It’s Snowy Plover Time on Sanibel Island

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Welcome to the near end of the quietest week we have had on the islands in a long time.  The weather again is terrific with bright blue skies, low humidity and daily temperatures in the 80’s. We had a couple of evening showers early in the week, which “greened up” vegetation. The month of May really is an ideal time to be on the islands.

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Baby Snowy Plovers

 

Several friends here this week have sent me photos taken of baby snowy plovers on Sanibel’s east end beaches. Many visitors look unsuccessfully each spring for these little critters. They are well camouflaged and so tiny that they are hard to spot. If you are here now and interested in this unique opportunity, check out the area on either side of the Seagrape Lane beach access. For their protection, the nests are marked off in yellow tape, but don’t expect these little birds to stay within those lines. They are scurrying all over the beach from the nests to the waterline, blending in with their surroundings. Look for little sand-colored cotton balls with tooth-pick sized legs. Please do not disturb them and be very careful. As these photos show they are very delicate birds.

Over-the-Hump Party

 

Each year when “season” winds down and just as we change our weekly Realtor® Caravan Meetings to a bi-weekly schedule for the summer, we have what we call our “over the hump” celebration. This year’s event – the 16th year – was at The Sanctuary yesterday and began with an afternoon golf scramble, followed by silent and live auctions to raise funds for RPAC (our Realtor® Political Action Committee). Our local Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association has led the state for many years in percentage over goal.  RPAC, the voice of Realtors on Capitol Hill since 1969, promotes the election of pro-Realtor candidates across the U.S. During the last federal election cycle, RPAC contributed over $12M to Congressional candidates, making RPAC the nation’s #1 trade association political action committee. Funds raised last night still are being tallied, but it was another success.

July 4th on Sanibel

 

Newspapers already are reporting plans for upcoming Independence Day events. Following the morning parade, the 32nd Annual Optimists’ Fourth of July Road Rally will start at noon in the Timbers Restaurant parking lot. Each car that registers becomes a team. Points are awarded for elapsed time closest to a “secret” pre-established circuit time and for correct answers to a series of questions about clues along the rally route. An after-rally party where prizes are presented is held at the Sanibel Grill at Timbers.

Nesting Owls Delay New Roof at City Hall

 

As part of City capital improvement projects, the original metal roof at Sanibel’s City Hall is being replaced. Installation began in March and was expected to be completed the end of this month. However, due to owls nesting on the grounds, work has been suspended until that activity ends.

Another Sanibel Bobcat Sighting

 

Midday recently on West Gulf Drive between condos and the beach.

Fixed Mortgage Rates Touch New Low for 2011

 

An Associated Press article posted today on “Florida Realtors” says that fixed mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest point of the year, hopefully offering incentive for homeowners to save money by refinancing their loans. Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan fell to 4.61 percent., down from 4.63 percent and the lowest level since mid-December. The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage, a popular refinance option, slipped to 3.80 percent from 3.82 percent. That marked the lowest point since late November. Rates track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which fell to the lowest level of the year this week.

 

U.S. Predicts 3 to 6 Major Atlantic Hurricanes

 
 
Another Associated Press article out of Miami, talks about an ugly subject but one that bears attention this time of the year.  “U.S. government forecasters announced Thursday they expect three to six major hurricanes during an above average Atlantic storm season. No major hurricane has made a U.S. landfall in five years, but the forecasters warned U.S. coastal residents that odds are diminished that they cannot expect a 6th straight year without a major landfall on either the Atlantic or Gulf coasts. As many as 18 named tropical storms may develop during the six-month Atlantic hurricane season that begins June 1….” and ends November 30. While we hope our luck holds out, be sure to review your insurance to be sure that it is up-to-date. Policies cannot be modified when a storm is on the horizon. Here’s a link you may want to add to your “favorites” –  NOAA’s National Hurricane Center: http://www.hurricanes.gov  

 

Island Real Estate Action for the Past Week

 
 
We had no Realtor Caravan yesterday, but here is the MLS activity for the past seven days:
 

 

Sanibel & Captiva MLS Activity May 13 to 20:

 
 
Sanibel
CONDOS
2 new listings: Kings Crown #313 2/2 $759K, Somerset #D102 3/2.5 $1.275M.
4 price changes: Colonnades #47 1/1 now $165K (our listing), Colonnades #41 1/1 now $169K, Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 now $245K, Seascape #105 3/3 now $2.495M. 
5 new sales: Tennisplace #B21 2/1.5 listed for $265K, Spanish Cay #C1 2/2 listed for $374.5K (our buyer), Sanibel Arms West #M4 2/2 listed for $419K, Nutmeg Village #206 2/2 listed for $599.9K, Sundial #E104 2/2 listed for $685K (foreclosure).
4 closed sales: Donax Village #9 2/2 $200K, Shell Island Beach Club #7C 2/2 $547K, Pointe Santo #A35 2/2 $850K, Gulfside Place #314 2/2 $1.08M.
 
HOMES
1 new listing: 1511 Angel Dr 2/2 $789K.
8 price changes: 1454 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 half-duplex now $319K, 956 Palm St 3/2 now $350K (short sale), 490 Elizabeth Rd 2/2 now $430K, 548 Chert Ct 3/2 now $599.9K, 1431 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $715K, 1433 Sanderling Cir 4/3 now $849K, 600 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2.5 now $939K (short sale), 569 Lighthouse Way 3/3 now $1.19M.
3 new sales: 1106 Buttonwood Ln 3/2 listed for $869.9K, 1570 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 now $950K (short sale), 5379 Shearwater Dr 4/3 listed for $1.095M.
6 closed sales: 658 Donax St 3/2 $450K, 950 Cabbage Palm Ct 3/2 $520K, 421 Raintree Pl 3/2 $600K, 700 Heather Ln 3/2.5 $740K, 1558 San Carlos Bay Dr 2/2.5 $900K, 4453 Waters Edge Ln 3/3 $2,216,513.
 
LOTS
1 new listing: 1894 Farm Trail $289,555.
2 price changes: 2142 Starfish Ln now $425K, 537 Lighthouse Way now $699K.
No new sales.
2 closed sale:  355 Cowry Ct $225K (short sale), 4415 Gulf Pines Dr $394K.
 
Captiva
CONDOS
1 new listing: Seabreeze at South Seas #1251 3/3 $1.725M, Beach Homes #27 4/3 $2.095M.
4 price changes: Tennis Villas #3229 1/1 now $250K, Bayside Villas #5128 1/2 now $325K, Tennis Villas #3139 2/2 now $425.9K, Beach Homes #15 4/3 now $2.095M.
1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5204 1/2 listed for $314.9K.
1 closed sale: Captiva Beach Villas #B 3/2.5 $1.15M.
 
HOMES
1 new listing: 11516 Andy Rosse Ln 5/4 $2.79M.
2 price changes: 15152 Wiles Dr 2/2 now $595K, 11461 Dickey Ln 3/2 now $1.079M.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 1073 South Seas Plantation Rd 3/3 $1.625M.
 
LOTS
Nothing to report.

 

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors or its Multiple Listing Service.  Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy.  Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.  The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.  If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.