Biking is not only super healthy and fun to partake in, it is hands down the best way to get around these beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva, and really see them up close and personal. With Sanibel only being 12 miles long, you can get from one end to the other in just a couple of hours, but more than likely (unless you’re training for something), you will find plenty of excuses to stop and “smell the roses”, pick up a few seashells, meander through some hidden trails, or even squeeze in a picnic lunch on one of the many beaches that you will pass by!

Since the island is so flat, this activity is excellent for all ages… so, you have no excuse but to get out there and enjoy the fresh ocean air. C’mon!

Below you can see a section of the island’s bike trails mapped out… Here I’ve included the link to Sanibel Trails where I got this map. It also has all of the bike paths listed there for you so you can take different routes around the islands and get your bearings as to just how easy and fun it really is…

Also, be sure to visit our friends, Billy and Salli Kirkland, who own Billy’s Bike Rentals, because they do a top notch job in getting you all suited up and on the road comfortably and safely.

See you on the trails!

Until next post, have a great week,

Is this the bar chart of your real estate investments lately?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you are well aware that real estate in the United States has seen better days! “They” say that we are in the worst recession that has been experienced in the last 50+ years and don’t see any reprieve for the next 6 months (at least!)…

Ugh, I hate “doom and gloom” and avoid the news as much as possible these days, especially when we are not seeing those real estate trends here in our neck of the woods. Here on Sanibel and Captiva, we are witnessing a boom in “snowbirds” buying up their dream homes in the sun! Hurricane, Schmurricane… Recession, Reschmession… Nobody cares!

The truth is, that it’s rare for someone to sell their home on these islands and, as beachfront property is somewhat of a limited resource, we have had a steady stream of people coming down to stake their claim on these beautiful islands.

We are so well connected with people socially on this island, especially being located right next to the “Sanibel Bean” island coffee shop, that we are usually the first to hear if a property is opening up and therefore, we love having investors to call “on our list” to inform them that a real bargain has surfaced and that they had better snatch it up as soon as possible!

So, if you were/are considering investing in property on Sanibel or Captiva Island, get yourself on our list with your investment criteria and we will contact you as soon as something pops up…

Have no fear, the sky is not falling… at least, not in sun-kissed Sanibel/Captiva!

Enjoy your week,

As if our “world class shelling” reputation were not enough, our beaches are known for some of the softest, whitest sand around. Long stretches of gorgeous, wide, CLEAN beaches that will make your heart sing!

Everyone has their own favorite beach on Sanibel, so I hesitate to say that “this one is the best” or that “that one is the most private”, etc… It is purely a “to each his/her own” taste, that is for sure!

With that said, I do have to tell you a secret, and that is, that although, as a local, I truly enjoy the private residents’ beaches of homeowners here, far away from the tourists, I still like to meander down to gorgeous Bowman Beach (which is a public beach) every once in a while to get my “solitude fix”. It is a beautiful secluded beach with incredible sunsets that has such a romantic air to it, and it really allows you to “get away” from it all and tend to your own thoughts. I really enjoy it. Now, Robert has his own favorites, having lived here much longer than I have, he knows where all the nooks and crannies are! He’d be happy to show you around one on one, I’m sure, but I don’t think he’s ready to reveal his secret beach spots here in such a public forum just yet… Hmmm…

So, look forward to the beaches when you get here… they are spectacular!

Here’s the link to the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce Beach List for your convenience and some other peoples’ perspectives from around the blogosphere:

http://www.sanibel-island-videos.com/sanibel-island-beaches.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/303916/bowmans_beach_on_sanibel_island_florida.html

Enjoy your week and we’ll see you next post!

p.s. Don’t forget to leave us your comments if you have any “beach stories” from here, everyone who reads them will benefit! Thanks!

p.s.s.  Don’t forget to make your way through our entire website for all of your Sanibel and Captiva Island Real Estate needs.  Enjoy!

There are many websites dedicated to Sanibel and Captiva Island, but from our long-term, local perspective to someone wanting to possibly relocate here permanently, invest here, or even only spend part of the year here, we feel that it is so important to realize that “living” on these islands is different than anything that you’ve every experienced before… anywhere!

It sounds so cliché, but it’s true. You will see sunsets as if for the first time. You will begin to notice animals, birds and plants as if they were foreign in your previous city or town. The silence… the profound silence and the sound of the waves will leave you speechless. And when you start speaking of different shades of blues or different shades of greens, then you will realize that you have become a true islander and breathe a deep sigh.

Sanibel and Captiva Island are full of life! People don’t mope around depressed or “unfulfilled”, the energy in the air is intoxicating. The community activities, the great schools, the outdoor excursions to keep one in physical and mental shape, and of course the beaches, are beyond words that anyone could ever write…

We welcome you to our islands. We are here for you if you need a local to show you around, or you just need someone to call and answer your questions. Beyond real estate, we are pretty helpful neighbors, as well.

Look forward to your reaching out…

Until next post,

p.s. Almost forgot to remind you to have a great week and don’t forget to leave a comment below!

p.s.s. Found the incredible video above on YouTube that sums up everything that words could not reach in my text… Pictures and music are much better tools… Enjoy this lovely 3:50 minute tribute to Sanibel!

p.s.s.s.  Also, don’t forget to make your way through our entire website for all of your Sanibel and Captiva Island Real Estate needs.  Enjoy!