Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a safe and blessed Holiday season, from our family to yours.

Team Petel

Our Current Listings - Great Properties & Price Reductions!

Have you visited www.teampetel.com lately? Check out the team website for all the latest listings and unbelievable price reductions!

Stratford Place - 55+ community, 2BR/2BA condo ONLY $99,500!
Sanibel Arms West - 2BR/2BA condo, best view for the best value, great rental income $409,000!
AND MORE!

The weather is cooling off but the properties available on Sanibel and in South Fort Myers are hot! Contact us today for your customized property list or to talk about selling your home!

Team Petel

BEAUTIFUL CONDO - PRICE REDUCTION!

Well maintained 2 Bedroom 2 Bath condo with partial Gulf views. Over $26,000 in rental income in 2010! Brand new washer and dryer in unit. Fully furnished. Just reduced to $409,000 - Best priced condo at Sanibel Arms West with a view!!

SANIBEL OPEN HOUSES!

Check out Team Petel’s Upcoming Open Houses:

1111 Schooner Place – Custom built 3BR, 3BA home with beautiful finishes and all the new building codes. Located on the quiet East End on a mangrove canal. Room for a pool! MONDAY DECEMBER 12^TH 1PM – 4PM

1340 Middle Gulf Drive 9A – Perfect beach condo. Totally remodeled with beautiful finishes. 2BR, 2 BA. Located on the Sanibel River with a peek of the Gulf. Garage and storage. MONDAY DECEMBER 13^TH 1PM – 4PM

Visit our website for more info! www.teampetel.com

Fla.'s home, condo sales higher in 3Q

Existing home sales up 12% over year ago, condo sales up 13%; Fla. condo price up 13%. National sales slip 0.1%.

Rate on 30-year mortgage below 4% for second time

WASHINGTON – Nov. 11, 2011 – The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell below 4 percent for just the second time in history.

Freddie Mac said Thursday the rate on the 30-year fixed loan fell to 3.99 percent, down from 4 percent last week. Five weeks ago, it dropped to a record low of 3.94 percent, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Realtor.com’s Top Ten Turnaround Report

In Realtor.com’s “Top Ten Turnaround Report,” six Florida cities were considered good bets for an upswing in sales. Realtor.com, which is owned by The National Association of Realtors®, says it created a formula to rank a city’s turnaround potential based on recent price appreciation, changes in inventory, median age of inventory, number of Realtor.com searches by visitors and area unemployment.

Realtor.com attributes the Florida cities’ success to year-over-year home price increases, reductions in inventory, lower unemployment rates and, in some cases, an upswing in international buyers.

Realtor.com’s turnaround list includes:

1. Miami: Ranked No. 1 in the report, Miami hit the top based on “a healthy inventory that is only half the size from a year ago,” a lower foreclosure rate than the national average, and an increase in condo sales.
2. Orlando: While No. 2, Realtor.com says Orlando had more home searches than any other city when compared to the total number of listings. It also had a significant drop in the number of foreclosures.
3. Fort Myers-Cape Coral: Median prices in Fort Myers-Cape Coral have increased year-over-year, foreclosures are down, inventory is lower and foreign buyers are attracted to the area’s real estate prices.
4. Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.
5. Fort Lauderdale: Inventory has decreased and prices have increased, says Realtor.com.
6. Sarasota-Bradenton: About one in 10 foreign buyers look in Sarasota-Bradenton for a home, Realtor.com says. Listing prices have increased and inventory has decreased.
7. Lakeland-Winter Haven: According to Realtor.com, the number of distressed sales has decreased significantly and prices have gone up.
8. Boise City, Idaho
9. Fort Wayne, Ind.
10. Ann Arbor, Mich.

Fla.'s home, condo sales higher in Oct.

Existing home sales up 13%, condo sales up 12% over year; Fla. condo median price up 9%. National total sales up 1.4%.

Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Up in October 2011

ORLANDO – Nov. 21, 2011 – Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales continued to show gains in October, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 13 percent last month with a total of 13,755 homes sold statewide compared to 12,145 homes sold in October 2010, according to Florida Realtors

Consumer confidence surges over 15 points

NEW YORK – Nov. 29, 2011 – The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which declined in October, surged almost 15 points in November.

The Index now stands at 56.0, up from 40.9 in October. The Present Situation Index increased 11.2 points to 38.3 from 27.1. The Expectations Index, which gauges attitudes about the economy’s condition six months from now, went up 17.8 points to 67.8 from 50.0.

“Confidence has bounced back to levels last seen during the summer (July 2011, 59.2),” says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. “Consumers’ assessment of current conditions finally improved after six months of steady declines. Consumers’ apprehension regarding the short-term outlook for business conditions, jobs and income prospects eased considerably. Consumers appear to be entering the holiday season in better spirits, though overall readings remain historically weak.”

27th annual Luminary Festival

Friday, December 2^nd and Saturday December 3^rd Captiva and Sanibel Islands will be celebrating Luminary Festival with lights, activities and entertainment from end to end! Visit Santa and have your picture taken, visit the wonderful shops and boutiques and have some refreshments. The Trolley is running from 5:30 to 9:30 for easy shop hopping!

Author Series At The Sanibel Library

The Sanibel Public Library Author Series will present Nancy Taylor Rosenberg on Thursday, December 8^th at 7 p.m.

Tickets are still available to Sanibel Public Library cardholders. The limit is two tickets per cardholder.   

Island Sun 11/25/11

Looking for an Amazing Getaway?

When planning a getaway this Winter & Spring be sure to consider the islands of Sanibel & Captiva. Our islands boast some of the most beautiful scenery in Florida: natural beaches, miles of bike paths and protected species. Visit our local botiques and restaurants as you relax and warm up from those cold winter months.

Check out the Chamber of Commerce for more information:

http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/

Join the Shellabration!

Shellabration 2012! is an islandwide, week-long celebration of the Sanibel Shell Fair and Show, designed as a tribute to our islands’ shell bounty. The celebration will run from February 26 through March 4, with The Shell Fair and Show running March 1 to 3 at The Community House.

Shellabrators from around the island are joining in on the excitement with events and promotions. Everybody is invited to participate. A calendar of events will be prepared and promoted in local and national publications, so let us know what you plan to do!

Stay tuned for more informationa bout Shellebration 2012!!

Island Sun (11/18/11)

Lions Christmas Trees on the Way!

The Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club continues

its tradition of service as its

members prepare for the annual

sale of Christmas trees on the islands.

The premium Fraser Christmas firs have

been freshly cut and will be shipped in

refrigerated trucks from North Carolina

just in time for Thanksgiving weekend.

They will be located in the Bailey’s

Center, between the Grog Shop and

Island Cinema.

The tree lot will open on November

26. You can stop by to pick your special

tree any day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We’d like to thank everyone in

advance for supporting this holiday tradition.

We hope to sell more trees this year

than ever!” said Tom Hoover, a past president of the Lions Club.

During this period the Lions will

also host another one of their popular

fish fries. The fish fry will take place on

Luminary evening Friday, December 2,

at The Community House. The event will

start at 4 p.m. and last until the fish runs

out. The menu will feature fresh fried fish,

cheese grits, baked beans, coleslaw, choice

of beverages and apple pie. As usual, even

carry-out will be available! There is an $8

suggested donation for adults; children

under five will be admitted for free. Money

raised at the fish fry will benefit the Lions’

Summer Camp Scholarships for individuals

with learning and other disabilities

who will be able to attend Quest’s Camp

Thunderbird program. For more information

about the camp, visit: www.questinc.org.

Island Sun (11/18/11)

Folk Legend Livingston Taylor In Concert

Pop legend Livingston Taylor returns to Sanibel 8 p.m. Saturday, November 26, for a special Thanksgiving weekend performance at BIG ARTS Schein performance Hall, 900 Dunlop Road.

He has enjoyed a lustrous career in music as a singer-songwriter since the release of his self-titled debut in 1970 and critically acclaimed second release, Liv. A virtuoso on guitar and piano, Taylor is the musician behind the top 40 hits I Will Be In Love with You and I’ll Come Running. Other notable releases over the years include Three Way Mirror, Man’s Best Friend, Life is Good, Good Friends and Bicycle. Taylor has also enjoyed the

honor of collaborating with folk legends Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Vince Gill,

and his brother, James, for whom Taylor wrote lyrics for the double Grammy winning 1997 album, Hourglass.

His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres – folk, pop, gospel, jazz – and from upbeat storytelling to touching ballads. Taylor keeps a busy schedule touring internationally and instructing the next generation of musicians as a full-time professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Tickets to Liv Taylor are $42 loge, $37 floor, and $15 child.

The Livingston Taylor concert is sponsored by West Gulf Company LLC. For tickets, stop by BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, call 395-0900, or go to http://www.bigarts.org/.

Island Sun (11/18/11)

PRICE REDUCTIONS!

Check out the price reductions on these great Southwest Florida Homes:

Visit http://www.teampetel.com/ for full details

Sunset South Condo - Sanibel - Perfect beach condo 2 bed/2 bath, garage, totally remodeled! Now $544,000

Stratford Place - Ft. Myers - 2 Bed/2 bath condo with over 1500 sq ft. and spectacular lake and golf course views. Now $109,00!

Sandalfoot Condos - Sanibel - Great Rental Income Potential! Great location, 2 bed/2 bath, great amenities. Now $489,000

Boater's Delight! - Sanibel - Large home located on canal with direct access to San Carlos Bay. Updated kitchen, relaxing pool. 3 bed/2.5 bath Now $998,000!

Call John today at 239-560-4960
Or email us at teampetel@msn.com and we'll find you the perfect home!

FISH Thanksgiving Baskets Program: Can You Help?

For several years, FISH (Friends in Service Here) of Sanibel has helped clients in need with Thanksgiving holiday baskets for families and gift cards to local restaurants for Thanksgiving dinners for seniors and single clients.

FISH will be  providing Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need again this year. Donations of fresh vegetables, potatoes, canned vegetables, stuffing mix, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, and additional holiday foods are needed and most appreciated to  help FISH provide these baskets for island families in need.

Call the FISH Walk-In Center at 472-4775 or come by the center located at 1630 Periwinkle Way for information about the types of foods needed. Food or monetary donations to assemble the necessary items for each basket are truly appreciated.

Island Sun (11/11/11)

The Weather is Beautiful In SW Florida!

On your way to Southwest Florida for a visit? Considering a visit and looking for wonderful things to do? Check out the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. With the mild fall weather a walk around the grounds of this gorgeously preserved historic site is an ideal activity. Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/

Why You Should Choose Fort Myers?

Established in 1886, Fort Myers is the historical and governmental hub of Lee County. It is the gateway to the Southwest Florida region, which is a major tourist destination in Florida. The winter homes of Thomas Edison (Seminole Lodge) and Henry Ford (The Mangoes), which are both primary tourist attractions in the region, are located on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.4 square miles .31.8 square miles of it is land, and 8.6 square miles of it is water.

Fort Myers has a year-round warm, monsoon-influenced climate that is classified as either subtropical or tropical savanna. Notwithstanding the classification, the area has short, mild to warm winters, with most of the year's rainfall falling from June to September. Monthly averages range from 64.9 °F (18.3 °C) in January to 83.1 °F (28.4 °C) in August, with the annual average being 74.9 °F (23.8 °C).

Fort Myers is the current spring training home for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins baseball clubs.

There are many fun and interesting places to discover and explore in Southwest Florida! Click the link below for videos tours of Fort Myers.

http://www.cityftmyers.com/LocalArea/CommunityVideos/tabid/1315/Default.aspx

Meet John Petel

Thank you for being reading The Coconut Telegraph! We’re glad you found us and hope you find our posts interesting and informative. We strive to provide you with the lasts news in Real Estate in order to help you make informed decisions about buying or selling property in Southwest Florida.

In addition, we bring you news and information on Sanibel, Captiva and the surrounding areas. We hope you find Southwest Florida as beautiful and interesting as we do!

If you would like to learn more about what makes Team Petel so successful, click on the link below and meet John Petel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHSniOduXQ&noredirect=1

Upcoming Events at the Sanibel Recreation Center!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

***“Sanibel Night” at the Florida Everblades tickets available for a reduced rate at the

Sanibel Recreation Center. Tickets sales end November 16th

***Teens join in the fun of “Sanibel Night” at the Everblades with the Teen Group. Ticket sales end November 16th

**Free Diabetes, Glaucoma, Hearing and Blood Pressure Screenings by the Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club on

Friday, November 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

***Sign up now for the Youth Basketball League. Registration ends on November 12th.

See the front desk for details.

Is the New-Home Market Finally Leveling Off?

WASHINGTON – Oct. 31, 2011 – The nation’s largest home builders say that buyer traffic has picked up, sales increased and prices are stabilizing, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Commerce Department reported that, for the first time in five months, new-home sales rose, increasing 5.7 percent in September. Builder confidence also rose, reaching its highest level in a year in October, according to an index of builder sentiment by the National Association of Home Builders.

© Copyright 2011 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD

Investors See Bigger Profits from Rising Rents

NEW YORK – Oct. 27, 2011 – Rental demand and prices continue to soar, and investors are cashing in. Rents are rising at a 5.17 percent annual rate – up from last year’s 4.72 percent rate. If rents continue to grow at their current pace, they won’t be too far behind the record-high reached in 2000 of 6.18 percent, according to Axiometrics Inc.

The rental market has added about 1.4 million new renters this year, some of whom were former homeowners who faced foreclosure or a short sale. Renters are increasingly showing an appetite for single-family homes owned by investors.

As such, the number of investors in the market is growing. Investors make up anywhere between 20 and 40 percent of monthly existing home sales, according to home-sale data. With home prices and interest rates low, more aspiring investors are jumping in. Nearly 60 percent of investors in a recent survey by Realtor.com considered themselves newcomers to real estate investing.

“This is a long-term investment,” says Greg Rand, CEO of OwnAmerica. “Rents are a steady return on your investment through the years, leaving you with an attractive asset when prices improve. And they will. The best profits in real estate accrue to long-term investors who take a long-term view.”

Source: “Rising Rents Improve Investors’ Return,” RISMedia (Oct. 20, 2011)

The Coast - A Collaboration At BIG ARTS Features Evening of Photography, Music and Poetry.

by Gordon Campbell

The Coast – A Collaboration, an evening of photography, music and poetry featuring Charles Sobczak, a Sanibel writer, and his son, Logan Sobczak, a composer, will take place at BIG ARTS Phillips Gallery Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.

The evening includes a presentation of some of the best nature photography ever taken. Charles will present spoken prose followed by a composition inspired by that work, and, conversely, Logan will play a piece and Charles will read a poem based on the music. A question-and-answer session with wine and cheese will follow.

          Charles Sobczak is a well-known writer whose works include Six Mornings on Sanibel, Way Under Contract, Living Sanibel – A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands, and, most recently, A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida, which has been chosen as a finalist for the President’s Book Award by the Florida Publisher’s Association.

          Logan Sobczak is a recent graduate of University of Florida. He holds double majors in philosophy and political science and plans to continue his education at the Chicago Art Institue in 2012. He has played piano since he was 12 and started writing original compositions shortly thereafter.

Source: Island Sun (11/04/11)

Renters Spent 5% More Than Homeowners

NEW YORK – Oct. 27, 2011 – Rising rents are forcing renters to outspend homeowners on housing costs, according to a new study.

Since 2005, homeowners’ housing expenses have climbed from 31.9 percent of their household budget to 33.2 percent. In that same time period, renters’ expenses have jumped from 35.6 percent to 38.4 percent, according to the October CoreLogic U.S. Housing and Mortgage Trends.

In the last 26 years, homeowners have increased the amount they spend on household expenses by 12 percent while renters have increased it by 22 percent, according to the study.

Growth picture enjoys uptick

WASHINGTON – Oct. 25, 2011 – Economists have significantly raised their estimates of third-quarter economic growth ahead of the government’s official report Thursday, easing near-term fears of another recession.

A consensus of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News estimates the economy grew at a still-modest 2.5 percent annual pace last quarter, up from their 1.8 percent projection less than two weeks ago. The brighter picture follows better-than-expected data on retail sales, manufacturing, jobs and business investment.

“We should take some comfort that the economy isn’t hurtling into recession,” says Capital Economics’ Paul Ashworth. Ashworth estimates third-quarter growth was 3.2 percent.

That’s not robust, but it beats the anemic expansion of less than 1 percent the first half of 2011. Amid last summer’s debt battle in Congress, the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and financial turmoil in Europe, many analysts thought the U.S. was on the verge of another downturn.

Since Oct. 3, 10-year Treasury yields have risen nearly half a percentage point, indicating growth prospects are prompting a shift of money to higher-risk assets, says market strategist Anthony Valeri of LPL Financial.

Source: Inman News (10/18/11)

Homeownership rate second highest on record

WASHINGTON – Oct. 25, 2011 – The homeownership rate is at its second-highest level on record, only behind the record high set in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which began collecting homeownership data in 1890.

By region, the homeownership rate is:

• Midwest: 69.2 percent
• South: 66.7
• Northeast: 62.2
• West: 60.5

Nearly every metro area had more homeowners than renters in 2010. The metro areas with the highest homeownership rates were in Michigan and Florida. Monroe, Mich., had the highest percentage of owner-occupied units at 79.8 percent, followed by Punta Gorda, Fla., at 79.7 percent.

Source: Inman News (10/18/11)

Florida’s existing home and condo sales up in September

ORLANDO, Fla. – Oct. 20, 2011 – Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales continued their upswing in September, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 10 percent last month with a total of 15,036 homes sold statewide compared to 13,723 homes sold in September 2010, according to Florida Realtors.

“One of the most overlooked statistical trends in all of real estate is the growth in home sales, both single-family and condo, in the state of Florida,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “We’ve seen an upward trend in sales since January 2011, and September’s sales were a full 10 percent above September 2010. Even prices, which have been static over the past few months, are well above where they were in January 2011.

Source: Inman News (10/18/11)

Best day to list real estate for sale: Friday

SEATTLE – Oct. 20, 2011 – After analyzing 1.2 million listings in 16 markets across the country for 21 months, Redfin found that sellers have a better chance of moving their homes off the market if they list them on a Friday.

The brokerage says the study indicates that Friday listings are 12 percent more likely to change hands within 90 days. Additionally, 94.4 percent of properties listed on a Thursday or Friday sold close to the list price; in contrast, only 93.3 percent of those listed on a Sunday or Monday sold close to the list price.

Friday listings were 18.8 percent more likely than Sunday or Monday listings to be toured, with Redfin noting that “homes listed on Fridays are the freshest in buyers’ minds when they’re making their weekend plans.” Buyers also prefer to visit the newest listings first to beat the competition.

The study’s conclusion: “More tours leads to more offers, and more offers leads to a better price and a better chance of selling.”

Source: Inman News (10/18/11)

Celebrate Seven Days of ‘Ding’ during ‘Ding’ Darling Days at the Refuge

By SHANNEN HAYES (shayes@breezenewspapers.com) , Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Technology in the Outdoors Day, mascot meet-and-greets, a film festival, Celebrate Calusa Day and author lectures will add excitement to this year's "Ding" Darling Days at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

The 22nd annual event kicks off Sunday, Oct. 16 with Family Fun Day, where three refuge characters the Blue Goose, Bagzilla and Teddy Roosevelt will get the party started and greet families for photo opportunities beginning at 11 a.m. Anticipate a surprise appearance from a fourth well-loved character.

Sunday's highlights include free narrated Tarpon Bay Explorers tram tours of the refuge; live snake, bat and bald eagle presentations; and face painting, nature crafts, a butterfly house and touch tank demonstrations. The refuge and "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge have planned this day of family fun jam-packed with activities for all ages at no charge.

"We estimate the value of this free event to be around $72 per child," noted "Ding" Days committee co-chair Ranger Toni Westland. "But the value of family and nature bonding is priceless."

Inspired by "Ding" Darling Refuge's new iNature Trail along Wildlife Drive, the weeklong "Ding" Darling Days will debut Technology in the Outdoors on Monday, Oct. 17 a day off for public school children.

Special tours and demonstrations will introduce visitors to the 10-station iNature Trail, where smartphones and tablets are used to scan the QR codes and connect with interactive YouTube videos for a free ranger-narrated tour.

Other demonstrations combining gadgets with nature include GPS-based Earth caching at the refuge and the education center's eBird Trail Tracker computer, where guests can identify birds and their songs and enter their refuge sightings. Throughout the day, visitors can watch short films featuring seven of the 550-plus refuges worldwide. Films begin every hour on the hour starting at 9 a.m. in the auditorium of the Eduction Center.

The new Celebrate Calusa Day on Wednesday, Oct. 19 will feature a Calusa Quest presentation by a team from "Ding" Darling, the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach and the Randell Research Center on Pine Island. A tour of the refuge's newly renovated Calusa Shell Mound Trail, guided by Calusa experts Ann and Bill Wollschlager, will follow the presentation.

'Ding" Days will also host two author lectures, new this year. Island historian Charles LeBuff will host a lecture and sign copies of his latest book "Images of America: J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge," as part of Refuge Discovery Day. This free lecture will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 in auditorium of the Education Center.

In addition, refuge staff will introduce a part of the refuge most people don't know about its beach side at Perry Tract. At 9 a.m., refuge ranger will lead a narrated beach walk from Gulfside Park, which is adjacent to the refuge tract. The beach walk is free, but there is a $2 per hour city parking fee at Gulfside Park.

Throughout Discovery Day, visitors can join a narrated Refuge Birding Tour Caravan along Wildlife Drive for $5 per vehicle, plus receive discounted kayaking tours and sea life cruises from Tarpon Bay recreation area.

To finish off the seven days of "Ding," a Duck Stamp Artists presentation once again headlines Saturday's Conservation Art Day, which also includes a photography tram tour and nature art activities with free nature journals and art supplies.
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge sponsors "Ding" Darling Days with support from Tarpon Bay Explorers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other private and business partners.

"We use no government funding because of our amazing partnerships," said Westland. "We couldn't do it without the Friends group and the community's support."

For a full "Ding" Darling Days schedule, visit www.dingdarlingdays.com or call 472-1100.

Board Launches $3.5 Million Community House Campaign

Marge Meek, president of the

Sanibel Community Association,

has announced the launch of a

$3.5 million capital campaign to preserve,

renovate and modernize The

Community House.

“Terry Igo, the president of the Sanibel

Captiva Trust Company and past SCA

board member, has enthusiastically

accepted the position as chairperson for

the campaign. Already he has enlisted the

help of over 75 islanders to move this fundraising

phase into high gear,” Meek said.

“The Community House embodies the

spirit of Sanibel and the broad range of

people volunteering to help this campaign

reinforces how islanders come together for

a cause.”

“The Community House is a historical

gem and this campaign, by thoroughly

upgrading the building and grounds, will

restore it to the center of community life,”

said Igo. “It is our largest gathering place

on the islands and it’s very important that

it fully serve today’s residents and visitors.

In choosing a campaign logo that simply

states 1927 Capital Campaign, we honor

our long-standing place in the community

while reaffirming our ongoing commitment

to providing for the current and

future needs of our islands.”

The Community House was built in

1927 on donated land and by the islanders,

who worked side by side to construct

the building and turn it into their social

gathering place. Over the decades generations

of islanders have met there for every

conceivable civic, educational and social

event, including its signature Shell Fair and

Show that has attracted shell enthusiasts

from around the world for 75 years. The

passage of time, however, has taken its

toll on the original historic building and its

two additions.

“Since the 1990s there have been a

series of plans drawn up to rebuild The

Community House, but now our time has

come,” said Meek. “For over three years

the board has developed the strategy, the

vision, the passion, which have culminated

in the current schematic plans. We

thought of only one person to run the

capital campaign and we are delighted

Terry accepted the position. He has a

proven success record of leading capital

campaigns, including one for The Sanibel

School, and is the right person to get

people engaged and united for our common

goal.”

There will be a series of social events

held through the fall and winter to promote

the campaign and get islanders’

input. A kick-off party on November 9

will feature a dinner and homespun stories

by honorary co-chairs Francis Bailey

and Porter Goss and other islanders. It

will be an evening to celebrate what The

Community House has meant to this community

and what the future holds.

The architectural site plan and artistic

rendering of the grounds are on display

in the lobby as well as on www.sanibelcommunityhouse.

net and in a soon-to-be

released brochure

Sea Turtle Update

Sea Turtle Research and Monitoring

	Sea Turtle Nesting Stats As of August 26, 2011
		Nests	False Crawls	Hatches
	Sanibel East End	35	84	19
	Sanibel West End	239* **	361	120* **
	Captiva	76	54	47
	TOTAL	350	499	186

Click here for PDF with statistics for the nests that have hatched this year on Sanibel (Captiva numbers will not be available until the end of nesting season).

Most nests on the islands are Loggerhead. However, this year we have one Kemps Ridley** and five Greens * included in the totals above. Read about the Kemp's Ridley.

Please do not disturb nesting sea turtles. There have been reports of several nesting attempts disturbed by onlookers. If a turtle fails after several nesting attempts, she will eject her eggs into the Gulf, so failed attempts -- false crawls -- are serious.
Click here for more info.

Taste of the Islands

On Tuesday, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation Of Wildlife (CROW) announced that the 30th annual Taste of the Islands will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 at Sanibel Community Park on Periwinkle Way. This event has become a traditional and much-anticipated part of the islands’ fall calendar.

For the second consecutive year, Bank of the Islands/Edison National Bank will be the Presenting Sponsor for this gala tasting of Sanibel and Captiva restaurants’ finest creations.

Renowned artist Ikki Matsumoto has again provided his unique creativity in designing a logo for this year’s Taste. The logo shows a feast presented and enjoyed by local wildlife, reflecting CROW’s mission of saving wildlife through compassion, care and education, as well as the enjoyable traditions of the Taste of the Islands.

CROW is presently organizing sponsors and participating restaurants. More information is available by e-mailinginfo@crowclinic.org or by calling 472-3644.

Housing affordability hovers near record level

August 22, 2011 – Aug. 22, 2011 – Nationwide housing affordability during the second quarter of 2011 hovered for the 10th consecutive quarter near its highest level in the more than 20 years, according to National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).

According to the HOI, families earning the national median income of $64,200 could afford 72.6 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the second quarter. The affordability measure dipped slightly from the record high of 74.6 percent set in the first quarter, but it remained above the 70 percent threshold initially achieved in the first quarter of 2009.

Foreclosure activity falls to 44-month low

Foreclosure activity fell 35% in July compared to last year, hitting a 44-month low, according to foreclosure data firm RealtyTrac. The number of foreclosure filings – which includes default notices, auctions and bank.

Fiserv Case-Shiller Home Price Insights: Despite Recent Declines, Home Prices Expected to Stabilize Across U.S. by Early Next Year

·    Housing affordability back to pre-bubble levels with average homes now only 5 percent more expensive than in 2000

·    Home prices projected to dip further in 2011 and begin modest appreciation in 2012

·    More than 95 percent of all metro areas are projected to rise by Q1 2013

Offshore investors snapping up Florida real estate

By The Associated Press Copyright 2011 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
MIAMI -- Offshore investors are flocking to Florida's distressed real estate prices as major companies with ties to Hong Kong, Spain, Argentina and Malaysia are snapping up properties sensing the local market has bottomed.

International companies can park their investment and position themselves for the next development cycle, said Tere Blanca, president and chief executive officer of Miami-based Blanca Commercial Real Estate.

"Acquiring prime properties at discount prices in the height of the market was not achievable. Whomever has deep liquidity and can be nimble and act when opportunities arise can acquire properties at what we consider to be solid pricing," he said, according to the Daily Business Review.
Stephan Gietl of Austria and his partner Fernando Levy-Hara, of Argentina, have purchased 307 South Florida condo units for $40 million, since 2009. The duo has sold most of the units, mainly to international investors. Levy-Hara says the units yield between 5 and 6 percent profit per year after maintenance fees and property taxes.

"With the potential appreciation, if you're buying at half the price of the bubble, you have the potential to go up 60 to 70 percent in the next five years," he said.

As Americans worry about the economy and debt ceiling, international investors still perceive the U.S. as "the most reliable country in the world," said Andrew Hellinger, chief executive of Coral Gables-based Hellinger & Penabad.

"We are a country where you can place your money for investment and know it's safe."
South Florida's most notable recent deals have ties to investors with connections to major international companies.

Swire Properties, part of Hong Kong-based real estate and airline owner Swire Pacific, bought 2.15 acres in Miami at $14 million, along with the $13.1 million acquisition of Eastern Bank's headquarters.
In May, Malaysia-based Genting Group paid $236 million for the Miami Herald's headquarters. Genting, which also owns 50 percent of Norwegian Cruise Lines, plans to build nearly 7 million square feet of hotel, convention and restaurant space. Genting executives cited Florida's growing population, budding Miami tourism and a likely nonstop flight from Asia to Miami International Airport as motivating the deal.

Agave Holdings, with ties to the owner of Jose Cuervo tequila, paid First Bank Puerto Rico $30.55 million for a project in Coral Gables.

Espacio USA, the American arm of Spanish real estate company Inmobiliaria Espacio, is about to close on its second office building. The company paid $31.52 million for another office building last year, with renovations running more than $1 million.

Brazilians have led the Miami condo market resurgence, accounting for 9 percent of unit purchases among international buyers of Miami single-family homes and condos, according to the Miami Association of Realtors.

"The feeling in Brazil is certain aspects of their real estate and economy make U.S. real property a relative bargain," said Richard Goldstein, of Bilzin Sumberg. "In other countries like Venezuela, the currency is not as much of a factor. Political instability is a factor; they want a safe haven for their money."

Getting Your Bearings

Sanibel & Captiva Islands are located off the coast of southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers, Florida.

Sanibel Island measures roughly 12 miles long and three miles across at its widest. Little sister Captiva Island has more compact measurements of approximately four miles long and ½ mile wide.

-- The toll to cross the Sanibel Causeway onto the island is $6 per car; there is no toll to return to the mainland. Frequent visitors may want to opt for the transponder program, which works on a debit account system and offers discounted tolls of $2 per trip (plus an upfront charge for the transponder). For more information, contact the LeeWay Service Center at 239-931-0100. For local Taxi service click here.

-- Make the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center your first stop. You’ll find us in a colorful island-style building on your right-hand side immediately after you drive onto the island on Causeway Boulevard. Open 365 days a year, our staff is here to answer all of your questions and make you feel at home. For more information, call us at 239-472-1080.

-- Sanibel Island has two main roads that parallel each other. Periwinkle Way, located at the four-way stop immediately past the Visitor Center, is the main thoroughfare. West of the causeway, it leads to the island’s shopping and dining district. Follow it east and you’ll pass a quieter commercial section, ending up at the Sanibel Lighthouse and its beach. Gulf Drive, the other main route, roves past resorts, beaches, and homes at the water’s edge. It is segmented into East, Middle, and West Gulf Drive.

-- Periwinkle Way links, via Palm Ridge Road or Tarpon Bay Road, to Sanibel-Captiva Road, which continues on to Captiva Island. Known locally as “San-Cap,” the road passes by most of Sanibel’s natural attractions, including the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Center (SCCF), the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, and the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.) facility.

-- Captiva Island is connected to Sanibel by San-Cap Road. Once you cross the short bridge at scenic Blind Pass, the road becomes Captiva Drive. Follow it north and you’ll find two public beach accesses, plus restaurants, shops and resorts.

Beaches on Sanibel and Captiva

Where are the Beaches on Sanibel and Captiva?

Sanibel is one of the unique barrier islands of the world, having an east-west orientation when most islands are north-south. Hence, the island is gifted with great sandy beaches and an abundance of shells. Check out the Sanibel Shelling Center for information on the islands beaches and seashells.

There are a few rules that keep our beaches pristine. Pets on Sanibel Island must be leashed, and should be cleaned up after. Captiva beaches do not allow pets. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited November through May. No open fires and no collecting of live shells please. Click Here to see the 5 reasons to leash your dog.

Basic restrooms are located at all public beach accesses. Some have picnic tables and showers, all have free handicap parking. Parking at Sanibel Island and Captiva Island public beaches costs $2.00 an hour, Cash and credit cards are accepted. Paid parking tickets are not interchangeable between Sanibel and Captiva.

Causeway Beaches

Great for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and picnicking. Pull your vehicle right to waters edge. There is no fee when you park on the causeway beach. Located along both sides of the road. Restrooms are available.

Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier

This is the site of our historic functioning lighthouse. Located on the eastern tip of Sanibel, wrapping around to the bay side. This is where the t-dock-fishing pier is and a boardwalk nature trail winding through native wetlands. Turn left on Periwinkle Way from Causeway Road.

Gulfside City Park

Picnic tables and seclution welcome you, located mid-island on Algiers Lane off Casa Ybel Rd. Mid Island

Tarpon Bay Beach

Easy parking for recreational vehicles, and a short hike from the parking lot to the beach. Located at the south end of Tarpon Bay Rd. at West Gulf Drive. Mid Island

Bowman's Beach

Pristine and quiet, you won't find any hotels here. Park and walk over a bridge to secluded white beach. There is an outdoor shower located at this beach. This is the only beach with barbecue grills. Located off Sanibel-Captiva Rd., turn left on Bowman's Beach Rd. Up Island

CAPTIVA

Turner Beach (Blind Pass)

Located on both the Sanibel and Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge, this beach is popular with shellers and fishermen. Signs warn against swimming because of the swift currents. Located on Sanibel-Captiva Rd. at Blind Pass Bridge. No restrooms on the Sanibel side.

Captiva Beach

A great place to watch the sunset. There are no restroom facilities here and parking is very limited. Located at the end of Captiva Dr.

Alligators

The biology of alligators is an ancient tale of survival. Florida’s history of gators and humans is closely intertwined. As Florida’s population and developed areas have grown, human/gator encounters have increased. Lakes dug during the development of Florida subdivisions have invited alligators into our backyards. Learning to live safely with these fascinating reptiles ensures our safety and their survival.

LIVING SAFELY WITH ALLIGATORS

• DO NOT FEED GATORS... REPORT TO THE POLICE ANYONE WHO DOES. Although humans are not generally viewed as prey by alligators, a fed gator is taught to see humans as food.
• KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS away from edges of lakes, ponds, rivers, canals, and all freshwater. It is never safe to play near freshwater in Florida. Alligators do not live in saltwater but are occasionally seen swimming there especially in times of drought.
• NEVER SWIM IN FRESH WATER IN FLORIDA EXCEPT IN DESIGNATED AREAS. The majority of the few human deaths from alligator attacks in Florida were people swimming where they should not have been.
• BINOCULARS ARE THE SAFEST WAY TO OBSERVE ALLIGATORS. Approaching closer than 20 Feet is risky. In the blink of an eye, an alligator can jump 6 feet into the air from a resting position and run extremely fast.

NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIGATOR WATCH

As a homeowner, renter, and/or member of a local homeowner association, here are other ways for you to keep your neighborhood safe for humans as well as alligators:

• Become the NEIGHBORHOOD GATOR GREETER - Make alligators a topic of conversation with your neighbors …especially renters and new homeowners. Encourage them to talk to you about the alligators they have seen. Help them figure out if the gator they saw was a gator being a gator or a gator displaying behavior dangerous to humans.
• Let your lawn care and other workers know they will lose their jobs if they feed an alligator. Encourage them to report problem gators for the safety of all.
• Fence all neighborhood pools to keep gators out.
• Keep fenced areas for dogs away from the water.
• Post gator caution signs on waters edges.
• Place alligator educational packets in all rental units.
• Mowing grass to water edges invites gators to bask…instead plant a vegetation buffer to keep gators by water edges. Call SCCF (472-2329) for help with this.

Sea Turtle Update

Sea Turtle Research and Monitoring

	Sea Turtle Nesting Stats As of August 5, 2011
		Nests	False Crawls	Hatches
	Sanibel East End	35	83	11
	Sanibel West End	237* **	355	67* **
	Captiva	76	54	36
	TOTAL	348	492	114

Click here for PDF with statistics for the nests that have hatched this year on Sanibel (Captiva numbers will not be available until the end of nesting season).

Most nests on the islands are Loggerhead. However, this year we have one Kemps Ridley** and five Greens * included in the totals above. Read about the Kemp's Ridley.

Please do not disturb nesting sea turtles. There have been reports of several nesting attempts disturbed by onlookers. If a turtle fails after several nesting attempts, she will eject her eggs into the Gulf, so failed attempts -- false crawls -- are serious.
Click here for more info.