As we wrap up a few days of rainy weather on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, we are thankful that is all we had. From the early wildfires in the west, to the late snow in the north, the unusual temperature changes, flooding in the Midwest, and even a mud slide in northern Florida, Sanibel and Captiva remain wonderful places to be even during spring showers. So far, it has been a bright and sunny Friday, though some afternoon showers are expected again later today. Teammate Lisa took the below photos of the beach in front of Sunset Cafe on Monday.

Here is some other spring news, followed by the islands Multiple Listing Service action over the last seven days.

Spring Time Brings More Nesting Times

Just after it was reported that the first Loggerhead Turtle nest of the season had been spotted and marked on Captiva (that was on Sunday, which actually is early for season which didn’t officially begin until Wed, May 1st), I received a couple of photos from a visiting client who each spring enjoys filming baby Snowy Plovers which are hatching now. Spring is nesting time on Sanibel and Captiva Islands for shore birds and turtles.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has been monitoring and staking bird nests on Sanibel beaches for about ten years. Learn about this threatened species at the Snowy Plover presentation on May 9, Thurs at 2 p.m. in the SCCF auditorium.

In the meantime, if you are a beach walker, please watch where you step. Being so tiny and well camouflaged, snowy plovers are challenging to spot. Can you find the baby in this picture? The top picture has the whole family with baby chick in the center. The bottom photo has the chick alone. Sooo little! (Thanks for the photos, Ellie!)

More About Island Babies – Perhaps You Can Help

CROW (The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) on Sanibel also reports a proliferation of baby birds. They are in desperate need of volunteers to help feed the 100 baby animals currently housed at their facility. CROW has the most volunteers when snowbirds are here; but the Hospital Director reports that they are ten times busier now than during the winter. Now, in addition to 27 songbirds and a total of 11 owls and doves, they also have 10 raccoons and 63 opossums at CROW. The birds need to be fed every half hour, so many volunteers are needed. In addition to feeding the babies, volunteers may act as foster parents. If you can help, please give them a call at 239-472-3644.

Four-Point Inspections Versus Home Inspections

Insurance companies often require a Four-Point Inspection when issuing a new homeowner’s insurance policy or a renewal on a property that is more than 25 years old. I read an interesting article this week in “FloridaRealtor®” magazine which began with “Four-Point Inspections Aren’t Complete – Using only a four-point inspection could put buyers at risk”. Written by a Tampa home inspector, Mark Cramer, it further says:

“With Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and other insurance companies now requiring a four-point (or insurance) inspection, some homebuyers are opting not to obtain a full-home inspection. It’s important that real estate professionals and buyers understand the significant differences between these inspections.

“A four-point inspection includes the roof; the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system; the electrical system; and the plumbing system. As those are all part of a home inspection, it would be logical to assume that the four components would be inspected in the same way during both inspections. The reality is that these inspections are performed differently and with a different mindset.

“Four-point inspections are intended to protect the insurance company, and home inspections are intended to protect the buyer. Be sure …buyers understand the differences and always encourage them to obtain a full-home inspection.”

WE DO!

The Best Time of Year to Buy Household Items

Just in time for spring shopping, Realtor.org, posted an on-line article this week by Melissa Tracey, Helpful Tools, Remodeling Advisor. It said:

“Who doesn’t love a deal? I loved this article at Realty Times, which recently revealed the best time of year to buy certain household items in order to score the biggest bargains, based on research from AARP and LifeHacker.

January:      Furniture, new flooring, & bedding & linens
February:    Air conditioners & older model TVs that will be moving out for newer models
March:         Gardening tools, china, & flatware
April:            Vacuum cleaners
May:            Barbecue equipment, patio furniture, & home office furniture
June:           Tools
July:             Kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators & ranges
August:        Linens & storage containers
September: Grills & lawn mowers
October:      Appliances & clearance patio furniture & outdoor items
November:   Electronics, appliances, & tools
December:  Televisions, electronics, & small appliances like toasters & blenders”

Worldwide Economic Recovery – Weaker Than Normal But Continuing

An article posted on-line this week by Jeb Smith, Managing Director, Quantitative Research with the NAR (National Association of Realtors®), offered the following:

“News for the U.S. economic outlook continues to be positive–housing recovery, continued productivity increases, new oil reserves. However, the economic news from around the world is frequently negative. Growth around the world has slowed. Many predictions are for relatively slow growth in a number of economies, although in the case of China its slower growth rate (projected in excess of 8%) would be considered outstanding in the U.S.

“Forecast of World Economic Change
Percent Change in GDP by Year

                           2013     2014
U.S.                    1.9%     3.0%
Eurozone          -0.5%     1.0%
Eastern Europe 2.1%     3.3%
Mexico               3.5%     4.8%
China                 8.2%     8.5%
India                   5.2%     7.2%
Worldwide         2.3%     3.3%

“After the temporary loss of approximately $15 Trillion of assets during the Great Recession, a lot of people in the U.S. have become very nervous over any news of economic downturns. However, the consensus is that neither the U.S. nor the rest of the world is headed for a new recession. Although the worldwide economic recovery is mixed, with lots of opportunities for quasi-sensational headlines, most knowledgeable economists see a slow recovery—not a major recession.

“What Does This Mean for REALTORS®? To the degree that clients express concern about the sometimes sensational focus on world economic problems and the potential impacts on the U.S., one could note that currently available information shows an economic outlook that continues to be positive. At this time, the economy continues to be on an upward trajectory. The recovery is weak worldwide—and in the Eurozone clearly disappointing. However, the expectations are that the recovery will expand.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity April 26 – May 3

Sanibel
CONDOS
1 new listing: Sanibel Arms #C8 2/2 $439K.
1 price change: Pointe Santo #C32 2/2 now $599.9K.
3 new sales: Lighthouse Point #318 3/2 listed for $449K, Loggerhead Cay #583 2/2 listed for $549K, White Pelican #111 2/2 listed for $899K.
6 closed sales: Tennisplace #B32 2/1 $230K, Blind Pass #D205 2/2 $276K (short sale), Coquina Beach #5C 2/2 $339K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #B302 2/2 $375K, Sealoft Village #106 2/2 $460K, Island Beach Club #P1E 2/2 $615K.

HOMES
5 new listings: 1644 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 $525K, 420 East Gulf Dr 3/3 $799K, 1221 Par View Dr 3/2 $849K, 1013 Lindgren Blvd 4/3 $860K, 407 Bella Vista Way E 3/3 $2.699M.
2 price changes: 2079 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 now $430K, 1516 Angel Dr 3/2 now $950K.
6 new sales: 9446 Yucca Ct 3/2 listed for $499K, 1045 Blue Heron Dr 3/3 listed for $599K, 526 N Yachtsman Dr 2/2 listed for $649K, 2498 Harbour Ln 4/3 listed for $888.5K, 912 Almas Ct 3/2.5 listed for $1.1M, 4949 Joewood Dr 5/5 listed for $2.649M.
11 closed sales: 1613 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex $360K, 567 Rabbit Rd 2/2 $475K, 1170 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $585K, 4960 Joewood Dr 4/3 $675K, 214 Palm Lake Dr 3/2.5 $692.5K, 701 Heather Ln 4/3.5 $705K, 1233 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 $739.182, 5431 Shearwater Dr 3/3 half-duplex $782.5K, 4496 Waters Edge Ln 3/2 $770K, 743 Sand Dollar Dr 3/2 $775K, 4461 Waters Edge Ln 5/5.5 $4M.

LOTS
2 new listings: 2418 Blind Pass Ct $125K, 3338 West Gulf Dr $479K.
1 price change: 133 Butterknife Pl now $299K.
2 new sales: 9277/9283 Belding Dr listed for $169K, 6141 Starling Way listed for $449.555.
No closed sales.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Tennis Villas #3110 1/1 now $250K.
2 new sales: Bayside Villas #5308 3/3 listed for $529K, Beach Homes #11 3/3 listed for $2.28M.
2 closed sale: Bayside Villas #5326 3/3 $567K, Captiva Cove #2B 3/2 $1.2M.

HOMES
No new listings.
2 price changes: 4 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2 now $2.295M, 16459 Captiva Dr 8/7.5 now $2.99M.
1 new sale: 11517 Wightman Ln 4/3 listed for $1.795M.
No closed sales.

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.

Happy weekend to all!

The SanibelSusan Team – Susan, David, Elise, & Lisa