There is no denying that the water woes of last summer affected island real estate sales, but as we carefully watch the weather, it is great to be able to report now that the view driving across the causeway is as good as I remember it this late in the summer. Here are some aerial photos taken for the City just three days ago.
With a rainy few days ahead, that sparkling blue may get stirred up this weekend, but it sure is different from a year ago at this time.
Below are the islands’ real estate statistics as of today (August 2, 2019). Inventory is low, with many island Realtors® looking for listings. Now really is the best to list for those wanting a sale during the upcoming “season”. (There are more closed sales last quarter and first quarter which often means contracts are written beginning in August so new owners will benefit from winter ownership.)
| Sanibel | Condos | Homes | Lots | |||
| # | Avg Price | # | Avg Price | # | Avg Price | |
| For Sale | 99 | $820,294 | 145 | $1,360,835 | 64 | $657,673 |
| Under Contract | 11 | $731,709 | 17 | $987,647 | 4 | $233,000 |
| Sold/Closed Year-to-Date | 85 | $662,618 | 147 | $956,029 | 10 | $419,900 |
| Sold/Closed in 2018 | 155 | $720,617 | 218 | $1,112,748 | 21 | $602,095 |
| Sold/Closed in 2017 | 140 | $728,793 | 186 | $1,004,237 | 32 | $327,229 |
| Captiva | Condos | Homes | Lots | |||
| # | Avg Price | # | Avg Price | # | Avg Price | |
| For Sale | 38 | $1,115,343 | 34 | $2,884,556 | 3 | $1,929,667 |
| Under Contract | 6 | $681,317 | 2 | $2,112,500 | 0 | N/A |
| Sold/Closed Year-to-Date | 14 | $1,201,857 | 12 | $3,181,963 | 0 | N/A |
| Sold/Closed in 2018 | 27 | $797,532 | 25 | $2,127,352 | 0 | N/A |
| Sold/Closed in 2017 | 34 | $671,551 | 22 | $2,457,023 | 2 | $2,312,500 |
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.
There was no Realtor® Caravan yesterday, but the changes in the islands’ Multiple Listing Service this week are after a few news items below.
Island Scoop
San-Cap Road Vegetation Trimming – from Rabbit Road to Bowman’s Beach Rd on the north side, now through August 7.
Sanibel’s Annual Street Resurfacing Project – will begin August 5 with paving done during normal daytime hours. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. The public is reminded to use caution when traveling through a construction zone. The following streets are included in this project:
- Wulfert Rd. (from Wildlife Dr. to Sanctuary Entrance)
- West Rocks Dr.
- Coquina Dr.
- East Rocks Dr.
- Emeril Ct.
- Durion Ct.
- Chert Ct.
- Agate Ct.
- Boulder Cir.
- Palm Lake Dr.
- Donax St (repairs to northbound lane)
Every year the City resurfaces selected roads based upon a time schedule and existing condition. This year’s road resurfacing contract amount is $534,000 including full-width resurfacing of the ten streets above, and repairs to Donax Street. The project is expected to be completed within 30 days.
Home Inspection Myths & Misconceptions
“The inspection is pass/fail. Home inspectors do not determine whether a house passes or fails. They evaluate the condition of a home and report on defects. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether to buy the house.
“Home Inspectors determine if a house is up to code. Inspectors are looking for defects that could affect the safety of your family or the value of your home. Code inspections, on the other hand, look for compliance with certain building standards. Just because something is not up to code, does not inherently make it a home inspection defect.
“The seller will repair every defect the home inspector finds. While the inspector’s report can be used as a negotiating tool, sellers are not obligated to make any repairs if your agent is using an as-is contract. Note: If negotiating over repairs, focus on issues that could be costly to fix.
“New construction homes don’t have to be inspected. New construction homes can have serious defects that could be costly to repair. Problems occur when a builder cuts corners, manufacturer’s recommendations are not followed or workers simply make mistakes.
“Home Inspectors determine the value of a house. The focus of the home inspection is the condition of the home; an appraiser determines a fair market value.
“Home Inspectors check for termites. In Florida, termite inspections have to be performed by a pest control company.”
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 26 – August 2, 2019
Sanibel
CONDOS
1 new listing: Sanibel Inn #3514 2/2 $760K.
6 price changes: Sanibel Arms #B7 1/1 now $395.9K, Mariner Pointe #321 3/2 now $569K, Loggerhead Cay #351 2/2 now $597K, Lighthouse Point #111 2/2 now $634K, Loggerhead Cay #223 2/2 now $649K, Loggerhead Cay #192 2/2 now $750K.
2 new sales: Seashells #12 2/2 listed at $395K, Cottage Colony West #117 1/1 listed at $625K.
2 closed sales: Tennisplace #D31 1/1 $230K, White Caps South #5 1/1 $470K.
HOMES
3 new listings: 1890 Farm Trl 3/2 $565.4K, 9436 Yucca Ct 3/2 $839K, 4701 Rue Belle Mer 4/4 $3.595M.
4 price changes: 9465 Coventry Ct 3/2 now $597K, 1755 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 now $765K, 1305 Eagle Run 3/2.5 now $998.5K, 5842 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 now $1.049M.
5 new sales: 513 Rabbit Rd 3/2 listed at $648K, 1060 White Ibis Dr 3/2 $749K, 1324 Seaspray Ln 3/3 listed at $1.35M, 2719 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 $1.499M, 1035 Blue Heron Dr 3/2 $1.539M.
6 closed sales: 705 Rabbit Rd 3/3 $520K, 1175 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 $714K, 4460 Waters Edge Ln 3/2 $747K, 556 Chert Ct 4/3 $785K (our listing), 9224 Dimmick Dr 3/2 $840K, 1101 Schooner Pl 3/2.5 $1.245M.
LOTS
1 new listing: 2431 Shop Rd $249.9K.
No price changes, new, or closed sales.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Beach Homes #21 3/3 now $3M.
4 new sales: Sunset Beach Villas #2332 2/2 listed at $754.9K, Sunset Captiva #103 2/2 listed at $800K, Beach Villas #2436 3/2 listed at $825K, Ventura Captiva #2A 3/3 listed at $919K.
1 closed sale: 31 Urchin Ct 3/3 $950K.
HOMES
No new listings, price changes, or new sales.
1 closed sale: 31 Urchin Ct 3/3 $950K.
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, Happy August!
Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan