Susan here from soggy Sanibel Island. The rainy season has arrived, vegetation is greening up, and when the periodic showers sprinkle the island, the shopping centers and restaurants are busy with beach and boat-loving vacationers looking for other things to do. The showers really are only occasional and in-between, it often is sunny and tropical. There are a few visitor grumblings about the clouds, no-see-ums, and humidity, but we locals appreciate when showers keep daytime temperatures down into the 80’s. Similar weather is expected next week.
Here in the office our new Gulfside Place listing sold in record time at a record price. Now we are hustling to find a single-family home for these clients. As of this afternoon, there are just 28 for sale on Sanibel, compared to 270 already sold this year.
Yesterday, in chatting with David Wright, Sr VP and head of lending at The Sanibel-Captiva Community Bank, we shared experiences in this new world of real estate. He said the bank is already $100 million ahead of 2019, which also was a good year. We both wondered what will happen when inventory is gone, but we both expect that real estate, particularly in SW Florida, will continue to boom. We all know that it is more than just nice weather on Sanibel and Captiva!
Annual Sam Bailey’s Islands Night Is Back in the Ballpark
The following update was posted on-line Wed by The Santiva Chronicle: “The highly anticipated Sam Bailey’s Annual Islands Night is back in the ballpark for the 27th year after a season off the diamond. “Sam Bailey’s Islands Night is one of the greatest traditions our franchise has,” Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Director Chris Peters said. “This night has a very special place with us. Islands Night is always greatly anticipated by everyone in the Mussels family.”
“Since its establishment, the Annual Islands Night serves as a day for businesses and individuals to celebrate Sanibel and Captiva. The event was originally scheduled for June 16, but was rained out and rescheduled for Wednesday, June 30 at Hammond Stadium with a game between the Lakeland Flying Tigers and the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. Its comeback will follow suit of prior years with the exception of the parade which will not be taking place. There are COVID protocols in place at the field preventing it from happening, but is expected to return in future years, Peters said. The parade usually showcases floats designed by the vendors. Although the parade is benched for the season, attendees can expect the activities they have enjoyed previously. In between innings there will be a shoe scramble, a dance off, a t-shirt toss, and more.
“Attendees can also enjoy $1 hot dogs, cold beverages, but most importantly an entertaining night. “It’s a lot of fun and there’s a lot of energy,” Peters said. “It’s just the atmosphere, you have to experience it, it’s hard to kind of put in the words.” It’s a night to sit back and enjoy a ballgame while also contributing to the community.
“Established years ago by Sam Bailey, it has since evolved and now sponsorships contribute to scholarships for island students, Sponsor Calli Johnson explained. The money raised at the event goes into the Sam Bailey Scholarship Fund which helps islanders continue their education. Interested applicants can apply by contacting Kiwanis, Johnson said.
“As it has grown, it has forged its spot as tradition in the community, staying strong 27 years later. “This event is an important community gathering where islanders can enjoy each other after the traditional end of the business season and the start of summer,” Johnson said. “The spirit of Sam and Francis Bailey certainly lend to the sense of community that keeps the event alive.” Peters and the Mighty Mussels in particular, enjoy playing a part in the ongoing tradition. “It’s as rewarding as anything seeing people have smiles on their faces,” Peters said. “Just coming out to the ballpark. That’s what the reward is for us to see in people having fun at our ballpark.”
In previous years, the event has held 2,000 to 3,000 attendees, now it is time to see what this year holds. Masks are encouraged but will not be required at the event.”
Tickets are free and available throughout the island including at Bailey’s General Store.
Responding to Offers
With many island buyers and sellers coming from states other than Florida, where their real estate practices may be different, it is important for those involved in Florida transactions to know how it works here. The below question and answer were posted in the June 2021 “Florida Realtor” magazine under the “Talk to An Attorney” section:
“COMMISSIONS
I have a listing that was only on the market a couple of days when three offers came in from three buyers. The seller accepted one of the offers. Now, the broker who represented the buyer whose offer arrived first claims my seller had an obligation to negotiate with his buyer because his offer was presented to the seller first. Is this true?
No. there is no Florida law that would require the seller to respond to any offer. Additionally, there is no Florida law that requires the seller to negotiate with each buyer in the order in which the offers were received. Therefore, it’s ultimately up to the seller how to negotiate with each of these three buyers. In this case, the seller opted to simply accept one of the three offers without giving the other two a chance to amend their offers.”
Florida Realtors® Clean Up Florida Waters
For the entire month of July, thousands of Florida Realtors® and community partners are coming together to clean up our lakes, rivers, streams, retention ponds, bays, intracoastal waterway, gulf and ocean. The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® will join in the cleanup on Wed, July 14, at 6 p.m. on the causeway (Span B). Gloves and trash bags provided. Come to work and enjoy sunset too!
7 Winning Tips for Buyers
It’s true, even Realtors® in the business for decades like us are shaking their heads at some of the sales occurring these days. Here are some buyer tips from the June 2021 issue of “Florida Realtor®””
- “Encourage your agent to reach out to the listing agent to find out what the seller is looking for, such as quick close, an above asking-price offer or a waived contingency. This will help you and your agent craft a competitive offer.
- Make a cash offer. If you’re not in a position to pay cash, get preapproved for a mortgage and have your preapproval letter in hand.
- Pay attention to the listing agent’s request. Many times, they will have you submit your highest and best offer. Ask your agent for some strategies on handling this type of offer.
- Consider waiving contingencies if you are financing, check with your lender.
- Figure out where you can be flexible. You’ll need to move quickly, so know your must-haves versus your nice-to-haves before you start our search.
- Don’t get emotional. Trust your agent to walk you through each step in the buying process.
- Be available. Respond to inquiries quickly and ask your real estate agent to check in regularly with the listing agent to monitor the seller’s progress.”
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 18-25, 2021
Sanibel
CONDOS
1 new listing: Loggerhead Cay #433 2/2 $735K.
No price changes.
3 new sales: Island Beach Club #310A 2/2 listed at $799K, Sanibel Arms West #D2 2/2 listed at $919,999, Gulfside Place #115 2/2 listed at $1.995M (our listing).
14 closed sales: Sundial #F106 1/1 $435K, Spanish Cay #D6 2/2 $549K, Blind Pass #E104 2/2 $549.9K, Kimball Lodge #264 1/1.5 $570K, Cottage Colony West #102 1/1 $571.5K, Sanibel Arms West #I8 2/2 $624K, Island Beach Club #330A 2/2 $730K, Mariner Pointe #943 2/2.5 $800K, Pelicans Roost #102 2/2 $875K, Gulfside Place #107 2/2 $1.2M, Sanddollar #C202 3/2 $1.225M, Island Beach Club #230D 2/2 $1.3M, Gulfside Place #320 2/2 $1.349M, Sanddollar #C103 3/2 $1.4M.
HOMES
4 new listings: 837 Casa Ybel Rd 2/2 duplex $599.9K, 9431 Moonlight Dr 3/2 $899K, 5268 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 $1.049M, 4020 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $2.795M.
2 price changes: 1025 S. Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $865K, 633 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 now $1.235M.
7 new sales: 565 East Rocks Dr 3/2 listed at $749K, 4516 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2.5 listed at $979.9K, 915 Palm St 3/2 listed at $995K, 5300 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 listed at $1.19M, 939 Beach Rd 3/2.5 listed at $1.55M, 718 Gopher Walk 4/3 listed at $1.599M, 852 Birdie View Pt 4/3 listed at $1.699M.
10 closed sales: 5859 Pine Tree Dr 2/2 $755K, 555 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $765K, 1550 Center St 3/2 $768K, 750 Nerita St 3/2 $1.01M, 604 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 $1.022M, 2755 Wulfert Rd 3/3.5 $1.038M, 5765 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 $1.648M, Plantation Village #103 4/3 $1.875M, 750 Periwinkle Way 5/4 $3.3M, 1020 Bayview Dr 5/5.5 $4.5M.
LOTS
No new listings or price changes.
1 new sale: 5398 Osprey Ct listed at $299K.
2 closed sales: 2299 Starfish Ln $554K, 461 Sawgrass Pl $675K.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings, price changes, or new sales.
2 closed sales: Beach Cottages #1423 2/2 $1.16M, Lands End #1635 2/2 $1.434M.
HOMES
2 new listings: 5 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 $3.595M, 952 South Seas Plantation Rd 6/4.5 $4.349M.
No price changes or new sales.
2 closed sales: 15155 Wiles Dr 3/2 $1.875M, 11514 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5 $2.36M.
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.
Until next Friday, enjoy your week!
Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
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