Beginning this sunny Friday with a quick weather update. Often heavy showers on Wednesday helped settle the hurricane dust and provide some much-needed water for island critters and vegetation. There had been no significant rain since the hurricane, so we were thankful to get some, luckily without the flooding that the Ft Lauderdale area received. The forecast for the next week calls for partly cloudy days in the low 80’s, with rain chances daily ranging from 5-45%. It was another beautiful day today crossing the causeway with sunroof open.

At SanibelSusan Realty

There was more roof progress this week at Sanibel Square but still no move-in date. The team and I are becoming pros at working remotely. There was more progress this week at my home too. Furniture shopping is on my weekend agenda.

Island News

I noticed a couple of positive posts on social media this week.

Island Inn posted photos showing their rebuilding process has begun.

While South Seas Resort posted: “We’re thrilled to announce that we’re planning on partially reopening in the fall! Our team has been working hard to rebuild and enhance our resort, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to our beautiful island paradise. While the resort is still under renovation, condos, villas, and other accommodations will be available to guests who will have access to a pool, the beach, and delicious food trucks on site.”

A photo was posted of The Bait Box being raised about 7’. I also noticed it driving by.

The “Santiva Chronicle” posted renderings of what the new Island Cow restaurant will look like. The contract was awarded to Stevens Construction with building expected to begin in August and complete early next year. It will be about 1,000 sq. ft. larger than the original restaurant and will feature both indoor and outdoor seating.

Tues, April 12, Sanibel City Council Meeting with Post-Ian Progress Update April 12 – I followed the meeting on Facebook Live. To listen to the full meeting, go to the City of Sanibel FB page. My summary of Post-Ian presentation is below.

Building & Planning Depts – City Manager Souza advised that the Building & Planning Departments continue to work out of Whiskey Creek Dr in Ft Myers, but their new offices on the former bank building on Library Way should be ready soon – just awaiting new roof.

Beach Parking – Public pay beach accesses (Tarpon Bay Rd, Blind Pass, Gulfside City Park, Bowman’s Beach, Tuner Beach) and the boat ramp are all open. No date yet on Lighthouse Beach reopening. Also all parking for A/B stickers are open except Accesses 2, 4, and 7 on West Gulf Dr. City Manager Souza thanked the hardworking Public Works employees and volunteers patrolling the beach. Total beach permit stickers issued now 2,064 with resulting revenue increase.

Causeway Traffic – now over 8,000 vehicles daily with reduction on weekends, illustrating that it’s mostly weekday workers.

Building Permits – Through April 3, 3,589 permits have been issued with 611 complete. Those include: 1,229 roof, 736 emergency, 574 mechanical, 508 electrical, 134 demolition. Turn-around time for permits remains 5-days for review, 3 days for any resubmissions.

Debris Removal – between Crowder Gulf & the state programs (PPDR/CPDR) over 2.2 million cubic yards have been removed. Crowder Gulf took an Easter break but is back to work. Residents/owners are reminded NOT to place any debris in the right-of-way. Code enforcement and police are issuing citations for offenders. Time has ended for application to PPDR/CPDR, property owners now are obligated to remove debris themselves. Waste management cannot collect contractor debris.

Positive News – Building permits were up 30% in March. Rec Center use was up 36% (their Easter event had 307 people). Also “Shine on Sanibel” shirts and hats available at Rec Center.

Property Tax Relief – Deadline was April 3. County must approve/deny requests by June 1.

May City Council Meeting – will discuss sod in right-of-way.

Enforcement – Sanibel Code Enforcement is checking property with workers present to ensure they have building permits. Also checking properties that do not have pool barriers, and those that have not removed their debris. (Residents are asked to notify Sanibel Code Enforcement if a property near them with damage remains untouched. Also state DBPR is inspecting construction sites to be sure contractors are licensed. Also FEMA inspectors have been at City monthly reviewing processing with 50% rule and are performing field audits.

Wed, May 3, Islands Night – The 30-year tradition continues at the Hammond Stadium in Ft Myers when the Mighty Mussels play the Dunedin Blue Jays. Tickets are free, pick them up at the Refuge Nature Store (open Sat through Thurs in “Ding” Darling Visitor and Education Center).

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate

Yesterday, the Islands Association of Realtors held a Caravan Meeting at BIG ARTS where the meeting began with an update by Sanibel Natural Resources Dept personnel. The morning Caravan that followed was our biggest since the storm, with ten homes and a condo open for viewing.

The action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service is after the inventory summary below. On the commercial side, the T-Shirt Hut property at 1504 Periwinkle Way listed at $759K went under contract this week.

SANIBEL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	70	1,092,709	66	136	1,569,447	69	22	1,320,363	70
Under contract	15	866,926	70	30	1,521,599	42	4	500,000	23
Sold 2023 to 4/14	41	958,890	43	111	1,111,327	47	7	1,060,571	110
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	9	1,648,611	91	8	6,668.500	158	1	15,500,000	384
Under contract	3	1,088,333	8	2	3,195,000	47	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023 to 4/14	2	1,237,500	172	6	3,008,166	64	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

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity April 7-14

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Sundial #D309 1/1 $519K, Captains Walk #B5 1/1 $529K, Pointe Santo #D4 2/2 $1.048M.

1 price change: Island Beach Club #340B 2/2 now $699K.

4 new sales: Oceans Reach #2D4 2/2 listed at $1M, Sanctuary Golf Villages 1 #5-2 3/3 listed at $1.198M, Atrium #202 2/2 listed at $1.249M, Gulfside Place #213 3/3 listed at $2.6M.

1 closed sale: Seashells #20 2/2 $449K.

HOMES

8 new listings: 530 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $549K, 83 Durion Ct 3/2 $824.9K, 474 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $1.12M, 935 Pecten Ct 3/2 $1.449M, 235 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 $1.455M, 815 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $2.195M, 963 Kings Crown Dr 3/3 $2.495M, 640 Kinzie Island Ct 5/6.5 $3.395M.

13 price changes: 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 now $879K, 887 Casa Ybel Rd (duplex) 5/3 now $699K, 1160 Buttonwood Ln 3/2 now $989K, 1667 Sabal Sands Rd 3/3 now $999K, 1720 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 now $900K, 1326 Tahiti Dr 2/2 now $995K, 950 Cabbage Palm Ct 3/2 now $1.298M, 5294 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2.5 now $1.379M, 2643 Coconut Dr 3/2 now $1.499M, 1586 Century Ct 3/2.5 now $1.15M, 1365 Jamaica Dr 3/2.5 $1.85M, 5750 San-Cap Rd 3/2 now $1.999M, 3611 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 now $3.75M.

1 back on market: 4797 Rue Helene 3/2 $1.35M.

5 new sales: 647 Rabbit Rd 3/2 listed at $725K, 1283 Par View Dr 2/2 listed at $999K, 750 Sand Dollar Dr 2/2 listed at $1.075M, 926 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 listed at $1.595M, 1320 Seaspray Ln 3/4.5 listed at $2.995M.

11 closed sales: 1073 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $640K, 1145 Sabal St 5/4 $650K, 1057 Blue Heron Dr 3/3 $675K, 1477 Albatross Rd 4/3 $690K, 4144 West Gulf Dr 2/2 $924.5K, 4733 Rue Belle Mer 3/2 $850K, 3060 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $899K, 4677 Rue Bayou 3/3 $1.125M, 918 Kings Crown Dr 3/2.5 $1.225M, 5721 San-Cap Rd 3/3.5.5 $1.545M, 3615 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 $4.25M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 5086 Joewood Dr $1.25M.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Tennis Villas #3138 2/2 $750K, Lands End #1645 2/2 $2.295M.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11511 Laika Ln 3/2 $2.195M.

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