The latest FCAT ( Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests ) scores  for third graders show outstanding results for the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School !  The tests are given state wide and results provide a glimps into the effectiveness of local schools. "We work very hard and sometimes it shows, as it has this year," said Fort Myers Beach Principal Larry Wood, who saw 100 percent of his school's third-graders score at grade level or higher in math and 95 percent of the class do so in reading. "We've got a great staff and tremendous support from our community and parents," Wood said. "We're very proud of our kids." The local elementary is supported by a great staff and parent support groups.  Congratulations to all of the kids and staff ! 05/22/2009

It was rather a feeling than a voice, and the feeling said:  Go there and you will be happy. I grew up in the suburbs of Massachusetts, 20 miles or so north of Boston, the North Shore.  The next town over was Salem, home to the witches.  The North Shore is beautiful in all four seasons, particulary fall, but summer is short, sometimes non-existeant, the same for spring, and winter is long and all consuming.  I never liked the cold, even as a child. When I was no longer a child, I had a feeling and the feeling said:  Go there and you will be happy.  The feeling brought me to Florida. A strong wind was blowing over the island and the algae blew in so it looked more I was walking along an ocean of green grass. My field of dreams is tropical and green and located on Fort Myers Beach, Florid... 05/20/2009

 Fort Myers Beach gets plenty of sun shine.  We also need some rain for the farmers, reservoirs, etc.  Shot with a Nikon D80, 18-135 tele lens.  Can you see the rain ? Can you feel it, smell it ?     05/20/2009

Nestled in the midst of colorful tropical gardens is a sweet beach cottage on Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  I love cottages.  Beach cottages, mountain cottages, country cottages.  Perhaps because cottages are inherently romantic and often out of the way. The cottage below is a studio, sleeps 3, full kitchen.  There are glimpses of the bay from the deck.  Short walk to beach and restaurants and shops. Very Private.  For the artist, naturalist or vacationer seeking a relaxing place to come to after a day at the beach. Summer Rate:  $375 Weekly By The Sea Rentals 239-849-3064 Bythesearentals@aol.com   05/19/2009

As Summer approaches and the days become more humid, sunset is more than a time for witnessing the sun slipping past the ocean in colorful ways.  The hot sun is gone, but by the sea, the ocean breezes keep life from becoming too humid.  These are photos of the beach at Fort Myers Beach, Florida,  sunset then early morning.   05/15/2009

         Fort Myers Beach is going strong thank you very much. Quite a few Realtors including myself have warned quite a few times their clients that the market is changing and that the properties they have an interest in will probably be gone by the summer. Be reassured that the deals are still here, but make no mistake about it: if you are serious do not take to long! During the last 90 days or from Feb 13th 2009 to May 14th 2009 we have seen the following: 80 condos or single homes sold Average SOLD price was $374,757 compare to an average ASKING PRICE of $419,191 Average DAYS ON THE MARKET was 143 days. Not bad at all Total  Sold DOLLAR VALUE was $29,980,550.   Pending homes: 31  plus around 20 plus Active contingent properties, mostly short sales.   The Fort Myers Beach Real Estate... 05/14/2009

Dateline:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida Waterfront Homes for sale and on sale. For those who have traveled to this intimate seven mile island, there is no need to elaborate.  For those who have yet to experience Fort Myers Beach, or Estero Island, or "The Island" as the residents call it, it is a sweet island community with seven miles of white sand, a laid back atmosphere, friendly people, great weather and these amazing out of the way places to explore, such as Lovers's Key.  Not to mention the easy access to the mainland, Fort Myers on one side and Bonita Springs, on the other.  Below, three canal, gulf access homes, on sale: Listed at $350, 1192 square feet, with dock. Listed at $375,000, 1454 square feet, with dock. Listed at $398,000, 1176 square feet with dock and boat lift. LLoyd N... 05/14/2009

Welcome to Fort Myers Beach! So what is happening in our fair island along the Gulf of Mexico? We still have deals. I have located 16 homes under $300,000 available as of April 5, 2009. For an update or more information regarding these contact LLoyd at realtorlloydn@aol.com. We do know that these deals will not last for ever.         What makes a good investment on the island? What is a Fort Myers Beach buyer looking for? There are no real bad street in Fort Myers Beach.     A few major factors will make for a better deal In Fort Myers Beach. A good elevation, a strong roof, no mold please, a sound structure, electrical and plumbing and comparables which show that it is a good deal. Close to the beach is of course a plus, but you don’t want to be smack next to Estero Blvd, unless you mi... 05/05/2009

Call or email, Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty today at 239-560-0726 or email Joek4realestate@aol.com for a complete list of Condos located close or on Fort Myers Beach! Now is the time to buy your very own "Piece of Paradise" 05/04/2009

  Hello Folks,                                                                                             April 2009   A couple weeks ago we decided to go down to Ft. Myers Beach to watch the sunset. It was a beautiful evening, not a lot of people on the beach … which is unusual for Ft. Myers Beach. The tide was law, the air was nice and warm and the sky was covered in clouds.       While walking the beach we came across this sailboat which had washed ashore about a week earlier. The local news media had been following the details of this boat and it appears that the owner has now abandoned it. Evidently, this sailboat was his home and he did not have the funds to have it removed from the beach, soooo he just left it.   Due to the thick cloud cover, we did not believe we would have muc... 04/30/2009

Realtor, if there is conferate jasmine present on the property filtering the air with the power of it sultry bloom, you will sell that house in April. A true Florida garden contains confederate jasmine.  A true Florida gardener waits all year for April, the month the Confederate jasmine deems fit to bloom. Warm spring-summer Florida April nights, the moon hanging so low you can almost touch the sweet scent of  confederate jasmine fill the air on these lazy Southern evenings.  Confederate Jasmine is hardy in zone 8 where it thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Partial shade is a great location for best growth and flowering although it will grow in full sun or shade. It has an aggressive nature, but is not difficult to control. Pruning is a practice that Confederate Jasmine benef... 04/20/2009

With summer upon upon us in Florida, it's good to have a pool.   Here on Fort Myers Beach, summer is hot, but thanks to our ocean breezes, it's bearable.  It's more bearable with a pool, of course.  Below is a home located on Fort Myers Beach, both incredible prices, both with pools. This is a 3/3 home, 1244 square feet, listed at $324,900. There are two other pool homes on the beach for under $300,000, one listed at $289,000 and the other at $299,000.  For more info, please contact me. LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comRight 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.comSearch the MLS in Southwest Florida     04/20/2009

If there's a wedding taking place at sunset along the Fort Myers Beach coastline of Florida, it must be springtime.  I performed a wedding ceremony this past weekend.  The sunset was kaleidoscopic; the bride was nervous; the weather was perfect.  In moments such as these standing there witnessing my world, as those miraculous sunset colors in the sky fade and darkness descends, I most appreciate my life on this intimate little island. Below, I sign and notarize the Wedding License on a boat anchored on the sand: To book a wedding with me or if you just would like to stay at a romantic place for a week or weekend, contact me at 239-849-3064 or email me at: bythesearentals@aol.com   04/17/2009

 People ask how well our market has performed over time .  If you read the chart below you see the answer is an impressive 84 % appreciation !  And that includes the current market.  Importantly, it underscores the importance of a medium or longer term view of real estate on Fort Myers Beach.  As a Fort Myers Beach Realtor my job also includes helping potential buyers find the right property at the right price !  Currently, our market favors the buyer.  There are many excellent deals available in condos, Gulf front homes and canal homes.  This " Buyers' Market " is driven by three things: 1. Plenty of excellent inventory. 2. Historically low financing. 3. Sellers who appreciate a well qualified buyer.!!! Questions or comments ?   Bill 239  699-7128                                       ... 04/16/2009

The Beach Elementary School will hold the 7th Annual PTO Golf Tournament on Saturday April 25 at the Fort Myers Beach Golf Club.  Shotgun start at 8:30.  The event is limited to 22 four person teams and costs $60/person.  Interested golfers and businesses can also become sponsors or donate merchandise for the raffle to be held after the included lunch.  Call 463-6356 to enter or call the club at 463-2064 for more information.  This is a really great event for golfers of all levels and helps support our island elementary school kids. 04/09/2009

They say that she is lying unconscious in a hospital bed, dying of cancer.  How can they possibly be?  I remember this young child, a little girl, watching her every week in this silly TV show, you know the one, the one about three female detectives, all beautiful, sophisticated and caring.  The remake movies were a sham.  Those remade angels were played without heart or soul. Of course, that young child was me. And just now, the musical theme from that silly TV show is running through my mind . . . and so, this blog. They say that Farah deeply regretted quitting the show after that one season.  But, when she dies, they will call her an Angel one more time.       04/06/2009

I am reminded of all of the  "good" our winter visitors bring: In this economic climate, the local businesses could not survive without them.  It's always interesting meeting people from different areas of the country and as Fort Myers Beach is a popluar vacation destination, we run into families from Des Moines, Iowa, couples from Seattle, Washington, vacationers from New York.  I especially enjoy seeing my snowbird neighbors.  My wife and I have known many of these people for years, have become friends with most of them, and like a first snowfall, it is an exciting sign of the season. As another season winds down, it is also good to be able to drive without being caught up in traffic, walk along our seven mile beach and enjoy some quiet time, to be able to listen to the ocean. In spit... 04/03/2009

If you've been to our island paradise recently you have probably driven past this chrome and steel sculpture !               They attract passersby to my friend Peter's store.  They sell all kinds of nautical gifts and decor items.  Much of it is authentic.  It fits perfectly into the nature of the island : fun, friendly and playful.               Where is it located ?  Peter, Carla and their trusty dog " Brady "  are located at: 2471 Estero Blvd. here on Fort Myers Beach.   Phone: 239  463-9900.  Stop by and say " Hi" to my friends at The Flying Fish Trading Company . 04/03/2009

I know, I know.  We've covered this topic and I doubt that this post will change anyones' mind.  Maybe, just maybe it will help some newer agents to rethink this most basic marketing tool.  Maybe it will encourage some agents to look again.  Maybe it is o.k. to get back to grunt work.   I started doing " opens " because it seemed the least expensive and most effective way to get in front of new customers.  Today I do " opens " because they are the least expensive and most effective way to get in front of new customers.  If you believe that this business is a numbers game then you probably do open houses. We have all heard the tired old reasons why you shouldn't bother with opens so I won't repeat them here. My reality is that if it were not for open houses I would not still be in this b... 03/31/2009

I get a lot of calls from people interested in buying a " Short Sale " in Southwest Florida including Fort Myers Beach.  My guess is that there is a late night infomercial promising that if you just purchase their "CD" course for $ 99 bucks you will magically be able to buy all the distressed homes you want for no money down and ten cents on the dollar !  Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it just isn't true.  Well, the part about them cashing your check for the $99 bucks ...that part is true. For those of you already familiar with what a " Short Sale " is feel free to skip to the next section.  For the rest of us consider the following example: Dave and his wife ( Not their real names -  why do they always say that anyway ? )  bought a nice home in 2003 for $ 300,000 dollars.  Thei... 03/29/2009