It is another bright 90-degree Friday on sunny Sanibel, though it was a different July 4^th here this year. On Tuesday, many neighbors, friends, and families enjoyed the free community cookout and activities at the Sanibel Recreation Center, while road rally enthusiasts continued that annual tradition for the 43^rd year. It ended with its usual after-glow party at The Sanibel Grill.

Though teammate Dave magically unearthed two tubs of office July 4 parade décor, I have tucked them away for next year, when hopefully our physical office will return. Instead of putting up those “stars”, I took a holiday spin around the islands and posted many flag pictures on social media. Check them out on my personal Facebook page. Though some usual holiday festivities were missed, a few neighborhoods and businesses had their own pop-up parades and events. Post-hurricane islanders are strong and patriotic!

My travels today included not just checking our listings, but noticing other improvements as recovery progress continues. I saw roofers atop Kings Crown condominiums, as well as above the central reservation area at Sundial Resort. At Seagull Estates, their clubhouse repair work continues, while overall restoration activity seems to have picked up on every street and in every community. More properties also are being raised and demolished.

 During a quick stop at Gulfside City Park, I saw many parking spots available and admired the water still of the favored color reminiscent of the Caribbean. Though the summer trend for occasional showers has begun, it is always wonderful to see folks enjoying the beach. Excellent shelling reports also continue, though many are still looking for their first junonia!

Beach path at Algiers Beach, Gulfside City Park

City of Sanibel News

Monday, Mayor Richard Johnson authorized Mayoral Proclamation 23-28 which provides guidance regarding:

To view Mayoral Proclamation 23-28, click here.

Island Dining

The new Crow’s Nest Steakhouse at The Shipyard at ‘Tween Waters opened this week.

Reservations are required for that 2^nd floor specialty restaurant which is open for dinner. (Make them through OpenTable.com.)

The Shipyard downstairs opened mid-May. It does not require reservations and serves breakfast 7:30 to 11 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., lite bites from 2 to 5 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.

Old Captiva House at Tween Waters also continues to offer dinner. Located adjacent to the Shipyard, they also like reservations, also easy through OpenTable.com.

Accommodations

Finding a place to stay can be challenging with few island accommodations ready for guests. With so many island owners displaced and needing to come to arrange repairs, and workers also requiring places to stay, demand remains high.

Now that schools are out and beaches open, visitors are also looking to return to support the local economy. Little by little, it is encouraging to hear of properties as they become available for rent. The Chamber of Commerce website continually updates their accommodation info.

Those looking to visit should continue to check the websites of reputable well-known vacation rental companies. Unfortunately, there are many reports of fraudulent rentals. If you have a question about one of a rental, please contact us. We will help if we can.

South Seas Resort

This week, I received an email from South Seas Resort titled “The Beach Is Calling”. It describes how the resort has reopened. From July to December, though construction continues in many areas, they have some condos and a few homes for rent. They also advise that Starbucks is open in South Seas Village and several restaurants are open on Andy Rosse Ln. This summer the resort too will have several food trucks at the beach, while this fall their Bayside Fishing Pier will be open. By the end of the year, they expect to have their main resort pools and Redfish Grille open for guests.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate

Below with data from the islands MLS (Multiple Listing Service) are updated summary tables of the residential sales statistics. After that are the action with our listings this week and the activity posted in the MLS since last Friday.

With the holiday, it was a slow real estate week, but we received several inquiries from condo owners thinking of selling or looking for advice on rebuilding. Many are frustrated that restoration of utilities or completion of association-responsible work is taking so long, but they certainly are not alone. As one who often drives up and down the island, progress continues, slowly for sure, but improvement is always evident. That should make our Gulfside Place and Sandpiper Beach listings more appealing since those complexes are ahead of many in both their financial condition and occupancy expectation.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 30 – July 7

CONDOS

4 new listings: White Sands #22 2/2 $850K, Loggerhead Cay #181 2/2 $875K, Mariner Pointe #711 3/2 $895K, Bandy Beach #E101 3/2 $1.599M.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: Tennisplace #C32 2/1 $515K.

HOMES

7 new listings: 1535 Centre St 2/2 $699,555; 1515 Bunting Ln 2/2 $899K, 1667 Sabal Sands Rd 3/3 $982K, 595 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $1.589M, 4340 West Gulf Dr 5/3.5 $2.495M, 2255 Troon Ct 4/6.5.5 $3.5M, 6401 Pine Ave 4/3.5 $4.195M.

7 price changes: 719 Nerita St 3/3 now $735K, 224 Daniel Dr 3/2 now $795K, 4269 Gulf Pines Dr 2/2 now $829K, 2042 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 now $869K, 540 East Lake Rd 3/2 now $975K, 1586 Century Ct 3/2.5 now $1M, 1011 South Yachtsman Dr 5/2.5 now $1.45M.

4 new sales: 9210 Dimmick Dr 2/2 listed at $659K, 1242 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $795K, 5271 Indian Ct 4/4 listed at $2.549M, 1175 Bird Ln 4/3.5 listed at $4.25M.

6 closed sales: 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 $750K, 9248 Kincaid Ct 3/2 $865K, 1163 Kittiwake Ct 3/3 $1M, 1724 Bunting Ln 3/2.5 $1.2M, 5750 San-Cap Rd 3/2 $1.58M, 450 Sea Walk Ct 4/3.5 $1.9M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 1246 Sand Castle Rd now $325K.

3 new sales: 2356 Wulfert Rd listed at $325K, 2562 Coconut Dr listed at $599K, 725 Donax St listed at $650K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Beach Homes #24 3/3 $3.6M.

1 price change: Tennis Villas #3129 1/1 now $459.9K.

1 new sale: Tennis Villas #3119 1/1 listed at $478K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

Nothing to report.

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.

Enjoy your weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan