It’s been another busy week on the islands and I bet you don’t want to again hear that it is sunny and 84 degrees F. It was a week of near-perfect weather according to many. What some of us wait for all year. Now that the dry season has begun, we watch for occasional showers. The forecast doesn’t show a chance of one until the end of next week.

Bridge traffic continues to be iffy. Dave and I continue to try to plan our on/off-island travels around dayworkers schedules. With the causeway construction amped up, those workers also try not to impact the day workers coming and going from the island.

Here is the message that the City received today from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding causeway work though next week:

“Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration:  As a part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Emergency Restoration of the Sanibel Causeway, crews continue work on McGregor Boulevard and the Sanibel Causeway from Port Comfort Road to Sanibel Island. The causeway islands surrounding the temporary roadway are an active work zone and are currently closed for public access, including from the water.

• During the NIGHTTIME/OVERNIGHT hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday evening, Nov 10, through Sat morning, Nov 11, motorists should expect ONE LANE OPEN to two-way travel. Flaggers are scheduled to help with traffic control.
• Beginning no earlier than 10 a.m., motorists traveling westbound to Sanibel on McGregor Boulevard should expect segments of the outside through lane from Port Comfort Road to the toll plaza to be closed for crews to install guardrail.
• Beginning at 7 a.m., motorists traveling westbound to Sanibel on McGregor Boulevard should expect segments of the turn lane to Punta Rassa to be closed to traffic for crews to install guardrail. Motorist can continue to turn right to Punta Rassa.
• Motorists should be aware that through October and November, portions of the travel lanes near the bridges on the Causeway will be narrowed to 10 feet with a one-foot shoulder and barrier wall on each side.  Oversized loads will only be permitted during the nighttime/overnight hours with this restriction.
• During the hours of 6:30 – 11 a.m., motorists leaving Sanibel should expect eastbound McGregor Boulevard to be reduced to one lane from just east of the toll plaza to Port Comfort Road. This closed lane will be used as a dedicated lane for concrete delivery trucks arriving to the project. Concrete trucks will be escorted by FHP when using this lane.During this time, motorists traveling to Sanibel should expect FHP to intermittently stop traffic to allow concrete trucks to cross westbound travel lanes to reach the staging area.
• Through the end of the year, motorists should expect isolated flagging operations, an uneven road surface, periodic shoulder closures, workers and equipment close to the road, and numerous dump trucks entering and exiting Punta Rassa to deliver project supplies.

Many oversized vehicles are crossing the causeway to assist with recovery efforts on the island. Please be patient as travel may be slower than usual. Bicyclists are encouraged to utilize another mode of transportation to travel the causeway and pedestrians are not permitted on the Sanibel Causeway. Expect shoulder closures throughout the project. “

Another challenge this week, causeway related, is that another fiber optic line was cut that affected phone and internet service on much of the island. Luckily, my east-end home was not affected, but I did not have to drive far to lose connections. I stopped in at Bank of the Islands mid-week and they had been without service all day.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Tues morning was the monthly meeting of the Professional Development Committee where we finalized the class offerings and educational events for the rest of the year. Nov membership meeting speaker is Sanibel Building Dept Director Craig Mole and Dec meeting speaker is the new Sanibel School Principal Jennifer Lusk.

The local Association of Realtors® had a extra busy day yesterday, beginning with an early morning Caravan Meeting at The Community House – our first one back in their Great Hall which recently reopened. The meeting began a few minutes late because of causeway delays. Workday mornings it can be backed up on Summerlin past Kelly Greens, sometimes as far as San Carlos Blvd.

Even so, the Caravan Meeting was well attended and following announcements, ten Sanibel homes were open for easy viewing. That is more properties than we have seen open in many months.

Last night, after work, the Association Communications and Public Relations Committee organized our annual event to benefit F.I.S.H.

Cleverly advertised as “F.I.S.H.mas”, members and friends were encouraged to go to Rosalita’s Cantina between 5 and 7 p.m. with donations of items for children and seniors were collected, to go to F.I.S.H. for distribution to those in need.

This was the first time in many years that many of us had been in the separate private party area at Rosalita’s so it was fun to remember the many establishments that have been there.

At SanibelSusan Realty

We put another condo under contract over the weekend which is included in the MLS info posted below and we have been working on the action items associated with that transaction. Dave also prepared an inventory, checked our listings, is updating our database, and is ready to accompany a condo inspection next week.

I again fielded some calls from both buyers and sellers, as we both continue to view property for absentee purchasers. Yesterday, between the various Association events and BIG ARTS Chorus rehearsal, I attended an on-line update for brokers by Florida Realtors® leadership team. Over 4K Florida Realtors® Zoomed in. A special take-away was advice from Florida Realtors® General Counsel & Vice President of Law & Policy Juana Watkins, Esq. who said, “Remember, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

Sanibel City Council Meeting

Late Tues afternoon, I received the City message about the loss of internet service at BIG ARTS and that they were afraid that the upcoming City Council meeting (5:30 p.m.) would not be streamed live. So, being interested in the proposed building code changes that could affect real estate, I quickly hopped in my car to attend in person.

