Beach Houses and Sand Castles: November 30, 2014

 

Last day of the Sand Sculpturing Festival that takes place on Fort Myers Beach every November.  On my way down to the south part of the island, I come across an open house for a beach house.  I decided to stop and take a peak.  Built in 1957, this 4 bedroom/4 bath renovated Beach Cottage is situated directly on the white sand before the Gulf of Mexico.  Over 1800 square feet and  75' of gulf frontage.  Listed at 2.1 million.

 

But, on to the sand sculptures.  This year, the event took place from November 21st through the 30th.  USA Today listed the event as one of the 10 best sand sculpting competitions and the Southeastern Tourism Society recognized the American Sand Sculpting Championship as a top 20 event of the entire southeastern United States.  As an artist, I am always impressed with this unique style of "art."  The detail that these artists create from sand particles is truly amazing.

 

 

The winner:  Canadian Master Sculptor Abe Waterman.  He  carved a scene from a chess match between a king and queen to gain the gold medal among the 16 master sculptors that represented nine different countries and 10 states.

 

Karen "Kate" Nichols

Flbeachrealtor@gmail.com

Premier Florida Realty of SWFL

(239)849-3064

 

Deal of the Day: Bokeelia Pool Home $135,200

 We're in the midst of a cool front that is going to last two days.  High only in the low 60's today.  Although this is rare, these kind of days do blow in a few times a year.  A fireplace then does have a practical use now and again in paradise.

 

Great House in Bokeelia. Bokeelia is located on Pine Island, just to the north of Cape Coral.  This property is situated on a small lake.  Open floor plan.  There are two bedrooms upstairs with one bathroom. The Master bedroom and bath is downstairs including a half bath. Gather around the fireplace or stroll outside to enjoy your pool and high screened in enclosure lake side.  Over 2000 square Feet.  Foreclosure listed at $135,200.

Karen "Kate" Nichols: Flbeachrealtor@gmail.com

Premier Florida Realty of SWFL (239)849-3064

 

 

 

 

Cape Coral Vacation Homes: November 14, 2014

In addition to selling tropical properties, I also manage vacation rental homes.  I spent a good part of  today inspecting those properties, which I do every seven days or so.   Cape Coral was my destination, where I checked the plumbing, ac, lawns, pools . . . .Below are photos of one of my favorite vacation rental properties.  It is a pool home located in Southwest Florida, below Cape Coral Parkway, not far from Pelican Boulevard.  3 bedrooms and 2 baths, approximately 2000 square feet.  A nice kitchen with all of the fixings:  Granite counters, high end wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.  The rest of the home is just as compelling, elegant, but comfortable.  This home will have happy vacationers arriving soon and the property is completely booked through April.
Karen "Kate" Nichols Flbeachrealtor@gmail.com
Premier Florida Realty of SWFL (239)849-3064

Beach Houses and other Dreams: Sanibel/November 6, 2014

I have a client in Minnesotta who's been dreaming of beach houses.  I know it's a tad cold in that area of the country.  She owns a farm that is on the market.  Her children are grown.  Time to make her dreams come true.  She also desire a peaceful, intimate community with lots of nature.  I'm thinking Sanibel.
Sanibel Island is popular for its shell beaches and wildlife refuges. More than half of the island is made up of wildlife refuges, the largest being the J.N. "Ding" Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  Sanibel is also know for a peaceful environment.
I've found a home a home that may be of interest, just within her price range, the lowest priced beach house on Sanibel.  Built in 1997, there are 3 bedrooms, a den and 4 baths.  A 2 car garage.  And, breathtaking views.

Karen "Kate" Nichols: Flbeachrealtor@gmail.com

Premier Florida Realty of SWFL

(239)849-3064

Valencia County Club: Saturday, November 2, 2014

On Saturday afternoon, on a warm and breezy day, I drove down to North Naples to meet a client.  He was transferred to a new job a couple of months ago and is searching for a home for when his wife and children join him.  Three  adorable energetic boys and a great wife.  I met he family the last time we out shopping for homes.  They had to return up north to return to school(even the wife, as she is a teacher) and my client will take a video of any possible future homes.
We arranged to meet at 2:30 at the gated entrance to Valencia County Club.  There is a guard stationed there 24 hours a day.  Valencia is one of the communities off of Immokalee Road in North Naples.  Most of these communities are family oriented with community pools, tennis courts, basketball and a clubhouse.  Valencia has all of these amenities and is an attractive place with nice landscaping, peaceful roads and an 18 hole golf course.  The Association are $282.00 Monthly and include Cable, Irrigation Water, Lawn/Land Maintenance, Recreational Facilities, Security and Trash Removal
My client had wished to see two homes, one with a private pool and one with a lake view.  They were both spacious, one with 2600 square feet and other nearly 3000 square.  Both were two story houses.  Both had modern features, being building 2004 and 2005, respectively, with granite countertops and nice wood cabinets.  Although the lake view was extremely peaceful, my client thought that his kids would enjoy the pool more, and my client and his wife are all about the kids.

 

After my client and I parted ways, I decided to give in to my hunger pains and drive down 41 to Mama Mia's.  The food at this unassuming, strip mall restaurant is unbelievable.  I ordered a meatball parm sandwich and there are not words to describe it . . . heavenly comes  close.

Karen "Kate" Nichols: Flbeachrealtor@gmail.com (239)849-3064

For the Investor: November 2, 2014

I'm at home this Monday following a fun and festive Halloween weekend.  I met some friends  at Nervous Nellies, located downtown Fort Myers Beach on the Marina, and the place was packed, upstairs and down, the majority of folks opted to show up in costume.  My friend, Alex, short for Alexandria, actually won first price for her "zombie" type outfit.

 A "cool" front blew in this morning and there was a chill in the air when Mimi woke me up with her cold nose, but the sun won out and by noon, the temperature was a nice 78 degrees with blue blue skies.  I'm working on the computer researching properties for an Investor.  He's interested in a Gulf Access home in Cape Coral or a home in South Fort Myers near the beaches of Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. 

This 3 bedroom pool home is located on a sailboat access canal with views of the intersecting canal. It has a large screened in pool enclosure with plenty of space for entertaining, an attached 2 car garage and City utilities.  3 beds/3 baths/1604 sq. feet, $249,500.

Sailboat access canal right in your back yard! Located in the popular Yacht Club area, this home features a screened in pool, a large lanai, an attached 2 car garage and a fantastic location. 3 beds/3 baths, 1647 sq. feet.  $289,900.

This distinctive ranch is located on a picturesque lot in a great location between Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach. There's a beautiful swimming pool and an open floor plan.  3 beds/2  baths.  1858 sq. feet.  $115,000.

 

Karen "Kate" Nichols

Flbeachrealtor@gmail.com

Premier Florida Realtor of SWFL

(239)849-3064

Fort Myers Beach Triplex/October 25, 2014

Last Saturday, I had the great pleasure of biking to my showing.  It's my own Listing, located on Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach.  A Triplex with an owner's unit set back from the street, reminiscent of a Key West Hideaway.  My favorite unit is the front top apartment, a two bedroom with fireplace and a balcony that overlooks Estero Boulevard, the main street running through the Island, and with glimpses of the Gulf of Mexico. The top left unit is a one bedroom that comes with one of the private gardens in back.  The left bottom apartment has a larger garden with entries in both the living room and the kitchen. There is a community laundry facility for the units as well as a storage room for bikes and what not.  A tiki hut and outside sitting/dining areas are set out on the grounds amidst lush landscaping.

The client was amazed at how expansive this property is, as one wouldn't guess it by looking at it from the street.  I had already emailed her the information regarding expenses and income.  The income netted from this property is impressive from the eyes of an investor.  Fort Myers Beach is a popular vacation destination during the winter months and this property is situated just across the street from the Beach and less than a mile from the Town Square.  We talked of these matters while exploring the gardens.  Only one tenant had  been home at the time of the showings, and he had graciously waited outside in his garden while I showed the client the inside of his unit.

After the client left, I double checked that all units were secured.  I then hopped on my bicycle and headed home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Villagio-Ft. Myers/Thursday, October 23, 2014

Thursday, October 23, 2014
I'm able to sleep in a bit today, as I'm not showing until 3:00 PM.  Around 7:45, the pooch jumps on the bed and demands my waking up.  Mimi is a Rhodesian Ridgeback, about 75 pounds or so.  Eating is one of her favorite activities.
I'm taking my clients to Villagio today, a community located in Estero, Florida, a small, tropical community located between Fort Myers and Bonita Springs.  I haven't been to that particular community in a few months, but I've done my research.  I'm showing four carriage homes.  Carriage homes are similar to townhomes, only the garage is located on the first floor and the living quarters are on the second.  There is no one below or above you.  All four units show well.  All have similar floor plans, a great room with open kitchen overlooking a serene lake.  The lanai provide a  nice view of the Lake and the community.  All four homes possess granite counters and wood cabinets in the kitchens and bathrooms.  The difference is the flooring.  Two of the units have tiles throughout and two are with substantial carpeting.  My clients, a sweet couples in their 30's who are buying their first home in anticipation of starting a family, prefer the first and last unit that we see. They decide to make an offer on the first. I agree with them.  Great, unusual type of shutters on the lanai glass doors, lovely cream tiles throughout the home and that great view of the lake from the living room, master bedroom and kitchen.  The second bedroom boasts a view of the community pool.    Speaking of the community, what a charming tropical hideaway. Villagio is a gated community with a guard 24 hours manning the gate.  Inside the community, in addition to the pools, there is a restaurant, bar, movie theater and lovely landscaping and outside sitting areas
On the way home, I stop at the Fresh Market on 41 in Fort Myers, a simply delicious gourmet market.  I always purchase a pound of the tuna, that is made from fresh tuna, and some of their delectable desserts.  Today, I opt for two chocolate croissants and a lemon bar.
Off for home, Fort Myers Beach, as I've a contract to prepare and email to answer
The weather:  mid 80's, partly sunny and low humidity.  I hope that I have time for a bike ride later.
Karen "Kate" Nichols
Flbeachrealtor@gmail.com
(239)849-3064