JUST LISTED - 511 USEPPA ISLAND - DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

GRANDE VIEW COTTAGE, USEPPA VILLAGE 

Magnificent Price. Magnificent Location. And, an absolutely Grand View!!

Featuring 3 bedrooms/2 baths - Turnkey Furnished. Don't miss this one!

Spacious and inviting, stunning views, beautiful kitchen and great entertaining space, with a dock at your door.
 View Details

And, check out the Virtual Tour!

Out and About – Area Adventures

Looking for entertainment and adventure? Here’s some great options to help you discover hidden Florida gems, get a taste of history, watch sandcastle masters at work, take-in a show, or maybe a great area festival -- lots of activities, both day and night.

Discover Matlacha Island

Through Apr 03, 2016

Join Pure Florida on a journey to discover one of southwest Florida's hidden gems, the island of Matlacha! Guests will experience the simplicity of the Caloosahatchee River, the flare of world renowned artist, Leoma Lovegrove, and the uniqueness of the town's vibrant shops, galleries and restaurants. 

Guests begin on the Edison Explorer and cruise the Caloosahatchee River while enjoying the native wildlife with narration from our Captain, also a Master Naturalist. Once docked, guests depart on the Taste of Matlacha Island Walking Tour, guided by True Tours. The tour includes island history and a sampling of signature island delicacies. 

Upon the tour's conclusion, guests may enjoy lunch at their leisure and visit nearby shops and galleries and visit the famous Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens to send a "Coconut Postcard," tour the whimsical garden and meet Leoma Lovegrove! Dates: Nov. 21, 2015, Jan. 16, 2016, Feb. 6, 2016, Mar. 5, 2016 and Apr. 2, 2016. Time: 8am - 3:30pm.

http://www.purefl.com/

Welcome Aboard!

Nov 05, 2015 – Nov 12, 2015

Two trips already sold out, but still open are: Nov. 5th, Nov. 7th & Nov. 12th Don’t miss an opportunity to come sailing with Award-winning author & Maritime Historian, Robert N. Macomber. Learn about "Theodore Roosevelt: The Right Man At The Right Time.", aboard the lovely 47 ft. ketch, Alondra, while voyaging through many magical islands, along the SW FL coast. Be surprised by tales of Theodore Roosevelt's incredible accomplishments & life. You'll also see some of the islands he sailed through on his visit to this coast in search of a world record devilfish. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn history, gaze at unspoiled nature, and experience first-hand what it is like to sail through our tranquil paradise. That and so much more awaits! These popular, sell-out excursions only happen twice a year, so call today! (239) 233-3003

http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/event/?eid=58833

Brooklyn Boys Revue

Nov 06, 2015 - Nov 15, 2015

Our Brooklyn Boys Revue brings to life the rock and roll legends of the 50’s in a staged musical extravaganza that is packed with your favorite songs that will leave you calling for more as our guy groups take you with them to their favorite local diner to experience the great songs of the 50’s such as “Blue Moon”, “Goodnight Sweetheart” and many others. The story is inspired by the actual experience of a musician who is reminiscing about all the time he spent at the afterhours diner in Brooklyn, NY.

http://culturalparktheater.com/

http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/event/?eid=58911

See the entire season http://culturalparktheater.com/broadway-season

David Johnson at Parrot Key

Through December 2015

David Johnson of the Neville Brothers Fame can be seen and heard at Parrot Key every Friday Night! Come out and enjoy the beautiful scenery, great food, and maybe even some dancing. Come by boat!

http://www.myparrotkey.com/home

Cape Coral CoCoNut Festival

Nov 12, 2015 - Nov 15, 2015

The Cape Coral Coconut Festival will celebrate Cape Coral's 41st birthday and its reputation in the Lee County area for coconuts, multi-cultural food, boating, fishing, and wildlife. The festival will feature a live national musical act, gymnastic entertainment, carnival rides, tropical food, contests, coconut crafts, fireworks, and more. It kicks off Thursday night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and continues through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Cape Coral Coconut Festival is an annual celebration of Cape Coral's uniqueness to the Southwest Florida area. The event includes bands, entertainment, carnival rides, games, food, contests, fireworks, and much more!

Admission Price:  $7 per day

(Children under 5 years old are free)

Includes concerts, venue shows, and fireworks on Friday & Saturday.

