Another week has whizzed by with lots of Sanibel real estate activity and progress at teammates homes too. I also heard from our landlord at Sanibel Square. Engineers have determined our building is structurally sound and the City has visited the center. No ETA on when repairs will begin or when it will be ready for us to move back in, so I’m betting my home will be ready first. Now in addition to new drywall and electric, it has new trim and doors. Slow… but sure.

There was noticeably more traffic on the island this week, maybe related to the extended sunshine and 70/80-degree F weather that make us happy even as clean-up continues – but the number of construction vehicles is what has increased.

Sanibel Update

The City post-Ian Facebook Live update was part of the Sanibel City Council meeting on Tuesday. Those meetings still are being held at BIG ARTS Performance Hall while City Council Chambers (MacKenzie Hall) restoration continues. Unfortunately, there were several signal interruptions where I missed some of the dialogue but the City should be posting their Power Point soon. Here are some highlights:

• City Manager Souza asked for Council direction on several items. With input from Chief Dalton, it was decided to end the curfew, but keep the police blotter.
• To aid in business recovery, businesses will be allowed temporary signs, advertising they are “open”.
• Regarding temporary storage units, Planning allows them to be on a property for 30 days, Council recommended extending to 180 days (from Feb 7) for consistency with other emergency timeframes.
• According to code on swimming pools, for safety, emergency fencing must be at least chain link or mesh. Orange construction fencing is not adequate.
• Residents/businesses were reminded that Feb 20 is the last day to put storm debris in the right-of-way for pickup by Crowder Gulf.
• During Florida legislature Special Session SB 4-A Disaster Relief: Added an additional $100M from general revenue to statewide beach program for counties impacted by Hurricane Ian or Nicole. Approximately $12M award for Sanibel beach renourishment and recovery. During same session, created restoration reimbursement grant program with $50M from general revenue intended for sand placement and coastal armoring as a dollar for dollar reimbursement for construction up to $150K per grant. Grants are available for single-family residences and condos with priority given to low- and moderate-income applicants. Application portal opened Feb 1 at https://floridadep.gov/hurricane.
• Building Dept advised that as of Feb 3, 2,052 permits are in the system with 1,175 issued. This compares to ~2,400 issued in all of last year.

Public beaches with parking at Tarpon Bay Rd and Blind Pass are open. Paid parking is by app. Other beaches will open as their parking areas and access paths are repaired and safe. Meanwhile, a few other openings include:

• Timbers Restaurant – will be reopening on Valentines’ Day.
• Sanibel School – Reopened on Sanibel Wednesday.

At SanibelSusan Realty

The island rumor mill has been swirling this week as property owners and their community associations work through the post-hurricane maze. We urge you to remember that an event like this has not happened here before, so please be patient, consult with experts, and don’t believe everything you hear. The SanibelSusan Team like you is working through new territory but remain happy to help you if we can. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The activity this week from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service is posted after a few news items below. We had a nice closing today, with another coming up next week. Big thanks to Chelsea, Amanda, and Dustyn at Superior Title of Sanibel who expedited these settlements for buyers who wanted to close early.

Teammate Lisa updated our island inventory list yesterday. If you’d like it emailed to you, just send me a message.

Island Real Estate

Below is another update of island inventory today from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service. Homes continue to be the hot commodity.

SANIBEL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	47	1,075,082	56	100	1,589,143	42	14	769,500	67
Under contract	13	921,300	16	63	1,267,312	34	3	564,330	101
Sold 2023 to 2/10	16	1,101,906	43	27	932,640	42	4	1,318,500	80
Sold 2022	123	1,136,199	44	184	1,597,868	52	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	1,039,857	161	8	6,867,631	161	1	15,500,000	320
Under contract	2	1,299,500	127	2	1,824,500	9	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023 to 2/10	0	N/A	N/A	4	3,612,500	58	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2022	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

NAR Statement on White House Tenant-Centered Action Plan

WASHINGTON (January 25, 2023) – National Association of Realtors® President Kenny Parcell issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s tenant-centered action plan:

“Rents are rising, driven by inflation and exacerbated by the housing supply shortage. We encourage the Administration to look more deeply at how it can address the root causes of rental affordability—namely, affordable housing supply.

“To immediately address the lack of housing affordability, NAR encourages the Administration and Congress to examine providing rental assistance through a range of channels, including grants, state and local fiscal recovery funding, and a variety of HUD programs that can be better funded and improved.

“NAR supported rental assistance throughout the pandemic, which was vital for struggling tenants and mom-and-pop housing providers. These small investors provide more than 40 percent of all rental housing in America and are essential to growing the nation’s affordable housing supply.

“Consumers may benefit from the Federal government raising awareness about existing protections within their lease agreements and through state and local laws. NAR has committed to creating resources for Realtors® that highlight ways to incorporate resident-center property management practices in their businesses. These resources include advertising to prospective residents that Housing Choice Vouchers are accepted at their property, providing information about rental assistance, and using alternative credit scores for applicants without a detailed credit history.

