It is SanibelSusan reporting that all is well on Sanibel. The islands did not have much sunshine this week. It tried to peek out a little mid-morning, but this afternoon just brought another heavy rain band from Hermine. We certainly are thankful that tropical storm passed by yesterday with just a few showers, wind, and a little high water, before it developed into Florida’s first hurricane in 11 years.

Early today, it swept ashore near Tallahassee and may cause havoc over the few days as it heads through Georgia, the Carolinas, and the eastern seaboard. Certainly not what many want for their last holiday weekend of the summer.

Though Hermine missed the islands, we knew she was out there as high tide about midday yesterday pushed water up over many docks and seawalls. High water washed over many sea turtle nests too.

 

Later, much of the island was without power briefly in the afternoon and then local TV stations were on the causeway late day filming the waves crashing across the bridge barriers. Really much to do about nothing. The locals are ready for some great shelling once the waves subside.

Holiday occupancy this weekend could be hit or miss with many properties now vacant after getting cancellations. Most flights in and out of the regional airport were posted as on time this morning, but interstate highway travel probably is hampered since north-south I-75 and east-west I-10 were in the cross-hairs of the storm.

Though it dropped a lot of rain on Florida, the storm’s path also spared Lake Okeechobee so should not result in increased water releases down the Caloosahatchee River. Sanibel Natural Resources director, James Evans, was quoted midweek as saying that “flows from the lake have actually decreased this week.” That’s what we like to hear!

The action posted this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service follows a few news items below. With September always the “slow” month on the island, it is a good time to preview property, sooo if you are thinking of buying, now is the time to look

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

The Shell Museum is starting an ambassador program which will train volunteers to be educational guides on Sanibel’s beaches. These trained volunteers will be on the beaches, wearing “ambassador” shirts, answering questions and training visitors about the ecosystem and Florida shelling laws. Training will start in October, call the museum for more info (239-395-2233 or 888-679-6450).

Inaugural Sanibel Jazz & Blues Festival

Sponsored by the Sanibel/Captiva Optimist Club, the first Sanibel Jazz & Blues Festival is planned at the Bailey’s Shopping Center on November 6 from 1 to 7:30 p.m. Proceeds to benefit college scholarships.

Headliners include: Matt Schofield, blues guitarist & singer from England; JP Soars & the Red Hots; and the local favorite Marty Stokes Band.

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge New Web Site

Check it out at www.dingdarlingsociety.org

Closings/Openings/Moves

• 

  The new Doc Ford’s opening 9/9/16.

  Doc Ford’s – It’s finally happening! The Doc Ford’s on Rabbit Road will serve its last meals over the holiday weekend (on Monday Labor Day night), then it’s on to their new flagship location at the corner of Island Inn and Tarpon Bay Road across the street from Bailey’s Shopping Center. I had my last lunch at their old location today where they are excited, but sad to be saying goodbye. They will have an “open house” at their new building on Thursday, September 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., then the new restaurant will open officially next Friday, September 9. The menu at their new location will be the same. One of the biggest differences at the new facility is the size of the kitchen which is twice as big. The new restaurant is ~7,600 sq. ft. and seats about 225, similar to their old, but the new restaurant is all under one roof. The interior was built with mostly reclaimed materials. The wood is reclaimed and the lighting fixtures were taken from vintage boats and refurbished. http://www.DocFords.com

• Ickle Pickle Children’s Boutique – has moved to Palm Ridge Plaza (across from CVS). www.ickle-pickle.com
• MacIntosh Books & Paper – also has relocated to 2330 Palm Ridge Road, www.macintoshbooks.com

South Florida Housing

According to a S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller index released this week, South Florida (Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties) outperformed most of the nation with a 6.9% annual increase in home prices (in June).

CoreLogic Case-Shiller indexes cover states, counties, metros and ZIP codes across the US and help securities investors, mortgage banks, servicing operations, and government agencies make property valuations, assess and manage risk, mitigate losses, and control appraisal quality.

The growth in prices ranked these counties on Florida’s west coast beaches sixth among 20 metro areas nationwide. Portland, OR., led all areas with a 12.6% price gain, followed by Seattle (11%) and Denver (9.2%).

Dallas, at 8.9%, and Tampa, at 7.9%, were the only other markets with higher price increases than South Florida in June. The national average was 5.1%.

David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee for S&P, said that the housing market overall remains healthy, driven in part by a limited supply of homes for sale. “Nationally, home prices have risen at a consistent 4.8% annual pace over the last two years without showing any signs of slowing,” he said.

Housing analysts consider the index one of the best barometers of home prices. It measures the price of the same house over time, though the index trails local Realtor® association figures.

According to an article Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale’s “Sun Sentinel”, “South Florida Realtor® boards released reports last week for July showing annual price increases among single-family homes in all three counties despite declines in sales. Some agents say buyers are holding off because sellers aren’t pricing properties to market value.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 26-September 2, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Mariner Pointe 2/2 #522 $495K (our listing), Mariner Pointe #733 2/2 $519K, Mariner Pointe #533 2/2 $529K, Blind Pass #B203 3/2 $575K, Sundial East #L401 2/2 $749K.

 

1 price change: Tanglewood #1A 3/2 now $1.1345M.

2 new sales: Loggerhead Cay #462 2/2 listed at $539K, Surfside 12 #B3 3/2 listed at $1.124M.

2 closed sales: Island Beach Club #210B 2/2 $584.15K, Sundial West #A203 1/1 $700K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 1040 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $639K, 5125 Joewood Dr 3/4 $2.595M.

2 price changes: 5240 Caloosa End Ln 3/3 now $999.9K, 2118 Starfish Ln 4/5 now $1.849M.

No new sales.

5 closed sales: 1635 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $435K, 975 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $706K, 823 Limpet Dr 3/2/2 $1.18M, 2251 Starfish Ln 4/3.5 $1.189M, 4257 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 $4.225M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 1837 Buckthorn Ln now $439.9K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Marina Villas #807 2/2 listed at $670K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

2 new listings: 11535 Chapin Ln 4/4 $1.549M, 15133 Captiva Dr 3/3 $3.295M.

No price changes, new, or 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 general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

Until next Friday, wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan