Long before online vacation-rental platforms became household names, Eric and Mary Ellen Pfeifer were connecting visitors with island homeowners through a free community resource called Paradise Properties by Owner (PPBO).

Founded in 2003 to help Sanibel Island vacation-rental owners and Captiva property managers reach new guests, PPBO quickly grew into one of Southwest Florida’s most popular rental directories. Owners could upload listings, share photos, and publish rates — all at no cost. Within its first few years, the site featured nearly 500 island and Gulf-Coast rentals and expanded across Florida and beyond.

At the time, Pfeifer Realty Group had already built one of Florida’s most innovative real-estate websites — MySanibelRealEstate.com — launched in 2001 and recognized statewide for allowing buyers to explore island properties freely without forced registration. PPBO became the natural companion: a service created to help owners, not monetize them.

As the online-rental world exploded with competitors like VRBO, HomeAway, and later Airbnb, the Pfeifers stood by their guiding principle — “PPBO is the place to be, and it’s always FREE for Lee County Property Owners” and refused to be acquired unless this commitment to Southwest Florida property owners was honored. What began as a community experiment in connection became an international platform. By 2006, PPBO listed nearly 4000 properties from the Florida Keys to Manhattan and Puerto Rico to Phuket Thailand.

Behind the scenes, Mary Ellen Pfeifer managed the site full-time, developing safeguards to combat the growing wave of internet scams and even working with Homeland Security to expose online rental fraud. That pioneering work reflected the same integrity, curiosity, and diligence that continues to define Pfeifer Realty Group today. As offers

After 14 successful years, PPBO was retired in 2017, having connected thousands of renters and owners and proven that community-driven innovation could outshine corporate platforms. The Pfeifers’ early work helped define what online vacation-rental marketing could be — authentic, transparent, and centered around trust.

Though PPBO is no longer in operation, its spirit lives on through Pfeifer Realty Group’s ongoing commitment to innovation, education, and service. From vacation homes and investment properties to permanent island residences, our team continues to guide buyers and sellers through the ever-changing Sanibel and Captiva real-estate landscape with local expertise and personal care.

If you’re dreaming of owning your own Sanibel or Captiva Island property, we invite you to explore our featured listings, discover investment opportunities, or connect with our team for expert guidance. Whether you’re seeking a vacation home, rental property, or full-time coastal retreat, Pfeifer Realty Group is here to help you turn your island goals into reality.

👉 View Sanibel & Captiva Listings