Including nectar- and pollen-rich plants in potted displays, or in your garden, can help support the native birds, butterflies and bees where you live. While pollinators require more than just a food source for survival — they’ll also need water, native plants for laying eggs, habitat for roosting and more — supplying our winged friends with a place to stop for a meal can help support them. Include at least one flowering plant guaranteed to attract bees, butterflies or hummingbirds — or even … [Read more...]
How an Island Off SWFL’s Coast Played a Pivotal Role in Bay of Pigs Invasion
An exclusive island, home to the wealthy, has a mysterious history. We went behind the scenes of Useppa Island Florida, a 100-acre, private island that played an important role in preparation for the Bay of Pigs invasion. On a sunny day, the boat ride to Useppa is beautiful. But 60 years ago, one particular ride to the island was in the middle of the night, during a covert CIA operation. Agents shuttled Cuban exiles from Miami to an island in the middle of the Pine Island Sound. “They … [Read more...]
The Quiet Side of Florida – Discover Useppa Island
Discover Useppa Island - Southwest Florida's Paradise Coast provides a stark contrast to the I-95 corridor and high rise beach development of some of the more populated areas of Florida's east coast. Just imagine, 25-miles of pristine barrier islands, from Sanibel north to Boca Grande, with a 3-story height limit, and an ecosystem largely preserved as it was 100 years ago. Now, imagine forever views of sea, sky and foliage, to the north and south along Pine Island Sound. A protected area … [Read more...]
5 Signs You’re Ready to Buy a Vacation Home
You've just returned from a trip to the beach. You ask yourself: Why should I continue to pay rental fees when I could own a vacation home and rent it out? Unless you're fairly wealthy, you'll need to make sure you can commit to buying a seasonal home before you start shopping around. Here are five indications that you're ready to take the plunge: 1. You can afford one Can you afford to own a vacation home? If the answer to that question is yes, that's probably the most obvious sign that … [Read more...]
Unequalled Waterfront Value
Southwest Florida a national housing news continues to report the rapidly escalating prices of waterfront homes. The Useppa People have the wise alternative offering tremendous waterfront value. Priced from $529,000, our private island inventory offers fee simple Townhouse style attached Villas that offer the best value for waterfront living. Boasting BIG views across Pine Island Sound, the ICW or Charlotte Harbor, with free dockage for boats to 24 feet. Here, you’re not on a canal or back bay … [Read more...]
The Perfect Nature of Useppa
Have you ever wanted to live in the pristine heart of nature? Then Useppa Island should be your home. Located in the north sector of Pine Island Sound, 3 miles south of Boca Grand Pass, the Sound is a designated Aquatic Preserve. Florida’s highest ranking, it is one of six aquatic preserves that make up the Charlotte Harbor complex of preserves. The Gasparilla Sound-Charlotte Harbor Preserve is located just north of Useppa and extends easterly to Burnt Store and Punta Gorda. Wildlife Pine … [Read more...]
Homes More Affordable Today Than 1985-2000
Homes More Affordable - Rising home prices have many concerned that the average family will no longer be able to afford the most precious piece of the American Dream – their own home. However, it is not just the price of a home that determines its affordability. The monthly cost of a home is determined by the price and the interest rate on the mortgage used to purchase it. Today, mortgage interest rates stand at about 4.5%. The average annual mortgage interest rate from 1985 to 2000 was … [Read more...]
Experience Useppa Island Florida
Welcome to Useppa Island Florida … [Read more...]
THE AFFORDABLE HIDDEN GEM ON FLORIDA’S SOUTHWEST GULF COAST
Florida's Affordable Hidden Gem - Florida Realtors® News recently published their list of the 2017 major factors affecting our 2018 Florida Real Estate Market. These included low inventory of homes, and the resultant escalation of prices to levels just below the peak of the real estate bubble. The upcoming run-up in Florida values, resulting from the Tax Reform bill, along with the crushing winter weather to the north, may make those issues pale in comparison. A lack of state income and … [Read more...]
Natural Beauty on Useppa Island – Summer
by Karen Kauffman Summer on Useppa is extraordinary. Yes, it's warm and it rains every evening, but that also brings evening clouds that create extraordinary sunsets. If it's June, then it's also time for night blooming cereus. All year long strands of cactus slowly grow down the trunks of cabbage palms. During the month of June, long park red blossoms emerge. After dark, these burst open into glowing white blossoms nearly a foot wide. They … [Read more...]