“Rental housing policy is heavily regulated at the state and local level. Federally enacted policies can potentially drive housing providers out of the market, which will have an immediate and long-term impact of making rental housing even more competitive and, therefore, more expensive for renters. Expanding the Federal Government’s role in rental policy also places an even greater undue burden on mom-and-pop housing providers. We will continue to advocate for common sense solutions that do not negatively impact small housing providers and address affordability by increasing the housing supply.”

The National Association of Realtors® is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Feb 3‑10

Sanibel

CONDOS

7 new listings: Seashells #26 2/2 $449K, Seashells #21 2/2 $449K, Sundial #H209 1/1 $649K, Island Beach Club #340B 2/2 $750K, Loggerhead Cay #314 2/2 $925K, Sandpiper Beach #504 2/2 $1.069M, Snug Harbor #221 2/2 $1.199M.

2 price changes: Loggerhead Cay #323 2/2 now $869K, Seascape #106 3/3 now $3.475M.

3 back on market: Beach Road Villas #101 2/2 $624K, Lighthouse Point #217 2/2 $699K, Island Beach Club #220F 2/2 $795K.

3 new sales: Sanibel Arms #B6 1/1 listed at $375K, Mariner Pointe #642 2/2 listed at $795K, Heron at the Sanctuary III #2A 3/3.5 listed at $1.148M.

4 closed sales: Sundial #G406 1/1 $590K, Nutmeg Village #101 2/2 $1.142M, Gulfside Place #121 2/2 $1.25M, Gulfside Place #102 3/2 $2.1M (SanibelSusan buyer).

HOMES

20 new listings: 1966 Ibis Ln 2/2 $584K, 1073 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $699K, 562 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $999K, 1160 Buttonwood Ln 3/2 $1.095M, 1018 S. Yachtsman 3/3 $1.1M, 2479 Blind Pass Ct 3/2 $1.15M, 1813 Long Point Ln 3/2.5 $1.175M, 1290 Par View Dr 4/2 $1.199M, 960 Cabbage Palm Ct 3/2 $1.389M, 9484 Peaceful Dr 3/3 $1.415M, 918 Kings Crow Dr 3/2.5 $1.449M, 1163 Kittiwake Cir 3/3 $1.495M, 5294 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2.5 $1.498M, 698 Anchor Dr 5/5.5 $1.695M, 845 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $1.895M, 915 Limpet Dr 5/3 $2,295M, 5395 Shearwater Dr 3/3.5 $2.495M, 1157 Bird Ln 3/3.5 $4.395M, 4697 Rue Belle Mer 4/5 $4.9M, 4689 Rue Belle Mer 5/6.5 $9.25M.

12 price changes: 1754 Windward Way 2/2 now $619K, 1811 Ibis Ln 2/2 now $650K, 1526 Bunting Ln 5/3 now $750K, 1230 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $779K, 3760 West Gulf Dr 3/2 now $839K, 1986 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 now $874K, 1022 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 now $899K, 1332 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $990K, 9248 Kincaid Ct 3/2 now $999K, 241 Violet Dr 3/2.5 now $1.225M, 9027 Mockingbird Dr 4/3 now $1.495M, 3191 Twin Lakes Ln 4/2.5 now $1.749M.

2 back on market: 671 Rabbit Rd 3/2 $699K, 617 East Rocks Dr 3/2 $1.1M.

19 new sales: 1440 Sandpiper Ct 3/2.5 listed at $639K, 4437 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2.5 listed at $675K, 3181 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 listed at $679.9K, 1057 Blue Heron Dr 3/3 listed at $699K, 1585 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed at $699K, 1700 Dixie Beach Blvd 3/2 listed at $749K, 9106 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed at $769K, 3941 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $850K, 1835 Farm Tr 2/3 listed at $875K, 4733 Rue Belle Mer 3/3 listed at $895K, 3025 Poinciana Cir 3/2 listed at $899K, 428 Lighthouse Way 3/2.5 listed at $899K, 3711 Agate Ct 3/3.5 listed at $900K, 1002 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 listed at $1.1M, 1443 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $1.299M, 664 Gopher Walk 4/2.5 listed at $1.699M, 4781 Tradewinds Dr 3/2 listed at $2M, 466 Sea Oats Dr 4/4 listed at $2.339M, 519 Kinzie Island 4/3.5 listed at $2.5M.

4 closed sales: 153 Shell Basket Ln 3/2 $550K, 1429 Jamaica Dr 4/3 $700K, 4747 Rue Belle Mer 4/4 $925K, 729 Sand Dollar 3/2.5 $1.2M.

LOTS

2 new listings – 1872 Middle Gulf Dr $799K, 1874 Middle Gulf Dr $1.599M.

No price change, new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 back on market: Sunset Captiva 1 2/2.5 $3.9M.

1 closed sale: 1106 Tallow Tree 3/3 $1.5M.

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.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan