It is Susan again reporting another beautiful Friday on sunny Sanibel. The weathermen keep saying that cold fronts are passing through but those seem to just bring extra breeze and lower humidity. Daytime temperatures have still been reaching into at least the 70’s, though latest forecasts say a rare dry-season shower is expected tomorrow afternoon. That’s perfectly AOK, we need it.

At SanibelSusan Realty

It was another good week in the office, with a new listing, another in the works, another listing under contract, plus another sight-unseen sale (with this one, I have not seen the property nor have the buyers). Teammate Dave accompanied a home inspection, while Elise followed up on a handful of positive showings at a listing that has been booked for weeks with a long-term tenant. We all had a hand in various action items completed with the six closings in our hopper. These “high season” weeks are flying by, we can hardly believe it is already Friday and March.

I will be out showing property again tomorrow during that short showing window between when one guest checks out and the next checks in.

Though still not having our in-person Thursday morning meetings where we announce new listings, price reductions, and sales, the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® had another Zoom Caravan meeting yesterday. After the meeting there were no properties open for Caravan as it was announced (with a smile) that the properties that were scheduled have already gone under contract. The hot market continues.

The activity since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below. The number of new sales continues to be double or triple the number of new listings. Talking with colleagues, we commiserate about having buyers waiting in the wings with no properties that match their requirements. Could be time for those buyers to relax their criteria. Some think things will change post-pandemic and more listings will become available. I bet prices continue to rise.

 Sanibel – COVID-19

The City declared State of Emergency, issued in response to COVID-19, has been extended by Mayor Mick Denham until March 9, 2021, unless further extended. Per State Statute, the maximum duration for a Mayoral Declaration of Emergency is seven (7) days and thus must be updated weekly so long as the emergency conditions are present.

(On a side note, congratulations to Mayor Denham who will soon be enjoying retirement. He has served Sanibel for 16 years, on City Council, including as Vice Mayor & Mayor. Mick did not seek reelection when his term expired this month. There will be three new faces on City Council at their next meeting March 16. That is when newly-elected Councilors Dr Scott Crater, John Henshaw, and Mike Miller will take their oaths and a new mayor and vice mayor will be selected by the council at large. Thanks also go out to former councilors Chauncey Goss & Jerry Muench who stepped up to temporarily fill two vacant council seats from November to March – more proof that Sanibel’s volunteer community is 2^nd to none. Thanks to the many volunteers that make Sanibel so special!)

Additionally, the City of Sanibel face covering mandate is reaffirmed to be consistent with the Governor’s Order 20-244 and shall remain in force and effect through the duration of the 7-day state of local emergency. Social distancing encouraged and group gatherings are to be avoided.

From Florida Department of Health, Sanibel’s total accumulative number of COVID-19 cases since March 26 through March 3 is 229 cases. That is only one more than last week. Though case numbers are going down, PLEASE CONTINUE TO STAY VIGILANT.

Sanibel Happenings

84^th Annual Shell Festival runs though tomorrow at The Community House (today until 3 p.m. and tomorrow March 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.), while the 2021 Virtual Sanibel Shell Show is premiering on YouTube today and tomorrow (March 5 & 6 from noon until 3 p.m.). For more info, visit https://sanibelshellclub.com/virtual-2021-sanibel-shell-show/.

Zonta On-Line Art Auction this year replaces their annual Peek of the Unique. The auction runs through March 10 with full catalog at www.ZontaSanCap.org. Also, as part of this year’s event, antique experts will provide appraisals on March 13 from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Blue Giraffe at Beachview Estates. For a $100 donation, a 15-minute session for up to three items will be provided. To make an appraisal reservation, go to https://zontasancap.org/fundraising. All proceeds are awarded in grants to non-profits in Lee County.

Florida Realtors 2021 Legislative Agenda

FYI, from the March 2021 issue of “FloridaRealtor®”: “When Florida lawmakers convene on March 2 for the 2021 legislative session, they face a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall created by the pandemic. Although the budget gap will be a top priority for legislators, they will consider several bills that could help the real estate industry and property owners. At press time, Florida Realtors® identified six legislative priorities for the 2021 session:

“Liability Protection – Florida Realtors® advocates for protections for businesses against frivolous lawsuits resulting from the pandemic.

“Property Insurance – Increased insurance costs and lower levels of coverage are making the cost of homeownership unaffordable in many areas of the state. These rising prices are being driven by a combination of frequent hurricanes, natural catastrophes in other parts of the country or world, higher reinsurance rates and increased litigation costs for insurance companies. Florida Realtors® supports sensible legislation that reduces occurrences of unnecessary litigation while protecting the rights of property owners to challenge insurance claims.

“Affordable Housing – The pandemic has escalated the housing crisis. Florida Realtors® will ask for full funding from the trust funds for home buying and rental assistance programs.

“The Environment – Though the super-active 2020 hurricane season spared most of Florida, rising sea levels remain a problem for many coastal communities. Realtors® will be working with legislators to address this problem and will see state funding for Everglades restoration and other critical environmental projects.

“Protect Property Rights – Realtors® will continue to champion legislation that creates a statewide, uniform system of regulations for vacation rentals.

“Business Rent Tax – The 2019 Legislature passed the third consecutive rate cut to the tax on commercial leases, which now stands at 5.5%. Florida Realtors® will advocate for further reduction of the tax to provide businesses with some measure of relief as they work to stay open and eventually recover from the pandemic.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity February 26-March 5, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #842 2/2 $619K, Loggerhead Cay #351 2/2 $659K, Mariner Pointe #112 2/2 $699K (our listing), Heron at The Sanctuary I #1B 3/3.5 $872.7K, Pointe Santo #C43 3/2 $1.199M (our listing).

No price changes.

9 new sales: Sandalfoot #3B3 1/1 listed at $524K (our listing); Mariner Pointe #731 2/2 listed at $525K; Sanibel Arms West #I4 2/2 listed at $579K; Sand Pointe #216 2/2 listed at $799,997 (our buyer); Heron at The Sanctuary II #2A 3/2.5 listed at $849K; Sanddollar #C101 2/2 listed at $999K, Pelicans Roost #203 2/2 listed at $895K; Sanddollar #A101 2/2 listed at $1.15M; Seascape #106 3/3 listed at $2.55M.

11 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #2E 1/1 $370K, Spanish Cay #B2 2/2 $440K, Sanibel Moorings #441 2/2 $555K, Sanibel Arms West #H6 2/2 562K, Sandalfoot #3C3 2/2 $698K, Loggerhead Cay #192 2/2 $700K, Lighthouse Point #221 3/2 $712K, Sandpiper Beach #401 2/2 $750K, Sandpiper Beach #205 2/2 $780K, Sanddollar #B104 2/2 $955K, Somerset #E201 3/2.5 $1.85M.

HOMES

5 new listings: 1612 Serenity Ln 3/2 $674.5K, 5424 Shearwater Dr 3/2.5 $999K, 557 N. Yachtsman Dr 4/3 $1.199M, 1044 Whisperwood Way 4/4.5 $1.995M, 1077 Bird Ln 4/5/2 $5.95M.

4 price changes: 1657 Sabal Sands Dr 3/2 now $797.5K, 694 Heather Ln 3/3.5 now $1.4M, 940 Whelk Dr 3/2 now $1.495M, 5270 Indian Ct 6/6.5 now $2.495M.

15 new sales: 1940 Periwinkle Way 3/2 half-duplex listed at $569K; 1667 Sabal Sands Rd 3/3 listed at $749.9K; 1259 Par View Dr 3/4 listed at $1.175M; 4500 Waters Edge Ln 2/2 listed at $1.175M; 486 Surf Sound Ct 3/3.5 listed at $1.2M; 994 Whelk Dr 3/2 listed at $1.395M; 2355 Wulfert Rd 3/3.5 listed at $1.649M; 1323 Seaspray Ln 4/4.5 listed at $1.75M; 1283 Isabel Dr 3/2 listed at $1.895M; 1355 Eagle Run Dr 4/4.5 listed at $1.975M; 513 Lighthouse Way 3/3 listed at $1.99M; 528 Kinzie Island Ct 4/4 listed at $1.995M; 1266 Isabel Dr 3/3 listed at $2.895M; 550 Lighthouse Way 4/4.5 listed at $2,999,999; 4955 Joewood Dr 6/4.5 listed at $3.395M.

8 closed sales: 1415 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 half-duplex $448K, 1027 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $475K, 223 Southwinds Dr 3/2 $699K, 1076 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $750K, 3935 Coquina Dr 4/3 $810K, 1308 Eagle Run Dr 4/4 $1.475M, 4166 Dingman Dr 4/4 $2.1M, 2336 Starfish Ln 3/2.5 $2.1M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 0 Rue Bayou $729,555.

1 price change: 6000 White Heron Ln now $850K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 355 Cowry Ct $225K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Gulf Beach Villas #2024 3/3 $1.075M.

1 price change: Lands End Village #1629 2/2 now $1.3745M.

3 new sales: Tennis Villas #3118 1/1 listed at $350K, Bayside Villas #4322 3/3 listed at $729K, Captiva Cove #2A 3/2 listed at $1.295M.

3 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3136 1/1 $335K, Bayside Villas #4116 1/2 $372.5K, Marina Villas #808 2/2 $755.5K.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

3 new sales: 15000 Binder Dr 3/2 listed at $1.298M, 16447 Captiva Dr 7/6/2 listed at $2.79M, 11541 Paige Ct 3/4/2 listed at $4M.

2 closed sales: 11522 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4.5 $2.4M, 956 South Seas Plantation Rd 6/6 $4.475M.

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”.

Enjoy your weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan