Meet the Family
The Burns Family has lived and sold real estate on Sanibel and Captiva for over 25 years. With the birth of the newest member in 2009, the Burns family has had three generations live on Sanibel and Captiva. Offering unparalleled educational backgrounds and a combined 60 years of real estate experience, the Burns Family has consistently been at the pinnacle of the real estate profession on Sanibel and Captiva. Having been the top producing agents at every office they have worked and awarded numerous achievement awards including being voted best Realtors on Sanibel and Captiva an astounding five times, their dedication to island real estate is unmistakable. From owning a real estate company on Captiva, to representing some of the most luxurious properties in Florida, the Burns Family has consistently achieved their clients goals. When the Burns Family partnered with Royal Shell Real Estate, it truly gave their clients real estate representation that is second to none.
EDUCATION
Civil/Structural Engineer
Masters Degree holder in Finance/Real Estate
Masters Degree holder Computer Science
1 Licensed Real Estate Broker
3 Licensed Realtors
EXPERIENCE
Over 60 Years Combined Real Estate Experience
Former Owners “Helen Thomas Realty” Captiva Island, FL
Former Island Banker
Treasurer Sanibel/Captiva Association of Realtors Board of Directors
Built and Developed Numerous Island Properties
AWARDS
Voted Best Realtors on Sanibel and Captiva 1997, 1998, 2003, 2009 & 2010
Top Producing Agents at Firm for Last 5 years
Top 1% of All Coldwell Banker Agents Worldwide for Last 4 Years of Company
Perennial Top Producing Agents on All of Sanibel and Captiva
Joseph Burns P.E. 
Joe Burns graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Civil/Structural Engineering. After graduation Joe was employed in the nuclear power plant design and construction department of a large US utility company headquartered in MN achieving the position of Senior Civil Engineer. Joe left the power company to become the manager of a municipal consulting engineering firm. Joe then started a design/build commercial construction company and became the president and CEO of Burns & Associates, Engineers, Designers and Contractors. Joe and his family moved to Sanibel and Captiva Islands in 1985 and he immediately began a successful career in real estate and development on the islands. He is a licensed FL Engineer as well as a licensed FL real estate Broker. He has served on many civic committees and was named as Chairman of the Sanibel Causeway Advisory committee as well as past President of the Sanibel/Captiva Kiwanis Club. Joe has also owned one of the most successful real estate companies on Captiva Island with his wife Joan. Joe’s son and daughter-in-law joined the family team in 2001 and they have consistently been top producing agents on both Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
Joan Burns 
Joan graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Social Services. She has been a real estate agent on Sanibel and Captiva for over 25 years. Joan has been voted best female real estate agent on Sanibel and Captiva in 1997 and again in 2003 she was voted the Best real estate agents on the islands with her husband Joe. She was co-owner of Helen Thomas Realty on Captiva Island until they sold to Coldwell Banker thus helping Coldwell Banker establish a presence on the islands. While at Coldwell Banker Joan had the knowledge and expertise to obtain the title of Previews Property Specialist which is reserved for those agents who have shown an exceptional aptitude for marketing and selling luxury properties. Joan has also been very active in the community and is currently President of a non-profit Florida Corporation that provides housing for the developmentally disabled.
Jeff Burns 
Jeff graduated from the University of Florida earning a Bachelors Degree in Finance with a minor in Economics. He continued on to earn a Masters Degree in Finance with a specialization in Real Estate from Florida. In 1997 Jeff was honored by being accepted for an internship with United States Senator Connie Mack in Washington D.C. representing Florida. Jeff was hired directly out of college and became a loan office for Sanibel and Captiva Community Bank. Jeff has grown up on Sanibel and Captiva Islands attending Sanibel Elementary. Jeff has served three terms as treasurer of the Sanibel and Captiva Association of Realtors Board of Directors as well as the MLS, Grievance and Ethics committees. Jeff is also active in the community serving on the Board of Directors for PURRE and has also worked with SCCF.
Tiffany Burns 
Tiffany graduated with high honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Decision and Information Sciences and a Masters Degree in Business with a specialization in computers. Because of her scholastic excellence Tiffany was one of only ten students selected from the entire college of Business to represent the University throughout the community. While at the University she had the opportunity to intern with Fed/Ex in their software testing department and participated in the GE mentoring and development program. Tiffany became a valued member of the Burns Family Team directly out of College. Recently Tiffany has been honored with the designation of Sanibel and Captiva Island Specialist by the Association of Realtors for her in depth knowledge of Sanibel and Captiva Islands.