Yes, we are all breathing a sigh of relief on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Our “for sale” signs which were removed in advance of Tropical Storm Issac now are back into position, most properties have had their pool and porch furniture moved back out, and we are all looking forward to typical Florida summer weather this weekend – bright blue skies, big white popcorn clouds, and maybe a quick afternoon shower just before a spectacular sunset.

Hopefully the island will be busy over the holiday weekend. I heard today that most of the island nightly rental units are booked.

SanibelSusan Realty will be open right through the weekend, including on Monday, hoping to catch some Labor Day business.

Tropical Storm Isaac Will Cost Owners Less

Though I am not aware of any local damage from Tropical Storm Isaac, I thought this article posted today on-line on Florida Realtors® interesting. “Most Florida insurance policies switch gears when damage is inflicted by a hurricane rather than other problems. However, the definition of a hurricane is outlined in Florida law. Since Tropical Storm Isaac was not declared a hurricane until Tuesday, Aug 28, at 11:20 a.m., property insurance policies should not use the unique hurricane standards against any homeowner who puts in a claim for storm damages. In most cases that means homeowners will pay a smaller deductible; in some cases, it’s a much lower deductible. Kevin McCarty, commissioner of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, sent a memo to insurers on Aug. 30. He reminded them that the law defines windstorm damage as “wind, wind gusts, hail, rain, tornadoes, or cyclones caused by or resulting from a hurricane which results in direct physical loss or damage to property.” For most Florida homeowners – except possibly for those in the western Panhandle – Tropical Storm Isaac damage occurred before the storm became an official hurricane. “For these property losses, all insurers must apply the deductible that is unrelated to hurricane, generally referred to as the ‘all other perils deductible’ or ‘other than hurricane deductible,” McCarty said in a memorandum. “An insurer that fails to apply the appropriate deductible is subject to administrative action.””

Thursday Island Realtor Caravan Meeting

Though the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® had their bi-weekly Caravan Meeting yesterday, there were neither any new listings announced nor any open for viewing. This is definitely not the way we like this time of the year. Rather, this is the time of the year when we expect to see new listings.

It appears that the upcoming election has affected seller confidence, though I think that we will see good real estate action over the next few weeks. There already is evidence of long-time fence-sitters recognizing that the market is turning.

School Shell Collection Kits

Now that most schools are back in session, you might mention to those in your area, that the Sanibel Shell Museum offers a collection of seashells with an accompanying teacher’s guide for schools, children’s museums, and similar educational organizations. The Shell Collection Kit is designed to be part of classroom curricula for grades 4 through 8.

The kits which include shells and accompanying videos are available for purchase at the Museum website. More than 2,000 schools and museums in the U.S., American Samoa, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland already have received kits.

Mariner Pointe New Seawall

Those driving on and off island this summer have watched the renovation project work at Mariner Pointe condominiums including replacing the nearly 900′ seawall along the bay, as well as the wooden boardwalk along the top.

According to Dave Wahl, the property manager, the nearly $1/2-million project also included an additional rip-rap barrier, native plant landscaping, irrigation, and external lighting along the boardwalk. The seawall which originally was constructed in the early 70’s had been scheduled for replacement in 2017, but was showing significant signs of wear and tear.

A client and now a happy Mariner Pointe owner, Dianne Reich, spearheaded the selection of the new plantings along the new 60′ boardwalk. They include sea lavender, beach sunflowers, golden creepers, muhly grass, Christmas berry, sea oats, beach verbena, and blanket flowers. It’s very attractive!

The walkway was constructed from treated Tandex boards and it has several bench seats. Perfect for manatee and dolphin viewing! Nice job, Dave, Dianne, and our other friends at Mariner Pointe. (As a former Mariner Pointe owner and resident, SanibelSusan always recommends this complex to boaters, fishermen, and other water-lovers.)

Annual Street Resurfacing

The City’s annual street resurfacing projects began nearly two weeks ago and will continue for another month. Some of the paving is done at night to minimize inconvenience. Every year, the City resurfaces selected roads based on a time schedule and existing condition. This year’s project involves 13 streets (East Periwinkle Way (Causeway Blvd to Kings Crown), Periwinkle Way (Cause Blvd to just east of Huxter’s), Periwinkle Way (just west of Casa Ybel to just west of Palm Ridge), Causeway Blvd, Lindgren Blvd, the 4-way stop, Tarpon Bay Rd, Purdy Ln, Roseate Ln, Ibis Ln, Baltusrol Ct, Troon Ct, and Wulfert Rd; plus Nerita St paving (currently unpaved); and several other small projects. 

Temporary Membership Available at The Sanctuary Golf Community

In an e-mail received today from Sheryl Tatum, Director of Membership and Marketing at The Sanctuary Golf Club, she reminded Realtors of the Temporary Membership available at the club and advises that it is suitable for prospects staying there while they are looking for a home and would like golf/tennis/dining. Here are the details: 

“Temporary Members have, for their limited one or two month membership, the same use of and access to the Club’s facilities as Equity Members, but without any voting or redemption rights or an Equity position in the Club, and cannot play in tournaments.  The Temporary Membership duration is one month or two months and is not renewable.  Temporary Members do not have any additional fees or food and beverage minimums. Cost is $5,000 for 1 month, $7,500 for 2 months. They also have Introductory, Equity, and Social Memberships available.” 

Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity August 24-31
 

Sanibel
CONDOS
1 new listing: Golden Beach #2 3/2.5 $1.495M.
3 price changes: Sundial #H107 1/1 now $354K, Pointe Santo #D35 2/2 now $669K, Pointe Santo #A21 2/2 now $795K.
1 new sale: Sundial #G207 1/1 listed for $239.9K.
2 closed sales: Sundial #E305 2/2 $795K, Compass Point #153 2/2 $1.05M.
 
HOMES
3 new lsitings: 1211 Periwinkle Way 3/2 $349.9K, 490/460 Old Trail Rd 3/2 $390K (short sale), 4207 Gulf Pines Dr 4/4.5 $1.1M.
2 price changes: 1536 Bunting Ln 3/2 now $433.5K, 413 Bella Vista Way 4/4 now $1.849M.
4 new sales: 531 Piedmont Rd 2/2 listed for $314.9K, 2991 Singing Winds 3/2 listed for $379.9K (our buyer), 1603 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex listed for $435K, 615 Lighthouse Way 3/4.5 listed for $2.495M.
3 closed sales:  2102 Egret Cir 3/2 $300K, 940 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2.5 $465K, 1120 Junonia St 3/2 $612.5K.
 
LOTS
1 new listing:  1898 Woodring Rd $3.17M.
No price changes, new or closed sales.
 
Captiva

CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Bayside Villas #5132 1/2 now $273.9K.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: Captiva Hide-A-Way #1B 2/2 $615K.
 
HOMES
Nothing to report.
 
LOTS
No new listings, price changes, or new sales.
1 closed sale: 13470 Palmflower Ln $650K.

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.

HAPPY LABOR DAY!