It’s SanibelSusan and team reporting that the island is hopping with lots more families/spring breakers here this week. It was sunny and summer-like right through yesterday with temperatures into the low-80’s.

The below photos were taken yesterday by local fishing guide, Paul Primeaux. To see these gorgeous turquoise waters yourself and probably catch a few fish too, contact him directly at www.captivaguide.com.

Today is overcast with a few showers expected – so far, just a few sprinkles.

Teammate Dave had a few lookers during another Open House on Wednesday. I have been out showing property at The Sanctuary and will be again later this afternoon. Earlier in the week, Dave and Lisa finalized an off-island sale which came from an island referral. We love those.

Association of Realtors® Thursday Caravan

It was another quick, but busy meeting at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® weekly caravan meeting yesterday. I was happy to be one of the sale announcements (our condo listing at Coquina Beach). Also, we already have had good results from announcing a price reduction at Beachcomber #A102. Can’t beat that gulf-front location for $1.445M (photos below)

Again, lots of price reductions were announced: 18 Sanibel homes and four condos. A report of the week’s status changes in the Sanibel-Captiva Multiple Listing Service follows a few news items below.

Sanibel Public Library – Year in Review

I bet the Sanibel Library won’t mind if I repeat a few tidbits that I enjoyed from their last mail-out. Always good to get a reminder about what is offered here. It also is a great place to park Sunday mornings for Farmers’ Market.

Library cards are available to all residents of Sanibel and Lee County, FL, at no charge.

Visitor cards are available for a $10 fee and are good for one year.

Here are the Sanibel Library’s state rankings:

• #1 for Material Available Per Capita (books, movies, music, magazines)
• #2 for Circulation Per Borrower
• #2 for Program Attendance Per Capita
• #2 for Public Computers Available Per 1,000
• #3 for Library Visits Per Capita.

Sanibel Public Library also was awarded Trip Advisor “Certificate of Excellence” awards for 2014, 2015, 2016 and Library Journal’s national “Star Library” award in 2010, 2011, 2016.

In addition to books, the Library has more than 8,000 DVD’s, 200 different magazine and newspaper subscriptions, more than 50 eMagazine subscriptions are available for download with the Zinio app.

Since eShelf inception in 2010, 43,000 eBooks have been downloaded via OverDrive including 9,000 audiobooks. Thousands of 3Books, movies, audiobooks, and TV shows, as well as music, are available via the Hoopla app.

Rising Rates, Rising Sales

Good article by Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, in the March/April 2017 issue of “Realtor®” magazine:

“Interest rates are rising, but there’s no need to panic. In the past, for each 10-basis-point increase in mortgage rates, home sales declined by around 35,000 on a national basis. Since the presidential election, mortgage interest rates have risen by 70 basis points, from an average of 3.5% to 4.2%.

“If rising interest rates are accompanied by a strengthening labor market with higher wages, the economy will be fine. At least 2 million net new jobs are forecast for this year, and that is the reason we anticipate home sales will squeak out a modest gain over 2016. If mortgage underwriting standards normalize even modestly from the excessively stringent conditions of the past few years, such as through reduced FHA insurance premiums or lower guarantee fees on loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, then sales could be even better.

“Some analysis might say higher interest rates are not due to improved long-term economic prospects but to a steep increase in future budget deficits as tax revenue falls and spending increases. If that’s the case, the economic boost will be short-lived, harming home sales in the future.

“Which will it be? The task for us is to see how federal policies affect the dynamism in the economy. Fewer regulations will likely encourage entrepreneurs to introduce new products and services. However, if the government instead emphasizes protection of exiting companies, then economic growth could suffer.

“NAR’s survey of commercial members fortunately indicates that openings of small businesses have surpassed closings in recent months. That is a good sign, and some of those small businesses could well become the next Apple, Facebook, or Google. Let the economy work it’s magic.”

Upcoming Events

Sunset Sing Cruise – The Sanibel BIG ARTS Ensemble (30 members) is singing aboard Captiva Cruises sunset cruise on Sunday, April 2. This alto is part of the entertainment. A few tickets still are available (call 472-5100 or online at www.captivacruises.com.)

SCCF’s Beer in the Bushes – Saturday, April 15, 6 to 10 p.m. Beer in the Bushes has become the unofficial End-of-Season Party. Guests will enjoy a fun evening on the grounds of SCCF’s Nature Center in support of SCCF’s mission of conserving local coastal habitats and aquatic resources. This event is 21+, rain or shine. It includes new craft beer tastings, great food, world-class music, and just a chance to catch up with fellow islanders. This is the first time the event has had a Gold Record Award-wining group performing. The headliner is “G. Love & Special Sauce” which is known for their unique and laid-back music covering classical R&B and hip-hop sounds. More info at www.sccf.org or tickets online at www.sccfbeer.eventbrite.com.

Pine Island Sound Cruise – On the cusp of Earth Day, Friday April 21, SCCF is teaming up with Captiva Cruises and author Denege Patterson for a cruise through the islands of Pine Island Sound. Climbing aboard Captiva Cruises regularly scheduled lunch trip to Cabbage Key and Useppa, guests hear a narration by Denege who has spent over five years studying the geology and archeology of over 20 islands. (See above for ticket info.)

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 24-31, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanctuary Golf Villages I #3-3 2/2.5 $699K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #6 3/3 $939K.

4 price changes: Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 now $349,555; Kings Crown #106 2/2 now $849K; Pine Cove #102 3/2 now $1.347M; Beachcomber #A102 2/2 now $1.445M (our listing).

4 new sales: Coquina Beach #3G 2/2 listed at $499K (our listing), Kings Crown #106 2/2 listed at $849K, Loggerhead Cay #152 2/2 listed at $899K, Somerset #E202 3/2.5 listed at $1.649M.

4 closed sales: Sundial West #G307 1/1 $400K, Sundial West #I303 1/1 $445K, Sanibel Moorings #841 2/2 $449K, Heron at The Sanctuary III #1B 3/2.5 $600K.

HOMES

5 new listings: 1747 Serenity Ln 3/2 $499K, 471 Las Tiendas Ln 3/2 $749K, 1183 Kittiwake Cir 3/2 $889K, 673 East Rocks Dr 3/2 $898K, 1426 Causey Ct 3/2.5 $1.399M.

18 price changes: 1029 Dixie Beach Blvd 2/2 now $439.9K, 3021 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $518K, 1585 Serenity Ln 3/3 now $520K, 1212 Par View Dr 2/2 now $589K, 9446 Yucca Ct 3/2 now $589K, 1426 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $615K, 1020 White Ibis Dr 3/3 now $719K, 1315 Par View Dr 3/2 now $729K, 5126 Joewood Dr 3/2 now $735K, 1425 Causey Ct 4/3 now $779K, 5240 Caloosa End Ln 3/3 now $949.9K, 1114 Captains Walk St 3/3 now $955K, 1126 Harbour Cottage Ct 3/2 now $1.445M, 687 Anchor Dr 4/3 now $1.495M, 1743 Venus Dr 4/3.5 now $1.699M, 4190 Dingman Dr 4/3.5 now $1.995M, 1149 Paper Fig Ct 4/3 now $2.439M, 4731 Rue Belle Mer 3/3 now $2.5M.

12 new sales: 6471 Pine Ave 2/2 listed at $529K, 4619 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 listed at $549.9K, 1895 Farm Trl 3/2 listed at $615K, 1114 Sabal St 2/2 listed at $675K, 1210 Par View Dr 4/2 listed at $695K, 3359 Barra Cir 3/3 listed at $789K, 276 Ferry Landing Dr 4/3 listed at $899.9K, 1030 Kings Crown Dr 2/2 listed at $929K, 863 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 listed at $979K, 1035 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 listed at $1.15M, 5838 Pine Tree Dr 3/3 listed at $1.295M, 615 Lighthouse Way 3/3.5 listed at $2.345M.

3 closed sales: 1746 Windward Way 3/2 $530K, 671 Rabbit Rd 3/2 $620K, 2920 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $910K.

LOTS

2 new listings: 667 Birdie View Pt $349.9K, 2987 Wulfert Rd $450K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 5121 Sanibel-Captiva Rd listed at $197,555; 5687 Baltusrol Ct listed at $315K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

2 price changes: Beach Villas #2422 1/1 now $519K, Lands End Village #1665 2/2 now $1.015M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16596 Captiva Dr 6/5/2 $8.25M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 1119 Schefflera Ct 4/3.5 listed at $4.695M.

1 closed sale: 13500 Palmflower Ln 4/4 $1.82M.

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, don’t be fooled tomorrow… it’s already spring!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan