Existing home sales explode as spring home buying season officially arrives Surges to highest level in 18 months Existing-homes sales surged to their highest annual rate in 18 months, showing a promising beginning to the spring home buying season, the latest report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) said. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, jumped 6.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual … [Read more...]
Croquet on Useppa Island: Play On!
Croquet took root, sprouted, evolved and exploded on Useppa Island over 30 years ago! In 1978, Bob Sumwalt, our “Father of Croquet” dedicated himself to teaching all that would come, to learn, play and love Croquet. And, we did!! Our first Nine-Wicket Tournament was in 1978, followed by the introduction of Six-Wicket in 1984, when we built “the perfect” Six-Wicket court overlooking Pine Island Sound. Women jumped in and competition really ramped up! In 1989, we had our first … [Read more...]
Useppa Island and Mount Desert Island Connect
Far from the steamy August beauty of Useppa Island, a group of Useppans traveled to Maine last week to spend 5 days on Little Cranberry Island, and to tour and enjoy all that Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island have to offer. Recently named one of the worlds best 25 islands, MDI became the summer target for 14 Useppa couples when accomodations at The Colonels House on Little Cranberrry, owned by Useppans Paul Beisswanger and Carolynn Krusi, were auctioned off to raise money for the … [Read more...]
Biggert-Waters Legislation to Impact Flood Insurance Rates
We would like to share a topic that is not yet well known, but will be. This is about legislation named the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. Expect a lot of turmoil before it is fully enacted over the next few years as most legislators, and most certainly those insured are not aware of the ultimate cost. I guess we’ll have to open it to see what is in it, to paraphrase notable statement about other legislation. A recent article presenting a summary of the changes-click Here … [Read more...]
Where and What is Useppa Island, Part Two
What can I buy and what does it cost? Housing stock on Useppa, except for 6 cottages built in the 1920’s, were constructed from 1977 to 2009. In compliance with deed restrictions, Useppa Island Homes reflect the Old Florida style, some with more embellishment than others. It is interesting to note that the developer anticipated small homes or cottages and a short, seasonal occupancy similar to that experienced by Baron Collier when he developed the original resort in the early part of the last … [Read more...]
Where and What is Useppa Island-Part One
And who lives there……? We wondered about that when we saw Useppa Island featured in Islands magazine in 1985, while staying at a friend’s house on Sanibel. Although we never met any neighbors before we bought, it was the slow season and no one was home, we can’t imagine our lives without all the Useppa People we share the island with. Now we, Mary and I, The Useppa People, are inviting new and wonderful people to buy a home on Useppa and join the community. Our home, Useppa Island is … [Read more...]