As the calendar flipped to November, the nighttime temperatures in SW Florida took a slight dip. It is now getting down into the low to mid 60’s at night, but still blue-sky sun-shiny days in the mid 80’s. Adding in some daytime breezes have made it especially nice for the many outdoor workers on the causeway and the islands.

More delightful weather is forecast for next week which probably will equate to more snowbird arrivals. It’s nice to see the island getting busier.

Do not forget, if you are traveling on- or off-island on the weekends in Nov and Dec, causeway traffic will be limited to one-lane. DOT is aiming to have the roadway work done by the end of the year. It is amazing to see the changes every time we cross over to the mainland. The number of workers and amount of equipment have increased significantly.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

The local Association of Realtors® did not meet this week, but I got a nice letter from our CEO thanking me for SanibelSusan Realty’s sponsorship at the recent end-of-year golf tournament and RPAC Auction. I also was recognized nationally as a major RPAC investor.

Also, this week from Florida Realtors® incoming President, I was asked to confirm appointments to her 2024 leadership team. They involve participation at the state Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando in January and the Annual Meetings in August. I am proud to serve and happy to volunteer. My appointments are to the Resort & Second Home Specialist Breakout Group, the Program Development Subcommittee (educational programs), and the Professional Development Committee. I have served on state committees since 1999 when I was President of our local Association. The networking and business that result from these commitments are additional special benefits.

At SanibelSusan Realty

Teammate Dave and I met Monday with a homeowner considering listing in a few weeks. Like others, they are waiting until their restoration work to be complete.

We both also fielded inquiries from others thinking of buying and selling. We showed canal homes yesterday, and residential condos today.

Business is picking up, that is for sure. Most in-demand are properties that are ready to be occupied. We continue to also hear from visitors looking for rental accommodations this winter. We say, “If you can’t find a place, buy one. The time is right for that.”

Re-openings & Island Events

Sanibel Lights – The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village is scheduled to reopen. They are planning a special celebration on Fri, Dec 1, 2023, and then will resume their regular operating schedule on Sat, Dec 2. (That is Tues through Sat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) The Dec 1 celebration will be part of a centralized community event called Sanibel Lights from 4 to 7 p.m. It is a collaboration between the Museum, BIG ARTS, The Community House, and St. Michael & All Saints Episcopal Church. It will include decorations, refreshments, tree lighting and live entertainment including carols by The BIG ARTS Community Chorus.

New Wildlife Dr Hours – When daylight savings time ends on Sun Nov 5, gate times on Wildlife Dr at the Refuge will change to 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sat through Thurs (closed Fri).

Change in Lee County Board of Commissioners Meeting – The “Protect Captiva” coalition was advised that the County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a new hearing on Dec 6 at 9:30 a.m. If you are available, please attend to voice your opposition to the proposed amendments which are specifically for the Captiva chapter of the Lee Plan which eliminate the Captiva height limitations from the Plan, notwithstanding the comments from the state Bureau of Community, Planning, and Growth calling the County amendments a “false flag” operation.

Sanibel Special City Council Meeting

Wed night, Sanibel City Council held a Special Meeting to discuss the building recommendations forwarded to them from the Planning Commission meeting the week before. Those meetings usually are streamed live on the City’s web and Facebook pages, but there has been disruption of internet and cell service on some of the island this week. When I heard that BIG ARTS was affected and that’s where the meeting was going to be held, I instead attended in person.

Sanibel Director of Planning, Paula McMichael gave an excellent presentation with staff recommendations which are:

• ·        Maintain limitations of the Sanibel Plan which are 3 stories above base flood elevation.
• ·        Amend the Sanibel Code to allow a moderate increase in height for residential and institutional uses, including for angle-of-light. (This encourages people to elevate their homes, creating a more resilient community, while maintaining the existing character of Sanibel.)
• ·        No proposed changes to existing height regulations for commercial and resort housing districts.

The effect of proposed changes to the Sanibel Plan do not require a plan amendment or voter referendum approval. They include no change to the 3-story limitation. A modest increase on average of 5’ allows homeowners to anticipate potential increases to required base flood elevations and to voluntarily elevate above required base flood elevations. The changes also address all issues related to height and build-back currently before staff.

More to come on these subjects at the upcoming Planning Commission and City Council Meetings.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate

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

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Oct 27-Nov 3

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Mariner Pointe #312 2/2 $649.9K (our listing), By-the-Sea #C202 2/2 $995K, Sundial #E208 2/2 $1.25M, Sanibel Sunset #102 3/2 $1.989M.

Mariner Pointe #312

No price changes.

1 new sale: Loggerhead Cay #513 2/2 listed at $1.295M.

1 closed sale: Sundial #N402 2/2 $1.1M.

HOMES

8 new listings: 560 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $639K, 1448 Albatross Rd 3/2 $849K, 3702 Coquina Dr 2/2 $850K, 1113 Skiff Pl 5/3 $859K, 555 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $1.2M, 1213 Sand Castle Rd 4/2.5 $1.349M, 811 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 $1.975M, 2287 Starfish Ln 4/4 $2.995M.

1 back on market: 766 Donax St (duplex) 4/2.5 $699K.

5 price changes: 2991 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $525K, 1105 Skiff Pl 3/2 now $785K, 1143 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 now $799K, 1586 Century Ct 3/2.5 now $933K, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5.5 now $3.345M.

1 new sale: 1624 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed at $724K.

3 closed sales: 9231 Belding Dr 2/2 $435K, 1535 Centre St 2/2 $615K, 896 Limpet Dr 3/3 $1.7M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 4171 West Gulf Dr 4.375M.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5226 1/2 listed at $689K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

3 new listings: 11516 Wightman Ln 5/4.5 $3.75M, 11529 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 $4.495M, 15153 Captiva Dr 3/3 $6.499M.

1 price change: 16632 Captiva Dr 5/4 now $7.95M.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Enjoy your weekend & remember to “fall back” an hour Sunday morning.