A reminder of how just beyond the Clam Bayou bridge is some of the best shelling in the world. Our condo listing at Blind Pass #E101 is just steps from the beach path.

This week’s real estate activity in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below.

Sanibel Farmers Market Back for 13^th Season with Changes

With new safety guidelines, the Sanibel Farmers Market will return this weekend (October 4) and be open on Sundays through May 2021 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sanibel City Hall. Market parking is in the lots at City Hall, the Library, BIG ARTS and Schoolhouse Theater. Handicap parking and bicycle parking are in designated areas at City Hall.

Organized by Local Roots which is co-owned by island residents Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura, the weekly market will feature a mix of vendors and products, plus crafters. With the ongoing pandemic, Local Roots has implemented several new protocols to keep the community/shoppers safe and vendors following CDC guidelines.

Most importantly, everyone (market visitors and vendors) will be required to wear a mask. Every vendor will have hand sanitizer, and it will be available upon entering and exiting the site. While the market in the past has served as a sort of gathering place for the community, this season, a “grab and go” format will be promoted to prevent lingering and gatherings. You are asked to “only touch if you are buying.” New signs will remind visitors of the mask requirement, to social distance, wash their hands. In spread vendors out, their number has been reduced and will be adjust as needed.

Shoppers will be able to stock up on fresh produce, seafood, breads and pastries, smoothies, BBQ, plants/flowers, and more. New vendors include: Swell Snacks with dried fruits, Chef Mazotta with frozen prepared meals and crab cakes, Daily Delice with French specialties, Uhmaze with fresh-pressed juices, Twila Mae Chicken Salad, Traveling Salad Bar, Sinless Sweets, Dream Earth Bowls, and Fresh Catch with seafood, pot pies, stuffed chicken breasts, beef, and pork. Returning favorites include: Island Seafood, Andre’s French Bakery, Pete’s Fresh Mozzarella, Venus Veggies Organic Farm, Dynasty Guacamole, Cherie’s Sweet Treats, and Ernesto & Luigi Sauces. There also will be five craft vendors each week – four permanent ones and one rotating artisan.

A different local nonprofit also will be provided a space every week, including the local PTA and Boy Scouts. Again, this year, Local Roots is partnering with F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva to help fill its pantry shelves with a program where market visitors may bring food donations or donate funds to buy items.

The market does not allow dogs, only service animals are permitted. The market also is free of plastic straws and plastic bags. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bag and swing by – and grab their items “to go”. More info online at www.BuyLocalLee.com.

Other Upcoming Events

Classic Car Show Tomorrow – The San Cap Motor Club Cruise-ins are resuming for season, with the kickoff tomorrow, October 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Periwinkle Place shopping center. Masks are required. Donuts from Bailey’s General Store will be available along with complimentary coffee. All are welcome to bring their classic cars. No pre-registration is necessary.

39^th Taste of the Islands – Renamed “Taste of the Islands Reimagined” – This year the event which is an annual C.R.O.W. fundraiser will move into island restaurants and last through the month of November. All month, each participating restaurant will offer their “Taste” items to showcase their cuisine. A portion of the proceeds from those food and beverage sales will be donated to C.R.O.W. Additionally, every Sunday, a different “C.R.O.W. Crawl” will feature different restaurants for patrons to visit. The C.R.O.W. tent with Animal Ambassadors will be at these events. In lieu of admission, participants will purchase a “Taste Passport” with a list and map of the participating restaurants. To track their progress, each restaurant will stamp/punch the passport when a patron visits them. Only passport holders will be eligible to vote for their favorite restaurant to win the coveted “People’s Choice Award”. Passport holders also will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including vacation stays and gift certificates. Passports will be available at C.R.O.W. and the participating restaurants, or on-line at “will calls” both on and off Sanibel.

Luminary 2020 – The Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce has extended Luminary 2020 from seven hours to seven days for the “Coastal Distance Edition” on December 4-11. Instead of just single night events, this year, it will take place from Friday through Friday during normal operating hours when businesses will offer special discounts and deals. Retailers, restaurants, accommodations, personal services, attractions, recreational activities, and other local operations are invited to participate. The Chamber will create a dedicated landing Webpage for showcasing the week’s offers. With the tagline, “Eat, Shop, Stay, Play” like traditional Luminary celebrations, it promotes commerce on Sanibel and Captiva. Unlike past Luminaries, however, this year there will be no luminary light bags, alcohol (except where licensed), and no entertainment, events, or activities that might attract a crowd.

City of Sanibel

Again, this week, Sanibel Mayor Ruane extended the declared state of emergency due to COVID-19 until October 6, 2020, unless further extended. (Per State Statute, the maximum duration for a Mayoral Declaration of Emergency is seven days and thus must be updated weekly as the emergency exists.)

Per the Florida Department of Health, Sanibel’s total accumulative number of COVID-19 cases since March 26 is 50.

Home Buying & Selling During COVID-19

From FloridaRealtor® magazine October 2020: “As work, play and education turn to virtual environments, a new survey by Realogy indicates that Americans ages 50 and older want comfort, virtual tours and home inspections….  Additional findings from the consumer survey reveal a generational divide between those under the age of 50 and those 50+. Older Americans prioritize different things in the home, indicate different moving location preferences and have different plans for how they would use additional monetary funds.

“Virtual Tours & Inspections May Ease Home Buying Decision Making – Over half of Americans say they would be comfortable putting their home on the market for sale virtually and more than a quarter of the 50+ population are comfortable buying a home having seen it only virtually and not in person. Among Americans who are uncomfortable or only somewhat comfortable buying a home virtually, a majority say virtual tours of the home, virtual home inspections and detailed neighborhood information and high-quality photos would ease their decision to buy a home virtually.

“Americans 50+ Prioritize the Home Differently Amidst COVID-19 – Comfort and convenience reign supreme: Americans 50+ are more likely than Americans under 50 to say top priority features include: laundry in the home, a patio/deck, accessibility and convenience, and an open layout. Most Americans of all ages say a yard or access to outdoor space is priority….

“Dreams of Urban Living Shift to the Suburbs – Among those who currently live in an urban area, nearly 40% are thinking about moving to a suburban or rural area in the future due to COVID-19….

“Retirement Still in the Cards? – Only 8% say that the coronavirus has caused them to move back their retirement date, while 3% say they plan to retire early. Over one-third of those surveyed said they have no current plans to retire….”

Remodeling Projects with the Greatest Return

Realtors® get asked this a lot, “Will I get my money back if I (do this)?” An article in the latest FloridaRealtor® magazine says that Remodeling Magazine asked real estate professionals what remodeling projects will pick up the greatest return when a home is sold. Here are their estimates for the percentage of return in the South Atlantic states.

• Garage door replacement – 88.7%
• Siding replacement (fiber-cement) – 80.5%
• Minor kitchen remodel – 76.3%
• Siding replacement (vinyl) – 76%
• Roof replacement (asphalt singles) – 68.2%
• Entry door replacement – 67%
• Bathroom remodel – 66.7%
• Major kitchen remodel – 58.7%
• Bathroom addition – 53.9%

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity September 25 – October 2, 2020

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Captains Walk #B4 2/2 $395K, Sundial #I102 1/1 $450K, Sundial #O201 3/2 $819K, Wedgewood #102 3/3.5 $2.595M.

5 price changes: Coquina Beach #2B 2/2 now $494K, Sanibel Moorings #1512 2/2 now $525K, Loggerhead Cay #222 2/2 now $599K, Sanibel Inn #3512 2/2 now $727K, Sundial #T201 2/2 now $815K.

7 new sales: Sanibel Arms #D7 1/1 listed at $339K; Sundial #D308 1/1 listed at $409K; Ibis at The Sanctuary #202B 2/2 listed at $487.5K; Lighthouse Point #121 3/2 listed at $609,906; Compass Point #222 2/2 listed at $619K; Sandalfoot #2D2 2/2 listed at $659K (our listing); Loggerhead Cay #573 2/2 listed at $679K.

3 closed sales: Ibis at The Sanctuary #102A 2/2 $461K, Kings Crown #112 2/2 $655K, Yacht Haven #2 3/2 $890K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 956 Dixie Beach Blvd 2/1 $479K, 753 Nerita St 3/2 $589K, 2564 Wulfert Rd 4/5.5 $1.929M, 775 Conch Ct 4/3 $1.975M.

5 price changes: 1015 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 now $649K (our listing), 1223 Par View Dr 3/2 now $725K, 2001/2003 Mitzi Ln 6/6 duplex now $920K, 1035 S. Yachtsman Dr 5/4.5 now $1.074M, 1717 Jewel Box Dr 3/3.5 now $2,268,500.

8 new sales: 1645 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex listed at $540K; 9036 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed at $624,999; 525 N. Yachtsman Dr 3/2 listed at $789K; 917 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 listed at $895K; 3351 Barra Cir 3/2.5 listed at $1.199M; 4156 West Gulf Dr 3/2 listed at $1.329M; 769 Pyrula Ave 3/3.5 listed at $1.395M, 1520 Angel Dr 5/5.5 listed at $1.575M.

6 closed sales: 4606 Brainard Bayou 2/2 $455K, 9240 Belding Dr 3/2.5 $600K, 1068 White Ibis Dr 3/3 $680K, 1114 Sabal St 2/2 $769K, 1121 Skiff Pl 3/3 $975K, 2739 Wulfert Rd 4/5.5 $1,163,500.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: with contingencies: 2297 Wulfert Rd listed at $187K, 2142 Starfish Ln listed at $400K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Gulf Beach Villas #2005 2/2 $755K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: with contingencies: Beach Villas #2522 1/1 listed at $529K.

3 closed sales: Bayside Villas #4112 1/2 $335K, Bayside Villas #4216 1/2 $345K, Bayside Villas #5114 1/2 $370K.

HOMES & 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”.

Enjoy your weekends, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan