Tips for Finding a Beachfront Condo for Sale on Sanibel Island, Florida that’s Right for You

I am often asked where the best location to purchase beachfront condos for sale on Sanibel Island is. My answer is always the same, “Where were you staying when you fell in love with the island?  That’s the place to start your search.”

The majority of condominiums are located at the east end of the island, beginning at the Lighthouse and continuing west along the Gulf to Bowman’s Beach. Condominium units range in size from cozy one-bedroom units to the more-rare three bedroom plus units. Amenities can include everything from white sand beaches to Gulf access canals. So, the first tip I have for you is to pick your location by what you know and love; there will surely be something available that fits your taste and budget.

Another consideration when looking is whether you will need or want rental income. If you are looking for rental income, whether as a rental property or just to defray some expense it is important to have a qualified professional realtor to guide you. Individual condominiums may or may not allow rentals. They may restrict the number of rentals per year or require minimum rental periods. Some associations vary rental requirements by the season, and whether they are pet friendly is always something to be determined.  The questions abound.

As a designated Sanibel & Captiva Island’s specialist I am very familiar with the beachfront condos for sale on Sanibel Island and your best options when considering a rental complex. When you are ready to invest on Sanibel, Captiva or elsewhere in Southwest Florida please feel free to contact me for an in-depth discussion of possibilities along with a current and realistic assessment of the market.

A Brief Guide to Fort Myers, Florida’s Real Estate for Sale

Historically, Fort Myers, Florida real estate for sale was relatively inexpensive, but since the end of the Great Recession prices have begun to rise.

After years of serving as a stopping-off point to the beach islands of Sanibel and Captiva, Fort Myers is becoming a destination in itself. The city of Fort Myers and its surrounding area has recently become a popular destination for second home buyers and investors seeking rental income, from both the United States and the world. Its attraction was and remains its year-round tropical climate that promises sunshine and an annual average temperature in the mid-70s.

In February 2019 Fort Myers was ranked by US News & World Report as number six on its list of “Best Places to Live Near the Beach.” The list was based on the order of appearance on US New and World Report’s overall “Best Places to Live” list, which factors in the area’s affordability, job market, morning commute and access to quality health care. Fort Myers was also on US News & World Report’s 2018 list of “Best Places to Retire”, ranking number two and “Best Places to Live”, ranking number 41.

Even before these awards Fort Myers real estate for sale was beginning to appreciate and that trend has continued since the report’s publication.

The city of Fort Myers has made a concerted effort to develop its downtown core over the past number of years. Businesses have begun to move to the area and the city’s restaurant and art scene are expanding. Large sporting events held during the off-season of June to September are drawing visitors. Taken as a whole Fort Myers’s downtown is becoming a draw for investors, year-round visitors and conventions, with its walkable areas, arts scene, myriad bars and restaurants, all offering a diverse selection of options. Fort Myers, Florida’s real estate for sale possibilities now include an attractive array of condominiums along its waterfront and single family homes along famed McGregor Boulevard.

Points to Consider: Captiva Island Homes for Sale

Captiva Island’s small size and correspondingly small number of dwellings affects its real estate market and the number of Captiva Island homes for sale. The scarcity of property and the island’s proximity to the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway also helps keep home prices and their values high.

Captiva Island can only be reached by water or by the bridge over Blind Pass that connects it to Sanibel Island. This limited access, relative remoteness and small size affects the number of visitors and provides a layer of privacy to residents. Captiva has a small year-round population of only approximately 600. As a consequence, Captiva Island homes for sale are popular with those seeking a quiet retreat for themselves and their families.

Captiva Island homes for sale can also come with larger, estate sized parcels. These properties are larger than most on Sanibel Island or urban Fort Myers. Many properties have both beach and bay access, meaning that the property straddles the narrow island. Fortunate home owners might have the luxury of a boat dock on one side of their property and a wide beach from which to watch the sunset on the other. Because vacant land is also scarce it has become common to purchase smaller, existing homes and replace them with newer and larger structures. These newer homes will typically have more unique and special amenities.

As a designated Sanibel & Captiva Island Specialist I have years of experience with the island and would be happy to provide you with a current and realistic assessment of this market.

Remember that your future profit will be made on your purchase and that buying right is crucial to that goal.

A Brief Introduction to Captiva Island Real Estate

Captiva Island real estate for sale is different from the real estate for sale on Sanibel Island and in Ft. Myers. It is also governed by different real estate rules, regulations and standards.

Captiva Island’s real estate options include single family homes, condominiums and increasingly rarely, vacant land. Homes can be found along both the bay and the Gulf and it is not unusual for homes to have both bay and Gulf access. This means you can dock your boat on one end of your property, close to the open water access of the Gulf, and walk the beach along the Gulf of Mexico itself on the opposite end. This feature of dual access is extremely rare in southwest Florida.

These attributes make Captiva Island’s real estate market unique. In addition, the market is constantly changing because of its small size, recent sales, and current inventory. The only constant is that in a region that attracts both sophisticated investors and second home buyers, Captiva Island real estate for sale is always in demand.

Buyers who are looking for Captiva Island real estate for sale should choose an agent who specializes in Captiva Island, specifically one who has obtained the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist (SCIS) designation. Agents who have earned the SCIS designation are well-informed about Captiva’s rules and standards as well as local issues that could have a significant impact on real estate values. This puts them in the best position to give you advice about any Captiva Island real estate for sale.

Remember that your future profit will be made on your purchase and that buying right is crucial, whether it is a home, condominium or vacant land.

Points to Consider: Captiva Island Homes for Sale

Captiva Island’s small size and correspondingly small number of dwellings affects its real estate market and the number of Captiva Island homes for sale. The scarcity of property and the island’s proximity to the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway also helps keep home prices and their values high.

Captiva Island can only be reached by water or by the bridge over Blind Pass that connects it to Sanibel Island. This limited access, relative remoteness and small size affects the number of visitors and provides a layer of privacy to residents. Captiva has a small year-round population of only approximately 600. As a consequence, Captiva Island homes for sale are popular with those seeking a quiet retreat for themselves and their families.

Captiva Island homes for sale can also come with larger, estate sized parcels. These properties are larger than most on Sanibel Island or urban Fort Myers. Many properties have both beach and bay access, meaning that the property straddles the narrow island. Fortunate home owners might have the luxury of a boat dock on one side of their property and a wide beach from which to watch the sunset on the other. Because vacant land is also scarce it has become common to purchase smaller, existing homes and replace them with newer and larger structures. These newer homes will typically have more unique and special amenities.

As a designated Sanibel & Captiva Island Specialist I have years of experience with the island and would be happy to provide you with a current and realistic assessment of this market.

Remember that your future profit will be made on your purchase and that buying right is crucial to that goal.

Tips for Finding Single Family Homes in Fort Myers

Southwest Florida has grown significantly since 2010 and more people are moving to the area every month. If you are considering the purchase of a single family home in Fort Myers in the near future be sure to work with a real estate agent who has in-depth knowledge of the area and can provide you with an historical perspective.

Fort Myers has a year-round tropical climate that promises sunshine and an annual average temperature in the mid-70s. Single family homes in Fort Myers are increasingly in demand, especially homes within proximity to the city’s approximately 50 golf courses.

International investors and those looking for a sunny and warm vacation home are beginning to consider Fort Myers as a realistic option. Single family homes in Fort Myers along McGregor Boulevard are particularly attractive.

Its new fame is reflected in the February 2019 US News & World Report article that ranked the city as number six on its list of “Best Places to Live Near the Beach.” The list was based on the order of appearance on US New & World Report’s overall “Best Places to Live” list, which factors in the area’s affordability, job market, morning commute and access to quality health care, among other attributes.

This follows the April 2018 US News and World Report article ranking it as number 41 in its “Best Places to Retire” list.

Fort Myers is famous as the winter home to Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. As Thomas Edison famously said about his adopted winter home, “There is only one Fort Myers and soon 90 million Americans will discover it.”

As you consider single family homes in Fort Myers, or other real estate options be sure to work with an exclusive buyer agent who will only be loyal to you, the buyer.

Fort Myers Real Estate: Invest In Beautiful Condos For Sale

Fort Myers condos for sale are an attractive option for those seeking a sunny and warm winter vacation home or investment property. Fort Myers and its surrounding area have experienced strong growth since 2010 and the forecast is for more of the same. In April 2018 and in February 2019 U.S. News & World Report ranked the city as an attractive retirement and near-beach location.

The city of Fort Myers has placed emphasis on developing its downtown core over the past 10 years and businesses have responded by moving to the area. The city’s restaurant and art scene are expanding and large sporting events are drawing visitors year-round. Taken together Fort Myers’s downtown has the potential to become a draw for year-round visitors and conventions, with its walkable areas, arts scene, myriad bars and restaurants, all offering a diverse selection of options.

Real estate developers have also seen the future opportunities for housing along the Caloosahatchee River and Fort Myers condos for sale are increasingly available in downtown.

In the past Ft. Myers was considered by many to be merely a stopping off place for those headed to Sanibel or Captiva islands or elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico. Today Ft. Myers is becoming the destination itself and with their easy access and low maintenance Fort Myers condos for sale are an attractive second home or investment option.

As you consider a purchase remember that your future profit will be made on your purchase and that your choice of Realtor will be an important first step in making that profit. Realtors who list property will not be able to represent you exclusively as they have divided loyalties. They are transactional agents, not an exclusive buyer agent. If you want your needs to be fully represented by your Realtor, you need to work with an exclusive buyer agent.