Our market here on Fort Myers Beach has been in a major correction for the last 18 months or so.  Al of us have had to find new and more effective ways to be successful in this challenging market.  Our office probably does as well as any on the island and we struggle to sell the many listings we have.  Well, July was a pretty interesting month for us.  We more than doubled our production ! Not at the level of a couple of years ago but certainly a significant improvement.  Not saying that this is the proof we have been looking for that we have found the bottom ( or the bottom has found us ) but it was an excellent month with more listing activity, strong sales, walk-ins, showings, etc.  Heres' hoping that we may have put the worst of it behind us and this is a start of a return to normal... 08/04/2007

I have been a resident of Fort Myers Beach Florida since 1999 and I still discover something new now and then. The Island is only 7 miles long and 3/4 mile wide but the waterways of South West Florida is  an almost limitless source of amazement.Lately while taking a peek at Lovers Key which is a  Florida State Park with bike trails, beaches and more I found out about The Great Calusa Blueway.Its back waterway trail for paddlers who want explore the back bay of Fort Myers Beachstarting at the north With Bunche Beach reserve, through Hell Peckney Bay, and all the way to Mound Key and towards Bonita Springs Little Hickary island and its purpose is to protect the wonders of our wildlife and historical sights for the generations to come. The trail is inspired by our famed Calusa Indians who ... 07/28/2007

The notes and MLS Statistics show that owners of Gullwing Beach Resort Condo show that owners are not willing to "adjust " to the present trend and lower their asking price by much. Perhaps the fact that it is a prime location smack on the beach has to do with that "stubbornness", but also that owners do get some revenues and are willing to wait until they do get their price is the other driving force. After all Fort Myers Beach, FL,seems to have gone through a small surge of sales and did close 110 residential homes and condos in the last 90 days which is quite encouraging for these owners, granted some 20 or so of these units were pre-constructions mid $200K and lower which is considered very affordable and granted owners did lower their asking price substantially in the last 6 months... 07/15/2007

       When I drive by the  Gullwing Beach Resort Condoon Estero Blvd, I am always drawn by the modern and majestic modern architecture.Long Time residents of Fort Myers Beach have a love hate relation with condos in general.My Wife and I are not different. Luckily Gullwing has style. After having seen the grounds and the inside of the units many times I am convinced that Gullwind has a standard that stands. Virtual tour:http://www.in360.com/tours/index.htm?MLS=200680569 of the unit listed at $739K, 2/2, 1450 under air.Lanai is around 1600 square feet.  out.Their personal web site with great virtual tours:http://www.gullwingfl.com/ Build in 2000 Gulllwing Beach Resort Condo has 66 units with 12 floors,Because the island of Fort Myers Beachis narrow, the views vary from the bay to the Gu... 07/15/2007

07/13/2007

    When I drive by Mound House,in Fort Myers Beach  Florida, which is a sort of old fashioned part frame part brick  2 story home with a length long arc-haded walk way on its first floor and its old world charm, I feel like a kid when we were sneaking at night with flash lights in old homes which were left by its owners for many years. The gate of the State Park called http://www.floridastateparks.org/moundkey/default.cfm also:The Mound Key Archaeological State Parkwas open but I don't think I was suppose to look inside the home itself. One could feel the history of this 1921 home resting on this man made construction 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay oozing its told and untold stories of the Calusa Indians and give a sort of exciting and eerie feeling.These were after all sacred ... 07/11/2007

As you may already know, we took our family vacation last week and the water was SO beautiful at Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, and the Captiva Islands.After riding the stand up jet skis last week, I think I have worked out muscles that I didn't know were there, or at least I Forgot I had!We plan to go back, but will take the sit down jet ski's, they are SO much easier to ride than the stand ups, although the young kids make it look easy!  At least Tyler did! :o)The sky line at sunset and relaxation alone made us want to stay for a while longer...  yummy!          Bowmans Beach park is a fabulous place to enjoy the beach and an evening sunset. There is also a "shell museum there" we found some shells outselves that were amazing!  My daughter Madalynne was FINALLY big enough to go dow... 07/10/2007

Once a grocery store, this space in Santini Plaza now houses the South Beach Grille.Pleasantly appointed with Deco-inspired panache, the restaurant takes full advantage of its spacious digs.  You'll find aquariums on site just like at it's sister restaurant Pippins of Naples.The kitchen at South Beach does more than its part to win over palates with dishes like Caribbean bouillabaisse, my favorite, parmesan-encrusted grouper or Cajun mahi-mahi. Equally creative beef, surf and turf and poultry dishes are available as well.Santini Plaza is located at the South end of Fort Myers Beach, approximately two miles north of Big Carlos Pass and directly across the street from the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Beach.In addition to many fine hotels on Fort Myers Beach there are various vacation rental pro... 07/08/2007

Nearly every day there's a sunset to be seen on the gulf coast of Florida.  This sunset is from Fort Myers Beach, Florida, just a few miles north of Bonita Beach.Like many other people that live in an area with a tourist attraction, natural landmark or state park, I, too have taken our gulf beaches for granted.  I work here and rarely MAKE the opportunity to enjoy what so many people travel half way around the world to see.  Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit Fort Myers Beach with friends.  A group called One Love was playing at the Tiki at the Holiday Inn.  They're absolutely fabulous!  Check them out Sunday nights 6-8 p.m.The Holiday Inn is a great place to people watch, too.  It is one of the original hotels built on the Island and it is situated on the widest, white sand be... 07/07/2007

 Joe Kendall Realtor with Sandals Realty Fort Myers Florida Phone 239-560-0726 offers free mls search on his web page. View hundreds of real estate listings. New construction, waterfront homes, condos, town houses and vacant land! Luxury single family homes and Condos too! Ask Joe about the Foreclosures and short sales in Lee County Florida. Talk to Joe about southwest Florida! Let Joe's experience work for you! Call Him toll free at 888-699-SAND (7263) or his direct Line at 239-560-0726 www.viewswflorida.com     http://www.SandalsRealty.com  or email http://mailto:Joek4realestate@aol.com   www.zillow.com/profile/JoesellsswFlorida 06/25/2007

My wife and I first met Heather Haywood some 4 years ago when she opened The Heavenly Biscuit restaurant on Mango Street in Fort Myers Beach Florida. It was previously owned by a mom and pop team who after a few years decided to move on. People liked them but it takes a special person to make it in this business and they were just treading water. Heather had already her vision when she came in and when her husband was not helping in the kitchen, between his businesses, she basically did everything to make it work.People come above all to enjoy the lay back old fashioned  warm ambiance which she brought from Georgia but she is mostly known for her biscuit and Cinnamon Rolls.     There is nothing fancy about The Heavenly Biscuit and that is not the point.She buys all her fruits and vegeta... 06/07/2007

It was only 3 months ago when the Neptune Inn started to change into The Neptune resort. First I had doubts as I had seen quite a few  condo hotels being build with mixed success. Some seemed to look sharp enough but I had reservations on the extravagant on site rental and management fees which often range from 40% to 50%.An unit could very well bring over $30,000 a year but when it was all said and done, the owner would end up with only $15,000 minus condos fees. These condos fees were often over $300 a month so you do the math.Plus lets not forget the mortgage if any, the property taxes and the insurance. But The Neptune is different.The owners will own the whole resort and have their own association.         The owner and managers of the Neptune is Neptune Holdings decided to bring f... 06/07/2007

Finally we got some rain and we got the perfect tropical storm. Just plenty of rain.We couldn't have asked for a better rain pour.Downtown Fort Myers Beach was renovated approximately five years ago and since then, they have resurfaced many of the streets and remodeled the buildings. The above photograp was shot the same day after a much awaited rainfall, breaking the area's drought.  The rain poured and already many visitors were back in town  after a full 24 hours of on and off again rain. The Local people love it and the kids are surfing surf. The cobblestones were part of the resurfacing of the street, and more of the same can be seen on the sidewalks along Estero Boulevard. I recall the first time I experienced a tropical storm, whenmy wife and I lived in Key West, and eve though t... 06/02/2007

FORT MYERS BEACH INVESTORS: great investments       #1: 259 259 259 Primo Dr, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931-2732 at a listing price of $488,000  One of the lowest prices for a canal gulf access home in FMB, this Key West style home has an attractive swimming pool overlooking the canal and is completely remodeled by the owner. Listing # 200730028. canal with gulf access  Why its a strong investment: The owner used Key West clap boards and every room and inch of the house has been remodeled. The overall architectural style, specially from the canal side, with its steps going to a lovely glassed etched front door and the opened terrace on the second floor which by the way can be enclosed for about another 200 plus square feet would make the house at about 1400-1500SF so don't let the square f... 06/01/2007

  There are many factors which make a property a sound investment. The homes which I recommend are located in Fort Myers with Gulf Access canals. I look at different clues which make these stand out. My motto in this case is quite brutal: get the most for the less money. There are however other factors with which I make these recommendations. Except for the property on Primo drive which I will mention in a next blog which is one of the lowest asking prices in Fort Myers Beach with a gulf access canal,the others may have similar priced homes in that square footage for example but they stand out with one unmistakable feature: they are on pilings and because we are on a barrier island I look at the worst case scenario. Homes which were build after 1992 have the stricter mandatory elevation... 06/01/2007

FORT MYERS BEACHSometimes I forget that the grass is not greener the other side of the street.My wife and I moved to Florida in 1990 with one job and a place to rent. We left behind the cold beauty of North Shore MA and its then challenged economy. We started living in Key West, where it seemed then that the time was standing still and after another move to Old Naples we opted for Fort Myers Beach for its more lay back life style and the fact that even though its an island, its so close to the main land that you feel you have the best of both world.FORT MYERS BEACH  The real estate went through a dramatic boom as we know in 2003 to 2005 and the economy has since been solid due to a slick tax break for companies and the flux of around 1000 new residents every month.I just saw on the news... 05/31/2007

Times have certainly changed since that sentence was uttered by Paul Revere warning of a massive English Envasion. Today in that tropical paradise called Fort Myers Beach another man is invading South West Florida, but this time Mr Bennet is welcomed with opened arms with the highly anticipitated opening of his English Pub at 1821 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach.  I recall when Mr Bennet started his first Pub in South West Florida in Naples on 5th Avenue in the 90's, and he made sure the style and atmosphere was faithful to pure English tradition as he even had carpenters and craftsmen hired all the way from London for the job.Once inside one may feel exactly in a traditional English Pub from the decoration to the Sherperd's pie or the many choices of pints.Some of the differences is the ... 05/30/2007

         We know that the boom in South West Florida, Lee County was in August 2005. Since then prices have been drastically adjusted from an average of $330,000 in 2005 to $260,000 last quarter 2007 and this quarter has seen a jump in average selling prices from $260,000 to over $280,000. My point? The market in Lee County has been readjusting for over 16 months and the great deals in residential properties are here to grab.We are coming close to the end of the drop in prices. Some say we have one year before prices jump strongly up, others mention one year and a half. It is indeed a terrific time for investors to take a look at the large inventories in Fort Myers and South West Florida from Sanibel to Marco Island and see what they can purchase these days.   It is a fact that well inf... 05/30/2007

  Good Ol' Papa Hemingway will forgive me using the title of one his books which took place in Paris in the roaring twenties. Lovers Key does not have anything to do with Paris but for the fact that once you have seen it you want to come back. It has been over six months since I went to explore the natural recreational state park and its 712 acres.           They have since added an attractive wooden bridge from Black island to Lovers Key itself which is a relief as the walk used to be a bit on the mock side and last time I carried my wife on my shoulders. Now its easy to reach Lovers Key and enjoy the white sand and the view towards big Carlos Bay.It is located at the very  south end of Fort Myers Beach. One may take advantage of the 5 miles hiking  or biking paths ( where I first went... 05/23/2007

    The structure survived Charley and it brought a smile to the residents,visitors and yearly aficionados when it did.Not to mention tropical storms.Everything is wrong about the structure and I doubt its up to code but it seems to survive whatever nature throws at it.          The owner, a youngish 35 year old raised in a family of farmers and open markets, started the  "Farmer's Market"business some 12 years ago.His father who owned another open market along Mc Gregor some 5 miles away from Fort Myers Beach had to close his business a few years ago as the land was sold. It used to be a large agriculture plot of rich land where they used to grow citrus and vegetables.Now the father works for his son and still manages to smile at the costumers.             The mother keeps the counters... 04/11/2007