Blog

As I was flying to Philly today from Tampa I couldn't help but think we are very lucky people to view the world from 30,000 feet in safety and comfort -- the view over the Bay was stunning and my fellow passengers were eager to talk - the lady next door was a professor and on her way to her official home in the north having left her Florida home behind " what I like about Florida is the mixture of people she said so diverse and interesting, I couldn't just have one home in the north anymore, I'd miss this."

As I flew the Atlantic last night I thought about her. You know she is absolutely right. I love having a home in Englewood Florida and England and love introducing home ownership in Florida to our many worldwide clients -- its great to get excited about going away -- we get so rapped up in the economy and miss out on -living!. We calculate how much we can make or lose and miss the point. To take your children or grandchildren to your "place is the sun" is priceless.

Life is short --we should smell the roses-- enjoy a conversation with our fellow man and women -- its the way things were done before email and ipods.

By the way it's cold in England in comparison but thats great -we all need something to compare with and after a summer of 90's i can handle a little cool.

FLORIDA GOLD GROUP MEDIA RELEASE

Capt. Ralph Allen Elected President of

Florida Outdoor Writers Association

Proprietor of Punta Gorda-based King Fisher Fleet to Lead State Association

CHARLOTTE HARBOR & THE GULF ISLANDS, Fla. (September 15, 2009) – Capt. Ralph Allen, proprietor of Punta Gorda-based King Fisher Fleet, has been elected President of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, the state’s association for outdoor communicators. He accepted the position during the Annual Meeting held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Ocala Conference Center in Ocala, Fla., August 26 – 29 and will serve a one-year term.

Since 1985, Capt. Allen has owned and operated King Fisher Fleet, a fishing and sightseeing boat tour operation based out of Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. King Fisher Fleet is recognized as one of the best charter services in Southwest Florida and since 1996 has been consistently voted “Best Charter Boats in Charlotte County” by Charlotte Sun-Herald Readers Choice Poll.

A 1977 graduate of Charlotte High, Capt. Allen holds a degree in Ocean Engineering (magna cum laude) from the Florida Institute of Technology and when not fishing, he contributes his time and services to various committees and organizations including the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Reef Fish Advisory Panel, Charlotte County Tourist Development Council, Charlotte County Sea Grant Advisory Panel, Charlotte Harbor Reef Association, and Fishermen’s Village Merchant’s Association. He is a weekly columnist for the Waterline boating and fishing section of the Charlotte Sun-Herald newspaper, Southwest Regional Editor of Florida Sportsman magazine, and author of A Tackle Box Guide to Common Fishes of Southwest Florida, published by the University of Florida.

Founded in 1946, FOWA works to enhance the economic well-being of its members through organized events, education and general craft improvement in all segments of media. The 300-member association also provides information about issues related to Florida's wildlife, rivers, forest, wetlands, estuaries, and other natural resources. The Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau has been a member of FOWA since 2003 and Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands hosted this prestigious group in 2008.

About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands

Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in September. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.

For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.

Pending Home Sales on a Record Roll

Hi from the Sunshine State --

September has arrived at last --cooler weather in the 80's -- afternoon rain -blue skies -its hard to think that some of you are only a handful of weeks away from snow! We all appreciate living here!!

The property market in our part of Florida is hotting up as the many bargains get snapped up by savvy investors --prices are as low as 50cents on the dollar for bank owned property so now is a good time to contact us as you will get the pick of the bunch.

If you are thinking of a vacation don't forget there are deals to be had with airlines especially if you fly into Tampa airport and Florida Gold has some cracking deals on its rental homes too.

Florida Gold Group

is the #1 site for

Foreclosure & Short Sales

Serving, Englewood, Port Charlotte, South Gulf Cove,NorthPort,Rotonda,Cape Haze,Placida and Gasparilla Island FL.

2009 has seen a record number of distressed sales in this area with typical prices falling between 30 to 50 cents on the Dollar. For many investors who bought numerous homes to "flip" this has been a disaster.

For those buying for retirement or as a second home it has been a rough ride but most are not too worried as they know that over a period of time prices will come back.

If you are, or will be in the market to buy a retirement, second or investment home within the next 6 months now is the time to get looking.

Florida Gold Group has a fantastic selection of 400 properties each offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy at the "bottom" of the market. Prices start around $100,000 and this is for a comfortable 3 bedroom 2 bath home.Even canny investors could not have timed it better!

Because of our International clientele we are in the market everyday looking for suitable properties to buy and sell. We know the market in depth. We have contacts that can work for you. We are talking with banks and institutions so have knowledge that is of paramount importance to you if you are buying from out of State or out of the country.

Florida Gold does not employ sales associates to pester you -just salaried professionals to guide you to make sure that the purchase works for you and your family. We are the only International Real Estate Agents offering a "one stop service" covering purchase, interior design, management and rentals all under one roof.

So, if you are serious about getting a fantastic bargain make the call or email -- your enquiry will be handled professionally and in total confidence.

Contact Gordon Robinson or Mark Mansfield now for an informal chat toll-free 1 888 803 9426 in the US and Canada -- if you are in Europe 011 44 207 096055 or email gordon@floridagoldhomes.com