Memorial Holiday Week
The islands were fairly busy this week, but mostly with families and visitors enjoying the great outdoors and our wonderful “like-summer” weather. We had a few listings shown, though not as many as we hoped. One bit of good news was a “heads up” call yesterday that an offer is on its way for one of our listings. This was an off-week for Realtor® Caravan; the next one will be Thursday coming.
“The SanibelScoop with Captiva Chatter”
The office team again this week has been updating our database in preparation for our first newsletter mailing in several months. We try to stay green, particularly by urging folks to read this blog, but many continue to ask us about them and like to hold that piece of paper, so we occasionally will prepare and bulk mail a “The Sanibel Scoop with Captiva Chatter”. We do not want to miss an opportunity to get our listings sold, so a June issue soon will be mailed to all island property owners as well as our prospective-buyer contacts. It goes to the printer today! All listings with photos will be included. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive this mailing, please give me a call at 888-666-0603 or 472-HOME (4663) or send an e-mail to Susan@SanibelSusan.com.
Education Boardwalk Update
I received the following news this week from the Ding Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS):
“The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge reports steady progress on the new Children’s Education Boardwalk project between the Sanibel School and Indigo Trail within the Refuge. The City of Sanibel has approved the site, and architect Amy Nowacki is working on the design. Refuge rangers met with teams of teachers to solicit their ideas for the boardwalk. One suggested that an observation tower be added to the boardwalk, and the Refuge is currently considering that option. DDWS is planning on reprising fundraising efforts to pay for the addition. Other teachers requested easy access to water to facilitate taking water samples…The boardwalk will cross a brackish wetland currently inaccessible to the public en route to the refuge’s Indigo Trail. It will give school children and visitors up-close views of alligators, wading birds, and an opportunity to learn more about the importance of water in our lives. The walkway will meander through mangroves and expand into an in-the-round venue to accommodate up to 25 students and other groups….Plans to break ground are estimated to be September 1, 2012.”
Rare Smalltooth Sawfish
In other news from the Refuge, a rare smalltooth sawfish was seen at “Ding” on Tuesday in Tarpon Bay. The little 2-foot pup was probably born only a few weeks ago, which is good news for this critically endangered fish.
Sanibel Bear
As a Facebook follower, it was of interest mid-week to read about several sightings of the Sanibel bear. It was first spotted on the island last July, but recently has wandered away from the Refuge and seen walking down Dixie Beach Blvd near Sanibel Isles, Water Shadows, and The Dunes. News crews even picked up it, with announcements yesterday and today on the local TV stations. As a protective measure, Sanibel’s finest should be advised of sightings. Islanders are reminded to keep their trash “in” until the morning of pick-up.
Florida Perceived as Having a Competitive Business Tax
This article was posted Wednesday in the Orlando Business Journal on-line:
“A survey of corporate leaders gives high marks to Florida’s business tax structure. The survey run by a New York based tax consulting firm, Alvarez & Marsal, polled a cross-section of chief financial officers across the country and found that Florida is one of the top three states perceived as offering a favorable business tax policy, reported the Associated Press. Florida has one of the nation’s lowest corporate income tax rates at 5.5%. However, owing to exemptions, some businesses pay much less. They have the full backing of Gov. Rick Scott who has pushed to end corporate tax over time and has allowed tax exemptions to increase in number, the AP reported.”
Federal Flood Insurance Program Gets 60-Day Extension
An AP article posted yesterday says:
“Congress has given itself two more months to come up with long-term solutions for the debt-burdened federal program that provides insurance for homes and businesses in areas subject to flooding. A voice vote in the House Wednesday extended the life of the National Flood Insurance Program for 60 days, assuring that people in flood-risk areas will continue to have access to the flood insurance they need to close on mortgages or obtain refinancing. The program was slated to expire today.
“The last full-scale reauthorization of the NFIP, a wing of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, occurred in 2004. Since 2008, the insurance provider has stayed alive through a series of 16 short-term extensions while lawmakers debate how to restore its fiscal soundness. The NFIP was largely self-financing until it was overwhelmed by claims from hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. It now owes nearly $18 billion to the Treasury.
“Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., chair of the House Financial Services subcommittee on insurance, said she hoped Wednesday’s 17th stopgap measure would be the last, “because this program is too important to let lapse, and too in-debt to continue without reform.” She said Senate leaders had given public and private assurances that they would vote on a long-term extension in June.
“The House last year passed a five-year extension that allowed for increased premiums and ended some subsidies, but the Senate has been unable to get a companion bill to the floor for a vote. The Senate last week passed the 60-day extension after adding a provision by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., that would gradually eliminate premium rate subsidies for people buying second homes and vacation homes in flood-prone areas. Coburn said that could save the program $2.7 billion over 10 years.
“The NFIP was created in 1969, partly to fill the gap left by the unwillingness of private insurers to provide flood insurance. It now covers some 5.6 million policyholders in 21,000 flood-prone communities.” (including Sanibel & Captiva)
Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 25 – June 1:
Sanibel
CONDOS
2 new listings: Blind Pass #A204 2/2 $369.5K, Bayview Village #2A 3/3 $699.9K.
3 price changes: Seashells #6 2/2 $335K, Sanddollar #B104 2/2 now $935K, Cyprina Beach #1 2/2.5 $1.295M.
3 new sales: Sanibel Moorings #1412 1/1 listed for $269,962; Seashells #26 2/2 listed for $274K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #3-2 3/3 listed for $450K.
5 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #D2 1/1 $224K, Mariner Pointe #1043 2/2 $290K (our listing), Sandpiper Beach #205 2/2 $520K, Sand Pointe #132 2/2 $570K, Tarpon Beach #101 2/2 $600K.
HOMES
2 new listings: 701 Nerita St 3/2 $519K, 9007 Mockingbird Dr 3/3 $1.2M.
3 price changes: 1274 Par View Dr 3/3 now $644K, 760 Birdie View Pt 4/3.5 now $849K (short sale), 2367 Wulfert Rd 4/3.5 now $1.094M.
1 new sale: 1663 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed for $344K (short sale).
3 closed sales: 3940 Coquina Dr 3/2 $450K, 1429 Jamaica Dr 4/3 $450K, 1570 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 $876.2K (short sale).
LOTS
1 new listing: 1310 Par View Dr $369K.
2 price changes: 545 Rabbit Rd now $179K (our listing), 837 Limpet Dr now $899K (our listing).
No new or closed sales.
Captiva
CONDOS
1 new listing: Lands End Village #1610 3/3 $1.925M.
1 new sale: Lands End Village #1664 3/3 listed for $1,597,900.
1 closed sale: Beach Villas #2517 1/1 $415K.
HOMES
No new listings.
1 price change: 16645 Captiva Dr 8/9/2 now $4.199M.
No price changes or new sales.
1 closed sale: 11521 Wightman Ln 4/3 $1.45M.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.