This Friday may be an earlier-than-the-new-usual update as I am one of the BIG ARTS Community Chorus singers participating in the Reimagined Sanibel/Captiva Luminary tonight at the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers. Many misplaced island retailers have temporarily opened there while their island shops are being restored. With the islands still closed to visitors, this new event was quickly organized. Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith kicks off the event in Center Court at 6 p.m. We sing next, then the program continues until 8 p.m. with Santa arrival, tree lighting, plus lots of performers, fun, games, food, and shopping offerings. It will be great to again see some familiar island faces.

My exciting personal news is that my contractor advises that his emergency hurricane building permit for my home was approved so work begins next week (electrical first). That is quicker than any insurance reports or settlement. Like most everyone else, I still anxiously await those details.

(By the way, if you like to poke around on the internet, it’s easy to check permit status for any Sanibel address at www.MySanibel.com. Once there, just click on the Sanibel Online button, then click on Online Permitting at the top of the right-hand menu. Once you click on the red link to enter the on-line system, click on “Search Public Records”. When you enter an address, up comes everything in their system. Indicating you only want permits shortens the list. In the case of an older property like my home, there are 34 permits shown, though just a handful in the nearly 20 years I’ve owned.)

Sanibel Update

After Tuesday’s City Post-Ian progress update, recaps again were posted on both my business and personal Facebook pages. Next week, the update will be part of their monthly City Council Meeting being held at BIG ARTS on Tuesday 12/6 beginning at 9 a.m. (Many City meetings now are being held at BIG ARTS while the City Hall facility work continues.)

Debris removal and utility restoration continue to be the focus of City operations while many additional contractor vehicles often make the causeway feel like “season”. Though there have been many public complaints about the islands only being open to residents, re-entry permit holders, and island business employees, the City wants to be sure that there is a safety balance – on roadways and beaches – before reopening to the public. Beaches remain closed with Health Department warnings. Removal of debris from beach sand was to begin this week. Residents going to the beach for a walk are cautioned to be careful.

The debris-removal contractor, Crowder Gulf, continues to say that they will be picking up until the last piece of is gone, but the amount continues to be overwhelming to new observers. They still think 80% will be hauled away by Christmas, but it is astounding how much reappears whenever a pickup occurs. Hopefully their schedule will not be hampered by the fire this morning at the Island Inn Rd vegetation debris site. They say it likely smoldered for some time. It was discovered at sunup and swiftly under control.

Yesterday, on Anchor Dr, the contents of my home finally were removed from the curb. It will be a relief not to be looking at my life along the roadside each time I stop in. Another pickup still is needed in front of the office on Periwinkle, but all things salvageable were retrieved. Dave gets “the son of the year award” for his efforts.

The East Periwinkle Way bridge did not open on Thanksgiving but should be soon. There were delays from Tropical Storm Nicole and the waterline break. Estimated date for vehicle traffic now is Wed, 12/7. They are working there every day – just like on the causeway.

At SanibelSusan Realty

We are thankful to have a nice new listing at Sealoft Village which our professional photographer filmed Monday. It had its first Facetime viewing this morning. Unlike many of the damaged properties coming on the market, this one has had its lower storage level cleaned up; new HVAC, washer, dryer, and freezer installed; and it’s perfectly livable above. A great opportunity for someone who wants the privacy of a near-beach home in a small community, with the convenience of shared amenities (pool, pickleball, putting green, beach access).

Last weekend, I also put a Seagull Estates home under contract. These buyers were driving to SW FL and meeting me to go on the island when I discovered a flat tire. They rescued me! (Many traveling on-island have been getting flats. So many, that I had trouble finding a facility with the correct tire to replace mine. One company rep jokingly said that tires are becoming as scarce as drywall and appliances. That’s not funny!) On Wednesday, Teammate Dave accompanied the Seagull Estates home inspection.

One, usually both, of us continue to be on the island every day. We also often are fielding calls and looking at property for owners deciding if they will restore or sell, as well as viewing listings for prospective buyers considering developing damaged offerings.

We are happy to help if we can with any recommendations on recovery. There is a lot of work to be done, but it has been heartwarming to see island-lovers rally together. Every day there is progress. Once the debris is removed, I hope we can reopen our office even it that means with a table just outside our front door. In the meantime, thankfully cell phones and email keep us in good contact with everyone.

Below are summary tables of the current inventory (both Sanibel and Captiva) with data from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service. Included by property type (condos, homes, and lots) are units for sale, under contract, closed sales year-to-date, and sales in 2021.

Following those is the week’s action from the MLS. Overall the most action continues to be with homes, particularly those on the ground that were filled with surge. Many condo associations are just now delving into the details of what they must accomplish to restore/rebuild. I am afraid we eventually will see a wave of those for sale too. In the meantime, sales continue, mostly to devoted island lovers and investor/developers who recognize that this is an opportunity. The islands will be back better than ever. It just will take time.

SANIBEL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	23	1,072,295	93	45	1,959,177	73	10	1,163,200	118
Under contract	8	1,514,737	28	32	1,098,725	24	1	145,000	6
Sold 2022 To-Date	118	1,122,182	44	159	1,695,953	55	26	779,528	223
Sold 2021	287	875,127	113	355	1,341,881	89	69	698,862	442

 

CAPTIVA	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	7	1,381,714	166	8	6,848,006	161	1	15,500,000	251
Under contract	0	N/A	N/A	2	4,349,528	42	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2022 To-Date	28	1,458,983	52	22	5,636,386	133	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2021	64	1,150,373	145	44	2,988,520	261	2	2,950,000	731

 

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Nov 25 – Dec 2, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Lighthouse Point #119 2/2 $589K, Sundial #D403 1/1 $624.9K, Sealoft Village #105 2/2 $939K, Sealoft Village #107 2/2 $999K (our listing).

No price changes.

2 new sales: Sanctuary Golf Villages I #2-1 2/2.5 listed at $1.15M, Royal Tern #304 3/3.5 listed at $2.49M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

15 new listings (4 under contract below): 486 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $675K, 4738 Rue Belle Mer 3/3 $750K, 9106 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 $799K, 1429 Jamaica Dr 4/3 $859K, 520 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $995K, 440 Glory Cir 3/2 $999K, 1002 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 $1.195M, 4172 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.2M, 760 Windlass Way 3/3 $1.2M, 852 Lindgren Blvd 3/3 $1.349M, 526 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $1.65M

2 price changes: 1565 Bunting Ln 3/2 now $799K, 1318 Seaspray Ln 5/3.5 now $3.75M.

8 new sales: 4214 Old Banyan Way 3/2.5 listed at $595K, 596 Boulder Dr 3/2 listed at $685K, 954 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 listed at $739K, 1028 Demere Ln 4/2 listed at $929K, 3860 West Gulf Dr 3/2 listed at $935K, 749 Cardium St 3/2 listed at $1.179M, 251 Christofer Ct 3/2.5 listed at $1.65M (our sale), 3657 West Gulf Dr 4/5.5 listed at $5.295M.

2 closed sales:780 Beach Rd 3/2 $900K, 3845 West Gulf 5/6.5 $11.7M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 4208 West Gulf Dr $849K.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 4636 Rue Royale $780K.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

2 new listings: 11539 Wightman Ln 2/2 $1.55M, 11516 Wightman Ln 5/4.5 $4.5M.

No price changes, 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

(Yes, that’s an old lighthouse photo. We look forward to when it may again look like that. It’s getting repaired now, hopefully with the beacon back on soon.)