Here it is another sunny Sanibel Friday. There have been a couple of brief showers this week, enough to keep vegetation growing, pools full, and critters happy. As I listened to the news while on my rounds yesterday, it was hard to hear of the continued massive fires in Canada that also are affecting air quality in the upper U.S. Bright blue skies and breezy here with gulf waters and beaches as beautiful as ever.

It also still is hard to see all the island hurricane devastation. Having driven the roadways for months, it still is astounding when every trip more damage is evident. Of course, there is progress too. Yesterday, I noticed a big haircut (huge trees trimmed) at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club clubhouse/parking, tennis area.

There also was good re-opening/rebuilding news this week:

·        Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce had their grand opening Tuesday afternoon.

·        Tarpon Tale Inn has reopened, making a few more rooms available for short stays.

·        An article just published by “Gulfshore Business” describes how Shalimar Cottages and Motel will be rebuilt. On four acres on the beach at 2823 West Gulf Dr, Hurricane Ian destroyed all 33 rooms. Sean Niesel, grandson of the original owner, said they intend to rebuild, but with a different look and layout (elevated). Joyce Owens (who grew up here) is the architect and the builder, Benchmark Construction who also has been here for decades.  They hope to break ground in early 2024 and finish in time for 2025-2026 tourist season.

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. is BIG ARTS Annual Art Vibe.

With live music, food, beverages & craft beer, it will feature art demonstrations, photography exhibits, and BIG ARTS scholarship awards.

At The City

At the Sanibel City Council Meeting on Tuesday, follow-up reports from Florida’s legislative session which just wrapped up were provided by House of Representative member Adam Botana, Senator Jonathan Martin, and lobbyist Angela Dempsey. Reference was made to the $117M allocated to our area of the $350M. $76M was used for infrastructure including causeway and East end bridges, $14M for water quality.

Below are some takeaways from City Manager Dana Souza’s Hurricane Ian Recovery Update that followed:

·        Traffic steady over the last 30 days but hasn’t returned to previous year numbers. Weekend traffic improving some with 4K to 6K vehicles on Sundays.

·        Regarding beach access, all public parking areas are open except Lighthouse Beach. The gulf-side parking area should be open this month. (Later in day it was announced it will open June 16.) The goal for the bay side lot is to open in July. All restricted beach parking accesses are also open except Access #3, 4, and 7 on West Gulf Dr. Beach parking permit sales are also up, with a big increase in the number of permits for using the boat ramp on the weekend. (Last year only 17 of those were issued, 80+ issued to-date this year).

·        The Building and Planning Departments are now back on the island in their new offices on Library Way. As of June 5, City has issued 5,099 permits, with a 5-day turn-around for initial review. Of those permits, most are roof (1,638). Also 1,085 for emergency building repairs, 590 electrical, 153 demolitions.

·        Debris removal continues, but right-of-way collection has ended. A total of 2,392,390 cubic yards of debris has been removed. Some state removals ordered have not been completed awaiting FEMA demolition approvals. Private citizens still needing debris removed must hire their own contractors. They also can contact waste management for what items they can take.

·        Code enforcement likewise has been busy, with an increase in documented cases of work being done without permits and life-safety issues (like pools).

·        In preparation for next year’s budget, the City received preliminary property values estimates from the Lee County Property Appraiser on June 1. Final estimates will be provided July 1. On Sanibel, 32% of the properties are condos. Most of those are not valued yet. Typically, there are changes from the June to July numbers, but based on the preliminary estimates which total $4,382,628,000 (real & personal property), there will be budget challenges. Last year, the preliminary amount was $6,357,621,055. This is the number that is used to set budgeted tax revenue. This new amount is a 31.06% decrease from FY 2023 (back to 2013/2014 level). A budget workshop is planned for June 20.

·        City Finance Director Steve Chaipel said Sanibel is not in a panic financially as state recovery dollars are in process, the state budget has expedited grant funds, and other grants are available. Federal dollars funnel through the state which is why work is done closely with FL Division of Emergency Management.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate

Following the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors caravan meeting yesterday, there were just two homes open for viewing, a bay-front for $4.5M and a canal-front for $3.395M.

Below with data from the island MLS (Multiple Listing Service) are updated summary tables of the residential sales statistics. After that are a couple of news items followed by the action with our listings this week and the activity posted in the MLS since last Friday. There were no new condo or lot sales this week, but Sanibel homes sales remain brisk.

Home & Real Estate Team

I know I have said it before, but it sure is wonderful to be back home. I continue to sort through the goodies that Dave salvaged from the office and my home. This week, I uncovered the painted shells that were on my desk. They had a heavy coat of dried hurricane muck but are cleaning up.

Governor Signs 3 Property Insurance Bills into Law

Posted last week on Florida Realtors by Kerry Smith: “HB 881 expands the My Safe Florida Home program to most areas and increases minimum home values. SB 7052 boosts consumer protections and insurer accountability. HB 799 changes Citizens’ price increase “glide path” mainly for non-homesteaded properties.

“TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three bills on Wednesday (5/31) that impact property insurance in Florida. Together, they push property insurance discounts for homeowners who strengthen their home to minimize storm damage, help some Floridians pay for upgrades based on the recommendations of a free inspection, limit policy cancellations and make a number of other changes.

My Safe Florida Home program

House Bill 881 expands the eligibility requirements of Florida’s home hardening grant program, known as My Safe Florida Home. It now covers homes with an insured value up to $700,000 – an increase from $500,000 – and it includes townhomes. While the My Safe Florida Home existed before the governor signed HB 881, the program now offers grants – $2 for every $1 spent up to $10,000 – to almost every Floridian, even if they’re outside a windborne debris region. The Florida Legislature also appropriated another $100 million to extend the program. It’s effective July 1, 2023.

”Citizens Property Insurance and more

HB 799 includes a number of provisions, such as requiring property insurers to allow for mitigation discounts if a homeowner reduced their potential for losses in a windstorm. However, the major change affects policies on second and vacation homes insured by Citizens Property Insurance, Florida’s state-owned “insurer of last resort.” HB 799 treats Florida residents – owners with a homestead exemption on their property – differently than investment properties. While homesteaded owners will still have a “glide path” to higher payments as Citizens raises rates, vacation and second-home owners will not. Investment homeowners, both new and existing, will likely see a higher bill sometime over the next year as policies renew or non-homesteaded owners with another insurer switch their coverage to Citizens. Homesteaded owners who switch to Citizens because their current insurer became insolvent are similarly impacted. Effective July 1, 2023.

“Insurer accountability

Senate Bill 7052 contains a number of consumer-protection provisions, such as new restrictions on insurers canceling a policy with an open claim, increased fines against insurers, limits on insurer executive compensation under certain circumstances, and guardrails for insurers who amend insurance adjuster reports. It’s also effective July 1, 2023.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 2 – 9

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Spanish Cay #D4 2/2 $695K, Sundial #F203 2/2 $789K, Sundial #R406 2/2 $1.899M.

No price changes.

1 back on market: Seashells #33 2/2 $435K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Heron at The Sanctuary 1 #2-A 3/2.5 $1.149M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 9126 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 $1.149M, 1011 South Yachtsman Dr 5/2.5 $1.55M, 2402 Wulfert Rd 4/3.5 $1.995M. 488 Lighthouse Way 4/4 $4.995M.

7 price changes: 1683 Atlanta Plaza Dr 3/2 now $510K, 1932 Roseate Ln 3/2 now $545K, 951 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $629K, 2134 Egret Cir 3/2 (1/2 duplex) now $799K, 2000 Periwinkle Way now $899K, 1813 Long Point Ln 3/2.5 now $1.125M, 682 Pyrula Ave 4/4.5 now $2.295M.

1 back on market: 1105 Skiff Pl 3/2 now $849K.

8 new sales: 9438 Moonlight Dr 3/2 listed at $714K, 643 Bunting Ln 2/2 listed at $799K, 251 Christofer Ct 3/2.5 listed at $1.199M, 1089 South Yachtsman Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.295M, 2502 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 listed at $2.795M, 513 Lighthouse Way 3/3 listed at $2.295M, 2564 Wulfert Rd 4/5.5 listed at $3.595M, 2963 Wulfert Rd 4/6 listed at $3.595M.

8 closed sales: 1866 Ibis Ln 2/2 $505K, 729 Sand Dollar Dr 3/2 $935K, 5410 Osprey Ct 3/2.5 $960K, 1507 Angel Dr 3/2.5 $1M, 9048 Mockingbird Dr 3/3 $1.075M, 663 East Rocks Dr 3/3 $1.175M, 2629 Coconut Dr 4/3 $1.698M, 1718 Jewel Box Dr 4/4.5 $3.5M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 5116 Sea Bell Rd $335K, 2562 Coconut Dr $599K.

1 price change: 2761 West Gulf Dr now $1.995M.

1 new sale: 2615 Tamarind Rd $378K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 11511 Laika Ln 3/2 now $2.095M.

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.