Local City Tips

Just as if they knew it's October and fall is here, our backyard bald eagles have returned. This same pair of eagles nest nearby our house every fall. I haven't blogged in a few weeks because my sister was visiting from Perth Australia and I took some time off to spend time with her. Like most Americans, I've also been glued to the radio (or tv) following the financial crisis. My long term view is that Pine Island is a unique and beautiful place and real estate values will hold here. I... Read Full Story

The week from April 20 through April 26 had the most home sales of the year here on Pine Island, with 10 homes sold. Single family home sales ranged from a 2 bedroom, 2 bath stilt home in Pineland sold for $161,000. to a three bedroom, 2 bath waterfront home in Matlacha sold for $319,500. I think buyers are recognizing that prices have fallen back to levels not seen since 2003 and that now is a great time to buy real estate on beautiful Pine Island. Here's a photo of a beautiful jacaranda... Read Full Story

Recently, on the north side of Dallas, Texas, a head shop was the location of an armed attack during which three unidentified gunmen opened fire on the 10 occupants of the facility. Four people were shot, one fatally. According to the Dallas Morning News, The gunmen ran empty-handed from the store in the 18600 block of Marsh Lane – which sells rolling papers, pipes and novelty items – without trying to rob it. The headline describes this place as a “Smoke shop” but those of us old enough to... Read Full Story

You can't get a real feel for Pine Island life without spending some time out on the water. This week we took a little cruise through many of the canals in St. James City, since the wind was blowing up to 20 mph out in Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. There are many miles of canals in St. James City, and also some in Bokeelia. Here's a picture of my sister and brother in law, Kevin and Anne, enjoying the beautiful day on the bow of the boat. Also a picture of a water front home my... Read Full Story

My neighbor Mimi and my friends Jeanne and Jim, who moved here with their spotted walking horses in January, enjoyed a beautiful ride through the palm groves this morning. Here's a picture of those horses. Real estate is picking up somewhat, as evidenced by the 10 sales in the the first 11 days of April. I sold four properties myself in the past few weeks. The upside of this difficult housing market is that prices have become more affordable than they have been in 5 years on Pine Island, so... Read Full Story

The Pine Island Florida real estate market bounced in both the number of sales (64 vs. 51) and the dollar volume of sales ($12,829,400 vs. $9,530,900) comparing the 1rst Quarter 0f 2008 with the 4th Quarter of 2007. For the most part, the most affordable properties in each of their categories sold, with a few exceptions, such as a $1,100,000. water front home sale in Bokeelia. Here's the breakdown of what sold on Pine Island, Florida from 01/01/08 thru 03/31/08: Bokeelia (North end of Pine... Read Full Story

hThe Bridal Party had a thoughtfully blocked a group of rooms at The Inn on Ferry Street It's a whole block of redone houses, all swanked out. It's on the same block as the DIA and provides shuttle service to places within 5 miles...FREE! Hello romatic Tigers Getaway Weekend. What's this a photo of? I pull out my camera to document the moment, and promptly fell down. Yeah. On the stairs while walking up the lovely front porch to go check in. So, shall we call this..... "Holly's Grand... Read Full Story

There are some really great buys for water front Pine Island homes and lots right now. Salt water, gulf access water front lots start at $139,900. Salt water front, gulf access manufactured homes start around $179,000. Salt water front, gulf access single family homes start at about $246,000. for a really cute two bedroom, one bath cottage on a large lot. This home on Lemon Street in St. James City sold last week for $307,000, which is a buy considering a deep water lot nearby just closed... Read Full Story

I snapped this photo of "Uncle Sam" at the Waterman's Galley diner in Bokeelia, while on my morning bike ride. Tomorrow there will be a 4th of July parade at the Winn Dixie, followed by a cookout, music and fireworks at dusk at the American Legion in St. James City. Read Full Story

On Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008, come celebrate Earth Day at Melograno . Chef Alberto Lazzarino has prepared a special Tasting Menu using the freshest locally grown seasonal organic produce, wild caught fish and naturally fed, free range game. The dishes are paired by our Sommelier Giuseppe Cusso with wines made by eco-friendly wineries that practice sustainable and/or biodynamic farming. MENU Zuppa di Carote Nane e Ragi di Ostriche di Campo Organic heirloom baby carrot soup and wild oyster... Read Full Story