Another Friday is here following a week on Sanibel & Captiva Islands with little rain, but plenty of sunshine, breezes, and low humidity. Many locals and visitors have commented about how, compared to last year, May occupancy is down. Those traveling our roadways/shared-use-paths and visiting restaurants/shops appreciate the reprieve. Betcha things pick up again once schools are out and summer vacations begin.

Real Estate Scoop

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® – Yesterday was the first 2022 bi-weekly Caravan Meeting at the local Association of Realtors®. Attendance was light. No new listings were announced, no price reductions, and just one property was open for Caravan viewing (Blind Pass #D201 for $709K). See the details of the action since last Friday in the island MLS after a couple of news items below.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist Designation – Tuesday, there was an Association Professional Development Committee meeting. As we finalize the 2022 education events and speakers, it was great to hear that several members already have signed up for this year’s SCIS (Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist) classes. Offered each summer (this year, from June 8 to 24), this designation provides training specific to Realtors® working the island market. Well over half of the association membership has completed the classwork (12 modules), earning the designation. Recertification, which requires reattending several new classes, is required every three years. For the 10^th year, SanibelSusan will be teaching the Resort & 2^nd Home Market module. I am updating the curriculum now and today received my photo props.

2022 NAR Hall of Fame – Last week at the National Association of Realtors Legislative Meetings just outside DC, RPAC major investors were recognized. Those Realtors® have contributed more than $25K to the Realtors® Political Action Committee which since 1969 has helped elect candidates protecting property rights and promoting the industry. New Hall of Fame inductees for their contributions through 2021 were recognized at this event and their names added by plaque on the rooftop of the National Association of Realtors Washington DC building. The 2022 poster below shows Florida’s current Hall of Fame members. When I was initially inducted in 2017 for contributions through 2016, there were only 42 Florida Hall of Famers. Today there are 142. (If you look at the poster, designees are shown by year and alphabetically. My photo (4th row, 4th from left) is so old, I was still a brunette.) To remain on the Hall of Fame, major investors must continue to contribute at least $1K/year to RPAC. I’ve touted before how much RPAC funds, through the years, have helped real estate issues here, from build-back to beach re-nourishment to insurance issues, and more. I’m proud to continue as a Hall of Famer.

At SanibelSusan Realty – We are happy to report that our phones started ringing again and we had a couple of walk-ins this week. Several of the inquiries were from owners thinking of selling, asking for advice on what we think will happen with the market in the weeks/months to come. As often as we share economist projections and try to be smart with recommendations, we honestly don’t know. Today even though the islands have thinned out and snowbirds are heading north, supply still is much lower than demand. Whether buying or selling, if the question is: should we wait? From a business perspective, the answer is no. With world events, the economy, and pandemic changes, who knows what will happen tomorrow, certainly not this Realtor®. Sometimes, it just makes sense to eliminate the emotion and look at real estate for what it really is, often the highest valued item in your portfolio. We look forward to helping more buyers and sellers. We also had a closing today which was both our listing and our sale. Those are special. Thanks to Superior Title for their weeks/months of extra follow-up, needed to get it done.

Hirdie Girdie Gallery Closing for Summer

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 14, is the last day that the Hirdie Girdie Gallery at 2490 Library Way is open for “season” (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). It then closes for the summer and will reopen on October 4. To contact any artists during this down-time, send them a message through the “Contact” tab at www.HirdieGirdieGallery.com.

2022 Florida Sales Tax Exemptions & Holidays

May 14 – Aug 14, 2022– Children’s Books – Tax exemption on children’s books including board books (ages 0-2), picture books (ages 2-7), beginning reader books (4-8), chapter books (ages 5-10), middle-grade books (ages 8-12).

May 28 – Jun 10, 2022 – Disaster Preparedness – The following items are exempt from the state sales tax & county discretionary sales surtaxes: portable self-powered light source ($40 or less); portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio ($50 or less); a tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting ($100 or less) and supplies necessary for evacuation of household pets including portable kennels or pet carriers ($100 or less); bags of dry pet food weighing 15 or fewer pounds ($30 or less) or pouches of wet pet food ($2 or less per container).

Jul 1 – 7, 2022 – Freedom Week – Event admissions, boat and water activity supplies, camping, fishing, and general outdoor supplies, residential pool supplies, as well as sports equipment if purchased during this week are exempt from the state sales tax and county discretionary sales surtaxes.

Jul 25 – Aug 7, 2022 – Back-to-School – Sales tax exemption on all qualified school supplies, shoes, and uniforms.

Sep 3 – 9, 2022– Tool Time – The following items are exempt from the state sales tax and county discretionary sales surtaxes: hand tools ($50 or less); power tools ($300 or less); power tool batteries ($150 or less); work gloves ($25 or less); safety glasses ($50 or less); protective coveralls ($50 or less); work boots ($175 or less); tool belts ($100 or less); duffle/tote bags ($50 or less); tool boxes ($75 or less); tool boxes for vehicles ($300 or less) industry text books and code books ($125 or less); electrical voltage and testing equipment ($100 or less); LED flashlights ($50 or les); shop lights ($100 or less).

Jul 1, 2022 – Jun 30, 2023 – Energy Star – A one-year sales tax exemption on all certified Energy Star appliances and products.

Jul 1, 2022 – Jun 30, 2023 – Baby & Toddler Clothing; Diapers – A one-year sales tax exemption for the retail sale of children’s diapers, as well as baby & toddler clothing & shoes, primarily intended for children ages 5 or younger. Does not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, or handkerchiefs.

Jul 1, 2022 – Jun 30, 2024 – Impact-Resistant Doors & Windows – A two-year state sales tax exemption on the retail sales of impact-resistant windows, doors, & garage doors.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity

May 6-13, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Blind Pass #D201 2/2 $709.7K, Pointe Santo #E21 2/2/2 $1.325M, Pelicans Roost #302 2/2 $1.389M, Sanddollar #B301 2/2 $1.699M, Gulfside Place #101 3/3 $2.695M.

2 price changes: Pointe Santo #C26 2/2 now $1.095M, Pointe Santo #D41 2/2 now $1.399M.

1 new sale: Sanctuary Golf Villages I #3 2/2.5 listed at $1.198M.

1 closed sale: Sanibel Moorings #1042 2/2 $821K.

HOMES

3 new listings: 2010 Wild Lime 4/4 $1.1M, 1985 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 $1.299M, 4640 Rue Belle Mer 3/3 $2.495M.

1 price change: 9076 Mockingbird Ln 3/2 now $949K.

3 new sales: 6471 Pine Ave 2/2 listed at $949K, 9405 Beverly Ln 3/2 listed at $1.395M, 5075 Joewood Dr 4/4.5 listed at $4.49M.

6 closed sales: 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 $968.5K, 1105 Skiff Pl 3/2 $1.095M, 661 Anchor Dr 3/2 $1.355M, 247 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 $1.447M, 1243 Sand Castle Rd 4/4 $1.6945M, 836 Angel Wing Dr 3/2 $1.875M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

4 closed sales: 2438 Wulfert Rd $339K, 845 Pyrula Ave $550K, 490 Sea Oats Dr $660K, 860 Lindgren Blvd $925K (our listing & sale).

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3117 1/1 $585K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 1106 Tallow Tree Ct 3/3 now $3.9M.

No new or 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.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews aka SanibelSusan