Another week with more post-Ian progress, including lots of construction activity on the causeway islands as islanders continue to keep an eye on the weather channel.

Lighthouse Beach reopened on Wednesday with shellers out collecting the bounty brought in by Hurricane Idalia. Photos of more than one junonia have been posted on social media. (I’m still looking.)

Following up on the flamingo sightings here, I read that after Idalia they were sighted in many unusual locations from Texas to Ohio. One report quoted Jerry Lorenz, the state director of research for Audubon Florida as saying that since that hurricane blew through, they had gotten reports of flamingos from all around Florida, as well as Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas, Kentucky, and others. He speculates that the birds were flying between Cuba and the Yucatan and got diverted by the storm.

Thursday Association of Realtors Caravan Meeting

With our Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors building still under repair, the biweekly caravan meeting yesterday was held at The Community House. Though not heavily attended since traffic was delayed coming onto the island, many of those lucky enough to be back living on-island were there and enjoyed seeing a donation from our 50/50 drawings go to CHR (Community Housing & Resources). CHR’s new Executive Assistant Savana Miller Berg was on hand to accept the donation and update attendees on the status of CHR’s affordable housing.

International Coastal Cleanup Day – Included in announcements was the Association’s scheduled participation in International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday Sept 16 when members, family, and friends will meet at 9 a.m. at Sanibel Moorings (845 East Gulf Dr) where there will be secured parking. Volunteer cleanup efforts will cover the area walking east toward the lighthouse to the Colony Inn (419 East Gulf Dr).

During the Caravan portion of the meeting, three Sanibel homes were open for viewing.

Following the meeting, I made a quick trip off island and was astounded to see vehicles coming onto the islands backed up past Kelly Greens. When I completed my chore and headed back to Sanibel, it took more than an hour to get from the intersection of Summerlin/San Carlos Blvd back to my home on the east end. That’s a first! (No complaints though, the new roadway work being done is amazing. Huge trucks, paving equipment, many workers, and so much construction underway from one end of the causeway to the other.)

Friday Update on Causeway & Association of Realtors Building

Good news this morning both on the causeway and at the islands Association of Realtors building. Making my rounds, it was easy both going off and coming back to the island late morning. The many paving trucks there yesterday were gone. Maybe the big thunderstorm that covered the islands at daybreak played a role in that.

I also traveled through several residential communities including Sanibel Harbours and The Dunes, noticing many new major construction projects and other properties with new landscaping and new exterior updates. More and more homes are looking better than pre-storm. Several workers also were sprucing up The Dunes parking area.

After a quick stop at the post office, it was also terrific to finally see progress at the Association of Realtors building at 2353 Periwinkle Way. Hooray, the new roof is dried in.

Lee County Commissioners Approve Lee Plan Amendments

Tuesday, I listened to the live stream of the long County Commissioners meeting where all commissioners except former Sanibel Mayor (now Commissioner) Kevin Ruane voted to approve Land Development Code changes that increase building height on Captiva and provide a pathway for South Seas Island Resort to request rezoning that could lead to increased density and higher buildings at the resort. With thousands of recorded and emailed objections to these changes plus hours of public comment in opposition, it was disappointing that the Commissioners voted to approve the changes.

The next day a similar 4 to 1 vote approved amendments to the Lee County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. They now go to the state for approval. Changes include the removal of 1- and 2-story building heights on Captiva. (You can be sure that islanders, businesses, organizations, and non-profits are not done with this subject. Stay tuned.)

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate

With data from the islands MLS (Multiple Listing Service), below are updated summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the island MLS action this week.

September is often when island inventory is low. As hurricane season ramps down and snowbirds start returning, inventory should pick up some. Teammate Dave and I continue to look at property for owners thinking of selling. We look forward to advertising some new offerings soon but are always looking for more listings.

Those worried about values going down, only need to look at their recent TRIM notices from the County Property Appraiser. Actual sale prices may reflect restoration costs needed for properties to again be habitable, but it is safe to say that Sanibel and Captiva continue to be in demand. Year-to-date, Sanibel homes and lots lead the market in desirability.

Like the extra patience needed when crossing the causeway, awaiting contractors and supplies, and the like, sometimes more is required to get to a successful closing. Post-hurricane complications continue to affect some closings, particularly when contractors record liens. They can make providing clear title and title insurance challenging for closing companies, community associations, and the parties involved. Kudos again this week to Superior Title Services of Sanibel. They have found a solution to what will be our next closing.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	56	1,084,743	144	77	1,654,082	103	28	873,014	140
Under contract	8	995,112	112	15	1,616,859	90	5	1,635,800	128
Sold 2023 to 9/8	75	918,401	59	217	1,237,803	67	21	820,738	65
Sold 2022	123	1,136,199	44	185	1,602,745	52	26	779,528	223
Sold 2021	287	875,127	113	355	1,341,881	89	69	698,862	442

 

CAPTIVA RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	23	1,558,173	89	9	7,597,555	132	1	12,000,000	8
Under contract	1	1,700,000	4	1	2,195,000	16	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023 to 9/8	11	848,363	108	16	2,761,437	73	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 September 1‑8

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sanibel Arms #F4 2/2 $995K.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: Sundial #F203 2/2 $720K.

 HOMES

5 new listings: 1605 Bunting Ln 3/2 $899K, 1125 Captains Walk St 3/3 $1.075M, 2294 Wulfert Rd 4/4 $1.875M, 2477 Wulfert Rd 3/4 $1.998M, 4273 West Gulf Dr 5/4.5 $6.9M.

3 price changes: 2134 Egret Cir 3/2 now $749K, 1258 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $845K, 1586 Century Ct 3/2.5 now $985K.

1 back on market: 924 Kings Crown Dr 4/3 $1.695M.

2 new sales: 9231 Belding Dr 2/2 listed at $450K, 4263 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 listed at $899K.

6 closed sales: 1242 Par View Dr 3/2 $750K, 9210 Dimmick Dr 2/2 $659K, 1835 Farm Tr 3/2 $775K, 1036 Whisperwood Way 3/3 $1.275M, 2540 Coconut Dr 4/3.5 $1.4M, 1175 Bird Ln 4/3.5 $3.52M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 327 Palm Lake Dr $729K.

1 price change: 972 Fitzhugh St now $350K

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Bayside Villas #5232 1/2 $645K, Marina Villas #804 2/2 $1.15M.

1 price change: Bayside Villas #5208 1/2 now $605K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Tennis Villas #3119 1/1 $450K.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 11461 Old Lodge Ln 4/3 $3.1M.

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