It’s Susan and The SanibelSusan Team reporting a fun week on the island with continuing reports of “where is the Vice President now” and beaches, bike paths, and roadways often busy with vacationing visitors and families.

Sanibel Captiva Association of Realtors®

The local Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday was well attended. Not many sales were announced, but a few more price reductions, and new listings. With high season wrapping up, more sales closed this week, so below is another update based on today’s Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service data.  A report on the activity posted this week follows a few news items.

Sanibel Year-to-Date (1/1-4/14/17):

Condos – 41 sold/closed, 23 under contract, 108 for sale (average days-on-market = 209)

Homes – 64 sold/closed, 48 under contract, 186 for sale (average days-on-market = 180)

Lots – 12 sold/closed, 8 under contract, 64 for sale (average days-on-market = 390)

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

With the island busy, I put a condo under contract, accompanied a showing, was out showing homes two days, and have fielded many requests for listing info. Also, spent time negotiating a couple of offers – no official news yet to report – just that things are in the works.

Teammate Dave held Open Houses for three days at vacant condos. Attendance was sporadic, probably related to the wonderful weather here all week.

Where is Vice President Pence?

Spottings of Vice President Pence and his family vacationing this week were frequent and sometimes humorous. Our travel wasn’t affected much by their visit and we hope they had a terrific vacation.  Here is SanibelSusan’s version of the week’s events.

Saturday, when I left the island late afternoon to do a little shopping just off island, I noticed multiple sheriff vehicles at every intersection from Harbour Cottages to Kelly Greens. All were quietly waiting, except the unmarked vehicle with lights flashing at the McGregor Blvd/Summerlin Rd intersection. I also saw a few spectators in lawn chairs near the entrance to Mariner Pointe, so it appeared the Vice President was arriving soon.

He arrived by motorcade – about 20 vehicles – just after 5 p.m. The quiet motorcade turned up Dixie Beach Blvd which had the island abuzz about “where is he staying?”. Turns out, we later heard that he has been vacationing here for many years. This trip he stayed in a bayside home on San Carlos Bay Dr. Those living in the neighborhood confirmed Secret Service sightings and some of their boats and vehicles being searched – all very quietly and professionally.

Sunday, he and his wife attended the 8 a.m. service at Sanibel Community Church. Another parishioner who usually also attends that early service, said they must have known they were coming, as the choir performed and usually they are at the later services. Later Sunday, the Vice President and Mrs. Pence were spotted walking on the beach. That night, there were more sightings when they dined at The Timbers. You-know-who got his picture taken with him and word is that the photo was framed and on the wall that evening. A client, there at the same time, dining with family said the Secret Service agents were very nice.

Monday, Vice President Pence left the island early for a quick trip to DC for the swearing in of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. When I came back on island early Monday evening after another quick run overseas, I passed a large group of 15-20 Lee County sheriff motorcycles and cars leaving the island. I found out later that they had just been part of the VP’s escort back on island.

Tuesday dinner, photos were posted of them at Matzaluna Restaurant. (I wonder if Matt got another photo?)

Wednesday, while teammate Dave was holding an Open House at Lighthouse Point, he reported in that he spotted a group of what looked like Secret Service vehicles and bikers. Also on Wednesday, the Vice President was spotted walking on the beach and had his picture taken with a fisherman who had just spent 10₊hours reeling in what he thought was a small shark, but turned out to be a rare huge saw-tooth fish, which was tagged and released. The below photos were taken by Dr. Paul & Lynn Collins. They didn’t get the Vice President, but they sure got some good shots of the action during the catch.

Thursday, the motorcade was on the move again with reports of Mrs. Pence getting a manicure at Sanibel Beauty Salon and the Vice President getting a haircut. They were photographed later at dinner at The Mucky Duck. Rumor has it that the VP played golf and did a little fishing while here too.

They were to leave the island today and as Dave headed to the office this morning, he saw a group of bikers, then marked cars and sheriff vehicles at the intersections of Donax and Dixie Beach. The “Santiva Chronicle” just posted that they left the island just after 3 p.m.  Good that it was today, as tomorrow, the day before Easter, is traditionally the busiest day of the year on the island.

With more families and visitors arriving tomorrow and children’s Easter events from Sanibel City Park to the Sanibel Community Church and then Island Inn, traffic may be challenging. A good day to watch the Sanibel traffic cameras at http://www.mysanibel.us/traffic/ or go to the App Store and get the free app.

Good News About Florida Senate Bill 10

It was great to hear on Wednesday that the Florida Senate took action to protect Florida’s unique waterways by passing SB 10. This legislation will accelerate the process of building a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. Scientists have determined that increased storage, treatment and conveyance of water south of Lake O are essential to stop the damaging discharges to the coastal estuaries.

The passage of this bill is a huge step, but the fight is far from over. Next stop is the Florida House of Representatives. If you want to stay attuned to what is happening in Tallahassee follow the news at www.NowOrNeverglades.com or at the 2017 Legislative Session Tracker at www.sccf.org

Happy Easter

Since I posted details of the holiday happenings in last week’s blog, I won’t include them again, but send best wishes to you from all of us on The SanibelSusan Team for a great weekend.

More summer-like weather is expected here (mid-80’s in temperatures), with sparkling Gulf water too.

Here is another photo taken this week by the Collins, this time at “Ding” Darling. The brilliant pink makes me think of spring and Easter! Thanks again for sharing, Paul and Lynn!

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 7-14, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Seashells #6 2/2 $395K, Pointe Santo #B26 2/2 $759.9K.

8 price changes: Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 now $339,555; Seashells #3 2/2 now $399.4K; Blind Pass #F106 2/2 now $409K; Donax Village #3 2/2 now $448K; Lighthouse Point #217 3/2 now $510K; Sunset South #2A 2/2 now $699K; Sanctuary Golf Villages I #5 2/2.5 now $699K; Royale Tern #103 3/3.5 now $1.75M.

3 new sales: Ibis at The Sanctuary #B302 2/2 listed at $498.5K (our buyer), Sanctuary Golf Villages I #6 3/3 listed at $939K, Tamarind #A102 2/2 listed at $1.595M.

6 closed sales: Sundial West #C406 1/1 $416K, Villa Sanibel #3D 2/2 $599K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1B 3/2.5 $610K, Compass Point #222 2/2 $650K, Bayview Village #1A 3/3 $782.8K, Sanddollar #B204 2/2 $859K.

HOMES

8 new listings: 9292 Kincaid Ct 3/2 $549K, 241 Violet Dr 3/2.5 $775K, Moonshadows #F2 3/3 $919K, 655 Anchor Dr 3/3 $950K, 5402 Osprey Ct 4/3 $1.095M, 1340 Eagle Run Dr 3/3 $1.1M, 3832 Coquina Dr 3/4 $1.299M, 1137 Golden Olive Ct 5/3.5 $1.9M.

11 price changes: 1747 Serenity Ln 3/2 now $494K, 5305 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $579K, 5105 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3 now $624.9K, 1429 Jamaica Dr 3/3 now $664.9K, 998 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 now $679K, 1183 Kittiwake Cir 3/2 now $849K, 698 Spartina Ct 3/2 now $849.9K, 2628 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 now $1.839M, 1238 Isabel Dr 5/3/2 now $3.399M, 3547 West Gulf Dr 4/4 now $4.495M.

7 new sales: 1862 Farm Trl 3/2 listed at $675K, 3152 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 listed at $697K, 5126 Joewood Dr 3/2 listed at $735K, 408 Bella Vista Way 4/4 listed at $1.595M, 1757 Venus Dr 4/2.5 listed at $1.899M, 4117 West Gulf Dr 5/6 listed at $5.799M, 3577 West Gulf Dr 4/4/2 listed at $7.595M.

5 closed sales: 1073 Fish Crow Rd 3/2.5 $685K, 743 Elinor Way 3/2 $685K, 2459 Harbour Ln 3/3.5 $777K, 935 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $969K, 6129 Starling Way 3/2.5 $1.225M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 2307 Wulfert Rd $259K.

3 price changes: 540 East Lake Rd now $179K, 6519 Pine Ave now $829K, 6505 Pine Ave now $829K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 1329 Par View Dr $307.5K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Beach Villas #2422 1/1 listed at $519K.

1 closed sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2333 3/2 $755K.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 11539 Wightman Ln 2/2 $1.4995M.

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.)

Happy Easter! from Susan Andrews (aka SanibelSusan)