Wow, dare I even say that it is yet another busy week on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Though most island worker bees will be counting down the next four weeks and are looking forward to a breather after Easter, it sure is terrific when business is booming.

I ran out for lunch today and snagged the very last table at West Wind’s Inn’s Normandy Pub which is a local favorite since it always has a table (and quick service).

Someone must have put the word out on that place too. Wonder if Arthur Frommer is up to his tricks again and touting Sanibel to the world?

Dave, Lisa, and I were out showing several days this week, dealing with inspections, finishing up loose ends for closings, and writing offers, while Elise has been keeping the office on an even keel. We always like it when we have a closing and a new sale in the same week. Kudos to Lisa for bringing in the “big Sanibel sale” of the week. We have a couple of other things in the works too.

Realtor Caravan Meeting

Good sales activity during the last seven-day period was announced at our Realtor Meeting yesterday: On Sanibel, seven new condo sales and five homes. On Captiva, two homes. The 28 price reductions posted this week, however, indicate that the market continues to adjust.

For those wondering what kind of listings we have these days, the below slide show is a sampling. For more details, please click on the tabs above for a link to a page with more details about the individual listings. 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Sanibel Public Library Earns Top Honors in National Study

The local library’s Winter Newsletter just arrived and announced that again the Sanibel Public Library has earned recognition by being named by The “Library Journal” as a 5-Star Library in its annual America’s Star Libraries 2011 survey. According to the article, the “Library Journal” Index of Public Library Service measures the service levels of 7,153 public libraries in the U.S. based on circulation, visits, internet use, and program attendance. This is the second year Sanibel’s library has been honored as a Star Library, and the first year as a 5-Star Library – the highest rating. In 2010, the Sanibel Public Library received a 3-Star rating. It is the only Florida library to be named a Star Library! The full report of star libraries is available.

Upcoming Events

There are so many special events coming up in the next few weeks that it is almost hard to keep track. It is easy to check the blog events calendar above if you will be here and are looking for things to do.

BIG ARTS Community Chorus reported Tuesday that our spring concert on March 27 already is sold out. There usually are a few no-shows on performance night, however, so those without tickets are advised to arrive early and get in line. It is going to be our best concert ever, with many special solos and instrumentalists, including guest horn players from the Big Apple who will be playing with us on a Manhattan Transfer medley. Every year this concert sells our earlier and earlier. Rumor has it that next year, we may have two performances. 

If you like a more casual-style concert, be sure and catch our chorus when we join Island Jazz performing outside in the Boler Garden at BIG ARTS on Sunday, March 18, at 3 p.m. Just bring your lawn chair or blanket. I borrowed the photo to the left from the Island Jazz Facebook page. Check it out!

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 2 – 9

HOMES
1 new listing: 5296 Umbrella Pool Rd 4/2 $599K.
10 price changes: 2560 Coconut Dr 3/3 now $495K, 5841 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 now $495K, 1400 Albatross Rd 3/3 now $542K, 955 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $559K, 4210 Old Banyan Way 3/2 now $637K, 561 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 now $649K, 960 S Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $999K, 2981 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 now $1.95M, 6211 Starling Way 4/4.5 now $1.995M, 1314 Isabel Dr 4/3.5 now $2.194M.
5 new sales: 661 Cardium St 2/1.5 listed for $364K; 927 Limpet Dr 3/3 listed for $674.9K (foreclosure); 231 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 listed for $789,987; 4809 Tradewinds Dr 3/3.5 listed for $1.495M, 1918 Woodring Rd 4/4 listed for $2.799M (our Buyer).
7 closed sales:  474 Surf Sound Ct 3/2 $425K (short sale), 3822 Coquina Dr 3/2 $420K, 1929 Sanibel Bayous Rd 4/3 $395K, 2555 Coconut Dr 3/2 $550K, 4775 Rue Helene 4/3 $687K, 244 Daniel Dr 3/3 $720K, 730 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 $1.225M.

LOTS
1 new listing:  5044 Joewood Dr $499K.
1 price change:  1048 Fish Crow now $429K.
No new or closed sales.

 
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
2 price changes: Tennis Villas #3120 1/1 now $215K, Captiva Shores #6B 2/2 now $699.9K.
No new or closed sales.

HOMES
No new listings.
2 price changes: 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 now $1.495M, 15891 Captiva Dr 5/4 now $3.149M.
2 new sales: 16185 Captiva Dr 4/4 listed for $1.299M, 15351 Captiva Dr listed for $2.895M.
1 closed sale: 15161 Wiles Dr 5/5.5 $2M.

LOTS
No new listings.
1 price change:  11517 Wightman Ln now $695K.
No new or closed sales.
 

Until next Friday, here’s to enjoying your March weather wherever you are.

On Sanibel & Captiva Islands, it came in like a lamb.  TGIF SanibelSusan