Slice for a wood-fired oven pizza.

Back home at the vacation rental house, everyone gathers on the deck to watch the stars and point out the constellations. The air has cooled a bit. The loudest sound isn’t traffic but instead

the waves lapping onto the beach. The magic of the day is remembered by one and all. The discussion drifts to how wonderful it would be to own their own Beach House on St. George Island.

The next morning the questions about buying a beach house revolve around practical matters such as rental income, how much time can we use the house, and can we afford it? Where would be the best place on the Island to own a home? The Plantation, the East End? Beachfront, bayfront or somewhere in between?

If you have fallen in love with St. George Island and need questions answered, put the experience of Realtors John and Kristen Shelby to work for you. They fell in love with St. George Island in 1990, moved here in 1992 became Realtors, and started St. George Island Realty in 2002. They can answer your questions about rental income, geography, what’s for sale, and any concerns on your mind. They look forward to hearing from you.

Families gather on the beach in the morning sun, sitting around for hours, some hiding from the sun under umbrellas while the youngsters play in the surf. The first sandcastle is started. Lovers stroll hand in hand, taking long walks on the beach where the waves hit the sand. Temperatures are warming up. The first bikinis begin to appear on warm days in March, so that’s a sure sign that pompano can be caught in the surf. Fishermen set up their poles in rod holders anticipating their next catch. Dog owners walk their leashed dogs on the beach.

Back at the beach house after lunch, some decide to nap on the porch or around the pool, while the more intrepid saddle up for a bike ride to the state park. The bike path is busy with bikers, joggers and folks just strolling along. When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping. The local shops are busy again with the purchase of that perfect T-shirt or just the right fishing tackle to catch those pesky sheepshead.

Back out on the beach in the afternoon, the cooler is brought out and everyone is enjoying a cold one while they discuss whether to go to Apalachicola for dinner, or just run up to Paddy’s or the Blue Parrot to dine alfresco. After much deliberation, everyone decides to let their designated driver take them to Bowery Station in Apalachicola to listen to the good band playing tonight only, then head over to

Winter 2017

www.SGIRealty.com | (800) 344-7570 | (850) 927-4777 | 139 E. Gulf Beach Drive, St. George Island, FL 32328

Sellers who list houses and lots in second home markets like St. George Island usually aren’t as motivated as sellers of homes in primary markets. Owners of second homes are typically pretty well healed financially, so that eliminates motivation. Even though the owners of most listed properties are not very motivated, there are always circumstances where some sellers become more motivated. Experienced Realtors who live and work

on St. George Island are more likely to help bargain-hunting buyers ferret out the more motivated sellers. If as a buyer you are looking for a relative bargain on a St. George Island property, put John Shelby’s 24 years of experience to work for you. John is one of only two Broker/Owners of real estate agencies who live on St. George Island.

JOHN SHELBY, BROKER johnshelby@sgirealty.com

Cell: (850) 899-0108

UNLIKE MOST PRIMARY MARKETS,

RESIDENTIAL VACANT LOTSPlantation Gulf

Beaches East End Plantation Gulf Beaches East End

2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016

28 41 50 26 15 16 45 40 37 39 10 13 ACTIVE

33 21 54 64 25 20 23 24 30 26 11 0 SOLD

3 2 3 4 3 2 3 2 2 2 0 0UNDER CONTRACT

Data gathered 1/1/16 and 1/1/17 via Realtors Association of Franklin and Gulf Counties, Inc.

on St. George Island

SPRINGTIME

SOLD in 2016 by St. George

Island Realty

We Need ListingsAgain, we have sold most of our listings. Our marketing machine is in need of a few good listings. Call us to discuss the pricing of your house or lot.

255520 SOLD 03/25/16– $1,500,000East End Beachfront, E Gulf Beach Drive

256358 SOLD 05/09/16– $66,000Interior Lot, West Pine Avenue

255052 SOLD 6/16/16– $75,000Interior Lot, East Pine Avenue

254158 SOLD 08/05/16– $382,000300 Ocean Mile Beachfront, E Gulf Beach

257734 SOLD 10/31/16– $58,000Plantation Interior, Sea Dune Drive

254377 SOLD 04/13/16– $238,000Island Bungalow, Howell Street

255307 SOLD 05/26/16– $95,000Plantation Lot, Dogwood Drive

254375 SOLD 06/28/16– $290,0001st tier lot, West Gorrie Drive

253518 SOLD 08/16/16– $245,000Interior Home, West Pine Avenue

255531 SOLD 11/03/16– $695,000Plantation 1st Tier, Palmetto Way

255272 – SOLD 04/14/16– $665,000Plantation Beachfront, Dogwood Drive

255409 SOLD 3/07/17– $310,000Plantation 1st Tier, Guava Trail

254272 SOLD 06/09/16– $512,5001st tier House, West Gorrie Drive

256853 SOLD 07/01/16– $525,000Plantation 2nd tier, Blue Heron Trail

255964 SOLD 08/22/16– $319,000Bayview Home, Howell Street

255351 SOLD 11/07/16– $145,000Storage Units, West Bayshore Drive

253008 SOLD 04/22/16 – $78,000Interior Lot, East Pine Avenue

255571 SOLD 03/24/16 – $69,000Plantation Interior, Leisure Lane

255410 SOLD 06/14/16– $465,000Beachfront House, East Gorrie Drive

255299 SOLD 07/15/16– $975,000Plantation Beachfront, Palmetto Way

256664 SOLD 09/16/16– $385,000Gulf View Home, East Gulf Beach Drive

256604 SOLD 11/28/16– $50,000 Bayview Lot, Egret Point Road

REPRESENTED BOTH BUYER AND SELLER!

REPRESENTED BOTH BUYER AND SELLER! REPRESENTED BOTH BUYER AND SELLER! REPRESENTED BOTH BUYER AND SELLER!

(800) 344-7570 | SGIRealty.com | (850) 927-4777SearchingStGeorgeIsland.com | SearchingApalachicola.com

BEACHFRONT UNDER $500,000! Half of beachfront duplex, 3 BR & 2 BA, beamed ceilings, tile floors, furnished, income producing vacation rental, large open living/dining/kitchen area easily accommodates friends and family gatherings, beachfront covered porch. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 258014 • $475,000 • East Gorrie Drive

4 RESIDENTIAL LOTS 1.6 acres total, next to commercial area, opportunity to develop a 4 house subdivision, OR ideal setting for one large estate home, all the wetlands to north and east of lots 1 & 2 are owned by the state as a conservation easement. Views across the bay will be unobstructed. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 258284 • $289,000 • East Pine Avenue

PLANTATION 2nd Tier HOME Quick access to the beach, the Plantation Clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts within 500 feet, tastefully updated, redecorated, fresh interior paint, bright and inviting, pool, 4 BR, 3 BA, furnished, porches on two levels, under house parking. Listed by Michael Billings

MLS# 255316 • $549,000 • Denise Court

CANAL FRONT LOT Deep water canal lot, 90 waterfront feet with existing dock, 500 feet by water to bay and beyond with world-class fishing, secluded location, recently bush-hogged so easy to walk and inspect, great views of the Apalachicola Bay. Listed by Michael Billings

MLS# 255966 • $224,500 • East Sawyer St.

WATERFRONT APALACHICOLA Two acre secluded bldg site on year-round deep water, cleared and easy to view, adjacent to Mitchell Creek feeding Scipio Creek, dock, two 2-boat capac-ity and a partially completed house boat, electric available. Listing by Michael Billings

MLS# 254119 • $249,000 • Smith Road

EASTPOINT BAY FRONT LOT 1.01 acre home site located on East Bay, most of the lot is very high and dry with only an area near the Bay being lower, there is a path through the lot with open spaces, large indigenous trees, owner financing. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 256302 • $195,000 • North Bay Shore Drive, Eastpoint

PLANTATION HOME Well built, meticulously maintained custom home, 5 BR, 5 BA, 3 porches, spacious pool and hot tub, fish cleaning station, hardwood cabinetry throughout, granite countertops, fireplace, hurricane shutters, wet bar, stainless appliances. A beautiful home. Listed by Michael Billings

MLS# 257561 • $645,000 • Bayberry Lane

SUNSET BEACH LOT Gulf and bay views, right across the street from the beach in the upscale Mediterranean-style community of Sunset Beach with gated entry, community pool, tennis court, brick paver road and community septic system, larger than normal size lot. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 255436 • $159,000 • East Gulf Beach Drive

PLANTATION HOME SITE Third Tier lot, one side fronts Leisure Lane while the other fronts Whelk Court West, bike path on north side of the lot, located between two existing houses to easily site your house, house plans and engineering for 4 BR, 3.5 BA available for an additional $3,000. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 258165 • $69,900 • Whelk Way West

1st TIER PLANTATION Gorgeous cypress home, corner lot, screen enclosed pool, 4 master bedrooms, 5 baths, top floor is an open kitchen/dining/living room with cypress interior walls, Saltillo tile floors, stained glass accent windows, granite countertops with cypress cabinets, drive through garage.

MLS# 255537 • $599,900 • Sea Fern Way

EAST END BAYFRONT 3.87 acres, four of the six lots in Grace Bay subdivision in East End being sold as a package by the same owner; 3 of the 4 lots are contiguous; buyer will have control-ling interest in the Grace Bay Homeowner’s Association, rare opportunity. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 257320 • $1,087,000 • East Gulf Beach Drive

UPSCALE PLANTATION BEACH FRONT 5 BR, 5-1/2 BA, interior remodel adding MBR and full bath, new bamboo floors, travertine bath floors, new kitchen appliances and granite, new front entry, open floor plan, fireplace, elevator, solid wood doors, 2nd LR, richly furnished, two-car garage.

MLS# 254262 • $1,899,000 • Hawthorne Lane

OCEAN MILE K-5 Straight ahead GULF view overlooking the community pool! Nicely renovated 1 BR townhome, granite countertop in kitchen, living room opens to a porch that leads to the pool and the boardwalk to the beach, left on the beach is the sparsely populated, pristine beaches of the state park.

MLS# 258467 • $219,000 • East Gulf Beach Drive

PLANTATION LOT Dry, full acre, bay side lot on Harbor Light Lane, one lot in from Leisure Lane, this is a lot that you can get out of the car and walk around to appreciate the flora indigenous to dry upland lots, there is plenty of space on this big one-acre lot for a house and pool. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 256578 • $63,000 • Harbor Light Lane

INTERIOR ISLAND LOTS On quiet streets that lead to a bay access for kayaks, canoes and Hobie cats. Walk down to the end of the street for the best sunsets on the island; short walk in the other direction to the famous beaches of St. George Island. Listed by John Shelby

$54,900 to $60,000 • East Sawyer, Bradford & Brown St.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Located across the street from the beach with beach access directly across the street, large 1st Tier street to street lot, 3 BR, 1-1/2 BA, near the commercial area, main bathroom has been renovated, siding was recently replaced with hardy board, some new windows were installed.

MLS# 258270 • $449,500 • West Gorrie Drive

BAY COVE FRONT BAY HAVEN, private dock and screened pool! Huge home, 5 BR, 4 BA, 3 LR, 2 kitchens, tile floors throughout, new hardy siding, windows and doors, interior stairs connect the two floors and separate exterior entrances, large storage area and two bay garages. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 255558 • $485,000 • End of 12th St.

TOWERING DUNES Perched atop one of the highest dunes on the island provides commanding views, very private pool! 4 master BRs, 3 living areas, furnished! Ground level living area (with half bath) opens onto the pool deck. Elevator! One acre lot, near new tennis court. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 256186 • $589,000 • Sea Dune Drive

BEACH FRONT LOT Gorgeous 100 foot wide Gulf-front, more than sufficient space for a large house, a pool, and landscaping, near the center of town, higher than the neighboring properties making this a top-quality building lot, rare opportunity. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 257571 • $605,000 • West Gorrie Drive

ISLAND WATERFRONT LOT Lot with dock on deep, natural inlet, providing all the protection of a canal, quiet neighborhood, lowest priced lot with dock on St. George Island, 1/3 acre on West Sawyer, probable bay view for your newly constructed home, cleared for your inspection. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 254976 • $159,000 • West Sawyer St.

1st TIER EAST END LOT One acre East End 1st Tier lot, house on pilings will have spectacular Gulf views, Gulf-front homes are in place to site your home for maximum Gulf view, 5-foot ease-ment to beach on west side of lot between houses, bike path runs along the north side, no HOA fees associated with this lot.

MLS# 258403 • $319,000 • East Gulf Beach Drive

FOR SALE

by St. George Island Realty

The UPWARD trend

in property values has started. Catch the

ground floor prices before the elevator

goes up. It’s time to QUIT THINKING and

START BUYING!

BAYVIEW HOME Like new, Florida-style, bay view home in a uniquely attractive area of island, 3 BR & 3 BA, open kitchen/dining/living, kitchen with tile counter top and stainless ap-pliances. Furnished, tile floors LR & BA. Backyard opens onto a pond, garage, two decks, short distance to the beach and bay.

MLS# 257928 • $360,000

UNDER CONTRACT

139 E. Gulf Beach Dr. St. George Island, FL 32328-2810

Gorrie Drive East

St. GeorgeInn

LighthousePark

St. GeorgeIsland Realty

IslandAdventures

AuntEbbies Subway

Church

East Gulf Beach Drive

2nd S

treet

1st Street

Franklin

Bo

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First Class Presorted

U.S. PostagePAID

Tallahassee, FLPermit #801

BEACHFRONT LOT In the prestigious Sunset Beach gated community, Mediterranean upscale-style houses with white stucco and red tile roofs are required, community pool and tennis court, state park to the east, some bay views also possible, 60 feet wide, 1/2 acre, REO, sold on a strict “as-is where-is” basis. East Gulf Beach Drive

MLS# 255475 • $439,000

PLANTATION BEACHFRONT WITH POOL OUTSTANDING RENTAL INCOME over $150,000, 4 BR, 3 BA, beachfront pool, open living/kitchen/dining area, fully furnished, upscale appliances, tile floors, spa tub, under-house kitchen/screened cabana area with hooded grill and refrigerator, pool table. Nautilus Drive.

MLS# 257405 • $1,377,000

ISLAND BAY FRONT LOT Great one acre East End bay front lot, white sandy beach by the bay, fantastic view across St. George Sound, private location on a quiet street with nice houses, paved road to lot, little site prep required, this lot is ready for your dream home! Watkins Cove. Listed by John Shelby

MLS# 256856 • $299,900

PLANTATION BEACH FRONT In The Bluffs protected by dunes but still great Gulf views, community pool, 3 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 2 living areas, dumb waiter, furnished, freshly painted interior, screened porches, under house parking, ground level entry, on brick paver. Canopy Lane. ATTENTION PILOTS: near private air strip.

MLS# 254086 • $970,000

(800) 344-7570 | SGIRealty.com | (850) 927-4777

JOHN SHELBY, BROKER (850) 899-0108

KRISTEN SHELBY (850) 899-0082

JANIE BURKE (850) 694-0072

MICHAEL BILLINGS (850) 228-8100