Sorry I missed reporting last Friday, though I expect many are following my recaps of the City’s Facebook Live Post-Ian progress report meeting every night. Those are posted on both my business and personal Facebook pages.

To watch those City briefings yourself, either go through www.MySanibel.com or on Facebook at “The City of Sanibel, Florida” page. You do not need to be on Facebook to watch them.

Also, on the City website, there is an orange banner at the top of the page with a link that goes to Hurricane Ian info. On that info page, there is a link to the nightly updates, info on when residents may return over the temporary causeway, the FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessment Map, structure imagery, & more.

I am still in an East Coast hotel (day 17), doing what I can from afar, while teammate son Realtor David has been making daily trips to the island with his boat (my dock survived). It has been difficult working with the heat, mold, and no utilities. I owe him a debt of gratitude.

Also ground transportation is not easy with the Periwinkle Bridge out. He biked around the first couple of days and then when private operating vehicles could be used, friends lent him their jeep. Now he’s dealing with a nail in one of the tires. He is resourceful though and has taken many photos, helping many clients and friends see the exterior of their property for the first time.

My home and our office both filled with water (~7+’ at home, ~6’ at office) so David slowly has been trying to air them out and lug waterlogged furnishings to the curb. It is a long tedious process.

Office was home to the yellow love seat. It sure took a ride in the surge from our front reception area.

Thankfully, I evacuated with one of our laptops, so between that my iPad and iPhone, I have been able to conduct business anywhere where there is internet/cell service.

I haven’t heard from our landlord at Sanibel Square, but at home, I signed a contract with a general contractor to get my home restored. It likely will take a very long time. In the meantime, I have rented a small furnished apartment in Fort Myers beginning later this month. Hopefully by then that area of SW FL will have restored internet and potable water. Like at Dave and Lisa’s home, they already have power and some cell service.

Meanwhile, on the business front, I have heard from some prospective island buyers, as well as a few owners who think they may part with their property, rather than restore. With all that has occurred over the last two weeks, there has not been much activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service. The MLS details for the past two weeks, since September 30, are after a couple of info items below.

I know that Sanibel will be back better than ever. It will require patience, kindness, and understanding.

City leaders and staff are doing an amazing job coordinating efforts to open the island again safely and with utilities as soon as possible. They have/are requesting help from many federal, state, and local agencies. Responses have been amazing.

We all are anxious to get back to check our properties and look forward to later this month, when we may cross the causeway again, albeit slowly and carefully. Only island residents, business owners, licensed contractors, and insurance folks may return (all with property hurricane reentry pass/documents). If you are one of those, don’t forget to bring a respirator mask, goggles, boots, and gloves, and be prepared to see what you don’t want to see. #SanibelStrong

Also, if you vote in Florida, don’t forget to do that. I did mine today by absentee ballot.

Our local district Realtor® Associations has created a website, www.HurricaneHomes.org for those looking for temporary rentals. The is a platform for housing in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island. It provides listings from licensed Realtors® whose properties have been vetted as reliable, safe, and clean.

Please be careful when contacting listings from Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace as they may be fraudulent.

Operation Blue Roof, call 800-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258) or go to

CONDOS

2 back on market: Lighthouse Point #232 3/2 $1.095M, Shell Island Beach Club #6C 2/2 $1.325M.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 1747 Serenity Ln 3/2 $850K.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, new sales or closed sales.

1 back on market: 4636 Rue Royale $825K.

CONDOS, HOMES, 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, be well, stay safe, & know that Sanibel will come back better than ever! Every day there is more progress! #SanibelStrong!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan