It’s another Friday and almost Thanksgiving. Time sure is passing quickly here in Post-Ian hurricane land. I got tied up this afternoon selecting new appliances and then on-island dealing with only one lane of the bridge open, so my apologies that this is a little later than usual. Living in the real world of Ft Myers has its challenges.

On my business and personal Facebook pages are posted recaps of the City’s latest progress update from last night. Those meetings will be changing to weekly (Tuesdays at 5 p.m.) from here forward. Check Facebook for details on the new location (also new location for getting hurricane re-entry passes).

The islands remain limited to access by those with re-entry permits, i.e., residents, their contractors, insurance personnel, and first responders (including debris removal and utility vehicles). At the meeting last night, the City Manager said, though it’s discussed daily, it’s unknown when others may be allowed back on-island, likely not until roadways are safer. Because of all the debris, it is difficult now for both utility and debris-removal vehicles to share the roads.

East-end and the Gulf Drives are lined with piles so high some properties are not visible, but the good news is that removal has begun on some of the cul-de-sacs. I was not able to get down South Yachtsman this afternoon as the big trucks had worked their way down to the corner and it was impossible to get past. I bet when the East Periwinkle bridge opens for vehicle traffic after Thanksgiving, East end pickups will accelerate.

Some weeks ago when I said it may take weeks for the debris to be removed, I sadly probably was underestimating. Indications now are that by the first of the year, 80% of the debris will be removed. That too could be an ambitious goal.

This week, Sanibel Square contractors removed the remaining drywall and carpet from the spaces that likely will be restored. That includes our building with Island Therapy, Sanibel Fly Outfitters, the larger building behind us, and the building that houses The Bean. Unfortunately the Ding Darling Nature Store building and Sanibel Beauty Shop are off their foundations. Our landlord is worried that those may not be rebuildable in their current locations.

At our office, teammate Dave was able to salvage a few more of our historical paper files (plus a few Ikki prints) and we hope that experts will be able to retrieve some of the data from our back-up network drive. Meanwhile, I have been setting up new files and recreating documents in my temporary location.

While on the island this week, the team and I viewed properties for several clients wanting to buy and others thinking of selling. Pretty interesting getting into some of them, negotiating around contractor vehicles amid standing water, muck, and mold. Still we are seeing good progress every day.

It was especially positive yesterday to have lunch together at Cielo which just reopened with a limited menu. They had little storm damage, and many workers and residents are flocking there for a semblance of real dining. Their abbreviated menu is available Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., though our waiter mentioned those hours may change next week.

After a couple of new items below, are the changes since last Friday posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

Yesterday morning I attended the annual meeting of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®. Thanks to Affiliate member Dave Owens, the meeting was held at his company Midland Trust building at 15671 San Carlos Blvd in Fort Myers.

That also is where our Association offices are temporarily located. It was nice to be back in real contact with colleagues. Our organization is in good financial shape and three new directors were elected.

The building the Realtor® Association owns at 2353 Periwinkle Way suffered significant damage during the storm. Finnimore’s Cycle Shop is our downstairs tenant. Though they received flooding, they already have reopened and are back to repairing bikes if you need any work done.

Upstairs in our Realtor® Association offices, the west-end Board room was destroyed from damage to the side of the building and the roof. Insurance claims have been filed so restoration will begin soon.

This week, a special long-time client who for decades has sent us a live fir wreath from Maine for the holidays, reminded me that tradition is important, when he asked where to send it this year.

It made me think of his comment when I saw a posting today that the annual ‘Tween Waters tree lighting event on Captiva will occur next week after Thanksgiving, just like it does every year. Attendees, of course, must have a reentry pass to get on the island. There should be more details about that posted in the upcoming days. Another step toward normalcy.

Again, most of these new listings had damage with those listing agents providing details in the “agent notes” about the property condition. Most are offered “as is”, with no warranty on condition, and looking for “cash” sales. Some others indicate the remediation or repairs that are included in the sale price. Some of the new listings have gone under contract quickly. Listings below are posted based on current status. Four of the new home sales also were new listings this week, some receiving multiple offers.

CONDOS

3 new listings: Mariner Pointe #533 2/2.5 $699K, Pine Cove #A 2/2 $1.175M, Atrium #104 2/2 $2M.

1 price changes: Tigua Cay #487 3/3.5 now $3,149M.

1 new sale: Sanctuary Golf Villages #1-4 3/3 listed at $1.45M.

1 closed sale: Sundial #C209 1/1 $425K.

HOMES

7 new listings: 2551 Sanibel Blvd 3/2 $575K, 1046 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $875K, 3860 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $935K, 750 Sand Dollar Dr 3/2 $1.389M, 215 Robinwood Cir 4/3 $1.498M, 4020 West Gulf Dr 2/2 $1.9M, 4697 Rue Belle Mer 4/4.5 $5.25M.

9 new sales: 1874 Ibis Ln 3/2 $595K, 303 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 listed at $649K, 695 Durion Ct 3/2 listed at $695K, 921 Strangler Fig Ln 3/2.5 listed at $800K, 1339 Par View Dr 3/2.5 listed at $850K, 6065 Dinkins Lake Rd 3/2 listed at $899K, 775 Sand Dollar Dr 3/2 listed at $995K, 9015 Mockingbird Ln 4/3.5 listed at $995K, 2324 Starfish Ln 3/2.5 listed at $1.425M.

1 closed sale: 1219 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $700K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 328 Palm Lake Dr $799K.

No price changes, new sales, or closed sales.

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. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

P.S. I am not cooking this year. That’s not really a benefit of losing  your home, but an interesting change. Thankfully, daughter-in-law Lisa’s brother is hosting. Should be fun to just be an attendee. I hope yours also is fun!