If you have ever followed the news on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, you have surely noticed a stream of stories related to nature and natural beauty. It’s not easy to describe, but it is this natural charm that drives the real estate and tourism industries on these Southwest Continue Reading
Florida Voted Most Desirable State to Live
Americans have voted Florida as the most desirable state to live in the nation. Sunshine and water-front property seemed to be the top priorities of voters as other warm-weather states completed most of the list. Florida, the official Sunshine State, once again moved to the Continue Reading
Forbes Features Natural Beauty of Sanibel and Captiva Islands
We all love to tell others about the charm and character of the islands, but there is a catch 22 of being a part of the Captiva and Sanibel Island real estate market: the more you tell the more people will know. It’s great for real estate, but the traffic guards will have Continue Reading
2015 Pine Island Sound Scallop Search
Sanibel and Captiva real estate owners benefit from a healthy and active water ecosystem. One very important element of this fragile ecosystem is the slowly growing population of “bay scallops” in the Pine Island Sound. According to the News-Press, “Large populations of bay Continue Reading
National Press for Captiva and Sanibel Island Fishing
There are so many good reasons to invest in Captiva and Sanibel Island real estate. Sometimes, the best reason is the one that is hardest to catch. Local fisherman Jon Black has been receiving local, regional, and national press for the estimated 552-pound grouper that he Continue Reading
Two Sanibel Island Businesses Give Back to the Community
One of the most exciting things about commercial real estate on Sanibel Island is seeing the potential benefit that every storefront can add to the community. Two businesses on Sanibel have recently been featured for the ways that they are enriching the island both through Continue Reading
Sanibel and Fort Myers Area Cuisine Featured at 2015 Expo Milano
Last night, overlooking some of the most romantic real estate in Milan, journalists and leaders were invited to taste and celebrate the unique cuisine of the Sanibel Island - Fort Myers region of southwest Florida. Under the leadership of American Chef Paul Sanguinetti, an Continue Reading
Sanibel Real Estate: Florida Housing Market Continues to Grow
The end of April 2015 shows steady growth for the Florida housing market. Florida Realtors recently released their latest data on the industry, which noted more new listings, higher median prices and increased sales at the end of last month. Here locally, John R. Wood Continue Reading
5 reasons U.S. economy stronger than stats suggest
WASHINGTON (AP) – March 2, 2015 – The U.S. economy grew at a modest annual rate of 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, less than half the third quarter's torrid 5 percent rate and weaker than the government first reported. While the sharp slowdown seems troubling on the Continue Reading
THE SUNSHINE STATE RANKS NO. 1 FOR GOLF, SO IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT THE GAME CARRIES AN $8.2 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT.
GOLF MEANS BUSINESS. BIG BUSINESS. Bigger than Disney World. A new study shows the game carries an $8.2 billion economic impact in Florida, more than amusement and theme parks ($5.4 billion), more than medical equipment and supplies manufacturing ($6.5 billion). Considering Continue Reading
Consumer Reports: Sellers can increase value by 12%
NEW YORK – Feb. 4, 2015 – A seller may be able to boost the value of their home by an additional 12 percent, with just a few smart pre-listing repairs, according to a new survey of 300 residential real estate professionals by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. On Continue Reading
55-plus housing market ‘one of healthiest segments’
LAS VEGAS – Jan. 23, 2015 – The 55+ housing market fared quite well in 2014, and 2015 should be no different, according to industry experts at a press conference held today at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Continue Reading
U.S. home equity continues to improve
NEW YORK – Jan. 12, 2015 – Average equity on all financed homes in the nation continued to grow as hundreds of thousands of borrowers moved into the black. As of the third quarter of last year, the average loan-to-value ratio (LTV) on all U.S. residential loans was 58.9 Continue Reading
U.S. home prices coast upward in Nov.
U.S. home values rose at a measured pace in November, a sign that demand remains weak as many buyers have been priced out of the market. Prices increased 5.5 percent in November compared with 12 months earlier, real estate provider CoreLogic said Tuesday. That was up Continue Reading
Florida’s consumer confidence unchanged in Aug.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Aug. 27, 2014 – Consumer sentiment among Floridians remained flat at a post-recession high of 82 for the third consecutive month in August, according to a University of Florida survey. "While an overall reading of 82 is historically nowhere near a Continue Reading
