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Beggs Bits
Tips to help you navigate the world of real estate
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Learning Your Way Around Our Islands?
Let us help!
Although Sanibel and Captiva Islands are intimate little islands, getting around can still present a challenge. We are happy to accompany you on your quest to find the perfect home or neighborhood.
Or, we will provide you with a map with all the details you need for island independence.
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Welcome to the August edition of our
Sanibel/
Captiva E-Newsletter.
Greetings!
To learn is to acquire knowledge. Our goal is to assist our loyal subscribers with ways to acquire more knowledge, fun news and interesting facts about our beautiful paradise islands. So is the theme of this month and really...... every month's design.
 Students at the Sanibel School will be "hitting the books" soon. In this month's edition, we will present some ideas for all ages on the where, the how and the skinny of "hitting the books" island style. Our Guest Columnist section will provide authoritative advice on "Florida Residency " to teach you about making the islands your primary home from our very own Island Expert helping you to optimize your real estate goals.
FYI we have motivated Sellers that say "SELL!" so check out the
Beggs Best Buys column for wonderful properties offering great value to make your very own vacation home or better yet extend your island vacation by spending all 365 days on "Island Time"! REMEMBER.......winter is only a short time away!
For a delicious learning experience, be sure to take a look at the Recipe of the Month column for one of Captiva House Executive Chef Jason Miller's favorite recipes in honor of Julia Child's birthday month.
Next month we will be taking our Fall break from our monthly newsletter and will resume our topical, tropical communique' with all the island scoop in October!
So until then........Keep cool and keep on learnin'!
Come for a visit ..... you'll want to stay for a
and we can help you make it happen ......
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| | August Guest Columnist/ Get Educated
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Florida Residency
The Benefits & The Process
For people who move to Lee County, Florida from other states, and who wish to become Florida residents, there are some important facts that you should know about.
Florida does not impose personal income taxes on its individual residents. Therefore, by applying for Florida homestead with the Lee County Property Appraiser's Office, you may qualify for and become a Florida resident (also referred to as a Florida domicile). As a result, you may no longer be required to pay income taxes to your former state of domicile.
if you decide to claim Florida residency, your former state of domicile may consider specific factors and circumstances which could cause it to conclude that you remain a resident of that state for income tax purposes. Therefore, you should always consult with your CPA or tax counsel in your former state of domicile to determine what factors and circumstances could cause you to be taxed in your former state of domicile, even after claiming Florida residency.
If you decide to become a Florida resident, you must reside in Florida for more than half of every year, during which you are a resident. However, you are not obligated to reside in Florida for consecutive days in order to satisfy this requirement.
The US Supreme Court decided long ago that a husband and wife can have different domiciles in separate states. Therefore, for purposes of qualifying for Florida homestead, it is not necessary for both spouses to become Florida residents.
Florida residency may also result iin significant real estate tax savings on your Florida homestead by filing a Florida homestead application with Lee County Property Appraiser's office. In order to do so, you must own and occupy your home in Lee County, Florida, and make it your permanent home. You will need a deed to your Florida home, a Florida driver's license, Florida license plates, and a Lee County voter's registration, before applying for Florida homestead. These documents and the homestead application should be filed with the Lee County Property Appraiser's office no later than March 1st, in order to qualify for Florida homestead tax benefits.
If your Florida homestead application is approved, the annual assessed value of your homestead for real estate tax purposes cannot be increased by more than the Consumer Price Index for the preceding calendar year, or 3%, whichever is less.
Richard Collman
Attorney at Law
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.
1648 Periwinkle Way
Suite B
Sanibel, FL 33957
239.344.1352
Richard.Collman@henlaw.com
www.henlaw.com
Thank you for the great information, Dick!
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| | Featured Property of the Month
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Captiva Near Beach Cottage
Perfect Spot to Kick Back with a Good Book!
11490 Dickey Ln
Captiva
$829,000
MOTIVATED SELLER!
Come live in Florida's
Happiest Seaside Town
in this tree-top cottage in the heart of Captiva Village
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It's Back to School Time!
The Sanibel School opens its doors for the
new school year on August 18th!
Please remember to drive safely
Did you know...The Sanibel Sea School is a Blue Ribbon School?
Places to Hit the Books on the Islands
A Novel Setting:
Check out these fun books that take place on
Sanibel and Captiva Islands
Sanibel Sunset Detective Series, Ron Base
The Nature of Things on Sanibel, George Robert Campbell
Sanibel Scribbles, Christine Lemmon
Tales of Paradise, Jeri Magg
Captiva Daze, Michael William Newman
Six Mornings on Sanibel, Charlie Sobzak
Sanibel Island Under Siege, Emmett Sparks
Captiva Island, Kathy Lee Sumner
Doc Ford Series, Randy Wayne White
New Offerings at the Big Arts
Workshop and Winter Academy
Now open for enrollment in the 2014-2015 season of Workshops.
Check out these exciting new classes along with some back by demand:
Surrealism Drawing and Surrealism Painting
Glass Fusing Party for "Foodies"
Memories Not Left Behind,
Beyond Alla Prima - Creative Abstract & Collage Painting
Art of Silk Painting
Portrait Painting
Flower Power in Your Garden
Get Real: Flora & Fauna with Alcohol Inks
Protect Yourself! A Basic Legal Workshop Series for Artists
Writing Suspense Adventure for Teens
Stained Glass: Copper Foil Method
You Can Write Poetry: Journaling Your Way to the Poem
Poetry Writing: What is Inside Shines Out.
Click here to enroll
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| Everything You Wanted To Know
About Where the Shells Are On The Islands!......
The kids may be getting ready to return to school, but around here everyday is an education with My Friend Pam. If the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are the classroom, then Pam's iloveshelling website is a virtual Shelling University!
In the meantime, we hope to see you out in the 'classroom'!
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Make Island Time........Full Time
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A Plea for Help for Turtle Hatchlings
from SCCF
Dear Captiva Friends-
Can you help us get the word out about the importance of keeping lights out? It's all hands on deck to help the sea turtles this season! There have been an unusually high number of disorientations on both islands this season, with 9 on Captiva so far.
On Captiva, we need to reach occupants/renters of beachfront and beach-visible homes with the message to Turn off Lights and Close Curtains and Blinds After Dark.
As SCCF Sea Turtle Coordinator points out "One of the main issues on Captiva is that the beach is several feet higher in elevation than it was in previous years due to the renourishment, so lights that haven't caused problems in the past are now more visible to the hatchlings."
So please spread the word. Hard copies of this information be requested by calling 472-2329. Please let us know of any increased awareness activities you are undertaking so we can thank you properly on behalf of the sea turtles.
Many thanks,
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
South Seas Resort Installs
Electric Car Chargers
Electric vehicle owners can now recharge in Captiva. South Seas Island Resort recently installed two High Power Wall Connectors by Tesla. With more than twice the power of typical charging stations, the connector can fully charge in less than five hours.
Click here for more information
PLAN YOUR HOLIDAYS with US!
Captiva Holiday Village sets their dates for 2014
Friday, Nov. 28
Tree Lighting and Fireworks at 'Tween Waters Inn
Saturday, Nov. 29
South Seas Tree Lighting and Children's Classic Holiday Reading
Sunset Arias at 'Tween Waters Inn
Friday, Dec. 5
Sunset Arias at 'Tween Waters Inn
Sanibel Luminary
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's Nature of Captiva
Saturday, Dec. 6
Royal Shell's Decorated Golf Cart Parade
Golf Cart Awards & Party
Captiva Luminary
Friday, Dec. 12
Mullet March at Jensen's Twin Palms 30 minutes before sunset.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Captiva Island Historical Society's Holiday film at Jensen's Twin Palms
Saturday, Dec. 13
Fishing & Mullet Festival at Jensen's Twin Palms
Junkanoo Parade
Lighted Boat Parade
Post Boat Parade Party
Sunday, Dec. 14
Carol Sing at Chapel By the Sea
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Get Ready for Some Good Music!
Royal Shell Sponsors First
Inaugural Songwriter's Festival
Sept 26 - 28
Nationally recognized songwriters will be performing on Captiva during the weekend at select Royal Shell Vacation Homes, and other popular island venues. Royal Shell Vacations has set aside numerous homes and condos for guests to stay at during this three day event.
WE JUST SOLD
11547 Wightman Lane
$1,275,000
WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING
CALL JOHN AND DENICE BEGGS
and let us help educate you on market conditions
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July Sales & New Listings
SEE WHATS HAPPENING
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SANIBEL
Total Sales for Sanibel:
$18,851,900
Sanibel July Sales
New to Market Homes
New to Market Lots
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CAPTIVA ISLAND
Total Sales for Captiva:
$3,975,000
Captiva July Sales
New to Market Homes
There were no new condos or lots added to the market in Captiva this month
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*All statistics taken from Sanibel-Captiva MLS.
*All Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.
*The information provided represents a general compilation of real estate activity on the Islands. This info does not imply that BEGGS,REALTORS®, Royal Shell Real Estate is involved in these transactions nor is this intended to solicit property already listed.
*Contact us if you would like to receive an automatic update of new listings, or you can click here to design your own alert.
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Bon Appetite!
This month's recipe is inspired by French Chef, Julia Child,
who's birthday is August 15
Executive Chef Jason Miller
shares this French classic
Ingredients
4 ounces bacon
1 chicken cut in 8ths
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound carrots, cut diagonally in 1-inch pieces
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup Cognac
1/2 bottle red wine
1 cup chicken stock
10 fresh thyme sprigs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 pound frozen small pearl onions
1/2 pound button mushrooms, thickly sliced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 280 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove the bacon to a plate with a slotted spoon.
Meanwhile, lay the chicken out on paper towels and pat dry. Liberally sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. When the bacon is removed, brown the chicken pieces in batches in a single layer for about 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove the chicken to the plate with the bacon and continue to brown until all the chicken is done. Set aside.
Add the carrots, onions, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper to the pan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the Cognac and put the bacon, chicken, and any juices that collected on the plate into the pot. Add the wine, chicken stock, and thyme and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and place in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is just not pink. Remove from the oven and place on top of the stove.
Mash 1 tablespoon of butter and the flour together and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. In a medium sauté pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and cook the mushrooms over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until browned. Add to the stew. Bring the stew to a simmer and cook for another 10 minutes. Season to taste. Serve hot. And enjoy with family and friends. Happy birthday to Julia!!!!! One of my favorite chicken dishes of all time.
Don't feel like cooking???...
GO TO: www.tween-waters/captivahouse.com to view the menu. Then head on over to the charming, historic Captiva House at 'Tween Waters Inn - Captiva's number one restaurant according to TripAdvisor.
Captiva House
'Tween Waters Inn
Captiva, FL
(239) 472-5161
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Bliss is the ocean, a towel on the sand,
the sun out, the chance to swim in waves,
a good book, a cold drink.
Back to Top
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Stay Up-to-Date....
We invite you to visit our website to get to know us better and to search for your own piece of paradise!
Give us a call at 239-357-5500 if you're thinking about selling and would like us to prepare a comparative market analysis. We are happy to be of service whether you're buying or selling to help you achieve your real estate goals. Customer Satisfaction is our Specialty! We appreciate your referrals
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Sincerely,John and Denice Beggs Royal Shell Real Estate Direct: 239-357-5500 Office: 239-472-0078
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