Happy post-Thanksgiving to all! SanibelSusan ran the office solo today and this morning it was quiet, but this afternoon was busy busy busy. Spent time talking with prospective buyers referred to me by island clients. Love it when that happens! We are going out to look at property in the morning.

The Sanibel Masters Art Fair is today and tomorrow at The Community House across the street and that event usually brings some walk-in traffic, but none yet. Maybe Teammate Lisa will have some tomorrow.

Holiday Business

David and Lisa get called on occasionally to work with off-island buyers. We refer to that as The SanibelSusan Team across-the-pond business. Yesterday, David sold a Gulf Harbour condo. Now we can add a Thanksgiving Day sale to our holiday business repertoire. When we say that Realtors® often go the extra mile and sometimes work 24/7, we aren’t kidding. Years ago, like Dave, I made a holiday sale too, on Christmas. We are thankful for every transaction regardless of the day! Way-to-go, Dave!

This week, we also are thankful for a closing on Tuesday and our fabulous new gulf-front condo listing (see the view below). Our weekly reports with showing feedback and the activity posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service are below, after a few news items.

Holiday Weather

The islands are busy with folks enjoying the breezy and cool, but sunny, weather. On Wednesday night, it was reported that our temperatures went down into the high 40’s, the coldest evening since March. Yesterday, I still managed to take a dip in my pool dip without turning on the heater. The cold weather isn’t lasting long, however. Today through Wednesday daytime temperatures are expected to range from the mid-70’s to low-80’s, and into the 50’s at night.

CBS Developing “Doc Ford” Novels Into TV Series

Fans of Randy Wayne White books were excited this week to hear that the character he created, Doc Ford, the NSA-agent turned marine biologist, inspiration for over 20 novels and three Southwest Florida restaurants, may now get his own network series. Island newspapers and the internet report that producers from CBS have started developing a “Doc Ford” series based on White’s New York Times-bestselling novels. The negotiations between White’s agents and CBS TV Studios lasted more than six months, because he was waiting for the perfect writer to bring Doc Ford to the screen. The pilot should be finished by next fall.

A new Doc Ford novel, “Bone Deep” also is scheduled for release in April. Set in Central Florida’s “Bone Valley”, known for a black market of illegal artifacts and fossils, and a multi-million $ phosphate industry. For more info on Randy, visit www.RandyWayneWhite.com

Happy Thanksgivukkah

If you attended the Sanibel Thanksgiving Celebration at The Community House last Sunday evening, you too probably enjoyed Edina Lessack’s presentation. I was so taken by it that I asked her if she would let me share it in today’s blog. Here are excerpts from her speech:

“We are witnessing a once in a lifetime event unfold on the Jewish calendar with the overlap of Chanukah and Thanksgiving. At first glance it would seem that these holidays are as far apart in theme as they normally are on the calendar. However, as bizarre as it is to experience them at the same time, and at the same feast, it is actually a wonderful realization that they are not mutually exclusive. Indeed Chanukah and Thanksgiving do not contradict but, in fact compliment one another.

“Chanukah is one of the holidays that celebrates the Jewish people’s unique, distinct identity. Regardless of our religion, isn’t this what we try to instill in our children – not to be like everyone else, not to blend in, not to go along with the crowd? Rather, we encourage them to stand up for themselves, stand out and be themselves even if that means being different.

“On the flip side, Thanksgiving is a holiday that reminds us that beyond our distinctions and differences we are one; Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or Atheist, suburbanite or urbanite, red state, blue state, white, brown, or black skin. Regardless of what divides us, we are united, our stories all converge, and ultimately we are one. We are a community, and we want to live in a free society and to preserve that society for future generations.

“So how, at this meaningful season, do we identify?…Or are we Americans? Are we individuals or are we a community? Are we separate or are we united? And the answer to all of these is, of course, YES.

“If we were only individuals, only in it for ourselves, by ourselves, we will never be whole. Indeed, there is a great world out there to be a part of as well as to fix. We need to merge our lives with others, join our stories with brothers and sisters, unite our states: East coast, West coast….  Life is not either/or. Identity is not one or the other. Rather, it is both!”

Sanibel Luminary

For those who inquired about the Luminary night Flash Mob (by Sanibel Community Chorus singers) at Bailey’s Store (the event that I know nothing about):

It will be a week from today (Dec 6) at 5:30 p.m. starting in the produce department. Christmas carols in the parking lot will follow. Tra-la…

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity November 22-29

Sanibel

CONDOS

9 new listings: Sundial #H411 1/1 $199K (short sale), Sundial #I402 1/1 $379K, Seawind #A109 2/2.5 $399K, Sanibel Arms West #M8 2/2 $495.9K, Lighthouse Point #113 2/2 $499K, Sundial #O302 2/2 $750K, Tarpon Beach #109 2/2 $789K, Sanibel Arms F8 2/2 $890K, Gulfside Place #319 3/2 $1.295M (our listing).

1 price change: Sanibel Arms West #G7 2/2 now $549K.

3 new sales: Beach Road Villa #106 2/2 listed for $299.9K, Sandalfoot #1A1 2/2 listed for $699K, Golden Beach #2 3/2.5 listed for $1.1M.

2 closed sales: Spanish Cay #F7 1/1 $250K (our listing), Sanibel Arms #C8 2/2 $410K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 1625 Serenity Ln 3/2 $499K, 731 Nerita St 3/2 $559K, 1121 Skiff Pl 3/2 $599K, 940 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $948K.

2 price changes: 710 Pyrula Ave 2/2 now $598K, 865 Birdie View Point 4/4.5 now $1.495M.

2 new sales: 1009 Dixie Beach Blvd 3/2 listed for $539K, 228 Violet Dr 3/2/2 listed for $895K (short sale).

2 closed sales: 1073 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $530K, 4585 Bowen Bayou Rd 4/4 $635K.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Lands End Village #1608 3/3 $2.15M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5102 1/2 listed for $292K.

1 closed sale: Sunset Captiva #101 2/2 $769K. 

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 16428 Captiva Dr 7/8/2 listed for $10.9M.

1 closed sale.

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.

 

Best wishes for a terrific weekend from SanibelSusan