Welcome to the 2^nd Friday Sanibel/Captiva real estate update in 2021. With the holidays over and a home inspection this afternoon, we are wrapping up another productive week at SanibelSusan Realty – two more sales, more listings shown, more action items accomplished for both listings and upcoming closings, and a closing late today. The last time we had seven sales on the books in just the first week of the year was back in 2004 which was our record year, so we are crossing our fingers to break that record in 2021.

Traffic lessened last weekend when many holiday visitors departed. Unfortunately, coronavirus numbers are up and expected to go higher. Below are a couple of news items, including COVID update, followed by the action since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Sanibel & Captiva Island Association of Realtors®

Though still not meeting in person, our local Association of Realtors® held a Zoom meeting Wednesday with required attendance by our Board of Directors and members serving as 2021 Ombudsmen or on Grievance and Professional Standards Committees. That annual training updates the leadership team on recent changes regarding ethics and arbitration issues. Thanks to Marcia Tabak, Deputy General Counsel at Florida Realtors®, for hosting.

Thursday morning was a Zoom Caravan meeting for our entire membership. No new listings were open for caravan viewing, but both Jim Hall (VIP Realty Group) and I announced new sales. No price reductions were announced. My announcement of our new listing at Sandalfoot #3B3, was the only new listing mentioned.

The next Caravan meeting will follow our Annual Installation of Officers and Awards Ceremony at 8 a.m. Jan 17, also on Zoom.

With most of the year-end closings now posted on the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service, below is an update of the statistics. Shown are the recent sales action, compared to 2019, and inventory today. To say, more listings are needed is an understatement. Many Realtors® have buyers awaiting the perfect property that meets their requirements.

SANIBEL	Condos		Homes		Lots
	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price
Available	86	820,012	63	2,036,258	45	816,216
Under Contract	27	709,322	53	1,346,665	17	783,177
Sold 2021 to-date	2	995,000	3	1,324,666	1	265,000
Sold 2020	192	733,876	288	951,487	23	606,233
Sold 2019	127	694,392	211	949,790	15	372,200

 

CAPTIVA	Condos		Homes		Lots
	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price
Available	20	1,622,849	32	3,713,937	3	5,131,666
Under Contract	8	787,375	8	787,375	0	N/A
Sold 2021 to-date	1	2,700,000	2	2,762,500	O	N/A
Sold 2020	47	821,713	27	2,923,148	4	2,537,500
Sold 2019	29	1,037,077	17	2,737,503	1	1,375,000

Sanibel – COVID-19

On Tuesday, Sanibel Mayor Mick Denham extended the island declared state of emergency due to COVID-19 until January 12, 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.)  The City face covering mandate remains in effect through the period.

From Florida Department of Health, Sanibel’s total accumulative number of COVID-19 cases since March 26 through 9 a.m. January 7 is 157 cases. Twenty-one were reported just last week. This is just the number cases for zip code residents. It does not include Captiva and the many workers and visitors that come and go. PLEASE stay vigilant – continue social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and avoid group gatherings.

Vaccination Rollout Update from Florida Department of Health & Lee County Government

FYI, as posted yesterday on http://www.MySanibel.com:

“Fort Myers, FL, Jan. 7, 2021 – Tidal Basin, the state’s call-center vendor for COVID-19 vaccinations for seniors and front-line medical workers, earlier this week captured more than 10,000 phone calls in 11 minutes when its new reservation line opened. The Florida Department of Health-Lee (FDOH) and Lee County today have announced that next Tuesday and Wednesday’s allocation of vaccinations at the current site will be used for those additional callers, most of whom now have been pre-registered by the vendor.

“The phone line for reservations is currently closed and remains closed; residents are asked to not dial the call center. The state and county will announce when additional vaccine doses are available and the line reopens. Visit  www.leegov.com/vaccine

“Tidal Basin will begin placing calls to schedule the pre-registered slots beginning this afternoon through Monday. Not every pre-registered individual will receive a scheduling call today. Shots will be administered between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 12 and 13.

“DOH-Lee anticipates administering about 4,000 doses during those two days at the current site, which is east of Interstate 75 off Daniels Parkway. It’s the site of the old airport terminal parking lot off Paul J. Doherty Parkway. The site has proved a successful solution to vaccinating thousands of people 65 and older without an unnecessary wait. Traffic to and from the site is flowing; parking is ample; people with appointments are not experiencing delays. Public transportation is available to the site.

“By close of business today, more than 11,000 individuals will have been vaccinated at Lee County sites. This total does not include medical workers vaccinated at separate sites by the Florida Department of Health-Lee or vaccinations issued by other entities such as Lee Health.

“FDOH-Lee and the county soon will announce information about the second dose of the vaccine and how scheduling will be handled.

“The state and county have requested that Tidal Basin stand up a help line or call center for pre-registered people who have questions. Details will be announced when they become available at www.leegov.com/vaccine .

“As COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office advises to be aware of emerging fraud schemes, such as:

• Calls asking to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine.
• Calls asking to pay to put your name on a vaccine waiting list or to get early access.
• Advertisements for vaccines through social media platforms, email, telephone calls, online or from unsolicited/unknown sources.
• Marketers offering to sell or ship doses of the vaccine for payment.
• Requests from someone unknown to an individual asking for a social security number, bank account information or credit card information.

“Lee County residents who believe they have been the victim of COVID-19 fraud can report it to:

• Lee County Sheriff’s Office fraud line – 258-3292
• HHS-OIG Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS or log on to hhs.gov
• FBI Hotline: 1-800-CALL-FBI
• CMS/Medicare Hotline: 1-800-MEDICARE

“Additional information: Complete information can be found at www.leegov.com/vaccine . People can visit Lee County Government Facebook and other social media channels (www.leegov.com/socialmedia ) or monitor Florida DOH’s Twitter @flhealthlee. The United Way 211 line for vaccine questions is staffed 24/7. Dial 211 or 239-433-3900. This is not a reservation or appointment phone line.”

2021 Resolution: Cut Risk – 15 Steps to Resolve Legal Issues

Posted on FloridaRealtors® this week, the below article is sourced to Gary M. Singer, “Sun Sentinel” (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. It has some excellent points.

“Many legal troubles start with phrases like “I didn’t realize that …” or “I didn’t read that part of the document.” To lower risk and avoid trouble, ask questions, read contracts, do research, take notes, record with cellphone photos and take an extra day to think about things.

“FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – As another year starts, it’s once again time to discuss some lessons we’ve learned in dealing with real estate law issues. Therefore, I present to you, in no particular order, some best practices you can use when dealing with any legal matter.

• Do not sign anything you have not read and understood.
• Do not be afraid to ask questions, and do not feel you must accept the answers at face value.
• If you have any doubt as to what you are told, do more research.
• There are very few things that cannot wait one day while you think about it.
• Whenever a situation seems like it might become a problem, take lots of notes and cell phone photos.
• If you come to a meaningful agreement on a telephone call, send an email to the person you spoke with to confirm the details.
• While confrontation can be uncomfortable, the best and least expensive way of resolving a dispute is speaking calmly to the responsible party about the issue.
• If the branches from your neighbor’s tree hang over your property line, you can safely trim them back, at your expense, as long as you do not damage the tree’s health.
• Consult with an estate planning professional to get your will done.
• If you are buying a property with someone you are not married to, it is good to get a joint property ownership agreement prepared.
• If you rent a home, you should read the landlord-tenant statute; it is relatively easy to read and acts as an instruction manual.
• When buying a property in a condominium or homeowners association, you need to understand the rules and live by them. If this idea does not work for you, find a different property.
• Don’t underestimate the importance of insurance and the importance of shopping around for the best price.
• Some have said that good fences make good neighbors, but I find it is more accurate to say that good people make good neighbors.
• As hard as it can be to sift through the junk, it is essential to check your mail for important notices regularly.

“It has been a rough year. I hope these tips will help your new year be a better one.”

Wildlife Refuge Status Update

From today’s “Ding” on the Wing”: The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has announced changes to scheduling due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. Until further notice, the Visitor & Education Center will be closed every Sunday.

Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the front desk and Refuge Nature Store will be open in the Center. All exhibits remain closed. The Center’s restrooms will stay open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wildlife Drive will continue with its seasonal schedule of Saturday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

recreation concession tours and rentals will operate according to their regular schedule.  Stay up-to-date on Refuge news and events at our COVID-19 page.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 1-8, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #242 1/1 $424.5K, Blind Pass #E207 2/2.5 $489K, Sanibel Arms West #F1 2/2 $949K, White Pelican #111 2/2 $1.2999M.

3 price changes: Blind Pass #E101 2/2 now $485K, Loggerhead Cay #274 2/2 now $669K, Sandpiper Beach #401 2/2 now $775K.

7 new sales: Sundial #I102 1/1 listed at $450K, Sanibel Arms West #H6 2/2 listed at $579K, Sanibel Moorings #441 2/2 listed at $585K, Loggerhead Cay #542 2/2 listed at $685K, Surfside 12 #A4 3/2 listed at $849K, Yacht Haven #4 3/2 listed at $895K, Sundial #L205 3/2 listed at $1.395M.

6 closed sales: Tennisplace #B24 2/2 $350K, Spanish Cay #F4 2/2 $390K, Blind Pass #G201 2/2 $520K, Sanibel Arms West #K7 2/2 $550K, Sanibel Moorings #932 2/2 $562K, Somerset #A101 3/2.5 $1.6M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 2620 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $799K, 1890 Middle Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.2M, 1283 Isabel Dr 3/2 $1.925M.

4 price changes: 9254 Kincaid Ct 2/2 now $493K, 1560 Royal Poinciana Cir 3/2 now $899K, 837 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3.5 now $1.995M, 1761 Venus Dr 4/3.5 now $2.095M.

11 new sales: 1684 Bunting Ln 2/2 listed at $514,555; 315 East Gulf Dr 3/2 half-duplex listed at $559K; 430 Old Trail Rd 3/2.5 listed at $629K; 610 Hideaway Ct 3/2 listed at $699K (our buyer); 566 Boulder Dr 3/2 listed at $739K; 1076 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 listed at $750K; 2010 Wild Lime Dr 4/4 listed at $759K; 2001/2003 Mitzi Ln 6/6 duplex listed at $859K; 1672 Hibiscus Dr 3/2 listed at $899K; 215 Hurricane Ln 3/3 listed at $1.089M; 815 Birdie View Pt 3/3 listed at $1.395M.

5 closed sales: 1667 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/1.5 $413K, 718 Durion Ct 3/2 $550K, 705 Rabbit Rd 3/3 $699K, 215 Hurricane Ln 3/3 $1.029M, 1718 Jewel Box Dr 4/4.5 $2.725M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 717 Birdie View Pt $399K.

1 price change: 1292 Par View Dr now $349.9K.

7 new sales: 1894 Farm Trl listed at $199K (our listing & buyer), 9436 Beverly Ln listed at $235K, 3354 Barra Cir listed at $365K, 602 Boulder Dr listed at $399K, 836 Limpet Dr listed at $1.345M, 1159 Golden Olive Ct listed at $1.599M, 1246 Seagrape Ln listed at $2.789M.

1 closed sale: 5627 Baltusrol Ct $265K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Lands End Village #1628 4/4 $2.7M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 11431 Dickey Ln 3/2 listed at $1,168,500.

3 closed sales: 11523 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 $1.975M, 11555 Wightman Ln 3/2 $3.55M, 15831 Captiva Dr 2/2.5 $5M.

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.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Until next Friday, stay safe,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan