View from bay end of Buttonwood Ln 09-15-23

The islands Realtor Association didn’t meet this week, but it again was sunshine and summerlike with plenty of restoration work continuing – everywhere. From my home on Anchor Dr I can see across to a Kinzie Island home roof top where a crew was at it until 7 p.m. almost every day this week. That’s hard work!

Seems that more and more roof work is underway all the time which seems hard to believe with the storm being nearly a year ago. The good news is that it appears to this observer that construction is amping up. More businesses also are announcing their reopening. (More info on some of those below.)

During my Sanibel drive-around this afternoon, I spied workers on several roofs including Sundial West (where unit HVAC compressors are going up), Sandalfoot (where new rip-off is occurring on Building 3), and Sanddollar (where a new roof is being constructed on Building C). I also saw good progress at the Seagull Estates clubhouse! Yay!

Sundial West 09-15-23

Sandalfoot Bldg 3 09-15-23

Seagull Estates Clubhouse 09-15-23

Thinking of Selling?

We continue to get calls from owners thinking of selling and we welcome new listings, With some new challenges encountered after Hurricane Ian, there are some important things for sellers to consider.

To sell a property using the Florida sales contract, the Buyer must receive “clear title” and a title insurance policy for the full purchase price. That process involves a licensed title agent performing a title search and securing the policy.

For some associations needing or undergoing restoration, those repairs can result in open insurance claims, unpaid special assessments, contractor liens, and even lawsuits. Issues like these can make it difficult for association managers to issue an estoppel for the property or unit that is selling. Those things also can mean a title insurance provider doesn’t want to take the risk (or insure) that property or they will only insure with exceptions. These hiccups can be avoided by planning ahead.

Reopenings Announced

As we continue to get inquiries about “what’s open”, below are a few postings noticed this week. The Chamber of Commerce website also updates frequently (www.Sanibel-Captiva.org).

Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro – following their summer vacation, Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro reopens for their 9^th season on Friday Oct 6 at 751 Tarpon Bay Rd

Sanibel Farmers Market – reopens for its 16^th season on Sunday Oct 1^st. Located at City Hall every Sunday through May (including Easter) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market promises to return better than ever. Stop in for an array of fresh produce, delectable baked goods, exquisite flowers and plants, and a variety of local treats including healthy snacks, honey, ready-to-eat meals, and unique gifts.

Sanibel Island Beach Resort – at 1231 Middle Gulf Dr (formerly Holiday Inn) has been under renovation and recently announced that they are opening on Sept 20 and accepting on-line reservations at  www.oceanbreezeinns.com/sanibel-island.

Sanibel Siesta – at 1246 Fulgur St posted on social media that they are now accepting on-line reservations beginning Mar 2024. As the year winds down, they plan to announce it they also will have availability in Jan and Feb. www.SanibelSiesta.com.

Shiney Objects – will reopen on Sunday Sep 17 at their same location in Tahitian Gardens, 1999 Periwinkle Way.

Tuttles – Seahorse Shell Shop has reopened, moving back inside their shop at 362 Periwinkle Way.

Coming Soon

Two New Eateries – Wickie’s Lighthouse Restaurant & The Magic Bus Ice Cream and Caffeine – Wickie’s Lighthouse Restaurant is a new concept from longtime island restauranteurs Brian and Elke Podlasek (Island Cow) and Max and Bridget Kolshak (The Mad Hatter). Renovations are currently underway for it to open at 362 Periwinkle Way with the restaurant at the former site of Lighthouse Café and the ice cream/caffeine shop where Sanibel’s Ice Cream was. Wickie was the nickname given to lighthouse keepers from their task of trimming the wick of lighthouse lamps. The restaurant will feature breakfast, lunch, and dinner with full bar and signature drinks. More info at http://www.WickiesLighthouseRestaurant.com.

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.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity September 8‑15

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Mariner Pointe #541 2/2 $650K, Villas of Sanibel #A201 3/3 $1.695M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Colonnades #15 1/1 $299K.

1 closed sale: Sandpiper Beach #206 2/2 $785K (SanibelSusan listing).

HOMES

3 new listings: 1835 Ardsley Way 2/2 $479K, 9428 Moonlight Dr 3/2 $899K, 721 Cardium St 3/2.5 $1.4M.

2 price changes: 485 Peachtree Rd 3/3 now $1.19M, 896 Limpet Dr 3/3 now $1.7M.

2 back on market: 4263 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $899K, 836 Birdie View Pt 3/3.5 $2.395M.

6 new sales: 766 Donax St 4/2.5 listed at $699K, 976 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 listed at $859K, 803 Lindgren Blvd 4/3 listed at $1.1M, 5685 San-Cap Rd 3/2 listed at $1.165M, 1388 Tahiti Dr 3/2 listed at $1.199M, 976 Cardium St 4/2 listed at $1.349.

2 closed sales: 1122 Captains Walk St 3.2.5 $745,333; 963 Kings Crown Dr 3/3 $1.9M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 back on market: 5633 Baltursol Ct $499K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 3649 West Gulf Dr $3.85M.

1 new listing: Beach Homes #25 3/2 $2,999,500.

1 price change: Marina Villas #603 2/2 now $1.15M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

Nothing to report.

LOTS

1 new listing: 11539 Wightman Ln $2.495M.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

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