Happy Friday from the SanibelSusan Team. Typical sunny summer weather continues with occasional showers. Essentially no impact was felt here from Tropical Storm (later Hurricane) Isaias passing by the East Coast last weekend. With Atlantic and Gulf waters now very warm, even for summer, you can be sure we will continue to watch the weather channel right through hurricane season. Because of that warm water, more activity than normal is expected.

Yesterday afternoon while checking a couple of properties I snapped the following photos will my cell. From the bay to the gulf, even with recent occasional showers, waters are clear and bright.

Regarding COVID-19

On Monday, Mayor Ruane extended Sanibel’s declared State of Emergency in response to COVID-19, until August 11, 2020, unless further extended. (Per State Statute the maximum time for a Mayoral Declaration of Emergency is seven days, so it must be updated weekly while there are emergency conditions.)

Florida Department of Health (DOH) reports a total of 38 COVID-19 cases on Sanibel, five on Captiva.

On a positive note, DOH on-line reports that Lee County test results from Wednesday showed a lower percentage of positive test results. On August 5, it reports the county had 2,187 negative tests, 136 positive, or 5.9% positive. We all hope that downward trend continues.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

All of us are back at work this week, wearing masks and happy to say that office visitors are wearing them too. We had a few of those this week, some folks thinking of buying, others, Realtors® comparing notes on the market and picking up/returning keys.

Island inventory remains low as we roll into what are traditionally the slowest months of the year (Aug, Sep, Oct), but we know this year certainly is not like the norm. Since last Friday, the islands Multiple Listing Service reports 20 new Sanibel sales (8 condos/12 homes) and both a condo and a home sale on Captiva. The complete weekly update of the action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service this week is after a couple of news items below.

The annual Association of Realtors SCIS designation classes (Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist) have been rescheduled for September 15-October 2, so I am updating the segment I teach on the Resort and 2^nd-Home Market. I have been teaching this class for eight years, but this will be my first using Zoom. Wish me luck.

Four Florida Beaches Make List of USA’s Most Charming Beach Towns

Posted Monday, August 3, by SouthFloridaReporter.com:

“The TravelMag results are out with Destin, Key West, Sanibel Island, and St Augustine, making the list of the Most Charming Beach Towns in the USA.  Florida had more beaches on the list than any other state.

“Waves lap 88,633 miles (142,641 km) of United States shoreline from the Arctic Ocean in the northwest, and the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean from west to east (according to the US Census Bureau). And all along these twists and turns of land, around the bays and inlets, estuaries and peninsulas, there are signs of human existence, from mighty cities like New York and Los Angeles, to remote towns and peaceful beaches. In all, 23 of the 50 States meet an ocean at some point, while an additional seven states have shoreline beach towns along one of the Great Lakes.

“Therefore, we decided to ask a broad array of writers, travel bloggers, photographers and other in-the-know professionals to pick the five beach towns they consider to be the most charming in the United States. To be eligible for inclusion, a town or city had to have a population of fewer than 30,000 people. After totting up the votes, we now present to you, in alphabetical order, the 30 beach towns our survey deemed the USA’s most charming.… [See the entire list HERE]….”

Below is what it had to say about Sanibel:

“Sanibel Island, FL

Located off the southwest coast of Florida, the barrier island of Sanibel is known for its shells. Beachcombers can pick their way along the long expanses of coarse sand, like those at Bowman’s Beach, looking for their own specimens. Alternatively, see the grand collection at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Sanibel Island’s human story is largely one of first conquering the elements, by controlling the wetlands and building a causeway from the mainland. In recent decades however, the focus has shifted more towards long-term goals through conservation and protection of these delicate environments, with much of the island dedicated to wildlife refuges, particularly JN Ding Darling, where you might be lucky to see roseate spoonbills, mangrove cuckoos, pelicans, alligators, turtles and even a bobcat.”

‘Ding’ Darling Free Lecture Series Moving to Community House for 2021

From the August 6, “Santiva Chronicle” on-line :

“The upcoming season’s “Ding” Darling Friday Lecture Series will evolve with the times and persisting distance protocols by moving to the larger venue of the Sanibel Community House at 2173 Periwinkle Way. The free lectures will occur on five select days throughout the season with one 10 a.m. lecture per day.

“The 17th annual “Ding” Darling Friday Lecture Series, which runs Jan.29 through March 19, 2021, features photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher, Feather Thief author Kirk W. Johnson, and eminent authorities on water conservation, eagles, owls, and woodpeckers.

““The uncertainties of COVID-19 challenged us to experiment with a new lecture series format so we could accommodate high-quality lecturers but still abide by new distancing guidelines,” said Ann-Marie Wildman, “Ding” Darling’s Nature Store manager and lecture series organizer. “We would be very limited on how many we could seat at our usual venue in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center auditorium, but the Community House gives us more latitude. So, we’ve decided on fewer lectures with topnotch speakers.”

“…Visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/lecture-and-film-series for further information on lecturers. Seating for the free lectures is limited and available on a first-come basis. About 200 seats will be available. Face masks will be required. DDWS will be filming most lectures and broadcasting them on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/dingdarling….”

Salt Pulping on Wood Pilings

Teammate Dave had to put me in my place last week when we were discussing some piling damage at a home we viewed. From the archives he pulled out a summary provided January 12, 1996 by Max Anderson, Sanibel’s Building Official at the time. If you need a reminder too, here is that info:

“There have been several instances of a strange looking fuzzy decay and deterioration on wood pilings on Sanibel. There seemed to be no answer as to why this was happening and what to do to correct the problem.

“Samples were taken from some pilings where this occurred and sent to Dr. Terry Amburgey at Mississippi State University. He is a recognized expert on wood products. He indicates this problem is called salt water pulping and caused by salt water being absorbed up into the piling. This happens because, in his opinion, the piling is not dried or aged properly prior to use.

“To stop the action of the salt water, the water column in the piling must be blocked, some important facts and best possible suggestions to correct the problem are as follows:

1. The chromated copper arsenate (C.C.A.) pressure treatment is the most common method used. This is a waterborne treatment and drying prior to use of the wood piling is critical.
2. When driven into a salt water environment the natural air drying above grade causes the salty water to be sucked or drawn up into the wood.
3. It is necessary to block this water column action to stop this salt water pulping.
4. A suggested method to break this water column is to drill a ½-inch diameter hold in one face of the piling near the base at an angle downward into the center. Move to each of the other 3 faces of the piling moving up about 12” and drill similar holes. Pour these holes full of a water preservative generally available at a hardware store. Go back several times over a couple of weeks refilling the drilled holes. The preservative will be drawn into and absorbed by the piling. Then seal the hole.
5. Brush off existing fuzz and deteriorating wood from the face of the piling and coat with the water preservative.
6. This treatment as suggested should break the water column drawing the salt water into the column.

“This is a treatment which is recommended by Dr. Amburgey and has not been tested, but in his opinion should correct the problem of salt water pulping. The Sanibel Building Department would like for people using this system to report back in approximately one year as a test program.”

Salt Damage to Wood

Since I wondered if there were more recent articles on the subject, here is an interesting one I found from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (#06-2011-001):

“Many types of deterioration can affect wood in service. One potential problem facing dock owners is the occasional development of “fuzzy wood” caused by salt uptake into the wood. This salt damage – also referred to as “salt kill” or salt defibration – is sometimes seen in wood that is chronically exposed to salt, such as marine pilings, bridge decks where salt is used as a de-icer, utility poles that are splashed with road salt, or wood associated with salt storage.

Wood in this instance acts like a bundle of straws, wicking salt water into the wood structure. As the wood surface is exposed to heat and drying (as from direct sunlight), the water evaporates and salt crystals form in the wood cells. Over time, the physical forces exerted by the salt crystals push the fibers of the wood apart, causing the “fuzzy” appearance. This phenomenon is often seen in extreme environments, both hot and cold. Past research at FPL has shown that salt damage can accumulate in as little as 5 years of repeated wetting and drying cycles. Salt damage can be observed on untreated wood or wood treated with waterborne preservatives, such as CCA (copper chromated arsenate) and ACQ (alkaline copper quat). It does not usually occur on wood treated with oily preservatives, such as creosote, because the oil forms a barrier to the sale movement.

“Although salt damage may be unsightly, the fuzzy wood need not be cause for alarm. The gradual sloughing off of the wood surface proceeds slowly, and the wood beneath the affected area remains sound. Salt damage has been observed on poles and pilings that are still in service after 25-30 years. Paints, coatings, or barriers have been suggested to prevent the movement of water from the wood surface, but it’s not clear how effective these treatments might be….”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 31-August 7, 2020

Sanibel

CONDOS

No new listings.

4 price changes: Sanibel Arms #C7 1/1 now $356K, Sandalfoot #3C1 2/2 now $639.9K, Heron at The Sanctuary II #2B 3/3.5 now $759K, Heron at The Sanctuary II #3A 3/2.5 now $799K.

8 new sales: Casa Blanca #4 1/1 listed at $357K, Blind Pass #E205 2/2.5 listed at $405K, Sunset South #A11 2/2 listed at $549K, Cottage Colony West #134 1/1 listed at $614.5K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #5-4 3/3 listed at $790K, Sanibel Surfside #126 2/2 listed at $799K, Seawind II #2 2/2.5 listed at $799.9K, Sundial #K402 2/2 listed at $1,149,900.

3 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #A7 1/1 $338K, Sanibel Shores #A2 2/2 $459K, Sandalfoot #1C1 2/2 $775K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 537 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 $1.095M.

6 price changes: 9247 Dimmick Dr 3/2 now $580K, 9128 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $699K, 1296 Par View Dr 3/3 now $749K, 1777 Serenity Ln 5/4.5 now $919K, 4629 Rue Bayou 5/3 now $1.195M, 2411 Blue Crab Ct 4/4.5 now $2,494,900.

12 new sales: 454 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $630K, 4339 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 listed at $695K, 9106 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed at $749K, 3117 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 listed at $793K, 5422 Shearwater Dr 3/2.5 listed at $799K, 1752 Jewel Box Dr 2/2 listed at $859K, 1406 Causey Ct 3/2.5 listed at $895K, 401 Lagoon Dr 4/4 listed at $899K, 776 Conch Ct 3/2 listed at $899K, 1437 Causey Ct 3/2.5 listed at $925K, 940 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 listed at $948K, 5089 Joewood Dr 6/5 listed at $3.495M.

7 closed sales: 1356 Jamaica Dr 2/1.5 $515K, 1973 Wild Lime Dr 4/3 $554K, 5834 Pine Tree Dr 2/2 $675K, 701 Nerita St 3/2 $675K, 2100 Sunset Cir 3/2 $698K, 2284 Troon Ct 4/4.5 $1.7M, 5615 Baltusrol Ct 4/4/3 $2.895M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 5847 Pine Tree Dr $300K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5114 1/2 listed at $380K.

1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #5104 1/2 $385K.

HOMES

No new listings

1 price change: 11555 Wightman Ln 3/2 now $3.695M.

1 new sale: 11514 Wightman Ln 5/5 listed at $1.895M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, new or closed sales.

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.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”. Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan