Sanibel Island Chamber of Commerce Report

Chamber of commerce report 1^st quarter

Occupancy is up over last year 75-83%

Bridge traffic up 2%

Biggest year ever on south seas average $600 a nite, but losing on quality

Summer looks good

Not enough planes to get all the Germans here

Now is the time to buy an investment property on Sanibel and Captiva.  Give John Petel a call today to find the best deals on Sanibel and Captiva Island.

7 Cities Where Home Prices Are Rising

Call Team Petel Today to discuss the best deals on Sanibel and Captiva.

Nationally, median list prices are down 4 percent year-over-year, averaging $191,900, according to April housing data from Realtor.com of 146 markets. However, a handful of cities are bucking that trend and have seen list prices grow higher in the last year.

Here are seven markets that have seen its median list prices grow higher over the past year:

1. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla.: Up 25.7% year-over-year for median list price
Median list price: $225,000

2. Miami: Up 8.64%
Median list price: $239,000

3. Shreveport-Bossier City, La.: Up 8.13%
Median list price: $173,000

4. Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia-West Virginia: Up 5.99%
Median list price: $369,900

5. Columbia, Mo.: Up 5.07%
Median list price: $168,000

6. Peoria-Pekin, Ill.: Up 3.57%
Median list price: $144,900

7. Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.: Up 3.48%
Median list price: $249,900

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey for REALTOR® Magazine

Successful National Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Drive

Now that the 19th annual letter carriers stamp out hunger food drive has  been completed and over a quarter of a million pounds of food have been  delivered to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, volunteers are urgently needed to sort it for distrobution.

"As fast as food comes through the door we try to get it out to the agencies here in Southwest Florida that serve families, children and seniors who are most at risk," said Al Brislain.

Half Day schedules are available Moday to Saturday.  Businesses, groups and individuals can call Bedzaida Bryan at 334-7007 ext 141 to volunteer.

Great Video Of Sea Turtles Swimming in the Gulf

Sea Turtle Nesting Update

Sanibel East End
2 Nest
7 False Crawls

Sanibel West End
19 Nest
28 False Crawls

Captiva
10  Nest
0 False Crawls

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.

From Our Kitchen to Yours !

Kathy and John Petel offer a Recipe for Fine Living

Sea Turtle Nesting Update

Nesting season is off to a great start !  Here are the totals so far:

East End:
0 Nests
0 False Crawls
0 Hatches

West End:
5 Nests
4 False Crawls
0 Hatches

Captiva:
1 Nest
0 False Crawls
0 Hatches

False Crawls are when the sea turle returns to the ocean before laying her eggs.  This could because of flashing lights or bright lights on the beach.  Please remember to turn off your flashlights when on the beach at night.

Last year at this time there where no nest or false crawls on any Sanibel or Captiva Beaches.