It’s SanibelSusan, again reporting another week of wonderful fall island weather – sunny days with temperatures mostly in the 80’s. A cool front arriving tonight is expected to bring our first day – in a long time – of temps under 80 with more perfect weather expected right through the weekend and into next week.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

There was no local Realtor Caravan® Meeting this week, but the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® yesterday announced presentation of a $4,500 check to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation to help their efforts in providing guided tours of the Caloosahatchee and estuary to provide members of the public the opportunity to gain a personal experience and perspective on the river and the Everglades – its history, folklore, issues, and solutions. These are local RPAC (Realtor Political Action Committee) funds put to good use educating our community on the importance of a healthy ecosystem.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

With the island picking up, I was out showing homes both Monday and again this morning, while teammate Dave held a condo open house on Wednesday. Several of our listings had showings this week too, with the activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service below, after a couple of news items.

Market Update After 3^rd Quarter 2016

Now that three-quarters of 2016 are over, it appears that Southwest Florida real estate sales this year will fall short of 2015. A recent article posted by an off-island “News-Press” Market Watch expert said:

1. “Median home prices in Lee County are flat, down slightly in Collier County.
2. The number of home sales in Lee County is down 17%,18% in Collier.
3. Condo sales are down over 20%.
4. $1 million+ market is down 13%.”

He also said “This is not a “lack of inventory” situation, as most non-sweet-spot segments are down or flat, except the $500-$1M range in Collier. That segment is up 9%. These numbers aren’t negative, they just “are”. SWFL is still the place to live, work or play.”

So how do Sanibel and Captiva sales compare in a similar analysis? The below statistics illustrate that though the islands officially are part of Lee County, in many ways, it is a totally different world here where there is less inventory and prices vary hugely. Compared to the same period last year (January 1 to October 20), this year:

1. Median home prices on Sanibel are up 65%, up 84% on Captiva.
2. The number of home sales on Sanibel is down 27%, but up 15% on Captiva.
3. Condo sales are down over 15% on Sanibel, 50% on Captiva.
4. $1 million+ market is down 10% on Sanibel, 28% on Captiva.

Going into season, there still are fewer condos and homes for sale on Sanibel than already have sold this year. The reverse is true on Captiva, where inventory is low, yet exceeds this year’s demand.

Upcoming Island Events

31^st Annual Bailey Fest – is Sunday, 10/23 from noon until 4 p.m. Free & open to the public. If you are there for the opening event act, you will hear the BIG ARTS Community Chorus with yours truly in the alto section.

 

Hallo’Tween 2016 – is Saturday, 10/29 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., adult Halloween costume party at ‘Tween Waters with prizes awarded at midnight.

 

 

 

Trick or Treat Monday – 10/31 from 4 to 6 p.m. from vehicle trunks in the parking lot at Sanibel Community Church. Safe family fun with bounce houses and games, plus treats.

23^rd Annual Esperanza Woodring Memorial Cast Net Rodeo – Saturday 11/5 with lessons at 8:30 a.m. & competition beginning at 9:30 a.m. www.baitboxsanibel.com

 

 

2016 Wines in the Wild – Saturday 11/5, SCCF fundraiser, held for the first time at SCCF’s Bailey Homestead Preserve from 5 to 7 p.m.

Inaugural Sanibel Blues & Jazz Festival sponsored by the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club– is Sunday, 11/6 at Bailey’s Center from 1 to 7 p.m. Limited tickets, but some still available. http://www.sanibelbluesandjazzfest.org

Local Politics

For Florida registered voters, the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society and SanibelSusan ask that you vote to help conservation:

Vote “Yes” on Conservation 20/20 which is an opportunity to help safeguard Lee County’s long-term economic and environmental sustainability and quality of life by continuing to protect the county’s exceptional natural resources, yet without increasing taxes.

Vote “No” on Amendment 1 which is a deceptively-worded amendment that creates barriers for future solar power competition and slows solar use for the future. Help keep solar rights in your own hands, not in those of the utility companies.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity October 14-21, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

7 new listings: Sundial West #C310 1/1 $439K; Blind Pass #F106 2/2 $459,999; Coquina Beach #3C 2/2 $479K; Sundial West #D304 1/1 $549K; Seawind #A103 2/2.5 $564K; Kings Crown #211 3/2 $899K; Golden Beach #2 3/2.5 $1.499M.

1 price change: Coquina Beach #4C 2/2 now $449.9K.

3 new sales: Casa Blanca #8 1/1 listed at $259,989; Mariner Pointe #943 2/2.5 listed at $595K; Sundial #P205 2/2 listed at $780K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

6 new listings: 2074 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 $579K, 3918 Coquina Dr 3/2.5 $939K, 1747 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 $1.175M, 6101 Starling Way 3/4 $1.295M, 2302 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $1.595M, 1743 Venus Dr 4/3.5 $1.799M.

1 price change: 4449 Waters Edge Ln 3/3 now $4.495M.

2 new sales: 615 Hideaway Ct 3/2.5 listed at $1.195M, 3675 West Gulf Dr 3/2 listed at $3.3M.

5 closed sales: 956 Dixie Beach Blvd 2/1 $305K, 5749 Pine Tree Dr 3/3 $610K, 9468 Peaceful Dr 3/2 $739K, 1112 Olga Ave 6/2.5 duplex $849.5K, 3792 Coquina Dr 3/3 $987.5K.

LOTS

3 new listings: Island Inn Rd $189,555; 4954 Joewood Dr $499K, 6053 Sanibel-Captiva Rd $1.395M.

1 price change: 976 Whelk Dr now $719K.

No new sales.

2 closed sales: Sabal Sands Rd $250K, 5290 Punta Caloosa Ct $265K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #4102 1/2 listed at $305K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

2 new listings: 15161 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 $2.295M, 16181 Captiva Dr 5/5 $2.95M.

2 price changes: 16167 Captiva Dr 4/3 now $1.735M, 16177 Captiva Dr 2/2 now $3.45M.

No 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, enjoy your fall weather & remember to call The SanibelSusan Team if we may help you with island real estate!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan