Monthly Archives: February 2022

Sanibel Friday, with sunshine, some sweet successes & smiles!

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Susan here, once again touting Florida’s wonderful summerlike weather, alerting you about the traffic, and complaining that we don’t have enough inventory for the many buyers looking to rent or buy on the islands.

Below is an update of the island inventory today (Feb 25, 2022, data from Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service). After that are a few news items, followed by all the action posted since last Friday in the MLS.

Looking at just residential property, only 15 condos, 13 homes, and 12 lots are for sale on Sanibel. Just 2 condos and 6 homes on Captiva. With 84 closed sales and another 95 properties under contract, the sellers’ market continues to thrive.

 

 

Status

 SANIBEL CAPTIVA
Condos Homes Lots Condos Homes Lots
# Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $
For sale 15 1,547,733 13 2,929,846 12 588,583 2 1,397,500 6 8,665,833 0 N/A
Under contract 25 971,694 43 1,708.439 11 531,363 7 1,457,785 9 4,262,666 0 N/A
Sold to-date 2022 39 946,106 34 1,700,794 4 988,500 5 1,513,800 2 4,084,750 0 N/A
Sold 2021 287 875,127 355 1,341,881 69 698,862 64 1,150,373 44 2,988,520 2 2,950,000
Sold 2020 192 733,876 290 954,718 23 606,233 47 821,713 27 2,923,148 4 2,537,500

SanibelSusan Realty Scoop

Here at the office, we continue to get buyer requests. It was great to put another home under contract on Sunday. On the other hand, it really hurt Monday when I had to tell a long-time visitor with a budget of $1M, that there are only three Sanibel condos and one home for sale with that price limit. Those listings probably would already be under contract, but they are occupied with guests so difficult to show.

One of our last sales was on the typical “as is” contract with a 15-day inspection/cancellation. The property is a seasonal rental and as luck would have it, the 15-day period coincided exactly with a renter reservation. So, after making nice with the property manager, we delivered a note of appreciation with $ to the guests, thanking them for their cooperation in allowing the inspector, buyer and their Realtor® to come in during their stay. A few days after that, it was a nice surprise to get a text from that guest saying they used the gift toward a meal out at their favorite island restaurant. She included a couple of beach photos from their stay too. Island visitors really are the best!

We were happy to have another closing this morning and continue to beat the bushes looking for new listings. Dave and Elise got half of our huge annual bulk mailing out yesterday. The other half is in the works. Every Saturday, Lisa updates our island inventory summary, so any time you want a copy, either mailed or emailed, just let us know. It includes all the residential property posted in both the local and regional MLS for Sanibel and Captiva. In addition to what is currently available, it also shows the properties under contract and recent sale prices. Some are jaw-dropping!

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Yesterday, was the February Monthly Membership Meeting of the local Association of Realtors®. James Evans, new CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) was the guest speaker. James has a wonderful history on the islands from when he first began working for the city, two decades ago, as Natural Resource Director. He later was SCCF Environmental Policies Director, when last November, he was selected as their new CEO, a position he assumed in January.

James reminded the audience that SCCF began in 1967 and today owns/manages ~2,000 acres, about 1,200 on Sanibel, with about 2/3 in conservation. A whopping 84 acres were added in 2021. In 2019, the Sanibel Sea School merged with SCCF. Other upcoming changes include the installation of new RECON (River, Estuary, Coastal Observing Network) 2.0 sensors and a cooperative agreement with data sharing from SCCF’s Marine Lab and the Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS) at the University of Florida.

James also encouraged Realtors® and the public to attend the March 10 South Florida Water Management District governing board meeting which will be held at The Community House. It begins at 9 a.m. Islander Chauncey Goss, chairs that board.

During the general announcements section of the meeting, no new listings were announced, no price reductions, and only one home was open for Realtor® Caravan viewing.

Sanibel Island Crime

Though not our favorite subject, it was informative to read the Police Chief’s annual report to the City Manager which was posted on-line this week on www.MySanibel.com. Here are some excerpts:

“In 2021, more than 3.5 million vehicles came through the Sanibel Causeway. This number is the highest amount ever, and 19% higher than our five-year average (2016-2020) of 3.3 million. This increase in people visiting our island was statistically significant and drove many of the changes you will see in the following pages…

“Analysis of the 2021 data shows a slight increase of 7% in the overall number of federally reportable crimes over our five-year average of 71 to 76 in 2021. Within the federally reported offenses, there are several noteworthy statistics. The reports of vehicle thefts were up by 1, with 1 in 2020 and 2 in 2021. There was a 44% decrease in reported burglaries from 16 in our five-year average to 9 in 2021. There was a 2% increase in thefts from 43 in our five-year average to 44 in 2021.

“The total non-Federally reportable crimes include reported crimes, such as trespass, drug violations, DUI, criminal traffic violations, criminal mischief, and harassment. This crimes category also includes City ordinance violations and criminal citations. The total number of crimes reported in 2021 was 910 which is a 28% increase over our five-year average of 713.

“We experienced a significant number of DUI arrests, up 50% from 18 in our five-year average to 27 in 2021…

“Similar to past years, 19% of those arrested on Sanibel were residents of Sanibel, 51% were from other areas in Lee County, 12% were from different locations in Florida, and 19% were from all other states. These were no arrests of non-U.S. citizens….”

How ‘Tax-Friendly’ Is Florida Compared to Other States?

Posted Wed, Feb 23 at FloridaRealtors® on-line. Sourced to WFLA, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

“A MoneyGeek study including IRS, state, property and sales taxes listed Fla. as the No. 4 least-expensive tax state. Total tax costs are about 5.6% of total income.

“TAMPA, Fla. – It’s tax filing season and depending on where you live in the U.S., you could be forking over a very different-sized chunk of your income. An analysis by MoneyGeek ranked every state by how “tax-friendly” it is. The analysts didn’t just look at income tax – they also factored in property taxes, plus state and local sales taxes.

“To determine where people pay the highest tax burden, MoneyGeek looked at a hypothetical average family: a married couple with one kid, earning the median national income of $82,852, owning a $349,400 home. The study breaks down how much this fictional family would pay in taxes in every state.

“The states with the lowest tax burden, according to the analysis, were:

  • Wyoming (estimated taxes: 4% of income or $3,279)
  • Nevada (estimated taxes: 4.7% of income or $3,879)
  • Alaska (estimated taxes: 5.4% of income or $4,507)
  • Florida (estimated taxes: 5.6% of income or $4,632)
  • Tennessee (estimated taxes: 6.5% of income or $5,377)
  • Washington (estimated taxes: 6.5% of income or $5,414)
  • North Dakota (estimated taxes: 6.7% of income or $5,556)
  • Arizona (estimated taxes: 6.8% of income or $5,665)
  • South Dakota (estimated taxes: 7.2% of income or $5,938)
  • Delaware (estimated taxes: 7.3% of income or $6,074)

“The states with the highest tax burden were:

  • Illinois (estimated taxes: 16.8% of income or $13,894)
  • Connecticut (estimated taxes: 15.1% of income or $12,545)
  • New Jersey (estimated taxes: 14.3% of income or $11,872)
  • New Hampshire (estimated taxes: 14.1% of income or $11,694)
  • New York (estimated taxes: 13.9% of income or $11,495)
  • Iowa (estimated taxes: 13.8% of income or $11,398)
  • Wisconsin (estimated taxes: 13.2% of income or $10,976)
  • Vermont (estimated taxes: 12.6% of income or $10,453)
  • Nebraska (estimated taxes: 12.6% of income or $10,446)
  • Michigan (estimated taxes: 12.4% of income or $10,239)

“Based on its analysis, MoneyGeek also gave every state a letter grade on its “tax friendliness.” The states with A grades have the lowest tax burden on an “average” family, while the states with D or E grades have the highest tax burden. MoneyGeek’s estimates only hold true for that hypothetical family,earning about $82,000 a year with a $349,000 house. A family who just bought a $1 million house in California would probably be paying a lot more in taxes, while a single person earning $40,000 in Texas would be paying less.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity February 18‑25, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Pelicans Roost #202 2/2 $1.295M.

2 price changes: Gulfside Place #210 2/2 now $1.499M, Junonia #301 4/2 now $2.75M.

2 new sales: Tennisplace #D33 1/1 listed at $425K, Pelicans Roost #104 2/2 listed at $1.299M.

4 closed sales: Villa Sanibel #1D 2/2 $810K, Blind Pass #F203 3/2 $845K, Sundial #M303 2/2 $1.275M (our listing), Pointe Santo #D37 2/2 $1.395M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 3015 Singing Wind Dr 2/2 $959K, 5435 Osprey Ct 4/3.5 $2.4M, 911 S. Yachtsman Dr 3/3 $2.485M, 5089 Joewood Dr 5/5 $5.75M.

No price changes.

6 new sales: 707 Durion Ct 2/2 listed at $985K, 4563 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 listed at $1.35M, 1178 Harbor Cottage Ct 3/3 half-duplex $1.395M, 2620 West Gulf Dr 3/2 listed at $1.395M, 3716 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $1.395M (our buyer), 5435 Osprey Ct 4/3.5 listed at $2.4M.

3 closed sales: 593 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 $1.395M, 5415 Osprey Ct 3/3 $2.525M, 435 Bella Vista Way E 3/3 $4.8M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 2486 Wulfert Rd listed at $229K, 2356 Wulfert Rd listed at $280K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Beach Cottages #1404 2/2 listed at $1.4975M.

1 closed sale: Captiva Hide-a-Way #1A 2/2 $1.45M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 11549 Wightman Ln 3/4 listed at $3.395M.

1 closed sale: 5 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 $3.375M.

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, enjoy your weekend & here’s hoping your days also are sunny & full of smiles!

Just Another Sunny Sanibel Presidents’ Day Weekend

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Susan here, reporting another great week on the islands. Traffic is heavy as it typically is mid-February, so patience is required as we share the roadways with the many visitors here enjoying the sunshine. Midweek temperatures jumped back up into the high 70’s/low 80’s, making for happy locals, snowbirds, and vacationers.

Sanibel’s City Town Hall meeting on Tuesday night at The Community House was well attended both in-person and virtually. It was a great way for the new City Manager and new City Council members to hear first-hand about issues important to their constituents. The future of the shared-use paths, activities for seniors/Center-4-Life, and traffic were some of the topics mentioned more than once.

It is expected to be slow going here this weekend with additional holiday traffic plus the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club 39th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival at The Community House. That event features 85 different artists and includes art booths outside and silent auction inside. It is open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local Real Estate News

At SanibelSusan Realty, we continue to write/field offers, were happy to have another listing close, and look forward to more inventory so that we may meet the demands of the many prospective buyers waiting in the wings.

Our printer advises that the inventory booklets for our big annual mailing are on their way to us. With a hot fast-moving market, it sure is hard to keep that list up to date. The bulk mail should go out the end of next week and we sure hope that it generates more listings.

At the Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday, there were no new listings announced, nor price reductions, but there were a couple of new listings open for viewing. I visited a home that had just came on the market. It was no surprise to see it visited by many Realtors®, neighbors, and purchasers. The term “feeding frenzy” fit.

As of this afternoon, according to the islands Multiple Listing Service, Sanibel residential inventory includes just 14 condos, 17 homes, and 14 lots, while Captiva has three condos and eight homes for sale.

A Changing Pattern of Migration Trends

From the March 2022 “FloridaRealtor®” magazine: “For decades, Florida has been a favored destination for U.S. and international buyers seeking vacation homes or primary residences. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted some, but not all, of those inbound migration trends.

“”Despite a lot of predictions, COVID didn’t change the underlying U.S. migration flows that were in place before the pandemic,” says Sean Snaith, Ph.D., director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting in Orlando. “New York and New Jersey continue to be the big feeder markets for South Florida, while the Gulf Coast and Central Florida attract buyers from the Midwest states.”

“Snaith added that people who move to Florida from the Rust Belt states, or the Northeast are looking for a change in the weather as well as the tax climate. “Other high-tax states, like California and Illinois, are potentially good feeder markets for Florida’s real estate professionals,” he says.

“While inbound U.S. migration is up, COVID-19-related travel restrictions have shut down the flow of buyers from Canada, Europe, and Latin America – the state’s three primary international feeder markets.

“”South Florida is getting fewer buyers form the Caribbean, Central and South America,” says Ken H. Johnson, Ph.D., a real estate economist at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business in Boca Raton. “But COVID isn’t the only reason. Many of the South American economies – except for Venezuela – are doing relatively well this year, and that reduces the motivation to buy in the U.S.”

“On the domestic side, Johnson says Florida’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle and work-from-home convenience has helped widen the range of feeder markets beyond the Northeast and Midwest. Now, buyers are coming from Western states like California, Oregon and Washington, as well as nearby states in the Southeast. The Panhandle markets, for instance, appeal to second-home buyers in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.

“Drawing on FAU’s proprietary research, Johnson said population growth in the Orlando, Fort Myers and Lakeland metropolitan areas is likely to exceed 20% in the next 10 years, surpassing Miami, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Palm Beach County and Tallahassee.  While much of that growth will come from U.S.  states, Johnson expects international migration to pick up as well. “We expect an influx of buyers from Canada and Europe in the next few years,” he says. “That will spark growth in Orlando as well as the state’s coastal markets.”

President’s Day at J.N. “Ding” Darling

FYI, admission to Wildlife Dr will be fee-free on Monday, Feb 21, in honor of President’s Day. As a federal holiday, the administrative offices and Visitor & Education Center, including the Refuge Nature Store, will be closed, however, the restrooms will remain open during Wildlife Dr hours, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tarpon Bay Explorers also is open for business that day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Snowy Plover Nesting Season

Posted this week by SCCF: “February 15th marks the official start of snowy plover nesting season in the state of Florida however our Sanibel plovers have not checked their calendars and were resting in a small group by the lighthouse this morning rather than pairing up to establish nesting territories. Typically, on Sanibel, the first nests are located in late March or early April. If you want to learn more about how you can help protect our beach nesting birds click here: https://sancaplifesavers.org/shorebirds/

 

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity February 11-18, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Tennisplace #D33 1/1 $425K, Shell Island Beach Club #5C 2/2 $1.279M, Pelicans Roost #206 2/2 $1.299M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Captains Walk #C5 2/1 listed at $549K.

2 closed sales: Sealoft Village #109 2/2 $830K (our listing), Sanibel Moorings #1332 2/2 $875K.

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HOMES

5 new listings: 3716 Coquina Dr 3/2 $1.395M, 824 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $1.725M, 2885 Wulfert Rd 6/5.5 $2.395M, 660 Anchor Dr 6/4 $2.995M, 4630 Rue Bayou 4/4.5 $2.995M.

1 price change: 5802 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 3/3.5 now $1.445M.

3 new sales: 5289 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 listed at $850K, 320 Palm Lake Dr 2/2 listed at $925K, 1405 Causey Ct 3/2 listed at $1.495M.

3 closed sales: 4636 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $1.725M, 719 Periwinkle Way 4/3 $1.75M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 5/4 $2.9M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 638 Lake Murex Cir $565K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

3 new sales: Bayside Villas #5128 1/2 listed at $589K, Bayside Villas #5226 1/2 listed at $625K, Beach Homes #20 3/3 listed at $4.349M.

1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #5342 3/3 listed at $969K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 16813 Captiva Dr 3/3 $3.495M, 11517 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4.5 $5.25M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 16611 Captiva Dr 6/6 listed at $7.495M.

No closed sales.

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 long weekend!

We’ll be open Monday!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Happy Super Bowl Sunday & Valentine’s Day Monday… Have a Great Week!

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It’s time for another Friday update from SanibelSusan. Following a semi-chilly first few days, the week here is wrapping up with beautiful sunny weather today – temperatures in the low 70’s.

Boardwalk to gulf at Sanibel Moorings

At SanibelSusan Realty, we had another listing go under contract over the weekend, prepared for a couple of upcoming closings and our big annual mailing which is at the printer. I also met with another owner thinking of selling and spent several hours looking at communities with prospective buyers.

There is little inventory available for actual showings. Those that come on the market, priced right, are getting multiple cash offers, many over asking prices and with few, if any, contract contingencies. It is challenging to be a buyer in this hot sellers’ market. As of this afternoon, on Sanibel, according to the island MLS, there are just 14 condos and 14 homes for sale. Usually in February, there are a hundred plus.

Yesterday at the Association of Realtors® weekly Caravan Meeting, there were no properties open for viewing and no new listings announced. First time that has happened in my 30 years attending those meetings.

Below are a couple of news items, followed by the action since last Friday posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Sanibel City Council to Host Town Hall Workshop

The following was excerpted from an on-line post today by The Community House:

Sanibel City Council has announced a Town Hall Workshop scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Tues, Feb 15, 2022, at the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way.

As Council prepares to conduct a Strategic Planning Retreat in March, they invite Sanibel residents to attend the workshop to offer input about locally controlled issues they deem imperative to the long-range planning for the City.

The two-hour workshop will be divided into three primary areas of discussion:

  • Environment
  • Community
  • Business & City Infrastructure

Meeting Format: Following opening comments by Mayor Holly D. Smith, residents will be provided an opportunity to speak about issues within the primary areas of discussion listed above. Approximately 40 minutes will be allocated for resident input within each area of discussion.

Prior to the workshop, residents may provide City Clerk Scotty Lynn Kelly with position papers, presentations, letters, etc. via email at Scott.Kelly@MySanibel.com. All presentations and submissions will become part of the workshop public record and be used to provide the City Council with detailed information about residents’ concerns and issues. This information can be provided in lieu of speaking during the Town Hall Workshop or as a supplement to public comments.

Speakers must adhere to the following procedures when addressing the City Council:

  • Public Comment Cards – All residents who wish to speak at the workshop must fill out a public comment card provided by the City. A fillable and printable public comment card may be accessed by clicking this link; blank public comment cards will also be available at the workshop.
  • Order of Speakers – Speakers will be called in the order announced by City Manager Dana Souza, within each individual discussion topic area.
  • Recognized Speakers – Only the speaker recognized by the Mayor has the floor and must be at a microphone to speak. Councilmembers may ask clarifying questions of speakers.
  • Topics – Speakers should focus on issues, not on persons or personalities.
  • Name – All speakers must state their name into the microphone before speaking.
  • Time Limit – Length of individual public comments is expected to be five minutes per speaker. City Council reserves the right to limit the length of individual public comments to ensure maximum participation from the public.

Audience members should respect the following meeting rules:

  • Sidebar Discussions – Sidebar discussions are not permitted during the Town Hall Workshop. Persons wishing to speak with other members of the public during the workshop should exit the room to hold their conversation.
  • Decorum – Anger, rudeness, ridicule, impatience, and lack of respect for others are not acceptable behaviors. Demonstrations in support or opposition to a speaker or idea such as clapping, cheering, booing, hissing, or intimidating body language are not permitted.

Sanibel residents who are not able to attend the workshop may listen to the meeting live on the City’s website www.mysanibel.com.  Click here to access the Feb 15 workshop agenda.

COVID Migration: Who’s Moving to Fla. and Why?

Posted Tuesday on FloridaRealtors® and sourced to “The Palm Beach Post”, by Kimberly Miller

“WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Extraordinary events have forever pushed and pulled and pressured U.S. population shifts, from gold lust to the citrus rush to the restless return of WWII soldiers to revolutions in foreign lands and civil war on southern soil.

“Now there is COVID-19, which has turned a years-long trickle to Florida from the northeast into a deluge. More than 547,000 people exchanged out-of-state driver’s licenses last year for ones with Sunshine State addresses. That’s a 40% increase from 2020 and nearly 20% greater than the five-year average between 2017 and 2021.

The license swaps – largely from New York (11%), New Jersey (6%) and foreign countries (14%) – are acutely felt in Florida real estate markets where inventory is anemic and prices aggressive. The median sale price on Palm Beach County single-family homes ended 2021 at nearly half-a-million dollars with the average price pushing seven figures.

“Demographers believe the relocations are no tropical dalliance because a driver’s license switch is a sign of determination to make Florida home, even if hurricane season and August’s sweltering humidity are spent in cooler climes away from storms and sticky air.

““Unquestionably the COVID impact was the trigger,” said Related Cos. President Ken Himmel about the influx of people and businesses to Florida and Palm Beach County specifically. “Unquestionably, COVID turned the switch on full blast.”

“While the bullseye markets, such as Palm Beach County, may experience the ache of rising rents and home prices until inventory increases, growth experts were reluctant to say the COVID migration on a nationwide scale will make history. Some move to the suburbs was already happening as millennials age. A bump in retirees was also expected, although it was likely expedited by the Great Resignation/Retirement, the euphemism signaling massive waves of frustrated workers and Baby Boomers exiting the job market. Vanderbilt University Assistant Finance Professor Peter Haslag said COVID-related dispersions are more geographically diverse than past migrations, diluting long-term impacts.

“For Florida, migration is tradition. “Migration to Florida is an old story,” said University of Washington professor and historian James Gregory in an article for America’s Great Migrations Project that noted the early 1900s citrus and land boom in the state. “More than any other state, Florida has consistently attracted newcomers.”

Of the 61,728 New Yorkers who in 2021 handed over Empire State driver’s licenses for a Florida license, 19,100 or 31% got IDs with Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach County Zip codes. Palm Beach County accounted for 8,107 of the transplants, the largest share of any county in the state.

“Outside of the Gold Coast counties of southeast Florida, a weighty exchange of New York licenses last year also occurred in Orange (4,203), Hillsborough (3,746), Lee (2,672), Pinellas (2,335) and Sarasota (2,149) counties….”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity February 4-11, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Captains Walk #C5 2/1 $549K; Mariner Pointe #733 2/2 $699,999; Pointe Santo #B44 2/2 $1.45M; Junonia #301 4/2 $2.99M.

1 price change: Blind Pass #D102 2/2 now $685K.

7 new sales: Sanibel Moorings #1411 1/1 listed at $525K, Sandalfoot #5B1 1/1 listed at $768K, Sanibel Inn #1E 2/2 listed at $850K, Lighthouse Point #112 3/2 listed at $864K, Loggerhead Cay #584 2/2 listed at $895K, Sanibel Moorings #122 2/2 listed at $1.2M (our listing), Compass Point #162 2/2 listed at $1.85M.

Sanibel Moorings #122, view from one of the balconies.

5 closed sales: Sundial #C305 1/1 $549,945; Ibis at The Sanctuary#A101 2/2 $669K, Sanibel Moorings #1132 2/2 $803K, Tarpon Beach #106 2/2 $1.06M, Yacht Haven #2 3/2 $1.475M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 320 Palm Lake Dr 2/2 $925K, 2620 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.395M, 4972 Joewood Dr 4/3.5 $3.72M.

2 price changes: 885 Limpet Dr 4/3 now $3.25M, 4322 West Gulf Dr 4/3.5 now $3.295M.

7 new sales: 1230 Anhinga Ln 4/2 duplex listed at $699K, 4560 Brainard Bayou 3/2 $829K, 799 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex listed at $850K, 1398 Jamaica Dr 2/2 listed at $895K, 1053 Seahawk Ln 3/2 listed at $1.195M, 4636 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 listed at $1.725M, 2276 Starfish Ln 4/3.5 listed at $2.395M.

3 closed sales: 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 $840K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $935K, 853 Tulip Ln 3/2 $1.735M, 1304 Seaspray Ln 3/2.5 $4.275M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 1340 Eagle Run Dr listed at $520K, 845 Pyrula Ave listed at $525K.

1 closed sale: 4767 Tradewinds Dr $2.05M.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #5226 1/2 $625K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Captiva Hide-A-Way #1A 2/2 listed at $1.35M.

1 closed sale: Beach Homes #2 3/3 $3.125M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11549 Wightman Ln 3/4 $3.395M.

1 price change: 15867 Captiva Dr 7/6 now $11.7M.

1 new sale: 30 Urchin Ct listed at $1.495M.

No closed sale.

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 Super Bowl Sunday & best wishes for a Happy Valentine’s Day on Monday!

Til next Friday,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

HOT MARKET – Only 51 Properties Available on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

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It has been another busy real estate week for The SanibelSusan Team. We are thankful for two more closings, a couple of meetings with owners thinking of selling, and that the chilly island weather (coldest here in four years) is behind us. Forecasters reported yesterday that SW FL was the warmest area in the nation with 85 degrees F – exactly why Florida is so popular in the winter!

(Photo below of view from our listing at Sanibel Moorings #122. It is one of only 13 condos currently for sale on Sanibel.)

The activity since last Friday posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of new items below. First a summary of island inventory today with that info also from islands MLS. Just 51 properties are for sale in total on both islands – including condos, homes, and lots. The market remains hot hot hot!

 

 

Status

 SANIBEL CAPTIVA
Condos Homes Lots Condos Homes Lots
# Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $
For sale 13 1,181,846 12 2,541,500 16 541,437 4 2,122,250 6 7,881,666 0 N/A
Under contract 26 1,082,203 37 2,081,483 9 778,333 4 1,540,750 6 4,346,500 0 N/A
Sold to-date 2022 16 956,000 23 1,423,782 2 690,500 2 1,012,500 1 4,794,500 0 N/A
Sold 2021 287 875,127 355 1,341,881 69 698,862 64 1,150,373 44 2,988,520 2 2,950,000

The Sky is Falling

From Perfection Lawn & Pest Control’s January/February newsletter with some iguana info:

“Green scaly, invaders are stomping all over Florida cities and causing problems. It’s not Godzilla terrorizing the Sunshine State, it’s iguanas and they’re overtaking the environment. When temperatures drop, so do green iguanas – from the trees. But evolution, it seems, could be changing their tolerance to the cold.

“Research shows some species of lizards have grown more tolerant of cold temperatures. It also could mean fewer images on social media of iguanas lying on their backs under trees, legs in the air, stunned until warm sunshine gets their bodies moving again.

“As recently as four years ago, most of South Florida’s common lizard species could tolerate temperatures between 46 and 52 degrees. Now, they hold up to temperatures as low as 44 degrees, according to a study done by a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.

“Iguanas are invasive, propagate profusely and wreak havoc on homes, gardens, sidewalks, pool decks, seawalls, boats and anywhere else they eat and, well, poop.

“Don’t think they are dead and discard or bury them when you see them lying on the ground under trees; they revive when the weather warms up.”

Mortgage Rates Remain Stable This Week at 3.55%

Posted yesterday on-line at FloridaRealtors® and sourced to the Associated Press, by Matt Ott, the following article is noteworthy, because economic news affects real estate sales, regardless of whether buyers get financing. In a “hot market”, the strongest offers remain those with no contingencies.

“After a notable increase for a few weeks, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage stopped rising, remaining relatively flat for three weeks.

“WASHINGTON (AP) – Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates were flat for a third straight week after rising about a half percent early in the year.

“The average rate on the 30-year loan held at 3.55% from last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday. It stood at 2.73% a year ago.

“The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages, popular among those refinancing their homes, fell to 2.77% from 2.80% last week. One year ago, the rate was 2.21%.

“Though they remain historically low, home loan rates have been rising to levels not seen since early 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic was breaking in the U.S.

“Last week, the Fed signaled that it would begin a series of interest rate hikes in March, reversing pandemic-era policies that have fueled hiring and growth, but also adding to inflation levels not seen in some 40 years. Earlier this month, the government reported that inflation spiked to 7% in December from a year earlier, the sharpest increase in four decades. In addition, the Labor Department reported that prices at the wholesale level surged by a record 9.7% last month from December 2020.

“The Fed’s upcoming rate hike – or hikes – will likely make it more expensive to borrow for a home, car or business. Also Thursday, the government reported that applications for unemployment benefits fell for the second week in a row after three straight weeks of increases that economists blamed on the surging omicron variant of COVID-19.

“The Commerce Department reported last week that the nation’s gross domestic product – its total output of goods and services – expanded 5.7% in 2021, the strongest calendar-year growth since a 7.2% surge in 1984. In the fourth quarter, the economy grew at an unexpectedly brisk 6.9% annual pace.

“Available housing has been hard to come by since long before the pandemic started, and rising prices are making it even harder for homebuyers to secure a new home. Economists expect rising interest rates to add to house hunters’ dismay.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 28‑February 4, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #1411 1/1 $525K, Cyprina Beach #8 2/2.5 $1.595M.

No price changes.

6 new sales: Cottage Colony West #119 1/1 listed at $589.9K; Loggerhead Cay #242 2/2 listed at $765K; Loggerhead Cay #351 2/2 listed at $824K; Sanibel Moorings #1332 2/2 listed at $874,999; Shell Island Beach Club #A5 2/2 listed at $1.2M; Sedgemoor #101 3/3.5 listed at $3.995M.

6 closed sales: Dugger’s Tropical Cottages #1 1/1 $452K, Donax Village #7 2/2 $650K (our listing), Donax Village #17 2/2 $695K, Breakers West #C2 2/2 $700K, Pointe Santo #A26 2/2 $1.35M, Tarpon Beach #110 2/2 $1.35M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 799 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex $850K, 4636 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $1.725M.

No price changes.

8 new sales: 567 Rabbit Rd 2/2 listed at $789K, 1105 Skiff Pl 3/2 listed at $1.095M, 645 Oliva St 3/3 listed at $1.1M, 606 Boulder Dr listed 3/2 $1.1999M, 593 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 listed at $1.395M, 930 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 listed at $1.795M, 474 Lagoon Dr 3/3.5 listed at $2.495M, 1077 Bird Ln 4/4/2 listed at $5.699M.

8 closed sales: 9217 Dimmick Dr 3/2 $699K, 3702 Coquina Dr 2/2 $850K, 644 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $869K, 4285 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $900K (our buyer), 1195 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $1.25M, 543 Boulder Dr 3/2 $1.265M, 979 Whelk Dr 3/2.5 $1.6M, 2391 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $2.35M.

LOTS

3 new listings: 535 Leather Fern Pl $275K, 2486 Wulfert Rd $229K, 490 Sea Oats Dr $699K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 2310 Wulfert Rd listed at $299K, 544 Lake Murex Cir listed at $699K.

1 closed sale: 0 Rue Bayou $699K.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Marina Villas #709 2/2 $1.195M, Captiva Hide-a-Way #1A 2/2 $1.35M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Bayside Villas #5210 1/2 listed at $499K, Beach Homes #2 3/3 listed at $3.395M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 11529 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 listed at $3.495M, 15855 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 listed at $8.795M.

1 closed sale: 16897 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 $4.7945M.

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, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan