It’s Sanibel Fall – or Like Summer With Pumpkins

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If you are tired of hearing that it has been another quiet week on sunny Sanibel, I won’t say it, though it’s still mostly true. One diversion has been watching the increasing storm activity coming across the Atlantic. My favorite on-line forecaster Mike’s Weather Page at www.SpaghettiModels.com does not have things looking good for Florida next week. Fingers crossed that projections change in the upcoming days.

The City of Sanibel has been sending out warning messages, encouraging checking of disaster supply kits and reconfirming hurricane plans. I have already stocked up both at home and office. Teammate Dave has moved things off the floor in the office and I will pick up our “for sale” signs if it continues to look like the islands will get hit.

At SanibelSusan Realty This Week

We were contacted by another returning owner thinking of selling, will meet with them once they have settled in. Also worked with buyers writing a successful offer on a property they viewed nearly a month ago.

There was no island Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday, but our listings have had showings.

The sales action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service is after a couple of news items below. Our ad from today’s “Island Sun” also is below..

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Reatlors®

Next Thursday is the Association’s monthly membership breakfast meeting where speakers from the Captiva Erosion Protection Control District will update attendees.

At the Professional Development Meeting this week, we finalized the speaker schedule for the rest of this year. November speaker will be Amira Fox, State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida (covering Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties). December speaker is Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza.

There is no speaker in October since our annual meeting is then (on October 27).

Before that, the Association annual RPAC (Realtor® Political Action Committee) Golf Tournament and Auction are scheduled for October 12 at The Dunes.

SanibelSusan’s donation (lobsters from Maine) usually sells for top dollar. Always happy to support fundraising efforts that protect and promote the real estate.

What Does the Fed Rate Increase Mean?

Below write-up received by email yesterday from Dan Krispinsky, Senior Loan Officer, at Lake Michigan Credit Union, Fort Myers Office. Bet you also enjoy it.

“The Fed increased policy rates by 0.75% at their September meeting and indicated they will continue raising rates until inflation is tamed. But that doesn’t mean mortgage rates will rise at the same pace. Why?

  • Market forces also influence mortgage rates. If inventors shy away from stocks and invest in safer mortgage bonds, for example, rates may come down.
  • If the Fed moves policy rates too far or too quickly, we could see a recession. Historically, that means lower mortgage rates.
  • Mortgage rates had already risen in anticipation of a Fed move. They may settle down now that the Fed has spoken.

“Does this mean you should wait for the possibility of lower rates? Not necessarily. I encourage my clients to consider all the moving pieces – not only in the markets, but also in their lives. If this is the right time for you to buy a home or access cash from equity, then let’s find a way to work withing the framework of the current interest rate environment. After all, rates are still lower than long-term averages, and there are options like hybrid ARMs, buydowns, and HELOCs that can help in this environment.

“Background on the Fed:

  • The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) controls the federal funds rate and discount rate, which are charges for overnight loans from bank to bank or from the Fed to member banks,
  • The rate was lowered to near zero in March 2020 in response to the pandemic. These historic measures are now being reversed.
  • This is the fifth increase this year.

“Don’t let interest rates hold you back from making a move or accessing cash. I’m happy to help you navigate this market. After all, we’re still closing loans every day!”

Reach Dan at (239) 908-5936 dan.krispinsky@lmcu.org, 7920 Summerlin Lakes Dr, Fort Myers FL 33907

National Public Lands Day at The Refuge

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 24, across the U.S. is National Public Lands Day, a time to especially enjoy parks, refuges, and other green spaces protected by the federal government. At The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, there are plenty of FREE activities:

  • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wildlife Dr free admission
  • 8:30 a.m. Morning Mindfulness at the Observation Tower on Wildlife Dr (pre-register on Eventbrite)
  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided Scavenger Hunt with prizes. Check-in at Visitor & Education Center.
  • 10 to 11 a.m. Educational programs at Visitor & Education Center.
  • 12:30 p.m. International Color Blindness Awareness Month colorblind glasses giveaway. (Year-‘round the Refuge serves the color-challenged population with a colorblind scope at the Observation Tower and loaner pairs of colorblind sunglasses at the reception desk.)
  • 1 to 3 p.m. Artist Reception featuring Jacqui Roch at Visitor & Education Center.

Seasonal Events Beginning Again

SanCap Motor Club – will host its first “Coffee & Cars” cruise-in of the new season on Saturday, October 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Periwinkle Place Shops (2075 Periwinkle Way). Shop owners and the Club will provide a continental breakfast, donuts, coffee, and other refreshments. Open to the public, no pre-registration required. Also, the Club will hold a dinner on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Membership is $60/person or $75/couple or family. Email Scot Congress for more info at scot@scongress.com.

Farmers Markets – on both islands also begin in October (and go through May). Sanibel Market, on City Hall grounds, next to the Library, is Sundays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. (every Sunday, except Christmas Day when instead it will be open on Monday). Captiva’s market is Tuesdays, at the entrance to South Seas Resort (5400 Plantation Rd), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info about seven other local markets is on www.BuyLocalLee.com  Big thanks to Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura for starting these markets. Time flies and expansion occurs when success abounds! Congratulations, ladies!

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity September 16-23, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Captains Walk #C6 1/1 $399K.

1 price change: Loggerhead Cay #271 2/2 now $869K.

2 new sales: Lake Palms #3 2/2.5 listed at $699K, Shell Island Beach Club #6C 2/2 listed at $1.325M.

2 closed sales: Sanibel Arms West #K8 2/2 $850K, Loggerhead Cay #331 2/2 $870K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 747 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $1.35M.

3 price changes: 2005 Mitzi Ln 2/2 now $805K, 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 now $1.599M, 2474 Wulfert Rd 3/2 now $1.695M.

3 new sales: 749 Cardium St 3/2 listed at $1.179M, 242 Christofer Ct 3/2 listed at $1.499M (our sale), 424 East Gulf Dr duplex 4/2 listed at $2.599M.

2 closed sales: 542 Boulder Dr 2/2 $1.05M, 5690 San-Cap Rd 3/3 $1.65M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11529 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 $3,990,050.

1 price change: 11523 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 now $4.799M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 11517 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4.5 $4.5M.

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.

Enjoy your weekend! Keep an eye on the weather!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan