Lots of families are vacationing on Sanibel and Captiva Islands this week, but not much real estate action. The market here continues to improve, albeit it slowly now that most of the “in season” sales have closed and not many buyers are in town. Below is a sampling of the statistics today compared to prior year sales.

Only 263 properties currently are available for sale on Sanibel; 397 sold last year. Considering those under contract too, there are 350 Sanibel sales already this year, a record number with only half the year over. Once those snowbirds get back, this might turn into a banner year!

Before a report of the activity posted over the last seven days in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service, here is some other summer, holiday, and real estate news.

Celebrating July 4^th on Sanibel

Here for the 4^th? The City website www.MySanibel.com posted the following special event permits:

• 7 – 9 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast, Sanibel Community Church, 1740 Periwinkle Way, info (239) 472-2684
• 9:30 a.m. – Independence Day Parade – “For the Fun of It” – Parade begins at Tarpon Bay Rd on Periwinkle Way to Casa Ybel Rd, info (239) 246-2981 (Good watching from SanibelSusan Realty if you are in the neighborhood.)
• 10:30 a.m. Boy Scouts Independence Day Celebration (after parade), Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, water slide, food, & refreshments; info (239) 472-9300
• 12 noon – San-Cap Optimist Club’s 36th Annual Road Rally, Timbers Restaurant, 703 Tarpon Bay Rd, info (239) 472-0836
• 9:00 p.m. – Fireworks Display (rain or shine) – Sanibel & Captiva Islands’ Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this year. Fireworks will be launched from the north end terminus of Bailey Rd. Best viewing from Sanibel Causeway Islands and bay side of the island.
• Holiday Sidewalk Sales – The following retailers and shopping centers obtained annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales permits, so may be holding special sidewalk sales over the holiday:

• Sanibel Square, 2200-2250 Periwinkle Way
• Olde Sanibel Shoppes, 630 Tarpon Bay Road
• Tahitian Gardens Shopping Center, 1975-2019 Periwinkle Way
• The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way
• Periwinkle Place Shopping Center, 2075 Periwinkle Way
• Gene’s Books, 2365 Periwinkle Way
• Palm Ridge Plaza, 2330 Palm Ridge Road #1
• Ickle Pickle, 2427 Periwinkle Way
• Bailey’s Center, 2477 Periwinkle Way

Weather Service Again Recognizes Sanibel as Storm Ready

Here on the islands we don’t like to use the “h” word, but we also know it’s best to be prepared for those events. Posted on Monday on the “Santiva Chronicle” on-line”:

“The City of Sanibel has again been recognized by the National Weather Service as a “Storm Ready” community. This special recognition was first achieved in June 2009 and the City of Sanibel was the 8th community of the 410 Florida municipalities to be recognized as Storm Ready. Today, only 22 communities in Florida have received this designation.

“It is the goal of the National Weather Service to use the program to prepare communities for all dangerous weather. Storm Ready communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of hazardous weather through advanced planning, education and awareness.  Click here to see the notice received from the National Weather Service.

“”It is important to remember that this designation does not render us storm proof, but as a barrier Island in the sub-tropics it is important we prepare collectively for the worst Mother Nature can send us. There is no substitution for preparation and planning,” stated City Manager Judie Zimomra upon receiving notice of the designation.

“The City of Sanibel’s 2015 Hurricane Seminar can be viewed by clicking here.”

Turn Out the Lights! Sea Turtles Starting to Hatch

A great a photo posted on-line by Florida Atlantic University researcher Jake Lasala of Sanibel homeowner and SCCF Turtle Patrol volunteer, Jewel Jensen. It shows her checking a green sea turtle nest. Jewel and her hubby bought one of our listings a couple of years ago. Here’s the turtle news that was posted on the “Santiva-Chronicle” on Tuesday.

“Turn out the lights! It’s not because the party is over. It’s because the party is in full swing.

“The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reports that three of the reported 417 sea turtle nests on Sanibel and Captiva have hatched and in two of those nests hatchlings were disoriented by light and didn’t head into the Gulf of Mexico.

““Please observe Lights Out For Sea Turtles!” SCCF said in its weekly sea turtle report issued Monday, June 29, for the period ending Friday, June 26. “Three nests hatched last week but hatchlings from two of the three nests were disoriented.  Please shield lights on the beach; hatchlings head to the lightest horizon (which is normally the water).”

“The rest of SCCF’s report is good news. SCCF breaks down turtle nesting into three zones and all three showed healthy nesting activity in the past week for a total of 417 nests and false crawls approaching 1,000 for the season at 994. Here is the breakdown for the June 26 report, with the previous week’s statistics in parentheses:

• Sanibel East: 82 (71) nests, 216 (176) false crawls
• Sanibel West: 247 (193) nests, 617 (458) false crawls
• Captiva: 88 (71) nests, 161 (110) false crawls
• TOTAL:  417 (335) nests, 994 (744) false crawls

“Last year produced 535 nests, tied for second best since 1996 and just two off the record 537 recorded in 2000.

“SCCF also reports that 12 green sea turtle nests have been discovered, with 11 of them on Sanibel West and one on Captiva.

“SCCF continues to cover as many nests as possible to prevent raids by coyotes.”

The “Sanibel Plan” Now Available Electronically

If was great to read this news release on Tuesday from the City Planning Department:

The City of Sanibel’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, also known as the “Sanibel Plan,” is now available electronically in its entirety on the City of Sanibel webpage at www.mysanibel.com . To access the Sanibel Plan Click here.

“The original Sanibel Plan was adopted in 1976. The plan was amended and extensively revised in 1985, 1989, 1997 and 2007. In 2007, the American Planning Association recognized the Sanibel Plan with the National Planning Landmark Award.

“In 2013, the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) for the Sanibel Plan was completed and adopted. This report concluded that the Plan is consistent with all State requirements including changes made to State Statutes contained in the Community Planning Act of 2011. In 2013, the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Division of Community Development, issued a finding that the Sanibel Plan, as adopted by City of Sanibel Ordinance 12-010, is in compliance with Section 163.3184(4) of Florida Statutes.

Questions regarding the Sanibel Plan should be directed to City of Sanibel Planning Director James Jordan at jimmy.jordan@mysanibel.com or 239-472-4136.”

The second volume of the plan includes what is called the “Future Land Use Map Series”. Realtors often refer to several of these maps, so it is great news to find that they are now handy on-line. The maps include: Ecological Zone Maps (remember, Sanibel’s different zones allow different development and coverage), Commercial Zoning Map, Resort Housing District Map (showing areas where short-term rentals are allowed), Wetlands Conservation Lane Maps, Environmentally Sensitive Lands Conservation District Map, and Development Intensity Maps. All good stuff. Thank you, Sanibel, for making these so easily available.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity June 26-July 3

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Colonnades #51 1/1 $219K, Sanibel Arms #B1 2/2 $525K, Sundial #E205 2/2 $859K.

5 new sales: Colonnades #51 1/1 listed for $219K, Spanish Cay #F2 1/1 listed for $250K (our listing & sale), Captains Walk #F3 2/1.5 listed for $289.9K, Sundial #H302 2/2 listed for $599K, Sanibel Sunset #202 3/2 listed for $1.745M.

2 closed sales: Seashells #27 2/2 $315,375, Pelicans Roost #101 2/2 $745K (our sale).

 

HOMES

3 new listings: 499 Leather Fern Pl 3/2 $625K, 1148 Shell Basket Ln 4/2 $699K, 3728 West Gulf Dr 5/5 $1.995M.

1 price change: 1806 Ibis Ln 3/2 now $465K.

1 new sale: 4636 Buck Key Rd 2/2 listed for $419K.

9 closed sales: 2407 Shop Rd 2/1 $272.5K, 982 Main St 3/2.5 $420K, 4515 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $540K, 2220 Camino del Mar 3/3 $570K, 4241 Old Banyan Way 3/2 $660K, 1136 Golden Olive Ct 4/4.5 $2.35M, 4203 Dingman Dr 4/3 $2.8M, 2980 Wulfert Dr 4/6.5 $2.8M, 4525 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5K, $3.725M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 2400 Blue Crab Ct $309K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: 3117 Tennis Villas 1/1 $244K.

1 price change: 3131 Tennis Villas 2/2 now $415K.

1 new sale: Beach Homes #30 3/2 listed for $2.195M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings or sales.

2 price changes: 11490 Old Lodge Ln 3/3.5 now $1.329M, 11521 Laika Ln 3/3 now $1.395M.

1 closed sale: 11513 Wightman Ln 5/5 $1.64M

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 general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions

Best wishes from Susan & The SanibelSusan Team for a safe & happy 4th!