________... 01/02/2010

Some nice Buys on the Beach - Fort Myers Beach, a seven mile island filled with seven miles of white sand tucked away on the soutwest coast of Florida.   Charming updated Spanish Villa with Mexican tile, great private enclosed courtyard. Front apartment has two bedrooms and one bath; back unit is a 1/1 with private patio. This home is easily converted back to a single family by opening a lockoff interior door. Home is darling and has made a great seasonal rental and vacation hideaway for owners. Just steps away from the beach access, restaurants, shops and all the fun of Times Square. 2009 Taxes $2711.  Listed at $219,300.   Well maintained , bright, airy and spotless clean 2 story beach home a few 100 yards away from the Gulf of Mexico. On the 2nd floor is the living area with 2 bedroo... 01/02/2010

In additional to today being New Year's Eve, it's also the birthday of Fort Myers Beach, Florida.   In celebration of the birthday, feee cupcakes will be given out at Times Square this afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00. As for tonight, there will be live music in Times Square all evening and fireworks off the pier at Midnight.  New Years on the Beach always draws throngs of folks, so traffic will be an issue if you are not staying on the Beach.  If you are staying on the beach, it's predicted to be a warm, sunny day and nice evening, so plan or walking or biking to the events. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, of course, on the beach, for New Year's Eve dinner, but my wife and I have a favorite:  Terra Nostra, featuring Italian cusine, but serving American dishes, as well.  T... 12/31/2009

Welcome to Fort Myers Beach Florida! Fort Myers Beach is located some 26 miles North of Naples in Southwest Florida. Its major island is called Estero island and is 7 miles long by at most some 1/2 mile wide. It is one of the great small island of the Gulf Of Mexico shore line, with a rich history which dates back to over 2000 years when the Calusa Indians controlled much of the Southwest Florida coast. It is well known as a resort “town” and there is plenty to do. Many of the streets are fingered by canals with direct gulf access, a heaven for boaters, and its seven mile beach is known to be one of the safest beaches in Florida.  As a resident of Fort Myers Beach I have also enjoyed the more relaxed aspect of the island and my wife and I have called home for almost ten years. 2010 is c... 12/30/2009

The Island of Fort Myers Beach, Florida is filled with in Season, with vacationers, snowbirds, and of course, the local folks.  Traffic increases, of course.  Instead of dealing with traffic, there are some other ways to get around our seven mile Island.  There is the Beach Trolley.  The Beach Trolley travels up and down our seven mile Island all day and into the evening.  The cost:  50 cents.  The Trolley also goes to Bonita Springs and Fort Myers.  For a schedule and route info, go to www.rideleetran.com Another way to get around is by bicycle.  Our warm, sunny weather makes this mode of transit a favorite of many.  Our neighbor, a 65 year old gentleman, bikes everywhere.  And, of course, it's great exercise.  To rent a bike on Fort Myers Beach, go to www.funrentals.org  Lloyd Nichol... 12/28/2009

  What a year it has been! I have seen the Good the Bad and the Ugly in our region of Southwest Florida, as many have in other parts of the US. High unemployment, to many short sales and foreclosures and during the last 3 to 4 months an encouraging leveling of our house market. In some areas of Lee County even some appreciation of our average market home value. For many reasons 1000’s are investing in Southwest Florida, hopefully a good amount did save their homes. Overall I am cautiously optimistic for 2010. It is going to be a very good year because we are going to make it a good year. I also want to send my best wishes to my clients and of course the great ActiveRain community a great great New Year. Wishing you all an exciting, surprising, successful 2010! LLoyd          ___________... 12/27/2009