SanibelSusan here reporting another week of wonderful island weather and the good news for those of us traveling Sanibel’s roadways has been a bit of a traffic reprieve. The islands remain busy with holiday vacationers, including many locals since schools are still out, but Periwinkle Way has been a little easier to maneuver this week.

Several of our listings had showings, with some future appointments scheduled. All-in-all, it’s looking like the first quarter of 2017 will be a busy one.

At SanibelSusan Realty Associates

We received a terrific new listing yesterday and another today. The first a large beautifully-remodeled meticulous and professionally-decorated 3+bedroom along the back circle in Seagull Estates will be posted in MLS early next week, as soon as the professional photography is done. With three screened porches overlooking a tropical backyard that borders conservation land, it also is an easy stroll or bike ride to the community pool, clubhouse, tennis, and beach access.

 

The 2^nd is another beach-front condo at Casa Ybel Resort in their guaranteed income program. You may remember that we had another unit listed there that closed the end of the year. Those units (there are only 40 condos within the resort) are what many local Realtors® call “no brainers” for investors looking for easy ownership. The resort takes care of everything (including utilities and updates/repairs) with owners getting half of the annual income which usually is just under $100K. Cottage Colony West #119 will be posted later today in MLS.

 

Teammate Dave held an Open House yesterday at Pointe Santo and had good walk-in traffic – other island owners and renters. As properties are vacant and available, he will continue those open houses through season. He’s been busy opening listings for showings and accompanying showings too – all good action this week.

 

The team and I are watching prices closely now that “season” is here. Overall sales in 2016 fell short of 2015. Prices, however, continue to creep up, but still are far from where they were in the heyday of 2006. The positive post-election vibes, I expect will keep those prices on the upswing. It should be a winter of plenty of offers (she said optimistically).

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting

There were only a few sales announced at the Realtor® Caravan Meeting yesterday. Those are listed in the report below of the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

Our meeting next Thursday morning is the island Association of Realtors® Annual Installation and Awards event. It is usually an evening banquet, but this year is a morning (8 a.m.) breakfast at The Sanctuary. The Caravan following will be a shortened version, so our listings due for caravan will be open the following week from 9 a.m. to noon.

 Want to Avoid Legal Hassles? Top Lessons From 2016

The below article was posted online today at FloridaRealtors® and has some good advice. It came from Fort Lauderdale’s “Sun Sentinel”. Info about the author follows the article.

“With the foreclosure crisis over and home prices continuing to increase, we’ve moved past the problems that were unique to the housing bust. It’s a more normal real estate market these days, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t issues around every corner.

“Here are my top lessons learned in 2016:

• “Whether you’re on the board of your community association or just live in one, you need to read your governing documents. The answers to most problems can be found there, so it should be your first stop before you file a complaint or a lawsuit.
• “Remember, when you bought your home, you agreed to the restrictions that are now vexing you. If you want to change the rules, get involved. Join the board of directors. If you’re on the board and want to change things, first clear it with the association’s attorney. Association litigation is expensive and often easy to avoid if you know your community’s rules and follow them.
• “I’ll address two questions I hear several times a week: First, your association can foreclose on your home over a small amount of owed dues. Even if there is a mistake on your maintenance bill, pay the disputed money and then work with your association to resolve the error. Second, accept that residents are entitled to service animals under the law – even if the residents don’t appear to have visible disabilities. If you think a resident is abusing the rules, speak to the association’s attorney before you do anything.
• “Interest rates are rising, and lenders are lending money again. If you have any intention of refinancing your mortgage, now is the time to do it. It’s also a good time to buy a home. As interest rates increase, your purchasing power will decrease. Although I don’t think interest rates will skyrocket, you should get the cheap money now while it’s still available.
• “Finally, one of my favorite sayings is, “If you can say it, you can sign it.” Many times, relationships go wrong and promises get broken. Two people can have the same conversation and walk away with very different understandings. Whether you are agreeing to help your adult child buy a home or making a deal with a contractor to remodel your kitchen, always write down what you both agree to and then sign your names to it. While a properly drafted contract is best, just writing down, in detail, what each party agreed to, will reduce the chances of a dispute and make things easier to resolve if there is a disagreement.

“About the writer: Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He practices real estate, business litigation and contract law from his office in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio show Legal News and Review. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends in Florida with various companies across the nation. Send him questions online at http://www.sunsentinel.com/askpro or follow him on Twitter @GarySingerLaw.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity December 30, 2016 – January 6, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Breakers West #A5 2/2 $514K, Sanibel Arms #F2 1/1 $515K, Cottage Colony West #119 1/1 $674K (our listing), Island Beach Club #220E 2/2 $1.039M.

1 price change: Sundial West #S404 3/2 now $850K.

1 new sale: Pointe Santo #E37 3/2 listed at $1.475M.

1 closed sale: Cottage Colony West #137 1/1 $602.5K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 474 Lake Murex Cir 2/2 $399K, 3008 Singing Wind Dr 2/2 $529K, 4239 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $549K, 1304 Seaspray Ln 3/2.5 $4.495M.

5 price changes: 2401 Shop Rd 2/1 now $278K, 1478 Albatross Rd 3/2 now $659K, 5757 Pine Tree Dr 3/2.5 now $800K, 1321 Par View Dr 3/2.5 now $895K, 407 Bella Vista Way 4/4 now $2.99M.

5 new sales: 2142 Egret Cir 3/2 listed at $499K, 5406 Osprey Ct 3/2 listed at $889K, 521 Lighthouse Way 3/2 listed at $995K, 1511 Angel Dr 3/3 listed at $1.25M, 5125 Joewood Dr 4/4 listed at $2.595M.

1 closed sales: 1559 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $625K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 629 Lighthouse Way $1.095M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 2379 Wulfert Rd listed at $289K, 592 Sea Oats Dr listed at $349.9K.

1 closed sale: 2411 Blue Crab Ct $307,318.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Tennis Villas #3121 1/1/2 $255K, Bayside Villas #1/2 $315K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11551 Wightman Ln 3/3.5 $5M.

3 price changes: 43 Oster Ct 2/2.5 now $879K; 14980 Binder Dr 4/3 now $1,377,935; 14860 Mango Ct 5/4 now $2,343,925.

1 new sale: 11537 Laika Ln 4/3 listed at $1.549M.

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 activiislty in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

Until next Friday, here’s hoping your winter is warm and bright. Another cool front is expected to pass through here on Sunday when the high is forecast to be just 61 degrees F and breezy. Back into the 70’s right after that. Just how we like January on Sanibel.

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan