June 2018 Newsletter
Greetings!

Welcome to the June Edition of my "Real Estate Resource" Newsletter.

Please check out my website waltbethel.com to view my listings, search for property, or to enjoy one of my archived newsletters.

As always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions. 
  
Walt
NOTE FROM NEIGHBOR
2nd Annual CAST for Kids Charlotte Harbor

This is a C.A.S.T. for Kids event designed to provide disabled, disadvantaged and ill children the opportunity to enjoy a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing. Free BBQ lunch and award ceremony to follow.

Volunteers and Anglers NEEDED!

Saturday, September 8 7:30 AM - 1 PM

Check out more here:

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Did you know tarpon have the ability to gulp air and remove oxygen using their lung-like tissue located near their swim bladder? Thus, you’re likely to spot tarpon because they do this with a “rolling” effect in the water. These long fish have slightly upturned faces and soft, lobed fins, and they can grow to more than 8 feet long and over 350 pounds. From above they appear dark blue or greenish black, or even brassy if they've been in inland waters, but they are recognizable for their very shiny silver sides covered in large scales. They live in bays and mangrove lagoons, and can travel up rivers into freshwater. Tarpon are prized for their fight but not their flesh by sport fishers, but they are protected by significant regulations.

Did You Know?
Gone Fishin':The Silver King
Fishing is one of the largest participant sports in the world, and Florida offers many chances for locals and tourists to pursue this popular pastime. Florida features one of the longest coastlines in the country and boasts abundant lakes, rivers, and streams. Its waters teem with more than 600 species of fish.

Florida has attracted visitors since the late nineteenth century, when tales of the tarpon, a mighty game fish, enticed northern anglers to the state's coasts. In the early twentieth century, sport fishing developed into a major tourist draw and spurred the establishment of fishing clubs and tournaments. Florida's lure as a sport fishing destination for saltwater and freshwater anglers continues today.

In 1885, a single, sensational catch at Sanibel Island's Tarpon Bay made international news - and revolutionized sport fishing. For the first time on record, a mighty, silver-sided tarpon was taken on a rod and reel, a feat that created a frenzy for the fierce-fighting - and made Southwest Florida the epicenter of a brand-new sport. The newly crowned Silver King of fish lured celebrities and presidents, and transformed Southwest Florida into the birthplace of big game fishing

In 1983 the “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament was originally called the Boca Grande Club Invitational, sponsored and run by the private Boca Grande Club located on the north end of Gasparilla Island, and traditionally run during the summer.
At its height, the total purse of the “World’s Richest” exceeded $175,000 and anglers from all over the world traveled to Boca Grande to enter for a chance to win it.

The impressive “World’s Richest” perpetual trophy is on display at the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce office and features the names of the winning team leaders for each year the tournament has been in existence.

The primary focus of this tournament, like many, is on education and conservation of the fishery combined with sport fishing. Safe boating, sportsmanship and responsible angling will be promoted in order to encourage a safe, successful family friendly event that will ensure the protection and proper stewardship of our natural resources so that they may be enjoyed for generations to come.

The urgency towards conservation has become increasingly apparent over the last few years and the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce has been taking the lead in creating opportunities to help rehabilitate a habitat that has flourished in South West Florida for thousands of years.

The all-release, no-weigh, no-kill tournaments are an alternative whose time has come. Bringing families together in sport and education enriches not only our estuaries and fisheries, but our communities as a whole.
Check out this video of the "Silver King and The Birth of Big Game Fishing"
FEATURED LISTINGS
Oversized Corner Lot Punta Gorda Isles
1101 Socorro Dr. Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Oversized Corner Lot with Saltwater frontage in highly sought after Punta Gorda Isles. Quick Sailboat access to the Charlotte Harbor and on to the Gulf of Mexico. With 30ft concrete seawall and over 200 feet of road frontage there is lots of room to build your dream home with a larger footprint plus a dock for your vessel. City water and sewer available. This property is near Punta Gorda Isles St. Andrews Golf Course, close to Fishermen’s Village and just 5 minutes away from the beautiful Historic district of Punta Gorda. Come enjoy all the wonderful restaurants, golf courses, parks, farmers markets and walking and biking paths.

MLS: C7243503
Total Acres: .33
Listing price: $145,000
Quick Access to Charlotte Harbor-Punta Gorda Isles 3/2 Pool Home 1133 Treasure Cay Punta Gorda, FL 33950
QUICK ACCESS TO CHARLOTTE HARBOR WITH 95 FEET OF CONCRETE SEAWALL, CONCRETE DOCK AND 10,000LB BOAT LIFT! Located in Punta Gorda Isles which is the premier community of Punta Gorda, offering a true downtown with the top restaurants, shopping at Fisherman’s village, beautiful parks on the Harbor, walking trails, golf and easy access to airports and beaches. With over 2,400 sq ft, this 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home is your piece of Florida paradise. Open concept with bright natural light fills home. Living room has large sliders overlooking the patio. Kitchen is large with breakfast bar and new stainless steel refrigerator. Laying in your master suite you can wake up to the views of the tropical foliage and your heated pool or take a dip in the hot tub. Bedrooms 2 and 3 are spacious and are ready for guests or to be used as office with built-ins already in place. Covered lanai seating with a walk up bar to the kitchen will be great for entertaining all year long. Stroll down your path and fish for snook right off your dock or jump on your boat and be on the Charlotte Harbor in moments. Don’t let this one pass you by!

MLS: C7400828
Heated Square Feet: 2,448
Listing price: $562,000
1.5 Acres with Hwy 17 North and South Frontage
903 N Brevard Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266

Prime location ready for development!!! Over 1.5 acres of B-3 zoned property is situated between North and South Bound Highway 17. This property is Located across the street from DeSoto Memorial Hospital, medical offices, and professional buildings with over of 205 +/- ft. of Highway frontage on both sides of US 17. Close to Downtown Arcadia with traffic traveling through to Charlotte and Hardee Counties. City water/sewer and electric are already in place. Potential Uses Include: Restaurant, Service Station, Business Office, Financial Institutions and many more options!!

MLS: C7241837
Total Acres: 1.52
Listing price: $699,999
12.64 Acre Joshua Creek Estate with Multiple RV Hookups, Workshop, Pond and MORE!
3410 County Rd. 760 Arcadia, FL 34266
Beauty and privacy abound in this 12.64 acre estate set among oak hammocks, a gently flowing creek and manicured pastures. As you enter through the private gate down the paved drive you are welcomed to this custom built 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath brick home. With over 2,700 heated sq. ft., this meticulously maintained home features soaring ceilings, an open floor plan, lots of natural light, and a spacious screened back patio perfect for relaxing & enjoying the natural Florida habitat. The kitchen is complete with breakfast bar, dining area, dual dishwashers, updated appliances & opens to the formal dining room & family room ideal for entertaining. Downstairs is complete with a Guest Room/Office lined with windows and a large master bedroom featuring fireplace and an en-suite bathroom with soaking tub & separate tiled shower. Upstairs a catwalk, overlooking the family room, leads you to two additional guest bedrooms & a guest bathroom. Additionally, there is an attached 2 car garage, screened gazebo, a detached 30X52 garage-for your RV/boat, multiple RV hookups, as well as a huge workshop. Workshop is outfitted with kitchen & office area, ideal for home business. Much of the acreage is cleared pasture land with a pond & lends itself to cattle and horses. Property is within 5 miles from Publix, shopping, and downtown Arcadia. Come home to privacy and peacefulness on this beautiful, natural property nestled along Joshua Creek!

MLS: C7238071
Heated Square Feet: 2,779
Listing price: $795,000
18+ Acres on Hwy 31 in the Growth Corridor of DeSoto County
2483 Carlstrom Field Rd. Arcadia, FL 34266
18+ Acres on Hwy 31 in the growth Corridor of DeSoto County. This corner parcel has approx.. 740ft of Highway 31 frontage providing tremendous access, visibility and exposure. Located in the vicinity of numerous newly built high traffic Retail, Hotel and Grocery stores. County Water and Sewer is available nearby. Just over a ¼ Mile From Hwy 70 which travels from the East coast to the West Coast of Florida. This property is Currently Zoned A-5, but Future Land Use Zoning is for “Employment Center”, which is suitable for a multitude of non- residential uses. This property has ample size to divide and accommodate MULTIPLE SITES.
MLS: C7250773
Total Acres: 18.76
Listing price: $1,600,000
About Walt Bethel
Walt Bethel is a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia, with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.  
The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.  
Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties. 
Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.  
The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.
 Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues. 
He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two children, a daughter Peyton and a son Truman.
Walt Bethel | RE/MAX Harbor Realty| 863.990.1748 | wbethel@waltbethel.com| www.waltbethel.com