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...]
Will Boat for Food Blog Series: Miller’s Dockside
Miller's Dockside: Part 4 in the Boat for Food Blog Series- A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island! We must be in a rut. Here we are again, heading north to Boca Grande for lunch. Plenty of fine places to visit south of here, but there is only so much time for boating and eating. We’ll get to the southern eateries soon enough. From Useppa, we go north up the ICW, across Charlotte Harbor. The Tarpon fleet is long gone, the fish scattered up into the harbor and the numerous canals in … [Read more...]
Where are Mortgage Rates Headed?
Where are Mortgage Rates Headed? The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment. The higher the rate the greater the payment will be. That is why it is important to look at where rates are headed when deciding to buy now or wait until next year. According to a recent article in Kiplinger, 30 year mortgage rates are about to increase: “Now around 4.1%, rates will edge slowly toward 4.4% by the end of this year. Then they’ll follow the … [Read more...]
Selling Your House? New Construction Is Big Competition
Thinking of selling your house? New Construction Will Soon Be New Competition Useppa Island is about to see some new construction. A Sarasota custom builder is planning on starting their personal home soon in the Rum Cove neighborhood of Useppa. VIP construction is proposing 2 new homes in the next year. The following Trulia survey says that makes the present an opportune time to sell. However, it also creates opportunity to buy existing homes and renovate, at a cost well below the new … [Read more...]
New Study says Real Estate Market to See Upward Trend
New Study Reveals Optimistic Expectation for Real Estate Market RCLCO released, this week, a portion of their 2014 National Market Sentiment Survey and results indicate a—steady, moderate growth. Market sentiment for real estate in general is moderately optimistic, but these new results say the market should expect to see moderate to significant increases in home prices over the next 6 to 12 months. This trend should be particularly strong for Useppa Island, a laid back tropical island … [Read more...]
Will Boat for Food Blog Series: Barnacles Restaurant
Barnacles Restaurant: Part 2 in the Boat for Food Blog Series- A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island! We turn our sights south for our next gastronomic exploration, to our neighboring island of Upper (or North) Captiva. Bridgeless like Useppa but having shores along the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound, Upper Captiva is home to 400+- beach houses, ranging from the bohemian to top shelf, all kind of mixed together. We can see this island and Captiva Pass, from the south and west shores … [Read more...]
The Useppa People: Giving Back to the Community
Giving Back to the Island Community In keeping with the commitment made when we became Realtors, selling and helping to buy Useppa real estate, the time has come to live up to that commitment: to donate 5% of our gross commissions to Useppa Island charities, 501c3's, of which there are two…the Useppa Volunteer Fire Company and the Useppa Island Historical Society. Though we haven’t gotten a real check yet, we have closed two deals in a little more than two weeks and are excited to live up to … [Read more...]
Looking to buy real estate near the water? Update on Flood Insurance Rates
Useppa Island Real Estate Continues to Watch Flood Insurance Rates. Lloyd's of London and other private insurers have muscled into the market, picking up customers stunned by rate hikes under the National Flood Insurance Program. The emergence of private companies into the market could be a boon for thousands of Floridians who face huge rate increases under the federal program because their homes were built decades ago in low-lying areas. Lloyd's, the venerable London-based institution, began … [Read more...]