Though the audience was sparse, and the meeting did get filmed, I managed to sit through the whole thing. Beginning a few minutes early and not wrapping up until nearly 9 p.m., I came away in awe of the many topics discussed, business covered, and thoughtful deliberations that were conducted. For details or to listen and see the various PowerPoint presentations, go to The City of Sanibel Facebook Page. Here are a few takeaways:

• Island Water Association recognized for their efforts as first responders following Hurricane Ian.
• Sanibel School PTA members and several students presented a check to the City for the playground they cost share.
• Planning Commission provided good update on all the work they have done on the proposed building ordinances.
• For future agendas: Alternatives to be investigated for July 4^th celebration (instead of fireworks). Also suggestions for use of City-owned Library Way parcels.
• 1st reading of proposed Ordinance to adjust maximum building heights in residential areas. This is the next step, following the Special Meeting, City Council hosted last week, These are good changes with it coming up for Commissioner vote at their next meeting (2^nd reading).
• 2nd reading of proposed Ordinance to update resort housing district building height rules. It passed unanimously (with one Commissioner jokingly calling it the Tony Lapi ordinance). Hopefully these clarifications will mean Tony can rebuild West Wind Inn without losing units.
• During the Natural Resources Department reports on island lakes, golf courses, and canals, it was confirmed that the salinity from Hurricane Ian greatly affected water quality which was already compromised and continues to be an issue of primary concern. This alone is a good reason to listen to the presentation by Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt. If you start listening at hour 2, you will hear Holly describe how the emergency projects for beach sand restoration are progressing. Many permits are involved (Army Corps, state, federal). They had ambitiously hoped work would be completed by the start of shorebird nesting season (Feb 15). Holly said at least a 30-day delay is expected so they are coordinating with SCCF for any monitoring needed. The hard line is May 1 when sea turtle nesting season again begins. (You probably don’t want to hear the part where Holly confirms that 375 truckloads of sand will be coming daily once the sand restoration begins. A staggering 80,000 tons of sand are planned just for the lighthouse area where the low elevation has required additional permitting.

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 RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	66	1,063,124	153	97	1,697,978	88	35	1,075,854	164
Under contract	6	1,197,259	93	16	1,332.875	86	2	317,000	20
Sold 2023 to 11/10	88	949,438	64	243	1,260,525	72	23	940,021	78
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	1,569,152	114	15	6,386,466	125	2	7,247,500	64
Under contract	6	1,014,835	23	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023 to 11/10	12	821,000	110	17	2,716,647	70	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 Nov 3-10

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sundial #D312 1/1 $447K, Sundial #L401 2/2 $1.4M.

1 back on market: Sand Pointe #116 2/2 $899.9K.

1 price change: Loggerhead Cay #174 2/2 now $899.9K.

2 new sales: Sundial #E208 2/2 listed at $1.25M, Gulfside Place #208 2/2 listed at $1,365,555 (SanibelSusan sale).

4 closed sales: Colonnades #17 1/1 $274K, Sundial #I106 1/1 $350K, White Sands #11 2/2 $875K, Seascape #204 3/3.5 $2,813,500.

HOMES

8 new listings: 4269 Gulf Pines Dr 2/2 $749K, 998 Greenwood Ct N 3/2.5 $749K, 1220 Par View Dr 3/2 $1.44M, 969 Whelk Dr 3/2.5 $1.595M, 1402 Middle Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.595M, 759 Pyrula Ave 3/3 $1.895M, 1157 Bird Ln 3/3.5 $3.995M, 4099 West Gulf Dr 5/5.5 $5.499M.

5 price changes: 455 Peachtree R 2/2 now $795K, 1806 Ibis Ln 3/2 now $849K, 1731 Serenity Ln 4/3 now $995K, 1306 Par View Dr 3/3.5 now $1.5M, 488 Lighthouse Way 4/4 now $4.295M.

3 new sales: 1835 Ardsley Way 2/2 listed at $450K, 560 Piedmont Rd 3/2 listed at $639K, 1143 Sand Castle Rd 3.2.5 listed at $799K.

3 closed sales: 1754 Windward Way 2/2 $819K, 1999 My-Tern Ct 3/2 $925K, 4355 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5.5 $4.7M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 972 Fitzhugh St now $325K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Lands End #1651 2/2 $1.395M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #2615 1/1 listed at $695K.

1 closed sale: Tennis Villas #3210 1/1 $520K

HOMES & 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 & remember to honor veterans,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan