It’s Susan reporting another sunny Sanibel Friday following a busy Memorial Day weekend/week for The SanibelSusan Team. We got new listings, good activity with listings, and action items accomplished on upcoming closings too.

That’s the funny thing about this real estate business, once it seems too quiet, things can change with no logical explanation. Realtors® often say their work comes in bunches, like bananas. Let’s just say that it was a good banana week for SanibelSusan Realty.

I forgot last Friday to post the below photo taken by Kim at the West Wind Inn pool bar. Not-to-worry, it has looked exactly the same as this every day this week too – bright blue skies with sparkling clear gulf waters. Sometimes a few white puffy clouds come across from the mainland late in the day (if, as the locals say, they can afford the bridge toll). Soon they will bring rainy-season showers, but now it really is a wonderful time to be here with summer-like weather and very little traffic.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

At our Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday, a $5+K check was presented to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) new CEO, Dr. Ryan Orgera. The Association raised this money during our recent annual end-of-season golf outing/auction. It will go toward SCCF’s water quality efforts. Additional raised funds raised at the same event are going to RPAC the Realtors® PAC that supports property issues like water quality, short-term rentals, flood insurance, and candidates that are pro-homeowner rights.

During the meeting announcements, I was happy to announce two new listings and two new sales. The activity posted this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below.

Monday morning, at the Association, I’ll be teaching the 2019 “Resort and 2^nd Home Property” class to Realtors® looking to earn or update a Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation. Since authoring that class in 2012, I’ve updated and taught it every summer. It’s always a good exercise to confirm that Florida remains the state with the highest number of vacation and 2^nd homes. (My home state of Maine remains the one that has the largest number compared to population.) The most popular vacation home destination is the BEACH.

The National Association of Realtors® periodically surveys investment and home buyers. Their latest survey shows that 72% of vacation property owners and 71% of investment property owners believe that now is a good time to buy. Here’s hoping that means more sales on the islands.

Is Vice President Pence Returning?

Yesterday, when Jim Anderson owner of JMA Photography stopped in to get a key for filming one of our new listings, he mentioned that he needs to get the drone aerials done quickly as the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has issued a notice that a “very important person is due to arrive on Sanibel on Friday for a five-day stay.”

Past similar announcements saying “VIP Movement Notification” were related to Vice President Mike Pence visiting. The Pences have vacationed on Sanibel for years, often staying at their friends’ home here (which SanibelSusan sold to them).

The Pence’s last island visit was just a short stay, March 1-3 when he flew into SW Florida International Airport on Air Force Two and his security detail came across the causeway late evening. He also returned to the area in late March to deliver a speech on religious freedom at Ava Maria University. Last year, the Pences were here for a week, spending Easter on the island.

Sea Turtle Nests Up This Year

Worried about fall-out from the water woes last summer, it was great news to read today in the “Island Sun” that the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reports that sea turtle nest counts are up significantly from last year. Peak nesting for loggerheads typically occurs in mid to late June, so numbers are expected to grow too.

As of May 27, on Sanibel’s east end, there are 24 loggerhead nests, compared to 19 last year at this time. On Sanibel’s west end, there are 89 loggerhead nests and 2 green nests, compared to 59 loggerheads & no greens last year, same time. On Captiva there are 36 loggerhead nests compared to 22 in 2018. Hooray for the turtles. You can follow the nests at http://sccf.org/our-work/sea-turtles.

FREE Fishing Weekend

The Florida Fish & Wildlife conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a license-free saltwater fishing weekend tomorrow and Sunday, June 1 and 2, and a license-free freshwater fishing weekend next weekend on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. During these weekends a fishing license is not required for Florida residents or visitors. These free fishing weekends are part of the eight license-free fishing days FWC offers each year. All bag limits, closed areas and size restrictions still apply. More info about licenses at www.myFWC.com/license and fishing tips at www.myFWC.com/fishing.

What’s a Homeowners’ Association To Do With Surplus Funds?

Here are the question and answer response posted on Florida Realtors® news this week:

“Question: I live in a homeowner’s association, and I have two questions regarding issues that are of concern to me. First, what is the board supposed to do when there is a surplus of funds at the end of the fiscal year and second, do I have a right to request a copy of the association’s receivable report from the association, as there has been a large amount written off as bad debts? – E.K., Port St. Lucie

“Answer: Regarding your first question, the board of directors has a few options when actual expenses are less than anticipated at the end of the fiscal year. One option is for the board to carry over the surplus to the next fiscal year. Another option is to refund the surplus to the members. This option usually is not recommended.

A third option is for the board to vote to transfer the surplus of funds to a contingency reserve or other board-made reserve account. This is to be distinguished from reserve accounts subject to Section 720.303, Florida Statues, which were either established by a vote of the members or initially by the developer of your community.

In regard to your second question on the right to view the association accounts receivable report, you have a right to inspect this report pursuant to Section 720.303(4)(j), Florida Statutes.

“The association has a duty to maintain accounting records for seven years. You should verify whether the association has adopted a process for how to request an inspection and copying of the official records of the association and follow the adopted procedure.

“Harris B. Katz, Esq., is managing partner, Boca Raton of the law firm Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross, PLLC. The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The publication of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross or any of our attorneys. Readers should not act or refrain from acting based upon the information contained in this article without first contacting an attorney, if you have questions about any of the issues raised herein. The hiring of an attorney is a decision that should not be based solely on advertisements or this column. Editor’s note: Attorneys at Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross, respond to questions about Florida community association law. The firm represents community associations throughout Florida and focuses on condominium and homeowner association law, real estate law, civil litigation, estate planning and commercial transactions.

© 2019 Journal Media Group, Harris B. Katz”

Florida Tax Holiday on Hurricane Supplies Begins Today

As posted this week on-line at Florida Realtors®:

“TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – May 29, 2019 – A little nudging for storm prep shouldn’t be necessary after Matthew battered Florida’s east coast in 2016, Irma essentially drenched the entire state in 2017, and Michael ground up a chunk of the Panhandle last year.

“Still, Floridians will have seven days to build a hurricane-season stockpile – including batteries, flashlights and radios – free of sales taxes, beginning Friday. “You’ll have the opportunity to get pretty much whatever you need. It is very important to do so,” says James Miller, the Florida Retail Federation’s external affairs director. “Make sure you have your disaster preparedness and emergency kits ready to go, because we ultimately will have a storm at some point.”

“The discount is part of a tax-relief package (HB 7123) that lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved earlier this month. The week-long sales tax holiday is expected to save shoppers $800,000, nearly one-tenth of the total tax-package savings projected for the fiscal year beginning July 1, according to state economists.

The discounted items will likely coincide with hurricane-season enticements from businesses, such as Lowes, Home Depot and Harbor Freight, that are already highlighting the arrival of the six-month 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins Saturday. “During that time, obviously all of the stores will be stocked in preparation for the holiday and in preparation hopefully for no upcoming storms,” Miller said.

“The discounted supplies are just part of what Floridians need to be prepared for any disaster, says Mark Wool, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. “You need to be able to be self-sufficient, without the aid of anyone else, including EMS (emergency medical services), for three to five days,” Wool said. “We need a gallon of water per person and pet per day, non-perishable foods, flashlights, battery-powered radios, batteries for your flashlight, prescriptions, and make sure your gas tank is full.”

“Jim Zingale, executive director of the Florida Department of Revenue, encouraged all Floridians to exploit the “holiday.” “While living in and visiting Florida offers many benefits and advantages, it is important to keep the potential for severe weather hazards and threats in mind,” Zingale says.

“Items eligible for the May 31-June 6 tax break

• Reusable ice that costs $10 or less
• Self-powered light sources, $20 or less
• Gas or diesel fuel tanks, $25 or less
• Nonelectric food storage coolers, $30 or less
• Packs of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt batteries, $30 or less
• Self-powered radios, two-way radios or weather-band radios, $50 or less
• Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting, $50 or less
• Tie-down kits, $50 or less
• Portable generators, $750 or less
• The rental or repair of items doesn’t qualify for the exemption, and items sold at airports and theme parks aren’t included in the deal.”

Source: News Service of Florida, Tom Urban, Jim Turner

Sanibel’s Summer Youth Activities

Yesterday was the last day of school in Lee County public schools. For families looking for something for children to do over the summer, the City of Sanibel and several island organizations still have openings for a variety of programs and camps. Here are a few:

Sanibel Recreation Center – Summer Day Camp, a 9-week traditional camp from June 3 to August 2, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no camp July 4). Available for children entering kindergarten through eighth grade. More info at www.MySanibel.com

Sanibel Sea School – camps on marine-related topics from early June to early August. Most are day camps for ages 6-13 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There also are half-day camps for ages 4-6 or “Sea Squirts” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Most include time at the beach with island skills camps for little ones, and paddle-boarding and reef snorkeling for teens. There too are several overnight camping expeditions for ages 11-12 and 13-15, separately. Visit www.SanibelSeaSchool.org/sanibel-camps for more info.

The Community House – Home to the Culinary Education Center of Sanibel, kids summer cooking classes are offered from July 29 to Aug 2 for ages 8-14. A second camp is scheduled for August 5-9. (both are 9 a.m. until noon). More info at www.SanibelCommunityHouse.net .

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 24-31, 2019

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Mariner Pointe #1041 2/2 $484K, Sanibel Moorings #1622 2/2 $499K, Yacht Haven #4 3/2 $899K, White Pelican #114 2/2 $988K, Tarpon Beach #104 2/2 $1,149,555.

4 price changes: Sanibel Arms #C7 1/1 now $399.9K, Sunset South #6B 2/2 now $596.5K, Pointe Santo #D21 2/2 now $629K, Seawind II #2 2/2.5 now $876.5K.

1 new sale: Spanish Cay #F7 1/1 listed at $249K.

5 closed sales: Sundial #H108 1/1 $415K, Loggerhead Cay #471 2/2 $522.5K, Kings Crown #210 2/2 $775K, Sanddollar #C203 3/2 $1.15M, Sanibel Surfside #231 3/3.5 $1.2M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 730 Cardium St 2/2 $599K, 1558 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $749K (our listing).

8 price changes: 6447 Pine Ave 3/2.5 now $595K, 4245 Gulf Pines Dr 3.2 now $695K, 9401 Beverly Ln 3/3 now $739K, 405 Tiree Cir 3/2 now $755K, 218 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 now $799K, 534 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $969K, 772 Birdie View Pt 3/3.5 now $1.139M, 2915 Wulfert Rd 5/6.5 now $2.895M.

6 new sales: 1886 Farm Trl 3/3 listed at $629K, 640 Oliva St 3/2 listed at $649K, 4779 Rue Helene 3/3.5 listed at $699K, 556 Chert Ct 4/3 listed at $799K (our listing), 9454 Calla Ct 3/2 listed at $889K, 1561 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/4 listed at $2.395M.

5 closed sales: 651 Donax St 4/2 duplex $475K, 328 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 $546.5K, 1159 Golden Olive Ct 3/2 $1.14M, 2282 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 $1.34M, 2332 Troon Ct 4/5 $1.525M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 9270 Kincaid Ct listed at $149K (our listing), 5618 Baltusrol Ct listed at $339K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Seabreeze #1253 3/3 now $1.6999M

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Beach Villas #2418 2/2 $655K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 42 Oster Ct 2/2.5 $1.095M.

1 price change: 17030 Captiva Dr now $7.4M.

1 new sale: 11530 Laika Ln 4/4 listed at $2.13M.

1 closed sale: 56 Sandpiper Ct 2/2.5 $825K.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

This representation is based in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® 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 the 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, we’re hoping for more bananas! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan