Archive for October, 2013

Shell Museum Reopens

 The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum was closed for a couple of weeks for remodeling and it is now open again.  In addition to new flooring, painting and lights, they updated the entry area and store museum and also installed hurricane grade windows throughout. Our shell musem is one of only 800 institutions in the US that is accredited by the American... Read More »


2013 Fall Newsletter

The real estate market on Sanibel and Captiva is looking better and better. It has experienced a complete turn-around from the 1st quarter market correction we described in our last newsletter. Read More »


Ding Darling is Open

Finally…with the government back in business Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge has reopened Wildlife Drive.  It was closed all summer for the resurfacing project so we are glad to have it open again. The Education Center will open for business this afternoon at 1PM.   The tram tours will be operating today.  The 24th annual Ding Darling Days activities will go on... Read More »


Updated Sanibel Real Estate Stats

Both the houses and condo sales numbers are doing well so far this year.  The average and median sales prices for both are ahead of 2012. Houses 2012 – 181 closed sales with average sale price of $825,837 and median price of $560,000 Houses 2013 YTD – 176 closed sales with average sale price of $926,274 and median price of $647,500; 10 more... Read More »


Captiva Beach Renourishment

The beach renorishment project began this week.  CEPD (Captiva Erosion Prevention District) awarded a contract for $19.5 million for the replenishment of sand along the entire coastline of Captiva Island, from Redfish Pass to Blind Pass as well as the northern Sanibel coastline. The plan is to replenish the sand and rehabilitate the existing dunes. The project is very important since beaches... Read More »


Crab Races for Charity

Crab races continue on Thursday nights at Tween Waters Inn on Captiva. They have been going on for years and have been successful in raising lots of money for the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. They have averaged more than $10,000 a year over the past ten years. A nice way to help out and have some... Read More »


VIP Realty Voted #1

For the second year in a row, VIP Realty Group has been voted the best Real Estate Agency on the Islands.   I have been with VIP since April 1990 and it is a great group of dedicated and friendly people.  Thanks to all who voted for us. Read More »


Government Shutdown affects Sanibel

Unfortunately, today’s grand reopening of Wildlife Drive in Ding Darling has been cancelled.  The drive has been closed all summer for repaving and today was supposed to be a day of celebration.  But with out dysfunctional Congress in a stalemate, the wildlife preserve is closed until further notice.  This also closes Tarpon Bay Explorer’s concessions and the Everglades National Park. Very... Read More »