All Day Carnival Wristbands: $25

Parking is FREE but limited so be sure to arrive early – especially on Friday and Saturday!

Event Hours:

Sneak Peek!

Thursday, November 12

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Friday, November 13 

5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Saturday, November 14 

12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Sunday, November 15 

12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

http://www.cocofest.com/

Ft. Myers Beach BACK BAY BASH

Nov 14, 2015 - Nov 15, 2015

The BACK BAY BASH is a family & adult entertainment festival being held at the BOOTLEGGER’S WATERFRONT BBQ @ SALTY SAM's MARINA hosted by the Florida Helps Foundation. We are raising funds to sustain and expand our PADLS Program (Persons with Autism or Disabilities Learn Swim) (2/3) and to support the Tabarrini Foundation’s Children’s Music Outreach and the Blue Crayonz Foundation (1/3).The BACK BAY BASH is a “Destination Festival” intended to attract not only local Lee and neighboring County patrons, but also attendees from the Miami and Tampa areas and hopefully across the State. Come by boat!             

http://www.flhelps.org/

29th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship and Beach Festival

Nov 20, 2015 - Nov 29, 2015

Come join us on Fort Myers Beach for the 29th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship and Beach Festival! This will be a fun-filled event that will include World Class Master Sand Sculptors, a State Championship contest, Amateur contest, Quick Sand Speed Sculpting, Sand Sculpting Demonstrations and Lessons, Chain Saw Art, Flying Colors, a kids activity area with bounce houses and slides, and more than 60 vendors. The event is scheduled for 10 days this year, the first week will be the Master Solos and Amateur divisions. The second week will be the Master Doubles and State Championship divisions. Awards ceremonies will be on Sunday the 22nd and also Sunday the 29th. In all over 1000 tons of sand will be piled and sculpted. If you would be interested to help as a volunteer at the American Sandsculpting Championship please contact Rhonda Murray at the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce at 239-454-7500  

http://fmbsandsculpting.com/

Transformation of "Take Five" Cottage Part II

       

  THE TRANSFORMATION OF

"TAKE FIVE" -- Part II

This is a reverse floor plan (living quarters upstairs/bedrooms downstairs) townhouse with fantastic views and great bones....available due to the economic downturn we all experienced. 

Purchased by a group of investors who saw the value, they decided to bring it to it's rightful condition and we have been managing the restoration.

New dock, new doors and windows, clearing the jungle and general miscellaneous other fixes are in process.

Here's our progress

TAKE A LOOK!!

BEFORE

AFTER
 

BEFORE...

AFTER!! 

BIRDS LOVE THE NEW DOCK

Flocks moved in, "painting" the dock white!  When Brian "decorated" to deter them

they moved next door to watch!

Screaming and diving at him!  FUNNY!

Still more to do on this property, but it's moving quickly toward completion.  We should have a finished product by the end of the month...Stay Tuned! 

Then....it will be
AVAILABLE FOR SALE!

WATCH FOR IT!!!  

YOU ARE GONNA LOVE IT!!

Buyers Paying Cash in Southwest Florida

Home buyers in Southwest Florida are still paying with cash at one of the fastest rates in the nation.

Of the 10 metro areas with the highest share of cash purchases in the first quarter of 2015, more than half were in Florida, according to real estate analyst Zillow.

Florida Buyers Paying Cash

"In Florida, cash is king," Zillow said. "At the end of the first quarter, seven of the top 10 metros with the highest share of home purchases made in cash were in Florida, up from six at the end of 2014."

All 10 of the U.S. metro areas with the highest share of cash buyers were east of the Mississippi River, while cash buyers were less common in the western U.S.

"Homes in many eastern markets are generally less expensive than in their western counterparts, which can be conducive to more cash purchases," Zillow said. "Cash purchases are also more likely to be made by investors and institutional buyers looking to buy many less-expensive homes all at once to convert into rental housing and/or flip as the market improves."

In addition, the analyst noted, Florida's judicial foreclosure process can be slow, extending the period when investors are buying discounted homes from lenders as they clear foreclosure.

Florida posted the second-highest share of cash sales in June, at 45.8 percent, behind only New York's 47 percent, CoreLogic said.

The U.S. rate was 31.3 percent, down from 34 percent over the year.

"The cash sales share peaked in January 2011, when cash transactions made up 46.5 percent of total home sales nationally," CoreLogic said. "Prior to the housing crisis, the cash sales share of total home sales averaged approximately 25 percent. If the cash sales share continues to fall at the same rate it did in June 2015, the share should hit 25 percent by mid-2017."

Jim Quinn, president of the Port Charlotte-North Port-Punta Gorda Association of Realtors, said cash sales have "consistently" accounted for less than 50 percent of activity this year, with distressed properties representing a smaller segment of sales.

"I would say both of these trends are indicative that more of the buyers are purchasing for personal use as opposed to investment," he said.

No-financing sales accounted for 43 percent of home deals throughout Florida in August, while the U.S. average was 24.5 percent.

Herald Tribune 10/5/2015

AWESOME IDEAS FOR A RAINY DAY ON USEPPA ISLAND!

Even when it’s wet and dreary outdoors, there’s plenty of activity and amusement available on Useppa Island. Our friendly community offers a game of pool or poker, a specialty drink at the bar or under a private deck.


A rainy day on Useppa is better than any day at the Office.


YOU MAY WANT TO…

Play Scrabble with near-champion players who are always ready for a challenge.

Play a game of Pool at the Tarpon Inn or better yet, find the people that have their own pool table…and make new friends.

Play cards with the Bridge Club.

Start up a poker game.

Sit at the Marina, under cover …or on your back deck and watch the storm go by.

Visit the Collier Inn…always someone there to share stories with.  And, get one of Roxie’s famous Island Drinks…or two or three.  Yum!!

Take a walk in the rain…with your kids, sweetie or dog and watch the birds come in for those fresh water puddles.

Visit the Groto….it takes on a different personality in the rain.  Kinda spooky…

Visit a friend…have a drink and start a rumor…just to see how it comes back in 24 hours.

Take a NAP!!

Read a book.  Lots of great ones in our Lending Library, housed in the Pro Shop.



Visit “John’s  Basement”…or “Charlie’s under-deck” where there is most always some rum to share. (Guys only)

AND WHEN THE STORM HAS PASSED…JUST LOOK FOR THE RAINBOW.

Life on Useppa Island - The Video

Take a look at our most recent creation.

Gasparilla Inn - Part 2 of the Boating for Food Blog Series

Dubbed “the Preppiest Place on Earth” in a touristy article about Old Florida, by Sara Clemence, in the Wall Street Journal last year, Boca Grande is frequented by Useppans for its many dining opportunities. Not for the Preppy part (well, maybe a few of us) because we are coming from the anti-preppy but truly Olde Florida Useppa Island. But, we will go anywhere for food.

Not that we are short of very good and sometimes great dining at the Collier Inn on Useppa, but one has to have a change of venue from time to time. And who really minds a short boat ride to find it? This time, it is off to the Gasparilla Inn for dinner and fine dining-so fine that they have a dress code. Other than a couple of yacht clubs in the area, this is the only restaurant I know with a dress code. Check their website for the appropriate attire: No comply-no eat!

This is a dinner trip, and on a clear night it is truly a lovely way to travel. The stars are bright due to the minimal light pollution, and the phosphorescent waters leave a bright wake behind the boat. Most importantly for those not used to navigating at night, the Intracoastal Waterway beacons are easily visible along the entire 13-minute route, making navigation simple and comfortable for all. All you need is a compass.

So, the 4 of us set out for a 7PM reservation and 13 minutes later were tied up to the Pink Elephant dock, just a 200 -yard stroll to the Inn. Seated in The Main Dining Room, our friends Kim and Aimee checked out the wine list, with the cellar once again recipient of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2015. I checked the vodka and rum lists. Vodka supply was OK, but the available rums were an insult to pirate Jose Gaspar, the namesake of Gasparilla Island: much better at our house.

The menu, which can be found at www.the-gasparilla-inn.com/dining is imaginative and everything that came from the kitchen to our table was outstanding. Our grazing included the braised oxtail ravioli, squash soup, roasted beets, Caesar salad, red snapper, black grouper, sea scallops and beef tenderloin. The bread pudding, apple tart tatin and the peach cheese cake finished it all off nicely. Throughout the evening the wait staff was attentive and informative.

After a slow walk back to the dock and a soft idle out of the Boca Grande Canal into Charlotte Harbor, we turned south into the ICW for the short cruise home, Useppa Island lights in the distance. We were treated to a bright three quarter moon along the way, a perfect finish to a perfect dining experience.