It’s another sunny Sanibel Friday afternoon. Record high temperatures were expected today, with it already creeping into the 90’s yesterday in some of SW FL. Forecasters say that similar beach-like weather is expected for at least another seven days, with no chance of rain (though it’s needed).

Local waterways, beaches, and shared-use paths continue to be busy, while road traffic seemed a tad lighter this week, likely because local schools are back in session. Just two more weeks of “high season” remain, with some snowbirds already planning their annual trek north.

As inventory continues to dwindle, The SanibelSusan Team and I continue to beat the bushes looking for new listings. Teammate Dave and I previewed a terrific near-beach home yesterday that may be on the market soon. A complete interior remodel by one of our recommended contractors is just finishing up. (Here’s a hint, it’s near the body of water shown below and where there is some of the best shelling in the world.)

Our condo listings had showings last Saturday during guest turn-over and I was out showing on Captiva yesterday, while in the office, we continue to prepare for several upcoming closings.

The action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service is after a few news items below.

Sanibel Real Estate Inventory

Sometimes it is revealing to look at inventory with a price comparison. Below, by dollar increment, are the number of Sanibel properties available for sale (condos, homes, and lots), compared to the number under contract, and the number closed/sold year-to-date, as of today, March 26.

In snapshot terms, there currently are just 124 residential properties for sale on Sanibel (53 condos, 38 homes, 33 lots), while 167 are under contract, and 172 have already sold/closed this year – and that does not include the many closing occurring next week. The last day of the month is always the busiest day for closings, with March 31st often the busiest of the year!

SANIBEL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	For Sale	Under Contract	Sold 2021	For Sale	Under Contract	Sold 2021	For Sale	Under Contract	Sold 2021
$100-200K	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	4
$200K-300K	0	0	1	0	0	0	5	2	8
$300K-400K	2	3	4	0	0	0	10	6	5
$400K-500K	4	6	12	0	1	5	2	4	2
$500K-600K	9	11	12	1	7	9	2	1	1
$600K-700K	4	10	4	2	7	9	1	0	1
$700K-800K	5	4	7	0	15	7	3	0	0
$800K-900K	8	6	7	5	5	14	3	1	0
$900K-1M	9	8	6	3	5	5	2	0	0
$1M-1.5M	11	4	10	3	25	10	2	1	1
$1.5M-2M	1	4	3	11	16	9	0	0	1
$2M-3M	0	3	1	4	3	7	1	0	2
$3M-4M	0	0	0	2	3	2	2	2	0
$4M-5M	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	0
$5M-6M	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0
$6M-7M	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
$7M-8M	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0
$8M+	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0
TOTAL	53	59	67	38	89	80	33	19	25

Prospective sellers who may be wondering if they need a Realtor® in a market like this, the answer is “yes”. Most of Realtors® have buyers looking for a particular property in a certain location or with special requirements. Now that “season” is almost over, it becomes even more important to have the broadest exposure to the most prospective purchasers.

That means with the property offered in the islands Multiple Listing Service so that it is exposed to Realtors® everywhere, syndicated through worldwide real estate databases, and with local boots on the ground (in our case flip flops) to ensure that every step of the transaction is accomplished successfully so that owners get top dollar.

Pandemic Update

“Pop-Up Site” – Congratulations to FISH of Sanibel-Captiva (Friends in Service Here) for their action. They sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and elected officials addressing the need for COVID-19 vaccines on Sanibel. It stressed the complications that island seniors face, particularly those with technological challenges in vaccination scheduling and logistical hurdles of vaccination sites often long distances away. Many seniors FISH identified as high priority due to age, medical conditions, or transportation limitations. FISH initiatives resulted in the Department of Health providing 250 doses which we used Tuesday during a “pop up” vaccination site at the Sanibel Community House. That day, islander seniors, scheduled by FISH, went by appointment to receive their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccinations. As FISH says, “it takes a village”. They were assisted by island partners from the Community House, Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, City of Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel Fire Department, parish nurses, medical offices, pharmacies, City officials, and FISH volunteers.

Those 50 & Over Now Eligible – This week with the state announcing that the vaccine now is available to anyone over 50, two SanibelSusan teammates now have received their first vaccines. In addition to the various pharmacies, big box stores, and medical facilities offering appointments, the vaccination site near the old SW FL regional airport continues to take appointments when doses are available. Contact them on-line at http://www.MyVaccine.FL.gov or by phone at 239-356-2006.

Those 18 & Over Soon Eligible – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is lowering the COVID-19 vaccination age to 40 starting Monday and to EVERYONE 18 AND UP starting April 5.

Sanibel’s State of Emergency – My apologies for not including an update on Sanibel’s state of emergency last week. Below is the Tuesday update from http://www.MySanibel.com:

The City declared State of Emergency, issued in response to COVID-19, has been extended by Mayor Holly D. Smith until March 30, 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 as long as the emergency conditions are present.

“Additionally, the City of Sanibel face covering mandate is reaffirmed to be consistent with the Governor’s Order 20-244. The face covering mandate is reaffirmed and shall remain in force and effect throughout the duration of this 7-day state of local emergency.

“To avoid the spread of COVID-19, social distancing is encouraged, and group gatherings should be avoided.”

Florida’s Housing Market: More Sales, Higher Median Prices

In an article posted on-line this week, Florida Realtors®, Marla Martin said:

“Florida Realtors’ data: Single-family home sales rose 15.7% year-over-year, median sales price up 16.6%; condo sales up 28.7%, median price up 16.6%. Chief Economist O’Connor: Fewer new listings and a tight inventory means a strong seller’s market.

“FEBRUARY HOME PRICES SOAR AS INVENTORY SHRINKS – The statewide inventory of active single-family home listings, which Florida Realtors has been tracking since January 2008, is currently at an all-time low. And the scarcity of inventory and high demand for existing homes continues to drive home prices higher.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – Amid increased COVID-19 vaccinations and hopeful signs for the future, Florida’s housing market in February reported more closed sales, higher median prices, more new pending sales and increased pending inventory in February 2021 compared to a year ago, according to Florida Realtors® latest housing data. Single-family existing home sales rose 15.7 % compared to February 2020.

““Florida’s housing market continued its momentum in February, but higher interest rates could be a factor going forward,” says 2021 Florida Realtors President Cheryl Lambert, broker-owner with Only Way Realty Citrus in Inverness. “While rising rates could potentially slow the pace of home sales, rates remain relatively low by historical standards. Record-low inventory is continuing to put pressure on home prices to rise and creates challenges for buyers. However, new pending sales rose 10.9% for single-family existing homes last month compared to February 2020, while new pending sales for condo-townhouse units increased 35.4% year-over-year.”

“Closed sales of single-family homes statewide in February totaled 23,947, up 15.7% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 11,379, up 28.7% over February 2020. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.

“The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $314,900, up 16.6% from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Last month’s statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $233,240, up 16.6% over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

“Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor notes that Florida’s current housing market is a strong seller’s market, with fewer new listings and a very tight inventory (active listings), particularly for single-family existing homes. He says, “The statewide inventory of active single-family home listings, which Florida Realtors has been tracking since January 2008, is currently at an all-time low. At the end of February, single-family inventory was down 56.3% compared to a year ago. Most of this decline has been a result of our ultra-high rate of sales.

““However, so far in 2021, new listings of single-family homes have not kept up with their pace of 12 months ago. In February, they were down 4.9% year-over-year, which is an improvement over January, but still represents a move in the wrong direction. There’s a likelihood that much of this decline has been due to some sellers, who in normal times might have listed in January or February, instead listing ahead of 2021 in response to the unusually strong market in the second half of 2020. But there’s also the possibility that a small but increasing number of homeowners, who have been thinking of selling their current home and buying another one, are starting to get turned off by the lack of available inventory and the rising prices that have resulted from it.”

The condo-townhouse category shows a slightly different picture, O’Connor says.

““In February, closed sales in this category rose 28.7% year-over-year, which is consistent with the growth rates we’ve been seeing each month going back to September,” he says. “Some of this growth is likely being fueled by frustrated buyers who had their hearts set on a single-family home finally giving up and settling for an attached unit instead, but we’re also seeing high demand from folks with the typical condo- and townhouse-buyer profile, as well. And while inventory in this category is still high relative to what we’re seeing in the single-family home category, it was down 34.4% compared to a year ago.”

“On the supply side of the market, inventory (active listings) remained constrained in February. Single-family existing homes were at a very restricted 1.3-months’ supply while condo-townhouse inventory was at a 3.4-months’ supply.

“According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.81% in February 2021, significantly lower than the 3.47% averaged during the same month a year earlier….”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity March 19-26, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Spanish Cay #F8 2/2 $449K, Sundial #C303 2/2 $739K, Heron at The Sanctuary #3A 2/2.5 $839K, Sanddollar #B101 2/2 $1.125M, Cyprina Beach #2 3/3 $1.6M.

1 price change: Sundial #D408 1/1 now $509.9K.

7 new sales: Sundial #F206 1/1 listed at $479K, Blind Pass #E101 2/2 listed at $485K, Sanibel Arms West #B5 2/2 listed at $550K, Sanibel Arms West #H4 2/2 listed at $559K, Kimball Lodge #302 1/1 listed at $574K, Blind Pass #G104 3/2 listed at $699K, Sanddollar #C201 2/2 listed at $1.199M.

7 closed sales: Captains Walk #B3 1/1 $286.5K, Sundial #F108 1/1 $425K, Mariner Pointe #732 2/2 $545K, Surfside 12 #B1 3/2 $950K, Beachcomber #D101 2/2 $985K, Pointe Santo #C25 3/2 $1M, Sundial #T405 2/2 $1.193M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 1644 Bunting Ln 3/3 $643K, 3010 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.445M, 2857 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $1.895M.

2 price changes: 848 Birdie View Pt 4/3.5 now $2.049M, 1306 Seaspray Ln 4/4 now $4.295M.

12 new sales: 1942 Roseate Ln 2/2 listed at $524.5K, 3009 Singing Wind Dr 2/1.5 listed at $657K, 9446 Yucca Ct 3/2 listed at $739K, 613 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 listed at $978K, 1983 My Tern Ct 3/2.5 listed at $1.098M, 557 N. Yachtsman Dr 4/3 listed at $1.124M, 446 Surf Sound Ct 3/2 listed at $1.178M, 249 Violet Dr 4/2 listed at $1.2M, 6412 Pine Ave 3/2.5 listed at $1.589M, 837 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.895M, 3744 West Gulf Dr 4/4 listed at $1.939M, 5633 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 listed at $1.949M.

5 closed sales: 9254 Kincaid Ct 2/2 $486K, 799 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex $550K, 757 Windlass Way 3/2.5 $1.2M, 1355 Eagle Run Dr 4/4.5 $1.84M, 3009 Turtle Gait Ln 4/4.5 $2.595M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 2133 Starfish Ln $529K, 1084 S. Yachtsman Dr $699K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 9042 Mockingbird Ln listed at $395K, 000 West Gulf Dr listed at $3.795M.

3 closed sales: 247/255 Robinwood Cir $265K, 717 Birdie View Pt $370K, 5749 Sanibel-Captiva Rd $607K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

3 new sales: Marina Villas #708 2/2 listed at $765K, Gulf Beach Villas #2024 3/3 listed at $1.075M, Beach Homes #17 4/3 listed at $3.45M.

2 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3118 1/1 $341.5K, Lands End Village #1651 2/2 $1.245M.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 price changes: 11530 Paige Ct 4/4/2 now $4.6M, 11559 Laika Ln 3/3 now $7.8M.

1 new sale: 11514 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5 listed at $2.349M

1 closed sale: 16813 Captiva Dr 3/3 $2.25M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale:: 16685 Captiva Dr listed at $2.45M.

No 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, enjoy spring! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

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